Influence of ripening stage on the microwave-assisted pectin extraction from banana peels: A feasibility study targeting both the Homogalacturonan and Rhamnogalacturonan-I region.

This work investigated a sustainable and efficient approach of pectin extraction for banana peel waste valorisation and studied the influence of banana ripening stages (RS at 2,5 and 7). Although pectin content in banana peel raw material decreased during ripening, pectin extraction was favoured. The highest alcohol-insoluble solids (AIS) yield (12.5%) was achieved at 70 °C, 15 mins from RS 7 peel. All extracts were homogalacturan-rich with some rhamnogalacturonan-I content (showing HGA/RG-I ratio > 2) with varied degree of methylation (DM). The highest HGA content (837.2 mg/g AIS) and HGA/RG-I ratio (9.9) were achieved at 110 °C, 0 mins from RS 7, suggesting its promising application as gelling agent. The highest RG-I content (111.1 mg/g AIS) were obtained at 110 °C, 5 mins from RS 7, which was comparable with the pectin with reported prebiotic ability isolated from the literature, suggesting its potential application in novel products.

Factors influencing conjugated linoleic acid content of dairy products: challenges and strategies.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a bioactive fatty acid that provides various physiological benefits, has gained increasing attention in the food industry, and various studies have focused on enhancing its content in dairy products. The factors influencing CLA content in dairy products vary significantly, including lactation stage, breed type, seasonality, feed, management methods of the animals, the manufacturing processes, storage, and ripening periods of the product. Additionally, the incorporation of CLA-producing probiotic bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Bifidobacterium, and Propionibacterium, is an emerging study in this field. Studies have revealed that factors affecting the CLA content in milk affect that in dairy products as well. Furthermore, the species and strains of CLA-producing bacteria, fermentation conditions, ripening period, and type of dairy product are also contributing factors. However, production of CLA-enhanced dairy products using CLA-producing bacteria while maintaining their optimal viability and maximizing exposure to free linoleic acid remains limited. The current review emphasized the factors affecting the CLA content and related mechanisms, challenges in the application of CLA-producing probiotic bacteria, and strategies to address these challenges and enhance CLA production in dairy products. Therefore, the development of functional dairy products with enhanced CLA levels is expected to be possible.

Women's Experiences of Mechanical Balloon Catheter Induction With Self-Traction.

OBJECTIVE: To explore women's experiences of mechanical labor induction using a balloon catheter with self-traction. DESIGN: Descriptive qualitative. SETTING: Birth unit of an urban hospital in Quebec, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen women who experienced labor induction with a balloon catheter using self-traction. METHODS: We conducted individual structured interviews between May 2022 and January 2023 to collect data that we subsequently analyzed using the manifest content analysis approach of Graneheim et al. We adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). RESULTS: We identified five categories: Expectations, Pain or Comfort Experienced, Emotions Felt, Support From Nursing Staff, and Appreciation of the Procedure. The participants anticipated rapid, effective induction, expressed concerns about potential discomfort, and appreciated control of their experiences. We found a generally positive trend in terms of appreciation for all categories. CONCLUSION: The positive experiences of participants underline the promising potential of the balloon catheter method of labor induction with self-traction. Given the continuing growth in labor induction rates, it becomes necessary to continue efforts to offer services specifically geared to women's needs. Offering an additional option such as self-traction is a step in this direction.

Impact of Cytochrome P450 Enzyme on Fruit Quality.

Cytochrome P450 enzymes are monooxygenases widely diffused in nature ranging from viruses to man. They can catalyze a very wide range of reactions, including the ketonization of C-H bonds, N/O/S-dealkylation, C-C bond cleavage, N/S-oxidation, hydroxylation, and the epoxidation of C=C bonds. Their versatility makes them valuable across various fields such as medicine, chemistry, and food processing. In this review, we aim to highlight the significant contribution of P450 enzymes to fruit quality, with a specific focus on the ripening process, particularly in grapevines. Grapevines are of particular interest due to their economic importance in the fruit industry and their significance in winemaking. Understanding the role of P450 enzymes in grapevine fruit ripening can provide insights into enhancing grape quality, flavor, and aroma, which are critical factors in determining the market value of grapes and derived products like wine. Moreover, the potential of P450 enzymes extends beyond fruit ripening. They represent promising candidates for engineering crop species that are resilient to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Their involvement in metabolic engineering offers opportunities for enhancing fruit quality attributes, such as taste, nutritional content, and shelf life. Harnessing the capabilities of P450 enzymes in crop improvement holds immense promise for sustainable agriculture and food security.

