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Abstract Background Dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is commonly used to evaluate cancellous bone density before dental implant surgery. However, to our knowledge, no measurement approach has been standardized yet. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between three different regions of interest (ROI) methods on cancellous bone density at the dental implant site using dental CBCT images. Methods Patients’ dental CBCT images (n = 300) obtained before dental implant surgery were processed using Mimics (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium). At the potential implant sites, the rectangle, cylinder, and surrounding cylinder ROI methods were used to measure bone density. Repeated measures one-way analysis of variance was performed to compare the three ROI methods in terms of measurement results. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to identify the likely pair-wise correlations between the three ROI methods. Results The density value obtained using the surrounding cylinder approach (grayscale value [GV],523.56 ± 228.03) was significantly higher than the values obtained using the rectangle (GV, 497.04 ± 236.69) and cylinder (GV,493 ± 231.19) ROI methods in terms of results. Furthermore, significant correlations were noted between the ROI methods (r > 0.965; p

Abstract Background Metacarpal shaft fracture is a common type of hand fracture. Numerous studies have explored fixing transverse fractures in the midshaft of the metacarpal bone. However, this section of the metacarpal bone is often susceptible to high-energy injury, resulting in comminuted fracture or bone loss. In such cases, wedge-shaped bone defects can develop in the metacarpal shaft, increasing the difficulty of performing fracture fixation. Notably, the research on this type of fracture fixation is limited. This study compared the abilities of four fixation methods to fix metacarpal shaft fractures with wedge-shaped bone defects. Methods In total, 28 artificial metacarpal bones were used. To create wedge-shaped bone defects, an electric saw was used to create metacarpal shaft fractures at the midshaft of each bone. The artificial metacarpal bones were then divided into four groups for fixation. The bones in the first group were fixed with a dorsal locked plate (DP group), those in the second group were fixed with a volar locked plate (VP group), and those in the third group were fixed by combining dorsal and volar locked plates (DP + VP group), and those in the fourth group were fixed with two K-wires (2 K group). Cantilever bending tests were conducted using a material testing machine to measure yielding force and stiffness. The four groups’ fixation capabilities were then assessed through analysis of variance and Tukey’s test. Results The DP + VP group (164.1±44.0 N) achieved a significantly higher yielding force relative to the 2 K group (50.7 ± 8.9 N); the DP group (13.6 ± 3.0 N) and VP group (12.3 ± 1.0 N) did not differ significantly in terms of yielding force, with both achieving lower yielding forces relative to the DP + VP group and 2 K group. The DP + VP group (19.8±6.3 N/mm) achieved the highest level of stiffness, and the other three groups did not differ significantly in terms of stiffness (2 K group, 5.4 ± 1.1 N/mm; DP group, 4.0 ± 0.9 N/mm; VP group, 3.9 ± 1.9 N/mm). Conclusions The fixation method involving the combined use of dorsal and volar locked plates (DP + VP group) resulted in optimal outcomes with respect to fixing metacarpal shaft fractures with volar wedge bone defects.

Abstract Objective This study proposed a new classification method of bone quantity and quality at the dental implant site using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) image analysis, classifying cortical and cancellous bones separately and using CBCT for quantitative analysis. Methods Preoperative CBCT images were obtained from 128 implant patients (315 sites). First, measure the crestal cortical bone thickness (in mm) and the cancellous bone density [in grayscale values (GV) and bone mineral density (g/cm3)] at the implant sites. The new classification for bone quality at the implant site proposed in this study is a “nine-square division” bone classification system, where the cortical bone thickness is classified into A: > 1.1 mm, B:0.7–1.1 mm, and C: 600 GV (= 420 g/cm3), 2:300–600 GV (= 160 g/cm3–420 g/cm3), and 3:

Abstract Objective To investigate differences in the effectiveness of two lag screws, a regular bone plate, and locking bone plate fixation in treating horizontal oblique metacarpal shaft fractures. Materials and methods Horizontal oblique metacarpal shaft fractures were created in 21 artificial metacarpal bones and fixed using one of the three methods: (1) two lag screws, (2) a regular plate, and (3) a locking plate. All the specimens were subjected to the cantilever bending test performed using a material testing machine to enable recording of the force–displacement data of the specimens before failure. The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare failure force and stiffness values among the three fixation methods. Results The mean failure force of the two lag screw group (78.5 ± 6.6 N, mean + SD) was higher than those of the regular plate group (69.3 ± 17.6 N) and locking plate group (68.2 ± 14.2 N). However, the mean failure force did not significantly differ among the three groups. The mean stiffness value of the two lag screw group (17.8 ± 2.6 N/mm) was lower than those of the regular plate group (20.2 ± 10.5 N/mm) and locking plate group (21.8 ± 3.8 N/mm). However, the mean stiffness value did not significantly differ among the three groups. Conclusion The fixation strength of two lag screw fixation did not significantly differ from that of regular and locking bone plate fixation, as indicated by the measurement of the ability to sustain force and stiffness.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of bone–miniscrew contact percentage (BMC%) and bone quality and quantity on orthodontic miniscrew stability and the maximum insertion torque value (ITV). Orthodontic miniscrews of five different dimensions and several bovine iliac bone specimens were used in the evaluation. Miniscrews of each dimension group were inserted into 20 positions in bovine iliac bone specimens. The experiment was divided into three parts: (1) Bone quality and quantity were evaluated using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and microcomputed tomography. (2) The 3D BMC% was calculated. (3) The ITVs during miniscrew insertion were recorded to evaluate the stability of the orthodontic miniscrews. The results indicated that longer and thicker miniscrews enabled higher ITVs. CBCT was used to accurately measure cortical bone thickness (r = 0.939, P

Abstract Background For oblique metacarpal shaft fracture, if anatomical reduction is achieved through conservative cast immobilization rather than stable fixation, bone malrotation can easily occur, resulting in severe loss in hand prehensile function. However, whether bone plate fixation or only lag screw fixation is more preferable remains unclear. Few studies have evaluated whether screw fixation can provide biomechanical fixation strength similar to bone plate fixation. Objective We assessed the difference in fixation strength between fixtation with two lag screws and bone plate for oblique metacarpal shaft fractures. Materials and methods We created oblique metacarpal shaft fractures on 21 artificial bones and fixated them using (1) double lag screw (2LS group), (2) regular plate (RP group), or (3) locked plate (LP group). To obtain the force–displacement data, a cantilever bending test was conducted for each specimen through a material testing machine. One-way analysis of variance and a Tukey test were conducted to compare the maximum fracture force and stiffness of the three fixation methods. Results The maximum fracture force of the 2LS group (mean + SD: 153.6 ± 26.5 N) was significantly lower than that of the RP (211.6 ± 18.5 N) and LP (227.5 ± 10.0 N) groups (p

