This review discusses the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects ofS. dulcisplants.S. dulcisprovides new potential for medicine and can be promoted as a complementary or alternative therapy for patients with chronic conditions.

With the accelerating global population aging, older adults face complex health challenges, including chronic diseases, multimorbidity, functional decline, and mental health disorders, which place substantial burdens on healthcare and long-term care systems. Traditional Chinese Internal Medicine (TCIM), grounded in holistic, individualized, and preventive principles, offers integrative strategies tailored to the physiological and functional needs of the elderly. This paper reviews recent theoretical developments and clinical applications of TCIM in managing cerebrovascular disorders, degenerative arthritis, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and late-life depression, emphasizing evidence-based outcomes. Integrating TCIM with Western medicine enhances rehabilitation, emotional regulation, and healthcare resource utilization. Experiences from China and Taiwan demonstrate the benefits of incorporating TCIM into home-based and long-term care models, including delayed functional decline, reduced hospitalization, and improved care efficiency. The paper also discusses current challenges, such as insufficient standardized outcome measures, integration barriers with biomedicine, and gaps in professional education, and provides recommendations to promote the systematic development and international adoption of TCIM in geriatric healthcare.

Pyrethrins, a class of broad-spectrum insecticides, have garnered extensive utilization in agricultural, public health, and environmental sectors. However, emerging concerns have arisen regarding their potential chronic carcinogenic risks. This study employed an integrative big data approach combining network toxicology, deep learning, mendelian randomization, molecular docking, and dynamics simulations to systematically evaluate pyrethrin's breast cancer-related targets. Computational screening identified 16 high-affinity targets with binding energies < -7.5 kcal/mol, indicative of stable interactions. Molecular dynamics simulations further validated the structural stability of pyrethrin-target complexes. MM/PBSA analyses revealed that both pyrethrin I and II exhibit thermodynamically spontaneous interactions with diverse targets, demonstrating binding free energies ranging from -9.53 to -27.37 kcal/mol. Complex interactions among targets were constructed. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses revealed significant associations between these targets and breast cancer pathways. Our multi-omics big data evidence positions pyrethrins as a risky toxicant with carcinogenic potential. These findings provide insights for regulatory reevaluation of pyrethrin's safety profile and underscore the need for longitudinal biomonitoring studies to assess its population-level health impacts.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has gained growing global interest in dementia research due to its demonstrated neuroprotective properties—such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects—and its integrative therapeutic approach combining herbal, acupuncture, and lifestyle interventions. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of 2,497 publications from 1991 to 2024 using the Web of Science database to evaluate trends and future directions in TCM-related dementia research. Results show a steady rise in academic output, increased publication in high-impact journals, and expanding international collaboration. Key developments include the identification of effective herbal treatments, deeper understanding of TCM’s neuroprotective mechanisms, and successful integration of traditional practices with modern scientific methods. The study highlights the increasing influence of TCM in dementia care and emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary cooperation, rigorous scientific validation, and personalized approaches to further enhance its clinical value and global acceptance.

This study aims to systematically compare the acoustic transmission performance and additional functionalities of a novel stethoscope design with those of traditional models, evaluating the potential of new technologies to revolutionize medical diagnostic tools. The research is motivated by longstanding technical limitations of conventional stethoscopes, including inadequate high-frequency resolution, performance degradation over time, and an urgent need for improved infection control. A controlled experimental design was employed in two phases. (1) Technical Feature Analysis: The novel stethoscope’s gradient-structured diaphragm—composed of four heterogeneous material layers—and its acoustic system configuration were deconstructed and quantitatively compared with traditional models in terms of material composition (silicone/polyester/polyurethane film) and structural design. (2) Performance Testing: Standardized frequency response tests (20 Hz–5 kHz), noise interference resistance assessments, and 1,000-cycle pressure durability tests were conducted in a semianechoic chamber to comprehensively evaluate acoustic clarity, mechanical stability, and hygiene performance. The novel design demonstrated the following significant advantages. (1) Acoustic Performance: Achieved a 10-dB improvement in clarity in the >2-kHz high-frequency range, with an extended frequency response from 50 to 5,000 Hz—an increase of 2,450 Hz over traditional models. (2) Hygiene: The gradient diaphragm design reduced colony-forming unit (CFU) adhesion by 90 %. (3) Durability: After 1,000 pressure cycles, sound pressure level attenuation remained under 10 %, significantly outperforming the traditional model, which showed a 30 % reduction after 500 cycles. Innovative material structures and modular design effectively address high-frequency signal loss and infection control challenges faced by traditional stethoscopes. This technological platform allows for customization based on diagnostic scenarios (e.g., ultra-low-frequency heart sounds vs. high-frequency pulmonary crackles), laying a robust empirical foundation for the development of next-generation smart stethoscopes.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory decline and cognitive dysfunction, primarily affecting the elderly. Approximately 50 million people worldwide are currently affected, with projections suggesting an increase to 152 million by 2050, especially among individuals over 65, where the incidence rate can be as high as 30%. This phenomenon significantly reduces the quality of life for patients and imposes substantial psychological and economic burdens on families and society. Therefore, finding effective treatment options is crucial. In recent years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has gradually shown its potential in the treatment of AD. TCM views AD as a form of “dementia” or “amnesia,” attributing its root causes to dysfunctions of organs such as the kidneys and spleen, as well as deficiencies in qi (vital energy) and blood. Through methods like regulating qi and blood and strengthening kidney function, TCM aims to improve symptoms via a holistic approach. Many herbal formulas, such as Tianma Guoteng Decoction and Angong Niuhuang Pill, have been widely studied, demonstrating promising neuroprotective effects. Furthermore, both domestic and international studies indicate that TCM has made positive strides in the clinical application of AD, particularly in multicenter clinical trials, showing improvements in cognitive abilities and delays in disease progression. Herbal components such as astragalus polysaccharides, ginsenosides, curcumin, and Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) exhibit significant neuroprotective effects through mechanisms like antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and the clearance of beta-amyloid (Aβ) protein. However, standardization and clinical validation remain major challenges to its widespread application. Looking ahead, integrating modern medical research methods, such as molecular biology and genetics, will provide new perspectives for TCM in the treatment of AD, facilitating the extraction and application of its effective components, thereby improving patients’ quality of life. Overall, TCM has achieved significant success in the treatment of AD, but further in-depth research is needed to fully realize its potential.