SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Skeleton”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 541 records · Page 30Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

The heavy metal content of skeletons from an ancient metalliferous polluted area in southern Jordan with particular reference to bioaccumulation and human health.

This paper considers pollution/toxicological science in an archaeological context. Copper mining was an important activity in southern Jordan, especially during the Bronze Age, Nabatean, Roman, and Byzantine periods, and the environmental legacy of such intensive mining and smelting activities exists today in the form of massive, ancient spoil and smelting tips. The environment was heavily polluted by copper, lead, and other cations during these early periods and the effects of such pollutants continue into modern times. Samples of goat, sheep, and Bronze Age and Byzantine skeletons have been analyzed and high metal loads, from uptake by diverse processes, are reported. Emphasis is placed on the importance of sampling procedure and sample location, bioaccumulation, and the partitioning of such elements. Implications of such pollutants in terms of environmental and human health in ancient and modern times are discussed. Teeth are found to provide excellent vehicles for the monitoring of pollution in both ancient and recent times. Bronze Age skeletons exhibited chemical fingerprints different from those of the Byzantine period.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Skeletonized versus pedicled internal mammary artery: impact of surgical technique on post CABG surgery pain.

OBJECTIVE: Recent evidence suggests that coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery often results in chronic chest wall pain, termed: 'post CABG pain syndrome' (PCP). Direct injury to intercostal nerves during the surgical procedure was presumed to underlie this syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two harvesting techniques of the internal mammary artery (IMA)-skeletonization (S-LIMA) and pedicle (P-LIMA) on the occurrence and incidence of PCP. METHODS: A mailed questionnaire enquiring about the presence and characteristics of PCP was sent to all 482 patients who had undergone CABG in our institution in the years 1999-2000. A randomly chosen subgroup of IMA patients reporting PCP were summoned for evaluations of pain localization and intensity, thermal and tactile sensitivity, and disability assessment using recognized tests and indices. RESULTS: Of the 380 responders (S-LIMA: 221, P-LIMA: 125, veins only V-34) 169 (44%) reported having PCP. Its prevalence was similar between the two IMA groups (S-LIMA: 45%, P-LIMA: 50%) but significantly lower in the V group (18%, P=0.003). Physical assessment in the subgroup of 43 IMA patients (S-LIMA: 22, P-LIMA: 21) performed 40.2+/-8.7 months after surgery confirmed equal occurrence of mostly left and midline chest wall neuropathic pain in both IMA groups. No significant differences were found between the two groups in respect to indices of pain intensity, thermal and tactile sensitivity and disability. CONCLUSIONS: PCP is a prevalent finding in post CABG patients. The skeletonization technique of IMA harvesting although causing significantly less inner chest wall trauma does not appear to reduce the occurrence of PCP. This finding may imply that ischemic injury rather than direct mechanical injury to the intercostal nerves is the putative mechanism underlying PCP.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Tuberculous arthritis of the appendicular skeleton: MR imaging appearances.

Tuberculosis [TB] of the appendicular skeleton is an uncommon infection caused by the tuberculous bacilli and constitutes only 1-3% of all tuberculosis infections. MR imaging features of tuberculous arthritis include bone marrow oedema, cortical erosions, synovitis, joint effusion, tenosynovitis, soft tissue collections, and myositis. These imaging features are at times non-specific, but in the correct clinical context help in diagnosis of tuberculosis. We present the various pathological manifestations of TB arthritis involving the different joints of appendicular skeleton and discuss their MR imaging appearances.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Distribution and temporal changes of lead in the surface seawater in the western Pacific and adjacent seas derived from coral skeletons.

We determined Pb contents together with Pb isotopic compositions in coral skeletons (Porites spp.) collected from the western Pacific and adjacent seas to examine distribution of Pb in sea surfaces. Temporal records of Pb were also investigated using coral skeletons from Hainan and Ogasawara Island, located in China and Japan, respectively. The spatial distribution of Pb showed a clear dilution pattern of Pb from Asian continent to the open ocean. Also the similar trend was found in the Java Sea from Jakarta to the offshore. In addition to the spatial distribution, Pb contents in Ogasawara coral have gradually increased during last 108 years. It may be attributed to Pb emission mainly from industrial activities in Asian countries. Hainan coral, which provided 10 years record of Pb, showed a remarkable decline around 1997 probably due to the partial introduction of unleaded gasoline in China.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Analyses of hind leg skeletons in human growth hormone transgenic rats.

