Comparative study of the volatile fingerprints of roasted and unroasted oolong tea by sensory profiling and HS-SPME-GC-MS.

Roasting plays important roles in shaping the volatile profile of oolong tea. In this study, the sensory attributes and volatile compositions of 153 roasted or unroasted oolong tea samples, belonging to four typical types, namely, High Mountain oolong tea (HMT), Tieguanyin tea (TGYT), Dongding oolong tea (DDT) and Wuyi rock tea (WRT), were studied in detail. Based on the sensory evaluation by tea evaluation experts, their respective sensory profiles were established and compared. Unroasted teas had more pronounced fresh and green flavors, while roasted teas had higher scores in pungent and caramel flavors. In particular, WRT demonstrated a unique fragrance of floral fruity flavors. By using HS-SPME-GC-MS analysis, a total of 128 compounds were identified across all samples. Notably, it was found that roasting largely increased the variety of volatile compounds in oolong tea. Furthermore, the characteristic volatile compounds of each type of tea were identified by PLS-DA modeling. Linalool and geraniol were the characteristic volatiles of HMT. Four volatiles, including (E)-nerolidol, jasmin lactone, benzeneacetaldehyde, and 4-methyl benzaldehyde oxime were identified as the characteristic volatiles of TGYT. Seven volatiles, including N-ethyl pyrrole, 3-(hydroxy methyl) pyridine, 4-pyridylcarbinol, 1-methyl pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethyl pyrazine, 4-amino-2,3-xylenol, and 4,6-dimethyl pyrimidine were the characteristic volatiles of DDT. For WRT, 2,2,6-trimethyl cyclohexan-1-one, hexanoic acid, benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, ß-cyclocitral, (E)-ß-ionone, α-ionone, and octanoic acid were the characteristic volatiles. These findings expand our knowledge of the volatile fingerprints of oolong tea.

Trajectories of protein intake and 28-day mortality in critically ill patients: A secondary analysis of a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The optimal protein intake approach during the early phase of critical illness remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the association between different trajectories of protein intake and 28-day mortality in a cohort of critically ill patients. METHODS: The NEED trial is a multicenter, cluster-randomized controlled trial assessing the impact of an actively implemented evidence-based nutrition guideline on mortality in critically ill patients. This secondary analysis included the patients who stayed in ICU for at least seven days. Group-based trajectory modeling was applied to identify subgroups with similar protein intake trajectories in this cohort. Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the impact of different trajectories on 28-day mortality. RESULTS: Overall, 2191 patients were included for analysis. A distinct triple-group trajectory of protein intake was identified, with 919 patients categorized into the low-level protein intake group, 1146 the medium-level group, and 126 the high-level group. The mean daily protein intake from the low-to high-level protein intake group during the first week of enrollment were 0.38 ± 0.14, 0.8 ± 0.18, and 1.68 ± 0.39 g/kg/d, respectively. Compared with the medium-level protein intake group, the low-level or high-level protein intake group was associated with significantly increased 28-day mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.348, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.067-1.704; HR = 2.291, 95% CI: 1.533-3.423, respectively). After controlling for potential confounders, the adjusted HRs were 1.365 (95% CI: 1.032-1.807) for the low-level group and 1.921 (95% CI: 1.274-2.896) for the high-level group. However, when taking energy intake into account, low-level protein intake was no longer related to mortality. In contrast, the detrimental effects of high-level protein intake remain tenable (Adjusted HR = 2.324, 95% CI: 1.524-3.543, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Low-level or high-level protein intake in the early phase of critical illness was associated with increased 28-day mortality than medium-level protein intake. However, when adjusted for energy intake, low-level protein intake in the early phase was no longer associated with increased 28-day mortality.

