Ozone Sterilizer for Treatment and Health Care

Ozone is a green broad-spectrum bactericidal disinfectant, and a trace amount of ozone in the atmosphere makes many viruses and bacteria lose their biochemical activity and infectivity. Nature produces trace amounts of ozone in the air through lightning to purify the ecological environment. The product of ozone decomposition is oxygen, without secondary pollution. Ozone sterilizer is widely used in the epidemic prevention and control of intensive breeding farms and achieved remarkable results. If the concentration and action time of ozone can be accurately controlled, then ozone can quickly eliminate pathogens, without harming the normal cells in the human body. How to use medical ozone for epidemic prevention, treatment and health care is a subject worthy of serious study, which should arouse the attention of the experts in the field.

Observation of Effectiveness of Clinical Sterilization by CASP-80A Low-Temperature Plasma Sterilizer

The influence on the effectiveness of sterilization by low-temperature plasma sterilizer CASP-80A was investigated so as to provide a theoretical basis for reducing medical costs and achieving ideal sterilization effectiveness. To conduct the on-site simulation test, a clinical material sterilization test and a test of the influence of organic substance were conducted, the former by using the representative of Bacillus Stearothermophilus, preparing the bacteria-contaminated carrier through polytetrafluoroethylene （PTFE） simulated hose endoscopes, and the latter by using calf serum as the influence factor of the organic substance. The results show that the CASP-80A low-temperature plasma sterilizer could achieve effective sterilization by either the short-cycle or the long-cycle sterilization method depending on different materials, apparatus, and extent of contamination. The organic substances could influence the effectiveness of sterilization by the low-temperature plasma （H2O2） sterilizer.

Study on a New Ultraviolet Sterilizer to the Surface Disinfection of the Ultrasound Probe

We studied the disinfection effect of a new ultraviolet （UV） sterilizer and its utilization on ultrasound probe surfaces. Carrier quantitative germicidal tests, simulated on-the-spot trials, and organic substance influence tests were used to carry out experimental observation. Artificially infected probes were disinfected using the sterilizer or a germicidal lamp for comparison. The total number and types of bacteria were determined and identified. Our results demonstrated the sterilizer had the best disinfection effect among three different disinfection methods in hospital. The sterilizer has been used in a hospital setting for 2 years with no notable damage to the ultrasound probe instrument. It has the advantages of fast disinfection, high disinfection effect, and good compatibility with the ultrasound instrument, worthy of being a promoted application in medical institutions.

Ultra-Violet (UV): A Good Bacterial Sterilizer?

Introduction: The aim of this study was to improve the DISTER-UV and to perform microbiological quality control at the biomedical laboratory of the West African Polytechnic University from January 2022 to November 2022. Methodology: During this eleven-month prospective study, we set up a quality control device (QCD). For microbiological quality control, we performed different cultures of bacteria with different bacteriological and morphological characteristics at T0 (no sterilization) and at T30 (after 30 minutes of sterilization under DISTER-UV). Results: After the realization, the DCQ attached to the DISTER-UV1 allows to display of the UV wavelength present in the light box. This device also displays and alerts when the UV intensity emitted by the lamps is below 250 nm. During microbiological quality control, the cultures carried out at T30 and incubated for 24 hours did not reveal any bacterial colonies. This shows the bactericidal character of DISTER-UV-2. Conclusion: The improvement and the microbiological quality control allowed us to switch from DISTER-UV1 (without sensor) to DISTER-UV-2 (with sensor or DCQ). The biological control allowed us to affirm that the DISTER-UV-2 is bactericidal.