Abstract Background Menopause-induced decline in estrogen levels in women is a main factor leading to osteoporosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH) on bone structural parameters of the femoral neck in ovariectomized rats, in addition to correlations of maximum fracture force. Methods Fifteen female Wister rats were divided into three groups: (1) control group; (2) ovariectomized (OVX) group; and (3) OVX + PTH group. All rats were then killed and the femurs extracted for microcomputed tomography scanning to measure volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and bone structural parameters of the femoral neck. Furthermore, the fracture forces of femoral neck were measured using a material testing system. Results Compared with the control and OVX + PTH groups, the OVX group had significantly lower aBMD, bone parameter, and mechanical strength values. A comparison between OVX and OVX + PTH groups indicated that PTH treatment increased several bone parameters. However, the OVX + PTH groups did not significantly differ with the control group with respect to the bone structural parameters, except for trabecular bone thickness of cancellous bone, which was greater. In addition, among the bone structural parameters, the CSA and BSI of cortical bone were significantly correlated with the maximum fracture force of the femoral neck, with correlations of, respectively, 0.682 (p = 0.005) and 0.700 (p = 0.004). Conclusion Intermittent PTH helped treat ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis of cancellous bone and cortical bone in the femoral necks of rats. The ability of the femoral neck to resist fracture was highly correlated with the two parameters, namely cross-sectional area (CSA) and bone strength index (= vBMD × CSA), of cortical bone in the femoral neck and was less correlated with aBMD or other bone structural parameters.

Purpose: We sought to analyze the biomechanical effects which both different numbers and locations of screws have on three different clavicle hook plates, as well as any possible causes of sub-acromial bone erosion and peri-implant clavicular fractures.Methods: This study built thirteen groups of finite element models using three different clavicle hook plates (short plates, long plates, and posterior hook offset plates) in varying numbers and locations of the screws. The von Mises stress distribution of the clavicle and hook plate, as well as the reaction force of the acromion was evaluated.Results: The results show that inserting screws in all available screw holes on the hook plate produces a relatively large reaction force on the acromion, particularly in the axial direction of the bone plate. The fewer the screws implanted into the clavicle hook plate, the larger the area of high-stress distribution there is in the middle of the clavicle, and also, the higher the stress distribution on the clavicle hook plate.Conclusion: This study provides orthopedic physicians with the biomechanical analysis of different numbers and locations of screws in clavicle hook plates to help minimize surgical complications.

Abstract Background Metacarpal shaft fractures are a common hand trauma. The current surgical fixation options for such fractures include percutaneous Kirschner wire pinning and nonlocking and locking plate fixation. Although bone plate fixation, compared with Kirschner wire pinning, has superior fixation ability, a consensus has not been reached on whether the bone plate is better placed on the dorsal or lateral side. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fixation of locking and regular bone plates on the dorsal and lateral sides of a metacarpal shaft fracture. Materials and methods Thirty-five artificial metacarpal bones were used in the experiment. Metacarpal shaft fractures were created using a saw blade, which were then treated with four types of fixation as follows: (1) a locking plate with four locking bicortical screws on the dorsal side (LP_D); (2) a locking plate with four locking bicortical screws on the lateral side (LP_L); (3) a regular plate with four regular bicortical screws on the dorsal side (RP_D); (4) a regular plate with four regular bicortical screws on the lateral side (RP_D); and (5) two K-wires (KWs). All specimens were tested through cantilever bending tests on a material testing system. The maximum fracture force and stiffness of the five fixation types were determined based on the force–displacement data. The maximum fracture force and stiffness of the specimens with metacarpal shaft fractures were first analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s test. Results The maximum fracture force results of the five types of metacarpal shaft fracture were as follows: LP_D group (230.1 ± 22.8 N, mean ± SD) ≅ RP_D group (228.2 ± 13.4 N) > KW group (94.0 ± 17.4 N) > LP_L group (59.0 ± 7.9 N) ≅ RP_L group (44.5 ± 3.4 N). In addition, the stiffness results of the five types of metacarpal shaft fracture were as follows: LP_D group (68.7 ± 14.0 N/mm) > RP_D group (54.9 ± 3.2 N/mm) > KW group (20.7 ± 5.8 N/mm) ≅ LP_L group (10.6 ± 1.7 N/mm) ≅ RP_L group (9.4 ± 1.2 N/mm). Conclusion According to our results, the mechanical strength offered by lateral plate fixation of a metacarpal shaft fracture is so low that even KW fixation can offer relatively superior mechanical strength; this is regardless of whether a locking or nonlocking plate is used for lateral plate fixation. Such fixation can reduce the probability of extensor tendon adhesion. Nevertheless, our results indicated that when lateral plate fixation is used for fixating a metacarpal shaft fracture in a clinical setting, whether the mechanical strength offered by such fixation would be strong enough to support bone union remains questionable.

Abstract Background Metacarpal shaft fractures are a common type of hand fracture. Despite providing strong fixation strength, plate fixation has numerous shortcomings. Concerning internal fixation with Kirschner wires (K-wires), although this approach is frequently used to treat metacarpal shaft fractures, the lack of functional stability may result in fixation failure. Objective To evaluate the effect of figure-of-eight cerclage wire on fixation for transverse metacarpal shaft fractures using two K-wires. Materials and methods We used a saw blade to create transverse metacarpal shaft fractures in 14 fourth-generation artificial third metacarpal bones (Sawbones, Vashon, WA, USA), which were assigned to groups undergoing fixation with two K-wires (KP) or with two K-wires and figure-of-eight cerclage wire (KP&F8). All specimens were subjected to material testing, specifically cantilever bending tests. The maximum fracture force and stiffness of the two fixation types were determined on the basis of the force–displacement data. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare between-group differences in maximum fracture force and stiffness. Results The maximum fracture force of the KP group (median ± interquartile range = 97.30 ± 29.70 N) was significantly lower than that of the KP&F8 group (153.2 ± 69.50 N, p

