Chinese herbal extracts of Rubia cordifolia and Dianthus superbus suppress IgE production and prevent peanut-induced anaphylaxis

[Background]: Peanut allergy is characterized by increased levels of peanut-specific IgE in the serum of most patients. Thus, the most logical therapy would be to inhibit the IgE production by committed B-cells. This study aims to investigate the unreported anti-IgE effects of Chinese herbal extracts of Rubia cordifolia (Qiancao) and Dianthus superbus (Qumai). [Methods]: Seventy herbal extracts were tested for their ability to reduce IgE secretion by a human B-cell line. Those with the lowest inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) values were tested in a mouse model of peanut-anaphylaxis. Anaphylactic scores, body temperature, plasma histamine and peanut-specific-immunoglobulins were determined. [Results]: Rubia cordifolia and Dianthus superbus inhibited the in vitro IgE production by a human B-cell line in a dose-dependent manner and the in vivo IgE production in a murine model of peanut allergy without affecting peanut-specific-IgG1 levels. After challenge, all mice in the sham groups developed anaphylactic reactions and increased plasma histamine levels. The extract-treated mice demonstrated significantly reduced peanut-triggered anaphylactic reactions and plasma histamine levels. [Conclusion]: The extracts of Rubia cordifolia and Dianthus superbus inhibited the IgE production in vivo and in vitro as well as reduced anaphylactic reactions in peanut-allergic mice, suggesting potentials for allergy treatments.This work was supported by the Food Allergy Initiative and National Institute of Health (grant no AT001495-01A1 to XML). ILE was supported by a postdoctoral MEC/FULBRIGHT grant from the Ministry of Science and Innovation (MCINN), Spain. The authors would like to acknowledge Michelle Mishoe for her technical work with IgE measurements and Kamal Srivastava for her helpful comments. The authors also would like to acknowledge projects CYTED/IBEROFUN 110AC0386 and COST ACTION FA1005.Peer Reviewe

Validity of the “Streitberger” Needle in a Chinese Population with Acupuncture: A Randomized, Single-Blinded, and Crossover Pilot Study

We studied the validity of a “Streitberger” needle as a valid approach in a Chinese population with experience of acupuncture. Volunteers were recruited from students of the School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine. Sixty students receiving education in acupuncture theory and experience in practical acupuncture were tested in study determining whether needling with the placebo needle felt any different from conventional acupuncture. Outcomes included measures of penetration sensation, VAS ratings, and Deqi sensation questionnaire. As a result, needle penetration, VAS ratings for either needle and Deqi sensation were not significantly different between two kinds of needles. Our findings show that the use of “Streitberger” needle is credible in a Chinese population with acupuncture experience

IQMNMR: Open source software using time-domain NMR data for automated identification and quantification of metabolites in batches

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>One of the most promising aspects of metabolomics is metabolic modeling and simulation. Central to such applications is automated high-throughput identification and quantification of metabolites. NMR spectroscopy is a reproducible, nondestructive, and nonselective method that has served as the foundation of metabolomics studies. However, the automated high-throughput identification and quantification of metabolites in NMR spectroscopy is limited by severe spectral overlap. Although numerous software programs have been developed for resolving overlapping resonances, as well as for identifying and quantifying metabolites, most of these programs are frequency-domain methods, considerably influenced by phase shifts and baseline distortions, and effective only in small-scale studies. Almost all these programs require multiple spectra for each application, and do not automatically identify and quantify metabolites in batches.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We created IQMNMR, an R package that integrates a relaxation algorithm, digital filter, and similarity search algorithm. It differs from existing software in that it is a time-domain method; it uses not only frequency to resolve overlapping resonances but also relaxation time constants; it requires only one NMR spectrum per application; is uninfluenced by phase shifts and baseline distortions; and most important, yields a batch of quantified metabolites.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>IQMNMR provides a solution that can automatically identify and quantify metabolites by one-dimensional proton NMR spectroscopy. Its time-domain nature, stability against phase shifts and baseline distortions, requirement for only one NMR spectrum, and capability to output a batch of quantified metabolites are of considerable significance to metabolic modeling and simulation.</p> <p>IQMNMR is available at <url>http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/IQMNMR/</url>.</p

A meta-analysis of the efficacy of azithromycin and benzathine penicillin in early syphilis

Purpose: To systematically analyze the efficacy of azithromycin and benzathine penicillin in early syphilis, and provide guidance for diagnosis and treatment.Methods: Databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and control studies according to keywords, and inclusion and exclusion criteria. Related documents and meeting records were also searched manually to extract study types, basic information of study objects, intervention measurements and study results, and evaluation of the quality of the methodology used.Results: Three studies were excluded from the review. The quality evaluation was B grade, and heterogenicity was good. We adopted a fixed effect model to conduct the meta-analysis. There was no significant difference in the cure rate between azithromycin and benzathine penicillin administered for 6 months. The ORs for 3 time points were 0.96 (95% CI = 0.71, 1.29), 0.01 (95% CI = -0.05, 0.06), and 0.04 (95% CI = -0.02, 0.11; p &lt; 0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidence of adverse events among the three studies.Conclusion: There was no apparent difference in the efficacy of azithromycin and benzathine penicillin in early syphilis. The advantages of azithromycin included good compliance, a long half-life, and a high economic benefit.Keywords: Early syphilis, Azithromycin, Benzathine penicillin, Curative effec