Oriented Generation of Novel Thermo-Sensitive Genic Male Sterile Lines with Improved Grain Shape and Outcrossing Rate in Early-Season Rice

Two-line hybrid rice with excellent quality is preferred in the Chinese market.However,there is a trade-off between reducing costs for hybrid seed production and lowering the outcrossing rate of the sterile line,which is largely determined by the stigma exsertion rate(SER).In this study,we constructed mutants of male sterility lines with improved grain length(GL)and SER in three elite early-season indica rice varieties through targeted manipulation of the TMS5 and GS3 genes using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated multiplex systems.We obtained a series of marker-free gs3 single mutants and gs3tms5 double mutants with significantly higher SER,longer grains,and increased 1000-grain weight compared with the wild type(WT).Importantly,the typically thermo-sensitive genic male sterile(TGMS)trait with a higher SER was observed in gs3tms5 mutants,and their F1 hybrids exhibited remarkable improvements in grain shape and yield-related traits.Our findings provided an efficient method to generate new valuable TGMS germplasm with improved SER through the mutagenesis of GS3 and TMS5 synergistically,and demonstrated that GS3 had pleiotropic effects on grain size,SER,and grain quality in early-season indica rice.

Evaluation of the Impact of Refined Quality Control Management Model on the Qualified Rate of Disinfection and Sterilization of Surgical Instruments in the Sterilization Supply Center

Objective:To evaluate the application value of a refined quality control management model for a sterilization supply center.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the work situation of the sterilization supply center from January 2021 to January 2023.The work situation before January 31,2022,was classified as the control group;a routine quality control management model was implemented,and the work situation after January 31,2022,was classified as the observation group.The quality of medical device management and department satisfaction between the two groups were compared.Results:The timely recovery and supply rate,classification and cleaning pass rate,disinfection pass rate,packaging pass rate,sterilization pass rate,and department satisfaction score in the observation group were all higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Implementing a refined quality control management model in the sterilization supply center can improve the quality management level of medical devices and department satisfaction and is worthy of promotion.

Effect of power supply parameters on discharge characteristics and sterilization efficiency of magnetically driven rotating gliding arc

Plasma sterilization is a new generation of high-tech sterilization method that is fast,safe,and pollution free.It is widely used in medical,food,and environmental protection fields.Home air sterilization is an emerging field of plasma application,which puts higher requirements on the miniaturization,operational stability,and operating cost of plasma device.In this study,a novel magnetically driven rotating gliding arc(MDRGA)discharge device was used to sterilize Lactobacillus fermentation.Compared with the traditional gas-driven gliding arc,this device has a simple structure and a more stable gliding arc.Simulation using COMSOL Multiphysics showed that adding permanent magnets can form a stable magnetic field,which is conducive to the formation of gliding arcs.Experiments on the discharge performance,ozone concentration,and sterilization effect were conducted using different power supply parameters.The results revealed that the MDRGA process can be divided into three stages:starting,gliding,and extinguishing.Appropriate voltage was the key factor for stable arc gliding,and both high and low voltages were not conducive to stable arc gliding and ozone production.In this experimental setup,the sterilization effect was the best at 6.6 kV.A high modulation duty ratio was beneficial for achieving stable arc gliding.However,when the duty ratio exceeded a certain value,the improvement in the sterilization effect was slow.Therefore,considering the sterilization effect and energy factors comprehensively,we chose 80%as the optimal modulation duty ratio for this experimental device.

Advances in DNA methylation and its role in cytoplasmic male sterility in higher plants

The impact of epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation on plant phenotypes has expanded the possibilities for crop development.DNA methylation plays a part in the regulation of both the chromatin structure and gene expression,and the enzyme involved,DNA methyltransferase,executes the methylation process within the plant genome.By regulating crucial biological pathways,epigenetic changes actively contribute to the creation of the phenotype.Therefore,epigenome editing may assist in overcoming some of the drawbacks of genome editing,which can have minor off-target consequences and merely facilitate the loss of a gene’s function.These drawbacks include gene knockout,which can have such off-target effects.This review provides examples of several molecular characteristics of DNA methylation,as well as some plant physiological processes that are impacted by these epigenetic changes in the plants.We also discuss how DNA alterations might be used to improve crops and meet the demands of sustainable and environmentally-friendly farming.

