BounTI (boundary‐preserving threshold iteration): A user‐friendly tool for automatic hard tissue segmentation

Journal of Anatomy, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 245(6), P. 829 - 841

Published: May 17, 2024

Abstract X‐ray Computed Tomography (CT) images are widely used in various fields of natural, physical, and biological sciences. 3D reconstruction the involves segmentation structures interest. Manual has been field sciences for complex composed several sub‐parts can be a time‐consuming process. Many tools have developed to automate process, all with limitations advantages, however, multipart remains largely manual The aim this study was develop an open‐access user‐friendly tool automatic calcified tissues, specifically focusing on craniofacial bones. Here we describe BounTI, novel algorithm which preserves boundaries between separate segments through iterative thresholding. This outlines working principles behind algorithm, investigates effect input parameters its outcome, then tests versatility CT system from different species (e.g. snake, lizard, amphibian, mouse human skull) scan qualities. case studies demonstrate that effectively segment range automatically. High‐resolution microCT resulted more accurate boundary‐preserved segmentation, nonetheless significantly lower‐quality clinical could still segmented using proposed algorithm. Methods intervention included when quality is insufficient achieve desired results. While focus here system, BounTI automatically any hard tissue. presented available as Avizo/Amira add‐on, stand‐alone Windows executable, Python library. We believe accessible benefit wider anatomical community.

Language: Английский

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Craniofacial phenotyping with fetal MRI: a feasibility study of 3D visualisation, segmentation, surface-rendered and physical models

BMC Medical Imaging, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(1)

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract This study explores the potential of 3D Slice-to-Volume Registration (SVR) motion-corrected fetal MRI for craniofacial assessment, traditionally used only brain analysis. In addition, we present first description an automated pipeline based on Attention UNet trained segmentation, followed by surface refinement. Results printing selected models are also presented. Qualitative analysis multiplanar volumes, SVR output and segmentations outputs, were assessed with computer printed models, using standardised protocols that developed evaluating image quality visibility diagnostic features. A test set 25, postnatally confirmed, Trisomy 21 cases (24–36 weeks gestational age), revealed reconstructed T2 images provided 66–100% relevant head structures in output, 20–100% 60–90% anatomical was seen baseline refined model outputs respectively. Furthermore, 12 25 cases, 48%, demonstrated good or excellent overall a further 9 36%, demonstrating moderate to include facial, scalp external ears. Additional physical real-size (20–36 age) good/excellent all distinguishable features between healthy control confirmed anomalies, minor manual adjustments required before printing. Despite varying data heterogeneity, T2w reconstructions sufficient resolution subjective characterisation subtle We contributed publicly accessible online atlas head, validated accurate representation normal anatomy. Future research will focus quantitative analysis, optimizing pipeline, exploring diagnostic, counselling, educational applications assessment.

Language: Английский

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Functional adaptation of the infant craniofacial system to mechanical loadings arising from masticatory forces

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291(2025)

Published: June 1, 2024

The morphology and biomechanics of infant crania undergo significant changes between the pre- post-weaning phases due to increasing loading masticatory system. aims this study were characterize in muscle forces, bite forces pattern mechanical strain stress arising from aforementioned across first 48 months life using imaging finite element methods. A total 51 head computed tomography scans normal individuals collected analysed a larger database 217 individuals. estimated mean temporalis, masseter medial pterygoid increase 30.9 87.0 N, 25.6 69.6 N 23.1 58.9 respectively (0–48 months). Maximum force increases 90.5 184.2 (3–48 There is change calvaria face during postnatal development. Overall, highlights mechanics craniofacial system It further raises questions as how what level development can alter

Language: Английский

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Skeletal and Adipose Manifestations of Stress in a Contemporary Pediatric Sample

