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An indirect method of measuring widths suitable for automated bone histomorphometry
Author(s) -
Huffer William E.,
Lepoff Ronald B.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of bone and mineral research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.882
H-Index - 241
eISSN - 1523-4681
pISSN - 0884-0431
DOI - 10.1002/jbmr.5650071209
Subject(s) - thresholding , osteoid , sample (material) , mathematics , chemistry , image (mathematics) , computer science , artificial intelligence , anatomy , medicine , chromatography
Orthogonal intercepts from random test lines (OIr), uniformly distributed intercepts (OIu), and areas and lengths (Ar/Le) were measured manually and by computer to determine individual profile and sample widths of artificial profiles and human osteoid seams. Individual widths were equal by Ar/Le and OIu methods. The means of individual profile widths (all methods), of all orthogonal intercepts (OIu and OIr), or of profile widths weighted in proportion to their lengths (Ar/Le) were also equal. Ar/Le and OIu had smaller variance than OIr. Discrepant individual OIu and Ar/Le widths in digitized images were corrected by thresholding and did not significantly affect sample means. Unweighted Ar/Le sample means were 15–44% lower than weighted means. Distributions of osteoid seam widths were not normal, and all but one had more than one mode. We conclude that the Ar/Le method is comparable to direct orthogonal intercept methods and suitable for automated histomorphometry.