Fine mapping and cloning of the sterility gene Bra2Ms in nonheading Chinese cabbage(Brassica rapa ssp.chinensis)

The application of a male-sterile line is an ideal approach for hybrid seed production in non-heading Chinese cabbage(Brassica rapa ssp.chinensis).However,the molecular mechanisms underlying male sterility in B.rapa are still largely unclear.We previously obtained the natural male sterile line WS24-3 of non-heading Chinese cabbage and located the male sterile locus,Bra2Ms,on the A2 chromosome.Cytological observations revealed that the male sterility of WS24-3 resulted from disruption of the meiosis process during pollen formation.Fine mapping of Bra2Ms delimited the locus within a physical distance of about 129 kb on the A2 chromosome of B.rapa.The Bra039753 gene encodes a plant homeodomain(PHD)-finger protein and is considered a potential candidate gene for Bra2Ms.Bra039753 was significantly downregulated in sterile line WS24-3 compared to the fertile line at the meiotic anther stage.Sequence analysis of Bra039753 identified a 369 bp fragment insertion in the first exon in male sterile plants,which led to an amino acid insertion in the Bra039753 protein.In addition,the 369 bp fragment insertion was found to cosegregate with the male sterility trait.This study identified a novel locus related to male sterility in non-heading Chinese cabbage,and the molecular marker obtained in this study will be beneficial for the marker-assisted selection of excellent sterile lines in non-heading Chinese cabbage and other Brassica crops.

A novel Ag/ZnO core-shell structure for efficient sterilization synergizing antibiotics and subsequently removing residuals

The massive use of antibiotics has led to the aggravation of bacterial resistance and also brought environmental pollution problems.This poses a great threat to human health.If the dosage of antibiotics is reduced by increasing its bactericidal performance,the emergence of drug resistance is certainly delayed,so that there's not enough time for developing drug resistance during treatment.Therefore,we selected typical representative materials of metal Ag and semiconductor ZnO nano-bactericides to design and synthesize Ag/ZnO hollow core-shell structures(AZ for short).Antibiotics are grafted on the surface of AZ through rational modification to form a composite sterilization system.The research results show that the antibacterial efficiency of the composite system is significantly increased,from the sum(34.7%+22.8%-57.5%)of the antibacterial efficiency of AZ and gentamicin to 80.2%,net synergizes 22.7%,which fully reflects the effect of 1+1>2.Therefore,the dosage of antibiotics can be drastically reduced in this way,which makes both the possibility of bacterial resistance and medical expenses remarkably decrease.Subsequently,residual antibiotics can be degraded under simple illumination using AZ-self as a photocatalyst,which cuts off the path of environmental pollution.In short,such an innovative route has guiding significance for drug resistance.

Morphological and cytological assessments reveal pollen degradation causes pollen abortion in cotton cytoplasmic male sterility lines

Background Understanding the mechanism of male sterility is crucial for producing hybrid seeds and developing sterile germplasm resources.However,only a few cytoplasmic male sterility(CMS)lines of cotton have been produced due to several challenges,like inadequate variation of agronomic traits,incomplete sterility,weak resilience of restorer lines,and difficulty in combining strong dominance.Therefore,the morphological and cytological identification of CMS in cotton will facilitate hybrid breeding.Results Two F_(2) segregating populations of cotton were constructed from cytoplasmic male sterile lines(HaA and 01A,maternal)and restorer lines(HaR and 26R,paternal).Genetic analysis of these populations revealed a segregation ratio of 3:1 for fertile to sterile plants.Phenotypic analysis indicated no significant differences in traits of flower bud development between sterile and fertile plants.However,sterile plants exhibited smaller floral organs,shortened filament lengths,and anther atrophy on the flowering day in comparison with the fertile plants.When performed scanning electron microscopy(SEM),the two F_(2) populations revealed morphological variations in the anther epidermis.Cellular analysis showed no significant differences in pollen development before pollen maturation.Interestingly,between the pollen maturation and flowering stages,the tapetum layer of sterile plants degenerated prematurely,resulting in abnormal pollen grains and gradual pollen degradation.Conclusion The results of this study suggest that fertility-restoring genes are controlled by a single dominant gene.Sterile plants exhibit distinctive floral morphology,which is characterized by stamen atrophy and abnormal anthers.Pollen abortion occurs between pollen maturity and flowering,indicating that premature tapetum degradation may be the primary cause of pollen abortion.Overall,our study provides a theoretical basis for utilizing CMS in hybrid breeding and in-depth investigation of the dominant configuration of cotton hybrid combinations,mechanisms of sterility,and the role of sterile and restorer genes.