Spraying with encapsulated nitric oxide donor reduces weight loss and oxidative damage in papaya fruit.

The combination of nitric oxide (NO) donors with nanomaterials has emerged as a promising approach to reduce postharvest losses. The encapsulation of NO donors provides protection from rapid degradation and controlled release, enhancing the NO effectiveness in postharvest treatments. Moreover, the application method can also influence postharvest responses. In this study, two application methods were evaluated, spraying and immersion, using S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO, a NO donor) in free and encapsulated forms on papaya fruit. Our hypothesis was that GSNO encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles would outperform the free form in delaying fruit senescence. In addition, this study marks the pioneering characterization of chitosan nanoparticles containing GSNO within the framework of a postharvest investigation. Overall, our findings indicate that applying encapsulated GSNO (GSNO-NP-S) through spraying preserves the quality of papaya fruit during storage. This method not only minimizes weight loss, ethylene production, and softening, but also stimulates antioxidant responses, thereby mitigating oxidative damage. Consequently, it stands out as the promising technique for delaying papaya fruit senescence. This innovative approach holds the potential to enhance postharvest practices and advance sustainable agriculture.

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.

Alpha-expansins: more than three decades of wall creep and loosening in fruits.

Expansins are proteins without catalytic activity, but able to break hydrogen bonds between cell wall polysaccharides hemicellulose and cellulose. This proteins were reported for the first time in 1992, describing cell wall extension in cucumber hypocotyls caused particularly by alpha-expansins. Although these proteins have GH45 and CBM63 domains, characteristic of enzymes related with the cleavage of cell wall polysaccharides, demonstrating in vitro that they extend plant cell wall. Its participation has been associated to molecular processes such as development and growing, fruit ripening and softening, tolerance and resistance to biotic and abiotic stress and seed germination. Structural insights, facilitated by bioinformatics approaches, are highlighted, shedding light on the intricate interactions between alpha-expansins and cell wall polysaccharides. After more than thirty years of its discovery, we want to celebrate the knowledge of alpha-expansins and emphasize their importance to understand the phenomena of disassembly and loosening of the cell wall, specifically in the fruit ripening phenomena, with this state-of-the-art dedicated to them.

Ripening and rot: How ripening processes influence disease susceptibility in fleshy fruits.

Fleshy fruits become more susceptible to pathogen infection when they ripen; for example, changes in cell wall properties related to softening make it easier for pathogens to infect fruits. The need for high-quality fruit has driven extensive research on improving pathogen resistance in important fruit crops such as tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). In this review, we summarize current progress in understanding how changes in fruit properties during ripening affect infection by pathogens. These changes affect physical barriers that limit pathogen entry, such as the fruit epidermis and its cuticle, along with other defenses that limit pathogen growth, such as preformed and induced defense compounds. The plant immune system also protects ripening fruit by recognizing pathogens and initiating defense responses involving reactive oxygen species production, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascades, and jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, ethylene, and abscisic acid signaling. These phytohormones regulate an intricate web of transcription factors (TFs) that activate resistance mechanisms, including the expression of pathogenesis-related genes. In tomato, ripening regulators, such as RIPENING INHIBITOR and NON_RIPENING, not only regulate ripening but also influence fruit defenses against pathogens. Moreover, members of the ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (ERF) family play pivotal and distinct roles in ripening and defense, with different members being regulated by different phytohormones. We also discuss the interaction of ripening-related and defense-related TFs with the Mediator transcription complex. As the ripening processes in climacteric and non-climacteric fruits share many similarities, these processes have broad applications across fruiting crops. Further research on the individual contributions of ERFs and other TFs will inform efforts to diminish disease susceptibility in ripe fruit, satisfy the growing demand for high-quality fruit and decrease food waste and related economic losses.

