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This study aimed to investigate how prolonged storage of adult retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cell sheets affects cell metabolism, morphology, viability, and phenotype. ARPE-19 cell sheets were stored at three temperatures (4 &deg, C, 16 &deg, C, and 37 &deg, C) for three weeks. Metabolic status and morphology of the cells were monitored by sampling medium and examining cells by phase-contrast microscopy, respectively, throughout the storage period. Cell viability was analyzed by flow cytometry, and phenotype was determined by epifluorescence microscopy after the storage. Lactate production and glucose consumption increased heavily, while pH dropped considerably, through storage at 37 &deg, C compared to 4 &deg, C and 16 &deg, C. During storage, morphology started to deteriorate first at 4 &deg, C, then at 37 &deg, C, and was maintained the longest at 16 &deg, C. Viability of the cells after three weeks of storage was best preserved at 16 &deg, C, while cells stored at 4 &deg, C and 37 &deg, C had reduced viability. Dedifferentiation indicated by reduced expression of retinal pigment epithelium-specific protein 65 (RPE65), zonula occludens protein 1 (ZO-1), and occludin after three weeks of storage was noticed in all experimental groups compared to control. We conclude that storage temperature affects the metabolic status of ARPE-19 cells and that 16 &deg, C reduces metabolic activity while protecting viability and morphology.

The aim of this work was to compare different texture test conditions for the evaluation of instrumental mechanical and acoustic properties of raw and roasted hazelnut ( Corylus avellana L.) kernels cv. Tonda Gentile Trilobata (TGT). A comparison of compression and shear tests, test speed (0.2, 1.0, 10.0 mm/s), and analyzed axis (x, y, z) combinations was performed. Joint mechanical and acoustic emission acquisitions were used for the first time on hazelnut kernels. The compression test method using 1.0 mm/s speed and analyzed on the x-axis showed the lowest variability of the results. These conditions were then used to evaluate raw kernels during 12 months of storage, conducted in-shell (at ambient temperature) and shelled (refrigerated, vacuum, frozen, with nitrogen modified atmosphere). The main differences among storage conditions were evidenced in rupture force, rupture slope and acoustic maximum peak parameters.

Background Medicines are stored in most households around the world for a range of different purposes including emergency use and the treatment of acute or chronic illnesses. The presence of medicines in households is becoming a significant risk factor for irrational medicine storage, disposal, and use in developing countries due to limited information and knowledge offered on safe storage. This study examined how patients store medicines and highlighted factors which influence home storage behaviours for medicines in China. Method A cross-sectional survey of 625 households was undertaken. In each household, data were collected from the head of household present at home. The study covered six provinces in China including the North, Central, and Southern regions. Respondents were interviewed by doctors. The doctors were study assistants and data collectors. “Attention” was taken as the research focus and a five-point Likert scale was used to measure attitudes to medicine storage at home. Factor analysis, variance analysis, and the multivariable logistic regression models were employed in the present study. Results Of the households investigated in this study, cold medications were the medicine most commonly stored at home. The majority of the respondents gave more attention to the expiration date of medicines compared to other factors. Only a few respondents thought humidity was important factor influencing home storage of medicines. Despite some attention being given to the location of storage for home medicines, considerably more information is needed to improve awareness. In addition, our data revealed that some attention had been paid to elimination and recycling mechanisms but similarly, increased awareness is needed. There were obvious differences between the populations used in the study, due to differences in socio-demographic characteristics of the study participants. Age is the most important factor influencing the attention paid to home storage of medicines in China. Conclusion A major improvement in the awareness of correct storage conditions of medicines for home use can be realized by increased education, and highlighting the importance of correct medicine storage, disposal methods and usages, which has high potential to deliver public health benefits in China. Some suggestions were provided to health care providers. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-7167-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Stability of α-amylase (α-A), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), lipase, adenosine deaminase (ADA) and total esterase activity (TEA) in two pools of porcine saliva was studied after 1 and 4 days at 4°C, and after 30, 90 and 360 days at -20° and -80°C. At 4°C, BChE, lipase and TEA were stable less than 1 day, α-A less than 4 days and ADA for up to 4 days. At -20°C, BChE and TEA were stable less than 30 days, α-A and lipase less than 90 days and ADA up to 360 days. At -80°C, TEA was stable less than 30 days, α-A and lipase less than 360 days, and BChE and ADA for up to 360 days.