The retromolar canal is an anatomical variation that occurs in the mandibular bone. The retromolar canal typically originates in the mandibular canal on the distal side of the third molar and extends forward and upward to the retromolar foramen (RMF), which contains the neurovascular bundle. Accidentally damaging the neurovascular bundle in the retromolar canal during the extraction of the third molar, dental implant surgery, or maxillofacial orthognathic surgery may lead to subsequent complications such as incomplete local anesthesia, paresthesia, and bleeding during operation. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the RMF in the Taiwanese population in a medical center by using dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to identify the position of the RMF in the mandibular bone. The dental CBCT images for the mandibular bone of 68 hemi-mandible were uploaded to the medical imaging software Mimics 15.1 to determine the prevalence of the RMF in the Taiwanese population and the three positional parameters of the RMF in the mandibular bone: (1) The diameter of the RMF, (2) the horizontal distance from the midpoint of the RMF to the distal cementoenamel junction of the second molar, and (3) the vertical distance from the midpoint of the RMF to the upper border of the mandibular canal. Seven RMFs were observed in the 68 hemi-mandibles. Thus, the RMF prevalence was 10.3%. In addition, the diameter of the RMF was 1.41 ± 0.30 mm (mean ± standard deviation), the horizontal distance from the midpoint of the RMF to the distal cementoenamel junction of the the second molar was 12.93 ± 2.87 mm, and the vertical distance from the midpoint of the RMF to the upper border of the mandibular canal below second molar was 13.62 ± 1.3487 mm. This study determined the prevalence of the RMF in the Taiwanese population in a medical center and its relative position in the mandibular bone. This information can provide clinicians with a reference for posterior mandible anesthesia and surgery to ensure medical safety.

Abstract Background Metacarpal shaft fracture is a common fracture in hand trauma injuries. Surgical intervention is indicated when fractures are unstable or involve considerable displacement. Current fixation options include Kirschner wire, bone plates, and intramedullary headless screws. Common complications include joint stiffness, tendon irritation, implant loosening, and cartilage damage. Objective We propose a modified fixation approach using headless compression screws to treat transverse or short-oblique metacarpal shaft fracture. Materials and methods We used a saw blade to model transverse metacarpal neck fractures in 28 fresh porcine metacarpals, which were then treated with the following four fixation methods: (1) locked plate with five locked bicortical screws (LP group), (2) regular plate with five bicortical screws (RP group), (3) two Kirschner wires (K group), and (4) a headless compression screw (HC group). In the HC group, we proposed a novel fixation model in which the screw trajectory was oblique to the long axis of the metacarpal bone. The entry point of the screw was in the dorsum of the metacarpal neck, and the exit point was in the volar cortex of the supracondylar region; thus, the screw did not damage the articular cartilage. The specimens were tested using a modified three-point bending test on a material testing system. The maximum fracture forces and stiffness values of the four fixation types were determined by observing the force–displacement curves. Finally, the Kruskal–Wallis test was adopted to process the data, and the exact Wilcoxon rank sum test with Bonferroni adjustment was performed to conduct paired comparisons among the groups. Results The maximum fracture forces (median ± interquartile range [IQR]) of the LP, RP, HC, and K groups were 173.0 ± 81.0, 156.0 ± 117.9, 60.4 ± 21.0, and 51.8 ± 60.7 N, respectively. In addition, the stiffness values (median ± IQR) of the LP, HC, RP, and K groups were 29.6 ± 3.0, 23.1 ± 5.2, 22.6 ± 2.8, and 14.7 ± 5.6 N/mm, respectively. Conclusion Headless compression screw fixation provides fixation strength similar to locked and regular plates for the fixation of metacarpal shaft fractures. The headless screw was inserted obliquely to the long axis of the metacarpal bone. The entry point of the screw was in the dorsum of the metacarpal neck, and the exit point was in the volar cortex of the supracondylar region; therefore the articular cartilage iatrogenic injury can be avoidable. This modified fixation method may prevent tendon irritation and joint cartilage violation caused by plating and intramedullary headless screw fixation.

Dental implant surgery involves the insertion of a dental implant into the alveolar bone; the success of the surgery depends on the initial stability of the implant. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of dental implant insertion approaches in clinical surgery and in accordance with the standards of American Society for Testing and Materials on initial implant stability. Three insertion approaches were used for dental implant placement (Branemark Systems NobelSpeedy Groovy, Nobel Biocare AB, Gothenburg, Sweden) in two types of artificial bone—good bone (GB) and poor bone (PB). The three insertion approaches were as follows: (1) continuous rotation insertion (CRI): using a torque testing machine to continuously screw in an implant to completion and (2 and 3) intermittent rotation insertion (IRI)_90 and IRI_80: using CRI to bury an implant to 90% and 80% of its full length followed by IRI to complete the implantation, respectively. The maximum insertion torque value (ITV), periotest value (PTV), and implant stability quotient (ISQ) were measured and compared. The results indicated that bone quality and insertion approach both affected implant stability. Insertion approaches affected all three implant stability indicators differently in the GB and PB groups (p=0.008). In GB groups, the insertion approach primarily affected ITV, whereas in PB groups, it primarily affected PTV. The effect of the insertion approach was less apparent for ISQ. Overall, in both the GB and PB groups, the implant stability for IRI_80 was greater than that for IRI_90, and the implant stability for IRI_90 was greater than that for CRI. Future in vitro studies should adopt an insertion approach that complies with the clinical practice for dental implant surgery. Dentists should adjust the timing for IRI in dental implant surgery to achieve greater initial dental implant stability.

Abstract Background In this study, we explored how various preprocessing approaches can be employed to enhance the capability of dental CBCT to accurately estimate trabecular bone microarchitectural parameters. Methods In total, 30 bovine vertebrae cancellous bone specimens were used for in study. Voxel resolution 18-μm micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and 100-μm dental CBCT were used to scan each specimen. Micro-CT images were used to calculate trabecular bone microarchitectural parameters; the results were set as the gold standard. Subsequently, before the dental CBCT images were converted into binary images to calculate trabecular bone microarchitectural parameters, three preprocessing approaches were used to process the dental CBCT images. For Group 1, no preprocessing approach was applied. For Group 2, images were sharpened and despeckable noises were removed. For Group 3, the function of local thresholding was added to Group 2 to form Group 3. For Group 4, the air pixels was removed from Group 3 to form Group 4. Subsequently, all images were imported into a software package to estimate trabecular bone microarchitectural parameters (bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (TbTh), trabecular number (TbN), and trabecular separation (TbSp)). Finally, a paired t-test and a Pearson correlation test were performed to compare the capability of micro-CT with the capability of dental CBCT for estimating trabecular bone microarchitectural parameters. Results Regardless of whether dental CBCT images underwent image preprocessing (Groups 1 to 4), the four trabecular bone microarchitectural parameters measured using dental CBCT images were significantly different from those measured using micro-CT images. However, after three image preprocessing approaches were applied to the dental CBCT images (Group 4), the BV/TV obtained using dental CBCT was highly positively correlated with that obtained using micro-CT (r = 0.87, p < 0.001); the correlation coefficient was greater than that of Group 1 (r = −0.15, p = 0.412), Group 2 (r = 0.16, p = 0.386), and Group 3 (r = 0.47, p = 0.006). After dental CBCT images underwent image preprocessing, the efficacy of using dental CBCT for estimating TbN and TbSp was enhanced. Conclusions Image preprocessing approaches can be used to enhance the efficacy of using dental CBCT for predicting trabecular bone microarchitectural parameters.

