Determination of Thermal Conductivity of Aloe in the Cooling and Thawing Process

International audienceIn this study, thermal conductivity of aloe was determined in the cooling process from 20°C to -11°C, and in the thawing process from -11°C to 20°C using the tiny thermal probe method. The tiny thermal probe measurement system had the advantages of high accuracy, short test time, low temperature rise and little water removal and was found to give accurate and consistent experimental results. The results showed that the thermal conductivities increased with temperature over the freezing point. The thermal conductivities rapidly increased below the freezing point and it increased with the temperature decreasing. The thermal conductivities decreased with temperature below the thaw point. The thermal conductivities rapidly decreased over the thaw point and it decreased with temperature. The thermal conductivity of aloe in the cooling process was greater than that in the thawing process at the same temperature

Determination of Thermal Conductivity of Aloe in the Cooling and Thawing Process

Abstract. In this study, thermal conductivity of aloe was determined in the cooling process from 20℃ to -11℃, and in the thawing process from -11℃ to 20 ℃ using the tiny thermal probe method. The tiny thermal probe measurement system had the advantages of high accuracy, short test time, low temperature rise and little water removal and was found to give accurate and consistent experimental results. The results showed that the thermal conductivities increased with temperature over the freezing point. The thermal conductivities rapidly increased below the freezing point and it increased with the temperature decreasing. The thermal conductivities decreased with temperature below the thaw point. The thermal conductivities rapidly decreased over the thaw point and it decreased with temperature. The thermal conductivity of aloe in the cooling process was greater than that in the thawing process at the same temperature

Phage P2-71 against multi-drug resistant Proteus mirabilis: isolation, characterization, and non-antibiotic antimicrobial potential

Proteus mirabilis, a prevalent urinary tract pathogen and formidable biofilm producer, especially in Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection, has seen a worrying rise in multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. This upsurge calls for innovative approaches in infection control, beyond traditional antibiotics. Our research introduces bacteriophage (phage) therapy as a novel non-antibiotic strategy to combat these drug-resistant infections. We isolated P2-71, a lytic phage derived from canine feces, demonstrating potent activity against MDR P. mirabilis strains. P2-71 showcases a notably brief 10-minute latent period and a significant burst size of 228 particles per infected bacterium, ensuring rapid bacterial clearance. The phage maintains stability over a broad temperature range of 30-50°C and within a pH spectrum of 4-11, highlighting its resilience in various environmental conditions. Our host range assessment solidifies its potential against diverse MDR P. mirabilis strains. Through killing curve analysis, P2-71’s effectiveness was validated at various MOI levels against P. mirabilis 37, highlighting its versatility. We extended our research to examine P2-71’s stability and bactericidal kinetics in artificial urine, affirming its potential for clinical application. A detailed genomic analysis reveals P2-71’s complex genetic makeup, including genes essential for morphogenesis, lysis, and DNA modification, which are crucial for its therapeutic action. This study not only furthers the understanding of phage therapy as a promising non-antibiotic antimicrobial but also underscores its critical role in combating emerging MDR infections in both veterinary and public health contexts

Table_1_Phage P2-71 against multi-drug resistant Proteus mirabilis: isolation, characterization, and non-antibiotic antimicrobial potential.docx

Proteus mirabilis, a prevalent urinary tract pathogen and formidable biofilm producer, especially in Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection, has seen a worrying rise in multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. This upsurge calls for innovative approaches in infection control, beyond traditional antibiotics. Our research introduces bacteriophage (phage) therapy as a novel non-antibiotic strategy to combat these drug-resistant infections. We isolated P2-71, a lytic phage derived from canine feces, demonstrating potent activity against MDR P. mirabilis strains. P2-71 showcases a notably brief 10-minute latent period and a significant burst size of 228 particles per infected bacterium, ensuring rapid bacterial clearance. The phage maintains stability over a broad temperature range of 30-50°C and within a pH spectrum of 4-11, highlighting its resilience in various environmental conditions. Our host range assessment solidifies its potential against diverse MDR P. mirabilis strains. Through killing curve analysis, P2-71’s effectiveness was validated at various MOI levels against P. mirabilis 37, highlighting its versatility. We extended our research to examine P2-71’s stability and bactericidal kinetics in artificial urine, affirming its potential for clinical application. A detailed genomic analysis reveals P2-71’s complex genetic makeup, including genes essential for morphogenesis, lysis, and DNA modification, which are crucial for its therapeutic action. This study not only furthers the understanding of phage therapy as a promising non-antibiotic antimicrobial but also underscores its critical role in combating emerging MDR infections in both veterinary and public health contexts.</p

Comparative genomic analyses reveal the genetic basis of the yellow-seed trait in Brassica napus

Abstract Yellow-seed trait is a desirable breeding characteristic of rapeseed (Brassica napus) that could greatly improve seed oil yield and quality. However, the underlying mechanisms controlling this phenotype in B. napus plants are difficult to discern because of their complexity. Here, we assemble high-quality genomes of yellow-seeded (GH06) and black-seeded (ZY821). Combining in-depth fine mapping of a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for seed color with other omics data reveal BnA09MYB47a, encoding an R2R3-MYB-type transcription factor, as the causal gene of a major QTL controlling the yellow-seed trait. Functional studies show that sequence variation of BnA09MYB47a underlies the functional divergence between the yellow- and black-seeded B. napus. The black-seed allele BnA09MYB47aZY821, but not the yellow-seed allele BnA09MYB47aGH06, promotes flavonoid biosynthesis by directly activating the expression of BnTT18. Our discovery suggests a possible approach to breeding B. napus for improved commercial value and facilitates flavonoid biosynthesis studies in Brassica crops