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Biomedical Microdevices Jun 2024Microfluidic-based point-of-care diagnostics offer several unique advantages over existing bioanalytical solutions, such as automation, miniaturisation, and integration... (Review)
Review
Microfluidic-based point-of-care diagnostics offer several unique advantages over existing bioanalytical solutions, such as automation, miniaturisation, and integration of sensors to rapidly detect on-site specific biomarkers. It is important to highlight that a microfluidic POC system needs to perform a number of steps, including sample preparation, nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and detection. Each of these stages involves mixing and elution to go from sample to result. To address these complex sample preparation procedures, a vast number of different approaches have been developed to solve the problem of reagent storage and delivery. However, to date, no universal method has been proposed that can be applied as a working solution for all cases. Herein, both current self-contained (stored within the chip) and off-chip (stored in a separate device and brought together at the point of use) are reviewed, and their merits and limitations are discussed. This review focuses on reagent storage devices that could be integrated with microfluidic devices, discussing further issues or merits of these storage solutions in two different sections: direct on-chip storage and external storage with their application devices. Furthermore, the different microvalves and micropumps are considered to provide guidelines for designing appropriate integrated microfluidic point-of-care devices.
Topics: Point-of-Care Systems; Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; Humans; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; Indicators and Reagents; Equipment Design
PubMed: 38825594
DOI: 10.1007/s10544-024-00709-y -
Journal of Dairy Science Oct 2023Studies on the storage stability of milk powder are currently fragmented and mainly affect only the area of above-zero temperatures. At the same time, there are no...
Studies on the storage stability of milk powder are currently fragmented and mainly affect only the area of above-zero temperatures. At the same time, there are no studies that consider the load factor when milk powder is stored in bags on a pallet. The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of various factors of industrial storage (temperature, height or layer number, and time) on the change in quality and technological properties of powdered dairy products. We placed skim milk powder (SMP) and whole milk powder (WMP) in 10 × 14 × 2 cm resealable plastic bags on a model stand simulating an industrial layout on pallets. The samples were stored for 18 mo at temperatures -30 ± 1°C, 6 ± 1°C, and 25 ± 3°C and 40 to 80% relative humidity. Samples from the control (0), 5, and 10 (lower) layers of pallets were selected for analysis on 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 mo of storage for each of the temperatures. As a result, we did not detect any changes in the storage process for water activity and mass fraction of moisture. The particle size distribution of all the SMP and WMP samples changed over time. The greatest changes were observed in the WMP samples placed on the 10th layer of pallets at 25 ± 3°C, from 0 to 18 mo of storage, the mean particle size (D[4,3]) increased from 120 to 258 μm (90% of all sample particle sizes ranging from 209 to 559 μm). We found significant clumping in the WMP samples (lumps up to 5 cm), correlating with the layer and storage time. The contact angle of the samples increased from 17° (SMP) and 53° (WMP) to 40° and 71°, respectively. The insolubility index and titratable acidity did not change only in the SMP samples stored with no load applied at -30 ± 1°C and 6 ± 1°C. The heat stability of all samples stored at 25 ± 3°C showed the lowest values. The data obtained allowed us to rank the factors as "layer - time - temperature." Only the temperature of 25 ± 3°C caused critical changes in the product properties. Thus, the possibility of industrial storage of the product for up to 15 mo over the entire temperature range is confirmed.
Topics: Animals; Milk; Powders; Temperature; Water
PubMed: 37236830
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-23094 -
The ISME Journal Dec 2023Many microorganisms synthesise carbon (C)-rich compounds under resource deprivation. Such compounds likely serve as intracellular C-storage pools that sustain the...
Many microorganisms synthesise carbon (C)-rich compounds under resource deprivation. Such compounds likely serve as intracellular C-storage pools that sustain the activities of microorganisms growing on stoichiometrically imbalanced substrates, making them potentially vital to the function of ecosystems on infertile soils. We examined the dynamics and drivers of three putative C-storage compounds (neutral lipid fatty acids [NLFAs], polyhydroxybutyrate [PHB], and trehalose) across a natural gradient of soil fertility in eastern Australia. Together, NLFAs, PHB, and trehalose corresponded to 8.5-40% of microbial C and 0.06-0.6% of soil organic C. When scaled to "structural" microbial biomass (indexed by polar lipid fatty acids; PLFAs), NLFA and PHB allocation was 2-3-times greater in infertile soils derived from ironstone and sandstone than in comparatively fertile basalt- and shale-derived soils. PHB allocation was positively correlated with belowground biological phosphorus (P)-demand, while NLFA allocation was positively correlated with fungal PLFA : bacterial PLFA ratios. A complementary incubation revealed positive responses of respiration, storage, and fungal PLFAs to glucose, while bacterial PLFAs responded positively to PO. By comparing these results to a model of microbial C-allocation, we reason that NLFA primarily served the "reserve" storage mode for C-limited taxa (i.e., fungi), while the variable portion of PHB likely served as "surplus" C-storage for P-limited bacteria. Thus, our findings reveal a convergence of community-level processes (i.e., changes in taxonomic composition that underpin reserve-mode storage dynamics) and intracellular mechanisms (e.g., physiological plasticity of surplus-mode storage) that drives strong, predictable community-level microbial C-storage dynamics across gradients of soil fertility and substrate stoichiometry.