Abstract Background Fifth metacarpal neck fracture, also known as boxer’s fracture, is the most common metacarpal fracture. Percutaneous Kirschner-wire (K-wire) pinning has been shown to produce favorable clinical results. However, the fixation power of K-wires is a major concern. Plate fixation is also a surgical option, but it has the disadvantages of tendon adhesion, requirement of secondary surgery for removal of the implant, and postoperative joint stiffness. A fixation method that causes little soft tissue damage and provides high biomechanical stability is required for patients with fifth metacarpal neck fracture for whom surgical intervention is indicated. The present study proposed fixation using K-wires and a cerclage wire to treat fifth metacarpal neck fracture. The fixation power of this new method was compared with that of K-wires alone and plates. Methods We used a saw blade to create transverse metacarpal neck fractures in 16 artificial metacarpal bone specimens, which were then treated with four types of fixation as follows: (1) locking plate with five locking bicortical screws (LP group), (2) regular plate with five bicortical screws (RP group), (3) two K-wires (K group), and (4) two K-wires and a figure-of-eight cerclage wire (KW group). The specimens were tested by using cantilever bending testing on a material testing system. The stiffness of the four fixation types was determined by observing force–displacement curves. Finally, the Kruskal–Wallis test was adopted to process the data, and the Mann–Whitney exact test was performed to conduct paired comparison between the fixation types. Results The fixation strength levels of the four fixation approaches for treating fifth metacarpal neck fracture were ranked in a descending order of LP group (24.6 ± 5.1 N/mm, median ± interquartile range) > RP group (22.2 ± 5.8 N/mm) ≅ KW group (20.1 ± 3.2 N/mm) > K group (16.9 ± 3.0 N/mm). Conclusion The fixation strength of two K-wires was significantly higher when reinforcement was provided using a figure-of-eight cerclage wire. The strength of the proposed approach is similar to that of a regular plate with five bicortical screws but weaker than that of a locking plate with the same amount of bicortical screws. Cerclage wire-integrated K-wires can be an alternative method that avoids the excessive soft tissue dissection required for plating in open reduction internal fixation for fifth metacarpal neck fracture.

Operative delivery requires the use of a vacuum extractor; obstetricians can choose the appropriate vacuum extractor to make the delivery process smoother and safer. However, there is no biomechanical literature focused on the imposed effects of a vacuum extractor prepared with different materials and vacuum pressure on the fetal head during the process of delivery. Therefore, we first established and performed the finite element analytical model to explore the influences of vacuum extractors manufactured from different materials on the fetal head under various extractive pressures. The model of the vacuum extractor was designed as a hemispherical shape, and the material of the vacuum extractor was composed of silicone rubber and stainless steel for comparison. Four different vacuum pressures (500 cm H2O, 600 cm H2O, 700 cm H2O, and 800 cm H2O) were applied as the factors for investigation. The reaction force on the fetal head, von Mises stress of vacuum extractor, and von Mises stress on the skull of fetal head were measured and analyzed to evaluate the effects. The results revealed that subtle divergent influences of different vacuum pressures were observed, and the stainless-steel vacuum extractor induced a larger reaction force (358.04–361.37 N), accompanied with stress (13.547–13.675 MPa), on the fetal head than non-metallic or relatively softer materials. The results provide a reliable basis for selecting proper vacuum extractor during operative delivery to avoid obstetrical complications, such as scalp scratch, cephalohematoma and even intracerebral hemorrhage.

Abstract Background Intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH) can be used to treat osteoporosis of the spine and hip. However, whether it can be used to treat osteoporosis of the mandible is unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of applying intermittent PTH to ovariectomized rats on the trabecular bone microarchitecture of the mandible and femoral head. Methods Eighteen female rats were divided into three groups: the healthy group, ovariectomized (OVX) group, and OVX + PTH group. The OVX group and OVX + PTH group had an OVX at 8 weeks of age. The OVX + PTH group received intermittent PTH therapy for 12 weeks. The mandibles and femurs of all rats were removed at 20 weeks and were then scanned using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). Results From the micro-CT analysis, the trabecular bone microarchitecture of the mandible and femoral head are offered as follows: (1) The bone volume fraction and trabecular thickness in the OVX group were lower than those in the healthy group. (2) The bone volume fraction and trabecular thickness in the OVX + PTH group approximated those in the healthy group. Conclusion The conclusions of this study regarding the trabecular bone microarchitecture of the mandible and femoral head are offered as follows: (1) The BV/TV and TbTh in the OVX group were lower than those in the healthy group. (2) The BV/TV and TbTh in the OVX + PTH group approximated those in the healthy group, therefore, intermittent PTH displayed high efficacy for treating femoral or mandibular deterioration of bone microstructure resulting from loss of ovarian function. Osteoporosis of the femur or mandible in the rats was ameliorated by intermittent PTH therapy.

