1,199 research outputs found

    Microbial degradation of furanic compounds: biochemistry, genetics, and impact

    Get PDF
    Microbial metabolism of furanic compounds, especially furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), is rapidly gaining interest in the scientific community. This interest can largely be attributed to the occurrence of toxic furanic aldehydes in lignocellulosic hydrolysates. However, these compounds are also widespread in nature and in human processed foods, and are produced in industry. Although several microorganisms are known to degrade furanic compounds, the variety of species is limited mostly to Gram-negative aerobic bacteria, with a few notable exceptions. Furanic aldehydes are highly toxic to microorganisms, which have evolved a wide variety of defense mechanisms, such as the oxidation and/or reduction to the furanic alcohol and acid forms. These oxidation/reduction reactions constitute the initial steps of the biological pathways for furfural and HMF degradation. Furfural degradation proceeds via 2-furoic acid, which is metabolized to the primary intermediate 2-oxoglutarate. HMF is converted, via 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, into 2-furoic acid. The enzymes in these HMF/furfural degradation pathways are encoded by eight hmf genes, organized in two distinct clusters in Cupriavidus basilensis HMF14. The organization of the five genes of the furfural degradation cluster is highly conserved among microorganisms capable of degrading furfural, while the three genes constituting the initial HMF degradation route are organized in a highly diverse manner. The genetic and biochemical characterization of the microbial metabolism of furanic compounds holds great promises for industrial applications such as the biodetoxifcation of lignocellulosic hydrolysates and the production of value-added compounds such as 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid

    C1 compounds as auxiliary substrate for engineered Pseudomonas putida S12

    Get PDF
    The solvent-tolerant bacterium Pseudomonas putida S12 was engineered to efficiently utilize the C1 compounds methanol and formaldehyde as auxiliary substrate. The hps and phi genes of Bacillus brevis, encoding two key steps of the ribulose monophosphate (RuMP) pathway, were introduced to construct a pathway for the metabolism of the toxic methanol oxidation intermediate formaldehyde. This approach resulted in a remarkably increased biomass yield on the primary substrate glucose when cultured in C-limited chemostats fed with a mixture of glucose and formaldehyde. With increasing relative formaldehyde feed concentrations, the biomass yield increased from 35% (C-mol biomass/C-mol glucose) without formaldehyde to 91% at 60% relative formaldehyde concentration. The RuMP-pathway expressing strain was also capable of growing to higher relative formaldehyde concentrations than the control strain. The presence of an endogenous methanol oxidizing enzyme activity in P. putida S12 allowed the replacement of formaldehyde with the less toxic methanol, resulting in an 84% (C-mol/C-mol) biomass yield. Thus, by introducing two enzymes of the RuMP pathway, co-utilization of the cheap and renewable substrate methanol was achieved, making an important contribution to the efficient use of P. putida S12 as a bioconversion platform host

    A randomized, phase III trial of capecitabine plus bevacizumab (Cape-Bev) versus capecitabine plus irinotecan plus bevacizumab (CAPIRI-Bev) in first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer: The AIO KRK 0110 Trial/ML22011 Trial

