In vitro multiplication, antimicrobial, and insecticidal activity of Capparis spinosa L.

Caper (Capparis spinosa L.) is a medical plant grown in Jordan. Mass harvesting of caper plants from their origin environments caused a reduction of these germplasm. Therefore, an easy and consistent method for clonal proliferation and callus induction was established for this species. C. spinosa L. in vitro culture affected in MS medium provided by 0.5 mg/L BAP gave 5.9 microshoots/explant. Two months later MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L NAA developed a maximum callus induction of 33.1 mm. Ex vitro, in vitro, and callus growth of C. spinosa L. using ethanolic and methanolic extracts were tested for their antimicrobial activity against different species of bacteria and fungi. Both ex-vitro and in vitro plants exhibited similar antimicrobial activity. Maximum ex vitro plant antibacterial activity was (23 mm ± 0.58 inhibition zone) against Staphylococcus epidermidi. In comparison, callus extracts gave the highest antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli. Moreover, caper plant extracts showed different antifungal effects against the tested fungi species. Investigation of the data showed that ex-vitro extract exhibited maximum antifungal activity compared to in vitro plants. Additionally, exposed Bemisia tabaci 4th nymphal instar to C. spinosa L. extracts suffered mortality ranging from 2 to 28%.  In most instances, both ethanolic and methanolic extracts affected the survival of B. tabaci more than the control. The current study confirmed that C. spinosa L. has a wide range of antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal activity.

Improving solanine production in in vitro cultures of Solanum nigrum L. using different chemical and physical factors

Solanum nigrum L. is a medicinal plant of solanaceae family with distinguished therapeutic properties. Traditionally, S. nigrum. had been used as an anti-tumorgenic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, diuretic, and antipyretic agent. The most important alkaloid member in this plant is solanine. Therefore, this study was conducted to utilize tissue culture techniques for the enhancement of solanine production in the in vitro grown cultures of this promising neglected plant. For callus growth and development experimental part, the highest callus growth parameters (callus diameter (21.4 mm) and callus fresh weight (2202.4 mg) were obtained in callus grown on Murashige & Skoog MS media supplemented with 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2.0 mg·L-1) plus 1.5 mg·L-1 Thidiazuron. Similar trend was also obtained in cell suspension culture experiment, as maximum growth was recorded at similar hormone combination. Moreover, High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that, solanine was affected by growth regulator type and concentration. The highest solanine levels were obtained when the explants were treated with 6-benzylaminopurine at level of 2.0 mg·L-1, as solanine content reached up to (2.61, 1.53 mg.g-1) for callus and cell suspension, respectively, while, microshoot contained the highest solanine (4.52 mg.g-1 DW) at 6-benzylaminopurine level of 1.6 mg.L-1. Additionally, carbon source had positively affected solanine level, where 0.2 M sucrose resulted in production of the highest amounts (3.13, 2.03 and 1.20 mg.g-1 DW) of solanine in microshoots, callus and cell suspension, respectively. Also, exposing microshoots and callus to light intensity of (100 µmol.m -2 s-1) yielded the highest solanine content (4.03 and 1.26 mg.g-1 DW, respectively),while the lowest solanine levels (1.50 and 0.48 mg.g-1 DW) were observed in plant material exposed to the lowest light intensity treatment (25 µmol.m -2 s-1)

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population