Surgical evidence-based comparison of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET and MRI-DWI for assisting debulking surgery in ovarian cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Imaging assessment of abdominopelvic tumor burden is crucial for debulking surgery decision in ovarian cancer patients. This study aims to compare the efficiency of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 FAPI PET and MRI-DWI in the preoperative evaluation and its potential impact to debulking surgery decision. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with suspected/confirmed ovarian cancer were enrolled and underwent integrated [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/MRI. Nineteen patients (15 stage III-IV and 4 I-II stage) who underwent debulking surgery were involved in the diagnostic efficiency analysis. The images of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET and MRI-DWI were visually analyzed respectively. Immunohistochemistry on FAP was performed in metastatic lesions to investigate the radiological missing of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET as well as its different performance in primary debulking surgery (PDS) and interval debulking surgery (IDS) patients. Potential imaging impact on management was also studied in 35 confirmed ovarian cancer patients. RESULTS: [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET displayed higher sensitivity (76.8% vs.59.9%), higher accuracy (84.9% vs. 80.7%), and lower missing rate (23.2% vs. 40.1%) than MRI-DWI in detecting abdominopelvic metastasis. The diagnostic superiority of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET is more obvious in PDS patients but diminished in IDS patients. [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET outperformed MRI-DWI in 70.8% abdominopelvic regions (17/24), which contained seven key regions that impact the resectability and surgical complexity. MRI-DWI hold advantage in the peritoneal surface of the bladder and the central tendon of the diaphragm. Of the contradictory judgments between the two modalities (14.9%), [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET correctly identified more lesions, particularly in PDS patients (73.8%). In addition, FAP expression was independent of lesion size and decreased in IDS patients. [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET changed 42% of surgical planning that was previously based on MRI-DWI. CONCLUSION: [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET is more efficient in assisting debulking surgery in ovarian cancer patients than MRI-DWI. Integrated [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/MR imaging is a potential method for planning debulking surgery in ovarian cancer patients.

Characterization of a marine endolysin LysVPB against Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Currently, there is an urgent to develop safe and environmentally friendly alternatives to antibiotics for combating Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Endolysins are considered promising antibacterial agents due to their desirable range of action and ability to deal with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. While numerous Vibrio phages have been identified, the research on their endolysins is still in its infancy. In this study, a novel endolysin called LysVPB was cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that LysVPB bears little resemblance to other known endolysins, highlighting its unique nature. Homology modeling identified a putative calcium-binding site in LysVPB. The recombinant LysVPB achieved a lytic activity of 64.8 U/mL and had a molecular weight of approximately 17 kDa. LysVPB exhibited enhanced efficacy at pH 9.0, with 60% of its maximum activity observed within the broad pH range of 6.0-10.0. The catalytic efficiency of LysVPB peaked at 30 °C but significantly declined beyond 50 °C. Ba2+, Co2+, and Cu2+ showed inhibitory effects on the activity of LysVPB, while Ca2+ can boost it to 126.8%. Furthermore, LysVPB exhibited satisfactory efficacy against strains of V. parahaemolyticus. LysVPB is an innovative phage lysin with good characteristics that are specific to certain hosts. The modular nature of LysVPB allows for efficient domain exchange with alternative lysins as antimicrobial components and fusion with antimicrobial peptides. This opens up possibilities for engineering chimeric lysins in a broader range of target hosts with high antimicrobial effectiveness and strong activity under physiological conditions.

Bi-modified Cu-Based Catalysts for Acetylene Hydrogenation: Leveraging Dispersion and Hydrogen Spillover.

Removing trace acetylene from the ethylene stream through selective hydrogenation is a crucial process in the production of polymer-grade ethylene. However, achieving high selectivity while maintaining high activity remains a significant challenge, especially for nonprecious metal catalysts. Herein, the trade-off between activity and selectivity is solved by synergizing enhanced dispersion and hydrogen spillover. Specifically, a bubbling method is proposed for preparing SiO2-supported copper and/or bismuth carbonate with high dispersion, which is then employed to synthesize highly dispersed Bi-modified CuxC-Cu catalyst. The catalyst displays outstanding catalytic performance for acetylene selective hydrogenation, achieving acetylene conversion of 100% and ethylene selectivity of 91.1% at 100 °C. The high activity originates from the enhanced dispersion, and the exceptional selectivity is due to the enhanced spillover capacity of active hydrogen from CuxC to Cu, which is promoted by the Bi addition. The results offer an avenue to design efficient catalysts for selective hydrogenation from nonprecious metals.

