An efficient system for in vitro multiplication of Ocimum basilicum through node culture

An efficient in vitro micropropagation system was developed for direct shoot growth of Ocimum basilicum, an important medicinal plant, using nodal explants. The excised nodes were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing two plant growth regulators (6-benzyladenine and 2- isopentanyl adenine) with various combinations and concentrations for the study of shoot induction. Addition of L-glutamine was essential to induce sprouting of axillary buds. The best condition for shoot growth was with 6-benzyladenine (BA) 10.0 μM + L-glutamine 30 mg/L in MS medium. The optimum shoot formation frequency was 100% and about 13.4 ± 1.80 shoots were obtained from each explant after 8 weeks of culture. Shoots (more than 4 cm) were rooted most effectively in 5.0 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) supplemented with half-strength MS medium. The plantlets thus obtained hardened off and were transferred to natural soil, where they grew well and attained sexual maturity.Key words: Axillary shoot sprouting, L-glutamine, medicinal plant, micropropagation, Ocimum basilicum

Effect of temperature and salinity on germination of Achillea fragrantissima and Moringa peregrina from Saudi Arabia

Achillea fragrantissima and Moringa peregrina are dominant plants in the mountainous desert of Saudi Arabia. The two species suffer from intensive anthropogenic pressures as they have important medicinal uses. This paper aimed to evaluate the effect of temperature and salinity on germination of A. fragrantissima and M. peregrina in order to provide information about germination requirements which could be useful for conservation. To this end, seeds of both species were germinated at different constant (5, 15, 25 and 35°C) and alternating temperatures (5/15, 10/20, 15/25, and 25/35°C). Moreover, seeds were germinated under different NaCl concentrations (0, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 p.p.m.). At both constant and alternating temperatures, seed germination of both species was significantly different among different incubation temperatures. At constant temperature, germination percentage of A. fragrantissima and M. peregrina was maximum (67.7 and 83.0%, respectively) at 25°C, while at alternating temperatures, the optimal germination (81.0%) of A. fragrantissima occurred at 15/25°C, and for M. peregrine, it (95.3%) was at 25/35°C. Germination at alternating temperatures is higher than at constant temperatures. Germination of M. peregrina occurred at higher temperatures when compared to that of A. fragrantissima. Salinity showed significant inhibitory effect on seed germination of the two species. Germination of A. fragrantissima seeds was more sensitive to salinity than M. peregrina. Maximum seed germination of both species occurred in distilled water, and then germination percentage decreased with increasing NaCl concentration. The lowest germination percentage occurred at 5000 p.p.m. (15.3 and 60.7% for A. fragrantissma and M. peregrina, respectively).Key words: Achillea fragrantissima, Moringa peregrina, germination, temperature, salinity, desert

Preoperative nasopharyngeal swab testing and postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing elective surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Surgical services are preparing to scale up in areas affected by COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the association between preoperative SARS-CoV-2 testing and postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing elective cancer surgery. METHODS: This international cohort study included adult patients undergoing elective surgery for cancer in areas affected by SARS-CoV-2 up to 19 April 2020. Patients suspected of SARS-CoV-2 infection before operation were excluded. The primary outcome measure was postoperative pulmonary complications at 30 days after surgery. Preoperative testing strategies were adjusted for confounding using mixed-effects models. RESULTS: Of 8784 patients (432 hospitals, 53 countries), 2303 patients (26.2 per cent) underwent preoperative testing: 1458 (16.6 per cent) had a swab test, 521 (5.9 per cent) CT only, and 324 (3.7 per cent) swab and CT. Pulmonary complications occurred in 3.9 per cent, whereas SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed in 2.6 per cent. After risk adjustment, having at least one negative preoperative nasopharyngeal swab test (adjusted odds ratio 0.68, 95 per cent confidence interval 0.68 to 0.98; P = 0.040) was associated with a lower rate of pulmonary complications. Swab testing was beneficial before major surgery and in areas with a high 14-day SARS-CoV-2 case notification rate, but not before minor surgery or in low-risk areas. To prevent one pulmonary complication, the number needed to swab test before major or minor surgery was 18 and 48 respectively in high-risk areas, and 73 and 387 in low-risk areas. CONCLUSION: Preoperative nasopharyngeal swab testing was beneficial before major surgery and in high SARS-CoV-2 risk areas. There was no proven benefit of swab testing before minor surgery in low-risk areas