Volume 123

This paper mainly introduces the chemical constituents of ephedra and its different uses in medicine and scientific research. In traditional Chinese herbal medicine, ephedra contains the main active compounds, alkaloids such as ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, volatile oil, flavonoids and terpenoids. These components have pharmacological effects, such as stimulating the central nervous system, decomposing fat, fighting inflammation and viruses, and acting as a powerful antioxidant. Ephedra is a well-known clinical drug, that is used to treat bronchial asthma, cold, obesity and many other diseases. In modern research, it has been identified as a candidate for anticancer and neuroprotective drugs. However, several patients may also suffer from side effects and safety problems. In this paper, the application status of Herba Ephedrae was summarized through a systematic analysis of related research at home and abroad. At present, Herba Ephedra is mainly used in the central nervous system, cardiovascular system and respiratory system. The research findings are mainly applied to the clinical treatment of bronchial asthma, cold - induced cough, and obesity. Moreover, this paper also sums up the future research trends, thereby laying a scientific basis for the further development and safe utilization of ephedra.

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Oncology, a critical discipline within medical science, is dedicated to understanding the mechanisms of tumor development, progression, diagnosis, and treatment. As medical technologies advance, cancer therapies have diversified to include surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and more recently, immunotherapy. However, challenges persist—particularly in accurately locating tumor tissues, monitoring treatment efficacy in real time, and minimizing treatment-related side effects. Therapeutic imaging technologies have emerged as essential tools to address these challenges, enhancing the precision and adaptability of oncological care. By providing detailed visualization of tumor structure and function, these technologies support accurate diagnosis, guide therapeutic interventions, and enable dynamic treatment evaluation. Recent innovations—such as multimodal imaging, artificial intelligence-driven diagnostics, and molecular-targeted approaches—have significantly expanded the capabilities of therapeutic imaging. Technologies like dynamic full-field optical coherence tomography (D-FFOCT), microscopic optical tomography (MOST/fMOST), and near-infrared fluorescent probes demonstrate the growing role of intelligent imaging in surgical navigation, pathology mapping, and phototherapy. Meanwhile, the integration of modalities such as photoacoustic imaging, MRI, and PET improves early-stage tumor detection and therapeutic monitoring. Emerging strategies, including nanoparticle self-assembly and multifunctional molecular probes, are advancing the convergence of diagnostics and therapy. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of therapeutic imaging in oncology, examining its theoretical foundations, clinical applications, and future development trends.

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In recent years, mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) have made substantial progress in the field of mental health, particularly in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and addictive behaviors. However, the efficacy and limitations of MBPs in the treatment of eating disorders (EDs) have not yet been thoroughly reviewed. This paper examines recent studies on the use of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training (MB-EAT) in treating eating disorders, emphasizing their effects on emotional regulation, self-compassion, and eating behaviors, along with the underlying mechanisms, effectiveness, and limitations. Two types of MBPs, besides MBSR, effectively treat Binge Eating Disorder (BED), reducing binge eating and improving self-awareness and emotional regulation. In treating Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN), positive effects have been shown, but efficacy varies widely, with considerable heterogeneity across studies. Existing research on MBPs for eating disorders is limited by small sample sizes, few empirical studies and randomized controlled trials, inconsistent measurement standards, and cultural differences. Future research should examine the applicability of MBPs across diverse populations and cultures, while creating standardized criteria to assess efficacy.

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