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Background noise cancellation of manatee vocalizations using an adaptive line enhancer.

The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) has become an endangered species partly because of an increase in the number of collisions with boats. A device to alert boaters of the presence of manatees is desired. Previous research has shown that background noise limits the manatee vocalization detection range (which is critical for practical implementation). By improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the measured manatee vocalization signal, it is possible to extend the detection range. The finite impulse response (FIR) structure of the adaptive line enhancer (ALE) can detect and track narrow-band signals buried in broadband noise. In this paper, a constrained infinite impulse response (IIR) ALE, called a feedback ALE (FALE), is implemented to reduce the background noise. In addition, a bandpass filter is used as a baseline for comparison. A library consisting of 100 manatee calls spanning ten different signal categories is used to evaluate the performance of the bandpass filter, FIR-ALE, and FALE. The results show that the FALE is capable of reducing background noise by about 6.0 and 21.4 dB better than that of the FIR-ALE and bandpass filter, respectively, when the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the original manatee call is -5 dB.

Accident Prevention↗

Comparative studies of delignification caused by ganoderma species.

Isolates of six species of Ganoderma in the G. lucidum complex were evaluated for their ability to decay wood of Quercus hypoleucoides A. Camus and Abies concolor (Gord. and Glend.) Lindl. ex. Hildebr. by using in vitro agar block decay tests. Morphological, ultrastructural, and chemical studies of decayed wood were used to determine the extent of delignification or simultaneous decay caused by each species of Ganoderma. All species decayed both white fir and oak wood; however, less percent weight loss (%WL) occurred in white fir than oak. In white fir, isolates of two undescribed Ganoderma species (RLG16161, RLG16162, JEA615, and JEA625) caused significantly higher%WL (21 to 26%) than that in G. colossum, G. oregonense, G. meredithiae, and G. zonatum (10 to 16%). Only Ganoderma sp. isolates JEA615 and JEA625 caused delignification, with JEA615 causing a lignin-to-glucose gram loss ratio of 1.6:1. Morphological and ultrastructural studies confirmed delignification by this fungus and showed that some delignification had occurred by all of the species, although areas of delignification were limited to small regions adjacent to simultaneously decayed cells. In oak, G. colossum caused significantly less%WL (22 to 35%) than the other species (38 to 52%). All of the species, except G. meredithiae, caused delignification with lignin-to-glucose gram loss ratios ranging from 1.4 to 4.9:1. Extensive delignification by isolates of G. colossum and G. oregonense was observed; moderate delignification was caused by the other species. Ganoderma meredithiae caused a simultaneous decay, with only small localized regions of cells delignified, while delignification by G. zonatum was irregular, with specific zones within the cell wall delignified. The thermophilic and chlamydosporic G. colossum has the capacity to cause extensive delignification and appears ideally suited for use in lignin degradation studies and biotechnological applications of lignin-degrading fungi.

Journal Article↗

Comparison of diversities and compositions of bacterial populations inhabiting natural forest soils.

The diversity and composition of soil bacterial communities were compared among six Austrian natural forests, including oak-hornbeam, spruce-fir-beech, and Austrian pine forests, using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP, or TRF) analysis and sequence analysis of 16S rRNA genes. The forests studied differ greatly in soil chemical characteristics, microbial biomass, and nutrient turnover rates. The aim of this study was to relate these differences to the composition of the bacterial communities inhabiting the individual forest soils. Both TRF profiling and clone sequence analysis revealed that the bacterial communities in soils under Austrian pine forests, representing azonal forest types, were distinct from those in soils under zonal oak-hornbeam and spruce-fir-beech forests, which were more similar in community composition. Clones derived from an Austrian pine forest soil were mostly affiliated with high-G+C gram-positive bacteria (49%), followed by members of the alpha-Proteobacteria (20%) and the Holophaga/Acidobacterium group (12%). Clones in libraries from oak-hornbeam and spruce-fir-beech forest soils were mainly related to the Holophaga/Acidobacterium group (28 and 35%), followed by members of the Verrucomicrobia (24%) and the alpha-Proteobacteria (27%), respectively. The soil bacterial communities in forests with distinct vegetational and soil chemical properties appeared to be well differentiated based on 16S rRNA gene phylogeny. In particular, the outstanding position of the Austrian pine forests, which are determined by specific soil conditions, was reflected in the bacterial community composition.