Seed priming is a successful practice to improve crop establishment under adverse environment. However, reduced longevity of primed rice (Oryza sativa L.) seeds during storage limited the adoption of this technique. Present study investigated the effect of temperature, relative air humidity (RH) and oxygen on the longevity of primed rice seeds in a range of 60 days storage. In addition, the biochemical and morphological mechanisms associated with deterioration of primed seeds during storage were explored. Three types of priming treated rice seeds and one non-primed control were stored under (1) low temperature-vacuum (LT-V), (2) room temperature-vacuum (RT-V), (3) room temperature-aerobic-low RH (RT-A-LH) and (4) room temperature-aerobic- high RH (RT-A-HH) for 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 days. The results showed that storage of seeds under different conditions for 15–60 days did not influence the longevity of non-primed rice seeds. Meanwhile, the viability of primed rice seeds did not reduce when stored under LT-V, RT-V, and RT-A-LH, but was significantly reduced under RT-A-HH. Under vacuum condition, the increases of storage temperature (30°C) did not reduce the longevity of primed seeds. Likewise, the oxygen did not influence the longevity of primed rice seeds stored under low RH. Nevertheless, increase of RH significantly reduced the viability of primed seeds stored for 15–60 days. Reduced starch metabolism, the consumption of starch reserves in rice endosperms, the accumulation of malondialdehyde and the decreases of antioxidant enzyme activities might be associated with the deterioration of primed rice seeds during storage. In conclusion, storage of primed seeds under high RH condition beyond 15 days is deteriorative for germination and growth of rice. The primed rice seeds are recommended to store at vacuum or low RH or low temperature condition to ensure good crop establishment.

Passion fruit is generally considered to have a short storage life, because it is a very delicate, perishable fruit. The objective of this work was to study the post-harvest conservation of Passiflora setacea fruit packed in PVC packages 12μm and 30μm thick, LDPE bags 100μm and 200μm thick, and without packaging (control), stored under ambient conditions at an average temperature of 21.3ºC and average relative humidity of 77.8%, and in refrigerated conditions in a cold room at 10ºC and 90% relative humidity for 14 days. At the beginning of storage and at three, seven, 10 and 14 days of storage the fruits were analyzed for titratable acidity, soluble solids, Ratio, fresh weight loss, hue angle and post-harvest diseases. The experiment had a completely randomized design with three replicates. The 12μm PVC package, under refrigeration, was the most efficient in the conservation of P. setacea fruit. It presented low fresh weight loss; Null percentage of fungal infestation; soluble solids above 11% until the tenth day of storage; Titratable acid content above 2.5% throughout the experiment. Besides, the fruit, at the end of 14 days of storage, did not show evidence of fermentation and no water condensation inside the packages.

Kisele tekućine, poput soka od nezrelog voća, limunovog soka i octa često se konzumiraju u Iranu. Različite vrste kiselih sokova pakiraju se u boce od polietilen tereftalata (PET) i polietilena velike gustoće (HDPE). Postoje dokazi koji upućuju na mogućnost otpuštanja ftalata iz PET i HDPE boca. U ovom je radu ispitan utjecaj trajanja skladištenja, temperature i vrste pakiranja na migraciju ftalata u kisele tekućine, čuvane pri različitim uvjetima, i to prije skladištenja, te nakon 2, 4 i 6 mjeseci. Određene su srednje vrijednosti koncentracije ftalata od, Acidic liquids such as verjuice, lemon juice and vinegar are frequently consumed in Iran. Different kinds of acidic liquids are packaged in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles. There is evidence indicating that phthalates can leach from PET and HDPE bottles into their contents. In this work the effect of storage time, temperature and bottle type on the migration of phthalates from packaging materials into acidic liquids is studied by analyzing the samples stored under different conditions, before storage and after 2, 4 and 6 months of storage. The determined mean phthalate concentrations in μg/L were