Rice AGL1 determines grain size and sterile lemma identity

The grass spikelet is a unique inflorescence structure that determines grain size.Although many genetic factors have been well characterized for grain size and glume development,the underlying molecular mechanisms in rice are far from established.Here,we isolated rice gene,AGL1 that controlled grain size and determines the fate of the sterile lemma.Loss of function of AGL1 produced larger grains and reduced the size of the sterile lemma.Larger grains in the agl1 mutant were caused by a larger number of cells that were longer and wider than in the wild type.The sterile lemma in the mutant spikelet was converted to a rudimentary glume-like organ.Our findings showed that the AGL1(also named LAX1)protein positively regulated G1 expression,and negatively regulated NSG1 expression,thereby affecting the fate of the sterile lemma.Taken together,our results revealed that AGL1 played a key role in negative regulation of grain size by controlling cell proliferation and expansion,and supported the opinion that rudimentary glume and sterile lemma in rice are homologous organs.

FPGA-based plasma sterilization device for wound-edge recognition

There is a currently a lack of large-area plasma sterilization devices that can intelligently identify the shape of a wound for automatic steriliza-tion.For this reason,in this work,a plasma sterilization device with wound-edge recognition was developed using afield-programmable gate array(FPGA)and a high-performance image-processing platform to realize intelligent and precise sterilization of wounds.SOLIDWORKS was used to design the mechanical structure of the device,and it was manufactured using 3D printing.The device used an improvement of the traditional Sobel detection algorithm,which extends the detection of edges in only the x and y directions to eight directions(0○,45○,90○,135○,180○,225○,270○,and 315○),completing the wound-edge detection by adaptive thresholding.The device can be controlled according to different shapes of sterilization area to adjust the positioning of a single plasma-jet tube in the horizontal plane for two-dimensional move-ment;the distance between the plasma-jet tube and the surface of the object to be sterilized can be also adjusted in the vertical direction.In this way,motors are used to move the plasma jet and achieve automatic,efficient,and accurate plasma sterilization.It was found that a good sterilization effect could be achieved at both the culture-medium level and the biological-tissue level.The ideal sterilization parameters at the culture-medium level were a speed of 2 mm/s and aflow rate of 0.6 slm,while at the biological-tissue level,these values were 1 mm/s and 0.6 slm,respectively.

Sterilization Effect of Cooking Process for Guilin Rice Noodles Based on Heat Conduction Model

Guilin rice noodles, a unique cuisine from Guilin, Guangxi, is renowned both domestically and internationally as one of the top ten “Guilin Classics”. Utilizing a heat conduction model, this study explores the effectiveness of the cooking process in sterilizing Guilin rice noodles before consumption. The model assumes that a large pot is filled with boiling water which is maintained at a constant high temperature heat resource through continuous gentle heating. And the room temperature is set as the initial temperature for the preheating process and the final temperature for the cooling process. The objective is to assess whether the cooking process achieves satisfactory sterilization results. The temperature distribution function of rice noodle with time is analytically obtained using the separation of variables method in the three-dimensional cylindrical coordinate system. Meanwhile, the thermal diffusion coefficient of Guilin rice noodles is obtained in terms of Riedel’ theory. By analyzing the elimination characteristics of Pseudomonas cocovenenans subsp. farinofermentans, this study obtains the optimal time required for effective sterilization at the core of Guilin rice noodles. The results show that the potential Pseudomonas cocovenenans subsp. farinofermentans will be completely eliminated through continuously preheating more than 31 seconds during the cooking process before consumption. This study provides a valuable reference of food safety standards in the cooking process of Guilin rice noodles, particularly in ensuring the complete inactivation of potentially harmful strains such as Pseudomonas cocovenenans subsp. farinofermentans.

