Methyl jasmonate advances fruit ripening, colour development, and improves antioxidant quality of 'Yoho' and 'Jiro' persimmon.

Methyl jasmonate (MJ) has potential to regulate fruit ripening and quality. 'Yoho' and 'Jiro' persimmons were sprayed with MJ (0, 2, 4, and 6 mM), four weeks before anticipated harvest to evaluate its effects on fruit colour and bioactive compounds. Preharvest MJ application significantly improved fruit colour with increased a*, b*, chroma, and colour index. The MJ 6 mM application had significantly enhanced soluble solids content (SSC), reduced total chlorophyll content in peel and pulp, and soluble and total tannins in persimmons. MJ treatments exhibited higher contents of total phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, and antioxidant activities. Additionally, MJ treatments enhanced the activities of shikimate dehydrogenase (SKDH), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes. Overall, pre-harvest MJ application at 6 mM four weeks before anticipated harvest could be useful for advancing colour and improving bioactive compounds in 'Yoho' and 'Jiro' persimmons.

Trends in maintaining postharvest freshness and quality of Rubus berries.

Blackberries and raspberries, commonly known as Rubus berries, are commercially grown worldwide across different climates. Rubus berries contain wide array of phytochemicals, vitamins, dietary fibers, minerals, and unsaturated fatty acids. Nevertheless, these berries have short storage life which is the major constraint in their supply chains leading to higher postharvest losses. Inappropriate harvest handling, physical bruising, insect pests, and postharvest diseases lower the acceptability of fruit among consumers and other supply chain stakeholders. Additionally, the susceptibility to microbial decay, fruit softening, higher ethylene production, respiratory activity, and increased oxidation of anthocyanins, phenolics, and flavonoids considerably affects the marketability of Rubus berries at domestic and international markets. To date, several postharvest strategies such as cold storage, precooling, modified and controlled atmospheres, anti-ripening chemicals, edible coatings, biological agents, and nonchemical alternatives (heat treatment, ultrasound, irradiations, ozone) have been reported to prolong storage life, ensure food safety, and maintain the nutritional quality of Rubus berries. This review briefly encompasses multiple aspects including harvest maturity indices, regulation of fruit ripening, pre and postharvest factors affecting fruit quality, and an update on postharvest quality preservation by employing postharvest technologies to extend the storage life and maintaining the bioactive compounds in Rubus berries which are lacking in the literature. Accordingly, this review provides valuable information to the industry stakeholders and scientists offering relevant solutions, limitations in the application of certain technologies at commercial scale, highlighting research gaps, and paving the way forward for future investigations.

Synthesis, Characterization, and DFT Calculations of a New Sulfamethoxazole Schiff Base and Its Metal Complexes.

A new Schiff base, 4-((1E,2E)-3-(furan-2-yl)allylidene)amino)-N-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl) benzene-sulfonamide (L), was synthesized by thermal condensation of 3-(2-furyl)acrolein and sulfamethoxazole (SMX), and the furan Schiff base (L) was converted to a phenol Schiff base (L') according to the Diels-Alder [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction and studied experimentally. The structural and spectroscopic properties of the Schiff base were also corroborated by utilizing density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Furthermore, a series of lanthanide and transition metal complexes of the Schiff base were synthesized from the nitrate salts of Gd, Sm, Nd, and Zn (L1, L2, L3, and L4), respectively. Various spectroscopic studies confirmed the chemical structures of the Schiff-base ligand and its complexes. Based on the spectral studies, a nine-coordinated geometry was assigned to the lanthanide complexes and a six-coordinated geometry to the zinc complex. The elemental analysis data confirmed the suggested structure of the metal complexes, and the TGA studies confirmed the presence of one coordinated water molecule in the lanthanide complexes and one crystalline water molecule in the zinc complex; in addition, the conductivity showed the neutral nature of the complexes. Therefore, it is suggested that the ligand acts as a bidentate through coordinates to each metal atom by the isoxazole nitrogen and oxygen atoms of the sulfur dioxide moiety of the SMX based on FTIR studies. The ligand and its complexes were tested for their anti-inflammatory, anti-hemolytic, and antioxidant activities by various colorimetric methods. These complexes were found to exhibit potential effects of the selected biological activities.

Insights into phytonutrient profile and postharvest quality management of jackfruit: A review.

