Asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory disease involving multiple cells and cellular components， characterized by recurrent episodes of wheezing， shortness of breath， chest tightness， and coughing， significantly impacting patients' quality of life. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B（PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway， as a crucial hub in intracellular signaling， is widely involved in the regulation of cell growth， proliferation， survival， metabolism， and a series of pathophysiological processes. Its regulatory role in the pathological progression of asthma is particularly significant， specifically in promoting airway inflammation， mediating epithelial mesenchymal transition， accelerating airway remodeling， regulating cell autophagy， inducing mucus hypersecretion， and influencing immune response balance. This study analyzed potential molecular targets of the PI3K/Akt pathway， including activators such as cysteine proteinase inhibitor 1（CST1）， found in inflammatory zone 1（FIZZ1） and free fatty acid receptor 1（FFAR1）， and inhibitors such as human β-defensin-3（hBD-3）， disintegrins， metalloproteinase 33（ADAM33） and interleukin-27（IL-27）， and initially revealed the potential molecular mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） in asthma intervention. Based on this， the authors systematically summarized the efficacy and specific mechanisms of TCM monomers， compounds， and external treatments for asthma by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway through literature review and analysis， aiming at establishing a robust foundation for the wide application and advanced development of TCM in asthma treatment， offering innovative insights for clinical research and drug development of asthma.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory disease involving multiple cells and cellular components， characterized by recurrent episodes of wheezing， shortness of breath， chest tightness， and coughing， significantly impacting patients' quality of life. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B（PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway， as a crucial hub in intracellular signaling， is widely involved in the regulation of cell growth， proliferation， survival， metabolism， and a series of pathophysiological processes. Its regulatory role in the pathological progression of asthma is particularly significant， specifically in promoting airway inflammation， mediating epithelial mesenchymal transition， accelerating airway remodeling， regulating cell autophagy， inducing mucus hypersecretion， and influencing immune response balance. This study analyzed potential molecular targets of the PI3K/Akt pathway， including activators such as cysteine proteinase inhibitor 1（CST1）， found in inflammatory zone 1（FIZZ1） and free fatty acid receptor 1（FFAR1）， and inhibitors such as human β-defensin-3（hBD-3）， disintegrins， metalloproteinase 33（ADAM33） and interleukin-27（IL-27）， and initially revealed the potential molecular mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） in asthma intervention. Based on this， the authors systematically summarized the efficacy and specific mechanisms of TCM monomers， compounds， and external treatments for asthma by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway through literature review and analysis， aiming at establishing a robust foundation for the wide application and advanced development of TCM in asthma treatment， offering innovative insights for clinical research and drug development of asthma.

Objective To explore the impact of multi-model adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR-V) algorithm on radiation dose and image quality in children’s ultra-low-dose chest CT examination. Methods A total of 72 children who underwent chest CT scans at Qingdao Municipal Hospital with admissions between January 2024 and January 2025 were selected as subjects and divided into two groups using a random number table. In the control group (n = 36), the tube voltage was set at 100 kVp and the conventional filtered back projection algorithm was used. In the observation group (n = 36), the tube voltage was set at 80 kVp and images were reconstructed using 30% ASiR-V (observation group 1), 60% ASiR-V (observation group 2), and 90% ASiR-V (observation group 3), respectively. Radiation doses were recorded for each group, and both subjective and objective evaluations of image quality were conducted. Results Compared with the control group, the observation group demonstrated significantly lower volume CT dose index [(0.86 ± 0.09) mGy], dose length product [(25.90 ± 3.55) mGy·cm], and effective dose [(0.01 ± 0.001) mSv] (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in subjective evaluation scores of image quality among the four groups (z = −2.206, P = 0.530). Additionally, Fisher’s exact test showed that the proportion of images scoring 4-5 points was higher in observation group 2 than in observation group 3 (P = 0.024). The noise value of the ascending aorta in the mediastinal window and the noise values of the right and left middle lung fields and the right and left upper lung fields in the lung window were lower in observation groups 2 and 3 than in the control group, and these values were lower in observation group 3 than in observation group 2 (P < 0.05). The signal-to-noise ratios of the ascending aorta and liver in observation groups 2 and 3 were higher than those in the control group, and the ratios were higher in observation group 3 than in observation group 2 (P < 0.05). Conclusion Reconstruction using the 60% ASiR-V algorithm for pediatric ultra-low-dose chest CT examination can ensure good image quality while reducing radiation dose and improving examination safety.

