Purification and Characterisation of a Thermostable β-Xylosidase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus niger</Emphasis> van Tieghem of Potential Application in Lignocellulosic Bioethanol Production

A locally isolated strain of Aspergillus niger van Tieghem was found to produce thermostable β-xylosidase activity. The enzyme was purified by cation and anion exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Maximum activity was observed at 70–75 °C and pH 4.5. The enzyme was found to be thermostable retaining 91 and 87% of its original activity after incubation for 72 h at 60 and 65 °C, respectively, with 52% residual activity detected after 18 h at 70 °C. Available data indicates that the purified β-xylosidase is more thermostable over industrially relevant prolonged periods at high temperature than those reported from other A. niger strains. Maximum activity was observed on p-nitrophenyl-β-d-xylopyranoside and the enzyme also hydrolysed p-nitrophenyl β-d-glucopyranoside and p-nitrophenyl α-l-arabinofuranoside. The purified enzyme acted synergistically with A. niger endo-1,4-β-xylanase in the hydrolysis of beechwood xylan at 65 °C. During hydrolysis of pretreated straw lignocellulose at 70 °C using a commercial lignocellulosic enzyme cocktail, inclusion of the purified enzyme resulted in a 19-fold increase in the amount of xylose produced after 6 h. The results observed indicate potential suitability for industrial application in the production of lignocellulosic bioethanol where thermostable β-xylosidase activity is of growing interest to maximise the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulose.     

Structure of the N-acetylpseudaminic acid-containing capsular polysaccharide of Acinetobacter baumannii NIPH67

Capsular polysaccharide (CPS) was isolated from a nosocomial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) NIPH67 and studied by sugar analysis, Smith degradation, and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The CPS was found to contain 5,7-diacetamido-3,5,7,9-tetradeoxy-l-glycero-l-manno-non-2-ulosonic acid (di-N-acetylpseudaminic acid, Pse5Ac7Ac), and the structure of the linear trisaccharide repeating unit of the CPS was established as →4)-α-Psep5Ac7Ac-(2→6)-β-d-Galp-(1→3)-α-d-GalpNAc-(1→. The genetic content of the capsule biosynthesis cluster of A. baumannii NIPH67, designated KL33, is consistent with the established CPS structure, and thus the capsule of the investigated strain was assigned to K33 group. Functions of proteins including two glycosyltransferases encoded by the genes of the K33 locus were assigned based on the structure of CPS and by the comparison with related proteins of other capsular types of A. baumannii.     

Effect of Evolutionary Adaption on Xylosidase Activity in Thermotolerant Yeast Isolates <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kluyveromyces marxianus</Emphasis> NIRE-K1 and NIRE-K3

Efficient use of xylose along with glucose is necessary for the economic production of lignocellulosic based biofuels. Xylose transporters play an important role in the microorganisms for efficient utilization of xylose. In the present study, a novel method has been developed for a rapid assay of xylose transport activity in the xylose-utilizing isolates and other known yeasts. An assay was conducted to compare the activity of β-xylosidase using p-nitrophenyl-β-d-xylopyranoside (pNPX) in the intact, intracellular, and extracellular yeasts cells showing xylose transporter. Saccharomyces cerevisiae (MTCC 170) showed no xylosidase activity, while little growth was observed in the xylose-containing medium. Although other yeasts, i.e., Kluyveromyces marxianus NIRE-K1 (MTCC 5933), K. marxianus NIRE-K3 (MTCC 5934), and Candida tropicalis (MTCC 230), showed xylosidase activity in intact, intracellular, and extracellular culture. The xylosidase activity in intact cell was higher than that of extracellular and intracellular activity in all the yeast cells. The enzyme activity was higher in case of K. marxianus NIRE-K1 and K. marxianus NIRE-K3 rather than the C. tropicalis. Further, better xylosidase activity was observed in adapted K. marxianus cells which were 2.79–28.46 % higher than that of native (non-adapted) strains, which indicates the significant improvement in xylose transportation.     