Growth hormone (GH) is essential in the development and growth of the skeleton and for the maintenance of bone mass and density, and its secretion is known to decline with aging. We have previously produced transgenic rats with low circulating GH that represent several age-associated phenotypes such as obesity, insulin-resistance and leptin-resistance. In the present study, the cross-sectional area, bone mineral density, and strength indexes of the hind leg skeletons of the transgenic rats were examined by an X-ray computed tomography scanning. The mean cross-sectional area of the transgenic rats showed no increase after 2 months old up to 8 months old and the strength indexes were significantly lower than their non-transgenic siblings at all ages examined. The trabecular bone mineral density in the transgenic rats drastically decreased at 8 months old, while the cortical bone mineral density was comparable to the non-transgenic rats, suggesting the onset of osteoporosis at this period. The results obtained in this study indicate that the transgenic rats could be useful model to gain insight into the complex mechanism leading to osteoporosis with aging.

Aging↗

PubMed2005

A morphometric analysis of the Late Pleistocene Human Skeleton from the Moh Khiew Cave in Thailand.

Few Late Pleistocene human remains have been found in Southeast Asia and the morphological features of the people of that age are still largely unknown due to the virtual lack of human remains in the area. Recent excavations at the Moh Khiew Cave in Thailand resulted in the discovery of a Late Pleistocene human skeleton in a relatively good state of preservation. An AMS radiocarbon date on the charcoal sample gathered from the burial gave a result of 25,800 +/- 600 BP, implying that the inhabitants of Moh Khiew Cave resided in a part of Sundaland during the last glacial age. In debates on the population history of Southeast Asia, it has been repeatedly advocated that Southeast Asia was occupied by indigenous people akin to present-day Australo-Melanesians prior to an expansion of migrants from Northeast Asia into this area. Morphometric analyses were undertaken to test the validity of this hypothesis. In the present study, cranial and dental measurements recorded from the Moh Khiew remains are compared with those of early and modern samples from Southeast Asia and Australia. These comparisons demonstrate that the Moh Khiew specimen resembles the Late Pleistocene series from Coobool Creek, Australia in both cranial and dental measurements. These results suggest that the Moh Khiew skeleton, as well as other fossil remains from the Tabon, Niah and Gua Gunung sites, represents a member of the Sundaland population during the Late Pleistocene, who may share common ancestry with the present-day Australian Aborigines and Melanesians.

Cephalometry↗

PubMed2005

40K, 137Cs, 90Sr, 238,239+240Pu and 241Am in mammals' skulls from owls' pellets and owl skeletons in Poland.

Skulls of small mammals belonging to two species of rodents and three species of insectivores collected in Eastern Poland were the subject of the present investigation. The skulls were separated from owl pellets. Activities of 40K, 137Cs, 90Sr, 238,239+240Pu and 241Am were determined by means of gamma spectrometry as well as liquid scintillation spectrometry or alpha spectrometry along with relevant radiochemical procedures. A detailed description of the procedures is provided. The research was supplied with the analysis of three skeletons of owls. No measurable difference between the skulls of rodents and insectivorous animals with regard to activity of any of the examined radionuclides was found. No accumulation effect in the owl skeletons was detected. Though measured activities of 137Cs and 40K for the skulls were of the same magnitude as those found previously for large wild herbivorous animals from typical locations in Poland, those for 90Sr were even lower than previously determined. A big difference was found for activities of plutonium and americium isotopes. Their mean activities were higher by an order of magnitude when compared to the examined previously values. The maximum 239+240Pu activity was equal to 97.5+/-7.7 mBq/kg, with 65% of it originating from global fallout. Relatively high content of transuranic elements found for rodents and insectivorous mammals seems to be unrelated to their feeding habits and should rather be attributed to the living conditions. It is suggested that small mammals, together with tiny soil particles present in mid-soil living tunnels, can inhale the transuranic elements.

Americium↗

PubMed2006

A comparison of cortical elastic properties in the craniofacial skeletons of three primate species and its relevance to the study of human evolution.