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.), also known as 'vegetarian's meat', is an excellent source of carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and several phytochemicals. It is a climacteric fruit that exhibits an increase in ethylene biosynthesis and respiration rate during fruit ripening. The market value of jackfruit is reduced due to the deterioration of fruit quality during storage and transportation. There is a lack of standardized harvest maturity index in jackfruit, where consequently, fruit harvested at immature or overmature stages result in poor quality ripe fruit with short storage life. Other factors responsible for its short postharvest life relate to its highly perishable nature, chilling sensitivity and susceptibility to fruit rot which result in significant qualitative and quantitative losses. Various postharvest management techniques have been adopted to extend the storage life, including cold storage, controlled atmosphere storage, modified atmosphere packaging, edible coatings, chemical treatment, and non-chemical alternatives. Diversified products have been prepared from jackfruit to mitigate such losses. This comprehensive review highlights the nutritional profile, fruit ripening physiology, pre and postharvest quality management, and value addition of jackfruit as well as the way forward to reduce postharvest losses in the supply chain.

In Silico and Ex Vivo Analyses of the Inhibitory Action of the Alzheimer Drug Posiphen and Primary Metabolites with Human Acetyl- and Butyrylcholinesterase Enzymes.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. Ongoing research to develop AD treatments has characterized multiple drug targets including the cholinergic system, amyloid-ß peptide, phosphorylated tau, and neuroinflammation. These systems have the potential to interact to either drive or slow AD progression. Promising agents that simultaneously impact many of these drug targets are the AD experimental drug Posiphen and its enantiomer phenserine that, currently, are separately being evaluated in clinical trials. To define the cholinergic component of these agents, the anticholinesterase activities of a ligand dataset comprising Posiphen and primary metabolites ((+)-N1-norPosiphen, (+)-N8-norPosiphen, and (+)-N1,N8-bisnorPosiphen) were characterized and compared to those of the enantiomer phenserine. The "target" dataset involved the human cholinesterase enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Binding interactions between the ligands and targets were analyzed using Autodock 4.2. The computationally determined inhibitory action of these ligands was then compared to ex vivo laboratory-measured values versus human AChE and BChE. While Posiphen lacked AChE inhibitory action, its major and minor metabolites (+)-N1-norPosiphen and (+)-N1,N8-bisnorPosiphen, respectively, possessed modest AChE inhibitory activity, and Posiphen and all metabolites lacked BChE action. Phenserine, as a positive control, demonstrated AChE-selective inhibitory action. In light of AChE inhibitory action deriving from a major and minor Posiphen metabolite, current Posiphen clinical trials in AD and related disorders should additionally evaluate AChE inhibition; particularly if Posiphen should be combined with a known anticholinesterase, since this drug class is clinically approved and the standard of care for AD subjects, and excessive AChE inhibition may impact drug tolerability.

Sustainable application of Cassia obovata-based chrysophanic acid as potential source of yellow natural colorant for textile dyeing.

In the current pandemic scenario, sustainable green products particularly antiviral, antioxidant, and antibacterial in nature are gaining worldwide fame in almost every walk of life. Cassia obovata (C. obovata) has been valorized as a source of yellow natural dye for nylon dyeing. For the isolation of dye extracts and for surface tuning, nylon fabrics were treated with microwave rays up to 10 min. For getting new shades with good to excellent fastness characteristics, sustainable bio-mordants in comparison with chemical mordants have been used at 60 °C, 70 °C, and 80°C. It has been found that for getting effective colorant yield, acidic extract should be exposed to MW ray treatment up to 6 min, and for getting improved fastness rating, bio-mordants have given excellent color characteristics. Statistical optimization of dyeing variable shows that application of 40 mL of C. obovata acidic extract of RE of 6 pH containing 3 g/100 mL of salt when employed at 55 °C for 45 min has given excellent results onto irradiated nylon fabric (RNF). It is inferred that Cassia obovata has an excellent potential for coloration of surface-modified fabrics, where the application of low amount of bio-mordants under statistical optimized conditions has made process more ecological, economical, and sustainable.

Postharvest Aloe vera gel coating application maintains the quality of harvested green chilies during cold storage.

