Browsing by Author "Djuric, Marija (12243542300)"

Although seen frequently during dissections and autopsies, Hyperostosis frontalis interna (HFI) – a morphological pattern of the frontal bone thickening – is often ignored and its nature and development are not yet understood sufficiently. Current macroscopic classification defines four grades/stages of HFI based on the morphological appearance and size of the affected area; however, it is unclear if these stages also depict the successive phases in the HFI development. Here we assessed 3D-microarchitecture of the frontal bone in women with various degrees of HFI expression and in an age- and sex-matched control group, hypothesizing that the bone microarchitecture bears imprints of the pathogenesis of HFI and may clarify the phases of its development. Frontal bone samples were collected during routine autopsies from 20 women with HFI (age: 69.9 ± 11.1 years) and 14 women without HFI (age: 74.1 ± 9.7 years). We classified the HFI samples into four groups, each group demonstrating different macroscopic type or stage of HFI. All samples were scanned by micro-computed tomography to evaluate 3D bone microarchitecture in the following regions of interest: total sample, outer table, diploe and inner table. Our results revealed that, compared to the control group, the women with HFI showed a significantly increased bone volume fraction in the region of diploe, along with significantly thicker and more plate-like shaped trabeculae and reduced trabecular separation and connectivity density. Moreover, the inner table of the frontal bone in women with HFI displayed significantly increased total porosity and mean pore diameter compared to controls. Microstructural reorganization of the frontal bone in women with HFI was also reflected in significantly higher porosity and lower bone volume fraction in the inner vs. outer table due to an increased number of pores larger than 100 μm. The individual comparisons between the control group and different macroscopic stages of HFI revealed significant differences only between the control group and the morphologically most pronounced type of HFI. Our microarchitectural findings demonstrated clear differences between the HFI and the control group in the region of diploe and the inner table. Macroscopic grades of HFI could not be distinguished at the level of bone microarchitecture and their consecutive nature cannot be supported. Rather, our study suggests that only two different types of HFI (moderate and severe HFI) have microstructural justification and should be considered further. It is essential to record HFI systematically in human postmortem subjects to provide more data on the mechanisms of its development. © 2016 Anatomical Society

Although seen frequently during dissections and autopsies, Hyperostosis frontalis interna (HFI) – a morphological pattern of the frontal bone thickening – is often ignored and its nature and development are not yet understood sufficiently. Current macroscopic classification defines four grades/stages of HFI based on the morphological appearance and size of the affected area; however, it is unclear if these stages also depict the successive phases in the HFI development. Here we assessed 3D-microarchitecture of the frontal bone in women with various degrees of HFI expression and in an age- and sex-matched control group, hypothesizing that the bone microarchitecture bears imprints of the pathogenesis of HFI and may clarify the phases of its development. Frontal bone samples were collected during routine autopsies from 20 women with HFI (age: 69.9 ± 11.1 years) and 14 women without HFI (age: 74.1 ± 9.7 years). We classified the HFI samples into four groups, each group demonstrating different macroscopic type or stage of HFI. All samples were scanned by micro-computed tomography to evaluate 3D bone microarchitecture in the following regions of interest: total sample, outer table, diploe and inner table. Our results revealed that, compared to the control group, the women with HFI showed a significantly increased bone volume fraction in the region of diploe, along with significantly thicker and more plate-like shaped trabeculae and reduced trabecular separation and connectivity density. Moreover, the inner table of the frontal bone in women with HFI displayed significantly increased total porosity and mean pore diameter compared to controls. Microstructural reorganization of the frontal bone in women with HFI was also reflected in significantly higher porosity and lower bone volume fraction in the inner vs. outer table due to an increased number of pores larger than 100 μm. The individual comparisons between the control group and different macroscopic stages of HFI revealed significant differences only between the control group and the morphologically most pronounced type of HFI. Our microarchitectural findings demonstrated clear differences between the HFI and the control group in the region of diploe and the inner table. Macroscopic grades of HFI could not be distinguished at the level of bone microarchitecture and their consecutive nature cannot be supported. Rather, our study suggests that only two different types of HFI (moderate and severe HFI) have microstructural justification and should be considered further. It is essential to record HFI systematically in human postmortem subjects to provide more data on the mechanisms of its development. © 2016 Anatomical Society