Risk Assessment of Hydrogen Peroxide Low- Temperature Plasma Sterilization Using Different Monitoring Methods

Objective:This study aims to evaluate the application value of biological monitoring and different types of chemical indicator cards in batch monitoring of hydrogen peroxide low-temperature plasma sterilization.The goal is to standardize the selection of loading conditions for this sterilization method and avoid positive biological monitoring results.Methods:Physical monitoring,Class I chemical indicator card monitoring,Class IV chemical indicator card monitoring,and biological monitoring were used to monitor the hydrogen peroxide low-temperature plasma sterilization process.The sterilization effect on instruments inside the Johnson&Johnson 100S plasma sterilizer was monitored and the qualification of various monitoring methods was compared.Results:The comparison showed that when non-standard or adsorption-prone packaging materials were used,the interception rate of biological monitoring and Class IV chemical indicator cards was significantly higher than that of physical monitoring and Class I chemical indicator cards.These methods more intuitively and effectively detected sterilization failures.Conclusion:Biological monitoring and Class IV chemical indicator cards are safe,fast,accurate,and easy to interpret in hydrogen peroxide low-temperature plasma sterilization,especially for monitoring instruments inside packages.They provide a reliable basis for the release of sterilized instrument packages.Identifying the reasons for positive biological monitoring results in hydrogen peroxide low-temperature plasma sterilization and taking effective measures promptly can minimize associated risks.

Influential Factors of Restorer of New Cytoplasmic Male Sterile(NER) on Anther Culture

Some influential factors of anther culture were studied preliminarily by conducting anther culture of the restorers of new cytoplasmic male sterile （NER）. Several results were obtain from this experiment and they were listed as follow：① MS cultrure medium with such hormones as 2,4-D 2 mg/L,6-BA 0.5 mg/L, NAA 0.5 mg/L was the best suitable for callus induction of NER. ②The difference of induction rate was significantly different between different plant age groups. From the 110th day to 141th day,the induction rate was increased with the increase of age and the difference of induction rate reached 0.01 significant difference level. The induction rate reached the highest value in the 141th day then it declined gradually. ③The combined use of 2, 4-D and 6-BA with proper increase of 2,4-D was good for inducing callus. ④The green plantlet induction rate of NER was increased when the concentration of 6-BA increased from 2 mg/L to 4 mg/L. Adding ZT from 0.5 mg/L to 2 mg/L. 6-BA would led 2.47% increase of green plantlet olantlet induction rate.

Study on Explants Sterilization and Callus Induction of Aquilegia oxysepala

[Objective] The aim was to study the explants sterilization and callus induction of Aquilegia oxysepala.[Method] the seeds of Aquilegia oxysepala were sterilized by different kinds and concentrations of disinfectants,and the pollution rate and pollution speed were investigated so as to find the best way to build sterile seedling setup.Taking the roots,stem segments and leaves of the sterile seedlings from Aquilegia oxysepala seeds as explants,the optimum explants and medium were screened by adding MS basic medium with different hormone proportions.[Result] The best germicidal treatment was as follows：explants were soaked in 75% alcohol for 30 s firstly,washed by sterile water for 5 times,then soaked in 0.2% mercuric chloride liquid for 2 min,finally washed by sterile water for 5 times again.The sterilization treatment could get the lowest pollution rate,the highest germinating capacity and the best sterile seedling.Roots were the optimum explants for the callus induction of Aquilegia oxysepala,meanwhile the optimal medium was MS＋0.6 mg/L 2,4-D＋0.5 mg/L 6-BA.[Conclusion] The research provides technical support for the large scale production of Aquilegia oxysepala and also makes a contribution to the medicinal and ornamental value of Aquilegia oxysepala.