The effect of Aloe vera (ALV) coating was studied on chillies at 10 ± 1°C for 28 days. ALV gel-coated chillies showed reduced weight loss, disease incidence, red chili percentage, respiration rate, electrolyte leakage, hydrogen peroxide, and superoxide anion contents. The ALV coating maintained general acceptance in terms of visual quality and marketability index with higher chlorophyll contents, ascorbic acid contents, total phenolic contents, and total antioxidants. In addition, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase activities were markedly higher in coated chillies compared to control. The biochemical attributes such as soluble solids content, acidity, sugar: acid ratio, and juice pH were non-significantly affected by ALV application; however, the said attributes were comparatively higher in contrast to control. In conclusion, ALV edible coating could be used as an eco-friendly approach for delaying senescence and maintaining the postharvest quality of green chillies up to 28 days. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Green chilies being highly perishable exhibit limited postharvest life with rapid loss of water, shrivelling, wilting, disease incidence, and reduced consumer acceptability. ALV gel coating significantly delayed postharvest senescence, reduced disease spread, maintained higher antioxidant activities of green chilies during cold storage. Therefore, ALV coating [50%] would be the suitable alternative to synthetic preservatives for extending the storage life and conserving the quality of green chilies.

Potential of Aloe vera gel coating for storage life extension and quality conservation of fruits and vegetables: An overview.

Aloe vera (ALV) with its unique nutritional profile is being used for food, health, and nutraceutical industries globally. Due to its organic nature, ALV gel coating has created lot of interest for exploring its potential in extending the shelf and storage life of fresh produce. ALV gel coating plays imperative role in delaying fruit ripening by lowering ethylene biosynthesis, respiration rate, and internal metabolic activities associated with fruit softening, color development, enzymatic browning, and decay. ALV gel coating reduces the microbial spoilage due to its antifungal properties and maintains visual appearance, firmness, sugar: acid ratio, total antioxidants, and phenolic contents with conserved eating quality. ALV coated fruits and vegetables showed reduced weight loss, superoxide ion ( O2-∙ ), hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ), ion leakage, and soluble solids content and exhibited higher acidity, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities. It also delayed the enzymatic browning by inducing peroxidase (POD) activity during storage. Recent local studies also revealed that ALV gel coating markedly conserved higher consuming quality and extended storage period (>1.34-fold) of different fruits and vegetables. Overall, Aloe vera gel coating alone or in combination with other organic compounds has shown great potential as a food-safe and eco-friendly coating for maintaining the quality of fruits and vegetables over extended period and reducing postharvest losses in the supply chain. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: ALV gel is a plant-based natural coating of eco-friendly nature. The present review summarizes the updated information of ALV gel coating application, methods of extraction, combinations with other postharvest coatings, and its impact on quality of various fruits and vegetables. It also provides future insights for the development of commercially applicable ALV gel coating protocols through simulation studies. So, being a natural coating, ALV gel has tremendous potential to be used in fruit and vegetable industries around the globe.

Effect of gum arabic coating on antioxidative enzyme activities and quality of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) fruit during ambient storage.

The effect of gum arabic (GA) coating was studied on apricot fruit at 20 ± 1°C for 8 days. GA coating substantially reduced weight loss, disease incidence, malondialdehyde concentration, and hydrogen peroxide compared to the control. GA coating resulted in significantly higher total phenols, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant activity in contrast to the control. GA coating also suppressed cellulase, pectin methylesterase, and polygalacturonase activity in contrast to the non-coated fruit. In addition, GA-coated apricot fruit had substantially higher catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase enzymes activities in contrast with the control. Similarly, GA coating inhibited soluble solids content increase and inhibited the reduction in titratable acidity in coated fruit. The fruit coated with GA coating also had significantly better sensory and overall eating quality compared to the control apricots. In conclusion, GA could be considered an appropriate edible coating for quality conservation of apricots. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Apricot is a well renowned and nutrients rich fruit. However, apricot has comparatively short shelf life potential due to its susceptibility to rapid senescence and deterioration under ambient conditions. GA is an eco-friendly and biodegradable coating which is considered relatively cheap as compared with other coating types. In our present work, application of gum arabic [GA (10%)] edible coating maintained significantly higher quality of harvested apricot fruit as compared with the control. The outcomes of the present work are of global significance with respect to apricot industry. So, GA coating could be considered an appropriate edible coating for quality conservation of the harvested apricot fruit.

E-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury, (EVALI) - A diagnosis of exclusion.

