Liuzijue is a traditional Qigong exercise that is commonly performed in China. However, the treatment effects of Liuzijue Qigong are controversial. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy of Liuzijue Qigong in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Randomised controlled trials were identified by searching several English and Chinese databases from inception to August 8, 2020. Study selection and data extraction were independently performed by two investigators. Data synthesis and analysis were carried out with Review Manager software 5.2. Quality assessment for each study was based on the modified Jadad scale. Forty studies with 3137 participants were included. Significant improvements were observed in the following outcomes (mean difference, 95% confidence interval): forced expiratory volume in 1 s (0.17, 0.09-0.25) and its percent predicted normal value (6.04, 3.43-8.65), forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced volume capacity ratio (6.95, 3.06-10.83), 6-min walking distance (33.06, 23.73-42.38), 30-s sit-to-stand test (2.65, 0.98-4.32), COPD assessment test score (- 2.04, - 2.77 to - 1.30), modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (- 0.34, - 0.48 to - 0.20), Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (- 0.37, - 0.57 to - 0.18), Traditional Chinese Medicine syndrome score (- 1.85, - 2.86 to - 0.85), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (- 2.31, - 3.04 to - 1.59), Hamilton Depression Scale (- 2.08, - 2.45 to - 1.71) and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (- 6.94, - 9.20 to - 4.67). Liuzijue Qigong may be an effective adjuvant therapy for the improvement of lung function, exercise capacity, health status, mental status and quality of life in patients with COPD.

Background: Airway neutrophilia has been associated with asthma severity and asthma exacerbations. This study attempted to identify biomarkers, pathogenesis, and therapeutic molecular targets for severe asthma in neutrophils using bioinformatics analysis. Methods: Fifteen healthy controls and 3 patients with neutrophilic severe asthma were screened from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Based on the analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), functional and pathway enrichment analyses, gene set enrichment analysis, protein–protein interaction network construction, and analysis were performed. Moreover, small-molecule drug candidates have also been identified. Results: Three hundred and three upregulated and 59 downregulated genes were identified. Gene ontology function enrichment analyses were primarily related to inflammatory response, immune response, leukocyte migration, neutrophil chemotaxis, mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade, Jun N-terminal kinase cascade, I-kappaB kinase/nuclear factor-κB, and MyD88-dependent toll-like receptor signaling pathway. Pathway enrichment analyses and gene set enrichment analysis were mainly involved in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, the TNF signaling pathway, leukocyte transendothelial migration, and the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway. Furthermore, 1 important module and 10 hub genes (CXCL8, TLR2, CXCL1, ICAM1, CXCR4, FPR2, SELL, PTEN, TREM1, and LEP) were identified in the protein–protein interaction network. Moreover, indoprofen, mimosine, STOCK1N-35874, trapidil, iloprost, aminoglutethimide, ajmaline, levobunolol, ethionamide, cefaclor, dimenhydrinate, and bethanechol are potential drugs for the treatment of neutrophil-predominant severe asthma. Conclusion: This study identified potential biomarkers, pathogenesis, and therapeutic molecular targets for neutrophil-predominant severe asthma.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignant tumor worldwide, causing serious harm to human health. Epigenetic modification, especially RNA methylation modification, plays a critical role in the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer via post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA and non-coding RNA expression. Among these, N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) is the most common chemical modification in mammals, which plays an important role in the progress of cancer, including colorectal cancer. m⁶A is a dynamic and reversible process and is mainly regulated by m⁶A methyltransferase (“writers”), m⁶A demethylases (“erasers”), and m⁶A binding proteins (“readers”). Herein, we reviewed recent advances in the role of m⁶A modification in colorectal cancer and focused on the factors affecting m⁶A modification. Furthermore, we discussed the clinical application of m⁶A modifications for colorectal cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment and provided guides in clinical practice. m⁶A modification and m⁶A regulators play significant roles in the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer by regulating the stability and translation of mRNAs, the maturation of miRNAs, and the function of lncRNAs. m⁶A regulators can play biological roles in colorectal cancer through m⁶A-dependent manner or m⁶A-independent manner. Multiplies of internal factors, including miRNAs and lncRNAs, and external factors can also regulate the m⁶A modification by completing with m⁶A regulators in a base complement manner, regulating the expression of m⁶A and mutating the m⁶A site. m⁶A regulators and m⁶A modificantion are diagnostic and prognostic markers for CRC. Therefore, m⁶A regulators and m⁶A modificantion may be potential therapeutic target for CRC in the future.