Dental implant surgery is a common treatment for missing teeth. Its survival rate is considerably affected by host bone quality and quantity, which is often assessed prior to surgery through dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Dental CBCT was used in this study to evaluate dental implant sites for (1) differences in and (2) correlations between cancellous bone density and cortical bone thickness among four regions of the jawbone. In total, 315 dental implant sites (39 in the anterior mandible, 42 in the anterior maxilla, 107 in the posterior mandible, and 127 in the posterior maxilla) were identified in dental CBCT images from 128 patients. All CBCT images were loaded into Mimics 15.0 to measure cancellous bone density (unit: grayscale value (GV) and cortical bone thickness (unit: mm)). Differences among the four regions of the jawbone were evaluated using one-way analysis of variance and Scheffe’s posttest. Pearson coefficients for correlations between cancellous bone density and cortical bone thickness were also calculated for the four jawbone regions. The results revealed that the mean cancellous bone density was highest in the anterior mandible (722 ± 227 GV), followed by the anterior maxilla (542 ± 208 GV), posterior mandible (535 ± 206 GV), and posterior maxilla (388 ± 206 GV). Cortical bone thickness was highest in the posterior mandible (1.15 ± 0.42 mm), followed by the anterior mandible (1.01 ± 0.32 mm), anterior maxilla (0.89 ± 0.26 mm), and posterior maxilla (0.72 ± 0.19 mm). In the whole jawbone, a weak correlation (r = 0.133, p = 0.041) was detected between cancellous bone density and cortical bone thickness. Furthermore, except for the anterior maxilla (r = 0.306, p = 0.048), no correlation between the two bone parameters was observed (all p > 0.05). Cancellous bone density and cortical bone thickness varies by implant site in the four regions of the jawbone. The cortical and cancellous bone of a jawbone dental implant site should be evaluated individually before surgery.

Assessing bone quality and quantity at the location of dental implants before dental implantation is crucial. In recent years, dental cone-beam computed tomography (dental CBCT) has often been used to assess bone quality and quantity prior to dental implant. However, the effect of scanning resolution on the prediction of trabecular bone microarchitectural parameters (TBMPs) remains unclear. The objective of this study was to examine how dental CBCT with various scanning resolution differs with regard to predicting TBMPs. This study used micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) with 18 μm resolution and dental CBCT with 100 μm and 150 μm resolutions on 28 fresh bovine vertebrae cancellous bone specimens. Subsequently, all images were input into the ImageJ software to measure four TBMPs: bone volume total volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N), and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp). One-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s test were subsequently used to assess the differences between three scanning modes for the four TBMPs. In addition, correlations between measurement results obtained from micro-CT and dental CBCT with two resolutions were measured. The experimental results indicated that significant differences in four TBMPs were observed between micro-CT and dental CBCT (p < 0.05). The correlation coefficients between BV/TV, Tb.N, and Tb.Sp obtained from micro-CT and from dental CBCT with 100 μm resolution (0.840, 0.739, and 0.820, respectively) were greater than the correlation coefficients between BV/TV, Tb.N, and Tb.Sp obtained from micro-CT and from dental CBCT with 150 μm resolution (0.758, 0.367, and 0.724, respectively). The experimental results revealed that the TBMPs measured with dental CBCT with two resolutions differed from ideal values, but a higher resolution could provide more accurate prediction results, particularly for BV/TV, Tb.N, and Tb.Sp.

Pure titanium (Ti) and titanium alloys are widely used as artificial implant materials for biomedical applications. The excellent biocompatibility of Ti has been attributed to the presence of a natural or artificial surface layer of titanium dioxide. Zinc oxide and tantalum oxide thin films are recognized due to their outstanding antibacterial properties. In this study, high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) was used for the deposition of tantalum oxide and zinc-doped Ta(Zn)O thin films on Ti with rough and porous surface, which was pretreated by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO). Surface morphology, antibacterial property as well as cell biocompatibility were analyzed. The antibacterial effect was studied individually for the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans). The deposited Ta (Zn)O coating was composed of amorphous tantalum oxide and crystalline ZnO. The antibacterial results on the tantalum oxide and Ta(Zn)O coated Ti indicated a significant inhibition of both S. aureus and A. actinomycetemcomitans bacteria when compared with the uncoated Ti samples. The deposited Ta(Zn)O showed the best antibacterial performance. The Ta(Zn)O coated Ti showed lower level of the cell viability in MG-63 cells compared to other groups, indicating that Zn-doped Ta(Zn)O coatings may restrict the cell viability of hard tissue-derived MG-63 cells. However, the biocompatibility tests demonstrated that the tantalum oxide and Ta(Zn)O coatings improved cell attachment and cell growth in human skin fibroblasts. The cytotoxicity was found similar between the Ta2O5 and Ta(Zn)O coated Ti. By adopting a first PEO surface modification and a subsequent HiPIMS coating deposition, we synthetized amorphous tantalum oxide and Ta(Zn)O coatings that improved titanium surface properties and morphologies, making them a good surface treatment for titanium-based implants.

We used the finite-element method (FEM) to investigate the effects of jawbone model integrity and the material properties of the periodontal ligament (PDL) on orthodontic tooth movement. Medical imaging software and computer-aided design software were used to create finite-element models of a partial and complete mandibles based on dental cone beam computed tomography images of the human skull. Additionally, we exerted an orthodontic force on the canine crown in the direction of an orthodontic miniscrew under a lower molar root to compare the von Mises strain on the canine PDL in three models: a partial mandible model under orthodontic force (Model 1), a complete mandible model under orthodontic force (Model 2), and a complete mandible model under orthodontic force with clench occlusion in the intercuspal position (ICP; Model 3). Additionally, in the complete mandible model under orthodontic force with ICP occlusion, we analyzed the effects of a PDL with a low (Model 4), moderate (Model 5), and high (Model 6) linear elastic modulus and a PDL a bilinear elastic modulus (Model 7). The simulation results for mandible integrity indicated that the maximum von Mises strains on the canine PDL for Models 1, 2, and 3 were 0.461, 0.394, and 1.811, respectively. Moreover, for the models with different PDL material properties, the maximum von Mises strains on the canine PDLs for Models 4, 5, 6, and 7 were 6.047, 2.594, 0.887, and 1.811, respectively. When the FEM was used to evaluate tooth movement caused by orthodontic force, the transformation of a complete mandible model into a partial mandible model or alteration of the elastic modulus of the PDL influenced the biomechanical responses of the PDL. Additionally, the incorporation of daily ICP occlusion resulted in a larger effect.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the measurement directions of the Periotest value (PTV) and implant stability quotient (ISQ) of dental implant fixtures inserted at various angles and depths. Five groups were organized: vertically inserted implants in an evencrestal position; implants inserted at a 17° tilt in a distal subcrestal position; implants inserted at a 17° tilt in a mesial supracrestal position; implants inserted at a 30° tilt in a distal subcrestal position; and implants inserted at a 30° tilt in a mesial supracrestal position. The PTV and ISQ were measured along four directions (buccal, lingual, mesial, and distal directions) in all specimens. The PTV and ISQ exhibited a highly negative correlation when the fixture was vertically inserted. Compared to the implants inserted vertically and at the distal subcrestal position, the fixture with a greater tilt and inserted at the mesial supracrestal position had a lower stability. The PTV and ISQ of the tilted implants were affected by the measurement direction, inserted angulation and depth.