Objective: To investigate the willingness to receive the pneumococcal vaccine and its influencing factors among middle-aged and elderly population in Zhejiang Province, so as to provide a basis for increasing the vaccination rate of pueumococcal among middle-aged and elderly population. Methods: From March to May 2024, a multi-stage random sampling method was employed to recruit residents aged ≥50 years from 35 counties (cities or districts) in Zhejiang Province. Data on basic information, knowledge of pneumonia, pneumococcal vaccine, and willingness to receive pneumococcal vaccine were collected through questionnaire surveys. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to analyze influencing factors for the willingness to receive pneumococcal vaccine among middle-aged and elderly population. Results: A total of 10 500 middle-aged and elderly population were surveyed. Among them, there were 5 202 males, accounting for 49.54%, and 5 298 females, accounting for 50.46%. The mean age was (65.11±9.05) years. Of the participants, 7 732 individuals were aware of pneumonia, accounting for 73.64%. A total of 1 724 individuals had received pneumococcal vaccine, corresponding to a vaccination rate of 16.42%. Furthermore, 5 138 participants expressed willingness to receive pneumococcal vaccine, with a willingness rate of 48.93%. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that middle-aged and elderly population aged ≥60 years (60-<70 years, OR=1.577, 95%CI: 1.433-1.736; ≥70 years, OR=2.110, 95%CI: 1.918-2.321), those with a history of chronic diseases (OR=1.250, 95%CI: 1.154-1.353), those who were recommended to receive the pneumonia vaccine by doctors (OR=4.896, 95%CI: 4.507-5.318), those who were aware of pneumonia (OR=1.460, 95%CI: 1.338-1.594), those who were aware that the elderly are prone to pneumonia (OR=1.490, 95%CI: 1.375-1.614), those who were aware of the causes of pneumonia (OR=1.559, 95%CI: 1.434-1.694), those who were aware that vaccination can prevent pneumonia (OR=2.196, 95%CI: 2.031-2.375), and those who were aware of the immunization schedule for pneumonia vaccine (OR=1.897, 95%CI: 1.683-2.124) had a higher willingness to receive pneumonia vaccine. Conclusions The willingness of middle-aged and elderly population in Zhejiang Province to receive pneumonia vaccine is related to age, history of chronic diseases, awareness of pneumonia, and awareness of pneumonia vaccine. It is recommended to strengthen health education on pneumonia and pneumonia vaccine for middle-aged and elderly population, in order to increase the willingness to receive the vaccine and vaccination rate.

Objective: To find a viable alternative to reduce the number of doses required for the patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and to improve efficacy and patient compliance. Methods: In this study, we used ginger oil, a phytochemical with potential therapeutic properties, to prepare ginger oil patches. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify the main active component of ginger oil, 6-gingerol. Transdermal absorption experiments were conducted to optimize the various pressure-sensitive adhesives and permeation enhancers, including their type and concentration. Subsequently, the ginger oil patches were optimized and subjected to content determination and property evaluations. A PTSD mouse model was established using the foot-shock method. The therapeutic effect of ginger oil patches on PTSD was assessed through pathological sections, behavioral tests, and the evaluation of biomarkers such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and melatonin (MT). Results: The results demonstrated that ginger oil patches exerted therapeutic effects against PTSD by inhibiting inflammatory responses and modulating MT and BDNF levels. Pharmacokinetic experiments revealed that ginger oil patches maintained a stable blood drug concentration for at least one day, addressing the rapid metabolism drawback of 6-gingerol and enhancing its therapeutic efficacy. Conclusions Ginger oil can be prepared as a transdermal drug patch that meets these requirements, and the bioavailability of the prepared patch is better than that of oral administration. It can improve PTSD with good patient compliance and ease of administration. Therefore, it is a promising therapeutic formulation for the treatment of PTSD.