Association between caloric adequacy and short-term clinical outcomes in critically ill patients using a weight-based equation: Secondary analysis of a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Background: There is controversy over the optimal energy delivery in intensive care units (ICUs). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between different caloric adequacy assessed by a weight-based equation and short-term clinical outcomes in a cohort of critically ill patients. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a cluster-randomized controlled trial (N = 2,772). The energy requirement was estimated as 25 kcal/kg of body weight. The study subjects were divided into three groups according to their caloric adequacy as calculated by the mean energy delivered from days 3 to 7 of enrollment divided by the estimated energy requirements: (1) received < 70% of energy requirement (hypocaloric), (2) received 70-100% of energy requirement (normocaloric), and (3) received > 100% of energy requirement (hypercaloric). Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the association between caloric adequacy and 28-day mortality and time to discharge alive from the ICU. Results: A total of 1,694 patients were included. Compared with normocaloric feeding, hypocaloric feeding significantly increased the risk of 28-day mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.590, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.162-2.176, p = 0.004), while hypercaloric feeding did not. After controlling for potential confounders, the association remained valid (adjusted HR = 1.596, 95% CI: 1.150-2.215, p = 0.005). The caloric adequacy was not associated with time to discharge alive from the ICU in the unadjusted and the adjusted models. Conclusion: Energy delivery below 70% of the estimated energy requirement during days 3-7 of critical illness is associated with 28-day mortality. Clinical trial registration: [https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12233792], identifier [ISRCTN12233792].

Trajectories of Lymphocyte Counts in the Early Phase of Acute Pancreatitis Are Associated With Infected Pancreatic Necrosis.

INTRODUCTION: Infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is an important complication of acute pancreatitis (AP). Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) was reported to be associated with immunosuppression and the development of IPN. The aim of this study was to describe the trajectory of ALC during the early phase of AP and assess its association with IPN. METHODS: We retrospectively screened patients with AP admitted to our center between January 2016 and July 2019. The ALC levels for the first 7 days after admission were collected. Group-based trajectory modeling was performed to detect the trajectories. Cox proportional hazards regression model was adopted to identify potential risk factors of IPN. RESULTS: Overall, 292 patients were enrolled for analysis. A triple-group trajectory model was developed, assigning 116 patients to the low-level ALC group, 133 to the medium-level ALC group, and 43 to the high-level ALC group. There was no overall significant difference regarding the incidence of IPN among the 3 groups (P = 0.066). In pairwise comparison, patients in the low-level ALC group had significantly higher incidence of IPN than those in the high-level ALC group (hazard ratio: 3.50; 95% confidence interval: 1.22-10.00, P = 0.020). Length of hospital stay and intensive care unit stay differed significantly among patients with different trajectories (P = 0.042 and 0.033, respectively). DISCUSSION: Despite the fact that the trajectories of ALC is overall insignificant for the development of IPN, patients with persistent low ALC trajectories during the early phase of AP are more likely to develop IPN when compared with patients with high ALC trajectories.

Biomimetic dynamic membrane for aquatic dye removal.

This study utilized physical adsorption and filtration of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and laccases to fabricate biomimetic dynamic membrane (BDM) for the advanced treatment of dye wastewater. In BDM, the adsorption, enzymatic degradation and membrane separation demonstrated a synergism effect on pollutant removal. At first, the fabrication methods of BDM were investigated, and the mixed filtration for laccases and CNTs showed a better performance than the stepwise filtration. Furthermore, the operation parameters of BDM, including CNTs and laccase loading amounts, dye concentration, agitation speed and transmembrane pressure (TMP), were studied. Suitable CNTs and laccase amounts could reduce filtration resistance and increase catalysis efficiency, while moderate TMP and agitation speed were in favor of boosting the BDM structure for catalysis and permeability. Optimized operation parameters (CNT loading amount = 20 g m-2, laccase loading amount = 74.6 g m-2, agitation speed = 100 rpm, and TMP = 1.0 bar) sustained a high removal rate, and the flux was over 120 L m-2 h-1, even for 7 operation cycle' tests. BDM exhibited an excellent dye removal rate, stable flux and great antifouling capacity, on the ground that adsorption saturation and foulant may be alleviated "online and in-situ" by the enzymatic degradation. Afterwards, the bionic layer on BDM, after absorption saturation and catalyst deactivation, could be eliminated rapidly by carrying out a simple backwash cleaning operation, then a new one could be fabricated immediately. Therefore, BDM is a good candidate for functional membrane materials in future water treatment.