Genetic Analysis and Mapping of Genes Involved in Fertility of Pingxiang Dominant Genic Male Sterile Rice

Pingxiang-dominant genic male sterile rice （PDGMSR） was the first dominant genic male sterile mutant identified in rice （Oryza sativa L.）, and the corresponding dominant genic male sterile gene was designated as Ms-p. The fertility of PDGMSR can be restored by introduction of a dominant epistatic fertility restoring gene in some rice varieties. In the present study, E823, an indica inbred rice variety, restored the fertility of PDGMSR, and the genetic pattern was found to be consistent with a dominant epistatic model, therefore, the dominant epistatic fertility restorer gene was designated as Rfe. The F2 population from the cross of PDGMSR/E823 was developed to map gene Rfe. The F2 plants with the genotypes Ms-pMs-pRferfe or Ms-pms-pRferfe were used to construct a fertile pool, and the corresponding sterile plants with genotypes Ms-pMs-prferfe or Ms-pms-prferfe were used to con- struct a sterile pool. The fertility restoring gene Rfe was mapped to one side of the microsatellite markers RM311 and RM3152 on rice chromosome 10, with genetic distances of 7.9 cM and 3.6 cM, respectively. The microsatellite markers around the location of the Ms-p gene were used to finely map the Ms-p gene. The findings of this study indicated that the microsatellite markers RM171 and RM6745 flanked the Ms-p gene, and the distances were 0.3 cM and 3.0 cM, respectively. On the basis of the sequence of rice chromosome 10, the physical distance between the two markers is approximately 730 kb. These findings facilitates molecular marker-assisted selection （MAS） of genes Ms-p and Rfe in rice breeding programs, and cloning them in the future.

RAPD and ISSR Markers of Fertility Restoring Gene for Aegilops kotschyi Cytoplasmic Male Sterility in Wheat

LK783 was found to be a good fertility restorer for K-type male sterility of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). RAPD and ISSR (inter-simple sequence repeat polymorphism) markers were employed to map the major restoring gene in LK783. Maintainer and restorer DNA pools were established using the extreme sterile and fertile plants among KJ5418A//911289/LK783 F 1 population, respectively. Four hundred and eighteen RAPD primers and 33 ISSR primers were used for screening polymorphisms between the two pools, and amplification bands using a RAPD primer of OPK18 and an ISSR primer of UBC-845 were found polymorphic between the two pools. Linkage analysis showed that OPK18 450 and UBC-845 800 were linked to the restoring gene in LK783. The distance between the restoring gene and OPK18 450 was (15.07±6.28) cM (centiMorgan), with the distance between the restoring gene and UBC-845 800 being (8.20±4.85) cM. The marker of UBC-845 800 was located on chromosome 1BS by amplifying nulli-tetrasomics and 1B ditelosomics of Chinese Spring with the primer of UBC-845, indicating that the restoring gene in LK783 was located on 1BS. The breeding for new fertility restorer lines of K-type cytoplasmic male sterility of wheat would be facilitated by using the two markers.

Mapping of S-b Locus for F_1 Pollen Sterility in Cultivated Rice Using PCR Based Markers

In cultivated rice ( Oryza sativa L.), F-1 pollen sterility is controlled by at least 6 loci of the F, pollen sterility genes. To map S-b, one of loci, rice variety Taichung 65 (T65) carrying S-b(j)/S-b(j) and its near-isogenic line TIST2 carrying S-b(i)/S-b(i) were used to develop the mapping population. One hundred and fifty-eight microsatellite markers were selected to survey T65 and TISL2. RM13 on chromosome 5 was found to be polymorphic between them. Cosegregation indicated that RM13 was closely linked with locus S-b. Eleven RFLP markers were selected on the corresponding region from the genetic map of Rice Genome Research Program (RGP) of Japan to convert into sequence-tagged site (STS) markers. Amplicon length polymorphism (ALP) was carried out, but none of them was found to be polymorphic between T65 and TISL2. Then PCR-based RFLP (PBR) was done using six 4-nucleotide recognizing restriction endonucleases. Polymorphism was detected when PCR products of R830STS and R2213SSTS were digested with Taq I. Genetic analysis indicated that the distance between locus S-b and markers, R830STS, RM13 and R2213SSTS were 3.3 cM (centi-Morgan), 5.2 cM and 5.5 cM, respectively. These PCR-based markers could be directly used in marker-assisted selection. The technical system combining genetic mapping and PCR-based marker-assisted selection will facilitate the development of molecular breeding.