The objective of this study was to develop a geometrical calibration method applicable to the 2.5D prototype Periapical Radiography System and estimate component position errors. A two-steel-ball phantom with a precisely known position was placed in front of a digital X-ray sensor for two-stage calibration. In the first stage, the following three parameters were estimated: (1) r, the distance between the focal spot and the rotation axis of the X-ray tube; (2) ψ, the included angle between the straight line formed by the X-ray tube’s focal spot and rotation axis and the straight line of the orthogonal sensor; and (3) L4, the distance between the rotation axis and the plane where the two steel balls were positioned. In the second stage, the steel balls’ positions were determined to calculate the positions of the X-ray tube on the x, y, and z axes. Computer simulation was used to verify the accuracy of the calibration method. The results indicate that for the calibration approach proposed in this study, the differences between the estimated errors and setting errors were smaller than 0.15% in the first and second stages, which is highly accurate, verifying its applicability to accurate calibration of the 2.5D Periapical Radiography System.

This study used available or purchased equipment and an image reconstruction system developed by the college of dentistry to establish a basic self-assembled micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) system. Such a system would be suitable for teaching dental radiology to dental students. Specifically, it could help students to understand the principles governing dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and provide graduate students with a system for scanning small samples (e.g., individual teeth) during the early stages of research. The self-assembled micro-CT system was constructed using a portable dental X-ray tube, an intraoral digital X-ray detector, a high-precision rotation stage, related bracket accessories, and a notebook computer. Reconstructed images and three-dimensional models of the maxillary right third molar were produced using the self-assembled micro-CT system and an advanced commercially available micro-CT system (Skyscan 2211). Subsequently, the reconstructed images and 3D models produced using the two systems were compared by two senior dentists to determine whether considerable visual differences could be observed. Finally, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was used for quantitative analysis and to compare the systems. Although the self-assembled micro-CT system produced image boundaries that were not as sharp as those of Skyscan 2211, the images were nonetheless remarkably similar. In addition, the two micro-CT systems produced 3D models that were almost identical in appearance and root canal shape. Quantitative analysis revealed that Skyscan 2211 had produced a SNR that was superior to that of the self-assembled micro-CT system, with the difference ranging from 36.77% to 136.22%; enamel, which has a higher density, exhibited lower SNR differences, whereas dentin, which has a lower density, exhibited higher SNR differences. The self-assembled micro-CT system with a resolution of 36 μm was created using a portable dental X-ray tube and an intraoral digital X-ray detector. Although the scanning time was relatively long (~30 min to scan images of a tooth), the images were adequate in the preliminary stage of experiments. More importantly, students were afforded the opportunity to observe the process of assembling and disassembling each component of a micro-CT scanner and thereby achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the principles governing micro-CT and dental CBCT.

Background/purpose: Root resorption is an important problem in orthodontic treatment. Basically, the root resorption is evaluated by using two-dimensional images (e.g., periapical films, panoramic films, and cephalometric films). However, the use of such images sometimes underestimates the root resorption due to incorrect projection and magnification. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlations between root resorption and the amount of tooth movement during orthodontic treatment using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: We used CBCT to measure the root resorption and amount of tooth movement around six teeth (bilateral maxillary central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines) in eight patients, before orthodontic treatment and after 7 months of treatment. We then calculated the correlation between root resorption and the amount of tooth movement. Results: The root resorption was largest in the lateral incisors (0.39 ± 0.32 and 0.48 ± 0.19 mm in the right and left maxillary lateral incisors, respectively), followed by the central incisors (0.25 ± 0.16 and 0.32 ± 0.34 mm in the right and left maxillary central incisors), and then the canines (0.18 ± 0.19 and 0.19 ± 0.14 mm in the right and left maxillary canines). The average Pearson's correlation coefficient for the association between root resorption and the amount of tooth movement was –0.48. Conclusion: Results show that larger tooth movement after orthodontic treatment may be associated with increased severity of root resorption. This study has demonstrated that CBCT is a useful approach for evaluating apical root resorption after orthodontic treatment.