Double Balloon Combined with Oxytocin in Labor Induction: Analysis of Multivariate Factors Affecting the Efficacy of Cervical Ripening.

Objective: Labor induction during the late trimester of pregnancy is a common option of terminating pregnancy by inducing uterine contractions through medication or cervical mechanical dilation. However, there are few researches on the factors influencing the effectiveness of cervical ripening balloon combined with oxytocin in inducing labor. To explore factors affecting the efficacy of cervical ripening double balloon combined with oxytocin in labor induction. Methods: Using a convenient sampling method, this study retrospectively collected the clinical data of 230 pregnant women who underwent cervical ripening double balloon combined with oxytocin for labor induction in our hospital from September 2021 to August 2022. The included subjects were divided into a vaginal delivery group (n = 180) and a cesarean section group (n = 50) based on the delivery mode for comparing relevant indicators between the two groups. Results: The presence of acute chorioamnionitis (OR = 1.456, 95% CI: 1.257-2.112), fetal distress (OR = 1.371, 95% CI: 1.331-2.633), and the placement of cervical ripening balloon catheter for >12h (OR = 1.563, 95% CI: 1.231-3.263) were risk factors for successful application of cervical ripening double balloon combined with oxytocin for labor induction in pregnant women; while multi-gravidity (OR = 0.736, 95% CI: 0.455-0.875) was a protective factor. In addition, evaluation of the predictive value revealed that acute chorioamnionitis, fetal distress, the placement of cervical ripening balloon catheter for >12h, and gravidity all had certain predictive value for the failure of cervical ripening double balloon combined with oxytocin for labor induction, with the highest predictive value found through joint predictive (AUC: 0.931, 95% CI: 0.714-0.811). Conclusion: Cervical ripening double balloon combined with oxytocin for labor induction may have a high success rate in multigravida. Acute chorioamnionitis, fetal distress, and prolonged placement of the balloon may have a negative impact on the success rate of cervical ripening double balloon combined with oxytocin for labor induction.

Impact of dinoprostone versus cook cervical ripening balloon on induction in pregnancies complicated by small-for-gestational-age fetuses at term.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the complications and pregnancy outcomes of vaginal dinoprostone vs. Cook's double balloon for the induction of labor among pregnancies complicated by small-for-gestational-age (SGA) at term. METHODS: This retrospective study included consecutive singleton pregnancies complicated by SGA treated at Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital between January 2017 and December 2021. The patients were divided into the Cook's double balloon and dinoprostone groups according to the induction method they received. The primary outcome was vaginal delivery. RESULTS: This study included 318 women [165 (aged 30.25 ± 4.72 years) and 153 (aged 28.80 ± 3.91 years) in the dinoprostone and Cook's balloon groups]. The dinoprostone group had a higher vaginal delivery rate than the Cook's balloon group (83.6% vs. 71.9%, p = .012). The cervical ripening duration (9.73 ± 4.82 vs. 17.50 ± 8.77 h, p < .001) and induction to delivery duration (22.11 ± 8.13 vs. 30.27 ± 12.28, p < .001) were significantly shorter in the dinoprostone group compared with the Cook's balloon group. Less women needed oxytocin infusion in the dinoprostone group compared with that in the Cook's balloon group (32.7% vs. 86.3%, p < .001). Dinoprostone was independently associated with vaginal delivery (HR = 1.756, 95%CI: 1.286-2.399, p = .000). The rates of uterine tachysystole and spontaneous rupture of the fetal membrane were significantly higher in the dinoprostone group than that in the Cook's balloon group (10.3% vs. 0.7%, p < .001; 7.3% vs. 1.3%, p = .012). There were no differences in maternal complications and neonatal outcomes between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In pregnant woman with pregnancies complicated by SGA, cervical ripening using dinoprostone were more likely to achieve vaginal delivery than those with Cook's balloon, and with a favorable complication profile.

Epigenetic insights into an epimutant colorless non-ripening: from fruit ripening to stress responses.

