Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects and Potential Targets of Shenzhu Jiedu Granule Against Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Based on Network Pharmacology.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of Shenzhu Jiedu Granule on COVID-19 using network pharmacology and animal experiments. Methods: Obtain the chemical components of Shenshu Jiedu Granule from the online pharmacology database and analysis platform (ETCM) of the Chinese traditional medicine system, obtain the potential target of the compound through the UniProt database, and obtain the related target of COVID-19 from GeneCards and OMIM databases; Construct a component target network diagram using Cytascape 3.7.0 software, import the protein interaction (PPI) of intersection targets into Cytascape software through STRING database, and use the Metascape platform to conduct gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomics (KEGG) enrichment analysis on intersection targets.To explore its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects through animal ear swelling, hot plate and torsion experiments. Results: Analysis revealed 72 key target proteins associated with the effects of Shenzhu Jiedu Granule demonstrated that mainly interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 ß (IL 1 ß), B cells κ Light peptide gene enhancer nuclear factor inhibitor 1 (NFKB1), B cells κ Light peptide gene enhancer nuclear factor inhibitor 1B (NFKB1A), interferon ß IFNB1, tumor necrosis factor TNF, recombinant human mitogen activated protein kinase 12 (MAPK12), serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1), B cells κ Light peptide gene enhancer inhibitor kinase ß (IKBKB), etc.The analysis found that it is mainly related to multiple biological processes such as intercellular immune regulation, inflammatory cytokines, and ion channels in the microenvironment; KEGG analysis showed that COVID-19 pathway, influenza virus pathway and multiple immune inflammatory response pathways were mainly involved. Obtained 91 effective ingredients of Shenshu Jiedu Granule, 10 anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, and antiviral compounds, and 4 immune enhancing compounds. Shenzhu Jiedu Granule demonstrated an inhibitory effect on xylene-induced ear swelling in mice and significantly enhanced the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects by reducing body twists and prolonging the time mice licked their feet. Conclusions: It is suggested that Shenzhu Jiedu Granule has anti COVID-19, influenza virus, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, and can significantly enhance the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of mice, which highlight the significance of the study in the context of current global health concerns.

[Study of Jinye Baidu granule in treatment of wind-warmth lung heat disease (heat in lung-wei pattern)： a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled trial].

A randomized, double-blind, active parallel controlled trial will be conducted to include patients with acute upper respiratory infection and wind-warmth lung heat disease (heat in lung-wei pattern). Patients with serious bacterial infection (white blood cell count>1.2×1010, neutrophil>80%) will be excluded.so as to further identify Jinye Baidu Granule indications of Wind-warmth lung heat disease (heat in lung-wei pattern).According to the subjects of symptoms of fever and sore throats,Patients will be divided into three blocks： fever, swelling and sore throat, combined fever and swelling and sore throat. Subjects in three blocks will be divided into treatment group and control group with stratified blocked randomization. The treatment group will be treated with Jinye Baidu Granule, and the control group will be treated with Fufang Shuanghua granule. Primary outcome measure of patients with fever will be body temperature recovery time. Primary outcome measure of patients with swelling and sore throat will be throat symptom score. Primary outcome measures of patients combined with fever and swelling and sore throat will be body temperature recovery time and throat symptom score. Before and after all of the patients in the group were collected blood and urine routine, liver and renal function, electrocardiogram (ECG) data as the safety index while observing it adverse events. A total of 623 patients were included. Compared with control group,sore throat symptoms of patients with sore throat and pharyngeal symptoms total score have significantly different. so Jinny Baidu granule have a significant advantage in the treatment of sore throat. All of the experiments showed that the safety of the drug was good. Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, digestive tract symptoms may occur only occasionally. We should pay attention to the changes when using in patients with spleen deficiency cold to avoid adverse reaction.

