ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Xiebai San regulates respiratory tract and intestinal mucosal immunity in rats with allergic asthma. MethodsForty male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups based on body weight: control group, model group, positive control group, and Xiebai San group. The model group, positive control group, and Xiebai San group were sensitized with ovalbumin to establish a rat model of allergic asthma. From day 21 (the aerosol challenge phase), each group received daily gavage interventions simultaneously: the positive control group was administered dexamethasone (0.068 mg/kg), the Xiebai San group received Xiebai San solution (2 g/mL, 11.3 mL/kg), while the control and model groups were given an equal volume of normal saline, once daily for 14 consecutive days. After euthanasia, lung and intestinal tissues were collected. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe histopathological changes. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to examine tissue ultrastructure. Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the positive reaction areas of phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt) proteins. Total protein and total RNA were extracted from lung and intestinal tissues, then the protein and mRNA expression levels of PI3K and Akt genes were detected by Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively. ResultsHistopathological results showed alveolar emphysema accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltration, and intestinal mucosal injury with inflammatory cell infiltration in the model group as compared with the control group; the cellular structure of lung tissues was disrupted in the model group, with reduced organelles, while the ultrastructural lesions in the intestine were relatively mild. Compared with the model group, Xiebai San group exhibited milder pathological changes in lung tissues, with occasional alveolar wall damage and a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration; the intestinal mucosal structure was improved, glands were arranged regularly, and pathological changes such as tissue loosening and inflammatory infiltration were alleviated; the cellular structure of lung tissues was relatively intact with reduced severity of lesions, and no ultrastructural pathological changes were observed in intestinal tissues. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group, the specific positive reaction areas of PI3K and Akt in lung and intestinal tissues were significantly increased in the model group (all P<0.001); meanwhile, the protein expression levels of PI3K and Akt were significantly upregulated (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the positive area of Akt protein in lung tissue was significantly reduced in the Xiebai San group (P<0.001), and the positive area of PI3K in intestinal tissue was also significantly decreased (P<0.000 1). Additionally, the protein expression levels of PI3K and Akt in lung and intestinal tissues were significantly downregulated (all P<0.01). Real-time quantitative PCR results showed that compared with the control group, the mRNA expression levels of PI3K and Akt genes in lung and intestinal tissues were significantly elevated in the model group (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the mRNA expression levels of PI3K and Akt genes in lung and intestinal tissues were significantly reduced in the Xiebai San group (all P<0.05). ConclusionXiebai San exerts protective effects on rats with allergic asthma by inhibiting the expression of key nucleic acids and proteins in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in lung and intestinal tissues, improving the morphological structure of lung tissue, and maintaining intestinal mucosal integrity, and regulating intestinal mucosal immune function.

Objective To explore the possible mechanism of Xiebaisan in protecting against allergic asthma in rats from the perspective of host intestinal flora metabolism.Methods SPF SD rats were divided into normal group(NC group),model group(M group),and Xiebaisan group.The allergic asthma rat model was established by ovalbumin.Changes in lung histopathology were observed by HE staining.Colon contents were harvested for 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing to assess changes in the intestinal flora structure and function.Serum and lung tissue samples were collected for non-targeted metabolomics by Ultra-high performance liquid-time-of-flight mass spectrometer.Results HE staining showed some improvement of lung histomorphology in asthmatic rats in the Xiebaisan group compared with that in the M group.16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing showed that the diversity of intestinal flora was decreased in the M group and increased in the Xiebaisan group compared with the M group,the microecosystem of intestinal was improved.Non-targeted metabolomics of serum showed regulation of amino acid metabolism and the mTOR pathway in the Xiebaisan group,and partially reversed differential metabolite expression in the M group.Non-targeted metabonomics of lung tissue samples showed regulation of carbon metabolism,vascular smooth muscle and cAMP signaling pathways in the Xiebaisan group,and partially reversed differential metabolite expression in the M group.Conclusions The protective effects of Xiebaisan on allergic asthma in rats may be related to improvement of the morphological structure of lung tissue,the diversity of intestinal flora,and regulation of mTOR,vascular smooth muscle contraction,and cAMP pathways,which affect amino acid and carbon metabolism.