From individual proteins to proteomic samples: characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-glycosylation sites in human chorionic gonadotropin and human-plasma proteins

O-glycosylation-site characterization of individual glycoproteins is a major challenge because of the heterogeneity of O-glycan core structures. In proteomic studies, O-glycosylation-site analysis is even more difficult because of the complexity of the sample. In this work, we designed a rapid and convenient workflow for characterizing the O-glycosylation sites of individual proteins and the human-plasma proteome. A mixture of exoglycosidases was used to partially remove O-glycan chains and leave an N-acetylgalacosamine (GalNAc) residue attached to the Ser or Thr residues. The O-glycosylated peptides could then be identified by using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS–MS) to detect the 203 Da mass increase. Jacalin was used to selectively isolate O-GalNAc glycopeptides before LC–MS–MS analysis, which is optional for individual proteins and necessary for complex human-plasma proteins. Bovine fetuin and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were used to test the analytical workflow. The workflow indicated superior sensitivity by not only covering most previously known O-glycosylation sites but also discovering several novel sites. Using only one drop of blood, a total of 49 O-GalNAc-linked glycopeptides from 36 distinctive glycoproteins in human plasma were identified unambiguously. The approach described herein is simple, sensitive, and global for site analysis of core 1 through core 4 O-glycosylated proteins.     

Energetics of lead(II), cadmium(II) and zinc(II) complexes with amino acids

The molar heat capacity and the standard (p ⁰ = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpies of formation of the crystalline of bis(glycinate)lead(II), Pb(gly)₂; bis(dl-alaninate)lead(II), Pb(dl-ala)₂; bis(dl-valinate)lead(II), Pb(dl-val)₂; bis(dl-valinate)cadmium(II), Cd(dl-val)₂ and bis(dl-valinate)zinc(II), Zn(dl-val)₂, were determined, at T = 298.15 K, by differential scanning calorimetry, and high precision solution-reaction calorimetry, respectively. The standard molar enthalpies of formation of the complexes in the gaseous state, the mean molar metal–ligand dissociation enthalpies, M(II)–amino acid, \( \langle D_{\text{m}} \rangle \)(M–L), were derived and compared with analogous copper(II)–ligand and nickel(II)–ligand.θθ

M(II)–amino acid	\( \Updelta_{\text{f}} H_{\text{m}}^{\text{o}} \)(cr)/kJ mol?1
Bis(glycinate)lead(II), Pb(gly)2	?998.9 ± 1.9
Bis(dl-alaninate)lead(II), Pb(ala)2	?1048.7 ± 1.8
Bis(dl-valinate)lead(II), Pb(val)2	?1166.3 ± 2.5
Bis(dl-valinate)cadmium(II), Cd(val)2	?1243.7 ± 2.7
Bis(dl-valinate)zinc(II), Zn(val)2	?1306.1 ± 2.3

     

Enhancing the Production of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-Mannitol by an Artificial Mutant of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium</Emphasis> sp. T2-M10

d-Mannitol belongs to a linear polyol with six-carbon and has indispensable usage in medicine and industry. In order to obtain more efficient d-mannitol producer, this study has screened out a stable mutant Penicillium sp. T2-M10 that was isolated from the initial d-mannitol-produced strain Penicillium sp.T2-8 via UV irradiation as well as nitrosoguanidine (NTG) induction. The mutant had a considerable enhancement in yield of d-mannitol based on optimizing fermentation. The production condition was optimized as the PDB medium with 24 g/L glucose for 9 days. The results showed that the production of d-mannitol from the mutant strain T2-M10 increased 125% in contrast with the parental strain. Meanwhile, the fact that d-mannitol is the main product in the mutant simplified the process of purification. Our finding revealed the potential value of the mutant strain Penicillium sp. T2-M10 to be a d-mannitol-producing strain.     

