Correlations and time-dependent changes of upper arm performance tests, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, and a newly developed patient-based outcome measure : the Japanese Orthopaedic Cervical Myelopathy Questionnaire.

AIMS: In this prospective observational study, we investigated the time-dependent changes and correlations of upper arm performance tests (ten-second test and Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function (STEF), the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the JOA Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire (JOACMEQ) in 31 patients with cervical myelopathy who had undergone surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We hypothesised that all the indices correlate with each other, but show slightly different recovery patterns, and that the newly described JOACMEQ is a sensitive outcome measure. RESULTS: Peak recoveries were achieved one month post-operatively in the ten-second test and JOACMEQ upper extremity function (UEF) subscale, and at three months in the JOA and STEF scores. The recoveries of all indices were maintained until six months post-operatively. The upper extremity function (UEF) subscale in the JOACMEQ showed the strongest correlation with STEF although all the indices correlated with each other. Patients with ≥ 20 and < 20 acquired points in the UEF subscale were classified into the UEF-improved and UEF-unimproved groups. Comparisons between the groups showed that pre-operative evaluation of "coordinated motion" of the STEF was significantly low in the UEF-unimproved group. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the JOACMEQ is a concise, sensitive, patient-based outcome measure for evaluating functional recovery in patients with cervical myelopathy who have undergone surgery. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:990-6.

Control of fracture reduction robot using force/torque measurement.

We have developed a surgical robotic system for femoral fracture reduction employing indirect traction. Indirect traction in fracture reduction is a generally used surgical method for preventing complications such as bone splits caused by high stress on bones. For traction, a patient's foot is gripped by a jig and pulled to the distal side. Indirect traction has the advantage of distributing bone stress by utilizing a strong traction force; however, this procedure does not accurately control the proper positioning of fractured fragments when a surgical robot is used. The human leg has knee and an ankle joints, and thus robotic motion presents problems in not being able to directly propagate reduction motion to a fractured femoral fragment, rendering control of bone position difficult. We propose a control method for fracture reduction robots using external force/torque measurements of the human leg to achieve precise fracture reduction. Results showed that the proposed method reduced repositioning error from 6.8 mm and 15.9 degrees to 0.7 mm and 5.3 degrees, respectively.

Localization of cathepsins D, K, and L in degenerated human intervertebral discs.

STUDY DESIGN: Localization of cathepsins D, K, and L in degenerated intervertebral discs was examined by immunohistochemistry. OBJECTIVES: To determine the involvement of cathepsins in the pathomechanism of intervertebral disc degeneration by monitoring the immunolocalization of cathepsins in degenerated intervertebral disc tissue. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Cathepsins D, K, and L are enzymes that contribute to the matrix destruction seen in the articular cartilage affected by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, little is known about the contribution of these cathepsins to intervertebral disc degeneration. METHODS: Paraffin-embedded sections of degenerated intervertebral disc tissue collected at the time of surgery (13 discs from 12 patients) were immunohistochemically stained with antibodies for cathepsins D, K, and L. For further characterization of the stained cells, immunohistochemical detection of CD68 and TRAP staining were performed. RESULTS: Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed obvious signs of degeneration in all sections. Cathepsins D and L were immunolocalized in disc fibrochondrocytes at various sites exhibiting degeneration. Cathepsins K were found in tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated cells, in particular near the cleft within the cartilaginous endplate. However, few cells were positive for these cathepsins in anulus fibrosus that maintained the lamellar structure of collagen fibers. CONCLUSIONS: Marked expression of cathepsins D and L was observed at the site of degeneration. Cathepsins D and K localized in tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated cells existed at the cleft between the cartilaginous endplate and vertebral body. The site-specific localization of these cathepsins suggests the association of these proteinases with endplate separation and disorganization of the anulus fibrosus in degenerative spinal disorders.

The relationship between apoptosis of endplate chondrocytes and aging and degeneration of the intervertebral disc.