Background: Cameriere’s method has been tested in many populations and is widely accepted for dental age estimation. Aim: To establish a new formula for age estimation by measurement of open apices of mandibular teeth based on Cameriere’s European formula. Subjects and methods: Panoramic radiographs of 333 healthy Serbian children aged 5–14 years were analysed by two independent researchers. The new formula–Belgrade Age Formula (BAF)–was created and tested on the same Serbian sample. Furthermore, BAF was tested on the Serbian validation sample of 126 children and 2115 Italian children aged 5–14 years. Results: In the Serbian sample, the residuals of the BAF and European formula demonstrated that BAF is significantly better in age estimation than the European formula. No significant difference was found in females from the Serbian validation sample between dental and chronological age when BAF was applied. For males, the BAF and European formula had similar accuracy. In the Italian sample, the mean differences between estimated and real age for the European formula were −0.214 ± 0.934 and 0.109 ± 0.773 for females and males, respectively, while for BAF these differences were 0.182 ± 0.951 and −0.195 ± 0.923 for females and males, respectively. Conclusion: BAF was found to be accurate in the Serbian and Italian populations. © 2020, © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Background: Cameriere’s method has been tested in many populations and is widely accepted for dental age estimation. Aim: To establish a new formula for age estimation by measurement of open apices of mandibular teeth based on Cameriere’s European formula. Subjects and methods: Panoramic radiographs of 333 healthy Serbian children aged 5–14 years were analysed by two independent researchers. The new formula–Belgrade Age Formula (BAF)–was created and tested on the same Serbian sample. Furthermore, BAF was tested on the Serbian validation sample of 126 children and 2115 Italian children aged 5–14 years. Results: In the Serbian sample, the residuals of the BAF and European formula demonstrated that BAF is significantly better in age estimation than the European formula. No significant difference was found in females from the Serbian validation sample between dental and chronological age when BAF was applied. For males, the BAF and European formula had similar accuracy. In the Italian sample, the mean differences between estimated and real age for the European formula were −0.214 ± 0.934 and 0.109 ± 0.773 for females and males, respectively, while for BAF these differences were 0.182 ± 0.951 and −0.195 ± 0.923 for females and males, respectively. Conclusion: BAF was found to be accurate in the Serbian and Italian populations. © 2020, © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Background. Age- and sex-specific 3D bone structure patterns in human radii and tibiae were investigated with respect to individuals' osteodensitometric status to unravel associations with site-specific fracture occurrences and underlying loading patterns. Methods. A sample of 385 patients (121 men and 264 women, age range: 23-91 years) were investigated. The patients were classified according to dual X-ray absorptiometry T-scores in three groups: control (n = 60), osteopenia (n = 160), and osteoporosis (n = 165). Bone architecture and geometry were assessed by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography of the cortical and trabecular compartments in distal radii and tibiae. Results. We found site-dependent age- and sex-related trends regarding bone architecture and geometry. Females displayed more pronounced age-related changes than males. Specifically, female radii showed both cortical and trabecular structural deterioration with aging, whereas the tibiae demonstrated exclusively cortical deterioration. The mean cortical perimeter revealed a significant age-related increase for both sexes even after adjusting for body height and weight, which suggests that periosteal expansion can be observed in both the tibia and also in the radius. Osteopenia and osteoporosis cases did not reveal higher cortical perimeters in comparison to controls. Conclusions. The tomographic assessment of bone structure further clarifies the architectural basis for increased bone fragility at distal radii and tibiae with advanced age leading to fracture predilection in females. Our findings may represent a morphological link to epidemiological data on age-dependent fracture incidences. Our data support the presence of periosteal apposition at both skeletal sites despite different loading magnitudes, and challenges the view on periosteal expansion just as a compensatory mechanism to counterbalance bone loss. © 2015 The Author.