Bacteria↗

An adaptive prediction and detection algorithm for multistream syndromic surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Surveillance of Over-the-Counter pharmaceutical (OTC) sales as a potential early indicator of developing public health conditions, in particular in cases of interest to biosurvellance, has been suggested in the literature. This paper is a continuation of a previous study in which we formulated the problem of estimating clinical data from OTC sales in terms of optimal LMS linear and Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filters. In this paper we extend our results to predict clinical data multiple steps ahead using OTC sales as well as the clinical data itself. METHODS: The OTC data are grouped into a few categories and we predict the clinical data using a multichannel filter that encompasses all the past OTC categories as well as the past clinical data itself. The prediction is performed using FIR (Finite Impulse Response) filters and the recursive least squares method in order to adapt rapidly to nonstationary behaviour. In addition, we inject simulated events in both clinical and OTC data streams to evaluate the predictions by computing the Receiver Operating Characteristic curves of a threshold detector based on predicted outputs. RESULTS: We present all prediction results showing the effectiveness of the combined filtering operation. In addition, we compute and present the performance of a detector using the prediction output. CONCLUSION: Multichannel adaptive FIR least squares filtering provides a viable method of predicting public health conditions, as represented by clinical data, from OTC sales, and/or the clinical data. The potential value to a biosurveillance system cannot, however, be determined without studying this approach in the presence of transient events (nonstationary events of relatively short duration and fast rise times). Our simulated events superimposed on actual OTC and clinical data allow us to provide an upper bound on that potential value under some restricted conditions. Based on our ROC curves we argue that a biosurveillance system can provide early warning of an impending clinical event using ancillary data streams (such as OTC) with established correlations with the clinical data, and a prediction method that can react to nonstationary events sufficiently fast. Whether OTC (or other data streams yet to be identified) provide the best source of predicting clinical data is still an open question. We present a framework and an example to show how to measure the effectiveness of predictions, and compute an upper bound on this performance for the Recursive Least Squares method when the following two conditions are met: (1) an event of sufficient strength exists in both data streams, without distortion, and (2) it occurs in the OTC (or other ancillary streams) earlier than in the clinical data.

Algorithms↗

Evaluation of the relative biological effectiveness of a clinical epithermal neutron beam using dog brain.

This investigation was designed to determine the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of an epithermal neutron beam (FiR 1 beam) using the brains of dogs. The FiR 1 beam was developed for the treatment of patients with glioma using boron neutron capture therapy. Comparisons were made between the effects of whole-brain irradiation with epithermal neutrons and 6 MV photons. For irradiations with epithermal neutrons, three dose groups were used, 9.4 +/- 0.1, 10.2 +/- 0.1 and 11.5 +/- 0.2 Gy. These physical doses were given as a single exposure and are quoted at the 90% isodose. Four groups of five dogs were irradiated with single doses of 10, 12, 14 or 16 Gy of 6 MV photons to the 100% isodose. Different reference isodoses were used to obtain the most comparable dose distribution in the brain for the two different irradiation modalities. Sequential magnetic resonance images (MRI) were taken for 77-115 weeks after irradiation to detect changes in the brain. Dose-effect relationships were established for changes in the brain as detected either by MRI or by subsequent gross morphology and histology. The doses that caused a specified response in 50% of the animals (ED(50)) were calculated from these dose-effect curves for each end point, and these values were used to calculate the RBE values for the different end points. The RBE values for the FiR 1 beam, based on changes observed on MRI, were in the range 1.2-1.3. For microscopic and gross pathological lesions, the values were in the range 1.2-1.4. The corresponding RBE values for the MRI and pathological end points for the high-LET components (protons from nitrogen capture and recoil protons from fast neutrons) were in the ranges 3.5-4.0 and 3.4-4.4, respectively. This assumed a dose-rate reduction factor of 0.6 for the low-dose-rate gamma-ray component of this beam. Finally, a comparison was made between experimentally derived photon doses, for a specified end point, with calculated photon equivalent doses, which were obtained using the weighting factors for clinical studies on the epithermal neutron beam on the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor (BNL) in New York. This indicated that the radiation-induced lesions seen in the present study were, on average, detected at a 12% lower photon dose than predicted by the use of the BNL clinical weighting factors. This indicates the need for caution in the extrapolation of results from one reactor-based epithermal neutron beam to another.

Animals↗

Spectral reflectance of Picea rubens (Pinaceae) and Abies balsamea (Pinaceae) needles along an elevational gradient, Mt. Moosilauke, New Hampshire, USA.

