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Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Sjögren's syndrome (SJS) and dry eye syndrome (DES) are characterized by ocular dryness from inadequate tear production or excessive evaporation. To evaluate the effectiveness of TBDESJS (Chun‐Yu‐Ching‐Hua‐Yin, CYCHY), a TCM tea bag, in treating SJS and DES patients compared with healthy controls (NHC). Materials and Methods: This phase II pilot study included 100 participants (60 SJS, 30 DES, 10 NHC) across 8 weeks, assessing changes in Schirmer's test, OSDI, ESSPRI, PSQI, FIRST, and artificial tear usage, using repeated measurement ANOVA and Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) for analysis. Results: Total 97 subjects completed the trial, for the left eye (OS) of Schirmer's test, significant improvements at 4, and 8 weeks were observed in SJS (0.13 ± 0.43–5.77 ± 2.87, and 7.60 ± 4.84 mm) and DES (0.21 ± 0.41–6.21 ± 2.97, and 7.86 ± 3.47 mm) (all p <.001). For the right eye (OD), significant improvements were observed in SJS (0.13 ± 0.39–6.77 ± 4.53, and 8.79 ± 5.92 mm) and DES (0.34 ± 0.55–6.59 ± 2.50, and 8.24 ± 3.42 mm) (all p <.001). Secondary outcomes showed reduced the dryness of ESSPRI scores in SJS (6.37 ± 1.97–5.57 ± 1.79, p <.001) and DES (6.10 ± 1.97–5.28 ± 2.23, p <.05). PSQI global scores improved significantly in all groups at 8 weeks (p <.05). Artificial tear usage decreased in SJS (4.93 ± 2.45–1.00 ± 0.82 times/day), DES (4.47 ± 1.99–0.66 ± 0.67 times/day) (all p <.001). No serious adverse events in this study. Conclusion: TBDESJS significantly improved tear production, ocular dryness, and sleep quality, indicating potential neural regulation, anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory benefits. These findings advocate for TBDESJS (Chun‐Yu‐Ching‐Hua‐Yin, CYCHY)'s comprehensive therapeutic value in SJS and DES treatment, emphasizing the need for further research to understand long‐term effects and mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Two analytical methods for the quantification of pyrrolizidine (PAs) and tropane alkaloids (TAs) in honey bee‐collected pollen, teas and herbal infusions have been in‐house validated using the UHPLC‐MS/MS technique. These methods showed good linearity, good accuracy and robustness. The methods have been applied to a preliminary investigation of forty‐seven pollen samples and thirty‐three packs of tea‐bags in light of Commission Regulations (EU) 2020/2040 and 2021/1408 regarding maximum limits of PAs and TAs in foodstuffs, respectively. About half of the pollen samples contained searched PAs but in concentrations significantly lower than the maximum limit established; two samples were contaminated with TAs. One third of teas or herbal infusions contained PAs or TAs, one sample exceeded the EU limits for PAs and one for TAs. Despite the final consumer's health does not seem threatened, these results recommend accurate analytical methods and broader investigations for PAs and TAs in foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intertidal wetlands capture and store carbon (C) for long periods of time, helping to reduce the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. Yet the processes, which govern the decomposition and subsequent long‐term storage of organic matter (OM) and C in these habitats, remain poorly understood. The Tea Bag Index (TBI) uses a standardized OM (green and Rooibos tea) and has the potential to shed light on OM decomposition across habitats, including saltmarshes. Here, we apply the TBI method at two saltmarshes within the same estuary with the aim of (i) reducing the influence of climatic variables and (ii) determining the role of the environment, including the soil characteristics, in the decomposition of OM. We extended the standard (3 months) incubation period over a full year in order to investigate the longer‐term decomposition processes at each site. The initial results partially support previous studies that the early stages of decomposition (leaching of the water‐soluble fraction) is governed by climatic conditions, but may be further enhanced by tidal flushing in saltmarshes. By extending the incubation period, we observed the initiation of midstage OM decomposition (cellulose degradation) upon which the soil characteristics appear to be the dominant control. These results highlight the importance of long‐term TBI incubations to understand early‐stage OM decomposition. The relationship between tea mass (OM) loss and C loss in these intertidal environments is not straightforward, and we would caution the use of the TBI as a direct universal proxy for soil C degradation in such intertidal wetlands. Plain Language Summary: Saltmarshes capture and lock organic matter (OM) and carbon (C) away in their underlying soils, preventing some of that C being released back to the atmosphere. Yet how this OM and C breaks down within these environments is poorly understood. The Tea Bag Index (TBI) uses standardized OM in the form of green and Rooibos tea to investigate decomposition. Burying the tea for different time periods allowed us to measure the mass and C loss to understand the breakdown of the material over time. Burying the tea bags in two different marshes within the same estuary allowed us to focus on the soil characteristics rather than climatic conditions. The yearlong incubations showed that the early breakdown of the OM is likely controlled by the climate and tidal flushing of the marshes, but that the second phase of decomposition is governed by the soil characteristics. The TBI is being used as a surrogate for the breakdown of soil C we tested, if mass loss of the tea relates to C degradation. The results suggest that the TBI is currently a poor proxy for C degradation in saltmarshes and that the TBI in these environments should be treated with caution. Key Points: Tea Bag Index (TBI) field incubation experiments should span a period of >1 year to ensure that all stages of early organic matter (OM) decomposition are observedSoil characteristics are a major control on long‐term OM decomposition in intertidal environmentsThe TBI should be used with caution in intertidal environments and is not a universal proxy for organic carbon (OC) degradation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Litter and soil organic matter decomposition represents one of the major drivers of carbon and nutrient cycling in a given ecosystem; however, it also contributes to a significant production of relevant greenhouse gasses. The Japanese archipelago spans several biomes (boreal‐temperate‐subtropical) and covers a large range of elevations and ecosystem types. Hence, the comprehension of this fundamental biogeochemical process in diverse ecosystems is crucial to maintain their ecosystem services. In this article, we have provided data on plant leaf decomposition from 33 research sites across Japan. At each site, standard litter material with different decomposition rates, rooibos tea and green tea were incubated for 90 days between 2012 and 2016 and the remaining mass was recorded. In total, 1904 bags were used. In addition, supplementary measurements of environmental variables essential for the interpretation of the collected data, such as soil and vegetation, were recorded. Plot‐level averages of the remaining mass rates of bag contents after incubation ranged 0.17–0.51 for green tea and 0.54–0.82 for rooibos tea. Continued monitoring will also provide important insights into the temporal dynamics of litter decomposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]