Background: Although various methods for age-at-death estimation of skeletal remains are available, this is still an unsolved issue in forensic anthropology, especially concerning elderly individuals. Moreover, the lack of population-specific methods often made age-at-death estimation unreliable in other populations. Aim: Our study aimed to examine whether micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) analysis of pubic bone samples obtained from the contemporary Serbian population could be used in anthropological and forensic practice for age-at-death estimation. Methodology: This study encompassed 62 pubic samples obtained from 26 adult male and 36 adult female cadaveric donors (age range: 22–91 years). Initially, staging according to the Suchey–Brooks phases was performed by two experienced investigators, followed by micro-CT assessment of pubic bone trabecular and cortical compartments (spatial resolution of the scans was 10 µm). Results: Our results revealed an age-associated decline in trabecular and cortical micro-architecture of elderly male and female individuals, with the most prominent changes present in trabecular bone volume fraction and total porosity of the anterior and posterior cortical surface of the pubic bone. Those parameters were used to generate age-at-death estimation equations. One sample t-test did not reveal a significant difference between estimated age-at-death and real (known) age-at-death in the overall sample (mean absolute error [MAE] of 4.76 years), female (MAE of 9.66 years) and male cadaveric donors (MAE of 6.10 years, p > 0.05). Conclusion: Our data indicated that micro-architectural features of trabecular and cortical compartments of pubic bone could potentially be applied as an additional reliable method for age-at-death estimation in the Serbian population. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

There is an increasing interest in bone nano-structure, the ultimate goal being to reveal the basis of age-related bone fragility. In this study, power spectral density (PSD) data and fractal dimensions of the mineralized bone matrix were extracted from atomic force microscope topography images of the femoral neck trabeculae. The aim was to evaluate age-dependent differences in the mineralized matrix of human bone and to consider whether these advanced nano-descriptors might be linked to decreased bone remodeling observed by some authors and age-related decline in bone mechanical competence. The investigated bone specimens belonged to a group of young adult women (n = 5, age: 20-40 years) and a group of elderly women (n = 5, age: 70-95 years) without bone diseases. PSD graphs showed the roughness density distribution in relation to spatial frequency. In all cases, there was a fairly linear decrease in magnitude of the power spectra with increasing spatial frequencies. The PSD slope was steeper in elderly individuals (-2.374 vs. -2.066), suggesting the dominance of larger surface morphological features. Fractal dimension of the mineralized bone matrix showed a significant negative trend with advanced age, declining from 2.467 in young individuals to 2.313 in the elderly (r = 0.65, P = 0.04). Higher fractal dimension in young women reflects domination of smaller mineral grains, which is compatible with the more freshly remodeled structure. In contrast, the surface patterns in elderly individuals were indicative of older tissue age. Lower roughness and reduced structural complexity (decreased fractal dimension) of the interfibrillar bone matrix in the elderly suggest a decline in bone toughness, which explains why aged bone is more brittle and prone to fractures. © 2012 The Authors Journal of Anatomy © 2012 Anatomical Society.