[Treatment of upper respiratory infection by fangfeng tongsheng granule: a randomized controlled study].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of Fangfeng Tongsheng Granule (FTG) in the treatment of upper respiratory infection (superficial cold and interior heat syndrome, exterior and interior excess syndrome). METHODS: A randomized, double-blinded, multi-centered, placebo-parallel-controlled clinical trial was adopted. Totally 324 patients were enrolled and assigned to two groups, 216 patients in the treatment group and 108 patients in the control group. Those in the treatment group took FTG at the daily dose of 3 g, twice per day, the therapeutic course being 3 days. Those with axillary temperature more than 37 degrees C took one more time before medication. Those in the control group took simulated agent granules the same dose and dosage as the treatment group. The effect of Chinese medical syndrome (ECMS), the rate of temperature-dropping-to-normal (RT), the time of temperature-dropping-to-normal (TT), the curative effect of single symptom (CESS) and adverse reactions were observed. RESULTS: Totally 203 completed the trial in the treatment group and 101 in the control group. In the treatment group, the cured-effective rate was 55.67% (113/ 101), the total effective rate was 93.10% (189/101), the ECMS score decreased by 9.24 +/- 4.46, while they were 5.94% (6/101), 36.63% (37/101), and 3.27 +/- 3.29, respectively in the control group (P < 0.01). The RT was 87.50% (98/112) in the treatment group and 58.49% (31/53) in the control group (P < 0.01). The TT in the treatment group was superior to that of the control group (P < 0.01). As for CESS, all of the three primary symptoms and nine secondary symptoms were improved more obviously in the treatment group than in the control group. The integral decreased obviously, showing statistical difference (P < 0.01). The decrease was more obvious in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.01). There was no adverse event related to FTG. CONCLUSION: FTG was effective and safe in treating upper respiratory infection (superficial cold and interior heat syndrome, exterior and interior excess syndrome).

The optimal puncture time point of prolonged occlusion flow-mediated dilatation in radial artery catheterization: a prospective observational study.

Previous studies have demonstrated prolonged occlusion flow-mediated dilatation (PO-FMD) could reduce cannulation failure rates and decrease radial artery pulsation loss during trans-radial coronary angiography. However, the time and degree of radial artery dilatation induced after PO-FMD were unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the degree and duration of the radial artery dilation after PO-FMD, and the time point at which the radial artery diameter is expanded to the maximum. This was a prospective observational study. According to the Chinese guideline on the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, 142 patients awaking from general anesthesia were divided into two groups: low-risk (LR) group and high-risk (HR) group. Firstly, the baseline radial artery diameter was measured on the left wrist using ultrasound in both groups. Subsequently, the radial artery diameters were obtained continuously at the same location for 5 min after PO-FMD. The baseline radial artery diameter, the maximum radial artery diameter, and the duration of radial artery dilation in the two groups were recorded. The time point at which the radial artery diameter is expanded to the maximum in the LR group and HR group was 26.49 ± 11.69 s and 46.27 ± 12.03 s, respectively (P < 0.01). The time of radial artery dilation and the percentage changes in arterial diameter in HR group were significantly lower than LR group (duration time: mean [mean ± standard]: 136.65 ± 31.55 s vs. 168.98 ± 33.27 s; percentage changes: median [interquartile range] 10.5 [8.6, 12.9] % vs. 15.2 [12.4, 19.0] %). In this study, the optimal puncture time point of PO-FMD in the LR group was 26 s, and in the HR group was 46 s. It would be helpful to guide the time point in radial artery catheterization after PO-FMD.Chinese Clinical Trial Registry identifier: ChiCTR2200066214.

Chinese herbal compound for multidrug-resistant or extensively drug-resistant bacterial pneumonia: a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis with association rule mining to identify core herb combinations.