The epigenetic machinery has received extensive attention due to its involvement in plant growth, development, and adaptation to environmental changes. Recent studies often highlight the epigenetic regulatory network by discussing various epigenetic mutants across various plant species. However, a systemic understanding of essential epigenetic regulatory mechanisms remains limited due to a lack of representative mutants involved in multiple biological processes. Colorless Non-ripening (Cnr), a spontaneous epimutant isolated from a commercial population, was initially characterized for its role in fruit ripening regulation. Cnr fruits exhibit an immature phenotype with yellow skin, attributed to hypermethylation of the SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE-CNR (SlSPL-CNR) promoter, resulting in the repression of gene expression. In addition to DNA methylation, this process also involves histone modification and microRNA, integrating multiple epigenetic regulatory factors. Interestingly, knockout mutants of SlSPL-CNR display phenotypical distinctions from Cnr in fruit ripening, indicating complex genetic and epigenetic control over the non-ripening phenotype in Cnr fruits. Accumulating evidence suggests that Cnr epimutation is pleiotropic, participating in various biological processes such as Cd stress, Fe deficiency, vivipary, and cell death. Therefore, the Cnr epimutant serve as an excellent model for unveiling how epigenetic mechanisms are involved in diverse biological processes. This review paper focuses on recent research advances regarding the Cnr epimutant, delving into its complex genetic and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms, with the aim of enhancing our understanding and facilitating the development of high-quality, high-yield crops through epigenetic modification.

Postharvest quality and ripening behaviour of un-explored genotypes of Himalayan plain mango diversity.

India is renowned for its mango diversity, with more than 1000 genotypes reported. However, the Himalayan plains bear some elite genotypes which supposed to bear high postharvest value, the systemic postharvest study of which is yet to be attempted. The aim of present study is to evaluate the postharvest quality and ripening behviour of these important genotypes. Thus, 15 un-explored mango genotypes of this region were selected and evaluated for ripening behaviour and detailed postharvest profiling via internal (total phenolic and total flavonoid content), nutritional attributes (Brix: acid ratio, total carotenoid concentration, ascorbic acid content and antioxidant activity), sensory evaluation, fruit softening enzymes (polygalactouronase, pectin methylesterase and lipoxygenase), shelf life attributes (respiration rate, physiological loss in weight and storage life in days) external attributes (fruit weight, fruit firmness, peel thickness, fruit shape and dry seed weight) and mineral contents (Calcium, potassium and phosphorous) under ambient storage (25 ± 4 °C and 65 ± 5 % RH). The results revealed that the highest total flavonoid content (682.40 µg g-1), ascorbic acid (46.88 mg 100 g-1) and antioxidant activity (4.84 µmol TE g-1) exhibited by 'Sukul'. The total phenolic content was recorded as the highest in 'Safed Malda' (510.42 µg GAE g-1 FW), and total carotenoid concentration was recorded as the highest in 'Sipiya' (7.30 mg 100 g-1) 'Zardalu' (7.04 mg 100 g-1) and 'Mithua' (6.98 mg 100 g-1). Interestingly, genotypes such as 'Sukul', Sipiya' and 'Krishna Bhog 'exhibited a 4-5 days higher storage life than other selected genotypes. Screened genotypes exhibited a high diversity of nutritional and biochemical contents. The results of this study bear practical utility for research (quality improvement programme) and the processing industry.

Dynamic m6A mRNA methylation reveals the involvement of AcALKBH10 in ripening-related quality regulation in kiwifruit.

Kiwifruit ripening is a complex and highly coordinated process that occurs in conjunction with the formation of fruit edible quality. The significance of epigenetic changes, particularly the impact of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification on fruit ripening and quality formation, has been largely overlooked. We monitored m6A levels and gene expression changes in kiwifruit at four different stages using LC-MS/MS, MeRIP, RNA-seq, and validated the function of AcALKBH10 through heterologous transgenic expression in tomato. Notable m6A modifications occurred predominantly at the stop codons and the 3' UTRs and exhibited a gradual reduction in m6A levels during the fruit ripening process. Moreover, these m6A modifications in the aforementioned sites demonstrated a discernible inverse relationship with the levels of mRNA abundance throughout the ripening process, suggesting a repression effect of m6A modification in the modulation of kiwifruit ripening. We further demonstrated that AcALKBH10 rather than AcECT9 predominantly regulates m6A levels in ripening-related genes, thereby exerting the regulatory control over the ripening process and the accumulation of soluble sugars and organic acids, ultimately influencing fruit ripening and quality formation. In conclusion, our findings illuminate the epi-regulatory mechanism involving m6A in kiwifruit ripening, offering a fresh perspective for cultivating high-quality kiwifruit with enhanced nutritional attributes.