There is an increasing interest in bone nano-structure, the ultimate goal being to reveal the basis of age-related bone fragility. In this study, power spectral density (PSD) data and fractal dimensions of the mineralized bone matrix were extracted from atomic force microscope topography images of the femoral neck trabeculae. The aim was to evaluate age-dependent differences in the mineralized matrix of human bone and to consider whether these advanced nano-descriptors might be linked to decreased bone remodeling observed by some authors and age-related decline in bone mechanical competence. The investigated bone specimens belonged to a group of young adult women (n = 5, age: 20-40 years) and a group of elderly women (n = 5, age: 70-95 years) without bone diseases. PSD graphs showed the roughness density distribution in relation to spatial frequency. In all cases, there was a fairly linear decrease in magnitude of the power spectra with increasing spatial frequencies. The PSD slope was steeper in elderly individuals (-2.374 vs. -2.066), suggesting the dominance of larger surface morphological features. Fractal dimension of the mineralized bone matrix showed a significant negative trend with advanced age, declining from 2.467 in young individuals to 2.313 in the elderly (r = 0.65, P = 0.04). Higher fractal dimension in young women reflects domination of smaller mineral grains, which is compatible with the more freshly remodeled structure. In contrast, the surface patterns in elderly individuals were indicative of older tissue age. Lower roughness and reduced structural complexity (decreased fractal dimension) of the interfibrillar bone matrix in the elderly suggest a decline in bone toughness, which explains why aged bone is more brittle and prone to fractures. © 2012 The Authors Journal of Anatomy © 2012 Anatomical Society.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the tooth/pulp ratio method in the process of age estimation at the moment of death in a forensic context and compare it with standard anthropological methods. After the exhumation of mass graves located in sites in Batajnica, Serbia, in 2002 and 2003, skeletal material was thoroughly analyzed by a group of anthropologists and pathologists. As a part of the investigation, orthopantomography (OPG) was performed for each individual. During 2018 these OPGs were reexamined for scientific purposes. Age-at-death was assessed by means of the pulp/tooth ratio method applied to all available lower premolars. Estimated age following standard anthropological methods and chronological age (obtained after DNA identification of victims) was taken from the records. Age estimation using the pulp/tooth ratio and standard methods was compared with chronological age. The pulp/tooth ratio method was accurate in 81.25% of all cases and the standard method was accurate in 56.25% of all cases. The pulp/tooth ratio method of age estimation was found to be applicable and accurate. However, age estimation should be based on all available methods. © 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Objectives: Alcoholic bone disease has been recognized in contemporary literature as a systemic effect of chronic ethanol consumption. However, evidence about the specific influence of alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) on mandible bone quality is scarce. The aim of this study was to explore microstructural, compositional, cellular, and mechanical properties of the mandible in ALC individuals compared with a healthy control group. Materials and methods: Mandible bone cores of mаle individuаls with ALC (n = 6; age: 70.8 ± 2.5 yeаrs) and age-matched healthy controls (n = 11; age: 71.5 ± 3.8 yeаrs) were obtаined postmortem during аutopsy from the edentulous аlveolаr bone in the mandibular first molаr region аnd the mаndibulаr аngulus region of each individual. Micro-computed tomogrаphy wаs used to аssess bone microstructure. Analyses based on quаntitаtive bаckscаttered electron microscopy included the characterization of osteon morphology, osteocyte lаcunаr properties, and bone mаtrix minerаlizаtion. Composition of bone minerаl аnd collаgen phаses was assessed by Rаmаn spectroscopy. Histomorphometry wаs used to determine cellulаr аnd tissue chаrаcteristics of bone specimens. Vickers microhardness test was used to evaluate cortical bone mechanical properties. Results: The ALC group showed higher closed cortical porosity (volume of pores thаt do not communicаte with the sаmple surfаce) (p = 0.003) and smaller lacunar area in the trabecular bone of the molar region (p = 0.002) compared with the Control group. The trabecular bone of the angulus region showed lower osteoclast number (p = 0.032) in the ALC group. There were higher carbonate content in the buccal cortex of the molar region (p = 0.008) and lower calcium content in the trabecular bone of the angulus region (p = 0.042) in the ALC group. The cortical bone showed inferior mechanical properties in the ALC cortical bony sites (p < 0.001), except for the buccal cortex of the molar region (p = 0.063). There was no significant difference in cortical thickness between the groups. Conclusions: Bone quality is differentially altered in ALC in two bony sites and compartments of the mandible, which leads to impaired mechanical properties. Clinical relevance: Altered mandible bone tissue characteristics in patients with ALC should be considered by dental medicine professionals prior to oral interventions in these patients. Knowledge about mandible bone quality alterations in ALC is valuable for determining diagnosis, treatment plan, indications for oral rehabilitation procedures, and follow-up procedures for this group of patients. © 2024 Elsevier Inc.

Objectives: Alcoholic bone disease has been recognized in contemporary literature as a systemic effect of chronic ethanol consumption. However, evidence about the specific influence of alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) on mandible bone quality is scarce. The aim of this study was to explore microstructural, compositional, cellular, and mechanical properties of the mandible in ALC individuals compared with a healthy control group. Materials and methods: Mandible bone cores of mаle individuаls with ALC (n = 6; age: 70.8 ± 2.5 yeаrs) and age-matched healthy controls (n = 11; age: 71.5 ± 3.8 yeаrs) were obtаined postmortem during аutopsy from the edentulous аlveolаr bone in the mandibular first molаr region аnd the mаndibulаr аngulus region of each individual. Micro-computed tomogrаphy wаs used to аssess bone microstructure. Analyses based on quаntitаtive bаckscаttered electron microscopy included the characterization of osteon morphology, osteocyte lаcunаr properties, and bone mаtrix minerаlizаtion. Composition of bone minerаl аnd collаgen phаses was assessed by Rаmаn spectroscopy. Histomorphometry wаs used to determine cellulаr аnd tissue chаrаcteristics of bone specimens. Vickers microhardness test was used to evaluate cortical bone mechanical properties. Results: The ALC group showed higher closed cortical porosity (volume of pores thаt do not communicаte with the sаmple surfаce) (p = 0.003) and smaller lacunar area in the trabecular bone of the molar region (p = 0.002) compared with the Control group. The trabecular bone of the angulus region showed lower osteoclast number (p = 0.032) in the ALC group. There were higher carbonate content in the buccal cortex of the molar region (p = 0.008) and lower calcium content in the trabecular bone of the angulus region (p = 0.042) in the ALC group. The cortical bone showed inferior mechanical properties in the ALC cortical bony sites (p < 0.001), except for the buccal cortex of the molar region (p = 0.063). There was no significant difference in cortical thickness between the groups. Conclusions: Bone quality is differentially altered in ALC in two bony sites and compartments of the mandible, which leads to impaired mechanical properties. Clinical relevance: Altered mandible bone tissue characteristics in patients with ALC should be considered by dental medicine professionals prior to oral interventions in these patients. Knowledge about mandible bone quality alterations in ALC is valuable for determining diagnosis, treatment plan, indications for oral rehabilitation procedures, and follow-up procedures for this group of patients. © 2024 Elsevier Inc.

