Providing inoculum for Didymella bryoniae studies: the effect of light spectrum and storing at low temperature

The in vitro sporulation of Didymella bryoniae is of great importance for studies that require pure inoculum and in large quantities. Thus, the objectives of this study were to identify the best condition for D. bryoniae sporulation combining different light spectra (UV-A or UV-B light, white light, and continuous dark), with distinct culture media (PDA, V8, ML, and PDAB) and, to evaluate fungus’ survivability stored at -20°C over time. The fungus samples were only able to sporulate when subjected to the UV-B light treatment, regardless of the culture medium. The highest appearance of spores conidium type was observed in the PDAB medium, and the lowest production occurred in the ML medium. Reproductive structures, such as perithecia and pycnidia, were observed in all culture media. However, there was considerable variation in the amount of each structure between the different culture media. The ML and V8 media showed a greater number of perithecia and the PDA and PDAB media presented a greater proportion of pycnidia compared to perithecia. The storage duration at -20°C did not affect mycelial growth or mycelial growth rate. In conclusion, the UV-B light is essential for D. bryoniae in vitro sporulation. Moreover, the culture medium composition influences the type of fungal structure produced, as well as spores’ size and quantity. Freezing at -20°C is an efficient technique that can be used to store D. bryoniae for at least five months without loss of viability.

Techno-economic Analysis of High-Temperature Thermal Energy Storage for On-Demand Heat and Power

Herein we present a concept of a high-temperature, thermal energy storage (HT-TES) system for large-scale long duration energy storage (>10 hours) applications. The system relies on tunable composite ceramic materials with high electrical conductivity and can output the stored energy flexibly in the form of heat at 1100 degrees C or higher, and as electricity. We model the performance and cost of the system in a techno-economic analysis to identify key material and system properties influencing viability. For applications with daily operation (12 hours storage duration), we find achieving levelized storage costs below US Department of Energy’s 5 ₵/kWhe (1-2.5 ₵/kWhth equivalent) target by 2030 is possible. Candidate materials should have above 600-900 high-temperature cycle stability while offering at least 104 S/m of electrical conductivity. Our results suggest this system can be economical for longer storage durations (weeks to months) when coupled with intermittent charging using surplus renewable energy sources.

The effects of pH, salinity, age of leaves, post-harvest storage duration, and psyllid infestation on nutritional qualities of giant leucaena fodder

Giant leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala subsp. glabrata) can be managed as a profusely branched bushy plant by repeated harvest of its foliage for use as fodder. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of soil pH and salinity, age of the leaves, post-harvest storage duration, and psyllid infection on the nutritional qualities of leucaena fodder. To determine the effects of soil pH and salinity on fodder quality, giant leucaena K636 plants were grown in large pots containing soils adjusted to different pH and salinity levels. The effects of age of the leaves, post-harvest storage duration and psyllid infection on fodder quality were studied using leucaena samples collected from Waimanalo Research Station. Among five pH levels tested, pH 6.0 was found to produce the highest amounts of protein and structural fibers in the foliage. Mimosine contents were highest at pH 6 and 7 and lowest at pH 5.0. The growth of giant leucaena was retarded and the nutritional quality were adversely affected under salinity conditions. Compared to young leaves, old leaves contained 18.5% less protein, 95% less mimosine, 30% less tannin and 40% more structural fibers. Post-harvest storage duration up to 72 h, at room temperature did not seem to affect protein, tannin and structural fiber contents of the foliage; however, mimosine content was reduced by 25%. These results will help to identify ideal soil pH, age of foliage, and post-harvest storage duration for obtaining high forage yield and nutritional quality for giant leucaena.

Effects of Vitrified Cryopreservation Duration on the IVF and Neonatal Outcomes

Objective: To evaluate the impact of cryopreservation storage duration on embryo viability, implantation competence, pregnancy outcome and neonatal outcomes.Design: Retrospective study.Setting: Center for Reproductive Medicine，The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University.Patient(s): In vitro fertilization patients who had vitrified cryopreserved embryos and following the first frozen embryo transfer cycles from January 2004 to August 2019. A total of 31143 patients met the inclusion criteria and were grouped according to the storage time (20926 patients in Group 1 with storage time <3 months, 6472 patients in Group 2 with storage time between 3 and 6 months, 2237 patients in Group 3 with storage time between 6 and 12 months and 746 in Group 4 with storage time between 12 and 24 months, 762 patients in Group 5 with storage time >24 months).Intervention(s): None.Main Outcome Measure(s): In the total FET cycles, the embryo survival rate was decreased significantly with the increase of cryopreservation time, and the highest rate was 98. 63 % in the 1-3 months group, and the lowest was 71.13% in the >=731 days group (P <0. 01). The HCG positive rate (57.85%) and clinical pregnancy rate (55. 26%) in the 1-3 months group were the highest (P<0. 01). The >=731 group had the lowest sex ratio of 0.96. There were no significant differences in neonatal birth weight, neonatal height and congenital anomalies among the groups (P>0. 05).Result(s): Length of storage time had a significant effect on post-thaw survival and outcomes for IVF cycles. Conclusion(s): With the prolongation of cryopreservation time, the embryonic survival rate and pregnancy rate were decreased significantly. Short-term cryopreservation (<=3 months) can obtain higher clinical pregnancy rate. Therefore, although long-term hryopreservation of the embryo has no effect on the health of the new baby, but hryopreserved embryos should be recovery as soon as possible if condition allows.