    Get PDF
    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several randomized trials have indicated that combination chemotherapy applied in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) does not significantly improve overall survival when compared to the sequential use of cytotoxic agents (CAIRO, MRC Focus, FFCD 2000-05). The present study investigates the question whether this statement holds true also for bevacizumab-based first-line treatment including escalation- and de-escalation strategies.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>The AIO KRK 0110/ML22011 trial is a two-arm, multicenter, open-label randomized phase III trial comparing the efficacy and safety of capecitabine plus bevacizumab (Cape-Bev) versus capecitabine plus irinotecan plus bevacizumab (CAPIRI-Bev) in the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1, will be assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either capecitabine 1250 mg/m<sup>2 </sup>bid for 14d (d1-14) plus bevacizumab 7.5 mg/kg (d1) q3w (Arm A) or capecitabine 800 mg/m<sup>2 </sup>BID for 14d (d1-14), irinotecan 200 mg/m<sup>2 </sup>(d1) and bevacizumab 7.5 mg/kg (d1) q3w (Arm B). Patients included into this trial are required to consent to the analysis of tumour tissue and blood for translational investigations. In Arm A, treatment escalation from Cape-Bev to CAPIRI-Bev is recommended in case of progressive disease (PD). In Arm B, de-escalation from CAPIRI-Bev to Cape-Bev is possible after 6 months of treatment or in case of irinotecan-associated toxicity. Re-escalation to CAPIRI-Bev after PD is possible. The primary endpoint is time to failure of strategy (TFS). Secondary endpoints are overall response rate (ORR), overall survival, progression-free survival, safety and quality of life.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The AIO KRK 0110 trial is designed for patients with disseminated, but asymptomatic mCRC who are not potential candidates for surgical resection of metastasis. Two bevacizumab-based strategies are compared: one starting as single-agent chemotherapy (Cape-Bev) allowing escalation to CAPIRI-Bev and another starting with combination chemotherapy (CAPIRI-Bev) and allowing de-escalation to Cape-Bev and subsequent re-escalation if necessary.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01249638">NCT01249638</a></p> <p>EudraCT-No.: 2009-013099-38</p

    Observation of two new Ξb\Xi_b^- baryon resonances

    Get PDF
    Two structures are observed close to the kinematic threshold in the Ξb0π\Xi_b^0 \pi^- mass spectrum in a sample of proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb1^{-1} recorded by the LHCb experiment. In the quark model, two baryonic resonances with quark content bdsbds are expected in this mass region: the spin-parity JP=12+J^P = \frac{1}{2}^+ and JP=32+J^P=\frac{3}{2}^+ states, denoted Ξb\Xi_b^{\prime -} and Ξb\Xi_b^{*-}. Interpreting the structures as these resonances, we measure the mass differences and the width of the heavier state to be m(Ξb)m(Ξb0)m(π)=3.653±0.018±0.006m(\Xi_b^{\prime -}) - m(\Xi_b^0) - m(\pi^{-}) = 3.653 \pm 0.018 \pm 0.006 MeV/c2/c^2, m(Ξb)m(Ξb0)m(π)=23.96±0.12±0.06m(\Xi_b^{*-}) - m(\Xi_b^0) - m(\pi^{-}) = 23.96 \pm 0.12 \pm 0.06 MeV/c2/c^2, Γ(Ξb)=1.65±0.31±0.10\Gamma(\Xi_b^{*-}) = 1.65 \pm 0.31 \pm 0.10 MeV, where the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The width of the lighter state is consistent with zero, and we place an upper limit of Γ(Ξb)<0.08\Gamma(\Xi_b^{\prime -}) < 0.08 MeV at 95% confidence level. Relative production rates of these states are also reported.Comment: 17 pages, 2 figure

    Observation of associated production of a ZZ boson with a DD meson in the~forward region

    Get PDF
    A search for associated production of a ZZ boson with an open charm meson is presented using a data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0fb1.0\,\mathrm{fb}^{-`} of proton--proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7\,TeV, collected by the LHCb experiment. %% Seven candidate events for associated production of a ZZ boson with a D0D^0 meson and four candidate events for a ZZ boson with a D+D^+ meson are observed with a combined significance of 5.1standard deviations. The production cross-sections in the forward region are measured to be σZμ+μ ⁣,D0=2.50±1.12±0.22pb\sigma_{Z\rightarrow\mu^+\mu^-\!,D^0} = 2.50\pm1.12\pm0.22pb σZμ+μ ⁣,D+=0.44±0.23±0.03pb,\sigma_{Z\rightarrow\mu^+\mu^-\!,D^+} = 0.44\pm0.23\pm0.03pb, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figure

    Measurements of the B+B^+, B0B^0, Bs0B_s^0 meson and Λb0\Lambda_b^0 baryon lifetimes