Topics: Carbon; Ecosystem; Soil; Trehalose; Fungi; Fatty Acids; Biomass; Soil Microbiology; Phospholipids
PubMed: 37853184
DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01527-5 -
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton,... 2024The development of simple but effective storage protocols for adult stem cells will greatly enhance their use and utility in tissue-engineering applications.... (Review)
Review
The development of simple but effective storage protocols for adult stem cells will greatly enhance their use and utility in tissue-engineering applications. Cryopreservation has shown the most promise but is a fairly complex process, necessitating the use of chemicals called cryoprotective agents (CPAs), freezing equipment, and obviously, storage in liquid nitrogen. The purpose of this chapter is to present a general overview of cryopreservation storage techniques and the optimal protocols/results obtained in our laboratory for long-term storage of adult stem cells using freezing storage.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Adipose Tissue; Adult Stem Cells; Cell Survival; Cryopreservation; Cryoprotective Agents; Freezing
PubMed: 38478226
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3762-3_5 -
Annals of Hematology Apr 2024Transfusion reactions induced by platelet transfusions may be reduced and alleviated by leukocyte reduction of platelets. Although leukoreduction of apheresis platelets... (Review)
Review
Transfusion reactions induced by platelet transfusions may be reduced and alleviated by leukocyte reduction of platelets. Although leukoreduction of apheresis platelets can be performed either pre-storage or post-storage, seldom studies directly compare the incidence of transfusion reaction in these two different blood products. We conducted a retrospective study to compare the transfusion reactions between pre-storage and post-storage leukoreduced apheresis platelets. We reviewed the general characteristics and the transfusion reactions, symptoms, and categories for inpatients who received pre-storage or post-storage leukoreduced apheresis platelets. Propensity-score matching was performed to adjust for baseline differences between groups. A total of 40,837 leukoreduction apheresis platelet orders were reviewed. 116 (0.53%) transfusion reactions were reported in 21,884 transfusions with pre-storage leukoreduction, and 174 (0.91%) reactions were reported in 18,953 transfusions with post-storage leukoreduction. Before propensity-score matching, the odds ratio for transfusion reactions in the pre-storage group relative to the post-storage group was 0.57 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.45-0.72, P < 0.01); the odds ratio after matching was 0.63 (95% CI 0.49-0.80, P < 0.01). A two-proportion z-test revealed pre-storage leukoreduction significantly decreases the symptoms of chills, fever, itching, urticaria, dyspnea, and hypertension as compared with those in post-storage leukoreduction. Pre-storage leukoreduced apheresis platelet significantly decreased febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction as compared with post-storage groups. This study suggests pre-storage leukoreduction apheresis platelet significantly decreases the transfusion reaction as compared with those in post-storage leukoreduction.
Topics: Humans; Retrospective Studies; Propensity Score; Blood Platelets; Blood Component Removal; Platelet Transfusion; Transfusion Reaction
PubMed: 38393657
DOI: 10.1007/s00277-024-05652-9 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2023The addition of various oils to meat analog has been an important topic to improving its juiciness and tenderness. However, this causes a concern about oil leaching from...
The addition of various oils to meat analog has been an important topic to improving its juiciness and tenderness. However, this causes a concern about oil leaching from the meat analog during long-term storage. Here, we aimed to assess the storage stability of vegetable-oil-supplemented meat analogs and analyze the effects of temperature and storage period on their physiochemical characteristics. The meat analogs were prepared by adding 30 g castor oil, orange oil, palm oil, shortening, or margarine vegetable oil based on 100 g of textured vegetable protein. They were then stored at -18 or -60 °C for 6 months and analyzed at one-month intervals. The meat analog supplemented with orange oil had the highest water content (64.85%; 66.07%), hardness (35.48 N; 34.05 N), and DPPH-radical-scavenging activity (30.01%; 30.87%) under -18 and -60 °C, respectively, as well as the highest liquid-holding capacity in different conditions. During frozen storage, temperature barely affected the meat quality. The storage stability of all meat analog samples was maintained for 6 months, although the quality was slightly reduced with an increase in storage duration. Coliform group bacteria were not detected regardless of the storage condition. In conclusion, all results supposed that orange oil can be a promising candidate for improving the juiciness and tenderness of meat analogs, and the quality of samples was maintained for at least 6 months under frozen storage. The findings of this study are relevant to the development and promotion of meat analog as an alternative to animal meat.
PubMed: 37835240
DOI: 10.3390/foods12193586 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023Extracellular vesicle (EV) miRNAs are promising biomarkers for clinical diagnosis. However, their stability is a crucial concern affecting reliability and accuracy....