When a force is applied to an object, the resulting pattern of strain is a function of both the object's geometry and its elastic properties. Thus, knowledge of elastic properties in craniofacial cortical bone is indispensable for exploring the biomechanics and adaptation of primate skulls. However, elastic properties, such as density and stiffness, cannot be measured in all species, particularly extinct species known only from fossils. In order for advanced engineering techniques such as finite element analysis (FEA) to be applied to questions of primate and hominid craniofacial functional morphology, it is important to understand interspecific patterns of variation in elastic properties. We hypothesized that closely related species would have similar patterns of bone elastic properties, and that similarities with extant species should allow reasonable predictions of elastic properties in the skeletons of extinct primate species. In this study, we tested this hypothesis by measuring elastic properties in five areas of the external cortex of the baboon craniofacial skeleton using an ultrasonic technique, and by comparing the results to existing data from macaque and human crania. Results showed that cortical density, thickness, elastic and shear moduli, and anisotropy varied among areas in the baboon cranium. Similar variation had previously been found in rhesus and human crania, suggesting area-specific elastic patterns in the skulls of each species. Comparison among species showed differences, suggesting species-specific patterns. These patterns were more similar between macaques and baboons for density, maximum elastic and shear stiffness, and anisotropy than between either of these and humans. This finding demonstrates that patterns of cortical elastic properties are generally similar in closely related primate species with similar craniofacial morphology. Thus, reasonable estimates of cortical bone elastic properties should be possible for extinct species through the study of phylogenetically related and functionally similar modern forms. For example, reasonable elastic property estimates of cortical bone from fossil hominid skulls should be possible once adequate information about such properties in extant great apes is added to our current data from humans, macaques, and baboons. Such data should eventually allow FEA of craniofacial function in fossil hominids.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Should the "elephant trunk" be skeletonized? Total arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk implantation for Stanford type A aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVES: To eliminate the residual false lumen in the descending thoracic aorta and improve long-term outcomes of surgical intervention for Stanford type A aortic dissection, we performed the skeletonized "elephant trunk" procedure in the ascending aorta and aortic arch replacement combined with transaortic stented graft implantation into the descending aorta for both acute and chronic type A aortic dissection, and the short-term results were compared. METHODS: Between April 2003 and November 2004, 60 consecutive patients (mean age, 53 +/- 16.7; approximate range, 28-78 years) with acute (n = 36) or chronic (n = 24) type A aortic dissection underwent this procedure. Right axillary artery cannulation was used for cardiopulmonary bypass and selected cerebral perfusion. The stented graft, a 10-cm-long woven Dacron graft with a self-expandable stent, was implanted through the aortic arch during hypothermic circulatory arrest. Enhanced electric beam computed tomography was performed in each patient before discharge, 3 months after the operation, and once each year thereafter to evaluate the postoperative time course of the residual false lumen. RESULTS: Cardiopulmonary bypass time was 166 +/- 38 minutes, and average selective cerebral perfusion and lower body arrest time was 30 +/- 15 minutes. The in-hospital mortality was 3.3% (2/60). Thrombus obliteration of the residual false lumen in the descending thoracic aorta was observed in 92% and 85% of the acute and chronic aortic dissections, respectively, 3 months postoperatively. There was no late death during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The skeletonized elephant trunk procedure is an effective way of closing the residual false lumen of the descending aorta and might contribute to better long-term outcomes for both acute and chronic type A aortic dissection.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2004

The cartilaginous skeleton of an elasmobranch fish does not heal.

The inability of articular cartilage to heal satisfactorily is becoming, with ageing populations, an important medical problem. One question that has not been raised is whether a mechanism for the repair of cartilage evolved in animals with cartilaginous skeletons. Fin rays of dogfish were cut and the fish maintained for up to 6 months. The initial inflammatory reaction around the cut rays lasts for 2 weeks. By 4 weeks the cut ends are covered by fibrous tissue. At 12 weeks some areas of cartilage-like tissue are developing. Development of these areas continues and at 26 weeks large chondrocyte-like cells are surrounded by matrix. This tissue is in regions of poor vascularity. It does not have the typical appearance of hyaline cartilage, nor is it integrated with the cartilage of the fin rays. No changes in the cut surfaces of the fin rays are observed at any time. It is concluded that no mechanism has evolved in the elasmobranch fishes for the repair of their cartilaginous skeleton. This is discussed in relation to previous investigations of the reactions of cartilage to injury in embryonic, neonatal and adult tissues of higher vertebrates.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Giant myxomas of the maxillofacial skeleton and skull base.

OBJECTIVES: To review our experience with patients diagnosed with giant myxomas of the maxillofacial skeleton. STUDY DESIGN: All patients undergoing excision of myxomas of the head and neck from September 1998 through September 2003 with a minimum follow-up of 1 year by the senior author (YD) were included in the study. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted to select all patients who met the inclusion criteria. Clinical presentation, preoperative radiology findings, excisions performed, reconstruction, and follow-up were recorded and reported. RESULTS: Four patients were identified who met the inclusion criteria. All underwent wide en bloc excision of the tumor with various reconstructions. Complete resection was achieved in each case, and no patients have had evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Giant myxomas of the maxillofacial skeleton have been reported to have significant rates of recurrence. Wide en bloc resection with appropriate reconstruction can result in excellent quality of life postoperatively and minimize the risk of recurrence. Lesser resections may not be appropriate especially in giant myxomas because of the potential morbidity that would be associated with a multifocal recurrence. EBM RATING: C-4.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Pentacoordinated Cu(II)/Zn(II) complexes bearing macrocyclic skeleton: synthesis, spectroscopic and molecular structure optimization studies.