STUDY DESIGN: Apoptosis in cervical intervertebral disc cells and cartilaginous endplate cells was examined by the nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique during the process of natural aging and in a mouse experimental spondylosis model. OBJECTIVES: To determine the role of apoptosis in aging and degeneration of intervertebral discs by monitoring chronologic changes in the quantity and localization of apoptotic cells. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Apoptosis occurs within human intervertebral discs, but little is known about the pathologic significance of this process. On the other hand, the cartilaginous endplate is known to decrease in thickness and to disappear with aging and degeneration. The cause of this age-related change remains unclear. METHODS: A mouse spondylosis model was prepared via surgical resection of the posterior spinal element in 12 mice to examine the experimentally induced spondylosis process. Eighteen naturally aged mice were also used to examine the influence of aging. Paraffin-embedded midsagittal sections of the cervical spine were obtained 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery in the spondylosis model and in the age-matched naturally aged mice, as well as in 4-week-old and 18-month-old naturally aged mice. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, safranin-O, and the TUNEL procedure. The number of apoptotic cells and vital cells were counted in the cartilaginous endplate of the intervertebral disc excluding the growth cartilage, and the degree of disappearance of the cartilaginous endplate was evaluated. RESULTS: Apoptosis, particularly noticeable in the cartilaginous endplate, increased with age and resulted in a marked decrease in cell density. Subsequently, the structure of the cartilaginous endplate began to disappear. Apoptosis was more evident and the structure of the cartilaginous endplate began to disappear more rapidly in the surgically treated group than in the naturally aged group. CONCLUSIONS: TUNEL-positive cells in the cartilaginous endplate increased with age, with destruction of the cartilaginous endplate after apoptosis (TUNEL-positive cell death). The application of the spondylosis model increased the incidence of apoptosis preceding the development of spondylosis. This suggests that apoptosis plays a role in the age-related changes seen in the cartilaginous endplate of the intervertebral disc and in the experimentally induced spondylosis process.

Mechanisms of age-related decline in insulin-like growth factor-I dependent proteoglycan synthesis in rat intervertebral disc cells.

STUDY DESIGN: Age-related fluctuations in insulin-like growth factor-I dependent proteoglycan synthesis in rat intervertebral disc cells were investigated. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether synthetic responses to insulin-like growth factor-I decline with age and to explore the possibility that an age-related increase in the expression of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins suppresses matrix synthesis in intervertebral disc cells. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA: Several studies have reported that the responsiveness of chondrocytes to insulin-like growth factor-I decreases with age and furthermore that this phenomenon may be related to increased expression of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins by chondrocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nucleus pulposus tissue and cells were obtained from the coccygeal vertebrae of 8-week-old, 40-week-old, and 120-week-old rats. Age-related changes in the expression of insulin-like growth factor-I and its receptor were assessed together with insulin-like growth factor-I dependent proteoglycan synthesis by the cultured nucleus pulposus cells. Also, western blot analysis of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 was carried out, and further examination was performed of insulin-like growth factor-I signal transduction through tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1, which is a signal transducer of insulin-like growth factor-I. RESULTS: Semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that the expression of insulin-like growth factor-I receptor in 120-week cells decreased clearly in comparison with the cells of younger animals. By contrast, insulin-like growth factor-I dependent proteoglycan synthesis decreased with age, and the sharpest decline of synthesis was found between 8-week and 40-week cells, although the level of insulin-like growth factor-I/insulin-like growth factor-I receptor gene expression was maintained in 40-week-old animals. Consistent with the results of proteoglycan synthesis, the expression of phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate-1 decreased with age. Thus, the expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 and proteoglycan synthesis was investigated by use of Long R3 insulin-like growth factor-I, which was not influenced by insulin-like growth factor binding proteins. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 was strongly expressed in 40-week cells in comparison with the expression in 8-week cells. Furthermore, proteoglycan synthesis in 40-week cells supplemented with Long R3 insulin-like growth factor-I was upregulated in comparison with that in 40-week cells supplemented with insulin-like growth factor-I. CONCLUSION: The present findings indicate that the age-related decline in insulin-like growth factor-I dependent proteoglycan synthesis in nucleus pulposus is caused, at least in part, by the increase in insulin-like growth factor binding proteins at the early stages of aging, and further suggest that a loss of proteoglycan synthesis during the late stages of aging is caused by the downregulation of insulin-like growth factor-I receptor in addition to an increase in insulin-like growth factor binding proteins.

Interobserver and intraobserver reliability of the japanese orthopaedic association scoring system for evaluation of cervical compression myelopathy.