OBJECTIVE:This study used microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) to evaluate the effects of ovariectomy on the trabecular bone microarchitecture and cortical bone morphology in the femoral neck and mandible of female rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Twelve female Wister rats were divided into two groups: the control and ovariectomized groups. The rats in the ovariectomized group received ovariectomy at 8 weeks of age; all the rats were sacrificed at 20 weeks of age, and their mandibles and femurs were removed and scanned using micro-CT. Four microstructural trabecular bone parameters were measured for the region below the first mandibular molar and the femoral neck region: bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (TbTh), trabecular separation (TbSp), and trabecular number (TbN). In addition, four cortical bone parameters were measured for the femoral neck region: total cross-sectional area (TtAr), cortical area (CtAr), cortical bone area fraction (CtAr/TtAr), and cortical thickness (CtTh). The CtTh at the masseteric ridge was used to assess the cortical bone morphology in the mandible. The trabecular bone microarchitecture and cortical bone morphology in the femoral necks and mandibles of the control group were compared with those of the ovariectomized group. Furthermore, Spearman's correlation (rs) was conducted to analyze the correlation between the osteoporosis conditions of the mandible and femoral neck. RESULTS:Regarding the trabecular bone microarchitectural parameters, the BV/TV of the trabecular bone microarchitecture in the femoral necks of the control group (61.199±11.288%, median ± interquartile range) was significantly greater than that of the ovariectomized group (40.329±5.153%). Similarly, the BV/TV of the trabecular bone microarchitecture in the mandibles of the control group (51.704±6.253%) was significantly greater than that of the ovariectomized group (38.486±9.111%). Furthermore, the TbSp of the femoral necks in the ovariectomized group (0.185±0.066 mm) was significantly greater than that in the control group (0.130±0.026mm). Similarly, the TbSp of the mandibles in the ovariectomized group (0.322±0.047mm) was significantly greater than that in the control group (0.285±0.041mm). However, the TbTh and TbN trends for the mandibles and femoral necks were inconsistent between the control and ovariectomized groups. Regarding the cortical bone morphology parameters, the TtAr of the femoral necks in the ovariectomized group was significantly smaller than that in the control group. There was no significant difference in the TtAr, CtAr, or CtTh of the femoral necks between the control and ovariectomized groups, and no significant difference in the CtTh of the mandibles between the control and ovariectomized groups. Moreover, the BV/TV and TbSp of the mandibles were highly correlated with those of the femurs (rs = 0.874 and rs = 0.755 for BV/TV and TbSp, respectively). Nevertheless, the TbTh, TbN, and CtTh of the mandibles were not correlated with those of the femoral necks. CONCLUSION:After the rats were ovariectomized, osteoporosis of the trabecular bone microarchitecture occurred in their femurs and mandibles; however, ovariectomy did not influence the cortical bone morphology. In addition, the parametric values of the trabecular bone microarchitecture in the femoral necks were highly correlated with those of the trabecular bone microarchitecture in the mandibles.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the trabecular bone microarchitecture and cortical bone morphology by using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and dental cone-beam computed tomography (dental CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen femurs and eight fifth lumbar vertebrae were collected from eight male Sprague Dawley rats. Four trabecular bone microarchitecture parameters related to the fifth lumbar vertebral body (percent bone volume [BV/TV], trabecular thickness [TbTh], trabecular separation [TbSp], and trabecular number [TbN]) were calculated using micro-CT. In addition, the volumetric cancellous bone grayscale value (vCanGrayscale) of the fifth lumbar vertebral body was measured using dental CT. Furthermore, four cortical bone morphology parameters of the femoral diaphysis (total cross-sectional area [TtAr], cortical area [CtAr], cortical bone area fraction [CtAr/TtAr], and cortical thickness [CtTh]) were calculated using both micro-CT and dental CT. Pearson analysis was conducted to calculate the correlation coefficients (r) of the micro-CT and dental CT measurements. Paired-sample t tests were used to compare the differences between the measurements of the four cortical bone morphology parameters obtained using micro-CT and dental CT. RESULTS: High correlations between the vCanGrayscale measured using dental CT and the trabecular bone microarchitecture parameters (BV/TV [r = 0.84] and TbTh [r = 0.84]) measured using micro-CT were observed. The absolute value of the four cortical bone morphology parameters may be different between the dental CT and micro-CT approaches. However, high correlations (r ranged from 0.71 to 0.90) among these four cortical bone morphology parameters measured using the two approaches were obtained. CONCLUSION: We observed high correlations between the vCanGrayscale measured using dental CT and the trabecular bone microarchitecture parameters (BV/TV and TbTh) measured using micro-CT, in addition to high correlations between the cortical bone morphology measured using micro-CT and dental CT. Further experiments are necessary to validate the use of dental CT on human bone.

Tantalum (Ta) is a promising metal for biomedical implants or implant coating for orthopedic and dental applications because of its excellent corrosion resistance, fracture toughness, and biocompatibility. This study synthesizes biocompatible tantalum carbide (TaC) and TaC/amorphous carbon (a-C) coatings with different carbon contents by using a twin-gun magnetron sputtering system to improve their biological properties and explore potential surgical implant or device applications. The carbon content in the deposited coatings was regulated by controlling the magnetron power ratio of the pure graphite and Ta cathodes. The deposited TaC and TaC/a-C coatings exhibited better cell viability of human osteosarcoma cell line MG-63 than the uncoated Ti and Ta-coated samples. Inverted optical and confocal imaging was used to demonstrate the cell adhesion, distribution, and proliferation of each sample at different time points during the whole culture period. The results show that the TaC/a-C coating, which contained two metastable phases (TaC and a-C), was more biocompatible with MG-63 cells compared to the pure Ta coating. This suggests that the TaC/a-C coatings exhibit a better biocompatible performance for MG-63 cells, and they may improve implant osseointegration in clinics.

