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Pressure sores are serious problem for patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Many kinds of pressure-relieving cushions have been developed to distribute the weight evenly and widely. In this study, the buttock pressure measurements are carried out on the wheelchair and the Gatch bed. Six parameters are calculated and these parameters are represented on a hexagonal radar plot to evaluate the buttock pressure distribution on the wheelchair. Using the radar plot, it is useful for the medical staffs to instruct SCI’s posture on the wheelchair. The high pressure area is observed at the ischial tuberosities on the wheelchair but the high pressure area is observed at the sacro-coccygeal region on the bed.

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.

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 mechanical 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 metaphysis. The mechanics and kinematics of the trabecular architecture are discussed.

Summary Transverse osseous structure of the carpal groove was studied using serial sections and microradiography. The width and area of the carpal groove were measured in x-ray films of each section. The wrist and carpal region was divided into six levels: 1) radio-ulnar joint level, 2) proximal level of the carpal bones, 3) intermediate level of carpal bones, 4) distal level of carpal bones, 5) the first C-M joint level, and 6) bases of the metacarpal bone level. The width of the carpal groove averaged 32 mm at the inlet and became narrower toward the outlet. Both inlet and outlet areas were small, the largest area was observed at the middle part. Although the carpal bones did not support the body weight, a remnant of the trajectorial architecture of the trabeculae was observed.

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. Zoo Biol 17:111–121, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.