Purpose: Antibiotic-resistant bacterial pneumonia poses a significant therapeutic challenge. In China, Chinese herbal compound (CHC) is commonly used to treat bacterial pneumonia. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CHC and identify core herb combinations for the treatment of multidrug-resistant or extensively drug-resistant bacterial pneumonia. Methods: Stata 16 and TSA 0.9.5.10 beta software were used for meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA), respectively. Exploring the sources of heterogeneity through meta-regression and subgroup analysis. Results: Thirty-eight studies involving 2890 patients were included in the analyses. Meta-analysis indicated that CHC combined with antibiotics improved the response rate (RR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.19-1.28; p < 0.0001) and microbiological eradication (RR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.27-1.57; p < 0.0001), lowered the white blood cell count (MD = -2.09; 95% CI: -2.65 to -1.53; p < 0.0001), procalcitonin levels (MD = -0.49; 95% CI: -0.59 to -0.40; p < 0.0001), C-reactive protein levels (MD = -11.80; 95% CI: -15.22 to -8.39; p < 0.0001), Clinical Pulmonary Infection Scores (CPIS) (MD = -1.97; 95% CI: -2.68 to -1.26; p < 0.0001), and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE)-II score (MD = -4.08; 95% CI: -5.16 to -3.00; p < 0.0001), shortened the length of hospitalization (MD = -4.79; 95% CI: -6.18 to -3.40; p < 0.0001), and reduced the number of adverse events. TSA indicated that the response rate and microbiological eradication results were robust. Moreover, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Fritillaria thunbergii Miq, Lonicera japonica Thunb, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch were identified as core CHC prescription herbs. Conclusion: Compared with antibiotic treatment, CHC + antibiotic treatment was superior in improving response rate, microbiological eradication, inflammatory response, CPIS, and APACHE-II score and shortening the length of hospitalization. Association rule analysis identified four core herbs as promising candidates for treating antibiotic-resistant bacterial pneumonia. However, large-scale clinical studies are still required. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023410587.

Fabrication of Multilayered Two-Dimensional Micelles and Fibers by Controlled Self-Assembly of Rod-Coil Block Copolymers.

Fabricating hierarchical nanomaterials by self-assembly of rod-coil block copolymers attracts great interest. However, the key factors that affect the formation of the hierarchical nanomaterials have not been thoroughly researched. Herein, we have synthesized two diblock copolymers composed of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Through a heating, cooling, and aging process, a series of multilayered hierarchical micelles and fibers were prepared in alcoholic solutions. The transition from fibers to hierarchical micelles are strictly influenced by the strength of the π-π stacking interaction, the PEG chain length, and solvent. In isopropanol, the P3HT22-b-PEG43 could self-assemble into hierarchical micelles composed of several two-dimensional (2D) laminar layers, driven by the π-π stacking interaction and van der Waals force. The P3HT22-b-PEG43 could not self-assemble into well-defined nanostructures in methanol and ethanol, but could self-assemble into fibers in isobutanol. However, the P3HT22-b-PEG113 with a longer corona block only self-assembled into fibers in four alcoholic solutions, due to the increase in dissolving capacity and steric hindrance. The sizes and the size distributions of the nanostructures both increased with the increase in polymer concentration and the decrease in solvent polarity. This study shows a method to fabricate the hierarchical micelles.

Wodyetia bifurcate structured carbon fabrics with durable superhydrophobicity for high-efficiency oil-water separation.

The superhydrophobic fiber-based membranes with features of high separation efficiency and low energy consumption for oil-water separation remains a formidable challenge. In this paper, a robust and durable superhydrophobic cotton-derived carbon fabric (CDCF) with wodyetia bifurcate-like structure is fabricated via in situ cobalt-nickel basic carbonate (CNC) deposition and 1 H, 1 H, 2 H, 2 H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (POTS) coating. The combined action of rough surface structure and low surface energy makes CDCF/CNC/POTS with superhydrophobicity/superoleophilicity, anti-wetting, and self-cleaning performance. Intriguingly, the CDCF/CNC/POTS can keep its superhydrophobicity under of the water droplet impact pressure of 781 Pa. In addition to its robust dynamic superhydrophobicity, CDCF/CNC/POTS can also maintain its non-wetting property under harsh environmental conditions such as mechanical abrasion treatment, acidic, alkaline and salt solutions, and ultraviolet radiation. Importantly, the CDCF/CNC/POTS can separate various oil-water mixtures and emulsions under gravity with ultrahigh oil-water mixtures permeate flux (∼19,126 L/m2h), high surfactant-stabilized emulsion permeate flux (∼821 L/m2h), and high separation efficiency (> 98.60 %). Moreover, remarkable recyclability endow the CDCF/CNC/POTS with promising application in treating oily wastewater. This work may benefit the low-cost mass production of cotton-based carbon fabrics for developing eco-friendly high-efficiency separators.