Cement lines are known as thin peripheral boundaries of the osteons. With a thickness below 5 μm their composition of inorganic and organic compounds has been a matter of debate. Here, we hypothesized that cement lines become hypermineralized and their degree of mineralization is not constant but related to the tissue age of the osteon. Therefore, we analyzed the calcium content of osteons and their corresponding cement lines in a range of different tissue ages reflected by osteonal mineralization levels in femoral cortical bone of both postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and bisphosphonate-treated cases. Quantitative backscattered electron imaging (qBEI) showed that cement lines are hypermineralized entities with consistently higher calcium content than their corresponding osteons (mean calcium content: 29.46 ± 0.80 vs. 26.62 ± 1.11 wt%; p < 0.001). Micro-Raman spectroscopy complemented the qBEI data by showing a significantly higher phosphate/amide I ratio in the cement lines compared to the osteonal bone (8.78 ± 0.66 vs. 6.33 ± 0.58, p < 0.001), which was both due to an increased phosphate peak and a reduced amide I peak in cement lines. A clear positive correlation of cement line mineralization and the mineralization of the osteon was observed (r = 0.839, p = 0.003). However, the magnitude of the difference between cement line and osteonal calcium content decreased with increased osteonal calcium content (r = −0.709, p < 0.001), suggesting diverging mineralization dynamics in these osseous entities. The number of mineralized osteocyte lacunae per osteon bone area correlated positively with both osteonal and cement line calcium content (p < 0.01). The degree of mineralization of cement lines may represent another tissue-age related phenomenon, given that it strongly relates to the osteonal mineralization level. Understanding of the cement lines' mineralization and their changes in aging and disease states is important for predicting crack propagation pathways and fracture resistance mechanisms in human cortical bone. © 2018 Elsevier Inc.

Cement lines are known as thin peripheral boundaries of the osteons. With a thickness below 5 μm their composition of inorganic and organic compounds has been a matter of debate. Here, we hypothesized that cement lines become hypermineralized and their degree of mineralization is not constant but related to the tissue age of the osteon. Therefore, we analyzed the calcium content of osteons and their corresponding cement lines in a range of different tissue ages reflected by osteonal mineralization levels in femoral cortical bone of both postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and bisphosphonate-treated cases. Quantitative backscattered electron imaging (qBEI) showed that cement lines are hypermineralized entities with consistently higher calcium content than their corresponding osteons (mean calcium content: 29.46 ± 0.80 vs. 26.62 ± 1.11 wt%; p < 0.001). Micro-Raman spectroscopy complemented the qBEI data by showing a significantly higher phosphate/amide I ratio in the cement lines compared to the osteonal bone (8.78 ± 0.66 vs. 6.33 ± 0.58, p < 0.001), which was both due to an increased phosphate peak and a reduced amide I peak in cement lines. A clear positive correlation of cement line mineralization and the mineralization of the osteon was observed (r = 0.839, p = 0.003). However, the magnitude of the difference between cement line and osteonal calcium content decreased with increased osteonal calcium content (r = −0.709, p < 0.001), suggesting diverging mineralization dynamics in these osseous entities. The number of mineralized osteocyte lacunae per osteon bone area correlated positively with both osteonal and cement line calcium content (p < 0.01). The degree of mineralization of cement lines may represent another tissue-age related phenomenon, given that it strongly relates to the osteonal mineralization level. Understanding of the cement lines' mineralization and their changes in aging and disease states is important for predicting crack propagation pathways and fracture resistance mechanisms in human cortical bone. © 2018 Elsevier Inc.