STUDY DESIGN: The inter- and intraobserver reliabilities of an assessment scale for cervical compression myelopathy were examined statistically. This scoring system consists of seven categories: motor function of fingers, shoulder and elbow, and lower extremity; sensory function of upper extremity, trunk and lower extremity; and function of the bladder. It evaluates the severity of myelopathy by allocating points based on degree of dysfunction in each category. OBJECTIVES: To determine the inter- and intraobserver reliabilities of the revised scoring system (17 - 2 points) for cervical compression myelopathy proposed by the Japanese Orthopedic Association. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Several scales to assess clinical outcome from treatment of cervical compression myelopathy have been proposed. Most of these scales include items evaluated by observers. However, no system, including the Japanese Orthopedic Association scoring system, has yet been validated in terms of interobserver reliability. METHODS: From five different university hospitals, 10 spine surgery specialists, 10 orthopedic surgeons who had just passed the board examination of the Japanese Orthopedic Association, and 13 residents in the first or second year of orthopedic residency programs were chosen. The participants in this study were 29 patients with myelopathy secondary to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament selected from five participating university hospitals. Several surgeons interviewed each patient twice at intervals of 1 to 6 weeks. Inter- and intraobserver reliabilities of the total score for all categories were evaluated by the intraclass correlation coefficient. The extension of the kappa coefficient of Kraemer also was calculated for each category to assess reliability of multivariate categorical data. RESULTS: The interobserver reliability of the total score for the first interview (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.813) and the intra- and interobserver reliabilities of the total score (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.826) were high. The level of experience and the hospital slightly affected the reliability of the Japanese Orthopedic Association scoring system. The kappa values for intraobserver data generally were high in each category, whereas the kappa values for interobserver data were relatively low for the categories of shoulder-elbow motor function and lower extremity sensory function. CONCLUSIONS: The inter- and intraobserver reliabilities of the Japanese Orthopedic Association scoring system for cervical myelopathy were high, suggesting that this system is useful for assessment of cervical myelopathy in comparative studies of treatment.

Activation and localization of cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein-1 at the site of ossification of the ligamentum flavum.

Localization and expression of cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein (CDMP)-1 in tissues at the site of ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) were examined by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. The CDMP-1 protein and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) were localized in spindle-shaped cells and chondrocytes in the OLF tissues. CDMP-1 was not detected in cells in non-ossified sites. These data indicate that CDMP-1 is locally activated and localized in spindle-shaped cells and chondrocytes at the site of OLE. Given the previously reported promoting action of CDMP-1 for chondrogenesis, the current results suggest that CDMP-1 may be involved in the progression of OLF, leading to the narrowing of spinal canal and thus causing severe clinical manifestations.

Ossification of the ligamentum flavum associated with osteoblastoma: a report of three cases.

We report three cases of spinal osteoblastoma with ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) adjacent to the tumor. The patients in this report, all young adults, had no symptoms except for back pain. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a typical radiolucent nidus in the spinal pedicle/lamina with a dense sclerotic rim. In addition, ectopic bone formation at the insertion point of the ligamentum flavum adjacent to the tumor was clearly illustrated. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the tumor and surrounding inflammatory responses, but OLF was not detected clearly. Histological examination revealed endochondral ossification of the ligamentum flavum that is quite unusual for normal young adults. Immunohistochemical assays in one case demonstrated that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2/4 was expressed in the osteoblastic tumor cells. This case raises the possibility that BMPs secreted from the tumor cells triggered ectopic ossification in the spinal ligament.

Subtotal corpectomy versus laminoplasty for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a long-term follow-up study over 10 years.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was conducted. OBJECTIVE: To compare the long-term outcomes of subtotal corpectomy and laminoplasty for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: No study has compared the long-term outcomes between subtotal corpectomy and laminoplasty for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy. METHODS: In this study, 23 patients treated with subtotal corpectomy and 24 patients treated with laminoplasty were followed up for 10 to 14 years after surgery. Neurologic recovery, late deterioration, axial pain, radiographic results (degenerative changes at adjacent levels, alignment, and range of motion of the cervical spine), and surgical complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: No significant difference in neurologic recovery was found between the two groups 1 and 5 years after surgery, or at the latest follow-up assessment. Neurologic status deteriorated in one patient of the subtotal corpectomy group because of adjacent degeneration, and in one patient of the laminoplasty group because of hyperextension injury. Axial pain was observed in 15% of the corpectomy group and in 40% of the laminoplasty group (P < 0.05). In the corpectomy group, listhesis exceeding 2 mm developed at 38% of the upper adjacent levels, and osteophyte formation at 54% of the lower adjacent levels. In the laminoplasty group, kyphotic deformity developed in one patient (6%) after surgery. In the corpectomy group, the mean vertebral range of motion had decreased from 39.4 degrees to 19.2 degrees (49%) by the final follow-up assessment. In the laminoplasty group, the mean vertebral range of motion had decreased from 40.2 degrees to 11.6 degrees (29%) by the final follow-up assessment. Neurologic complications related to the surgery occurred in two patients (one myelopathy from bone graft dislodgement and one C5 root palsy from bone graft fracture) of the corpectomy group and four patients (C5 root palsy) of the laminoplasty group. All of these patients recovered over time. The corpectomy group needed longer operative time (P < 0.001) and tended to have more blood loss (P = 0.24). Six patients in the corpectomy group needed posterior interspinous wiring because of pseudarthrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Subtotal corpectomy and laminoplasty showed an identical effect from a surgical treatment for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy. These neurologic recoveries usually last more than 10 years. In the subtotal corpectomy group, the disadvantages were longer surgical time, more blood loss, and pseudarthrosis. In the laminoplasty group, axial pain occurred frequently, and the range of motion was reduced severely.