Complexation and Separation of Palladium with Tridentate 2,6-Bis-triazolyl-pyridine Ligands: Synthesis, Solvent Extraction, Spectroscopy, Crystallography, and DFT Calculations.

Selective extraction of palladium from high-level liquid waste (HLLW) is desirable for the sustainable development of nuclear energy and resource recovery. In this work, three tridentate 2,6-bis-triazolyl-pyridine ligands (L-I, L-II, and L-III) bearing different alkyl side chains were synthesized and systematically studied for the complexation and extraction of palladium. Altering the alkyl side chains of the ligands led to pronounced differences in extraction performance. Among the three ligands, L-II decorated with two n-octyl groups exhibited the highest Pd(II) extraction efficiency at acidity levels of 1-5 M HNO3 and outstanding selectivity over 13 coexisting competing metal ions. Results from UV-vis titration experiments and theoretical calculations suggested that the differentiated extraction abilities of the ligands could be because of their different hydrophilicity rather than electron-donating effects. Slope analyses and electrospray ionization-high resolution mass spectrometry (ESI-HRMS) experiments revealed the formation of both L/Pd 1:1 and 2:1 species during the extraction process. These stoichiometries were further confirmed by job plots and NMR titration experiments. The ligands were found to aggregate slightly, especially at higher concentrations, which could result from multiple intermolecular hydrogen bonds as illustrated by X-ray crystallography. The configurations of PdL and PdL2 were further elucidated by analysis of single crystal structure and density-functional theory (DFT) calculations, respectively, where the first coordination sphere of Pd(II) was surrounded by four nitrogen or oxygen atoms in a quadrangular manner. This study provides an alternative method to separate palladium from HLLW and brings a new understanding of the coordination and complexation behaviors of Pd(II) with tridentate nitrogen ligands.

The long-term outcomes of vaginoplasty using acellular porcine small intestinal submucosa grafts in patients with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome: A case series.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term outcomes for Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH) patients undergoing vaginoplasty using acellular porcine small intestinal submucosa grafts (SIS). DESIGN: A case series. POPULATION: Seventy-eight MRKH syndrome patients and a post-SIS patient who delivered a baby following the world's first robot-assisted uterus transplantation. METHODS: Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome patients were grouped based on the postoperative time and the diagnosis-surgery interval. Outcomes of sexual function and psychological status were assessed using the female sexual function index (FSFI), self-rating scale of body image (SSBI) and self-acceptance questionnaire (SAQ). Anatomical outcomes were measured by clinicians. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was restoration of sexual function, defined by an FSFI score in the 'good' range. Anatomical and psychological outcomes were also analysed. RESULTS: Sexual function was restored in 42.3% (33/78) of patients and the total FSFI score was 23.44 ± 4.43. Three factors (body defect, recognition of physical appearance and willingness to change physical appearance scores) in the SSBI and two in the SAQ decreased as the postoperative time increased. Based on the interval between diagnosis and surgery, the total SSBI score was lower in the short-interval group than in the long-interval group (7.25 ± 5.55 versus 12.04 ± 10.21, p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of MRKH patients in our study had good long-term sexual function after SIS vaginoplasty. Sexual function and psychological status improved as postoperative time increased. In addition, reducing the diagnosis to surgery interval was associated with improved psychological function.