    Get PDF
    Measurements of bb-hadron lifetimes are reported using pppp collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0fb1^{-1}, collected by the LHCb detector at a centre-of-mass energy of 77Tev. Using the exclusive decays B+J/ψK+B^+\to J/\psi K^+, B0J/ψK(892)0B^0\to J/\psi K^*(892)^0, B0J/ψKS0B^0\to J/\psi K^0_{\rm S}, Λb0J/ψΛ\Lambda_b^0\to J/\psi \Lambda and Bs0J/ψϕB^0_s\to J/\psi \phi the average decay times in these modes are measured to be τB+J/ψK+\tau_{B^+\to J/\psi K^+} = 1.637±1.637 \pm 0.004 ±\pm 0.003 ps, τB0J/ψK(892)0\tau_{B^0\to J/\psi K^*(892)^0} = 1.524±1.524 \pm 0.006 ±\pm 0.004 ps, τB0J/ψKS0\tau_{B^0\to J/\psi K^0_{\rm S}} = 1.499±1.499 \pm 0.013 ±\pm 0.005 ps, τΛb0J/ψΛ\tau_{\Lambda_b^0\to J/\psi \Lambda} = 1.415±1.415 \pm 0.027 ±\pm 0.006 ps and τBs0J/ψϕ\tau_{B^0_s\to J/\psi \phi} = 1.480±1.480 \pm 0.011 ±\pm 0.005 ps, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. These represent the most precise lifetime measurements in these decay modes. In addition, ratios of these lifetimes, and the ratio of the decay-width difference, ΔΓd\Delta\Gamma_d, to the average width, Γd\Gamma_d, in the B0B^0 system, ΔΓd/Γd=0.044±0.025±0.011\Delta \Gamma_d/\Gamma_d = -0.044 \pm 0.025 \pm 0.011, are reported. All quantities are found to be consistent with Standard Model expectations.Comment: 28 pages, 4 figures. Updated reference

    Evidence for the strangeness-changing weak decay ΞbΛb0π\Xi_b^-\to\Lambda_b^0\pi^-

    Get PDF
    Using a pppp collision data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0~fb1^{-1}, collected by the LHCb detector, we present the first search for the strangeness-changing weak decay ΞbΛb0π\Xi_b^-\to\Lambda_b^0\pi^-. No bb hadron decay of this type has been seen before. A signal for this decay, corresponding to a significance of 3.2 standard deviations, is reported. The relative rate is measured to be fΞbfΛb0B(ΞbΛb0π)=(5.7±1.80.9+0.8)×104{{f_{\Xi_b^-}}\over{f_{\Lambda_b^0}}}{\cal{B}}(\Xi_b^-\to\Lambda_b^0\pi^-) = (5.7\pm1.8^{+0.8}_{-0.9})\times10^{-4}, where fΞbf_{\Xi_b^-} and fΛb0f_{\Lambda_b^0} are the bΞbb\to\Xi_b^- and bΛb0b\to\Lambda_b^0 fragmentation fractions, and B(ΞbΛb0π){\cal{B}}(\Xi_b^-\to\Lambda_b^0\pi^-) is the branching fraction. Assuming fΞb/fΛb0f_{\Xi_b^-}/f_{\Lambda_b^0} is bounded between 0.1 and 0.3, the branching fraction B(ΞbΛb0π){\cal{B}}(\Xi_b^-\to\Lambda_b^0\pi^-) would lie in the range from (0.57±0.21)%(0.57\pm0.21)\% to (0.19±0.07)%(0.19\pm0.07)\%.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, All figures and tables, along with any supplementary material and additional information, are available at https://lhcbproject.web.cern.ch/lhcbproject/Publications/LHCbProjectPublic/LHCb-PAPER-2015-047.htm

    Observation of the decay BcJ/ψK+Kπ+B_c \rightarrow J/\psi K^+ K^- \pi^+

    Get PDF
    The decay BcJ/ψK+Kπ+B_c\rightarrow J/\psi K^+ K^- \pi^+ is observed for the first time, using proton-proton collisions collected with the LHCb detector corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3fb1^{-1}. A signal yield of 78±1478\pm14 decays is reported with a significance of 6.2 standard deviations. The ratio of the branching fraction of \B_c \rightarrow J/\psi K^+ K^- \pi^+ decays to that of BcJ/ψπ+B_c \rightarrow J/\psi \pi^+ decays is measured to be 0.53±0.10±0.050.53\pm 0.10\pm0.05, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figure

