Quantitative Analysis of DNA Degradation in the Dead Body

Postmortem degradation of DNA was quantitatively estimated. Brain, liver, kidney and muscle samples were obtained from sacrificed rats left at 20℃ or 4℃. The quantity of DNA was measured by real-time PCR using a primer set for a sequence in the Rsrc 1 gene. When the quantity of amplified DNA using 10ng Human Genomic DNA was defined as 100 RFU, the quantities in the brain, liver, kidney and skeletal muscle (each 2μg of dry weight) on the day of sacrifice were 253±11, 338±22, 556±14 and 531±12 Relative Fluorescence Units (RFU), respectively (mean±S.E., n＝5). The quantity of amplified DNA decreased to below 10 RFU in 1-3 weeks in the liver, kidney and skeletal muscle at 20℃, while that in the brain was more than 10 RFU for six weeks, demonstrating the usefulness of the brain as a sample for DNA analysis of decaying corpses. It was suggested that quantifying the amplified DNA in the brain at 20℃ and in the liver at 4℃ as well as the ratio of the quantity of amplified DNA in the liver to the brain at 4℃ might be useful for diagnosing time of death. This study provides the first quantitative analysis of the postmortem progress of DNA degradation in the corpse

Two Cases of High Tibial Osteotomy in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Biologic Disease-modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs

High tibial osteotomy (HTO) procedure is generally contraindicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients because synovial inflammation may exacerbate joint damage post-surgery. The natural course of joint destruction in RA changed dramatically with new treatment strategies and the introduction of biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). We report the cases of two RA patients who underwent HTO and whose disease activities were well controlled by bDMARDs. Despite their short follow-up periods, they showed acceptable objective and subjective clinical results. We believe that the combination of bDMARDs and HTO can be indicated for selected RA patients before total knee arthroplasty

Arthroscopic Primary Medial Collateral Ligament Repair With Suture Anchor

A medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear is common in cases of isolated injury or in those combined with anterior cruciate ligament injury. Although conservative treatment for an MCL tear is popular, some cases result in residual instability. Thus, the treatment approach of grade III MCL injury remains controversial. In this Technical Note, we present the technique of arthroscopic primary MCL repair with suture anchor. With this technique, proximal MCL injuries can be repaired with minimal invasion. This technique improves valgus stability and enables early rehabilitation, including range of motion and weight-bearing exercise