Antenatal magnesium individual participant data international collaboration: assessing the benefits for babies using the best level of evidence (AMICABLE)

BACKGROUND: The primary aim of this study is to assess, using individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis, the effects of administration of antenatal magnesium sulphate given to women at risk of preterm birth on important clinical outcomes for their child such as death and neurosensory disability. The secondary aim is to determine whether treatment effects differ depending on important pre-specified participant and treatment characteristics, such as reasons at risk of preterm birth, gestational age, or type, dose and mode of administration of magnesium sulphate. METHODS: Design: The Antenatal Magnesium Individual Participant Data (IPD) International Collaboration: assessing the benefits for babies using the best level of evidence (AMICABLE) Group will perform an IPD meta-analysis to answer these important clinical questions. Setting/Timeline: The AMICABLE Group was formed in 2009 with data collection commencing late 2010. Inclusion Criteria: Five trials involving a total 6,145 babies are eligible for inclusion in the IPD meta-analysis. Primary study outcomes: For the infants/children: Death or cerebral palsy. For the women: Any severe maternal outcome potentially related to treatment (death, respiratory arrest or cardiac arrest). DISUCSSION: Results are expected to be publicly available in 2012.C.A. Crowther, P.F. Middleton, L.M. Askie, L.W. Doyle, T.K. Bubner and M. Voyse

Methanol as carbon source in the bio-economy: Metabolic engineering of aerobic methylotrophic bacteria for production of value-added chemicals

Pfeifenschneider J, Brautaset T, Wendisch VF. Methanol as carbon source in the bio-economy: Metabolic engineering of aerobic methylotrophic bacteria for production of value-added chemicals. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining. 2017;11(4):719-731.Bacteria are widely used as cell factories for production of enzymes and chemicals, mostly from sugars. Methylotrophic bacteria can utilize the one-carbon compound methanol as sole carbon source for growth, and metabolic engineering is being used to develop bioprocesses based on these organisms for conversion of methanol into value-added chemicals. Methylotrophic model strains include both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and in all cases methanol metabolism proceeds via the cell-toxic intermediate formaldehyde. Thus, understanding the genetics, biochemistry, and regulation of methylotrophic pathways is crucial for successful strain development and for their concomitant fermentations. Also, such basic knowledge has proven useful for design of strategies and approaches for the rational transfer of methylotrophy into non-methylotrophic bacteria. In the current review we highlight the best studied methylotrophic model organisms, with particular focus on the Gram-positive Bacillus methanolicus and the Gram-negative Methylobacterium extorquens, including their genetics and physiology. We present successful metabolic engineering examples leading to the construction of recombinant strains for the production of amino acids, platform chemicals, terpenoids and dicarboxylic acids derivatives from methanol as sole carbon source. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Lt