Effects of Carbon Dioxide Treatment and Modified Atmosphere Packaging on the Quality of Long Distance Transporting “Maehyang” Strawberry

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) and modified atmosphere (MA) packaging on the quality of strawberry during long distance transportation. “Maehyang” strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) with red color on 70% of the fruit surface were harvested in Gyeongnam province, Korea. The samples were placed in gas-tight chamber with 30% CO2 concentration for 3 hours at 3°C. Strawberry samples were then packaged with modified atmosphere-modified humidity (MA/MH) packaging film. Samples treated with CO2 alone and combined CO2 with MA packaging were stored for one day at 1°C, transported for 10 days at 1°C, and distributed for 3 days at 4°C. Carbon dioxide alone or combination with MA packaging was effective in maintaining quality of “Maehyang” strawberries. Carbon dioxide treatment significantly increased firmness and reduced softening index and decay rate during 14 day transportation and distribution. Samples treated with CO2 + MA had higher overall score with low softening index and weight loss after 14 days of transportation and low temperature distribution compared to CO2 treatment only. The results indicated that a short term application of CO2 or combination treatment of CO2 and MA could be good postharvest handling for maintaining freshness of “Maehyang” strawberries during long distance vessel export.

Tacrolimus for children with refractory nephrotic syndrome:a one-year prospective,multicenter,and open-label study of Tacrobell®,a generic formula

Background:Cyclosporine A and tacrolimus(TAC)are often used as a second-line treatment for children with refractory nephrotic syndrome(NS).This study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy and safety of Tacrobell®,a locally produced generic form of TAC.Methods:This study was a one-year prospective,open-label,single-arm,multicenter trial.Fourty-four children with steroid-dependent NS(SDNS)and 33 children with steroid-resistant NS(SRNS)were enrolled.The primary endpoints were defined as the remission rates,whereas the secondary endpoints were recognized as the duration of remission and adverse effects of TAC.Results:After one-year treatment,34(77.3%)of the 44 patients with SDNS were in complete remission,and 6(13.6%)were in partial remission.Nineteen(43.2%)patients did not relapse during the study;for those who did relapse,the mean duration of remission was 4.6±2.9 months.The number of relapse episodes during the study period(0.90 per patient-year)was significantly lower than that in the preceding year(2.8 per patientyear).After treatment for 3 and 6 months,12(36.4%)of the 33 patients with SRNS were in remission,and after treatment for 12 months,the number of patients had increased to 13(39.4%).The mean time to achieve remission was 4.0±3.2 months.After remission(duration,3.7±2.7 months),12(54.5%)of 22 patients relapsed.The fasting blood glucose and blood pressure levels during the therapy were similar to those at the time of study entry.Conclusions:Treatment with Tacrobell®was effective and safe for children with refractory NS.The efficacy of this generic form of TAC was better than that of the original TAC formula.