Thirty cases of obsession treated by point-stimulation and with small dose of chlorimipramine.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical therapeutic effects of point-stimulation for obsession. METHODS: Sixty cases of obsession were divided into two groups: a control group of 30 cases treated with chlorimipramine (Chl), and a treatment group of 30 cases treated by point-stimulation (PS) plus chlorimipramine (PS+Chl). The therapeutic effects and side-effect were evaluated according tb the criteria set in Yale-Brown Obsession Scale (Y-BOCS), Hamilton's depression scale (HAMD), brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) and treatment emergent symptom scale (TESS). RESULTS: The cure rate and markedly effective rate were respectively 26.7% and 56.6% in the control group, and 43.3% and 50% in the treatment group, suggesting that the therapeutic effect in the treatment group was better than that in the control group. The incidence of adverse side-effects was 73.33% in the control group and 46.67% in the treatment group, with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Point-stimulation plus small dose of chlorimipramine was superior to the simple chlorimipramine treatment, indicating that the combined method was more effective and safe for obsession with less side effects.

[Clinical study on treatment of obsessive compulsive neurosis by acupoint stimulating control].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical effect of acupoint stimulating control (ASC) in treating obsessive compulsive neurosis. METHODS: The comparative study was conducted in 65 patients with obsessive compulsive neurosis, they were divided into two groups, the 33 patients in the control group treated with chlorimipramine and the 32 in the tested group treated with ASC. The therapeutic efficacy and adverse reaction were assessed according to the standard for clinical efficacy evaluation by Yale-Brown scale for obsession (Y-BOCS)and adverse reaction scale. RESULTS: The curative rate and markedly effective rate in the control group was 24.2% (8/33) and 27.3% (19/33), which in the tested group was 37.5% (12/32) and 34.4% (11/32) respectively. Significant difference was shown in comparison of Y-BOCS score between the two groups from the end of the 4th week of treatment (P < 0.05), indicating the efficacy in the tested group was better than that in the control group. Moreover, the occurrence of adverse reaction was higher in the control group than that in the tested group. CONCLUSION: ASC is a treatment with good effect, less adverse reaction and favourable safety superior to the treatment by chlorimipramine.

Herbal medicine for hospitalized patients with severe depressive episode: a retrospective controlled study.

Herbal medicine is increasingly used in depressed patients. The purpose of this retrospective controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of herbal medicine treatment of severe depressive episode. A total of 146 severely depressed subjects were selected from patients who were admitted to the Department of Psychosomatics of Tongde Hospital at Hangzhou, China between 1st September 2009 and 30th November 2013. While all were medicated with psychotropic drugs, 78 received additional individualized herbal medicine. The severity of depressive symptoms was measured using 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-24) at admission and thereafter once weekly during hospital stay. The proportion of patients achieving clinical response and remission and incidence of adverse events were compared. The two groups had similar average length of hospital stay for approximately 28 days and were not different in the use of psychotropic medications. Survival analysis revealed that patients with herbal medicine had significantly higher chance of achieving clinical response [relative risk (RR)=2.179, P<0.001] and remission (RR=5.866, P<0.001) compared to those without herbal medicine. Patients with herbal medicine experienced remarkably fewer incidences of physical tiredness, headache, palpitation, dry mouth and constipation, but had a significantly higher incidence of digestive discomfort compared to patients without herbal medicine. These results indicate that additional treatment with individualized herbal medicine enhances antidepressant response and reduces certain side effects associated with psychotropic medications. Herbal medicine is an effective and relatively safe therapy for severe depressive episode (Trial Registration: ChiCTR-OCH-13003864).