Thermodynamics of the Protonation of an Analogue of Glyphosate, <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(phosphonomethyl)-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-proline,in Aqueous Solutions

N-(phosphonomethyl)-l-proline is an analogue of glyphosate. The protonation for N-(phosphonomethyl)-l-proline was studied by potentiometry, calorimetry, ³¹P NMR spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations to further understand the protonation process of glyphosate. The results confirmed that the order of successive protonation sites of totally deprotonated N-(phosphonomethyl)-l-proline are a phosphonate oxygen, amino nitrogen, and finally the carboxylate oxygen. The results can improve the understanding of the biological activity of these types of molecules in solution.     

Tyrosine alkyl esters as prodrug: the structure and intermolecular interactions of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-tyrosine methyl ester compared to <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-tyrosine and its ethyl and <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-butyl esters

l-Tyrosine alkyl esters are used as prodrugs for l-tyrosine. Although prodrugs are often designed for their behavior in solution, understanding their solid-state properties is the first step in mastering drug delivery. The crystal structure of l-tyrosine methyl ester has been determined and compared to published structures of l-tyrosine and its ethyl and n-butyl esters. It is almost isostructural with the other esters: it crystallizes in the orthorhombic chiral space group P2₁2₁2₁, a = 5.7634(15) Å, b = 12.111(2) Å, c = 14.3713(19) Å, V = 1003.1(4) Å³ with Z′ = 1. Their main packing motif is a C(9) infinite hydrogen-bond chain, but the conformation of l-tyrosine methyl ester is different from the other two: eclipsed versus U-shaped, respectively. The published structure of the ethyl ester, which was incomplete, has been confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction data. Because l-tyrosine methyl ester is very stable (28 years stored at room temperature), and its hydrolysis rate is relatively low, it should be one of the better prodrugs among the alkyl esters of tyrosine.     

Concise synthesis of two natural steroidal glycosides isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Allium schoenoprasum</Emphasis>

Two natural steroidal glycosides, diosgenin 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (1) and laxogenin 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (2) with important cytotoxic activity against the HCT 116 and HT-29 human colon cancer cell lines have been efficiently synthesized via straightforward sequential glycosylation reaction with the combined use of N-phenyltrifluoroacetimidates and trichloroacetimidates donors at room temperature. All structures of the synthesized new compounds were identified by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and HRMS spectra.     

Cobalt and manganese complexes with redox-active ligands in polymerization of acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate

The influence of bis[4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-o-iminobenzosemiquinonato]cobalt(ii) and 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-o-iminobenzosemiquinonato]-[4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-o-amidophenolate]manganese(iii) on polymerization of methyl methacrylate and acrylonitrile in the presence of azobisisobutyronitrile (as a traditional radical initiator) and alkyl halides (used for initiation of controlled atom transfer radical polymerization process) was studied. The effect of the nature of the activating agents (amines) and the temperature conditions on the overall polymerization rate of the indicated monomers, as well as molecular weight characteristics of the synthesized polymers, were analyzed. The optimal conditions for the synthesis of polyacrylonitrile and poly(methyl methacrylate) with a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution were selected.     

Determination of tyrosine using <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-sulfonated calix[<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>]arene modified electrode

Cyclic voltammetry was used to detect p-sulfonated calix[n]arenas (SCnA) how to immobilize on gold surface. P-sulfonated calix[n]arenes not only increased the specific surface area of the modified electrode, but also improved the enrichment ability of tyrosine. This led to a significant increase in peak current, and improved the sensitivity of tyrosine determination on the p-sulfonated calix[n]arenes-modified electrode. The modified electrode showed good catalytic ability of l-tyrosine oxidation reaction. The peak current of l-tyrosine increased and the oxidation peak potential shifted negatively with cavity size of the SCnA-modified electrode, which indicated that the catalytic ability of the modified electrode to l-tyrosine oxidation reaction was also enhanced. For the tyrosine guest molecule, the order of electrochemical activity and magnitude of catalytic ability of the oxidation reaction of the three modified gold electrodes was as follows: SC4A?>?SC6A?>?SC8A. The electrode had high selectivity and stability for the determination of tyrosine, with a wide linear range, low detection limit and high sensitivity at different concentrations under different pH values. This resulted in an accurate, fast, sensitive electrochemical method for the determination of tyrosine. The sensor was used for the determination of tyrosine in human urine with satisfactory results.     