The safety and effectiveness of a self-made negative pressure suction device in the treatment of chronic wounds.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic wounds are wounds that are not healed or have no healing tendency for more than 1 month due to various factors. In clinical nursing, chronic wounds are often not properly treated, and the treatment efficiency is low. Therefore, it is very important to explore effective methods to deal with chronic wounds. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of a self-made negative pressure suction device (NPSD) in the nursing of chronic wounds in the elderly. METHODS: A total of 50 elderly patients with chronic wounds who were hospitalised in our hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected as participants by convenient sampling. According to the random number table method, they were divided into a control group and an observation group, with 25 people in each group. The control group was treated with chloroplast foam dressing, debridement gel and alginate dressing. The observation group was treated with a self-made NPSD on the basis of the control group. The wound healing of the two groups was observed. RESULTS: After the intervention of the self-made NPSD, the granulation tissue coverage rate and wound volume reduction rate of the observation group were significantly increased (p < 0.05), and the positive rate of bacterial infection was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). After 3 months of intervention, the total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (χ2  = 3.869, p = 0.0492). CONCLUSION: The self-made NPSD can effectively promote the healing of a chronic wound.

Chromium-Doped Nickel Oxide and Nickel Nitride Mediate Selective Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Sterol Intermediates Coupled with H2 Evolution.

Replacing the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with the thermodynamically favorable electrooxidation of organics is considered a promising approach for the simultaneous production of hydrogen (H2 ) and high-value chemicals. However, exploring and optimizing efficient electrocatalysts remains a challenge for large-scale production of value-added steroid carbonyl and H2 . Herein, Cr-NiO/GF and Cr-Ni3 N/GF (GF: graphite felt) electrocatalysts were designed as anode and cathode for the production of steroid carbonyls and H2 , respectively. The cooperative Cr-NiO and ACT (4-acetamido-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidine-N-oxyl) electrocatalyst can be extended to the electrooxidation of a series of steroid alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes. Additionally, Cr-Ni3 N displays superior electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), with a low overpotential of 35 mV to deliver 10 mA cm-2 . Furthermore, the system coupled with anodic electrooxidation of sterol and cathodic HER exhibited excellent performance with high space-time yield of 48.85 kg m-3 h-1 for steroid carbonyl and 1.82 L h-1 for H2 generation in a two-layer stacked flow cell. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations indicated that Cr doping effectively stabilizes ACTH on the NiO surface, and ACTH molecule could be captured via the ketonic oxygen interaction with Cr, resulting in excellent electrocatalytic activity. This work develops a novel approach to the rational design of efficient electrocatalysts for the simultaneous production of H2 and large-scale value-added pharmaceutical carbonyl intermediates.

Observing errors in a combination of error and correct models favors observational motor learning.

BACKGROUND: Imitative learning is highly effective from infancy to old age; however, little is known about the effects of observing errors during imitative learning. This study aimed to examine how observing errors affected imitative learning performance to maximize its effect. METHODS: In the pre-training session, participants were instructed to pinch at a target force (8 N) with auditory feedback regarding generated force while they watched videos of someone pinching a sponge at the target force. In the pre-test, participants pinched at the target force and did not view a model or receive auditory feedback. In Experiment 1, in the main training session, participants imitated models while they watched videos of pinching at either the incorrect force (error-mixed condition) or target force (correct condition). Then, the exact force generated was measured without receiving auditory feedback or viewing a model. In Experiment 2, using the same procedures, newly recruited participants watched videos of pinching at incorrect forces (4 and 24 N) as the error condition and the correct force as the correct condition. RESULTS: In Experiment 1, the average force was closer to the target force in the error-mixed condition than in the correct condition. In Experiment 2, the average force in the correct condition was closer to the target force than in the error condition. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that observing error actions combined with correct actions affected imitation motor learning positively as error actions contained information on things to avoid in the target action. It provides further information to enhance imitative learning in mixed conditions compared to that with correct action alone.

Case report: Dupilumab for the treatment of bullous pemphigoid.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an inflammatory subepidermal blistering disease with rising prevalence in the elderly individuals. Cytokines associated with Th2-type immune response play an important role in the pathogenesis of BP. The traditional glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants are recommended as first-line drugs, but their therapeutic use is limited by numerous adverse effects. Dupilumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets IL-4 and IL-13. It has recently been approved for the treatment of atopic dermatitis and may be an attractive therapeutic option for BP as well. Herein, we report two cases of BP treated with dupilumab. It was effective and well tolerated. Further research is needed to assess the efficacy of dupilumab in BP patients.