    Measurement of the mass and lifetime of the Ωb\Omega_b^- baryon

    Get PDF
    A proton-proton collision data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb1^{-1} collected by LHCb at s=7\sqrt{s}=7 and 8 TeV, is used to reconstruct 63±963\pm9 ΩbΩc0π\Omega_b^-\to\Omega_c^0\pi^-, Ωc0pKKπ+\Omega_c^0\to pK^-K^-\pi^+ decays. Using the ΞbΞc0π\Xi_b^-\to\Xi_c^0\pi^-, Ξc0pKKπ+\Xi_c^0\to pK^-K^-\pi^+ decay mode for calibration, the lifetime ratio and absolute lifetime of the Ωb\Omega_b^- baryon are measured to be \begin{align*} \frac{\tau_{\Omega_b^-}}{\tau_{\Xi_b^-}} &= 1.11\pm0.16\pm0.03, \\ \tau_{\Omega_b^-} &= 1.78\pm0.26\pm0.05\pm0.06~{\rm ps}, \end{align*} where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic and from the calibration mode (for τΩb\tau_{\Omega_b^-} only). A measurement is also made of the mass difference, mΩbmΞbm_{\Omega_b^-}-m_{\Xi_b^-}, and the corresponding Ωb\Omega_b^- mass, which yields \begin{align*} m_{\Omega_b^-}-m_{\Xi_b^-} &= 247.4\pm3.2\pm0.5~{\rm MeV}/c^2, \\ m_{\Omega_b^-} &= 6045.1\pm3.2\pm 0.5\pm0.6~{\rm MeV}/c^2. \end{align*} These results are consistent with previous measurements.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, All figures and tables, along with any supplementary material and additional information, are available at https://lhcbproject.web.cern.ch/lhcbproject/Publications/LHCbProjectPublic/LHCb-PAPER-2016-008.htm

    Precision measurement of CPCP violation in Bs0J/ψK+KB_s^0 \to J/\psi K^+K^- decays

    Get PDF
    The time-dependent CPCP asymmetry in Bs0J/ψK+KB_s^0 \to J/\psi K^+K^- decays is measured using pppp collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.03.0fb1^{-1}, collected with the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass energies of 77 and 88TeV. In a sample of 96 000 Bs0J/ψK+KB_s^0 \to J/\psi K^+K^- decays, the CPCP-violating phase ϕs\phi_s is measured, as well as the decay widths ΓL\Gamma_{L} and ΓH\Gamma_{H} of the light and heavy mass eigenstates of the Bs0Bˉs0B_s^0-\bar{B}_s^0 system. The values obtained are ϕs=0.058±0.049±0.006\phi_s = -0.058 \pm 0.049 \pm 0.006 rad, Γs(ΓL+ΓH)/2=0.6603±0.0027±0.0015\Gamma_s \equiv (\Gamma_{L}+\Gamma_{H})/2 = 0.6603 \pm 0.0027 \pm 0.0015ps1^{-1}, andΔΓsΓLΓH=0.0805±0.0091±0.0032\Delta\Gamma_s \equiv \Gamma_{L} - \Gamma_{H} = 0.0805 \pm 0.0091 \pm 0.0032ps1^{-1}, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. These are the most precise single measurements of those quantities to date. A combined analysis with Bs0J/ψπ+πB_s^{0} \to J/\psi \pi^+\pi^- decays gives ϕs=0.010±0.039\phi_s = -0.010 \pm 0.039 rad. All measurements are in agreement with the Standard Model predictions. For the first time the phase ϕs\phi_s is measured independently for each polarisation state of the K+KK^+K^- system and shows no evidence for polarisation dependence.Comment: 6 figure
    corecore