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Cell seeding density, 2×10 4 /ml (original magnification, ×100; scale bar, 300 µm). cvNGF, cobra-venom-derived NGF; mNGF, murine -NGF; NGF, nerve growth factor. Cell seeding density, 2×10 4 /ml (original magnification, ×100; scale bar, 300 µm). cvNGF, cobra-venom-derived NGF; mNGF, murine -NGF; NGF, nerve growth factor. Cell seeding density, 2×10 4 /ml (original magnification, ×100; scale bar, 300 µm). cvNGF, cobra-venom-derived NGF; mNGF, murine -NGF; NGF, nerve growth factor. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: To establish an efficient method of isolating and culturing high activity and high purity of Schwann cells, and to identify the cells at the levels of transcription and translation., Methods: The sciatic nerves harvested from a 4-week-old Sprague Dawley rat were digested in the collagenase I for 15 minutes after dissecting, and then the explants were planted in culture flask directly. The cells were cultured and passaged in vitro, the growth state and morphological changes of the cells were observed under inverted phase contrast microscope. MTT assay was used to test the proliferation of cells and the cells growth curve was drawn. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry staining were used to detect S100 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) at the levels of transcription and translation, respectively. The purity of cells was caculated under microscope., Results: After the digestion of collagenase I, fibroblast-like cells appeared around explants within 24 hours, with slender cell body and weak refraction. After tissues were transferred to another culture flask, a large number of dipolar or tripolar cells were seen after 48 hours, with slender ecphyma, plump cell body, and strong refraction, and the cells formed colonies within 72 hours. The cells were covered with the bottom of culture flask within 48-72 hours after passaging at a ratio of 1 : 2, and spiral colonies appeared. Cells showed vigorous growth and full cytoplasm after many passages. MTT assay results showed that the cells at passage 3 entered the logarithmic growth phase on the 3rd day, reached the plateau phase on the 7th day with cell proliferation, and the growth curve was "S" shape. RT-PCR results showed that the cells expressed S100 gene and GFAP gene, and immunohistochemistry staining showed that most of the cells were positively stained, indicating that the majority of cells expressing S100 protein and GFAP protein. The purity of Schwann cells was 98.37% +/- 0.30%., Conclusion: High activity and high purity of Schwann cells can be acquired rapidly by single-enzyme digestion and explant-culture method.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of anterior subcutaneous and submuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve in treating cubital tunnel syndrome., Methods: From August 2006 to August 2008, 66 patients with cubital tunnel syndrome were treated with anterior subcutaneous transposition (subcutaneous group, 24 cases) and with anterior submuscular transposition (submuscular group, 42 cases). According to McGowan stages, all patients were at Stage 2 or 3 entrapment neuropathy with paresthesia in the ring and small fingers. Respectively, 3 cases and 8 cases complicated by interosseous muscle atrophy in subcutaneous group and in submuscular group. No significant difference was found in gender, age, duration of the disease, and complication between two groups (P < 0.05). The surgical features, distribution of Bishop rates, two-point discrimination test, muscular strength, and complications were recorded., Results: The operation time was (28.4 +/- 5.2) minutes in subcutaneous group and (43.8 +/- 5.6) minutes in submuscular group, showing significant difference (P < 0.01). The incision length was (12.2 +/- 2.5) cm in subcutaneous group and (13.6 +/- 2.8) cm in submuscular group, showing significant difference (P < 0.05). All patients were followed up 1-3 years. According to Bishop scoring system, the results were excellent in 18 cases, good in 4 cases, and poor in 2 cases in subcutaneous group; excellent in 36 cases, good in 3 cases, and poor in 3 cases in submuscular group; and showing no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). At 6 months postoperatively, two-point discrimination and grip strength were improved when compared with that of preoperation (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). Pain and dysesthesia of the scar were noted in 1 patient of the subcutaneous group and 3 patients of the submuscular group. No infection or hematoma was found and no patient needed reoperation., Conclusion: Both operative methods are effective alternative for treating cubital tunnel syndrome. The anterior subcutaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve has fewer traumas, and it is a better choice for some old patients.

Objective: To discuss the recent advancement of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the aspects of prosthesis selection, and compare the clinical effect of every kind of knee prostheses so as to provide more information for clinical application., Methods: The literature concerning prosthesis selection was extensively reviewed, and the methods and data were analyzed and summarized., Results: The major disputes consisted of posterior cruciate retained versus excised, fixed-bearing versus mobile-bearing, high-flex versus standard implants and patella resurfacing versus nonresurfacing for TKA. Every kind of knee prostheses displayed safety and effectiveness in early and medium term follow-up, no significant differences were found in clinical results., Conclusion: Prosthesis selection in TKA should be overall considered, and the merits of every kind of prostheses should be judged with long-term follow-up results.