Efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for asymptomatic infection of COVID-19: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture therapy for asymptomatic infection of COVID-19. METHODS: The following electronic databases will be searched from December 2019 to December 2020: MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan-fang database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Databases (CBM), and other databases. All published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about this topic will be included. Two independent researchers will operate article retrieval, duplication removing, screening, quality evaluation, and data analyses by Review Manager (V.5.3.5). Meta-analyses, subgroup analysis, and/or descriptive analysis will be performed based on the included data conditions. RESULTS: High-quality synthesis and/or descriptive analysis of current evidence will be provided from the time of negative nucleic acid detection for 2 consecutive times (not on the same day), cure rate, converting to clinical diagnosis rate, and side effects of acupuncture. CONCLUSION: This study will provide the evidence of whether acupuncture is an effective and safe intervention for asymptomatic infection of COVID-19. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD 42020179729.

Xuan Fei Bai Du Fang for treating coronavirus disease 2019: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory infectious disease with a high fatality rate. Up to now, there are an estimated 26 million confirmed cases and 865,000 deaths around the world. But no effective way can control this disease. As the country that first discovered and treated the COVID-19, China has formed relatively mature prevention and treatment methods such as "3 prescriptions and 3 drugs." Xuan Fei Bai Du Fang, as a member of "3 prescriptions and 3 drugs," has very good clinical effects. METHODS: The PubMed, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases were searched for randomized controlled studies published to date. This study only screens clinical randomized controlled trials on QFBDF for COVID-19 to evaluate its efficacy and safety.Import all literatures that meet the requirements into Endnote X9 software. The information was finally cross-checked by 2 reviewers. Papers selected for review were assessed for risk of bias according to the criteria. Quality assessment on design of study, risk of bias, indirectness and imprecision were assessed using the GRADE framework. Where sufficient studies were available, publication bias was assessed visually using funnel plots. Relative risks for primary and secondary outcomes were calculated on an intent-to-treat basis and pooled using random effects meta-analysis. the continuous is expressed by mean difference or standard mean difference, eventually the data is synthesized using a fixed effect model or a random effect model depending on whether or not heterogeneity exists. The heterogeneity of studies will be evaluated by Q-test and I2 statistic with RevMan5.3. RESULTS: The time from a positive diagnosis to a negative result of 2 consecutive nucleic acid tests (not on the same day), cure rate. The results of our research will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSION: The purpose of this systematic review is to provide new evidence for the effectiveness and safety of Xuan Fei Bai Du Fang in the treatment of COVID-19. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020213950.

Cancer patient management strategy in a Cancer Center of Zhejiang, China during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Due to the increased risk of viral infection and the severe shortage of medical resources during the pandemic of COVID-19, most hospitals in the epidemic areas significantly reduced non-emergency admissions and services, if not closed. As a result, it has been difficult to treat cancer patients on time, which adversely affects their prognosis. To address this problem, cancer centers must develop a strategic plan to manage both inpatients and outpatients during the pandemic, provide them with the necessary treatment, and at the same time prevent the spread of the virus among patients, visitors and medical staff. METHODS: Based upon the epidemic situation in Zhejiang Province, China, the number of running non-emergency medical wards in the Zhejiang Cancer Hospital was gradually increased in a controlled manner. All staff of the hospital received COVID-19 preventive training and was provided with three different levels of protection according to the risks of their services. Only patients without a known history of SARS-CoV-2 contact were eligible to schedule an appointment. Body temperature was measured on all patients upon their arrival at the hospital. Chest CT image, blood cell counting and travel/contact history were investigated in patients with fever. Respiratory tract samples, such as sputum and throat swabs, from all patients, including those clinically suspected of SARS-CoV-2 infection, were collected for nucleic acid detection of SARS-CoV-2 before treatment. RESULTS: A total of 3697 inpatients and 416 outpatients seeking cancer treatment were enrolled from February 1 to April 3, 2020, in compliance with the hospital's infection-control interventions. The clinicopathological parameters of the patients were summarized herein. 4237 samples from 4101 patients produced negative RNA testing results. Four clinically suspected patients all presented negative RNA test results and were excluded from the SARS-CoV-2 infection through follow-up retesting and monitoring. Seven patients with only N-gene positive results were retested, followed by CT scan and SARS-CoV-2 contact history investigation. All of them were finally diagnosed as non-infected patients. There was one outpatient who was confirmed positive by virus RNA test and then followed up. She might be an asymptomatic laboratory-confirmed case. During the study period, there was no SARS-CoV-2 infection among staff, patients and escorts of patients in the Zhejiang Cancer Hospital. CONCLUSION: This study suggested our infection-control interventions, including viral nucleic acid test, could be used as a reliable method to screen cancer patients in the area with moderate COVID-19 prevalence. Cancer may not be a high-risk factor of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Maxingshigan decoction for treating COVID-19: A protocol for systematic review and meta analysis.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rapidly spreading disease that has been in a public health emergency of international concern since its outbreak in 2020. Due to the complex pathogenesis and susceptibility of COVID-19, many commonly used drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 have not shown excellent clinical effects. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long clinical history of preventing and treating this respiratory infectious disease. Maxingshigan Decoction (MXSG) is widely used in China to treat COVID-19. However, there is no comprehensive and systematic evidence on the effectiveness and safety of Maxingshigan Decoction. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Clinical Trials, the Cochrane Library, Sino Med, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure up to September 2020. This study only screens clinical randomized controlled trials on MXSG for COVID-19 to evaluate its efficacy and safety. Data were extracted by 1 investigator and checked by an independent investigator. Review Manager 5.3 software was used for the data analysis. The dichotomous data is represented by relative risk, and the continuous is expressed by mean difference or standard mean difference, eventually the data is synthesized using a fixed effect model or a random effect model depending on whether or not heterogeneity exists. RESULTS: The time from a positive diagnosis to a negative result of 2 consecutive nucleic acid tests (not on the same day), cure rate. The results of our research will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSION: The purpose of this systematic review is to provide new evidence for the effectiveness and safety of Maxingshigan decoction in the treatment of COVID-19. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020211962.