Distribution of genes for bone morphogenetic protein-4, -6, growth differentiation factor-5, and bone morphogenetic protein receptors in the process of experimental spondylosis in mice.

OBJECT: Because little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the process of spondylosis, the authors examined the extent of genetic localization of several members of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and BMP receptors in chondrogenesis during the process of inducing spondylosis in their previously established experimental mice model. METHODS: Experimental spondylosis was induced in 5-week-old ICR mice. The cervical spine was harvested chronologically, and histological sections were prepared. Messenger RNA for BMP-4, growth and differentiation (GDF)-5, BMP-6, and BMP receptors (ALK-3, -6, and BMP-RII) was localized in the tissue sections by in situ hybridization. In the early stage, BMP-4-derived mRNA was localized mainly in cells in the anterior margin of the cervical discs, together with ALK-6 and BMP-RII mRNA. No GDF-5 and BMP-6 mRNA was detected at this stage. In the late stage, cells positive for BMP-4 decreased, whereas GDF-5 and BMP-6 mRNA were localized in cells undergoing chondrogenesis. The ALK-3 mRNA began to appear in this stage, as did ALK-6 and BMP-RII. CONCLUSIONS: The localization of transcripts for BMP-4, -6, and GDF-5 as well as BMP receptors shown during the present experimental model indicate the possible involvement of molecular signaling by these BMPs in the chondrogenic progress in spondylosis.

Accuracy evaluation of surface-based registration methods in a computer navigation system for hip surgery performed through a posterolateral approach.

OBJECTIVE: Many computer navigation systems have recently been developed for brain surgery, and the use of such systems in orthopedic surgery is increasing. Intraoperative registration of preoperative images is one of the most important steps in controlling the overall accuracy of computer navigation systems. Various parameters, such as CT-scan slice thickness, reconstruction pitch, intraoperative data sampling area, and data sampling volume, may affect the accuracy of registration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the aforementioned parameters on the accuracy of registration for hip surgery performed through a posterolateral approach, and to find a clinically suitable trade-off between accuracy and surgical invasiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One cadaveric pelvis and one cadaveric femur were used for this study. Four alumina ceramic balls with a diameter of 28 mm and within 1 micrometer of sphericity were attached to the pelvis, and three similar balls attached to the femur, to determine relative position. CT-scan images of the pelvis and femur were obtained with a helical scanner. Three sets of slice thickness and slice pitch were chosen for data acquisition, and two additional sets of reconstructed data were made. Bone contours were extracted by cutting out the surrounding substrate at a given CT number threshold, and surface models of the bone were made from the resultant data. The positions of the pelvis and femur were tracked by LED markers attached to the bone using an optical three-dimensional position sensor (OPTOTRAK). Registration of the computer models to the real objects was performed by measuring the position of a certain number of surface points on each object with an OPTOTRAK pen-probe. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Slice thickness and reconstruction pitch affected the accuracy of registration. As the sampling area was expanded from the periarticular area to the distant peripheral area, accuracy increased slightly. Accuracy did not increase when the whole area was used, but in fact decreased, especially in the femur. The positive effect of increasing the number of sampling points was saturated at 30 points when the surface of the periarticular area was sampled. The following trade-off between accuracy and invasiveness, in terms of various parameters of preoperative and intraoperative data, is proposed as clinically optimal: perform the CT scan with 3-mm slice thickness and 1-mm reconstruction pitch, and sample the periarticular area with 30 sampling points. With these parameters, the accuracy of registration was 1.2 mm and 0.9 degrees of bias with 0.7 mm and 0.3 degrees of RMS in the pelvis, and 1.4 mm and 0.6 degrees of bias with 1.3 mm and 0.3 degrees of RMS in the femur.