Objective: To examine the association of hypertension onset age with diabetes, so as to provide insights into reducing the the risk of cardiovascular events. Methods: Permanent residents aged 35 to 75 years were selected through the program of early screening and comprehensive intervention for the high-risk cardiovascular disease population in Changning District and Baoshan District, Shanghai Municipality from 2016 to 2020. Demographic information, disease history, hypertension onset age, blood pressure and fasting blood glucose were collected through questionnaire surveys, physical examination and laboratory tests. The residents were divided into four groups based on the onset age of hypertension: <45, 45-<55, 55-<65 and ≥65 years old, and the residents with normal blood pressure were selected as control. The association of hypertension onset age with prediabetes and diabetes were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 25 228 residents were recruited, including 8 753 males (34.70%) and 16 475 females (65.30%). The prevalence of hypertension was 43.80%. There were 1 779, 3 274, 3 781 and 2 217 cases with hypertension onset age of <45, 45-<55, 55-<65 and ≥65 years old, respectively, and 14 177 residents with normal blood pressure. The prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes were 24.01% and 11.29%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors such as gender, marital status and educational level, compared with the normal blood pressure group, the risk of prediabetes was higher in the hypertension onset age groups of <45 (OR=1.345, 95%CI: 1.164-1.553), 45-<55 (OR=1.365, 95%CI: 1.212-1.536) and 55-<65 years old (OR=1.376, 95%CI: 1.239-1.527), and the risk of diabetes was higher in the hypertension onset age groups of <45 (OR=2.302, 95%CI: 1.906-2.775), 45-<55 (OR=2.349, 95%CI: 2.016-2.734), 55-<65 (OR=1.909, 95%CI: 1.667-2.184) and ≥65 years old (OR=1.315, 95%CI: 1.131-1.526). Conclusion There are statistically significant associations between hypertension onset age with prediabetes and diabetes.

Objective:To explore the inhibitory mechanism of herb cake-partitioned moxibustion on tumor growth in colitis-associated colorectal cancer(CAC)based on histone lysine demethylase 4D(KDM4D). Methods:Inbred male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a CAC group,a herb cake-partitioned moxibustion group,and an inhibitor group.Except the normal group,rats in the other three groups were treated with azoxymethane(AOM)combined with dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)to make CAC rat models.Rats in the normal group and the CAC group did not receive interventions;rats in the herb cake-partitioned moxibustion group received moxibustion at Qihai(CV6)and bilateral Tianshu(ST25),2 cones for one point each time,once a day for 30 d with 1-day rest every week;rats in the inhibitor group received intraperitoneal injection of KDM4D inhibitor,5-chloro-8-hydroxyquinoline(5-c-8HQ),once a day for 30 d.After intervention,the general condition,colon length,tumor number and volume,and histopathological colon changes were observed.The expression of adenomatous polyposis coli(APC),axis inhibitor(Axin),cyclin D1,matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-7 and MMP-9 mRNAs were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.The proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),cleaved caspase3,KDM4D,APC,and Axin proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results:Compared with the normal group,the general condition was poor,the colon length was significantly shortened(P<0.01),the number and volume of colonic tumors were increased(P<0.01),the structure of glandular duct was obviously disordered with"back-to-back"and cowall phenomenon,and also high-grade adenocarcinoma formed;the protein expression levels of PCNA and KDM4D were significantly increased(P<0.01),while cleaved caspase3,APC,and Axin were significantly reduced(P<0.01);the mRNA expression levels of cyclin D1,MMP-7,and MMP-9 were significantly increased(P<0.01),while APC and Axin were significantly reduced(P<0.01)in the CAC group.Compared with the CAC group,the general condition was improved,the length of colon was significantly increased(P<0.01),the number and volume of the colonic tumors were reduced(P<0.05),and the colon tissues showed epithelial cell proliferation with enlarged and deep staining nuclei,dysplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration;the protein expression levels of PCNA and KDM4D were significantly reduced(P<0.01),while the cleaved caspase3,APC,and Axin were significantly increased(P<0.01);the mRNA expression levels of cyclin D1,MMP-7,and MMP-9 were reduced(P<0.05),while the APC and Axin were increased(P<0.05)in the colon tissues of rats in the herb cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the inhibitor group. Conclusion:Herb cake-partitioned moxibustion regulated abnormally expressed KDM4D in CAC rats,activated APC and Axin,the upstream molecules of Wnt/β-catenin pathway,inhibited abnormally activated downstream molecules of Wnt/β-catenin pathway.This may be a key mechanism of herb cake-partitioned moxibustion in inhibiting CAC tumor growth.

