ObjectiveTo analyze the correlation between the clinical symptoms， signs， syndrome characteristics and laboratory indicators of cough variant asthma （CVA） and deepen the understanding of the treatment of this disease based on the theory of "Fu Feng". MethodsAn observational study was conducted. A total of 207 CVA patients who visited the respiratory department of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from September 2022 to November 2023 were included. The information from the four diagnostic methods and the laboratory test results of patients were collected. Factor analysis was conducted on the information obtained through the four diagnostic methods in TCM， and the nature and location of CVA were extracted. Sample cluster analysis （Q clustering） and the K-means method were used for data clustering analysis to determine the syndrome types of CVA and analyze the syndrome characteristics and differences in laboratory indicators among different syndrome types. ResultsThe main symptom of CVA patients was cough， accompanied by symptoms such as itchy throat， foreign body sensation in the throat， dry throat， shortness of breath， dry mouth， chest tightness， hoarseness， bitter mouth， poor appetite， and skin itching. Factor analysis showed that the disease was located in the lung， involving the liver， spleen， and kidney. The pathological factors involved Yin deficiency， Yang deficiency， wind factor， dampness factor， Yin factor， and Qi stagnation. Cluster analysis revealed four syndrome types： Fengfu Yinshang syndrome， Shixie Neiyun syndrome， Tanyin Zufei syndrome， and Ganhuo Fanfei syndrome. Fengfu Yinshang syndrome accounted for the highest proportion， followed by Tanyin Zufei syndrome. There were no significant differences in eosinophil count and percentage， fractional nasal nitric oxide （FnNO） level， and pulmonary function indexes among the four syndromes. The levels of serum total IgE and fractional exhaled nitric oxide （FeNO） in patients with Fengfu Yinshang syndrome were significantly higher than those in patients with Shixie Neiyun syndrome and Tanyin Zufeisyndrome. ConclusionCough is the main symptom of CVA， accompanied by pharyngeal itching， foreign body sensation in the throat， dry throat， shortness of breath， dry mouth， and allergic manifestations. The disease involves the lung， liver， spleen， and kidneys. The essence of the pathogenesis lies in a latent dormant pathogen and a disorder of the pivot mechanism. The four common syndrome types are Fengfu Yinshang syndrome， Shixie Neiyun syndrome， Tanyin Zufei syndrome， and Ganhuo Fanfei syndrome. The TCM syndrome types are correlated with laboratory indexes. The serum total IgE and FeNO of patients with Fengfu Yinshang syndrome are worse.

ObjectiveTo observe the regulation effect of Sangmei Zhike granules on airway inflammation and cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP）-protein kinase A （PKA）-cAMP response element binding protein （CREB） pathway in cough variant asthma （CVA） rats with Fengfu Yinshang syndrome. MethodsEight-week-old male rats were randomly divided into a blank group， model group， western medicine group， and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） group. Except for the blank group， Fengfu Yinshang models of CVA were established in the other groups. On the 16th day of the experiment， the western medicine group was treated with budesonide aerosol inhalation （dosage of 0.5 g·L^-1）， and the TCM group was given Sangmei Zhike granules by gavage （dosage of 4.19 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， with each group treated once daily for 14 days. On the 30^th day of the experiment， lung function parameters were determined. Whole blood inflammatory cell detection， hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining of lung tissue， and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of CREB， phosphorylated CREB （pCREB）， and phosphorylated vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein （pVASP） proteins in rat lung tissue， and Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to determine the protein expressions of cAMP， CREB， and PKA in rat lung tissue. Western blot （WB） was used to detect the expression of PKA， VASP， p-VASP， CREB， and p-CREB proteins. ResultsCompared with the model group， the average dynamic lung compliance （CDyn_average） in the TCM group increased （P0.05）. Compared with the model group， the TCM group showed a decrease in absolute and percentage values of neutrophils （NEUT%）， absolute values of lymphocytes （LYMPH）， absolute and percentage values of basophils （BASO%）， absolute values of monocytes （MONO）， absolute and percentage values of eosinophils （EOS%）， and white blood cells （WBC） （P0.05）. Compared with the western medicine group， the TCM group showed a decrease in MONO， EOS%， and LYMPH% and an increase in MONO% （P0.05）. ELISA results showed that compared with the model group， the TCM group had increased interferon-gamma （IFN-γ） and decreased interleukins （IL）-4， IL-5， IL-13， and total serum IgE， while the Western medicine group had increased IFN-γ and decreased IL-5， IL-13， and total serum IgE （P0.05）. Compared with the western medicine group， the TCM group had decreased IL-5 （P0.05）. HE staining results of rat lung tissue showed that the ciliated epithelium of the D bronchi in the TCM group recovered well. Mucous edema secretion decreased， and a small number of bronchiolar epithelial cells were shed， with reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells and the degree of epithelial injury. Immunohistochemical （IHC） results showed that compared with the model group， positive expressions of CREB， pCREB， and pVASP （brownish-yellow） were significantly increased in the TCM and western medicine groups. Real-time PCR results showed that compared with the model group， the relative expression levels of cAMP， CREB， and PKA in the TCM group were significantly increased （P0.05）， and compared with the western medicine group， the TCM group also showed significantly increased relative expression levels of cAMP， CREB， and PKA （P0.05）. WB results showed that compared with the model group， the expressions of PKA， VASP， p-VASP， CREB， p-CREB， and p-CREB/CREB proteins were increased in the TCM group， while p-VASP/VASP protein expression decreased （P0.05）. Compared with the western medicine group， the TCM group had increased expressions of PKA， VASP， and p-CREB proteins and decreased p-VASP/VASP expression （P0.05）. ConclusionSangmei Zhike granules have the effect of improving lung function and inhibiting airway inflammation in rats with CVA due to Fengfu Yinshang syndrome， possibly related to the activation of the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway.

