Skyscan nrecon platform

Mice skulls immobilized with 4% PFA were scanned at 50 kV and 500 μA using the Skyscan 1176 micro-CT system (Bruker, USA), with additional parameters including a 9 μm pixel size, a 0.5 mm AI filter, and a 180-degree rotation step. The SkyScan NRecon platform was utilized to reconstruct three-dimensional (3D) images, which were then analyzed using SkyScan CTAn software (Bruker).

The calvaria were fixed with 4% PFA. Titanium particles were removed from calvaria before micro-CT scanning to avoid metal artifacts. The fibrous membranes along with the titanium particles were gently peeled from the surface of the calvaria using a periosteum detacher. A Skyscan 1176 micro-CT system (Bruker, Billerica, MA, United States) was used to scan the calvaria at a voltage of 80 kV and a current of 80 μA with an isometric pixel size of 9 mm. The SkyScan NRecon platform was used to rebuild three-dimensional (3-D) pictures, then subjected to examination utilizing SkyScan CTAn software (Bruker). A region of interest (ROI) of square shape surrounding the midline sutures of the calvaria was chosen for additional quantitative and qualitative investigations. As previously indicated, the criteria under consideration comprise the percentage of bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV), the percentage of total porosity, and the number of porosities (Bouxsein et al., 2010 (link)).