The effect of post-harvest application of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on ethylene emission in early-winter apple (cv. ‘Calville’), winter (‘Gloster’, ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Jonagold’), and late-winter cultivars (‘Granny Smith’, ‘Idared’ and ‘Reinette Simirenko’) w as investigated. The fruits were picked at a commercial harvest time and half of them were treated with 1-MCP (‘SmartFresh™’ 0.068 gm-3) for 24 h at 5 °C. Then both groups of apples were placed in a common storage at the temperature of 2 °C. The intensity of fruit ethylene emission (rate of ethylene production) was measured and 1 -MCP inhibition index was calculated. During storage, activity of ethylene emission by control apples of ‘Calville’ and ‘Golden Delicious’ showed typical climacteric pattern, while the intensity of ethylene emission of apples of other cultivars only increased gradually. The change of ethylene activity of early-winter apple cv. ‘Calville’ and winter cv. ‘Jonagold’, both treated with 1-MCP after harvest, had exponential character, especially actively increasing after 3 months of storage. At the same time ethylene emission of 1 -MCP treated fruits of other cultivars changed steadily to a low level and was effectively suppressed during the whole 6-month period of storage in normal atmosphere. The value of inhibition index of fruits treated by 1-MCP confirmed the consistent restoration of the ability to ethylene synthesis and thus to post-harvest ripening of some apples cultivars.

In the present research work effect of different treatments on physico-chemical and sensory properties of soymilk was studied. Also, effect of Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), sucrose and mango flavor on quality of soymilk was determined. Soymilk samples were prepared by three different methods. The control sample (sample A) was prepared as per the standard procedure reported in literature. The other two samples were prepared by slight modification in the process use for control sample preparation. Microwave treatment at 2450 MHz for 5 min prior to grinding was given in sample B. Sample C was prepared by giving autoclave treatment to the soaked soybeans and grinding was performed with the use of hot water. Among all the treatments autoclave treatment gave best quality soymilk (Sample C) with respect to flavor, taste and overall acceptability. The quality of soymilk (Sample C) was further improved by using 0.2% CMC with respect to viscosity and mouth feel. Also, mango flavored soymilk containing 0.2% CMC, 15% sucrose and 0.1% mango essence scored maximum sensory score among all formulations with respect to color, flavor, taste, mouth feel and overall acceptability and was stable for consumption for about 25 days at room temperature storage and 60 days at refrigeration temperature storage.

Korea expects a shortage in storage capacity for spent fuels at reactor sites. Therefore, a need for more metal and/or concrete casks for storage systems is anticipated for either the reactor site or away from the reactor for interim storage. For the purpose of interim storage and transportation, a dual purpose metal cask that can load 21 spent fuel assemblies is being developed by Korea Radioactive Waste Management Corporation (KRMC) in Korea. At first the gamma and neutron flux for the design basis fuel were determined assuming in-core environment (the temperature, pressure, etc. of the moderator, boron, cladding, UO₂ pellets) in which the design basis fuel is loaded, as input data. The evaluation simulated burnup up to 45,000 MWD/MTU and decay during ten years of cooling using the SAS2H/OGIGEN-S module of the SCALE5.1 system. The results from the source term evaluation were used as input data for the final shielding evaluation utilizing the MCNP Code, which yielded the effective dose rate. The design of the cask is based on the safety requirements for normal storage conditions under 10 CFR Part 72. A radiation shielding analysis of the metal storage cask optimized for loading 21 design basis fuels was performed for two cases; one for a single cask and the other for a 2x10 cask array. For the single cask, dose rates at the external surface of the metal cask, 1m and 2m away from the cask surface, were evaluated. For the 2x10 cask array, dose rates at the center point of the array and at the center of the casks’ height were evaluated. The results of the shielding analysis for the single cask show that dose rates were considerably higher at the lower side (from the bottom of the cask to the bottom of the neutron shielding) of the cask, at over 2mSv/hr at the external surface of the cask. However, this is not considered to be a significant issue since additional shielding will be installed at the storage facility. The shielding analysis results for the 2x10 cask array showed exponential decrease with distance off the sources. The controlled area boundary was calculated to be approximately 280m from the array, with a dose rate of 25mrem/yr. Actual dose rates within the controlled area boundary will be lower than 25mrem/yr, due to the decay of radioactivity of spent fuel in storage.