Purification of Two Novel Sugar Acid-binding Lectins from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haplomitrium Mnioides</Emphasis> (bryophyte,Plantae) and their Preliminary Characterization

Two novel sugar acid-binding lectins were purified from Haplomitrium mnioides (Lindb.) Schust. using a procedure consisting of ammonium sulfate precipitation, G-50 gel filtration, hydroxyapatite chromatography, and HW-50 gel filtration. We reported their partial physicochemical properties: molecular weight, affinity for carbohydrates and organic acids, pH stability, and dependence of their hemagglutination activity on metal ions. We also determined their N-terminal amino acid sequences. H. mnioides lectins (HMLs) were monomers (one with a molecular weight of approximately 27 kDa, and the other with a molecular weight of approximately 105 kDa) under both nonreducing and reducing conditions. They were named HML27 and HML105, respectively. Both HMLs had an affinity for N-acetylneuraminic acid, d-glucuronic acid, d-glucaric acid, bovine submaxillary mucin, heparin, and organic acids, such as citrate, 2-oxoglutaric acid, and d-2-hydroxyglutarate. Furthermore, HML27 had an affinity for α-d-galacturonic acid, d-malate, l-malate, and pyruvate, while HML105 had an affinity for d-gluconic acid. HML27 and HML105 are novel plant lectins: they have an affinity for sugar acids and organic acids and specifically recognize the carboxyl group, and there is no homology between their N-terminal amino acid sequences and those of the previously described lectins and agglutinins.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-trifluoroacetyl-β-alanine in the synthesis of carnosine

Conditions have been developed for the synthesis of N-trifluoroacetyl-β-alanine, N-tifluoroacetyl-β-alanyl chloride, and N-trifluoroacetyl-β-alanine 4-nitrophenyl ester. These compounds reacted with histidine methyl ester or sodium salt to give N-trifluoroacetyl-β-alanyl-l-histidine methyl ester CF₃CONHCH₂CH₂·CONHCH(CH₂C₃H₃N₂)COOCH₃ and N-trifluoroacetyl-β-alanyl-l-histidine CF₃CONHCH₂CH₂CONHCH·(CH₂C₃H₃N₂)COOH. Their hydrolysis with a solution of sodium hydroxide in aqueous ethanol, followed by acidification with trifluoroacetic acid, led to the formation of β-alanyl-l-histidine (l-carnosine).     

Synthesis of potential inhibitors of glycosyltransferases representing UDP-GlcNAc

Based on rational design of the transition state analog inhibitors of glycosyltransferases, four model glycomimetics of this type, viz. benzyl 2-thio-α-dfructofuranoside 1-diethylphosphate (XIa), its β-anomer (XIb), and their ethyl 2-thio analogs — α-anomer (XIIa) and β-anomer (XIIb), were synthesized. In addition, fourteen precursors arising during the synthesis of the desired final model compounds (XI and XII), partially or fully acetylated benzyl and/or ethyl 2-thiofructofuranoside 1-diethyl phosphates, were isolated and characterized with the aim to prepare complete series of glycomimetics, representing donor UDP-GlcNAc designated for biological assays on human GnT’s, viz. GnT-I, Core2GnT, and GnT-V.     