2,6-Diacetylpyridine and 1,2-diaminoethane in the presence of copper(II) and zinc(II) chlorides containing a few drops of acetic acid were condensed into compositions [CuLH2]2.2HCl.H2O (1), [Cu2LPyz]2.2HCl.4CH3COCH3 (2) [CuZnLPyz]2.2HCl.2CH3COCH3.10H2O (3) and [ZnL'Cl]3.3HCl.3H2O (4) substantiated by elemental analyses, IR, UV-vis, 1H NMR and FAB mass spectral data. Demetallation of a Ni(II) complex (isolated as above) afforded macrocyclic skeleton LH4, whereas L' symbolizes a skeleton of the ligand containing only ethylenediamine and 2,6-diacetylpyridine. Molecular structure optimization using MM2 force field calculations for the complexes revealed distorted square pyramidal geometry around Cu(II) centers in complexes 1 and 2 and tetrahedral geometry around Cu(II) and Zn(II) centers with different degrees of distortion in complex 3 whereas three Zn(II) atoms (each in distorted square pyramidal geometry) attached via Cl bridges form a cyclic structure in complex 4. In complexes 1 and 2,Cu-Cu = 2.63-2.66 angstroms indicated the possibility of coupling between the two Cu(II) centers which has been supported by lower magnetic moment as well as ESR spectra showing half-field signal.

Computer Simulation↗

PubMed2006

Functional interaction between Rh proteins and the spectrin-based skeleton in erythroid and epithelial cells.

We summarize the different experimental approaches which provide evidence that direct interaction of Rh and RhAG to ankyrin-R constitutes, together with the AE-1 (Band 3)-ankyrin-protein 4.2 and GPC-protein 4.1-p55 complexes, another major anchoring site between the red cell membrane bilayer and the underlying spectrin-based skeleton. The observations that some residues of the ankyrin binding site are mutated in Rh and RhAG proteins from some weak D and Rh(null) variants, respectively, suggest that the Rh-RhAG/ankyrin-R interaction plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis and/or the stability of the Rh complex in the red cell membrane. Similarly, binding to ankyrin G is required for cell surface expression of the non-erythroid member of the Rh protein family, RhBG, at the basolateral membrane domain of polarized epithelial cells. The next challenge will be to determine whether binding to the membrane skeleton may be critical for the emerging ammonium transport function of Rh proteins in erythroid and non-erythroid cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Noggin antagonism of BMP4 signaling controls development of the axial skeleton in the mouse.

The interaction between bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and their antagonist, Noggin, is critical for normal development. Noggin null mice die at birth with a severely malformed skeleton that is postulated to reflect the activity of unopposed BMP signaling. However, the widespread expression and redundancy of different BMPs have made it difficult to identify a specific role for individual BMPs during mammalian skeletal morphogenesis. Here, we report the effects of modifying Bmp4 dosage on the skeletal development of Noggin mutant mice. The reduction of Bmp4 dosage results in an extensive rescue of the axial skeleton of Noggin mutant embryos. In contrast, the appendicular skeletal phenotype of Noggin mutants was unchanged. Analysis of molecular markers of somite formation and somite patterning suggests that the loss of Noggin results in the formation of small mispatterned somites. Mis-specification and growth retardation rather than cell death most likely account for the subsequent reduction or loss of axial skeletal structures. The severe Noggin phenotype correlates with Bmp4-dependent ectopic expression of Bmp4 in the paraxial mesoderm consistent with Noggin antagonizing an auto-inductive feed-forward mechanism. Thus, specific interactions between Bmp4 and Noggin in the early embryo are critical for establishment and patterning of the somite and subsequent axial skeletal morphogenesis.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Effect of age on outcome of bilateral skeletonized internal thoracic artery grafting.