Room-Temperature Ripening Enabled by Hygroscopic Salts for Hole-conductor-free Printable Perovskite Solar Cells with Efficiency Over 20.

Solution-processed perovskite films generally possess small grain sizes and high density of grain boundaries, which intensify non-radiative recombination of carriers and limits the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of solar cells. In this study, we report the room-temperature ripening enabled by the synergy of hygroscopic salts and moisture in air for efficient hole-conductor-free printable mesoscopic perovskite solar cells (p-MPSCs). Treating perovskite films with proper hygroscopic salts in damp air induces obvious secondary recrystallization, which coarsens the grains size from hundreds of nanometers to several micrometers. It's proposed that the hygroscopic salt at grain boundaries could absorb moisture and form a complex which could not only serve as mass transfer channel but also assist in the dissolution of perovskite grains. This activates mass transfer between small grains and large grains since they possess different solubilities, and thus ripens the perovskite film. Consequently, p-MPSCs treated with the hygroscopic salt of NH4SCN show an improved power conversion efficiency of 20.13% from 17.94%, and maintain >98% of the initial efficiency under maximum power point tracking at 55±5°C for 350 hours.

Cervical ripening with vaginal Misoprostol plus Hyoscine-N-Butylbromide versus vaginal Misoprostol alone among pregnant women: a double-blind randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To compare cervical ripening time with the use of vaginal Misoprostol plus Hyoscine-N-Butylbromide, with vaginal Misoprostol alone. Design: A double-blind randomized controlled trial with Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR) approval number PACTR202112821475292. Setting: Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Nigeria. Participants: A total of 126 eligible antenatal patients for cervical ripening were enrolled. Interventions: Participants in Group A had 25µg of vaginal misoprostol with 1ml of intramuscular placebo, and those in Group B had 25µg of vaginal misoprostol with 20mg of Intramuscular Hyoscine (1 ml). Oxytocin infusion was used when indicated, and the labour was supervised as per departmental protocol. Main outcome measure: Cervical ripening time. Results: The mean cervical ripening time was statistically significantly shorter in the hyoscine group (8.48±4.36 hours) than in the placebo group (11.40±7.33 hours); p-value 0.02, 95% CI 0.80-5.05. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean induction-delivery interval in Group A (7.38±5.28 hours) compared to Group B (7.75±5.04 hours), with a value of 0.54. The mode of delivery was comparable. However, women in Group B (53, 84.1%) achieved more vaginal deliveries than women in Group A (50, 79.4%); p-value 0.49. Thirteen women in Group A (20.6%) had a caesarean section, while ten women (15.9%) in Group B had a caesarean section (p-value 0.49, RR 0.94, CI 0.80-1.11). Adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes were not statistically significant between the two groups. Conclusion: Intramuscular hyoscine was effective in reducing cervical ripening time when used as an adjunct to vaginal Misoprostol, with no significant adverse maternal or neonatal outcome. Funding: None declared.

Effect of Oral Mifepristone on Modified Bishop's Score in Term Pregnancy.

Background: Modern-day obstetrics recommend induction of labor by medical or mechanical methods where continuation of pregnancy causes detrimental effect to the health of mother or fetus. One of the prerequisites for successful vaginal delivery includes a favorable or ripe cervix. We undertook the present study to find out the safety and efficacy of mifepristone for pre-induction cervical ripening and its effect on Bishop's score in term pregnancy. Methods: A total of 100 patients with term pregnancy were enrolled for this study. 200 mg of mifepristone was administered orally, and efficacy of mifepristone was assessed based on improvement in modified Bishop's score at 48 h. If there was inadequate improvement in Bishop's score after 48 h, additional intracervical cerviprime was administered for induction. Results: Out of 100 patients, 50 women delivered vaginally after administration of mifepristone. Twenty-four patients delivered vaginally within 48 h of administration of mifepristone. We observed the Bishop's score of  6 or more at 48 h in 69% participants. Fifty patients required additional intracervical cerviprime. Thirty participants underwent cesarean section. Mean Modified Bishop's score at 0 h was 1.87 and improved to 6.92 after 48 h after mifepristone. A statistically significant difference was found with mean Bishop's score with p value < 0.005. Conclusion: In our study, we found that mifepristone is a safe and effective cervical ripening agent in term pregnancy with unfavorable cervix. It is well tolerated and leads to significant cervical ripening with improvement in Bishop's score favoring vaginal delivery.

