for an automated quantitative analysis of fibers orientation and organization in biological fibrous tissues.

Many biological fibrous tissues exhibit distinctive mechanical properties arising from their highly organized fibrous structure. In disease conditions, alterations in the primary components of these fibers, such as type I collagen molecules in bone, tendons, and ligaments, assembly into a disorganized fibers architecture generating a weak and/or brittle material. Being able to quantitatively assess the fibers orientation and organization in biological tissue may help improve our understanding of their contribution to the tissue and organ mechanical integrity, and assess disease progress and therapy effect.

Poor bone matrix quality: What can be done about it?

Purpose Of The Review: Bone's ability to withstand load resisting fracture and adapting to it highly depends on the quality of its matrix and its regulators. This review focuses on the contribution of bone quality to fracture resistance and possible therapeutic targets for skeletal fragility in aging and disease.

Recent Findings: The highly organized, hierarchical composite structure of bone extracellular matrix together with its (re)modeling mechanisms and microdamage dynamics determines its stiffness, strength, and toughness.