Relationships among elevation, foliar morphology, spectral reflectance, and chlorophyll fluorescence of two co-occurring montane conifers, red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.), were investigated along two transects from 460 to 1460 m on Mt. Moosilauke in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, USA. Spectral reflectance (300-1100 nm wavelengths) and the chlorophyll fluorescence F(v)/F(m) ratio were measured on dark-adapted needles. Foliar morphology (needle size, shape, and mass) and nitrogen concentrations were measured in the laboratory. Reflectance spectra varied between species and with elevation. Two chlorophyll measures, red edge position and a chlorophyll-based difference index (Chl NDI = R750 - R705/R750 + R705), indicated more chlorophyll in fir than in spruce and decreasing chlorophyll with increasing elevation in both species. The structure-independent pigment index (SIPI = R800 - R445/R800 - R680) increased with elevation, indicating an increasing carotenoid : chlorophyll ratio. The photochemical reflectance index (PRI = R531 - R570/R531 + R570), a measure of photosynthetic radiation use efficiency, decreased with increasing elevation up to 1370 m. In the highest elevation site, within the stunted alpine krummholz at 1460 m, PRI was higher than at 1370 m, but still lower than at 1070 m. This same pattern was evident in the chlorophyll fluorescence F(v)/F(m) measurements. These independent indices indicate higher stress in spruce than fir, which may be related to the "spruce decline" reported in the northeastern USA. Results also indicate progressively increasing stress with increasing elevation up to 1370 m. Stress appears to be lower at 1460 m than at 1370 m, despite the harsher conditions at the very summit of Mt. Moosilauke. This may be a consequence of stress-tolerant physiology and/or prostrate architecture.

Journal Article↗

Activation of nuclear factor kappaB in radioresistance of TP53-inactive human keratinocytes.

Many tumors show a mutant or inactive tumor suppressor p53 (TP53) status, and TP53 in the tumor-carrying human papillomavirus (HPV) may be dysfunctional because of inhibition by the viral protein HPV E6. Molecular mechanisms underlying radiation responses and the radiation-induced resistant phenotype in the TP53-inactive tumor have not been well investigated. In the present study, using a human keratinocyte line (HK18) with TP53 inhibited by HPV18 infection, we demonstrated that nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB is responsible for a major portion of the radioresistance observed in a cell population (HK18-IR) derived from HK18 cells by fractionated ionizing radiation (FIR; 2 Gy/fraction; total dose, 60 Gy). HK18-IR cells showed increased clonogenic radioresistance [dose-modifying factor (DMF), 1.47], reduced apoptotic response, and a shortened radiation-induced growth delay. Both DNA-binding and reporter transcriptional activity of NF-kappaB, but not of TP53, were activated in HK18-IR cells compared with the parental HK18 cells; this activation was observed both before and after a single dose of 5 Gy. To determine target genes responsive to NF-kappaB activation, DNA microarray profiles for 588 genes were matched in HK18-IR cells compared with those in HK18 cells; the paired comparisons were made for basal levels before irradiation or for levels 24 h after 5 Gy. For 25 genes, a 2- to 5-fold up-regulation in HK18-IR cells relative to HK18 cells was similar when comparisons were made for basal levels or for levels after irradiation. Included in the approximately 4% of genes activated in HK18-IR cells, were six genes (Cyclin B1, Cyclin D1, HIAP, BAG-1, TTF, and fibronectin) putatively linked to NF-kappaB regulation. We then measured the expression of this group of FIR-regulated genes in HK18-IR cells expressing a dominant-negative mutant IkappaB (mIkappaB) that inhibited NF-kappaB activation. Clonogenic radioresistance was reduced greatly in the mIkappaB transfectants (DMF, 1.18 and 1.10, respectively, at 10% and 1% of isosurvival for mIkappaB transfectants compared with 1.47 and 1.45, respectively, for vector control transfectants). Expressions of Cyclin B1, Cyclin D1, and HIAP were down-regulated by the inhibition of NF-kappaB. These results suggest that transcription of NF-kappaB and a group of NF-kappaB target genes are involved in radioresistance in FIR-treated tumor cells with inactive TP53.

Apoptosis↗

[Chromosome mutations in marshland and dry valley populations of Abies sibirica Ledeb].

Results of chromosome mutation investigation in Abies sibirica populations growing in fen and dry valley in Western Siberia are presented. The frequency of chromosome aberrations and mitotic irregularities is higher in dry valley population of the fir, than in its fen population. However, the spectrum of abnormalities registered in metaphase and ana-telophase cells of the fir from fen is broader, compared to that from dry valley. These features may be due to the fir genome reorganization in different environmental conditions, and indicate the plant reaction to stress factors.

Abies↗

Integrating the ECG power-line interference removal methods with rule-based system.

The power-line frequency interference in electrocardiographic signals is eliminated to enhance the signal characteristics for diagnosis. The power-line frequency normally varies +/- 1.5 Hz from its standard value of 50 Hz. In the present work, the performances of the linear FIR filter, Wave digital filter (WDF) and adaptive filter for the power-line frequency variations from 48.5 to 51.5 Hz in steps of 0.5 Hz are studied. The advantage of the LMS adaptive filter in the removal of power-line frequency interference even if the frequency of interference varies by +/- 1.5 Hz from its normal value of 50 Hz over other fixed frequency filters is very well justified. A novel method of integrating rule-based system approach with linear FIR filter and also with Wave digital filter are proposed. The performances of Rule-based FIR filter and Rule-based Wave digital filter are compared with the LMS adaptive filter.

