Sex‐specific patterns in cortical and trabecular bone microstructure in the Kirsten Skeletal Collection, South Africa

Beresheim, Amy C.; Pfeiffer, Susan; Grynpas, Marc D.; Alblas, Amanda

doi:10.1002/ajhb.23108

Cited by 13 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 105 publications

(110 reference statements)

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“…The objective of this research was to explore age‐ and sex‐related patterns in the structural and material properties of mid‐thoracic ribs to help build an understanding of apartheid health conditions in predominately non‐white South Africans. Results echo our previous work on bone mass and microstructure in a similar subset of the Kirsten Skeletal Collection (Beresheim et al, ; Pfeiffer et al, ). Sex‐related variation in remodeling differentially impacts skeletal aging in this sample.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Health status is assumed to be relatively poor for most individuals in this sample, given available epidemiological data for non‐whites living on the Western Cape at this time (Inwood & Masakure, ; Mpeta & Inwood, ; Williams et al, ). This presumption is also supported by cadaver donation sources, cause of death information, and previous research conducted on the broader Kirsten Skeletal Collection (Alblas et al, ; Beresheim, Pfeiffer, Grynpas, & Alblas, ; Geldenhuys, Burger, Alblas, Greyling, & Kotze, ; Labuschagne & Mathey, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

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Use of backscattered scanning electron microscopy to quantify the bone tissues of mid‐thoracic human ribs

Beresheim

Pfeiffer

Grynpas

et al. 2019

American J Phys Anthropol

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Objectives: Novel information on apartheid health conditions may be obtained through the study of recent skeletal collections. Using a backscattered scanning electron microscopy (BSE-SEM) approach, this study aims to produce bone quality and tissue mineralization data for an understudied South African population from the Western Cape province.Methods: Using BSE-SEM imaging, cortical porosity (Ct.Po), osteocyte lacunar density (Ot.Lc. Dn), and the degree of tissue mineralization were quantified in mid-thoracic ribs from the Kirsten Skeletal Collection. Individuals ( n female = 75, n male = 68, and mean age = 46.3 years)were predominantly from the South Africa Colored (SAC) population group ( n SAC = 103, 72%).Full cross-sectional images of each rib were manually stitched together in Adobe Photoshop.Photomontages were imported into MATALB (Mathworks, Natick, MA) for image processing and analysis. Age-related changes in histomorphometric parameters and sex differences were examined using correlation analysis, as well as linear and nonlinear regressions.Results: Young adult men have significantly less mineralized bone and fewer osteocyte lacunae, compared to women. Only men demonstrate a significant negative relationship between Ot.Lc.Dn and age. Average tissue mineralization decreases with age in women, while Ct.Po increases.Pore area (Po.Ar) does not vary with age, but pore density (Po.Dn) is highest in the perimenopause, when accelerated rates of bone turnover are first anticipated. Ct.Po is highest in the years following the predicted age of menopause, but levels off in the final decades of life.Conclusions: Men and women display disparate patterns of bone aging. Systemic disenfranchisement of non-white population groups affected bone health in South Africa, and may continue to do so today. Indicators of poor bone quality are evident in the full study sample, indicating that osteoporosis and fracture risk are not just of concern to the aged white female population. K E Y W O R D Sbone histomorphometry, BSE-SEM, osteoporosis, South African apartheid

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

Use of backscattered scanning electron microscopy to quantify the bone tissues of mid‐thoracic human ribs

Beresheim

Pfeiffer

Grynpas

et al. 2019

American J Phys Anthropol

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“…Micro-CT has been proposed as a minimally destructive way to investigate taphonomically significant changes to bone (Dal Sasso et al 2014). It has been shown to be a useful tool for identifying bone bio-erosion, wherein eroded areas have a lower relative density than unaffected bone (Booth et al 2016). Similarly, the intake of extraneous matter from the post-depositional environment can increase the density of the bone tissue (Mays, 2007).…”

