Antibacterial and anticancer activity of marine Streptomyces parvus: optimization and application

A total of 17 actinomycetes were isolated and screened against five bacterial pathogens. Forty-one per cent of the isolates were active against the tested pathogens. The most potent isolate was identified as Streptomyces parvus by using a 16S rRNA sequence analysis. S. parvus produced active compound(s) against a number of Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria. The obtained inhibition zones were 14, 19, 20 and 20 mm against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aeromonas hydrophila, respectively. Moreover, the anticancer activity of S. parvus was tested against four different cell lines: human liver cancer cell line, mouse lymphoma cell line, breast cancer cell line and human colon cancer cell line. The inhibition activities were 53%, 56%, 57% and 42%, respectively. To achieve a maximum production of the bioactive compound, Plackett–Burman design was applied. The productivity increased up to 1.3-fold, when S. parvus was grown in optimized medium composed of: 10 g L−1 starch, 1.5 g L−1 KNO3, 0.75 g L−1 K2HPO4, 0.75 g L−1 MgSO4∙7H2O, 0.015 g L−1 FeSO4, 2 mL (103 colony-forming units mL−1) inoculum size with pH 8 for 7 d of incubation. The main constitutes of S. parvus crude extract were determined by gas–liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. They were found to be ethane, 1,1-diethoxy; di-n-octyl phthalate; ethanol, 2,2-diethoxy; 9,12-octadecadienoic acid; methyl ester (E,E) and benzoic acid

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