Effect of the Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer on the Induction of Cyclopentane Hydrate in a Water-in-Waxy Oil Emulsion System.

In this paper, the effect of the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer, commonly used in improving rheological behavior of waxy oil, is introduced to investigate its effect on the formation of cyclopentane hydrate in a water-in-waxy oil emulsion system. The wax content studied shows a negative effect on the formation of hydrate by elongating its induction time. Besides, the EVA copolymer is found to elongate the induction time of cyclopentane hydrate through the cocrystallization effect with wax molecules adjacent to the oil-water interface.

Aperiodically intermittent control for exponential bipartite synchronization of delayed signed networks with multi-links.

This paper investigates the exponential bipartite synchronization of a general class of delayed signed networks with multi-links by using an aperiodically intermittent control strategy. The main result is a set of sufficient conditions for bipartite synchronization that depend on the network's topology, control gain, and the maximum proportion of rest time. An application to Chua's circuits is then considered, and some numerical simulation results are presented.

[Rationality of Asari Radix et Rhizoma in Qingfei Paidu Decoction based on literature analysis].

Qingfei Paidu Decoction is a traditional Chinese medicine compound recommended by National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China and National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for clinical therapies of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19). Qingfei Paidu Decoction consists of 21 traditional Chinese medicines, such as Asari Radix et Rhizoma. However, the dosage of Asari Radix et Rhizoma has been questioned by some people, because of one ancient proverb. To explore the rationality of the dosage of Asari Radix et Rhizoma in Qingfei Paidu Decoction, this study systematically examined the ancient and modern physicians' understanding of the toxicity of Asari Radix et Rhizoma, and collated the application and dosage of Asari Radix et Rhizoma in ancient prescriptions and modern clinics based on literature analysis. As a result, we found that ancient and modern physicians have different understanding on the toxicity of Asari Radix et Rhizoma and that the theory about the dosage of Asari Radix et Rhizoma is flawed. We also found that the dose of Asari Radix et Rhizoma in ancient and modern clinical applications was not constrained by ancient experience. Physicians usually increase the dosage of Asari Radix et Rhizoma in clinical therapy according to the actual conditions, and there were no adverse reactions. Additionally, according to laws and regulations concerning medical affairs, physician could increase or decrease the dosage of the drug under special circumstances. Based on the analysis of safety and effectiveness of Asari Radix et Rhizoma in Qingfei Paidu Decoction, we conclude that the dose of Asari Radix et Rhizoma in Qingfei Paidu Decoction is safe, effective and reasonable.

Health-related quality of life in locally advanced cervical cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy followed by radical surgery: A single-institutional retrospective study from a prospective database.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) patients treated with neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) or radiation (RT) alone followed by radical surgery (RS). METHODS: In a single-center retrospective study from a prospective database, 275 FIGO Stage IB2-IIIB patients who underwent CCRT/RT + RS were included. HRQOL was prospectively assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-CX24 prior to any treatment (baseline) and 6 months after surgery, respectively. RESULTS: A statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement in physical functioning (P < 0.001) and role functioning (P = 0.002, P = 0.031) was observed in patients receiving either CCRT+RS or RT + RS at follow-up. In addition, quality of life (QoL), physical functioning, and social functioning were better in the RT + RS group than the CCRT+RS group after treatment (P = 0.028, P = 0.010, P = 0.014). Symptom scores of fatigue decreased in both groups over time (P < 0.001, P = 0.004) while insomnia decreased only in the RT + RS group (P = 0.042). Worsened menopausal symptoms were documented in both groups at follow-up (P = 0.001, P = 0.047), while lymphedema was deteriorated only in patients receiving CCRT + RS (P < 0.001). Sexuality scores did not differ between groups or over time with the exception of sexual worry, which was deteriorated in patients receiving RT + RS (P = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: QLQ-C30 functioning and tumor-related symptoms scores improved while lymphedema and menopausal symptoms worsened 6 months after neoadjuvant CCRT or RT alone followed by RS in LACC patients. Patients treated with RT + RS had a generally better HRQOL compared with those receiving CCRT+RS, though further validation with prospective randomized clinical trials is warranted.

