Micro computed tomography unit for measuring volumetric bone density in small animals

骨的测量是复杂的，因为骨不仅具有不同的形状，而且具有不同的类型和层。 例如，骨内典型的瑞士奶酪网络称为骨小梁，坚硬的外壳称为皮质骨。 随着骨骼的生长，钙和其他矿物质沉积在骨骼的外部和内部。 内骨小梁对于保持血钙恒定至关重要，这是一般健康所需的。 外壳对骨强度很重要。 当一个或两个区域都减少时，骨骼可能会断裂。 科学家们不仅对饮食中的钙感兴趣，而且对其他营养素如欧米茄脂肪和蛋白质感兴趣，这些营养素调节钙的沉积量。 此外，免疫细胞还与骨骼相互作用，导致骨骼断裂的风险更高。 麦吉尔大学的这组研究人员正在研究营养、能量代谢和免疫系统如何相互作用，从而形成更好的骨骼，现在他们希望深入骨骼内部。 为了观察骨骼内部并确定有多少骨小梁和皮质骨存在，研究人员正在申请一种复杂的x射线机器，这种机器可以在不伤害动物的情况下使用。 这台机器被称为微型计算机断层扫描机。 添加这种高科技机器对所有参与培训的学员都很重要，因为它不仅代表了最广泛接受的方法，而且可以让他们学习最新的设备，并确定营养素和免疫系统如何改变骨骼。

Measurement of bone is complex since not only does bone have different shapes, but it has different types and layers. For example the typical Swiss cheese network inside of bone is called trabecular bone and the hard outer shell is called cortical bone. As bones grow, calcium and other minerals are deposited on the outside of bone and also on the inside of bone. The inner trabecular bone is vital for keeping blood calcium constant, this is required for general health. The outer shell is important for bone strength. When one or both areas are reduced, bones can break. Scientists are not only interested in dietary calcium, but other nutrients like omega fats and protein that modulate how much calcium is deposited. Furthermore, immune cells also interact with bone causing higher risk for bones to break. This team of researchers at McGill is looking at how nutrition, energy metabolism and the immune system might interact to result in better bones and now wish to look deeper inside the bone. In order to look inside bone and determine how much trabecular and cortical bone exists the researchers are applying for a sophisticated x-ray machine that can be used without harming the animal. The machine is called a micro computed tomography machine. Adding this high-tec machine is important to all of the trainees involved since not only is it representative of the most widely accepted methodology, but it will permit them to learn on the most up to date equipment and to establish how nutrients and the immune system alter bone.