The ethylene-responsive transcription factor ERF024 is a novel regulator of climacteric fruit ripening in melon.

Fruit ripening is an essential developmental stage in Angiosperms triggered by hormonal signals such as ethylene, a major player in climacteric ripening. Melon is a unique crop showing both climacteric and non-climacteric cultivars, offering an ideal model for dissecting the genetic mechanisms underpinning this process. The major quantitative trait locus ETHQV8.1 was previously identified as a key regulator of melon fruit ripening. Here, we narrowed down ETHQV8.1 to a precise genomic region containing a single gene, the transcription factor CmERF024. Functional validation using CRISPR/Cas9 knock-out plants unequivocally identified CmERF024 as the causal gene governing ETHQV8.1. The erf024 mutants exhibited suppression of ethylene production, leading to a significant delay and attenuation of fruit ripening. Integrative multi-omic analyses encompassing RNA-seq, DAP-seq, and DNase-seq revealed the association of CmERF024 with chromatin accessibility and gene expression dynamics throughout fruit ripening. Our data suggest CmERF024 as a novel regulator of climacteric fruit ripening in melon.

Oxytocin vs oral misoprostol for PROM induction in nulliparas with unfavorable cervix: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Induction of labor (IOL) is recommended following prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM). The optimal method for IOL and need for cervical ripening in those with PROM and an unfavorable cervical examination is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To determine if oxytocin or oral misoprostol results in a shorter time to delivery among nulliparous patients with an unfavorable cervical examination and PROM diagnosis and to evaluate patient satisfaction with both methods. STUDY DESIGN: This is a randomized clinical trial conducted at an urban tertiary care center from 2019 to 2023. Subjects were nulliparas ≥36 weeks with an unfavorable starting cervical exam (≤2 cm and Bishop <8). The primary outcome was time from IOL to delivery in hours compared between oxytocin vs oral misoprostol. Secondary outcomes included suspected intraamniotic infection, cesarean delivery, composite maternal and neonatal morbidity, and patient satisfaction (assessed by Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised). Sub-group analyses for those with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 and cervical dilation ≥1 cm were performed. We required 148 subjects to have 80% power to detect a 2-hour difference in time to delivery. The study was stopped early by the data safety monitoring board due to feasibility concerns in recruiting desired sample size. RESULTS: A total of 108 subjects were randomized: 56 oxytocin; 52 oral miso. The median gestational age at induction was 39.5 weeks; the mean starting cervical dilation was 1.1 cm. There was no statistical difference in time to delivery between groups overall: 14.9 hours oxytocin vs 18.1 hours oral misoprostol (P=.06). In sub-group analyses, there was a 5 hours shorter time to delivery with oxytocin for those with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (16.6 hours oxytocin vs 21.8 hours oral misoprostol, P .04) and 4.5 hours shorter time to delivery with oxytocin for those with cervix ≥1 cm (12.9 hours oxytocin vs 17.3 hours oral misoprostol, P .04). There were no differences in intraamniotic infection, cesarean delivery, maternal or neonatal morbidity between the groups. Patient satisfaction was higher for those receiving oxytocin compared to misoprostol (29.0 vs 26.3, P=.03). CONCLUSION: Among nulliparas with PROM and an unfavorable cervix, there was no difference in overall time to delivery between oxytocin and oral misoprostol. This result should be interpreted with caution given early study discontinuation and inadequate power. However, a shorter time to delivery with oxytocin was noted in obese patients and those with cervical dilation of at least 1 cm. Furthermore, patient satisfaction was higher in the oxytocin group, and there was no increased risk of neonatal or maternal morbidity with oxytocin.