Supramolecular Self-Assembly of Nitrogen-Deficient Ag/g-C3N4 Nanofiber Films with Enhanced Charge Transfer Dynamics for Efficient Visible-Light Photocatalytic Activity.

Molecular self-assembly of organic molecules through noncovalent interactions is a powerful strategy for designing functional materials. Herein, we fabricated a novel free-standing Ag/g-C3N4 nanofiber (Ag/CNNF) film via a water-based molecular engineering approach followed by pyrolysis using a cyanuric acid-melamine complex as the precursor. Uniform dispersion of plasmonic Ag nanoparticles and incorporation of nitrogen vacancies were synchronously introduced into the 3D highly interconnected porous CNNF framework. The resulting Ag/CNNF film with multilevel interlayer spacing distributions significantly expedited more sufficient charge transfer dynamics not only at Schottky junction sites but also throughout hierarchical CN by exciton dissociation. Benefiting from the synergistic enhancement in visible light harvesting capability and steered charge carrier transfer in a longitudinal direction, the Ag/CNNF film presented remarkably boosted photocatalytic ability both for hydrogen production and tetracycline degradation. The optimal Ag/CNNF-2 film exhibited a prominent photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 1240 µmol g-1 h-1 without the Pt co-catalyst under visible light illumination, which was 10.3 times as high as that of bulk g-C3N4. Significantly, 1D Ag/g-C3N4 nanofibers self-assembled into an ordered and macroscopic film, which was more favorable in practical applications owing to good reusability and high processability. This work paved the way for the facile preparation of supramolecular self-assembled CN-based film photocatalysts.

Efficacy and safety assessment of severe COVID-19 patients with Chinese medicine: A retrospective case series study at early stage of the COVID-19 epidemic in Wuhan, China.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has formed a global pandemic since late 2019. Benefitting from the application experience of Chinese Medicine (CM) for influenza and SARS, CM has been used to save patients at the early stage of COVID-19 outbreak in China. AIM OF THE STUDY: In order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CM, and compare with Western Medicine (WM) for COVID-19, we conducted a retrospective case series study based on the patients in Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, Wuhan, China. METHODS: The inclusion and exclusion criteria of data extraction were set for this retrospective study. All patients who were admitted by the Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital between January 17th and February 25th 2020 were considered. In addition, patients enrolled met the severe defined by the guidelines released by the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China. In these cases included in the study, CM or WM treatment was selected according to the wishes of the patients at the beginning of hospitalization. The patients in CM group were treated with Huashi Baidu granule (137 g po, bid) combined with the injections of Xiyanping (100 mg iv, bid), Xuebijing (100 ml iv, bid) and Shenmai (60 ml iv, qd) according to the syndrome of epidemic toxin blocking the lung in the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The WM group received antiviral therapy (including abidor capsule 0.2 g po, tid; Lopinavir-Ritonavir tablets, 500 mg po, bid), antibiotics (such as cefoperazone 2 g iv, bid; moxifloxacin hydrochloride tablets, 0.4 g po, qd) or corticosteroid therapy (such as methylprednisolone succinate sodium 40 mg iv, qd; prednisone, 30 mg po, qd). In addition, patients in both groups received routine supportive treatment, including oxygen inhalation, symptomatic therapy, and/or human intravenous immunoglobulin, and/or serum albumin, and treatment for underlying diseases. The clinical outcomes were evaluated based on changes related with clinical manifestations, computer tomography (CT) scan images, and laboratory examinations before and after the treatment. RESULTS: 55 severe COVID-19 patients, with 23 in CM group and 32 in WM group, were included for analyzed. There was no case of death, being transferred to ICU, or receiving invasive mechanical ventilation in two groups during hospitalization. The median time of SARS-CoV-2 RNA clearance in CM and WM group were 12 days and 15.5 days respectively, the ratio of nucleic acid negative conversion of CM group at different follow-up time points was significantly higher than that of WM group (HR: 2.281, P = 0.018). Further, the chest CT imaging showed more widely lung lesion opacity absorbed in the CM group. The high sensitivity C-reactive protein and serum ferritin decreased significantly in the CM group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in adverse events in terms of liver function and renal function between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Based on this retrospective analysis from Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, CM has better effects in SARS-CoV-2 RNA clearance, promoting lung lesion opacity absorbed and reducing inflammation in severe COVID-19 patients, which is effective and safe therapy for treating severe COVID-19 and reducing mortality.