Cough variant asthma （CVA） is a special type of asthma and the most common cause of chronic cough in China. It has a relatively high incidence， seriously affects patients' quality of life， and in some cases may even progress to typical asthma， posing an important challenge in the field of health economics. At present， first-line treatment in Western medicine mainly consists of inhaled corticosteroids combined with bronchodilators. However， there remain many problems such as poor efficacy in some patients， frequent relapse after drug withdrawal， and poor compliance， making it urgent to improve treatment strategies. In-depth research on the pathogenesis is helpful for a comprehensive understanding and prevention of CVA. The pathogenesis of CVA is complex and involves multiple pathophysiological links. While similar to typical asthma， it still presents some differences. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has unique advantages in the treatment of CVA. Guided by the theory of syndrome differentiation and treatment， TCM can not only improve the clinical symptoms of CVA but also prevent recurrence. In recent years， with the continuous deepening of research on the pathogenesis of CVA and on its treatment with TCM based on syndrome differentiation， related academic achievements have been updated year by year. A review of literature in China and abroad shows that the current pathogenesis of CVA can be summarized into six aspects： airway inflammation， airway remodeling， airway hyperresponsiveness， cough hypersensitivity， genetic factors， and imbalance of intestinal flora. TCM often differentiates and treats CVA from four perspectives： cause， disease location， disease nature， and disease tendency. This paper systematically summarizes the progress in the study of CVA pathogenesis， comprehensively collates the experience and clinical research evidence on its treatment with TCM based on syndrome differentiation， and discusses the problems existing in current research. On this basis， it puts forward suggestions and prospects for future research and development of TCM in the treatment of CVA， with a view to providing a theoretical basis and therapeutic approaches for its prevention and treatment.

Objective:To explore the correlation between pulmonary emphysema and coronary artery calcification (CAC) in a health screening population.Methods:This retrospective case-control study consecutively selected 55 762 individuals who underwent chest low-dose chest CT (LDCT) screening at the Health Management Center of Southwest Hospital from January 2019 to December 2023. Demographic data, history of chronic diseases, anthropometric measurements, laboratory indicators, LDCT and pulmonary function test results were collected. Exclusion criteria included age<40 years at baseline, a history of coronary heart disease, LDCT suspected coronary artery stent placement, incomplete baseline data, and duplicate examinations. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between pulmonary emphysema and CAC.Results:A total of 33 069 individuals were included, with a mean age of 52 (47, 58) years old. Among them, 20 114 (60.8%) were male, 2 967 (9.0%) had pulmonary emphysema, and 4 156 (12.6%) had coronary artery calcification. The proportion of CAC in patients with emphysema was higher than in those without (23.5% vs 11.5%; χ2=351.805, P<0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, the risk of CAC remained significantly higher in patients with emphysema [ OR=1.239 (95% CI: 1.113-1.379), P<0.001]. Conclusion:Pulmonary emphysema was one of the independent risk factors for coronary artery calcification in a health screening population.