Aims: This work was undertaken to study the effect of Aspergillus infection on phenolic compounds in beans from four cultivars of the coffee plant (Coffea arabica L.). The effects of storage conditions of the coffee beans were also examined. Methodology and results: Beans from four varieties of coffee were artificially infected with three species of Aspergillus: A. niger, A. melleus and A. alliacus, and stored at 0, 8 and 25 ± 2 °C). After 3, 6 and 9 months, the contents of phenolic compounds in the beans were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Conclusion, significance and impact study: The results of this study showed that phenolic compounds were qualitatively and quantitatively higher in the inoculated beans as compared with the uninfected control beans, reflecting a possible induced defense mechanism in the infected beans. Increased storage periods resulted in higher levels of phenols, but the average total, bound and free phenols did not differ between the cultivars tested. Effective control of Apergillus infection in coffee beans can prevent such changes in phenolics that may affect their commercial value.

A simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry–Fourier transform infrared (DSC–FTIR) microspectroscopy was used to quickly investigate the co-crystal formulation between anhydrous theophylline (TP) and anhydrous citric acid (CA) in a one-step procedure. The raw materials of TP and CA, as well as the intact TP–CA co-crystal prepared by slow solvent evaporation were also respectively examined by this approach. The result indicates that the TP–CA co-crystal formulation was easily induced using this DSC–FTIR technique. The thermal-dependent changes in three-dimensional FTIR spectral contour profiles were started from 165 °C to induce the co-crystal formation of TP–CA, which was prior to the endothermic peak at 173 °C found in the conventional DSC curve. Beyond 165 °C, several new IR absorption peaks at 3515, 3124, 1730, 1710, 1677, 1648, 1552 and 1265 cm −1 corresponding to unique IR spectral peaks of intact TP–CA co-crystal were observed. The DSC–FTIR microspectroscopic results also evidenced the dimer–monomer transition of CA, but there were no markedly changes for TP or intact TP–CA co-crystal before its fusion. This strongly implies that the DSC–FTIR technique giving spectroscopic and thermodynamic information could simultaneously induce and identify the TP–CA co-crystal formation and phase transition of samples. Different storage conditions affecting the stability of both physical mixture and ground mixture of TP–CA were also determined. The physical mixture of TP–CA after storing at 55 °C/75% RH condition for one day was fast transformed to TP–CA co-crystal, indicating that TP–CA co-crystal was easily induced under accelerated storage condition. While the co-crystal formed from TP–CA ground mixture was stable in both 25 °C/75% RH and 55 °C/75% RH conditions.

This in vitro study investigated whether different storage conditions of plasma-treated zirconia specimens affect the shear bond strength of veneering porcelain. Zirconia plates were treated with a non-thermal atmospheric argon plasma (200 W, 600 s). Porcelain veneering (2.38 mm in diameter) was performed immediately (P-I) or after 24 h storage in water (P-W) or air (P-A) on the treated surfaces (n = 10). Untreated plates were used as the control. Each group was further divided into two subgroups according to the application of a ceramic liner. All veneered specimens underwent a shear bond strength (SBS) test. In the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, the oxygen/carbon ratios of the plasma-treated groups increased in comparison with those of the control group. When a liner was not used, the three plasma-treated groups showed significantly higher SBS values than the control group (p < 0.001), although group P-A exhibited a significantly lower value than the other two groups (p < 0.05). The liner application negatively affected bonding in groups P-I and P-W (p < 0.05). When the veneering step was delayed after plasma treatment of zirconia, storage of the specimens in water was effective in maintaining the cleaned surfaces for optimal bonding with the veneering porcelain.