Integrating Chinese and western medicine for COVID-19: A living evidence-based guideline (version 1).

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has turned into a pandemic and resulted in huge death tolls and burdens. Integrating Chinese and western medicine has played an important role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. PURPOSE: We aimed to develop a living evidence-based guideline of integrating Chinese and western medicine for COVID-19. STUDY DESIGN: Living evidence-based guideline. METHODS: This living guideline was developed using internationally recognized and accepted guideline standards, dynamically monitoring the release of new clinical evidence, and quickly updating the linked living systematic review, evidence summary tables, and recommendations. Modified Delphi method was used to reach consensus for all recommendations. The certainty of the evidence, resources, and other factors were fully considered, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to rate the certainty of evidence and the strength of recommendations. RESULTS: The first version of this living guidance focuses on patients who are mild or moderate COVID-19. A multidisciplinary guideline development panel was established. Ten clinical questions were identified based on the status of evidence and a face-to-face experts' consensus. Finally, nine recommendations were reached consensus, and were formulated from systematic reviews of the benefits and harms, certainty of evidence, public accessibility, policy supports, feedback on proposed recommendations from multidisciplinary experts, and consensus meetings. CONCLUSION: This guideline panel made nine recommendations, which covered five traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription granules/decoction (MXXFJD, QFPD, XFBD, TJQW, and JWDY), three Chinese patent medicines (LHQW granules/capsule, JHQG granules, and LHQK granules), and one Chinese herbal injection (XBJ injection). Of them, two were strongly recommended (LHQW granules/capsule and QFPD decoction), and five were weakly recommended (MXXFJD decoction, XFBD decoction, JHQG granules, TJQW granules, and JWDY decoction) for the treatment of mild and moderate COVID-19; two were weakly recommended against (XBJ injection and LHQK granules) the treatment of mild and moderate COVID-19. The users of this living guideline are most likely to be clinicians, patients, governments, ministries, and health administrators.

Combination of Hua Shi Bai Du granule (Q-14) and standard care in the treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Hua Shi Bai Du Granule (Q-14) plus standard care compared with standard care alone in adults with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). STUDY DESIGN: A single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, Wuhan, China, February 27 to March 27, 2020. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 204 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were randomized into the treatment group and control group, consisting of 102 patients in each group. INTERVENTIONS: In the treatment group, Q-14 was administered at 10 g (granules) twice daily for 14 days, plus standard care. In the control group, patients were provided standard care alone for 14 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcome was the conversion time for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral assay. Adverse events were analyzed in the safety population. RESULTS: Among the 204 patients, 195 were analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle. A total of 149 patients (71 vs. 78 in the treatment and control groups, respectively) tested negative via the SARS-CoV-2 viral assay. There was no statistical significance in the conversion time between the treatment group and control group (Full analysis set: Median [interquartile range]: 10.00 [9.00-11.00] vs. 10.00 [9.00-11.00]; Mean rank: 67.92 vs. 81.44; P = 0.051). The recovery time for fever was shorter in the treatment group than in the control group. The disappearance rate of symptoms like cough, fatigue, and chest discomfort was significantly higher in the treatment group. In chest computed tomography (CT) examinations, the overall evaluation of chest CT examination after treatment compared with baseline showed that more patients improved in the treatment group. There were no significant differences in the other outcomes. CONCLUSION: The combination of Q-14 and standard care for COVID-19 was useful for the improvement of symptoms (such as fever, cough, fatigue, and chest discomfort), but did not result in a significantly higher probability of negative conversion in the SARS-CoV-2 viral assay. No serious adverse events were observed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2000030288.

Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine versus Lopinavir-Ritonavir in adult patients with coronavirus disease 2019: A non-randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Treatments for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are limited by suboptimal efficacy. METHODS: From January 30, 2020 to March 23, 2020, we conducted a non-randomised controlled trial, in which all adult patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were assigned to three groups non-randomly and given supportive treatments: Group A, Lopinavir-Ritonavir; Group B, Huashi Baidu Formula (a Chinese medicineformula made by the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences to treat COVID-19, which is now in the clinical trial period) and Lopinavir-Ritonavir; and Group C, Huashi Baidu Formula. The use of antibiotics, antiviruses, and corticosteroids was permitted in Group A and B. Traditional Chinese medicine injections were permitted in Group C. The primary outcomes were clinical remission time (interval from admission to the first time the patient tested negatively for novel coronavirus or an obvious improvement was observed from chest CT) and clinical remission rate (number of patients whose clinical time was within 16 days/total number of patients). RESULTS: A total of 60 adult patients with COVID-19 were enrolled at sites in Wuhan, China, and the sample size of each group was 20. In Groups A, B and C, the clinical remission rates were 95.0%%(19/20), 100.0%%(20/20) and 100.0%%(20/20), respectively. Compared with Groups A and B, the clinical remission time of Group C was significantly shorter (5.9 days vs. 10.8 days, p < 0.05; 5.9 days vs. 9.7 days, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference among Groups A, B, and C in terms of the time taken to be released from quarantine. The clinical biochemical indicators and safety indexes showed no significant differences among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that Lopinavir-Ritonavir has some efficacy in the treatment of COVID-19, and the Huashi Baidu Formula might enhance this effect to an extent. In addition, superiority was displayed in the treatment of COVID-19 through a combination of the Huashi Baidu Formula and traditional Chinese medicine injection. In future, well-designed prospective double-blinded randomised control trials are required to confirm our findings.

Chinese Medicine Formula Huashibaidu Granule Early Treatment for Mild COVID-19 Patients: An Unblinded, Cluster-Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Previous research suggested that Chinese Medicine (CM) Formula Huashibaidu granule might shorten the disease course in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. This research aimed to investigate the early treatment effect of Huashibaidu granule in well-managed patients with mild COVID-19. Methods: An unblinded cluster-randomized clinical trial was conducted at the Dongxihu FangCang hospital. Two cabins were randomly allocated to a CM or control group, with 204 mild COVID-19 participants in each cabin. All participants received conventional treatment over a 7 day period, while the ones in CM group were additionally given Huashibaidu granule 10 g twice daily. Participants were followed up to their clinical endpoint. The primary outcome was worsening symptoms before the clinical endpoint. The secondary outcomes were cure and discharge before the clinical endpoint and alleviation of composite symptoms after the 7 days of treatment. Results: All 408 participants were followed up to their clinical endpoint and included in statistical analysis. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups (P > 0.05). The number of worsening patients in the CM group was 5 (2.5%), and that in the control group was 16 (7.8%) with a significant difference between groups (P = 0.014). Eight foreseeable mild adverse events occurred without statistical difference between groups (P = 0.151). Conclusion: Seven days of early treatment with Huashibaidu granule reduced the likelihood of worsening symptoms in patients with mild COVID-19. Our study supports Huashibaidu granule as an active option for early treatment of mild COVID-19 in similar well-managed medical environments. Clinical Trial Registration:www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=49408, identifier: ChiCTR2000029763.

Effect of New Dayuan powder on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilms in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of New Dayuan powder (NDYP) on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilms and the embedded bacteria in vitro. METHODS: 2,3-Bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) assays were used to study the effects of NDYP on developing MRSA biofilms: 100 µL of bacterial culture and 100 µL drug solution were added to wells of 96-well plates. After 24 h of incubation, the plates were washed and XTT-phenazine methyl sulfate (PMS) was added to enable counting of the number of live bacteria in biofilms using a microplate reader. XTT assays were also used to explore the effects of NDYP on mature MRSA biofilms: 100 µL of bacterial culture were added to wells of 96-well plates. Bacteria were cultured in the plates for 24 h, and then drug solution was added. The plates were cultured for another 24 h, and then XTT-PMS was added to detect the number of live bacteria in the biofilms. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the effects of NDYP on mature MRSA biofilms: washed and sterilized glass coverslips were added to 24-well plates. Bacterial culture was added. After 24 h of incubation, drug solution was added. After another 24 h of incubation, the samples were observed by SEM. RESULTS: XTT assays showed that the number of live bacteria in both developing and mature MRSA biofilms decreased significantly (P < 0.01) after the administration of NDYP. SEM images showed that NDYP could destroy the structure of the bacteria and resulted in uneven thickness of MRSA biofilms. CONCLUSION: In vitro, NDYP has obvious inhibitory effects on the formation of MRSA biofilms and on mature biofilms.