A Novel Stability Study of Simvastatin Generic Tablet in Public Pharmacy Facilities of Purwakarta District, Indonesia

Drug stability is one of the most important criteria for producing safe, excellent and effective products. Some environmental factors that influence drug stability are light, temperature, and humidity. Simvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering drug that is known to be sensitive to high temperature and humidity. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of 6 months of real-time storage conditions on the stability of generic simvastatin tablets in public pharmacy facilities. This study used simulation method with 4 brands of simvastatin generic tablets with two different strengths (10 mg and 20 mg). In the process, the sample was conditioned in 6 different regions for 6 months. The results of temperature and humidity monitoring showed 2 locations at ≤ 25 ° C, 4 locations had a temperature of ≥ 25 °C and all locations had humidity > 65 %. The drug was evaluated for physical and chemical quality parameters at months 0, 3, and 6. After being stored for 6 months, the tablets showed a decrease in disintegration time and an increase in the friability, showing lack of durability. Similarly, there was a decrease in the content concentration in the tablets but fortunately the level was still within the accepted specification range (90 – 110 %). However, there was one tablet that did not meet the dissolution test requirements after the storage duration (Q ≤ 75 % at 30 minutes). The results of the stress test showed that simvastatin degraded in all conditions. This stress test confirmed the extreme instability of simvastatin. Poor storage conditions can reduce the quality of generic simvastatin tablets, thus a well-controlled environment is vital in pharmacy facilities.

Treated like dirt: Robust forensic and ecological inferences from soil eDNA after challenging sample storage

Biodiversity of soil microbiota is routinely assessed with environmental DNA-based methods, among which amplification and massive parallel sequencing of marker genes (eDNA metabarcoding) is the most common. Soil microbiota may for example be investigated in relation to biodiversity research or as a tool in forensic investigations. After sampling, the taxonomic composition of soil biotic communities may change. In order to minimize community changes after sampling, it is desirable to reduce biological activity, e.g. by freezing immediately after sampling. However, this may be impossible due to remoteness of study sites or, in forensic cases, where soil has been attached to a questioned item for protracted periods of time. Here we investigated the effect of storage duration and conditions on the assessment of the soil biota with eDNA metabarcoding. We extracted eDNA from freshly collected soil samples and again from the same samples after storage under contrasting temperature conditions. We used five different primer sets targeting bacteria, fungi, protists (cercozoans), general eukaryotes, and plants. For these groups, we quantified differences in richness, evenness and community composition. Subsequently, we tested whether we could correctly infer habitat type and original sample identity after storage using a large reference dataset. We found increased community composition differences with extended storage time and with higher storage temperature. However, for samples stored less than 28 days at a maximum of 20 C, changes were generally insignificant. Classification models could successfully assign most stored samples to their exact location of origin and correct habitat type even after weeks of storage. Even samples showing larger compositional changes generally retained the original sample as the best match (relative similarity). Our results show that for most biodiversity and forensic applications, storage of samples for days and even several weeks may not be a problem, if storage temperature does not exceed 20 C. Even after suboptimal storage conditions, significant patterns can be reproduced.