The objective of this study was to develop postharvest techniques and technologies of the most important root vegetables: carrots, celeriac and parsnip. Investigations included the effect of harvest maturity (harvest at November or January) and postharvest washing treatments (hot water, H2O2 and NaOCl and non-washed-control) of carrots (Daucus carota ’Bolero F1’), parsnip (Pastinaca sativa ‘Banatski dugi’) and celeriac (Apium graveolens var. rapaceum ‘Mentor’) roots and effects on their quantitative and qualitative changes during different storage conditions (S-1; 0°C and 98% RH or S-2; 0-2°C and 85-92% RH). Water loss and quality changes in these vegetables roots were monitored after 120 and 180 days of storage period (SP). At the end of SP the percentage of water loss ranged from 3.20% (from first harvest inside the S-1 with H2O2 treatment) in carrot to 39.29% (from first harvest inside the S-2 in control) in celeriac root. The dry matter content (DM) increased during storage period. Total sugar content (TSC) in the roots depends on year and harvest time. During SP, total sugar content increased more in S-2 cooling room. The parsnip root was characterized by more hardness texture relative to the carrot and celeriac roots. During SP carrot root loses the flexibility. The most effective method of maintaining quality of root vegetables is optimal harvest time followed by prestorage washing treatments (H2O2 or NaOCl) and storage at optimum temperature (0 ºC) with a high relative humidity 98%.

This study was performed to investigate the effects of pre-treatment and storage temperature and periods on the quality characteristics of ginger paste. The pH of the ginger paste remained constant during room temperature storage but increased with prolonged refrigerated storage periods. During five months of frozen storage, regardless of pre-treatment, the pH of most of the samples decreased slightly and then remained constant. In the color value of ginger paste stored at room temperature, the samples with and without chemical additives changed in color more prominently than fermented or pasteurized samples. Intriguingly, the color value for samples containing chemical additives changed more dramatically when stored under refrigerated conditions. However, the L, a, and b values of samples stored under frozen storage conditions did not change even after ten months. Most of the samples contained glucose and fructose, except for the fermented samples. The free sugar content of samples slowly decreased with increasing storage periods, while the organic acid content generally decreased also, regardless of sample type. Depending on pre-treatment and storage temperature, the gingerol content of the samples was either retained or decreased with prolonged storage time.

Fil: Maidana Ojeda, Marco. Universidad Autónoma Chapingo; México. Fil: Acosta Ramos, Marcelo. Universidad Autónoma Chapingo; México. Fil: Arámbula Villa, Gerónimo. Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Center for Research and Advanced Studies; México. Fil: Cabrera, María Graciela. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste; Argentina. Fungi in stored grains can cause harmful effects on the health of consumers due to the mycotoxins that they produce. aflatoxins are the most toxic and carcinogenic fungal metabolites that are frequently more found in nature. During 2014/2015 an investigation was conducted to analyze the interaction of storage conditions with the incidence of mycotoxigenic fungi and aflatoxin concentration in stored grain corn. 27 samples of stored corn grain from the main producers states of Mexico were taken, and the conditions in which they were stored were registered. Fungi and aflatoxins incidence were quantified in laboratory, and the interaction effect of seed conditions with those parameters. High incidence of Fusarium and Aspergillus species were found, with 32 and 8% respectively, but with low levels of Aflatoxins. Also, we found influence between the levels of aflatoxins with the storage time and Aspergillus incidence. A high influence of grain moisture and volumetric weight with Aspergillus incidence was observed. Also we found an influence with the level of aflatoxins, storage time and Aspergillus incidence.

