The increased permeability of the lung microvascular endothelium is one critical initiation of acute lung injury (ALI). The disruption of vascular-endothelium integrity results in leakiness of the endothelial barrier and accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the alveoli. During ALI, increased endothelial-cell (EC) permeability is always companied by high frequency and amplitude of cytosolic Ca²⁺ oscillations. Mechanistically, cytosolic calcium oscillations include calcium release from internal stores and calcium entry via channels located in the cell membrane. Recently, numerous publications have shown substantial evidence that calcium-permeable channels play an important role in maintaining the integrity of the endothelium barrier function of the vessel wall in ALI. These novel endothelial signaling pathways are future targets for the treatment of lung injury. This short review focuses on the up-to-date research and provide insight into the contribution of calcium influx via ion channels to the disruption of lung microvascular endothelial-barrier function during ALI.

Background: In the context of China’s accelerated aging, Body Mass Index (BMI) is a critical health metric. However, its health implications are not uniform, being profoundly shaped by structural socioeconomic divides and intricate psychosomatic pathways. This study provides an integrated analysis of BMI’s association with multidimensional health (chronic diseases, functional disability, depression) in Chinese older adults, testing the moderating role of urban–rural residence and the mediating roles of physical activity and depression.Methods: Data were drawn from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), including 11,521 older adults. We employed a suite of regression models to assess linear and non-linear associations and a Structural Equation Model (SEM) to delineate mediation pathways.Results: A higher BMI was associated with a greater chronic disease burden, but not with ADL disability after full adjustment. Crucially, this BMI-disease association was significantly amplified in rural populations, revealing a weaker socio-environmental “buffer” against weight-related health risks. We identified a robust U-shaped relationship between BMI and depression, extending the “obesity paradox” to the psychological domain, with optimal mental well-being observed in the overweight range (BMI ≈ 28.9 kg/m²). SEM analysis revealed that depressive symptoms acted as a significant suppressor, partially counteracting the direct adverse association between BMI and chronic diseases.Conclusion: The health implications of BMI in Chinese older adults are profoundly context-dependent, challenging a one-size-fits-all approach. The findings suggest a dual insight: a psychological “obesity paradox” where moderate overweight status appears protective for mental health, and a socio-environmental moderation where the urban context appears to buffer the physical risks of higher BMI. Mental well-being emerges as a pivotal mediator in the psychosomatic pathway linking body weight to chronic illness. This evidence calls for a paradigm shift toward holistic, differentiated health strategies that integrate mental health support and are tailored to the distinct resource landscapes of urban and rural settings.