OBJECTIVE To study the absorbed components of Xiebai powder in blood. METHODS UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS method was adopted. SD rats were randomly divided into blank group and administration group ，with 10 rats in each group. Blank group was given water intragastrically ，and administration groups were given 2 g/mL（by the amount of crude drug ）Xiebai powder solution intragastrically. Administration volume was 11.3 mL/kg，twice a day for 3 days. One point five hours after last administration，blood was taken from the abdominal aorta of each rat ，the serum was processed to obtain the supernatant for analysis；the relevant data in positive and negative ion mode were collected ，and the absorbed components of Xiebai powder in blood were analyzed and identified by using self-built secondary mass spectrometry database and consulting the relevant literature. RESULTS Totally 17 components from Xiebai powder were identified ，among which 6 components came from sovereign Moru salba，7 from minister Cortex Lycii ，12 from assistant Glycyrrhiza uralensis ，i.e. kukoamine A ，chlorogenic acid ，tachiogroside B，astringin，neoglycyrrhizin，glycyrrhizin，azelaic acid ，isoglycyrrhizin，glycyroside，anthocyanin，sebacic acid ，parthenolide， anthocyanin，18β-glycyrrhetinic acid ，6-gingerol，palmitoamide，erucamide. These compounds were mainly flavonoids ，alkaloids and organic acids. CONCLUSIONS In this study ，17 absorbed components of Xiebai powder in blood are preliminarily determined，which are consistent with the effect of Xiebai powder. They may be the pharmacodynamic substances of Xiebai powder.

Objective To evaluate the outcomes of penoplasty with penile frenulum lengthening for concealed penis in children.Methods From March 2014 to March 2016,a total of 233 patients with concealed penis who enderwent penoplasty with penile frenulum lengthening were enrolled.The everage age at surgery was 3.7 years (1 year and seven months-12 years).There were 73 cases with obvious small urinary stream,dysuria,or prepuce dilatation when urinating;41 cases with the history of recurrent infections of prepuces;and 9 cases with the history of urinary tract infections.During operation,incise the back side center of the outer plate of the prepuce and fully release the ring-type funicular tissue between the inner and outer plates of the prepuce to make the inner plate fully swell out.After the prepuce is upturned,cut the penile frenulum at the coronary sulcus.Make a V-shaped cut on the left and right sides of the far end of the outer plate cut of the prepuce from the cut of the penile frenulum.Lengthen penile frenulum after the prepuce is pressed off.Cover the dorsal side of the penis with the inner plate of the prepuce and cover its ventral side with its outer plate.Results Mean surgical time for patients was 38 min (30-55 min).All operations were completed successfully and the post-operation follow-up lasts 3 months to 2 years.For all cases,the appearance of the penis is improved.The penis stretches out,the balanus is exposed,the prepuce has no obvious swelling and the scrotum angle of the penis is obvious.No phimosis relapses and there is no obvious scar hyperplasia.Conclusions This surgical procedure is an effective treatment choice for concealed penis.It provides a good cosmetic result.

Objective To establish an index system of the key factors of elimination of schistosomiasis. Methods A ques?tionnaire was designed based on the reference review,and 24 scientists working in the field of schistosomiasis control or re?search or management were investigated by using the Delphi method. The importance of each index reflecting the endemicity of schistosomiasis was scored by each scientist. The assessing system for key factors of eliminating schistosomiasis was established , and the normalized weight and combined weight were calculated. Results The assessing system included three indexes in the first grade,seven indexes in the second grade and thirteen indexes in the third grade. Among the indexes in the first grade,the normalized weights of endemicity,natural environment and social environment were 0.371 1,0.339 5,and 0.289 4,respective?ly. Among the indexes in the second grade,the economy showed the highest combined weight of 0.289 4 while the agriculture and sanitation both showed the lowest score of 0.112 7. Among the indexes in the third grade,the infection rate of animals showed the highest combined weight of 0.124 6 while the agriculture and plant structure both showed the lowest score of 0.053 0. Conclusion The indexes of the assessing system provide the scientific evidence for surveillance work when elimination of schis?tosomiasis.