BACKGROUND: Elderly patients are considered to be at higher risk for coronary artery bypass grafting. Surgical techniques of arterial myocardial revascularization without vein grafts were primarily reserved for the young. This report evaluates the impact of age on the outcome of 634 consecutive patients who underwent double skeletonized internal thoracic artery grafting between April 1996 and December 1997. METHODS: Patients were stratified into five age groups: One hundred ninety-six were less than 60 years of age, 98 between 60 and 65 years, 132 between 65 and 70 years, 116 between 70 and 75 years, and 92 were older than 75 years. The groups did not differ with regard to preoperative risk factors. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 2.5% (n = 16). Mortality of urgent and elective operations was 1.6%, and that of emergency operations was 9.7% (p < 0.001). There were 7 (1.1%) myocardial infarctions, 9 strokes (1.4%), and 10 deep sternal wound infections (1.6%). Using the Mantel-Haenszel test, there was no relation between age and hospital mortality, myocardial infarctions, strokes, or sternal infections. A correlation was found between advanced age and early unfavorable events (6.7%, 7.2%, 12.9%, 15.5%, and 15.2% in corresponding age groups, p < 0.003), and late mortality (0.6%, 1%, 1.5%, 4.3%, and 9.8%, respectively, p < 0.01). However, early return of angina was lower (2.6%, 1%, 0.8%, 0.9%, and 0%, p < 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective, nonrandomized study suggests that older age is not a risk factor for operative mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with double skeletonized internal thoracic arteries. Apart from avoiding morbidity associated with leg incisions, older patients showed an interesting trend toward lower rates of angina return. Older patients, however, sustained increased perioperative morbidity and late mortality rates.

Actuarial Analysis↗

PubMed2001

Early results of coronary grafting using ultrasonically skeletonized internal thoracic arteries.

BACKGROUND: We have developed an ultrasonic complete skeletonization technique for obtaining internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts and have used this method clinically since January 1998. In this report, we discuss the early results of bilateral ITA grafts obtained with our method. METHODS: We studied 200 consecutive patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting using ITAs obtained by this technique. Angiography of the grafts was performed in 188 patients (94%) within 1 month after coronary artery bypass grafting. RESULTS: The ITA grafts were about 4 cm longer than pedicled ITA grafts. The free flow through the grafts was at least 30% higher than through pedicled ITAs. The early patency rate determined by postoperative angiography of the grafts was 99.7% for left ITAs and 100% for right ITAs. No patient required postoperative intervention or repeated surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonic complete skeletonization increases the effective length of ITA bypasses, improves free flow through the bypasses, and it is less invasive than conventional pedicled harvesting. These excellent early results indicate that this technique is a straightforward, safe, less invasive, and optimal method for obtaining ITA bypass grafts.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Skeletonized right gastroepiploic artery used for coronary artery bypass grafting.

The right gastroepiploic artery has been definitively recognized as a reliable conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting with excellent clinical results and midterm patency. Our experience with internal thoracic artery skeletonization and the similarities between the gastroepiploic and internal thoracic arteries prompted us to modify the gastroepiploic artery harvesting technique. The purpose of this report is to present the advantages of the skeletonized gastroepiploic artery graft.

Abdominal Muscles↗

PubMed2000

Technical aspects of double-skeletonized internal mammary artery grafting.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral internal mammary artery (IMA) grafting is performed to provide complete arterial myocardial revascularization with the intention of decreasing postoperative return of angina and the need for reoperation. We present here technical views of double-skeletonized IMA grafting, and evaluate its clinical outcome. METHODS: Skeletonized IMA is harvested gently with scissors and silver clips, without use of cauterization, and embedded in a small syringe filled with papaverine. Three strategies for arterial revascularization were employed in 762 consecutive patients: (1) the cross arrangement (242 patients, 32%), where the in situ right internal mammary artery (RIMA) is used for the left anterior descending artery (LAD), in situ left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to circumflex marginal branches and the gastroepiploic artery for the right coronary artery (RCA); (2) the composite arrangement (476 patients, 62%), where free IMA is attached end-to-side to the other in situ IMA; and (3) the natural arrangement (44 patients, 6%), where the in situ RIMA is connected to the RCA and in situ LIMA to LAD. Mean age was 66 years (range 30 to 92). Two hundred ninety-two patients (38%) were older than 70, and 229 (30%) were diabetic. RESULTS: Operative mortality was 2.5% (n = 19). The mortality of urgent and elective cases was 1.2% (8 of 663), and that of emergency operation was 11% (11 of 99). There were 9 (1.2%) perioperative myocardial infarctions, and 10 patients (1.3%) sustained strokes. Sternal wound infection occurred in 14 (1.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The three strategies described here provide the surgeon with the versatility required for arterial revascularization with bilateral IMAs in most patients referred for coronary artery bypass grafting.

Adult↗