Thermodynamic Properties of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-Aspartates of Alkali and Alkali-Earth Metals in Aqueous Solutions at 298.15 and 310.15 K and Specific Cation Effects on Biomolecule Solvation

Vapor pressure osmometry was applied to the systems calcium l-aspartate ((S)-aminobutanedioic acid calcium salt)?+?water for varying molalities of Ca–l-Asp (m_Ca–l-Asp?=?0.01–1.02 mol·kg^?1) and guanidinium hydrochloride (methanamidine hydrochloride)?+?sodium L–aspartate ((S)–aminobutanedioic acid sodium salt)?+?water, varying the molalities of GndmCl and Na–l-Asp (m_Na–l-Asp?=?0.1, 0.25, 0.4, 0.57 mol·kg^?1 and m_GndmCl?=?0.1–1.1 mol·kg^?1) at T?=?298.15 K and 310.15 K. From vapor pressure osmometry, activities of water, and the corresponding osmotic coefficients of the mixtures Ca–l-Asp?+?water and Na–l-Asp?+?GndmCl?+?water have been calculated, both being directly related to the chemical potentials of the different species and therefore to their Gibbs energy. Mean molal ion activity coefficients were obtained from experimental data fits with the Pitzer equations and the corresponding dual and triple interaction parameters were derived for the Ca–l-Asp?+?water binary system. β⁽²⁾ Pitzer parameters different from zero are required for Ca–l-Asp in water to reproduce the osmotic coefficient decrease with increasing concentration. Mean Spherical Approximation parameters accounting for Coulomb and short range interactions that describe the calcium and magnesium aspartates and glutamates are given. The decrease in the chemical potential of the aspartates corresponds to the Hofmeister series: NaAsp?>?Mg(Asp)₂?>?CaAsp. A strong interaction between amino acid and salt due to specific dispersion interactions in amino acid salt systems containing guanidinium based salt has been revealed that is in agreement with MD and half-empirical quantum-chemical calculations.     

Syntheses,crystal structures and in vitro anticancer activities of oxovanadium(IV) complexes of amino acid Schiff base and 1,10-phenanthroline ligands

Four oxovanadium(IV) complexes, namely [VO(desa-met)(phen)]·MeOH·2H₂O (1) (desa-met = Schiff base derived from 4-(diethylamino)salicylaldehyde and dl-methionine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), [VO(o-van-met) (phen)]·MeOH·CH₂Cl₂·3H₂O (2) (o-van-met = Schiff base derived from o-vanillin and dl-methionine), [VO(dtbs-napa)(phen)]·2H₂O (3) (dtbs-napa = Schiff base derived from 3,5-di-tert-butyl salicylaldehyde and 3-(1-naphthyl)-l-alanine) and [VO(hyna-napa)(phen)]·1.5H₂O (4) (hyna-napa = Schiff base derived from 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde and 3-(1-naphthyl)-l-alanine), were synthesized and characterized by IR, HRMS, UV–vis spectra, molar conductance and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). X-ray structural analysis showed that the V(IV) atoms in all four complexes are six-coordinated in a distorted octahedral environment. In the crystals of complexes 1 and 2, π–π stacking interactions together with hydrogen bonds connect the molecular units into 2D networks. Meanwhile, CH–π stacking interactions are observed between the aromatic rings in the crystals of 1 and 4, while the π–π stacking interactions between aromatic rings in the crystals of 2 and 3 are arranged with a face-to-face mode. The in vitro anticancer activities of these complexes against A-549 and HeGp2 cells were tested by MTT assay.     