Extracellular vesicle (EV) miRNAs are promising biomarkers for clinical diagnosis. However, their stability is a crucial concern affecting reliability and accuracy. Factors such as sample collection, processing, storage conditions, and experimental procedures impact EV miRNA stability. Studying EV miRNA stability aims to find optimal handling and storage methods, ensuring integrity and functionality throughout research. In this study, we used RT-qPCR and GlyExo-Capture technology, which can specifically capture glycosylated EVs by lectin, to assess the stability of glycosylated EV miRNAs. We found that slow acceleration centrifugation and two-step centrifugation methods were suitable for subsequent experiments. To ensure uniformity, we recommend using the two-step centrifugation method. We also studied blood storage before serum separation and recommend separation within 2 h at 4 °C or 25 °C. For separated serum samples, higher temperatures accelerated miRNA degradation, and the storage duration should be adjusted based on laboratory conditions. Short-term storage at -20 °C is acceptable for up to 3 months while avoiding repeated freeze-thaw cycles. We developed protective agents to extend the storage time at 25 °C, meeting clinical requirements. Additionally, Lakebio's cfRNA storage tubes effectively preserved the stability of miRNAs in plasma glycosylated EVs. Understanding EV miRNA stability provides insights into optimizing sample handling, storage strategies, and enhancing reliability in clinical applications.
Topics: Reproducibility of Results; Glycosylation; Acceleration; Extracellular Vesicles; MicroRNAs
PubMed: 38202686
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29010103 -
Communications Biology Jun 2024Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions facilitate many life-saving acute and chronic interventions. Transfusions are enabled through the gold-standard hypothermic storage of...
Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions facilitate many life-saving acute and chronic interventions. Transfusions are enabled through the gold-standard hypothermic storage of RBCs. Today, the demand for RBC units is unfulfilled, partially due to the limited storage time, 6 weeks, in hypothermic storage. This time limit stems from high metabolism-driven storage lesions at +1-6 °C. A recent and promising alternative to hypothermic storage is the supercooled storage of RBCs at subzero temperatures, pioneered by our group. Here, we report on long-term supercooled storage of human RBCs at physiological hematocrit levels for up to 23 weeks. Specifically, we assess hypothermic RBC additive solutions for their ability to sustain supercooled storage. We find that a commercially formulated next-generation solution (Erythro-Sol 5) enables the best storage performance and can form the basis for further improvements to supercooled storage. Our analyses indicate that oxidative stress is a prominent time- and temperature-dependent injury during supercooled storage. Thus, we report on improved supercooled storage of RBCs at -5 °C by supplementing Erythro-Sol 5 with the exogenous antioxidants, resveratrol, serotonin, melatonin, and Trolox. Overall, this study shows the long-term preservation potential of supercooled storage of RBCs and establishes a foundation for further improvement toward clinical translation.
Topics: Erythrocytes; Humans; Blood Preservation; Cold Temperature; Antioxidants; Oxidative Stress; Cryopreservation; Time Factors
PubMed: 38914723
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06463-4 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Oct 2023The usage of graphene-based materials (GMs) as energy storage is incredibly popular. Significant obstacles now exist in the way of the generation, storage and... (Review)
Review
The usage of graphene-based materials (GMs) as energy storage is incredibly popular. Significant obstacles now exist in the way of the generation, storage and consumption of sustainable energy. A primary focus in the work being done to advance environmentally friendly energy technology is the development of effective energy storage materials. Due to their distinct two-dimensional structure and intrinsic physical qualities like good electrical conductivity and wide area, graphene-based materials have a significant potential to be used in energy storage devices. Graphene and GMs have been employed extensively for this due to their special mechanical, thermal, catalytic and other functional qualities. In this review, we covered the topic of employing GMs to store hydrogen for green energy.
PubMed: 37872339
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30431-w -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024In this study, we present a comprehensive literature review of the potential impacts of climate change on potato storage. Potato preservation can help reduce food loss... (Review)
Review
In this study, we present a comprehensive literature review of the potential impacts of climate change on potato storage. Potato preservation can help reduce food loss and waste while increasing long-term food security, as potatoes are one of the most important crops worldwide. The review's results suggest climate change can negatively affect potato storage, especially tuber sprouting and diseases in storage chambers. Lower Sielianinov coefficient values (indicating dry and hot conditions) during the vegetative season of potato growing can lead to earlier sprouting. For instance, a decrease of 0.05 in the Sielianinov coefficient during the growing season results in tubers stored at 3 °C sprouting 25 days earlier and tubers stored at 5 °C experiencing a 15-day reduction in dormancy. This is due to the fact that the dry and hot climate conditions during the vegetation period of potato planting tend to shorten potato tubers' natural dormancy, which further leads to earlier sprouting during storage. Furthermore, high Sielianinov coefficient values may lead to worse disease situations. The results also suggest that research about the impacts of climate change on potato storage is very limited at the current stage, and further studies are needed to address the key knowledge gaps identified in this study.
PubMed: 38611423
DOI: 10.3390/foods13071119