Imaging techniques for quantifying changes in the hierarchical structure of deforming joints are constrained by destructive sample treatments, sample-size restrictions and lengthy scan times. Here, we report the use of fast low-dose pink-beam synchrotron X-ray tomography in combination with mechanical loading at nanometric precision for in situ imaging, at resolutions below 100 nm, of the mechanical strain in intact untreated joints under physiologically realistic conditions. We show that in young, older and osteoarthritic mice, hierarchical changes in tissue structure and mechanical behaviour can be simultaneously visualized, and that the tissue structure at the cellular level correlates with the mechanical performance of the whole joint. We also use the tomographic approach to study the colocalization of tissue strains to specific chondrocyte lacunar organizations within intact loaded joints and to explore the role of calcified-cartilage stiffness on the biomechanics of healthy and pathological joints.

中文翻译：

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通过同步加速器X射线断层摄影术对负载的整个关节中的纳米级应变进行原位表征。

用于量化变形接头层次结构变化的成像技术受到破坏性样品处理，样品尺寸限制和漫长扫描时间的限制。在这里，我们报告了在生理上真实的条件下，将快速小剂量粉红色束同步X射线断层摄影术与以纳米精度的机械负载结合用于原位成像的分辨率低于100 nm的完整未处理关节中的机械应变的原位成像。我们表明，在年轻，年长和骨关节炎小鼠中，可以同时看到组织结构和机械行为的层次变化，并且在细胞水平上的组织结构与整个关节的机械性能相关。