Objective:To produce rhBMP-4 with bioactivity in E.coli. Methods: The full-length human BMP-4 gene was mutated by PCR without changes in amino acid sequence, then the synthesized gene was cloned into plasmid pET-3c, transducted into BL21(DE)plysS, and induced by adding IPTG to a final concentration of 1.0 mmol/L. The protein product was purified using ion-exchange chromatography method and then renaturated, bioactivity was checked by C2C12 differentiation in vitro and mouse ectopic bone formation in vivo. Results: A 438 bp gene fragment encoding mature peptide of hBMP-4 was cloned , the protein product was mostly in the form of inclusion body, after renaturation, the engineering protein shows better bioactivity. Conclusion:The mutant strategy can enhance the expression of bioactive rhBMP-4 in E.coli expression system.

OBJECTIVETo study on the relation between the regional anatomy and safety of acupuncture at Tiantu (CV 22) and Qishe (ST 11).

METHODSIn forty-six adult corpses, 92 sides were dissected to observe the partial anatomy structure of acupuncture path of Tiantu (CV 22) and Qishe (ST 11) and structure characteristics by the steel needle marked method and lay-by-lay dissection method.

RESULTSThe bilateral the pleura returning lines behind the manubrium sterni interacted at the sternal angle plane accounted for 50.0% of the total specimens and at the first ribs plane accounted for 6.5% of the specimens; for needling the point Tiantu (CV 22), left brachiocephalic vein was at the same level or close to the manubrium sterni upper fringe in 43.5% of the specimens, the left brachiocephalic vein and the middle of manubrium sterni were at the same level in 56.5% of the specimens; for needling the point Qishe (ST 11), in 68 sides of the specimens, internal jugular vein were pierced, accounting for 73.9%, and in 24 sides of the specimens the left common carotid artery were pierced, accounting for 26.1%; in 50 sides of specimens the vagus nerve were touched by the steel needle, accounting for 54.3.

CONCLUSIONIn acupuncture of Tiantu (CV 22) and Qishe (ST 11), the needle not only easily injure the upper pleural cavity, but also damage the big blood vessel and the vagus nerve in the mediastinum and the cervical root.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Manubrium ; anatomy & histology ; Middle Aged ; Pleura ; anatomy & histology ; Safety

OBJECTIVETo explore the relation of the form of pleural cupula of the normal adult with safety of acupuncture at commonly-used acupoints around the pleural cupula.

METHODSThe safe depth for the commonly-used acupoints around the pleural cupula and the relation with the form of pleural cupula were investigated in 46 adult corpses with small Kirschner wire location and arrangement dissection.

RESULTSThe width of the pleural cupula projection equal to clavicle medial 1/3 accounted for 32. 6% of all the corpses, and the width of the pleural cupula projection more than clavicle medial 1/3 accounted for 59. 8% of all the corpses, the width of the pleural cupula projection less than clavicle medial 1/3 and pleural cupula medial margin located at the sternoclavicular joint medial accounted for 7.6% of all the corpses. The observed points such as Tiantu (CV 22), Qishe (ST 11), Jianjing (GB 21), Dingchuan (EX-B1), Dazhu (BL 11) which were considered be not related to the pleural cupula. When acupuncture is carried out according to criteria of acupoint location and needling direction, and the needle exceeded a limit, the pleural menbrane will be broken and induce destruction.

CONCLUSIONPosition and form of the pleural cupula have anatomical relation to acupuncture accident for needling the points around the superior pleural cupula, which should be played attention to.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pleura ; anatomy & histology