ObjectiveTo study the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndromes of children with alopecia areata， and provide evidence for TCM differentiation and treatment in clinic. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 800 children with alopecia areata admitted to the Hair Medicine Center of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital from January 1， 2012 to December 31， 2021. The clinical data of the children were collected using a four-examination information questionnaire， including clinical characteristics （age of consultation， age of onset， course of disease， family history， severity grading）， alopecia areata-related factors （triggers）， and four-examination information （including sleep， diet， emotions， bladder and bowel function， etc.）. Descriptive frequency analyses， rank sum tests， factor analyses and cluster analyses were performed， and the distribution of the major TCM syndromes was summarised with the clinical data. ResultsThere were 800 children with alopecia areata， including 449 males and 351 females； 8 cases （1.00%） were in infancy， 36 cases （4.50%） were in early childhood， 180 cases （22.50%） were in preschool， 380 cases （47.50%） were in school age， and 196 cases （24.50%） were in puberty at the time of consultation； the average age of consultation was 8.31±3.86 years， the average age of onset of disease was 5.40±3.82 years， and the average duration of disease was 2.94±2.77 years； 527 children （65.87%） with severe alopecia areata； 85 children （13.56%） had a family history of alopecia areata； 772 children （96.50%） had unknown triggers for their first alopecia areata， and 28 children （3.50%） reported the presence of obvious triggers， including fright （9 cases）， high fever （5 cases）， allergic reactions （4 cases）， micronutrient （zinc， iron， etc.） deficiencies （4 cases）， inappropriate diet （2 cases）， environmental factors （1 case， new house renovation）， atopic dermatitis （1 case）， atopic asthma （1 case）， and pneumonia （1 case）. A total of 40 four-examination information items were collected， among which the frequency of kicking quilts was the highest with 380 cases （47.50%）， followed by picky eating （369 cases， 46.13%）， sleeplessness （334 cases， 41.75%）， irritability （334 cases， 41.75%）， partiality towards certain foods （306 cases， 38.25%）， impulsiveness （297 cases， 37.13%）， dry stools （233 cases， 29.13%）， yellow urine （215 cases， 26.88%）， nail biting （213 cases， 26.63%）， bad breath （211 cases， 26.38%）. According to factor analysis and cluster analysis， five types of TCM syndromes were obtained， in order as qi and blood deficiency syndrome （110 cases， 13.75%）， spleen deficiency syndrome （114 cases， 14.25%）， kidney essence deficiency syndrome （140 cases， 17.50%）， dietary stagnation syndrome （150 cases， 18.75%）， and liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome （286 cases， 35.75%）. Patients in each age group and SALT grading are mainly liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome. ConclusionThe TCM symptoms of children with alopecia areata are mainly based on qi and blood deficiency syndrome， spleen deficiency syndrome， kidney essence deficiency syndrome， dietary stagnation syndrome， and liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome， of which liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome is the most common type at different ages and stages of the disease.