Chitin accelerates activation of a novel haloarchaeal serine protease that deproteinizes chitin-containing biomass.

The haloarchaeon Natrinema sp. strain J7-2 has the ability to degrade chitin, and its genome harbors a chitin metabolism-related gene cluster that contains a halolysin gene, sptC. The sptC gene encodes a precursor composed of a signal peptide, an N-terminal propeptide consisting of a core domain (N*) and a linker peptide, a subtilisin-like catalytic domain, a polycystic kidney disease domain (PkdD), and a chitin-binding domain (ChBD). Here we report that the autocatalytic maturation of SptC is initiated by cis-processing of N* to yield an autoprocessed complex (N*-I(WT)), followed by trans-processing/degradation of the linker peptide, the ChBD, and N*. The resulting mature form (M(WT)) containing the catalytic domain and the PkdD showed optimum azocaseinolytic activity at 3 to 3.5 M NaCl, demonstrating salt-dependent stability. Deletion analysis revealed that the PkdD did not confer extra stability on the enzyme but did contribute to enzymatic activity. The ChBD exhibited salt-dependent chitin-binding capacity and mediated the binding of N*-I(WT) to chitin. ChBD-mediated chitin binding enhances SptC maturation by promoting activation of the autoprocessed complex. Our results also demonstrate that SptC is capable of removing proteins from shrimp shell powder (SSP) at high salt concentrations. Interestingly, N*-I(WT) released soluble peptides from SSP faster than did M(WT). Most likely, ChBD-mediated binding of the autoprocessed complex to chitin in SSP not only accelerates enzyme activation but also facilitates the deproteinization process by increasing the local protease concentration around the substrate. By virtue of these properties, SptC is highly attractive for use in preparation of chitin from chitin-containing biomass.

Effects of antipsychotics on bone mineral density and prolactin levels in patients with schizophrenia: a 12-month prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Effects of conventional and atypical antipsychotics on bone mineral density (BMD) and serum prolactin levels (PRL) were examined in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-three first-episode inpatients with schizophrenia were recruited, to whom one of three conventional antipsychotics (perphenazine, sulpiride, and chlorpromazine) or one of three atypical antipsychotics (clozapine, quetiapine, and aripiprazole) was prescribed for 12 months as appropriate. BMD and PRL were tested before and after treatment. Same measures were conducted in 90 matched healthy controls. RESULTS: Baseline BMD of postero-anterior L1-L4 range from 1.04 ± 0.17 to 1.42 ± 1.23, and there was no significant difference between the patients group and healthy control group. However, post-treatment BMD values in patients (ranging from 1.02 ± 0.15 to 1.23 ± 0.10) were significantly lower than that in healthy controls (ranging from 1.15 ± 0.12 to 1.42 ± 1.36). The BMD values after conventional antipsychotics were significantly lower than that after atypical antipsychotics. The PRL level after conventional antipsychotics (53.05 ± 30.25 ng/ml) was significantly higher than that after atypical antipsychotics (32.81 ± 17.42 ng/ml). Conditioned relevance analysis revealed significant negative correlations between the PRL level and the BMD values after conventional antipsychotics. CONCLUSION: The increase of PRL might be an important risk factor leading to a high prevalence of osteoporosis in patients with schizophrenia on long-term conventional antipsychotic medication.

The influence of nitroglycerin on the proliferation of endothelial progenitor cells from peripheral blood of patients with coronary artery disease.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are associated with vascular repairing and progression of atherosclerotic lesion. It may lead to coronary artery disease (CAD) if circulating EPCs lose their function. Continuous nitroglycerin (NTG) therapy causes increased vascular oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of NTG on the proliferation of human peripheral blood-derived EPCs. EPC cultures, collected from 60 CAD patients and cultured for 7-12 days, were treated with different concentrations of NTG (0.0, 0.3, 1.0, 2.0, 7.5, 15.0, and 20.0 mg/l) for 72 h, respectively. The cell counts and proliferative activities of EPC; the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) in culture medium; and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in adherent cells were measured. Compared with control (0.0 mg/l NTG), the cell number and proliferative activities of EPCs were increased when treated with 1.0 mg/l NTG and reached maximum level when NTG concentration was 7.5 mg/l. However, there was a significant reduction when treated with higher doses of NTG (≥15.0 mg/l). Meanwhile, VEGF-A expression reached its maximal expression with 7.5 mg/l NTG, but gradually declined by incubation with higher doses of NTG. There was a linear relationship between NO level and NTG concentration, but no changes of ONOO(-) and ROS levels were found when EPCs were incubated with 0.3-7.5 mg/l NTG. However, ONOO(-) and ROS levels were significantly increased when incubated with 15 and 20 mg/l NTG. Our data demonstrated that moderate dose of NTG may stimulate the proliferative activities of EPCs isolated from CAD patients.