Inhalation of aerosolized products generated by different electronic devices is called vaping. E-cigarettes or Vaping product use Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) outbreak peaked in August-September 2019 and gradually declined. EVALI remains a diagnosis of exclusion which presents as an acute lung injury in the vaping population. Vitamin E acetate and its products are implicated as one of the cytotoxic agents causing airway centered pneumonitis. Lipid laden macrophages are found in samples of BAL fluid but their role in cytopathology of the disease remains unclear. We present a 57 years old man who came to the emergency department at Monmouth Medical Center, New Jersey in fall, 2019. Reportedly he has been vaping THC about 100g every day for past three days. At initial presentation, he had fever, shortness of breath and hypoxia requiring supplemental oxygen. He was empirically treated with levofloxacin 500 mg for five days without a significant improvement in his symptoms. Non-contrast chest CT scan showed bilateral ground-glass opacities, indicative of diffuse alveolar damage. He underwent flexible bronchoscopy to rule out infective pneumonia followed by auto-immune work-up that was non-conclusive. He was given 1 mg/kg methylprednisolone with a quick taper of oral steroids leading to the resolution of symptoms. At six months follow-up, imaging showed near resolution of ground-glass opacities.

Transparent CoAP Services to IoT Endpoints through ICN Operator Networks.

The Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP) is a specialized web transfer protocol which is intended to be used for constrained networks and devices. CoAP and its extensions (e.g., CoAP observe and group communication) provide the potential for developing novel applications in the Internet-of-Things (IoT). However, a full-fledged CoAP-based application may require significant computing capability, power, and storage capacity in IoT devices. To address these challenges, we present the design, implementation, and experimentation with the CoAP handler which provides transparent CoAP services through the ICN core network. In addition, we demonstrate how the CoAP traffic over an ICN network can unleash the full potential of the CoAP, shifting both overhead and complexity from the (constrained) endpoints to the ICN network. The experiments prove that the CoAP Handler helps to decrease the required computation complexity, communication overhead, and state management of the CoAP server.

Norepinephrine control of ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus glucoregulatory neurotransmitter expression in the female rat: Role of monocarboxylate transporter function.

The ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMN) is a critical component of the neural circuitry that regulates glucostasis. Astrocyte glycogen is a vital reserve of glucose and its oxidizable metabolite L-lactate. In hypoglycemic female rats, estradiol-dependent augmentation of VMN glycogen phosphorylase (GP) protein requires hindbrain catecholamine input. Research here investigated the premise that norepinephrine (NE) regulation of VMN astrocyte metabolism shapes local glucoregulatory neurotransmitter signaling in this sex. Estradiol-implanted ovariectomized rats were pretreated by intra-VMN administration of the monocarboxylate transporter inhibitor alpha-cyano-4-hydroxy-cinnamic acid (4CIN) or vehicle before NE delivery to that site. NE caused 4CIN-reversible reduction or augmentation of VMN glycogen synthase and phosphorylase expression. 4CIN prevented NE stimulation of gluco-inhibitory (glutamate decarboxylase65/67) and suppression of gluco-stimulatory (neuronal nitric oxide synthase) neuron marker proteins. These outcomes imply that effects of noradrenergic stimulation of VMN astrocyte glycogen depletion on glucoregulatory transmitter signaling may be mediated, in part, by glycogen-derived substrate fuel provision. NE control of astrocyte glycogen metabolism may involve down-regulated adrenoreceptor (AR), e.g. alpha1 and alpha2, alongside amplified beta1 AR and estrogen receptor-beta signaling. Noradrenergic hypoglycemia was refractory to 4CIN, implying that additional NE-sensitive VMN glucoregulatory neurochemicals may be insensitive to monocarboxylate uptake. Augmentation of circulating free fatty acids by combinatory NE and 4CIN, but not NE alone implies that acute hypoglycemia induced here is an insufficient stimulus for mobilization of these fuels, but is adequate when paired with diminished brain monocarboxylate fuel availability.

Sex differences in forebrain estrogen receptor regulation of hypoglycemic patterns of counter-regulatory hormone secretion and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus glucoregulatory neurotransmitter and astrocyte glycogen metabolic enzyme expression.

The female ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMN) is a focal substrate for estradiol (E) regulation of energy balance, feeding, and body weight, but how E shapes VMN gluco-regulatory signaling in each sex is unclear. This study investigated the hypothesis that estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) and/or -beta (ERß) control VMN signals that inhibit [γ-aminobutyric acid] or stimulate [nitric oxide, steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1)] counter-regulation in a sex-dependent manner. VMN nitrergic neurons monitor astrocyte fuel provision; here, we examined how these ER regulate astrocyte glycogen metabolic enzyme, monocarboxylate transporter, and adrenoreceptor protein responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia (IIH) in each sex. Testes-intact male and E-replaced ovariectomized female rats were pretreated by intracerebroventricular ERα antagonist (MPP) or ERß antagonist (PHTPP) administration before IIH. Data implicate both ER in hypoglycemic inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase protein in each sex and up-regulation of glutamate decarboxylase65/67 and SF-1 expression in females. ERα and -ß enhance astrocyte AMPK and glycogen synthase expression and inhibit glycogen phosphorylase in hypoglycemic females, while ERß suppresses the same proteins in males. Differential VMN astrocyte protein responses to IIH may partially reflect ERα and -ß augmentation of ERß and down-regulation of alpha1, alpha2, and beta1 adrenoreceptor proteins in females, versus ERß repression of GPER and alpha2 adrenoreceptor profiles in males. MPP or PHTPP pretreatment blunted counter-regulatory hormone secretion in hypoglycemic males only, suggesting that in males one or more VMN neurotransmitters exhibiting sensitivity to forebrain ER may passively regulate this endocrine outflow, whereas female forebrain ERα and -ß are apparently uninvolved in these contra-regulatory responses.

