Effect of Low Dose Gamma Irradiation on Tristimulus Color and Carotenoid Stability of Seedless Kishu Mandarins (Citrus \u3cem\u3ekinokuni mukakukishu\u3c/em\u3e) During Postharvest Storage

The following research seeks to identify the most appropriate irradiation dose at which carotenoids can be preserved in Kishu mandarins. Irradiation serves as a potential quarantine treatment for imported commodities into the U.S. California grown mandarins kinokuni mukakukishu were treated using gamma irradiation at 0, 150 Gy, 400 Gy and 1000 Gy. The carotenoids in mandarin were evaluated for 3 test days following irradiation: after two days, after 3 weeks at 6 °C and after 3 week storage at 6 °C plus 1 extra week at 20 °C. These storage conditions simulate the sea shipment conditions of imported mandarins from China to U.S. Samples were subject to extraction, separation and saponification in order to obtain a pure carotenoid solution. Carotenoid identification was done based on order of elution, UV-VIS spectral data and retention times through HPLC-DAD analysis. The major carotenoids found were β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene. The results show that the major carotenoids were sensitive to all irradiation doses immediately upon treatment, however exposure to room temperature for a week increased their concentrations. Irradiation caused a decrease in color a* and b* values only in the third week of storage. There did not appear to be a clear correlation between changes in carotenoid content and color values

Effect of Phytosanitary Irradiation on the Quality of Two Varieties of Pummelos (\u3cem\u3eCitrus maxima\u3c/em\u3e (Burm.) Merr.)

Phytosanitary treatments prevent the introduction of pests such as fruit flies into pest free zones, and are often required for international trade. Irradiation is increasingly being considered as an alternative to cold and chemical phytosanitary treatments, such as methyl bromide. In this study, the effect of low dose gamma irradiation on the post-harvest quality of two varieties of pummelos (Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr.), an emerging crop of interest in the US was evaluated. Two varieties of pummelos grown in California were irradiated at the phytosanitary target dose of 150 Gy and a higher dose of 1000 Gy to exaggerate and hence confirm the effects of treatment. The fruit was stored at 12 °C for 3 weeks and at 20 °C for the 4th week to reflect three weeks of sea shipment at the ideal temperature for storage of pummelos and an additional week of retail under ambient conditions. Neither irradiation nor storage affected juice content, organic acids, sugars, peel or pulp color and consumer sensory preference, although numerous volatiles increased in concentration as a result of irradiation treatment. Irradiation caused an immediate reduction in whole fruit and pulp firmness in ‘Chandler’ but not ‘Sarawak’ pummelos at both 150 Gy and 1000 Gy. The quality of irradiated pummelos stored at refrigerated temperature for 3 weeks was similar to untreated pummelos, however, physical handling and exposure to higher temperature resulted in increased peel pitting of irradiated fruit compared to non-treated fruit. The results suggest that irradiation could serve as a potential phytosanitary treatment for Chandler and Sarawak pummelos, provided that the fruit is subjected to minimal handling and not temperature abused

Effect of the harvest date, calcium and other chemicals on the quality and storability of ‘Golden Smoothie’ apples

Apples cultivated in Mexico generally are smaller and softer than those produced in other geographical latitudes considered as optimal for apple production. The aim of this evaluation was determine the effect of applications with calcium, nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, sulfur and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), as well as the harvest date on the quality of apple fruits. ‘Golden Smoothie’ apple trees were treated foliarly with CaCl2 with and without NAA, and with a mixture of N, K, Mg and S or gypsum applied to soil for two years. Apples were harvested at 141 (regular harvest date), 161 (mid-late harvest) and 171 days (late harvest) after full bloom (DAFB) and evaluated for quality at harvest time and during their storage at 0°C for up to 179 days. Foliar applications of CaCl2 significantly increased the calcium content in fruit and leaves, but fruit quality, including firmness, was not influenced. Fertilization of soil with the mixture of nutrients, including CaSO4, did not influence the fruit quality. Lately harvested fruit was 14.9% heavier but 17.1% softer than fruit picked at the commercial harvest date. Delaying of fruit harvest reduced about 43 d the storability of fruit. Based in these results, the relative softness of apples grown in Mexico is not related with its calcium content, hence unlikely to be overcome with the application of this mineral. Even in the control fruits, both seasons, the stored fruits do not show some physiological disorder as bitter pit.  Objective: Apples cultivated in Mexico generally are smaller and softer than those produced in other geographical latitudes considered as optimal for apple production. The aim of this evaluation was determine the effect of applications with calcium, nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, sulfur and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), as well as the harvest date on the quality of apple fruits. Methodology ‘Golden Smoothie’ apple trees were treated foliarly with CaCl2 with and without NAA, and with a mixture of N, K, Mg and S or gypsum applied to soil for two years. Apples were harvested at 141 (regular harvest date), 161 (mid-late harvest) and 171 days (late harvest) after full bloom (DAFB) and evaluated for quality at harvest time and during their storage at 0°C for up to 179 days. Results: Foliar applications of CaCl2 significantly increased the calcium content in fruit and leaves, but fruit quality, including firmness, was not influenced. Fertilization of soil with the mixture of nutrients, including CaSO4, did not influence the fruit quality. Lately harvested fruit was 14.9% heavier but 17.1% softer than fruit picked at the commercial harvest date. Delaying of fruit harvest reduced about 43 d the storability of fruit. Based in these results, the relative softness of apples grown in Mexico is not related with its calcium content, hence unlikely to be overcome with the application of this mineral. Conclusions: Even in the control fruits, both seasons, the stored fruits do not show some physiological disorder as bitter pi

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Multinational evaluation of genetic diversity indicators for the Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

Under the recently adopted Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, 196 Parties committed to reporting the status of genetic diversity for all species. To facilitate reporting, three genetic diversity indicators were developed, two of which focus on processes contributing to genetic diversity conservation: maintaining genetically distinct populations and ensuring populations are large enough to maintain genetic diversity. The major advantage of these indicators is that they can be estimated with or without DNA‐based data. However, demonstrating their feasibility requires addressing the methodological challenges of using data gathered from diverse sources, across diverse taxonomic groups, and for countries of varying socio‐economic status and biodiversity levels. Here, we assess the genetic indicators for 919 taxa, representing 5271 populations across nine countries, including megadiverse countries and developing economies. Eighty‐three percent of the taxa assessed had data available to calculate at least one indicator. Our results show that although the majority of species maintain most populations, 58% of species have populations too small to maintain genetic diversity. Moreover, genetic indicator values suggest that IUCN Red List status and other initiatives fail to assess genetic status, highlighting the critical importance of genetic indicators

The barrier properties and potential use of recycled-LDPE films as a packaging material to preserve the quality of Jalapeño peppers by modified atmospheres

The permeation of O2, CO2 and water vapor through recycled-LDPE films of five different thicknesses (35.2, 44.2, 50.5, 63.8 and 88.9 μm) were studied at 7 °C and 23 °C. These films were used to pack intact Jalapeño peppers, which were stored at 7 °C for 4 weeks. The quality of the peppers and the gas composition inside of the packages were evaluated weekly during the storage interval. Film thickness affected the permeation of the tested gases, being such effect more notorious at 23 °C than at 7 °C. The CO2 levels inside of the pepper packages depended strongly on the film thickness, but the O2 levels were similar in all packages. The modified atmosphere packaging inhibited the postharvest changes in color, firmness, weight loss, ascorbic acid, total phenols and overall quality of the peppers. Fermentative metabolites accumulated during storage, although the levels of such compounds were low and did not affect the quality of the peppers