Jinye Baidu granule for wind-warmth lung-heat disease (heat in the lung-wei): protocol for a randomized, double-blind, parallel, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the curative effect of Jinye Baidu granule in the treatment of fever and swollen and sore throat caused by wind-warmth lung-heat disease (heat in the lung-wei) to further identify the indications. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, parallel, controlled trial will include patients with acute upper respiratory infection and wind-warmth lung-heat disease (heat in the lung-wei). Patients with serious bacterial infection (white blood cell count > 12 × 109, neutrophils > 80%) will be excluded. Patients will be divided into three categories (blocks) according to their condition: fever only, a swollen and sore throat, and combined fever plus a swollen and sore throat. Patients within each of the three blocks will be further divided into a treatment group and a control group via stratified blocked randomization. The treatment group will be treated with Jinye Baidu granule, and the control group will be treated with Fufang Shuanghua granule. The primary outcome measure will be body temperature recovery time for patients with fever, throat symptom score for patients with a swollen and sore throat, and body temperature recovery time and throat symptom score for patients with combined fever plus a swollen and sore throat. Routine blood testing, urine testing, liver function, kidney function and ECG data of all patients will be collected as safety indices before and after enrollment, and adverse events will be recorded during the whole trial course. CONCLUSION: This study protocol will include stratified block analysis according to patients' symptoms, and identify the accurate clinical indications of Jinye Baidu granule. It will also enable safety evaluation from laboratory indices and adverse events, which will provide reliable evidence for clinical treatment.

[Evaluation on effect of integrative medical treatment on quality of life of rehabilitation stage in 85 patients with SARS].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of integrative medical treatment (IMT) with serial Chinese recipes on quality of life (QOF) of rehabilitation stage in SARS patients. METHODS: Eighty-five SARS patients of rehabilitation stage were enrolled in the clinical study. They were divided into the IMT group (62 patients received serial Chinese recipes and western medicine) and the control group (23 patients received western medicine alone). The serial Chinese recipes were given according to patients' syndrome, one dose per day for oral intake for 3 weeks. QOF scoring in patients was observed. RESULTS: QOF scoring in the IMT group before treatment was not significantly different from that in the control group. After 3 weeks treatment, it improved to some extent in both groups, but the improvement in the IMT group was superior to that in the control group in respect of total score and score of psychologic emotional factors. CONCLUSION: Serial Chinese recipe could improve QOF of rehabilitation stage in SARS patients.

Chemical and spectroscopic characterization of water extractable organic matter during vermicomposting of cattle dung.

This work illustrated the characteristics and transformation of water extractable organic matter (WEOM) during vermistabilization (Eisenia fetida) of cattle dung by means of chemical and spectroscopic methods. The independent experiment conducted in triplicate was sampled at the 0, 7, 14, 21, 35, 60 and 90days. Results showed that the DOC kept steady around 2.7gkg(-1) after day 60 and the DOC/DON ratio decreased from 19.77 to 5.26 till the end of vermicomposting. On the other hand, vermicomposting decreased the aliphatic, proteinaceous, carbohydrates components and increased the aromaticity and oxygen-containing functional groups in the WEOM. Moreover, fluorescence spectra and fluorescence regional integration (FRI) results indicated that protein-like groups were degraded and fulvic and humic acid-like compounds were evolved during the vermicomposting process. In all, this study suggested the suitability of WEOM for monitoring the organics transformation and assessing the maturity in the vermicomposting.