Objective Normal radiographic scaphoid lunate (SL) interval is thought to be 2 mm and abnormal SL interval is a prerequisite for diagnosing scapholunate instability. However, in the routine neutral rotation posterior anterior (PA) view of the wrist, the frequent overlapping between scaphoid and lunate precludes proper interpretation of the interval. Moreover, the normative data in Chinese population has not been reported. We developed a new but simple technique in radiological assessment to evaluate the normal SL interval in Chinese. Methods With the forearm in neutral rotation, a PA view of the wrist was taken using a mobile Xiscan. A radiolucent cushion was put underneath the hypothenar eminence so that the metacarpal arch of hand became parallel to the receiver table of the Xiscan. The normal supination posture of the wrist was thus corrected and the true SL interval was revealed. Two hundred normal wrists were examined; there were 46 female and 54 male healthy Chinese subjects, with age ranging from 18 to 80. The SL interval was determined with wrist in neutral, radially deviated and ulnarly deviated position using the cushioned neutral rotation PA view. The length of capitate, hamate and lunate were also measured to correlate with the SL interval. Results By using the standard PA view, the SL interval could not be determined in 60% of cases. Using the new assessment method, the optimal intervals were seen in all cases. The average SL interval was (2.07?0.65) mm. There was no significant gender difference. The measurement of ulnar variance was not affected by the new method. Conclusion The modified (Cushioned) PA view was the optimal radiological assessment method for true SL interval. There was wide variation of the normal value of the SL interval in Chinese population.

Objective Attempt to find out the method of isolated purified Schwann cells from sciatic nerve of adult SD rat Methods Three methods of culturing Schwann cells from sciatic nerve of adult rats were compared: (1) Conventional primary explant technique in tissue culture (Method A) (2) Conventional enzymatic disaggregating technique for cell culture (Method B) (3) A modified method of cell culture (Method C): Test group: we dissected very carefully and separated the sciatic nerve into individual fibers under surgical microscpe, individual fibers were cut into 0 5～1 mm pieces and treated with enzymatic disaggregating by twoenzymes (0 5% Trpsin and 0 06% Collagenase) in 37℃ for 80～90 min Control group: a application of conventional enzymatic disaggregating technique for culturing the nerve adventital tissues, which werethe remaining procedures of Test group We applied immunohistochemistry method with S100 antibody and Fibroblast antibody to identify Schwann cells Function of these Schwann cells proliferated were assessed by MTT assay and H 3 Thymidine incorporation assay. Conclusion In method C, a pure culture of Schwann cells was obtained, where the two techniques were used: careful separation of the sciatic nerve into individual fibers and use of higher concentrations of two enzymes for longer time to digest the nerve tissues These two technigues can cleanly remove and inhibit the fibroblasts, and enable healthy and normal proliferation of Schwann cells

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Ginsenoside Rb(1) on the proliferation of Schwann cells in culture.

METHODSApplying MTT assay and Thymidine incorporation assay, the effects of Ginsenoside Rb(1) on the proliferation of Schwann cells isolated from the sciatic nerve of adult rat were studied.

RESULTSGinsenoside Rb(1) (10 microg/ml) significantly induced Schwann cell proliferation, the effect was similar to NGF (50 microg/ml). At high concentrations of Ginsenoside Rb(1) (1 mg/ml), the proliferation of Schwann cells was significantly inhibited.

CONCLUSIONSGinsenoside Rb(1) at the optimal concentrations is found to be effective in inducing the proliferation of Schwann cells, but at higher concentrations the drug is cytotoxic for Schwann cells.

Animals ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Ginsenosides ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Nerve Regeneration ; drug effects ; Probability ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred Strains ; Schwann Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Sciatic Nerve ; cytology ; physiology ; Sensitivity and Specificity