A Method to Interpolate Osteon Volume Designed for Histological Age Estimation Research

Abstract

Aging adult skeletal material is a crucial component of building the biological profile of unknown skeletal remains, but many macro‐ and microscopic methods have challenges regarding accuracy, precision, and replicability. This study developed a volumetric method to visualize and quantify histological remodeling events in three dimensions, using a two‐dimensional serialized approach that applied circular polarizing microscopy and geographic information systems protocols. This approach was designed as a tool to extend current histological aging methodologies. Three serial transverse sections were obtained from a human femoral midshaft. A total sample size of 6847 complete osteons from the three sections was identified; 1229 osteons connected between all sections. The volume of all connected osteons was interpolated using ArcGIS area calculations and truncated cone geometric functions. Each section was divided into octants, and two random samples of 100 and of 30 connected osteons from each octant were generated. Osteon volume was compared between the octants for each random sample using ANOVA. Results indicated that the medial aspect had relative uniformity in osteon volume, whereas the lateral aspect showed high variability. The anterolateral–lateral octant had significantly smaller osteon volume, whereas the posterior–posterolateral octant had significantly larger osteon volume. Results also indicated that a minimum of 100 osteons is statistically more robust and more representative of normal osteon distribution and volume; the use of 30 osteons is insufficient. This research has demonstrated that osteon volume can be interpolated using spatial geometry and GIS applications and may be a tool to incorporate into adult age‐at‐death estimation techniques.

The lifestyles of Bronze Age Zagros highlanders at Deh Dumen, Iran: Insights from midshaft femur cross‐sectional geometry and histology

“…In principle, even small fragments of bone can thus be assessed as to whether they belong to a young adult (predominantly composed of primary bone) or adult (composed of several generations of secondary osteons). Regression equations to calculate specific age‐at‐death estimates (e.g., Cho et al, 2002; Kerley, 1965; Michener et al, 2020) by quantifying osteons are also available. However, because bone remodelling is dynamic, it is difficult to confirm that the number of osteons seen in a thin section is only an effect of age.…”

Human amniotic epithelial cell transplantation improves scar remodeling in a rabbit model of acute vocal fold injury: a pilot study

“…Spatial data in ArcGIS is usually analyzed in reference to the surface of the earth, a set of data points that biological micrographs lack. Thus, micrographs were projected into ArcGIS using an appropriate coordinate system according to recent methods presented by Michener et al [ 30 ]. Due to the one-dimensional aspect of histological imaging, the Universal Web Mercator projection, which creates minimal distortion of flat objects, was used [ 31 ].…”

“…Due to the one-dimensional aspect of histological imaging, the Universal Web Mercator projection, which creates minimal distortion of flat objects, was used [ 31 ]. An original micrograph with the scale bar embedded was imported as a separate layer and used to verify the scale established by the ArcGIS Pro coordinate system [ 30 , 32 , 33 ]. To generate vector features, each slide was imported as a raster image into the ArcMap interface of ArcGIS (ArcGIS v.10.3 ESRI) and analyzed using the ArcScan extension and auto outline vectorization tool.…”

In-depth gaze at the astonishing mechanical behavior of bone: A review for designing bio-inspired hierarchical metamaterials

“…Each osteon presents at its center a longitudinal canal, also known as a Haversian canal, in which are placed blood and lymphatic vessels, as well as nerves. The central canals may have very different sizes, the smallest having room only for a capillary blood vessel and a few osteoblasts closely applied to the bone matrix, while larger ones may contain arterioles, a few venules, and a capillary plexus, as well as osteoblasts and mesenchymal connective tissue [37]. Larger canals may contain bone marrow, fatty or hematopoietic tissue, and the surfaces may be lined with active osteoblasts and osteoclasts, occupying different places.…”