Localization of cathepsins G and L in spontaneous resorption of intervertebral discs in a rat experimental model.

To determine the involvement of cathepsins G and L in the mechanism of spontaneous resorption of herniated intervertebral discs, localization of these cathepsins in this process was examined immunohistochemically using a rat model of autologous transplantation of coccygeal discs. Rat coccygeal discs were resected and autotransplanted into the subcutaneous space of the skin of the back. Paraffin-embedded sections of intervertebral disc tissue, harvested at various post-transplantational periods, were immunohistochemically stained with antibodies for cathepsin G, cathepsin L, MMP-1, MMP-3 and ED-2. The number of positive cells was counted in each part of the transplanted discs. Immunolocalization of cathepsins G and L in various types of disc cells was first observed early in the post-transplantation period. From two days after the operation, histology showed invasion by granulation tissue, with many macrophages, in all sections. Subsequently, the number of macrophages in granulation tissue was observed to increase, along with a gradual increase in the percentage of cells positive for MMP-1 and MMP-3. In addition to the ability of cathepsins G and L to degrade major extracellular matrix components of intervertebral discs, cathepsin G is capable of activating latent pro-MMPs. The up-regulation of cathepsins G and L in the intervertebral disc tissue in this spontaneous resorption model suggests that these proteinases may be involved in degradation of extracellular matrix, leading to the natural resorption of herniated discs.

Radiographic analysis of lumbar spine for low-back pain in the general population.

We sought to demonstrate a correlation between low-back pain (LBP) and the plain radiographic findings of the lumbar spine in the general population based on an analysis of 838 persons, 387 of whom presented with complaints of low-back pain. The incidence of intervertebral narrowing and irregular ossification of the vertebral end-plate image increased consistently with age and was higher in the presence of LBP in any age or gender group. Multiregression analysis was performed with the imaging factors as multivariates. As a result, multiregression equations with irregular ossification of the vertebral end-plate image, intervertebral narrowing, spondylolisthesis and abnormal lumbar lordotic angle combined as variates showed the highest significance as predictors of a relationship with LBP. The discrimination analysis was performed using the linear discriminant function, resulting in a true discrimination rate of 65%. Plain radiography of the lumbar spine is thus significant as it provides information which can be evaluated as meaningful findings in the investigation of LBP. In addition, while the significance can be increased by considering multiple factors, it is important to understand the limits of the accuracy of this prediction.

Idiopathic spinal cord herniation: report of three cases and review of the literature.

STUDY DESIGN: Three case reports and a literature review are presented. OBJECTIVE: To describe characteristic clinical and radiographic findings of idiopathic spinal cord herniation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Idiopathic spinal cord herniation is a rare disease, with only 26 cases reported before the current study. METHODS: Three cases of idiopathic spinal cord herniation are reported, and previous reports on this subject are reviewed. RESULTS: The responsible regions were in the thoracic spine from T2 to T7. Symptoms were mainly unilateral muscle atrophy in the lower extremity and sensory disturbance below the thoracic level. These symptoms had been progressing gradually. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a unique feature: The spinal cord shifted anteriorly in a few segments. Computed tomographic myelogram showed another distinctive picture: There was no subarachnoid space anterior to the spinal cord. CONCLUSIONS: Because idiopathic spinal cord herniation is out of the concept of "compression myelopathy," this condition may be a pitfall in the diagnosis. Idiopathic spinal cord herniation should be recognized as one of the treatable causes for thoracic myelopathy.

Cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy: when and what can surgery contribute to treatment?

Indications and timing of surgical treatment for cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy, and the long-term results for the conditions, were reviewed. Advances in spinal imaging and accumulation of clinical experience have provided some clues as to indications and timing of surgery for cervical myelopathy. Duration of myelopathy prior to surgery and the transverse area of the spinal cord at the maximum compression level were the most significant prognostic parameters for surgical outcome. Thus, when myelopathy is caused by etiological factors that are either unchangeable by nature, such as developmental canal stenosis, or progressive, such as ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, surgical treatment should be considered. When an etiology of myelopathy is remissible, such as soft disc herniation and listhesis, surgery may be reserved until the effects of conservative treatment are confirmed. When surgery is properly carried out, long-term surgical results are expected to be good and stable, and the natural course of myelopathy secondary to cervical spondylosis may be modified. However, little attention has been paid to the questions "When and what can surgery contribute to treatment of cervical radiculopathy?". A well-controlled clinical study including natural history should be done to provide some answers.

Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) induction by axotomy in sensory and motoneurons: A novel neuronal marker of nerve injury.

Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), a member of ATF/CREB family of transcription factors, is induced in a variety of stressed tissue. ATF3 regulates transcription by binding to DNA sites as a homodimer or heterodimer with Jun proteins. The purpose of this study was to examine the expression and regulation of ATF3 after axonal injury in neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord. In naive rats, ATF3 was not expressed in the DRG and spinal cord. Following the cut of peripheral nerve, ATF3 was immediately induced in virtually all DRG neurons and motoneurons that were axotomized, and the time course of induction was dependent on the distance between the injury site and the cell body. Double labeling using immunohistochemistry revealed that the population of DRG neurons expressing ATF3 included those expressing c-jun, and in motoneurons ATF3 and c-jun were concurrently expressed after axotomy. In contrast to c-jun, ATF3 was not induced transsynaptically in spinal dorsal horn neurons. We conclude that ATF3 is specifically induced in sensory and motoneurons in the spinal cord following nerve injury and should be regarded as an unique neuronal marker of nerve injury in the nervous system.

A long-term follow-up study of cervical lesions in rheumatoid arthritis.

To determine the natural history of cervical lesions in rheumatoid arthritis, 161 patients who had been followed for a minimum of 5 years were enrolled in this study. The average follow-up period was 10.2 years (range, 5 to 20 years). The severity of the rheumatoid arthritis was classified into three types based on the multiplicity of peripheral joint rheumatoid involvement: a least erosive subset, a more erosive subset, and a mutilating disease subset. Ninety-two patients (57%) had upper cervical involvement, which progressed in the order of anterior atlantoaxial subluxation, anterior atlantoaxial subluxation combined with vertical subluxation, and vertical subluxation alone. Subaxial subluxation was found in 18 patients (11%). In 17 of these 18 patients, upper cervical lesions were also noted. The incidence of cervical involvement in each disease subset was 39% in the least erosive group, 83% in the more erosive group, and 100% in the mutilating disease group. Fifty percent of the patients with cervical involvement had neck pain, and the remaining patients were asymptomatic. Neural involvement occurred in 10 patients. In 7 of these 10 patients, vertical subluxation of the atlas was responsible for the neural deficit. Six patients required surgical intervention because of progressive myelopathy.

Peripheral nerve palsies in victims of the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake.

On January 17, 1995, the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake directly hit a metropolis and destroyed approximately 120,000 houses. Many people were buried under the debris of the Japanese style wooden houses or were injured by falling furniture. Twenty-five patients (35 extremities) with earthquake associated peripheral nerve palsy were studied and followed up for 2 years. The characteristic feature of earthquake associated palsies was combined nerve palsy induced by prolonged compression. There were 11 extremities with brachial plexus palsy; two extremities with combined radial, median, and ulnar nerve palsy; two extremities with combined median and ulnar nerve palsy; two extremities with radial nerve palsy; two extremities with ulnar nerve palsy; 10 extremities with combined femoral and sciatic nerve palsy; one extremity with combined tibial and peroneal nerve palsy; and five extremities with compartment syndrome of the leg. Many peripheral nerve palsies were induced by nerve ischemia. Most patients had good spontaneous recovery. The prognosis of these palsies generally was good.

Rapid decalcification using microwaves for in situ hybridization in skeletal tissues.

In situ hybridization histochemistry is the sole tool available for detecting the localization and expression of specific RNA on histological sections under various in vivo conditions. For this paper, we examined the effect of microwave exposure on the time needed for decalcification of skeletal tissues and on the preservation of sensitivity for hybridization signals. Our data show that the use of microwave decalcification reduces the decalcification period while preserving intense hybridization signals for mouse alpha1 chain of procollagen type I mRNA in osteogenic cells in bone. The use of microwave treatment to decalcify skeletal tissues may prevent delay in obtaining experimental results or the loss of signals during in situ hybridization.