Section: Diagenesis and Bmdmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ontogenetic changes to bone microstructure in an archaeologically derived sample of human ribs

2019

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There is considerable variation in the gross morphology and tissue properties among the bones of human infants, children, adolescents, and adults. Using 18 known‐age individuals (nfemale = 8, nmale = 9, nunknown = 1; birth to 21 years old), from a well‐documented cemetery collection, Spitalfields Christ Church, London, UK, this study explores growth‐related changes in cortical and trabecular bone microstructure. Micro‐CT scans of mid‐shaft middle thoracic ribs are used for quantitative analysis. Results are then compared to previously quantified conventional histomorphometry of the same sample. Total area (Tt.Ar), cortical area (Ct.Ar), cortical thickness (Ct.Th), and the major (Maj.Dm) and minor (Min.Dm) diameters of the rib demonstrate positive correlations with age. Pore density (Po.Dn) increases, but age‐related changes to cortical porosity (Ct.Po) appear to be non‐linear. Trabecular thickness (Tb.th) and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) increase with age, whereas trabecular bone pattern factor (Tb.Pf), structural model index (SMI), and connectivity density (Conn.D) decrease with age. Sex‐based differences were not identified for any of the variables included in this study. Some samples display clear evidence of diagenetic alteration without corresponding changes in radiopacity, which compromises the reliability of bone mineral density (BMD) data in the study of past populations. Cortical porosity data are not correlated with two‐dimensional measures of osteon population density (OPD). This suggests that unfilled resorption spaces contribute more significantly to cortical porosity than do the Haversian canals of secondary osteons. Continued research using complementary imaging techniques and a wide array of histological variables will increase our understanding of age‐ and sex‐specific ontogenetic patterns within and among human populations.

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“…Also, a socio‐economic enquiry conducted in the region of Coimbra in 1906 showed that food rations for women were both quantitatively and qualitatively inferior (Pereira, ). In skeletal samples, the cortical bone has been shown to decrease with age in both males and females (Beauchesne & Agarwal, ; Beresheim, Pfeiffer, Grynpas, & Alblas, ; Ives, ; Mays, ) or only in females (Mays, ; Umbelino et al, ). Other studies at the CISC also suggest that cortical bone loss in males is negligible (Bergot et al, ; Curate & Cunha, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metacarpal cortical bone loss and osteoporotic fractures in the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection

Curate

Perinha

Silva

et al. 2018

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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There has been considerable progress in recent years in our understanding of the patterns of cortical bone loss in the second metacarpal in archeological skeletal samples. Nevertheless, cortical data from reference skeletal collections are insufficient, and the possible connection of metacarpal cortical parameters with osteoporotic fractures has not been thoroughly addressed. As such, this article aims to identify and explain sex‐specific and age‐associated metacarpal cortical bone loss in a large sample (N = 302; females: 154/males: 148) from the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection. Another objective is to evaluate the association of cortical and demographic features with osteoporotic fractures. Age‐related endocortical bone loss is significant in women but not evident in men. Periosteal accretion of the bone is absent in both sexes. Overall, there is a net loss of the cortical bone in women, whereas cortical bone strength seems to be preserved in men. The prevalence of osteoporotic fractures is similar in both sexes, with age at death significantly influencing the probability of exhibiting a fracture. Metacarpal cortical index does not seem to be an independent risk factor for osteoporotic fractures in this sample.

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Sex‐specific patterns in cortical and trabecular bone microstructure in the Kirsten Skeletal Collection, South Africa

Cited by 13 publications

References 105 publications

Use of backscattered scanning electron microscopy to quantify the bone tissues of mid‐thoracic human ribs

Use of backscattered scanning electron microscopy to quantify the bone tissues of mid‐thoracic human ribs

Ontogenetic changes to bone microstructure in an archaeologically derived sample of human ribs

Metacarpal cortical bone loss and osteoporotic fractures in the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection

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