Skeletal alterations and their complications can significantly impact the quality of life and overall prognosis of patients living with HIV (PLWHIV). Considering skeletal alterations are often asymptomatic and unapparent during routine clinical evaluation, these conditions are frequently overlooked in the clinical management of PLWHIV. However, since the use of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) has increased life expectancy in PLWHIV effectively, osteopenia, osteoporosis, and bone fragility are now considered to have a major health impact, with a substantial increase in healthcare costs. This narrative literature review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the contemporary literature related to bone changes in PLWHIV, focusing on the importance of taking a multi-scale approach in the assessment of bone hierarchical organization. Even though a low bone mineral density is frequently reported in PLWHIV, numerous ambiguities still remain to be solved. Recent data suggest that assessment of other bone properties (on various levels of the bone structure) could contribute to our understanding of bone fragility determinants in these individuals. Special attention is needed for women living with HIV/AIDS since a postmenopausal status was described as an important factor that contributes to skeletal alterations in this population. Further research on complex etiopathogenetic mechanisms underlying bone alterations in PLWHIV may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches specifically designed to reduce the health burden associated with skeletal disorders in this population. A major challenge in the clinical management of PLWHIV lies in the adverse skeletal effects of some frequently prescribed cART regimens (e.g., regimens containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), which may require a switch to other pharmacological approaches for maintained HIV infection (e.g., regimens containing tenofovir alafenamide). Taken together, the findings are indicative that the HIV/AIDS status should be taken into consideration when designing new guidelines and strategies for individualized prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of increased bone fragility. © 2024 by the authors.

This study aimed to perform microstructural characterization of the increased fragility of human bone in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by exploring the matrix mineralization and osteocyte lacunar density at the superolateral femoral neck—the typical fracture-initiating site. Postmortem specimens of the full-length superolateral femoral neck from 16 elderly men with T2DM and age-matched non-DM controls were examined using backscattered-electron microscopy in terms of mineralization parameters and parameters of osteocyte lacunar density. The T2DM and control groups did not differ in age and body mass index (p > 0.05). In the endocortical region, T2DM was associated with a lower degree of mineralization (lower CaMean: p = 0.04), a higher proportion of extremely low-mineralized areas (higher CaLow: p = 0.027), and greater mineralization heterogeneity (higher CaWidth: p = 0.003) relative to controls. However, there were no significant intergroup differences in mineralization parameters in the periosteal region. In the endocortical region, T2DM showed lower unmineralized (p = 0.006) and total osteocyte lacunar number (Lc.N) per bone area (B.Ar) (p = 0.018) coupled with a higher percentage of mineralized lacunae (%Mn.Lc) relative to controls (p = 0.05). In the periosteal region, only Lc.N/B.Ar was lower in T2DM (p = 0.004). As for the trabecular compartment, T2DM was associated with lower trabecular CaMean (p = 0.048) and higher trabecular CaLow and CaWidth (p = 0.005, p = 0.007). Altered pattern of mineralization in the cortical (especially in the endocortical region) and trabecular compartments of the superolateral femoral neck and reduced cortical osteocyte lacunar density are structural hallmarks of bone fragility in T2DM. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.

This study analyses variable levels of body fragmentation among secondary mass grave sites with similar formation process history. The study is based on data from 10 commingled secondary mass grave sites and two primary sites related to the war in Bosnia in 1995. The aim was to investigate differences in level of body fragmentation between mass graves of similar origin and taphonomy. In order to quantify the degree of fragmentation (and level of commingling) within a grave, we introduced a fragmentation index (FI). FI represents the ratio between the number of complete bodies and number of body parts from the same context. Results show high discrepancies in body fragmentations between different sites. FI for secondary sites of similar formation history varied from 0.01 to 0.59 (max = 1), while two primary sites have values 0.92 and 0.90 respectively. Variable levels of fragmentation among similar secondary sites suggest a possibility of different peri mortem circumstances of buried, so we tested whether the “body fragmentation index” could assist in elucidating the manner of death. Unusually high levels of body fragmentation (FI value below 0.1) in some secondary sites may indicate that body disarticulation was most likely caused peri-mortem by explosives, land mines, mortars or tank fire, all suggesting a combat situation. © 2020

