Rutin, γ-Aminobutyric Acid, Gallic Acid, and Caffeine Negatively Affect the Sweet-Mellow Taste of Congou Black Tea Infusions.

The sweet-mellow taste sensation is a unique and typical feature of premium congou black tea infusions. To explore the key taste-active compounds that influence the sweet-mellow taste, a sensory and molecular characterization was performed on thirty-three congou black tea infusions presenting different taste qualities, including the sweet-mellow, mellow-pure, or less-mellow taste. An integrated application of quantitative analysis of 48 taste-active compounds, taste contribution analysis, and further validation by taste supplementation experiments, combined with human sensory evaluation revealed that caffeine, γ-aminobutyric acid, rutin, succinic acid, citric acid, and gallic acid negatively affect the sweet-mellow taste, whereas glucose, sucrose, and ornithine positively contribute to the sweet-mellow taste of congou black tea infusions. Particularly, rutin, γ-aminobutyric acid, gallic acid, and caffeine, which impart the major inhibitory effect to the manifestation of the sweet-mellow taste, were identified as the key influencing components through stepwise screening and validation experiments. A modest level of these compounds was found to be favorable for the development and manifestation of the sweet-mellow taste. These compounds might potentially serve as the regulatory targets for oriented-manufacturing of high-quality sweet-mellow congou black tea.

Short-Term Outcomes of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) for Ankle Fracture Patients: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) has been successfully adopted for the improvement of medical quality and efficacy in many diseases, but the effect thereof for ankle fracture patients can vary. The aim of the present study was to explore the short-term postoperative outcomes of ERAS among ankle fracture patients. METHODS: The present study was a retrospective cohort study conducted between January 2019 and May 2019. One hundred and sixty ankle fracture participations (58 males and 102 females, aged 41.71 ± 14.51 years) were included. The participants treated with open reduction and internal fixation were divided into two groups (non-ERAS vs. ERAS) depending on whether ERAS was applied. Postoperative outcomes included American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, length of stay (LOS), hospital cost, complications, and consumption of opioids. To assess the association between the groups and outcomes, generalized estimating equation (GEE) modeling and multivariable linear regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: The average follow-up periods of the participations were 24 months postoperatively. No significant differences were detected between the non-ERAS group and ERAS group with respect to the demographic of patients in terms of gender, age, Danis-Weber classification of fracture, dislocation of ankle joint, and comorbidity (P > 0.05). Significant differences in terms of a higher AOFAS score were found in the ERAS group compared with the non-ERAS group (6.73, 95% CI, 5.10-8.37, p < 0.001) at 3 months postoperatively (PO3M) and (4.73, 95% CI, 3.02-6.45, p < 0.001) at 6 months postoperatively (PO6M). However, similar AOFAS scores were found at 12 months postoperatively (PO12M) (0.28, 95% CI, -0.32 to 0.89, P > 0.05) and at 24 months postoperatively (PO24M) (0.56, 95% CI, -0.07 to 1.19, P > 0.05). Additionally, the GEE analysis and group-by-time interaction of AOFAS score revealed that the ERAS protocol could facilitate faster recovery for ankle fracture patients, with higher PO3M and PO6M (both P < 0.05). At the same time, significant differences in terms of a shorter length of stay (-3.19, 95% CI, -4.33 to -2.04, P < 0.01) and less hospital cost (-6501.81, 95% CI, -10955.21 to -2048.42, P < 0.01) were found in the ERAS group compared with the non-ERAS group. CONCLUSION: By reducing LOS and hospital cost, the ERAS protocol might improve the medical quality and efficacy. The present study can provide a realistic evaluation and comparison of the ERAS protocol among ankle fracture patients, and ultimately guide clinical decision making.

Rapid volatiles fingerprinting by dopant-assisted positive photoionization ion mobility spectrometry for discrimination and characterization of Green Tea aromas.

Aroma is one major concern of tea flavor and represents an essential criterion for quality evaluation. Herein, we presented a novel approach for rapid, non-destructive and real-time fingerprinting of green tea aromas using ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) without prior sample treatment. Positive photoionization with acetone as dopant was selected as suitable source for tea volatiles analysis in comparison to other sources. To demonstrate the effectiveness of presented method, chestnut-like aroma, an indicator of high-quality green teas, was distinguished from others using IMS fingerprinting. In particular, three sub-types with subtle difference in sensory evaluation, i.e., tender, pure and roasted chestnut-like aroma, were classified by IMS fingerprinting in combination with chemometrics with an overall predictive accuracy of 95.6%. Furthermore, we demonstrated a strategy of two-dimensional IMS profiling for capturing the "dynamics" of tea volatiles. To our knowledge this is the first report of tea aroma analysis using IMS-based tool, which may serve as a complement to the conventional tea sensory evaluation and is promising for process monitoring during tea manufacture.

[Quantitative estimation of vegetation coverage in Mu Us sandy land based on RS and GIS].

On the basis of oriented field investigation data and corresponding RS and GIS information, and by the method of ridge estimation, this paper studied the estimation model of vegetation coverage and its affecting factors in Yijinholo County of northeast Mu Us sandy land. The results showed that the vegetation coverage was affected by NDVI, and closely linked with such RS and GIS information as, TM7, TM2, TM 4/3 and gradient. Ridge estimation method could obviously improve the limitation of Least Square method, eliminate the adverse effects caused by existing complex estimation relation towards uncoiling undetermined parameter among the variables, and improve the estimate precision. The vegetation coverage estimation model taking pixel as unit was established, and its test precision could reach 98.7%. In addition, a regional vegetation coverage GIS was established, which could realize the inquiry, regeneration, and drawing of any spot (pixel) or any land unit of vegetation coverage automatically.

[Effects of forest harvesting on river runoff in Xiaoxing'anling].

By the method of runoff determination in large basin combined with contrast experiment in small watershed, and based on the runoff and forest resources data in past 35 years, this paper studied the serial changes of river runoff in Xiaoxing'anling after forest harvesting. The results showed that the river flow was increased in the early 10 years after forest harvesting, but decreased gradually with the growth and crown closure of artificial larch forest, tended towards or even lower than the level before harvesting. The river runoff had a close correlation with annual rainfall and the areas of forest harvesting and regeneration. Significant positive correlation was observed between annual flow and forest harvesting area, which resulted in the increase of river runoff after forest harvesting. Forest harvesting could also significantly increase the peak flood and snowmelt runoff. There was a negative correlation between regenerated forest area and annual flow, and thus, forest regeneration would decrease annual