Determination of quality indicators of marmalade with addition of multi-component fruit and berry paste during storage

The object of research is the technology of jelly-fruit marmalade with the addition of multicomponent fruit and berry paste from apples, quince and black currant. Marmalade products are in demand due to their attractive appearance, excellent taste, aroma and good absorption by the body. This delicacy is characterized by the absence of fat, high sugar content and the presence of functionally physiological ingredients. Due to the growing interest of consumers in products of increased nutritional value, the technology of jelly-fruit marmalade with the addition of multicomponent fruit and berry paste from apples, quince and black currant has been improved. New confectionery products must first of all be safe for human health, therefore, organoleptic, physicochemical and microbiological indicators of the quality of marmalade were determined during storage. In terms of organoleptic quality indicators, both control and experimental marmalade samples have high quality indicators during the shelf life. The storage duration affects the consistency of the marmalade, which becomes protracted after 3 months of storage and contributes to a decrease in the color saturation of all samples. The loss of the mass fraction of moisture in the control sample of marmalade up to 6.1 % and the sample with fruit and berry paste – up to 5.0 %, an increase in acid accumulation by 4.0–20.6 % for the control and by 4.0–20 % for the sample marmalade with pasta. It is noted that the content of reducing substances increases in the control sample by 18.0–50.0 %, which is 11.8–15.0 %, and in the sample with the addition of paste – by 10.8–36.9 %, which is 12.3–15.2 %. The data obtained is admissible and meets the established quality requirements in accordance with the requirements of regulatory documents. Microbiological quality indicators have been determined and it has been established that new samples of marmalade with multicomponent paste, both freshly prepared and after a guaranteed shelf life, comply with the standards of all current requirements for the quality of food products. The safety of jellied fruit marmalade on agar with the addition of multicomponent fruit and berry paste from apples, quince and black currant has been proven during the guaranteed shelf life of 3 months.

Impact of Storage Period on Fertility and Mortality in Chabro Breeds of Poultry

An investigation was conducted to study the effect of storage period on fertility and hatchability in large, medium and small sized eggs of Chabro breed. The study was conducted at poultry farm of SKN College of Agriculture, Jobner. For the present study, a total of 297 eggs were collected for this study. These eggs were grouped into three egg size categories i.e. Small (38-44 g), medium (45-52 g) and large (53-59 g). To study the impact of incubation period, eggs were stored at 21 ̊C temperature for three different time periods (fresh, 3 day and 6 day). It was observed that egg fertility was increased on 3rd day and decreased on 6th day as compared to 0 day. For small egg class, egg fertility was 95.55, 96.02 and 92.13% respectively, on 0, 3 and 6 day of storage. Similarly, for medium-sized egg class, fertility was 95.17, 95.64 and 90.28% and for large sized egg class, it was 91.11, 92.15 and 87.41% respectively, on 0, 3 and 6 day of storage. Embryonic mortality increased with increase in storage duration. For small egg class, egg mortality was 20.95, 17.56 and 24.87% respectively, on 0, 3 and 6 day of storage. Similarly, for medium-sized eggs class, mortality was 10.15, 8.45 and 12.63% and for large sized egg class, it was 29.30, 20.14 and 33.41% respectively, on 0, 3 and 6 day of storage. The egg fertility and mortality are affected by the storage period. For best hatchability, egg storage should not exceed 3 days.

Extended stability of the trastuzumab biosimilar ABP 980 (KANJINTI™) in polyolefin bags and elastomeric devices

Study Objectives: To investigate the quality and in-use stability of the trastuzumab biosimilar ABP 980 (KANJINTI™) in both concentrated multi-dose bags and following dilution and extended storage in intravenous (IV) bags and elastomeric devices, to address the stability requirements of diff erent global pharmacy practices. Methods: The eff ect of extended refrigerated storage plus exposure to in-use temperature conditions on KANJINTI™ (trastuzumab) solutions was assessed using a range of stability-indicating analytical methods, including appearance, pH, SEC, nonreducing CGE, reducing-CGE, CZE, sub-visible particle counting and potency by a cell-based proliferation inhibition assay. Stability of reconstituted 21 mg/mL solution stored in multi-dose bags and diluted samples at 0.3 mg/mL, 0.8 mg/mL and 4 mg/ mL in 0.9% w/v NaCl solutions stored in IV bags and elastomeric devices was determined over diff erent storage durations. Forced degraded samples exposed to room temperature and natural daylight were used to demonstrate the stability-indicating abilities of the methods. Results: No signifi cant changes were observed in the appearance, pH, monomer concentration, purity, charge heterogeneity, sub-visible particle counts or bioactivity, regardless of initial concentration, container or storage duration. Discussion: There was no indication of signifi cant changes to the physicochemical stability or bioactivity of any of the solutions following extended storage when compared to the initial results acquired on the day of preparation. Conclusion: The data presented has demonstrated the physicochemical stability and bioactivity of a range of KANJINTI™ (trastuzumab) solutions when prepared using controlled and validated aseptic processes, stored protected from light for extended periods at 2°C–8°C and subjected to in-use temperatures. The stability demonstrated in multi-dose bags and elastomeric devices provides additional preparation options to address diff erent global pharmacy practices and requirements.