Outcomes of Multi-Trauma Road Traffic Crashes at a Tertiary Hospital in Oman: Does attendance by trauma surgeons versus non-trauma surgeons make a difference?

OBJECTIVES: Trauma surgeons are essential in hospital-based trauma care systems. However, there are limited data regarding the impact of their presence on the outcome of multi-trauma patients. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of multi-trauma road traffic crash (RTC) cases attended by trauma surgeons versus those attended by non-trauma surgeons at a tertiary hospital in Oman. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in December 2015. A previously published cohort of 821 multi-trauma RTC patients admitted between January and December 2011 to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, were reviewed for demographic, injury and hospitalisation data. In-hospital mortality constituted the main outcome, with admission to the intensive care unit, operative management, intubation and length of stay constituting secondary outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 821 multi-trauma RTC cases were identified; of these, 60 (7.3%) were attended by trauma surgeons. There was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups (P = 0.35). However, patients attended by trauma surgeons were significantly more likely to be intubated, admitted to the ICU and undergo operative interventions (P <0.01 each). The average length of hospital stay in both groups was similar (2.6 versus 2.8 days; P = 0.81). CONCLUSION: No difference in mortality was observed between multi-trauma RTC patients attended by trauma surgeons in comparison to those cared for by non-trauma surgeons at a tertiary centre in Oman.

Serum leptin levels in obese Indian children relation to clinical and biochemical parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate serum leptin levels in obese Indian children and its correlation to anthropometric and biochemical parameters. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Referral tertiary hospital. METHODOLOGY: Leptin levels were measured in 36 children (26 boys, age 1.5 to 15 years) and 37 adults (21 men, age 25 to 69 years) with obesity and 29 normal weight controls (15 children and 14 adults). RESULTS: Leptin levels were higher than controls in obese children (19.4 +/- 6.4 ng/mL against 5.4 +/- 1.7 ng/mL, p = 0.0001) and obese adults (18.9 +/- 6.4 ng/mL against 7.8 +/- 5.6 ng/mL, p = 0.0001). Leptin levels were higher than males in obese girls (23.5 +/- 1.7 ng/mL against 18.0 +/-7.6 ng/mL, p = 0.040) and women (21.3 +/- 4.4 ng/mL against 15.8 +/- 7.4 ng/mL). Leptin levels correlated with body mass index, waist circumference and waist to-hip ratio. A positive correlation was observed between serum leptin and cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol. No correlation was seen with fasting blood glucose and HDL-cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: Leptin levels correlate significantly with anthropometric and laboratory parameters in obese children. There is a need for further studies on the role of leptin in childhood obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Corneal-wetting property of lignocaine 2% jelly.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the corneal-wetting property of lignocaine 2% jelly. SETTING: A district general hospital. METHODS: Fifty patients having cataract surgery were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 comprised 20 patients who had topical eyedrop anesthesia and corneal irrigation with balanced salt solution (BSS(R)) during surgery as necessary. Group 2 comprised 15 patients who received lignocaine jelly on arrival and just before the corneal incision was made as well as corneal moisturizing by BSS during surgery. Group 3 comprised 15 patients who received lignocaine jelly on arrival and additional lignocaine jelly if necessary just before the corneal incision was made to maintain corneal clarity. The duration of efficacy and the frequency of the applications of the 2 agents were recorded. Corneal clarity and reflections were noted intraoperatively. Corneal status was assessed postoperatively in the ward. RESULTS: Preoperative lignocaine 2% jelly maintained corneal clarity longer than BSS (P <.001). A second application of lignocaine was needed when surgery was prolonged. CONCLUSIONS: The corneal-wetting property of lignocaine 2% jelly can be useful during cataract surgery by avoiding repeated corneal irrigation with BSS.