O ipê-branco (Tabebuia roseo-alba) é espécie amplamente utilizada em reflorestamentos mistos destinados à recomposição de áreas degradadas e de preservação permanente, no paisagismo em geral e na construção civil. Suas sementes passam por forte variação na qualidade durante o armazenamento, possuindo período de viabilidade curto, o que representa dificuldades no estabelecimento de técnicas de cultivo e dispersão natural. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi estudar o comportamento fisiológico das sementes de ipê-branco durante o armazenamento. Frutos colhidos manualmente de plantas-matrizes foram colocados em ambiente sombreado para posterior extração das sementes. Após esse processo, foi determinado o teor de água das sementes, removendo-se então, uma amostra representativa do maior teor a ser estudado (10,1%). Em seguida, as sementes remanescentes foram submetidas à secagem, em dessecador com sílica gel, na temperatura de 25 °C para a obtenção de 8,3% de teor de água. As amostras, após divididas em cinco repetições, foram armazenadas em câmaras a 10, 20 e -20 °C. No início (sementes recém-coletadas) e aos 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 e 360 dias de armazenamento, as sementes foram submetidas às seguintes avaliações fisiológicas: germinação, emergência das plântulas, velocidade de emergência e comprimento da parte aérea (hipocótilo). O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com dois tratamentos (teores de água) no início do armazenamento (sementes recém-coletadas) e seis tratamentos (dois teores de água x três condições térmicas), em cada época de avaliação, durante o armazenamento. A comparação das médias foi realizada pelo teste de Tukey ao nível de 5%. A conservação das sementes de ipê-branco, considerando os teores de água de 10,1% e 8,3%, é favorecida pelas temperaturas de armazenamento de 10 e -20 °C. Tabebuia roseo-alba is a tree species largely used in restoration of degraded diverse plant communities and permanent preservation areas, general landscaping and as wood building material. Its seeds present strong variation in quality during storage and also a short period of viability, which hampers its natural dispersal as well as the development of cropping techniques for this tree. Aiming to obtain some informations related to seed preservation, the objective of this research was to study the physiological performance of Tabebuia roseo-alba seeds during storage. Mature fruits were hand collected from mother trees and placed under shade for a short period of natural drying in order to allow easy seed removal. Soon after that, the seed moisture content was determined and a representative portion of the seed lot was removed to constitute the highest moisture level to be studied, which was 10.1%. The remaining seeds were then submitted to drying at 25 °C inside a glass desiccator containing silica gel (anhydrous calcium chloride) in order to obtain 8,3% moisture degree. The two portions, after being divided into five replications, were stored in chambers at 10, 20, and -20 °C. At the beginning (freshly collected seeds) and at 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 days of storage, the seeds were submitted to the following physiological evaluations: germination, seedling emergence, speed of emergence, and length of the above ground seedling part (hypocotyl). The experiment was a completely randomized design, with two treatments (degrees of moisture) at the beginning of storage and six treatments (2 moisture levels x 3 thermal conditions), in each evaluation period, during storage. Means were compared by the Tukey test at 5%. The preservation of Tabebuia roseo-alba seeds, considering the moisture contents of 10.1% and 8,3%, is favored by storage temperatures of 10 and -20 °C.

O ipê-branco (Tabebuia roseo-alba) é espécie amplamente utilizada em reflorestamentos mistos destinados à recomposição de áreas degradadas e de preservação permanente, no paisagismo em geral e na construção civil. Suas sementes passam por forte variação na qualidade durante o armazenamento, possuindo período de viabilidade curto, o que representa dificuldades no estabelecimento de técnicas de cultivo e dispersão natural. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi estudar o comportamento fisiológico das sementes de ipê-branco durante o armazenamento. Frutos colhidos manualmente de plantas-matrizes foram colocados em ambiente sombreado para posterior extração das sementes. Após esse processo, foi determinado o teor de água das sementes, removendo-se então, uma amostra representativa do maior teor a ser estudado (10,1%). Em seguida, as sementes remanescentes foram submetidas à secagem, em dessecador com sílica gel, na temperatura de 25 °C para a obtenção de 8,3% de teor de água. As amostras, após divididas em cinco repetições, foram armazenadas em câmaras a 10, 20 e -20 °C. No início (sementes recém-coletadas) e aos 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 e 360 dias de armazenamento, as sementes foram submetidas às seguintes avaliações fisiológicas: germinação, emergência das plântulas, velocidade de emergência e comprimento da parte aérea (hipocótilo). O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com dois tratamentos (teores de água) no início do armazenamento (sementes recém-coletadas) e seis tratamentos (dois teores de água x três condições térmicas), em cada época de avaliação, durante o armazenamento. A comparação das médias foi realizada pelo teste de Tukey ao nível de 5%. A conservação das sementes de ipê-branco, considerando os teores de água de 10,1% e 8,3%, é favorecida pelas temperaturas de armazenamento de 10 e -20 °C.Tabebuia roseo-alba is a tree species largely used in restoration of degraded diverse plant communities and permanent preservation areas, general landscaping and as wood building material. Its seeds present strong variation in quality during storage and also a short period of viability, which hampers its natural dispersal as well as the development of cropping techniques for this tree. Aiming to obtain some informations related to seed preservation, the objective of this research was to study the physiological performance of Tabebuia roseo-alba seeds during storage. Mature fruits were hand collected from mother trees and placed under shade for a short period of natural drying in order to allow easy seed removal. Soon after that, the seed moisture content was determined and a representative portion of the seed lot was removed to constitute the highest moisture level to be studied, which was 10.1%. The remaining seeds were then submitted to drying at 25 °C inside a glass desiccator containing silica gel (anhydrous calcium chloride) in order to obtain 8,3% moisture degree. The two portions, after being divided into five replications, were stored in chambers at 10, 20, and -20 °C. At the beginning (freshly collected seeds) and at 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 days of storage, the seeds were submitted to the following physiological evaluations: germination, seedling emergence, speed of emergence, and length of the above ground seedling part (hypocotyl). The experiment was a completely randomized design, with two treatments (degrees of moisture) at the beginning of storage and six treatments (2 moisture levels x 3 thermal conditions), in each evaluation period, during storage. Means were compared by the Tukey test at 5%. The preservation of Tabebuia roseo-alba seeds, considering the moisture contents of 10.1% and 8,3%, is favored by storage temperatures of 10 and -20 °C.