Generalized Nash Equilibrium Seeking for Noncooperative Game With Different Monotonicities by Adaptive Neurodynamic Algorithm.

This article proposes a novel adaptive neurodynamic algorithm (ANA) to seek generalized Nash equilibrium (GNE) of the noncooperative constrained game with different monotone conditions. In the ANA, the adaptive penalty term, which acts as trajectory-dependent penalty parameters, evolves based on the degree of constraints violation until the trajectory enters the action set of noncooperative game. It is shown that the trajectory of the ANA enters the action set in finite time benefited from the adaptive penalty term. Moreover, it is proven that the trajectory exponentially (or polynomially) converges to the unique GNE when the pseudo-gradient of cost function in noncooperative game satisfies strong (or "generalized" strong) monotonicity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time to study the polynomial convergence of GNE seeking algorithm. Furthermore, when the pseudo-gradient mentioned above satisfies monotonicity in general, based on Tikhonov regularization method, a new ANA for finding its ε -generalized Nash equilibrium ( ε -GNE) is proposed, and the related exponential convergence of the algorithm is established. Finally, the river basin pollution game and 5G base station location game are given as examples to showcase the algorithm's effectiveness.

Comprehensive analysis of the effect of etiolated tea cultivars and harvest seasons on volatile compounds and in vitro antioxidant capacity in steamed green teas.

To explore the effects of harvest seasons and etiolated cultivars on the volatile compounds of steamed green teas, this study analyzed comprehensively the volatile compounds of steamed green teas using simultaneous distillation extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SDE-GC-MS) and chemometrics analytical techniques in combination with odor activity value (OAV). Additionally, the in vitro antioxidant capacity of the steamed green teas was evaluated. The results showed that 95 volatile compounds were identified, among which aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, and acids were the main types in steamed green teas made from etiolated tea cultivars. Furthermore, the relative content of volatile compounds in steamed green tea was significantly negatively correlated with season (P < 0.05). In steamed green teas harvested in different seasons, spring tea contained a higher abundance of volatile compounds such as (+)-δ-cadinene, farnesyl acetone, carvenone, trans-ß-ionone, and nerolidol. The differences of total volatile compounds among the three etiolated tea cultivars were not remarkable (P > 0.05). Combined with the OAV, 20 and 19 key aroma compounds in steamed green teas from different harvest seasons and cultivars were identified, respectively, which could bring unique aromas to different steamed green tea samples. By comparison, summer tea had the strongest antioxidant capacity, while there was no obvious difference in the antioxidant capacity among cultivars. This study provided a scientific basis for the aroma quality of steamed green teas made from etiolated tea cultivars in different harvest seasons.

Collective plasticity of binocular interactions in the adult visual system.

Binocular visual plasticity can be initiated via either bottom-up or top-down mechanisms, but it is unknown if these two forms of adult plasticity can be independently combined. In seven participants with normal binocular vision, sensory eye dominance was assessed using a binocular rivalry task, before and after a period of monocular deprivation and with and without selective attention directed towards one eye. On each trial, participants reported the dominant monocular target and the inter-ocular contrast difference between the stimuli was systematically altered to obtain estimates of ocular dominance. We found that both monocular light- and pattern-deprivation shifted dominance in favour of the deprived eye. However, this shift was completely counteracted if the non-deprived eye's stimulus was selectively attended. These results reveal that shifts in ocular dominance, driven by bottom-up and top-down selection, appear to act independently to regulate the relative contrast gain between the two eyes.