BACKGROUND:Olfactory dysfunction is an early biological marker of various diseases.However,the neuroimaging mechanism by which olfactory dysfunction occurs following cerebral small vessel disease is unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the different neuroimaging mechanisms of olfactory function regulation in patients with cerebral small vessel disease and Parkinson's disease,and explore the potential application value of olfactory function assessment in patients with cerebral small vessel disease. METHODS:Neuropsychological and olfactory tests,high-resolution structural magnetic resonance and resting-state functional magnetic resonance data were collected in 80 patients with cerebral small vessel disease,44 healthy controls and 29 patients with Parkinson's disease.DPABI,SPM12 and SPSS were used to analyze and compare the amplitude of low frequency fluctuation,regional homogeneity and functional connectivity values between the cerebral small vessel disease,control and Parkinson's disease groups.Correlations between the significantly altered resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging measures and olfactory and cognitive scores were evaluated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group,low-frequency fluctuation amplitude of the right dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus and the regional homogeneity of the left wedge leaf were significantly reduced in the cerebral small vessel disease and Parkinson's disease groups.The right dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus and the left cuneiform lobe are the seed points.Compared with the Parkinson's disease group,the functional connectivity values of the right anterior cunei,inferior temporal gyrus,anterior central gyrus and dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus,left posterior central gyrus and inferior temporal gyrus were significantly enhanced in the control and cerebral small vessel disease groups.The left cuneiform lobe was the seed point.Compared with the control group,the functional connectivity of the left lingual gyrus was significantly weakened in the cerebral small vessel disease and Parkinson's disease groups.The functional connectivity values of the left middle temporal gyrus and the right posterior central gyrus were enhanced in the control group compared with the cerebral small vessel disease and Parkinson's disease group,and that was enhanced in the cerebral small vessel disease group compared with the Parkinson's disease group.Correlation analysis showed that the olfactory score and cognitive score were positively correlated in the cerebral small vessel disease group,and the regional homogeneity of the left wedge lobe was negatively correlated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale score,while the functional connectivity of left wedge lobe-left middle temporal gyrus in the Parkinson's disease group was positively correlated with the olfactory recognition score,and the functional connectivity values of the left wedge lobe-left posterior central gyrus and left wedge lobe-left lingual gyrus were positively correlated with the olfactory identification score and the total olfactory score,respectively.The regulation of olfactory function in patients with cerebral small vessel disease has a different neuroimaging mechanism from that of olfactory dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease.The olfactory function of patients with cerebral small vessel disease is related to cognitive function.It is speculated that the olfactory function following cerebral small vessel disease is a secondary change of brain dysfunction,while olfactory dysfunction following Parkinson's disease is directly caused by abnormal function of olfactory-related brain areas.Olfactory function assessment in patients with cerebral small vessel disease has potential application in predicting cognitive function.

Purpose To assess the right atrial and right ventricular strain and right ventricular-pulmonary artery(RV-PA)coupling in rheumatoid arthritis(RA)via two-dimensional speckle tracking.Materials and Methods Sixty patients with RA in the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from June 2020 to June 2022 were prospectively selected,and all RA patients were divided into three groups according to pulmonary artery systolic pressure(PASP),including group A(n=20 cases)with PASP<33 mmHg,group B(n=20 cases)with PASP 33-39 mmHg as mild ePH,and group C(n=20 cases)PASP≥40 mmHg,twenty healthy individuals were selected as the control group.All subjects underwent transthoracic echocardiography,and right atrial and right ventricular systolic function was assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking technique,and RV-PA coupling was assessed noninvasively by right ventricular free wall strain/pulmonary artery systolic pressure(RV FWS/PASP),pulmonary function was analyzed by pulmonary function instruments.Spearman's analysis was used to analyze the correlation between right heart function and RV-PA coupling to pulmonary diffusion function.Results There were statistical differences in right ventricular base diameter,right atrium diameter,tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion,inferior vena cava diameter,PASP,right ventricular global strain,RV FWS,right atrium strain-reservoi,right atrium strain-conduit(S-CD),RV FWS/PASP among the four groups(F/H=2.369-74.880,all P<0.05).Right atrium strain-reservoi[(36.0±7.9)%vs.(30.9±7.8)%],right atrium S-CD[(19.9±6.9)%vs.(15.3±4.7)%]and RV FWS/PASP(0.96±0.19 vs.0.56±0.13)in group B were significantly lower than those of group A(t=2.040,2.262,7.704,all P<0.05).There was a good correlation between diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide single-breathmethod and right ventricular global strain,RV FWS,right atrium S-CD and RV FWS/PASP in RA patients(r=0.392,0.472,0.431,0.572,all P<0.05).Conclusion The more increases of pulmonary artery pressures,the more decreases of right heart function in RA patients,and the more uncoupling in RV-PA.Right heart dysfunction and right ventricle-pulmonary artery uncoupling have developed in RA patients with PASP 33-39 mmHg,with association of pulmonary diffusion dysfunction.