This study aimed to determine the total antioxidant capacity of the essential oil (EO) of leaves of Bidens pilosa (Linn. Var. Radita) used as protectant of stored grains in Northern Cameroon. EO was characterized by GC-FID, antioxidant activity (AA) was determined by combining: evaluation of radical-scavenging activity, reducing power (RP) and co-oxidation of β-carotene methods. Tests were carried out on crude and stored EO kept for two weeks at 31.48 ± 2.88°C and 58.56 ± 6.78% relative humidity. These conditions are the same as those of grain storage. GC analyses enabled the identification of 27 compounds, representing around 97.57% of the total oil contents. The major constituents of the EO were α-pinene (14.7%), e-caryophyllene (13.5), and β-ocimene (12.8%). The AA of the crude and stored EO are proportional to the concentrations and time of exposition. Exposed at the day light, this EO inhibit 77.4-18.69% for the DPPH system, 59.55-19.14% for RP method and 91.88-21.8% for β-carotene-linoleate model system, respectively, from crude and 15 days storage EO at 20 mg L(-1). For the EC50 values, β-carotene method is excellent and in the decreasing order of DPPH method, PR with 2.52 mg L(-1), 2.77 mg L(-1) and 4.13 mg L(-1), respectively, for the crude oil. The ET50 were 1.59 days for the RP method and 2.88 days DPPH system and β-carotene-linoleate model system at 20 mg L(-1). These results showed that the EO of B. pilosa leaves exhibits AA that might be an added value for this EO preventing stored products from pest attacks.

Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) are nowadays the most attractive technology for displays and lighting applications. However, their short lifetime remains the most important limit for their broad commercialization. In particular, blue OLEDs generally present the worst stability respect to the other colors. While the extrinsic degradation can be easily controlled by proper encapsulation, understanding the origins of the intrinsic degradation remains a challenge: up to now, the proposed mechanisms have not considered possible phenomena that can occur during OFF-time periods. In this study, intrinsic degradation phenomena have been studied through shelf life experiments performed at different storage conditions on two types of blue OLEDs. Experiments revealed that physical aging occurs for both types of devices, leading to irreversible time-dependent luminance loss.

Exosomes are small membrane-bound vesicles secreted by most cell types. Exosomes contain various functional proteins, mRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs) that could be used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. How we should store the samples before RNA isolation and whether those long term stored samples could be used for circulating RNA investigation because of RNase is unknown. The aim of the study was to determine the stability of circulating miRNA in exosomes and plasma. Exosomes were isolated from plasma samples by using ExoQuick Precipitation methods. RNA was extracted from exosomes and the corresponding plasma samples with a Qiagen miRNeasy Mini kit. The concentration of RNA was measured by a Qubit® RNA HS Assay Kit, and quantitative PCR was used for individual miRNA expression level detection. Results showed that exosomal miRNA showed extra stability under different storage conditions and no significant influence on plasma miRNA, except for short term storage at 4 °C. It is thus indicated that exosome miRNAs can be good biomarkers based on their stability under various storage conditions.