20.500.12556/DiRROS-28933 Targeting optimal bone regions correlations between bone density and DNA quality in small skeletal elements Background: Identifying the optimal bone regions for DNA analysis is critical, as DNA preservation and quality vary significantly across bone types and structures and is defined as intra-bone variability. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between computed tomography (CT)-measured bone density and DNA preservation in small skeletal elements to identify optimal regions for DNA analysis. Methods: 137 bones from six skeletal elements excavated from a single burial site were analysed using Dual-Source CT (DSCT) to map compact and cancellous regions. DNA was extracted using a demineralisation method and quantified via real-time PCR to assess DNA quantity and degradation. Results: Among 461 bone regions analysed (137 bones; patellae, calcaneus, talus, the navicular bones, the cuboid bone, and the medial cuneiform bone), a significant difference in DNA quantity was observed only in the calcaneus, where the sulcus contained more DNA than the body. No significant differences in the degradation index were detected among bone segments or skeletal elements. Correlations between CT-measured bone density and DNA quantity or degradation index were region-specific. Higher bone density correlated positively with DNA quantity in compact regions of the calcaneus and talus. Regarding degradation, a positive correlation (higher bone density → higher degradation) was observed in the patella’s anterior surface, while a negative correlation (higher bone density → lower degradation) was found in the talus’s sulcus, the opposite side of the talar sulcus, the posterior calcaneal articular facet, and the cuboid’s tuberosity. No significant correlations were found in other bone segments. Conclusions: Our study identified small skeletal elements, particularly the patella and the navicular bone, as promising sources for DNA analysis. While bone density correlated with DNA preservation in some cases, the relationship was inconsistent. Our findings support the use of small bones in forensic and archaeological research and warrant further investigation. DSCT DNA WWII bone density skeletal remains genetic identification Druga svetovna vojna kostna gostota skeletni ostanki genetska identifikacija true false true Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Neznano 2026-04-14 11:49:42 2026-04-14 11:49:42 2026-04-15 03:57:37 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2025 0 0 Nasl. z nasl. zaslona; Opis vira z dne 18. 3. 2025; str. 1-16 iss. 3, [article no.] 291 Vol. 16 2025 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 616 2073-4425 10.3390/genes16030291 229329155 RAZ_Gersak_Ziva_Miriam_2025.pdf RAZ_Gersak_Ziva_Miriam_2025.pdf 1 6D68FDCD433FF0379C260A5291A2E2C5 33978c39bfe657d336c826d8f237ab7fdeecea2daf4aed17b3094bc63d9d1c36 63924756-37e7-11f1-9cc3-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=43154 https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/3/291 1 44e6767f-37e7-11f1-9cc3-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=43153 Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana 0 0 0