Objective:To summarize the theoretical basis and practical experience of the hospital where the author works, in actively promoting the interdisciplinary integration of ″Medicine+ ″, and provide reference for hospitals of the same type.Methods:Based on the Resource-Based View framework, this study analyzed the core dimension heterogeneous resources including organizational capital, physical and financial capital, and human capital through a case study of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, systematically examining its interdisciplinary research promotion strategies.Results:The hospital had created a strong interdisciplinary atmosphere. Its scientific research and innovation capabilities had been significantly enhanced. High-quality interdisciplinary academic achievements had emerged continuously. And its academic influence has continued to expand.Conclusions:Interdisciplinary integration is a systematic project that requires organized implementation and a ″multi-pronged approach″: coordinating and innovating the organizational management system, conducting comprehensive resource inventorying and ensuring sustainable provision, making overall plans for talent introduction and cultivation, and adhering to the clinical-problem-oriented approach in carrying out interdisciplinary integration.

Objective To investigate alterations in interhemispheric functional connectivity(FC)in the cerebral cortices connected via the corpus callosum in patients with Alzheimer's disease(AD),and to explore their relationships with cognitive function and activities of daily living.Methods Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from 28 patients with Alzheimer's dementia(d-AD),47 patients with mild cognitive impairment(MCI),and 37 healthy controls(HC).Using a trancallosal tract template,32 pairs of homologous cortical brain regions directly connected to 32 subregions of the corpus callosum were selected as regions of interest for interhemispheric FC analysis.Further correlation analyses were performed between FC values in patient groups and their scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic(MoCA-B)Scale and the Activities of Daily Living(ADL)Scale.Results Compared with HC group,both MCI and d-AD groups exhibited hyperconnectivity(significantly increased FC)in interhemispheric non-homologous brain regions.Specifically,hyperconnectivity in the MCI group was scattered across the frontal,parietal,temporal,and occipital lobes,while in the d-AD group,it was concentrated within the precentral and postcentral gyri.Notably,hyperconnectivity involving the prefrontal and occipital lobes in the MCI group showed significant declines in the d-AD group.The interhemispheric homologous FC in the d-AD group reduced more significantly than the MCI group.Additionally,in the d-AD group,2 interhemispheric FC within the prefrontal lobe(between the bilateral orbital parts of the inferior frontal gyrus,and between the left medial frontal gyrus and the right middle frontal gyrus)were correlated with MoCA-B scores,and 2 FC(between the bilateral middle occipital gyri,and between the left inferior parietal lobule and the right middle frontal gyrus)were correlated with ADL scores.Conclusion MCI and d-AD exhibit distinct patterns of interhemispheric FC alterations,and the interhemispheric FC changes in AD patients are non-progressive.The close relationships between interhemispheric homologous/non-homologous FC and MoCA-B/ADL scores in d-AD patients provide an objective basis and reference for clinical neuromodulation.

Objective To explore function-structure covariant patterns in Alzheimer's disease(AD)and mild cognitive impairment(MCI),and to investigate their associations with cognitive function and activities of daily living.Methods three-way parallel group independent component analysis(three-way pGICA),was used to identify the covariant patterns of resting-state functional MRI temporal data,gray matter density maps,and fractional anisotropy(FA)maps,and the differences between different groups were compared.Furthermore,the associations of covariant patterns with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic(MoCA_B)Scale scores and Activities of Daily Living Scale scores were analyzed.Results The function-structure covariant patterns in AD and MCI were characterized by the enhanced negative functional connectivity between the left posterior salience network and the right default mode network,the decreased gray matter density in the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex,and the reduced FA values in the left superior corona radiata(correlations:P<0.001,FDR corrected).Compared with HC group,AD group showed significant abnormalities in all identified covariant patterns(P<0.01,FDR corrected),but MCI group only exhibited a significant decrease in gray matter density in the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(P<0.05,FDR corrected).Additionally,AD group had significantly lower FA value in the left superior corona radiata than MCI group(P<0.05,FDR corrected).The loadings reflecting the degree of covariation were significantly correlated with the Activities of Daily Living Scale scores(P<0.05,FDR corrected)but not with MoCA_B Scale scores.Conclusion The function-structure covariant patterns in AD and MCI are consistent with the declines in activities of daily living.The multimodal fusion analysis(three-way pGICA)provides a novel approach to understand the brain damage mechanisms underlying the covariant evolution of MCI and AD.