This study analyses variable levels of body fragmentation among secondary mass grave sites with similar formation process history. The study is based on data from 10 commingled secondary mass grave sites and two primary sites related to the war in Bosnia in 1995. The aim was to investigate differences in level of body fragmentation between mass graves of similar origin and taphonomy. In order to quantify the degree of fragmentation (and level of commingling) within a grave, we introduced a fragmentation index (FI). FI represents the ratio between the number of complete bodies and number of body parts from the same context. Results show high discrepancies in body fragmentations between different sites. FI for secondary sites of similar formation history varied from 0.01 to 0.59 (max = 1), while two primary sites have values 0.92 and 0.90 respectively. Variable levels of fragmentation among similar secondary sites suggest a possibility of different peri mortem circumstances of buried, so we tested whether the “body fragmentation index” could assist in elucidating the manner of death. Unusually high levels of body fragmentation (FI value below 0.1) in some secondary sites may indicate that body disarticulation was most likely caused peri-mortem by explosives, land mines, mortars or tank fire, all suggesting a combat situation. © 2020

Objective: To assess dental age and deviations of dental from chronological age according to the Willems and Cameriere methods (European formula) in patients with cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CL/P) and compare it with control group. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Setting: Clinic of Orthodontics. Participants: Sixty-nine patients with CL/P between 6 and 15 years of age (55 with unilateral and 14 with bilateral CL/P) with 148 panoramic radiographs. The same number of radiographs was examined in the age-matched control group. Main Outcome Measures: Estimation and comparison of dental age and differences of dental from chronological age in relation to the type of cleft, sex, and age in the group of patients with and without CL/P according to Willems and Cameriere method. Results: No significant intersex and intergroup differences were found in deviations of dental from chronological age according to Cameriere method (P >.05). Significant difference in deviation of dental from chronological age was found between the patients with and without CL/P according to Willems method (P <.001). Conclusion: Cameriere European formula for dental age estimation, which is not influenced by sex and tooth morphology, showed similar dental development of children with and without CL/P. However, Willems method detected that deviation of dental from chronological age significantly differed between children with and without clefts. © American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. All rights reserved 2021.

Objective: To assess dental age and deviations of dental from chronological age according to the Willems and Cameriere methods (European formula) in patients with cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CL/P) and compare it with control group. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Setting: Clinic of Orthodontics. Participants: Sixty-nine patients with CL/P between 6 and 15 years of age (55 with unilateral and 14 with bilateral CL/P) with 148 panoramic radiographs. The same number of radiographs was examined in the age-matched control group. Main Outcome Measures: Estimation and comparison of dental age and differences of dental from chronological age in relation to the type of cleft, sex, and age in the group of patients with and without CL/P according to Willems and Cameriere method. Results: No significant intersex and intergroup differences were found in deviations of dental from chronological age according to Cameriere method (P >.05). Significant difference in deviation of dental from chronological age was found between the patients with and without CL/P according to Willems method (P <.001). Conclusion: Cameriere European formula for dental age estimation, which is not influenced by sex and tooth morphology, showed similar dental development of children with and without CL/P. However, Willems method detected that deviation of dental from chronological age significantly differed between children with and without clefts. © American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. All rights reserved 2021.

Aims: To test the applicability of European formula for dental maturity estimation in non-adults on Serbian sample and compare its accuracy with Willems’ age estimation method. Materials and methods: Panoramic radiographs of 423 children (192 boys and 231 girls) aged between 5 to 15 were evaluated. Willems’ method and European formula were applied to estimate dental age. Intra-class correlation (ICC) coefficients between estimated age and chronological age for each method and sex were reported separately. Furthermore, the percentage of individuals with estimated age within error range of ±0.5 year was calculated. Results: Total sample was divided into three groups (<7 years, 7–13 years, ≥13 years). In individuals younger than 7 years, the highest ICC coefficients were achieved with European formula (0.609 in girls and 0.487 in boys). Willems’ method showed better ICC coefficients in individuals older than 13 years (0.378 in girls and 0.600 in boys). In individuals between 7 and 13 years, ICC coefficients were between 0.800 and 0.900 with both methods European formula estimated the age in 47.6% of girls and 42.5% of boys within error range of ±0.5 year. Willems’ method reported similar results (45.4% in girls and 40.4% in boys). Conclusions: The Willems’ method is more appropriate for individuals older than 13 years. European formula gives better results for individuals younger than 7 years. In individuals between 7 and 13 years there is no significant difference between European formula and Willems’ method, yet, European formula was found to be slightly more accurate. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.