A cross-sectional survey was done to clarify the incidence of pressure sores in 218 selfsupported Japanese paraplegic patients and to determine e ective measures for prevention. The majority of patients (85.7%) had previous pressure sores, and 46.3% had undergone multiple surgeries. Some patients (17.9%) were still su ering from persistent sores which commonly developed at the ischial tuberosities, suggesting insu ciency of self-care practice during wheelchair activities. Sensory disturbance over the seating surface, urinary incontinence, and general complications were seen in 85.8%, 49.5%, and 18.8% of total subjects, respectively. They were seen as risk factors for pressure sores, but only urinary incontinence clearly increased the current pressure sore prevalence. Nevertheless, both self-care practice and sports activities, seen in 85.3% and 36.2% of total subjects, respectively, contributed to greatly reduce the incidence. A patient education system including acquisition of basic knowledge and proper technique should be established to promote e ective prevention of pressure sores in Japan.

Mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences (472 bases) for endangered Japanese golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos japonica) were investigated to evaluate intrapopulational genetic variations. Among 23 golden eagles, including origin-known eagles caught in the wild and origin-unknown eagles, 10 variable sites were found in the 472 base-sequences. From the nucleotide substitutions, five haplotypes of D-loop sequences were identified, indicating the occurrence of at least three maternal lineages in golden eagles around Japan. Distribution patterns of D-loop haplotypes suggested a wide genetic communication between local populations around Japan prior to a recent habitat fragmentation and a decrease in the population size. In addition, cytogenetic analysis showed that a karyotype specific to the Japanese golden eagle is consistently 2n=62 including eight microchromosomes. Based on mitochondrial DNA and karyotype data, it is likely that golden eagle populations from Japan and the Korean Peninsula together form a common conservation unit. These results provide an important framework for conservation actions for Japanese golden eagle populations in zoos, and in situ reintroduction and translocation programs.

The trabecular architecture of the human knee joint was studied three dimensionally by microradiography. The trabecular arrangement of the two condylar wheels of the femur was divided into five types. The trabeculae are so arranged that both condyles are able to adjust to mechanical compression and rotary movement. In the tibia, each trabecular arrangement has a different memchanical function. The epiphyseal line can be considered a laminated structure interposed between the compressive forces acting from the articular surface and the forces supporting the architecture of the mctaphysis. The mechanics and kinematics of the trabecular architecture are discussed.

Fourteen human bone and soft part tumor tissues were screened by Southern blot hybridization using five oncogene probes (c‐myc, c‐K‐ras, c‐fos, c‐raf‐l, and N‐myc). Amplification of c‐myc was found in two osteosarcomas and one malignant fibrous histiocytoma. One of these osteosarcomas had amplified c‐raf‐1 gene. Rearrangement of the amplified gene was not observed. This is the first report of c‐raf‐1 amplification in human cancer tissues.

Summary. The trabecular architecture of the human ankle joint was studied three dimensionally by microradiography. The trabecular arrangement of the tibia and fibula was divided into four groups. The most characteristic orientation was observed in the bases of both malleoli where pressure-tension was caused by inversion and eversion of the talus. The talus showed two main trabecular arrangements: Trabeculae running between the trochlea and the posterior subtalar joint which supported body weight, and other trabeculae which belonged to part of the longitudinal foot-arch. The calcaneus showed four main trabecular arrangements. The first one was from the posterior subtalar joint to the tuber calcanei for supporting body weight, the second one was a part of the longitudinal foot-arch, the third one was the counterbrace of the second trabeculae, and the fourth one was the response to tension of the Achilles tendon. Etude arehitecturale des trav~es osseuses an niveau de rartieulation de la chef, HeR~sum~. L'architecturale des trav6es osseuses au niveau de l'articulation de la cheville a 6t~ 6tudi6e en trois dimensions par microradiographie. La disposition des trav6es au niveau du tibia et du p6ron6 a 6t6 sch6matis6e en quatre groupes. L'orientation la plus caract6ristique s'observe gtla base des deux mall6oles off des ph6nom+nes de pression et de traction sont dfis au varus ou au valgus de l'astragale. Au niveau de l'astragale on observe essentiellement deux types de trav~e osseuse: les unes s'6-tendent entre la poulie astragalienne et la surface articulaire post~rieure et inf~rieure qui supporte le poids du corps alors que les autres font partie d'un ensemble s'intrgrant dans la voflte plantaire. Au niveau du calcanrum on observe quatre types principaux de travres. La premirre va de la surface articulaire postrrieure ou facette thalamique ~ la tubrrosit6 postrrieure qui supporte le poids du corps, la deuxi~me s'int~gre dans l'ensemble de la vofite plantaire, la troisi+me forme une contrearche fi la prrcrdente et la quatri+me est induite par la tension du tendon d'Achille.