Objective To explore function-structure covariant patterns in Alzheimer's disease(AD)and mild cognitive impairment(MCI),and to investigate their associations with cognitive function and activities of daily living.Methods three-way parallel group independent component analysis(three-way pGICA),was used to identify the covariant patterns of resting-state functional MRI temporal data,gray matter density maps,and fractional anisotropy(FA)maps,and the differences between different groups were compared.Furthermore,the associations of covariant patterns with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic(MoCA_B)Scale scores and Activities of Daily Living Scale scores were analyzed.Results The function-structure covariant patterns in AD and MCI were characterized by the enhanced negative functional connectivity between the left posterior salience network and the right default mode network,the decreased gray matter density in the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex,and the reduced FA values in the left superior corona radiata(correlations:P<0.001,FDR corrected).Compared with HC group,AD group showed significant abnormalities in all identified covariant patterns(P<0.01,FDR corrected),but MCI group only exhibited a significant decrease in gray matter density in the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(P<0.05,FDR corrected).Additionally,AD group had significantly lower FA value in the left superior corona radiata than MCI group(P<0.05,FDR corrected).The loadings reflecting the degree of covariation were significantly correlated with the Activities of Daily Living Scale scores(P<0.05,FDR corrected)but not with MoCA_B Scale scores.Conclusion The function-structure covariant patterns in AD and MCI are consistent with the declines in activities of daily living.The multimodal fusion analysis(three-way pGICA)provides a novel approach to understand the brain damage mechanisms underlying the covariant evolution of MCI and AD.

Objective To investigate alterations in interhemispheric functional connectivity(FC)in the cerebral cortices connected via the corpus callosum in patients with Alzheimer's disease(AD),and to explore their relationships with cognitive function and activities of daily living.Methods Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from 28 patients with Alzheimer's dementia(d-AD),47 patients with mild cognitive impairment(MCI),and 37 healthy controls(HC).Using a trancallosal tract template,32 pairs of homologous cortical brain regions directly connected to 32 subregions of the corpus callosum were selected as regions of interest for interhemispheric FC analysis.Further correlation analyses were performed between FC values in patient groups and their scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic(MoCA-B)Scale and the Activities of Daily Living(ADL)Scale.Results Compared with HC group,both MCI and d-AD groups exhibited hyperconnectivity(significantly increased FC)in interhemispheric non-homologous brain regions.Specifically,hyperconnectivity in the MCI group was scattered across the frontal,parietal,temporal,and occipital lobes,while in the d-AD group,it was concentrated within the precentral and postcentral gyri.Notably,hyperconnectivity involving the prefrontal and occipital lobes in the MCI group showed significant declines in the d-AD group.The interhemispheric homologous FC in the d-AD group reduced more significantly than the MCI group.Additionally,in the d-AD group,2 interhemispheric FC within the prefrontal lobe(between the bilateral orbital parts of the inferior frontal gyrus,and between the left medial frontal gyrus and the right middle frontal gyrus)were correlated with MoCA-B scores,and 2 FC(between the bilateral middle occipital gyri,and between the left inferior parietal lobule and the right middle frontal gyrus)were correlated with ADL scores.Conclusion MCI and d-AD exhibit distinct patterns of interhemispheric FC alterations,and the interhemispheric FC changes in AD patients are non-progressive.The close relationships between interhemispheric homologous/non-homologous FC and MoCA-B/ADL scores in d-AD patients provide an objective basis and reference for clinical neuromodulation.

Objective:To explore the correlation between pulmonary emphysema and coronary artery calcification (CAC) in a health screening population.Methods:This retrospective case-control study consecutively selected 55 762 individuals who underwent chest low-dose chest CT (LDCT) screening at the Health Management Center of Southwest Hospital from January 2019 to December 2023. Demographic data, history of chronic diseases, anthropometric measurements, laboratory indicators, LDCT and pulmonary function test results were collected. Exclusion criteria included age<40 years at baseline, a history of coronary heart disease, LDCT suspected coronary artery stent placement, incomplete baseline data, and duplicate examinations. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between pulmonary emphysema and CAC.Results:A total of 33 069 individuals were included, with a mean age of 52 (47, 58) years old. Among them, 20 114 (60.8%) were male, 2 967 (9.0%) had pulmonary emphysema, and 4 156 (12.6%) had coronary artery calcification. The proportion of CAC in patients with emphysema was higher than in those without (23.5% vs 11.5%; χ2=351.805, P<0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, the risk of CAC remained significantly higher in patients with emphysema [ OR=1.239 (95% CI: 1.113-1.379), P<0.001]. Conclusion:Pulmonary emphysema was one of the independent risk factors for coronary artery calcification in a health screening population.