American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 186(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Adverse experiences leading to physiological disruptions (stress) in early life produce cascade effects on various biological systems, including the endocrine and metabolic which, turn, shape developing skeletal system. To evaluate of stress adipose tissues, we examine relationship between indicators (porotic hyperostosis [PH] cribra orbitalia [CO]), bone mineral density (BMD), vertebral neural canal (VNC) diameters, tissue distribution a contemporary pediatric autopsy sample. Data is from 702 (409 males, 293 females) individuals (0.5-20.9 years) sample New Mexico who died 2011 2022. includes visceral (VAT) abdomen, heart, liver, CO/PH, VNC size fifth lumbar vertebra, BMD. We find that location are differentially associated with BMD, size; smaller, liver adiposity higher those CO/PH. Further, increased VAT small PH presence low Body mass index categories do not correspond porous cranial lesion presence. This paper provides evidence for complex markers early-life (CO/PH, reduced size, BMD) system function. partly shaped by stressors during gestation, likely through alterations HPA axis. It possible axis due gestational also expression lesions exposure childhood stressors.

Language: Английский

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Computational simulation of cranial soft tissue expansion on the cranium during early postnatal growth in humans

Journal of Anatomy, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 23, 2025

Abstract The importance of interactions between neighbouring rapidly growing tissues the head during development is recognised, yet this competition for space remains incompletely understood. developing structures likely interact through a variety mechanisms, including directly genetically programmed growth, and are mediated via physiological signalling that can be triggered by structural interactions. In study, we aimed to investigate different but related potential mechanism, simple mechanical plastic deformation in response soft tissue expansion human postnatal ontogeny. We use computational modelling normative real‐world data evaluate predict early cranial shape changes humans. test some aspects spatial packing hypothesis applied brain masticatory muscles, their effects on cranium, with particular focus basicranium face. A finite element model an muscles was created from CT MRI. Growth simulated using material. effect expanding cranium assessed geometric morphometrics, comparing baseline simulation results, also collected neonatal MRI (0–4 months age). Findings revealed present sample were consistent base flexion largely allometric (size‐linked). Simulation produced broadly similar most growth occurring vault, while muscle smaller more widespread throughout cranium. When together, exerted constraining results expansion. Our findings simulations able mimic biological suggest relationship regions may partly within first few ontogeny

Language: Английский

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Early life functional transitions impact craniofacial morphology in osteogenesis imperfecta

The Anatomical Record, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 24, 2025

Early life behaviors have a profound role in shaping adult craniofacial morphology. During early life, all mammals undergo the dynamic transition from suckling to mastication, period coinciding with rapid cranial biomineralization. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), genetic disorder that impacts production of type I collagen, disrupts biomineralization, leading growth differences affecting quality life. This study investigates development during infant oral motor developmental stages OI mice compared unaffected wild-type littermates (WT mice). We hypothesize will exhibit smaller overall size, and phenotype develop postnatally response masticatory loading. Point cloud fixed landmarks were collected micro-computed tomography scans, then geometric morphometric analyses interlandmark distances (ILDs) size shape between WT at birth (P0; n = 27 murine/20 WT) postnatal Days 7 (P7; 21/21), 14 (P14; 16/20), 21 (P21; 20/26), 28 (P28; 26/33). found no genotypes birth. Starting P7, are significantly (p < 0.05) display pronounced changes 0.001) characterized by larger neurocranium shorter viscerocranium. At P21, significant emerge base orientation, neurocranial width, viscerocranial shortening, zygomatic arch displacement. These findings underscore importance developing health, suggesting earlier interventions may improve effective treatment OI.