Characterization of N-Succinylation of L-Lysylphosphatidylglycerol in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis> Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Phospholipids generally dominate in bacterial lipids. The negatively charged nature of phospholipids renders bacteria susceptible to cationic antibiotic peptides. In comparison with Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria in general have much less zwitterionic phosphatidylethanolamine. However, they are known for producing aminoacylated phosphatidylglycerol (PG), especially positively charged l-lysyl-PG, which is catalyzed by lysyl-PG synthase MprF, which appears to have a broad range of specificity for l-aminoacyl transfer RNAs. In addition, many Gram-positive bacteria also have a dlt-gene-coded d-alanylation pathway for lipoteichoic acids and wall teichoic acids covalently attached to a glycolipid or peptidoglycan. d-Alanylation also masks the dominant negative charge of the phosphate-rich polymers of teichoic acids. Using mass spectrometry, we have recently observed that precursor scans in negative mode for deprotonated amino acid fragments were most sensitive for ester-linked amino acids. Such a scan for precursors generating an m/z 145 lysyl anion revealed lysyl-PG as well as an additional species 100?m/z units greater than lysyl-PG. This unexpected species corresponded precisely to the expected mass of N-succinylated lysyl-PG. Tandem mass spectrometry revealed a precise match to the fragmentation pattern of this putative new species. PG, lysyl-PG, and N-succinyl-lysyl-PG may form a complete loop of charge reversal from -1 to +1 and then back to -1. Analogous charge reversal by N-succinylation of lysine residues in the bacterial as well as eukaryotic proteomes has been recently discovered as a major posttranslational modification. Such modification in bacterial lipids is possibly catalyzed by an enzyme homologous to the enzymes that modify lysine residues in proteins.

Open image in new window

Graphical Abstract ?

     

Overexpression of DnaJ-Like Chaperone Enhances Carotenoid Synthesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</Emphasis>

Production of functional carotenoids using microalgae may facilitate the commercialization of anti-aging nutritional supplements. The green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii uses a non-mevalonate (MEP) pathway for isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) synthesis. Two enzymes thought to play important roles in this MEP pathway to IPP synthesis are 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXS) and reductase (DXR). DnaJ-like chaperone (Orange protein) is thought to support phytoene synthase, a key enzyme in plant carotenoid synthesis. Genes for Orange (OR), DXS, and DXR were overexpressed via nuclear transformation into C. reinhardtii. CDS of OR, DXS, and DXR were amplified and connected with dual promoters of heat-shock protein 70A and ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase small chain 2. Compared with the parental strain, transformant CrOR#2 produced increased lutein and β-carotene (1.9-fold and 1.7-fold per cell, respectively). Transformant CrDXS#1 produced lutein and β-carotene at lower per-cell abundances than those for the parental strain. CrDXR#2 transformant produced lutein and β-carotene at higher per-cell abundances than their parental counterpart; however, these transformants produced lutein and β-carotene at lower per-medium abundances than their parental counterparts. These results suggest that OR protein supports phytoene synthase in C. reinhardtii and that the phytoene synthesis step is rate-limiting in carotenoid synthesis.     

Thermal and redox dual responsive poly(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">L</Emphasis>-glutamate) with oligo(ethylene glycol) side-chains

A series of poly(L-glutamate)s grafted with oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) side-chains through the thioether linkages (PALG _n -g-EG _x , x = 2, 3 and 4) were prepared by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of γ-allyl-L-glutamate N-carboxyanhydride (ALG-NCA) and thiol-ene photoaddition. The chemical structures and physical properties were characterized by ¹H-NMR, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), circular dichroism (CD), etc. The PALG _n -g-EG _x samples with x = 3 and 4 displayed lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in water due to the presence of OEG units. The clouding point (CP) of polypeptides can be finely tuned by changing the side chain structures, molecular weights and sample concentrations. In addition, the thioether linkages in the side chains offer additional redox-responsive properties. The influence of both OEG units and thioether linkages on the LCST behavior was systematically investigated. This work provides an efficient way to prepare multi-stimuli responsive materials with highly tunable properties.     

Optically active derivatives of terephthalic acid: synthesis and crystal structures

New optically active derivatives of terephthalic acid, which are of interest as precursors of chiral metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), were synthesized starting from available dimethyl 2-aminoterephthalate, N-Boc-l-alanine, and N-Boc-l-proline. The crystal structures of three samples were determined by powder X-ray diffraction. In all three structures, the acid molecules exist as zwitterions.