ObjectiveThis study compared the capabilities of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for predicting the cortical bone strength of rat femurs and tibias.Materials and methodsSpecimens of femurs and tibias obtained from 14 rats were first scanned with DXA to obtain the areal bone mineral density (BMD) of the midshaft cortical portion of the bones. The bones were then scanned using dental CBCT to measure the volumetric cortical bone mineral density (vCtBMD) and the cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI) for calculating the bone strength index (BSI). A three-point bending test was conducted to measure the fracture load of each femur and tibia. Bivariate linear Pearson analysis was used to calculate the correlation coefficients (r values) among the CBCT measurements, DXA measurements, and three-point bending parameters.ResultsThe correlation coefficients for the associations of the fracture load with areal BMD (measured using DXA), vCtBMD (measured using CBCT), CSMI (measured using CBCT), and BSI were 0.585 (p = 0.028) and 0.532 (p = 0.050) (for the femur and tibia, respectively), 0.638 (p = 0.014) and 0.762 (p = 0.002), 0.778 (p = 0.001) and 0.792 (pConclusionsCBCT was found to be superior to DXA for predicting cortical bone fracture loads in rat femurs and tibias. The BSI, which is a combined index of densitometric and geometric parameters, was especially useful. Further clinical studies are needed to validate the predictive value of BSI obtained from CBCT and should include testing on human cadaver specimens.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of insertion depth, bone type, and implant diameter on the primary stability of short implants. Materials and Methods: Commercial dental implants with different lengths (6 and 8 mm; BLX, Straumann) were inserted into artificial bone specimens of good and poor quality at three different depth positions: equicrestal, 1-mm subcrestal, and 2-mm subcrestal. Insertion torque values were recorded spontaneously during the implant procedure. Both maximum insertion torque values (MITVs) and final insertion torque values (FITVs) were recorded. Subsequently, Periotest values (PTVs) and implant stability quotients (ISQs) were measured for all specimens. Results: The mean MITVs of all groups ranged from 31.8 to 46.2 Ncm. However, the mean FITVs of all groups ranged from 8.8 to 29 Ncm. Torque values decreased significantly when the implants were inserted into their final positions. When insertion depth was increased, the PTV and ISQ decreased. Long implants and implants inserted into good-quality bone yielded greater primary stability, and bone quality appeared to have a greater effect on primary stability. Conclusion: When 6-mm short implants are inserted in a subcrestal position, low primary stability may be yielded, particularly in poor-quality bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The relationships between three-dimensional (3D) bone-to-implant contact (BIC), cortical bone height, and trabecular bone density were measured by microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) to determine correlations with primary implant stability and peri-implant bone strain in an immediate loading scenario. Materials and Methods: The 3D BIC ratios of artificial sawbones models with cellular foam of four densities representing trabecular bone (0.12, 0.16, 0.20, and 0.32 g/cm3) and with cortical shells of four thicknesses (0, 1, 2, and 3 mm) were evaluated by micro-CT. Statistical methods and a linear correlation model were employed to investigate the significance of the relationships between 3D BIC ratios and peak insertion torque, implant stability quotient, and Periotest value, as well as with peri-implant bone strain as measured with strain gauges. Results: The 3D BIC ratio increased from 20.5 to 39.4 and from 27.4 to 45.2 as the height of cortical bone and the density of trabecular bone increased from 0 to 3 mm and from 0.12 to 0.32 g/cm3, respectively. A decrease in the 3D BIC ratio was associated with decreases in peri-implant bone strain and primary implant stability. In addition, there was a strong linear correlation between cortical BIC and primary implant stability (R2 > 0.8). Conclusions: The use of an immediately loaded implant in cases with a low 3D BIC ratio (resulting from a thin cortical shell and/or low trabecular bone density) can diminish primary stability of an implant and lead to high strains in the peri-implant bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Before extracting impacted lower third molars, dentists must first identify the spatial relationship between the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) and an impacted lower third molar to prevent nerve injury from the extraction. Nevertheless, the current method for describing the spatial relationship between the IAN and an impacted lower third molar is deficient. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to: (1) evaluate the relative position between impacted lower third molars and the IAN; and (2) investigate the relative position between impacted lower third molars and the IAN by using a cylindrical coordinate system. Methods: From the radiology department's database, we selected computed tomography images of 137 lower third molars (from 75 patients) requiring removal and applied a Cartesian coordinate system by using Mimics, a medical imaging software application, to measure the distribution between impacted mandibular third molars and the IAN. In addition, the orientation of the lower third molar to the IAN was also measured, but by using a cylindrical coordinate system with the IAN as the origin. Results: According to the Cartesian coordinate system, most of the IAN runs through the inferior side of the third molar (78.6 %), followed by the lingual side (11.8 %), and the buccal side (8.9 %); only 0.7 % is positioned between the roots. Unlike the Cartesian coordinate system, the cylindrical coordinate system clearly identified the relative position, r and θ, between the IAN and lower third molar. Conclusions: Using the cylindrical coordinate system to present the relationship between the IAN and lower third molar as (r, θ) might provide clinical practitioners with a more explicit and objective description of the relative position of both sites. However, comprehensive research and cautious application of this system remain necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Precise sperm–oocyte interaction is a critical event for successful fertilization. However, the identity of molecules involved in this process in humans remains largely unknown. This report describes the identification and characterization of a novel cell-surface protein and its potential role in human sperm–oocyte interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An abstract of the paper "Receptor Guanylyl Cyclase-G-deficient Mice Are Protected Against Renal Ischemia-reperfusion Injury by Preventing Apoptosis and Inflammation," by Ruey-Bing Yang, Heng Lin and colleagues is presented.

We have previously identified a novel family of secreted, cell-surface proteins expressed in human vascular endothelium. To date, two family members have been described, sharing a characteristic domain structure including an amino-terminal signal peptide followed by multiple copies of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like repeats, a spacer region, and one CUB domain at the carboxyl terminus. Thus, this family was termed SCUBE for signal peptide-CUB-EGF-like domain containing proteins. Here we described the identification and characterization of one additional member of the SCUBE family named SCUBE3 in humans, sharing an overall 60% protein identity and a similar domain structure with other family members. Real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR and Northern blot analyses revealed that this gene is highly expressed in primary osteoblasts and the long bones (humerus and femur), followed by a low level of expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and in heart. When overexpressed in human embryonic kidney 293T cells, the recombinant hSCUBE3 protein is a secreted glycoprotein that can form oligomers tethered to the cell surface. Interestingly, the secreted hSCUBE3 protein can be further proteolytically processed by a serum-associated protease to release the EGF-like repeats from the CUB domain. The SCUBE3 gene is mapped to human chromosome 6p21.3, a region that has been linked with the locus for a rare form of metabolic bone disease, Paget's disease of bone 1. Together, this novel secreted, cell-surface osteoblast protein may act locally and/or distantly through a proteolytic mechanism, and may play an important role in bone cell biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the capabilities of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in assessing trabecular bone parameters and cortical bone strength. Micro-CT and CBCT scans were applied to 28 femurs from 14 rats to obtain independent measurements of the volumetric cancellous bone mineral density (vCanBMD) in the femoral head, volumetric cortical bone mineral density (vCtBMD) in the femoral diaphysis, cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI), and bone strength index (BSI) ( = CSMI x vCtBMD). Five structural parameters of the trabecular bone of the femoral head were calculated from micro-CT images. A three-point bending test was then conducted to measure the fracture load of each femur. Bivariate linear Pearson analysis was conducted to calculate the correlation coefficients (r values) of the micro-CT, dental CBCT, and three-point bending measurements. The statistical analyses showed a strong correlation between vCanBMD values obtained using micro-CT and dental CBCT (r=0.830). There were strong or moderate correlation between vCanBMD measured using dental CBCT and five parameters of trabecular structure measured using micro-CT. Additionally, the results were satisfactory regardless of whether micro-CT or dental CBCT was used to measure the femoral diaphysis vCtBMD (r=0.733 and 0.680, respectively), CSMI (r=0.756 and 0.726, respectively), or BSI (r=0.846 and 0.847, respectively) to predict fracture loads. This study has yielded a new method for using dental CBCT to evaluate bone parameters and bone strength; however, further studies are necessary to validate the use of dental CBCT on humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the location of the mandibular canal and the thickness of the occlusal cortical bone at dental implant sites in the lower second premolar and lower first molar by using dental cone-beamcomputed tomography (CBCT). Seventy-nine sites (47 second premolar and 32 first molar sites) were identified in the dental CBCT examinations of 47 patients. In this study, 4 parameters were measured: (1) MC-the distance from the mandibular canal to the upper border of the mandible; (2) CD-the distance from the mandibular canal to the buccal border of the mandible; (3)MD-the distance from the mandibular canal to the lingual border of the mandible; (4) TC-the thickness of the cortical bone at the occlusal side. A statistical analysis was employed to compare the size and differences between these 4 parameters at the lower second premolar and lower first molar. Regarding theMC andMD, the experimental results showed no statistical difference between the first molar and second premolar. However, the TCfor the second premolarwas greater than that of the firstmolar.Thus, careful consideration is necessary in choosing the size of and operation type for dental implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]