Language: Английский

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Cranial morphology in 3-dimensional laser scans before and after open craniectomy for scaphocephaly

Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 1, 2025

Scaphocephaly occurs by premature synostosis of the sagittal suture and makes up 40% all craniosynostoses. With various operative techniques available, indication for surgery is mainly aesthetic, evaluation postoperative results can vary severely. This study presents a modified open, butterfly-shaped craniectomy surgical correction scaphocephaly. The cranial morphology before after assessed using 3-dimensional laser scans. We retrieved clinical data 41 patients operated on at our institution between 2012 2022. Pre- scans ages 4.7 (preoperative), 8.5 (follow-up 1), 13.5 months 2) were compared to measure effect during infancy. Median age was 5.2 months. At follow-up 1, cephalic ratio (CR) significantly increased (p < 0.0001). While skull continued grow, CR did not differ follow-ups 1 2. Additionally, anterior-posterior volume (APVR), calculated sum 2 two frontal quadrants over posterior skull's volume, reduced both follow-ups. head offer feasible, radiation-free tool assess Butterfly-shaped leads significant decrease first 3 surgery, while corrective potential seems be limited this time frame postoperatively. APVR may useful indicate shift distribution from vault these patients.

Language: Английский

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Facial growth and development trajectories based on three-dimensional images: geometric morphometrics with a deformation perspective

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Developmental changes of facial shape are commonly investigated through geometric morphometrics. A limitation with this approach is the inability to investigate patterns morphological at local scale. This could be addressed quantifying deformation required deform one another. study aimed in mean, rate and variance scale using morphometrics perspective. total 2112 Europeans 3 40 years old from three-dimensional Facial Norms project were included. Shape trajectories partial least-squares regressions revealed that developmentally protrusive nasal bridge was due expansion surrounding tissues as opposed per se. Local supraorbital region, particular medial part males, resulted sloping forehead deep-situated eyes development. variation increased nonlinearly age (p < 0.05), features having larger change becoming more diversified. In summary, our perspective facilitates unravelling morphogenetic processes underlying changes. Our extended analytical scope inspires novel measures worthy consideration while establishing growth charts. The framework broadly applicable for analysis general.

Language: Английский

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Geometric growth of the normal human craniocervical junction from 0 to 18 years old

Journal of Anatomy, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 245(6), P. 842 - 863

Published: May 23, 2024

Abstract The craniocervical junction (CCJ) forms the bridge between skull and spine, a highly mobile group of joints that allows mobility head in every direction. CCJ plays major role protecting inferior brainstem (bulb) spinal cord, therefore also requiring some stability. Children are subjected to multiple constitutive or acquired diseases involving CCJ: primary bone such as FGFR ‐related craniosynostoses conditions congenital torticollis, cervical spine luxation, neurological disorders. To design efficient treatment plans, it is crucial understand relationship abnormalities craniofacial region CCJ. This can be approached by study control abnormal growth patterns. Here we report model normal base compiling collection geometric models children. Focused analyses highlighted specific developmental patterns for each bone, emphasizing rapid during infancy, followed varying rates maturation childhood adolescence until reaching stability 18 years age. focus was on closure synchondroses sutures occipital revealing distinct trajectories anterior intra‐occipital occipitomastoid suture. findings, although based limited dataset, showcased age‐related changes width percentages, providing valuable insights into dynamics within first 2 life. Integration revealed intricate relationships neck structures, coordinated at different stages. Specific covariation patterns, found second vertebrae (C1 C2), indicated synchronized morphological changes. Our results provide initial data designing inclusive predict dynamics.

Language: Английский

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Multiscale mechanical characterisation of the craniofacial system under external forces

Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 23(2), P. 675 - 685

Published: Jan. 13, 2024

Premature fusion of craniofacial joints, i.e. sutures, is a major clinical condition. This condition affects children and often requires numerous invasive surgeries to correct. Minimally external loading the skull has shown some success in achieving therapeutic effects mouse model this condition, promising new non-invasive treatment approach. However, our fundamental understanding level deformation that such induced across leading observed severely limited, yet crucial for its scalability. We carried out series multiscale characterisations on normal craniosynostotic mice, vivo ex studies. involved developing custom setup as well software control novel situ CT strain estimation approach following principles digital volume correlation. Our findings highlight may disrupt bone formation sutures through plastic treated suture. The permanent deformations coronal suture after corresponded with apparent was estimated. work provides invaluable insight into mechanical forces prevent early cranial joints during minimally cycle will help translation humans.

Language: Английский

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