During the evaluation period, the novel H7N9 virus caused severe illness, including pneumonia and ARDS, with high rates of ICU admission and death. (Funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and others.).

High-dose corticosteroids were associated with increased mortality and longer viral shedding in patients with influenza A (H7N9) viral pneumonia.

Pharmacist interventions, interacted directly with the physicians at ward level, could play an important role in optimizing antibiotic use, thus lead to the reduction in patients' length of hospital stay and health care cost.

Inspired by the success of dual targeting drugs, especially bispecific antibodies, we propose to combine the concept of protac and dual targeting to design and synthesize dual protac molecules with the function of degrading two completely different types of targets simultaneously. A library of novel dual targeting protac molecules have been rationally designed and prepared. A convergent synthetic strategy has been utilized to achieve high synthetic efficiency. These dual protac structures are characterized by using trifunctional natural amino acids as star-type core linkers to connect two independent inhibitors and E3 ligands together. In this study, gefitinib, olaparib, and CRBN or VHL E3 ligand were used as substrates to synthesize novel dual protacs. They successfully degraded both EGFR and PARP simultaneously in cancer cells. Being the first successful example of dual protacs, this technique will greatly widen the range of application of the protac method and open up a new field for drug discovery. File list (2) download file view on ChemRxiv dual_protac manuscript.pdf (1.02 MiB) download file view on ChemRxiv Supplementary Information.pdf (4.08 MiB)

ObjectiveThe study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two Chinese herbal formulae for the treatment of stable COPD.MethodsA multicenter, double-blind, double-dummy, and randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted. All groups were treated with additional conventional medicines. There were a 6-month treatment and a 12-month follow-up for 5 times. Primary outcomes included lung function test, exacerbation frequency, score of SGRQ. Second outcomes consisted of 6MWD, BODE index, psychological field score, inflammatory factors and cortisol.ResultsA total of 331 patients were randomly divided into two active treatment groups (Bushen Yiqi (BY) granule group, n = 109; Bushen Fangchuan (BF) tablet group, n = 109) and a placebo group (n = 113). Finally 262 patients completed the study. BY granule & BF tablet increased the values of VC, FEV1 (%) and FEV1/FVC (%), compared with placebo. BY granule improved PEF. Both treatments reduced acute exacerbation frequency (P = 0.067), BODE index and psychological field score, while improved 6MWD. In terms of descent rang of SGRQ score, both treatments increased (P = 0.01). Both treatments decreased inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-8, and IL-17(P = 0.0219). BY granule obviously descended IL-17(P<0.05), IL-1β (P = 0.05), IL-6, compared with placebo. They improved the level of IL-10 and cortisol. BY granule raised cortisol (P = 0.07) and decreased TNF-α. Both treatments slightly descended TGF-β1. In terms of safety, subject compliance and drug combination, there were no differences (P>0.05) among three groups.ConclusionsBY granule and BF tablet were positively effective for the treatment of COPD, and the former performed better in general.Trial RegistrationChinese Clinical Trial Register center ChiCTR-TRC-09000530

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Objective: To objectively evaluate the effectiveness of Baduanjin exercise on cardiopulmonary function and quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Data sources: Articles published in PubMed, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, the Cochrane Library, Wanfang Database, and China Biological Medicine Database from inception to March 2020. Review Method: Articles on randomized controlled trials about Baduanjin exercise for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were identified. Cochrane handbook was applied to assess the quality of included trials. Stata (version 14.0) and Review Manager (version 5.3) were employed for data analysis. Mean difference with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for pulmonary function, 6-minute walking distance, and the quality of life. Results: Thirty-one randomized controlled trials including 3045 patients were included. The result of meta-analysis indicated that comparing with any other type of treatment alone, Baduanjin exercise combined other type of treatment revealed well efficacy in improving exercise capability on 6-minute walking distance (mean difference = 43.83, 95% confidence interval (29.47, 58.20), P < 0.00001), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (mean difference = 0.23, 95% confidence interval (0.15, 0.31), P < 0.00001), forced volume vital capacity (mean difference = 0.19, 95% confidence interval (0.08, 0.30), P = 0.0007), the ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity (mean difference = 3.85, 95% confidence interval (2.19, 5.51), P < 0.00001), and the quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients regarding the St. George respiratory questionnaire (mean difference = –7.71, 95% confidence interval (–10.54, –4.89), P < 0.00001) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test (mean difference = –2.56, 95% confidence interval (–4.13, –1.00), P = 0.001). Conclusions: Baduanjin exercise could improve exercise capacity, pulmonary function, and quality of life for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background The theories of Shen-reinforcement and Qi-supplementation are important in asthma treatment based on traditional Chinese medicine theories. Early studies suggested that Invigorating Kidney and Supplementing Qi herbal formulae, Bu Shen Fang Chuan (BSFC) and Bu Shen Yi Qi (BSYQ), conveyed promising results in asthma treatment. However, the efficacy and safety of the formulae need to be further investigated by a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Methods 328 eligible patients were randomly sent to BSFC, BSYQ, and placebo group. The two formulae were received as add-on therapy. The primary endpoints were rate of asthma exacerbation and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) score. The secondary endpoints included HPA axis function and inflammatory cytokine production profile. All indexes were measured before and after treatment. Results The primary endpoints were not improved in both groups; however, the depression levels of subgroup patients with HAM-D score > 5 were improved in BSFC group. HPA axis functions and inflammatory cytokines level were also improved by two formulae. The incidences of adverse events were similar among groups. Conclusions The two formulae had multiple advantage effects on neuroendocrine-immune system. They are worth used as a replacement therapy in asthma. Trial Registration This trial is registered with clinical trial number ChiCTR-PRC-09000529.