Effect of SlSAHH2 on metabolites in over-expressed and wild-type tomato fruit.

Background: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is an annual or perennial herb that occupies an important position in daily agricultural production. It is an essential food crop for humans and its ripening process is regulated by a number of genes. S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine hydrolase (AdoHcyase, EC 3.3.1.1) is widespread in organisms and plays an important role in regulating biological methylation reactions. Previous studies have revealed that transgenic tomato that over-express SlSAHH2 ripen earlier than the wild-type (WT). However, the differences in metabolites and the mechanisms driving how these differences affect the ripening cycle are unclear. Objective: To investigate the effects of SlSAHH2 on metabolites in over-expressed tomato and WT tomato. Methods: SlSAHH2 over-expressed tomato fruit (OE-5# and OE-6#) and WT tomato fruit at the breaker stage (Br) were selected for non-targeted metabolome analysis. Results: A total of 733 metabolites were identified by mass spectrometry using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database and the Human Metabolome database (HMDB). The metabolites were divided into 12 categories based on the superclass results and a comparison with the HMDB. The differences between the two databases were analyzed by PLS-DA. Based on a variable important in projection value >1 and P < 0.05, 103 differential metabolites were found between tomato variety OE-5# and WT and 63 differential metabolites were found between OE-6# and WT. These included dehydrotomatine, L-serine, and gallic acid amongst others. Many metabolites are associated with fruit ripening and eight common metabolites were found between the OE-5# vs. WT and OE-6# vs. WT comparison groups. The low L-tryptophan expression in OE-5# and OE-6# is consistent with previous reports that its content decreases with fruit ripening. A KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of the significantly different metabolites revealed that in the OE-5# and WT groups, up-regulated metabolites were enriched in 23 metabolic pathways and down-regulated metabolites were enriched in 11 metabolic pathways. In the OE-6# and WT groups, up-regulated metabolites were enriched in 29 pathways and down-regulated metabolites were enriched in six metabolic pathways. In addition, the differential metabolite changes in the L-serine to flavonoid transformation metabolic pathway also provide evidence that there is a phenotypic explanation for the changes in transgenic tomato. Discussion: The metabolomic mechanism controlling SlSAHH2 promotion of tomato fruit ripening has been further elucidated.

Selection of adjunct cultures for the ripening of plant cheese analogues.

Fermentation contributes to the taste and odor of plant cheeses. The selection of functional cultures for the fermentation of plant cheeses, however, is in its infancy. This study aimed to select lactic acid bacteria for ripening of soy and lupin cheese analogues. Bacillus velezensis and B. amyloliquefaciens were used for germination of seeds to produce proteolytic enzymes; Lactococcus lactis and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum served as primary acidifying cultures. Levilactobacillus hammesii, Furfurilactobacillus milii, or Lentilactobacillus buchneri were assessed as adjunct cultures for the ripening of plant cheese. Growth of bacilli was inhibited at low pH. Both Lc. lactis and Lp. plantarum were inactived during plant cheese ripening. Cell counts of Lv. hammesii remained stable over 45 d of ripening while Ff. milii and Lt. buchneri grew slowly. Sequencing of full length 16S rRNA genes confirmed that the inocula the plant cheeses accounted for more than 98% of the bacterial communities. HPLC analysis revealed that Lt. buchneri metabolized lactate to acetate and 1,2-propanediol during ripening. Bacilli enhanced proteolysis as measured by quantification of free amino nitrogen, and the release of glutamate. LC-MS/MS analysis quantified kokumi-active dipeptides. The concentrations of γ-Glu-Leu, γ-Glu-Ile, and γ-Glu-Ala, γ-Glu-Cys in unripened cheeses were increased by seed germination but γ-Glu-Phe was degraded. Lt. buchneri but not Lv. hammesii or Ff. milii accumulated γ-Glu-Val, γ-Glu-Ile or γ-Glu-Leu during ripening, indicating strain-specific differences. In conclusion, a consortium of bacilli, acidification cultures and adjunct cultures accumulates taste- and kokumi-active compounds during ripening of plant cheeses.