Algorithms↗

[Skin conduction as an indicator of cognitive and emotional processes].

Classical conditioning experiments can be used to study both cognition and emotions. In studies involving human subjects two different scores based on the human skin conductance response are generally used: the "first interval responses" (FIR) and the "second interval responses" (SIR). The SIR is thought to reflect cognitive but not emotional processes, while the FIR is assumed to reflect both. An experiment with two groups of subjects (n = 20 each) was run in order to demonstrate that the SIR indeed is able to reflect emotional processes. Each group was trained with five different conditioned stimuli, each of which was paired with a specific unconditioned stimulus. These unconditioned stimuli varied in aversiveness. Immediately after training, skin conductance responses to combinations of already trained conditioned stimuli were examined. The sequence of testing was varied across groups. Our results clearly showed that the SIR reflected aversiveness, while the FIR was confounded by orienting responses under these experimental conditions.

Adult↗

Monoterpene synthases of Pinus contorta and related conifers. A new class of terpenoid cyclase.

A cell-free extract from the xylem of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) catalyzes the conversion of [1-3H1]geranyl pyrophosphate to a variety of monoterpene olefins found in lodgepole pine oleoresin. This monoterpene synthase activity is similar to previously described terpenoid cyclases from grand fir (Abies grandis) and other higher plants in molecular mass (67 +/- 2 kDa as estimated by size-exclusion chromatography), Km for geranyl pyrophosphate (7.8 +/- 1.9 microM), and isoelectric point (4.75 +/- 0.2 as determined by isoelectric focusing), but the cyclases from both lodgepole pine and grand fir are unlike previously characterized terpenoid cyclases from angiosperms and fungi, in that they have an alkaline pH optimum (pH 7.8), are activated by K+, Rb+, Cs+, or NH+4 (Li+ and Na+ are not effective), require either Mn2+ or Fe2+ as divalent metal ion cofactors (Mg2+ is not effective), and are not protected by the substrate-metal ion complex against inhibition by the histidine-directed reagent diethyl pyrocarbonate. Chromatography of the pine xylem extracts on a quaternary amino anion-exchange resin results in the separation of four similar, but distinct, multiple product monoterpene synthases that produce sabinene, beta-phellandrene, 3-carene, and beta-pinene as the principal components, respectively. The major cyclase (phellandrene synthase) was subsequently purified by hydroxyapatite chromatography and electrophoresis. V8 proteolysis provided a peptide map significantly different from that obtained with limonene synthase from spearmint (Mentha spicata), and limited NH2-terminal sequencing of the phellandrene synthase fragments revealed no significant similarity to the deduced amino acid sequence of the angiosperm limonene synthase, the only monoterpene cyclase to be cloned and sequenced thus far. Furthermore, polyclonal antibodies raised against the angiosperm limonene synthase did not detectably cross-react with any proteins in extracts from either lodgepole pine or grand fir by immunoblotting analysis. In addition to these structural differences between cyclases from conifers and herbaceous angiosperms, the unusual pH optimum, mono- and divalent metal ion requirement, and reactivity toward histidine carbethoxylation indicate that monoterpene cyclases isolated from conifers may also have a different complement of active-site amino acid residues involved in substrate binding and catalysis than those of terpenoid cyclases previously isolated from angiosperms.

Cations, Divalent↗

Experience with MR cholangiopancreatography with use of a fast inversion recovery sequence during a single breath-hold period.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the single breath-hold fast inversion recovery sequence (FIR) for depicting the biliary tract. A prospective study was performed in 40 patients with suspected diseases in the biliary tract. MRCP (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography) including cholecystograms of diagnostic quality was carried out in 35 patients. Impacted common duct stones were able to be distinguished from malignancies because of their characteristic shapes of obstruction in four of five cases. FIR with thick slices can provide a shorter acquisition time and fewer artifacts with better signal to noise ratio and contrast to noise ratio than MIP images obtained by means of gradient echo methods. MRCP with FIR was a useful adjunctive tool for non-invasive evaluation of patients with obstructive jaundice.

Biliary Tract↗

Mechanisms of high-humidity hot air impingement blanching (HHAIB) on microbial counts, functional properties, phenolic profile transformation, and volatile compounds in celery stalks (Apium graveolens L.).

In this study, celery stalks were pretreated with different durations (0-150 s) of high-humidity hot air impingement blanching (HHAIB), followed by far-infrared radiation assisted pulsed vacuum freeze-drying (FIR-PVFD) at 60, 65, and 70 °C. The effects of HHAIB on the physicochemical properties, composition and transformation of phenolic compounds, volatile components, and antioxidant capacity of FIR-PVFD-dried celery stalks were systematically investigated. The results showed that HHAIB not only effectively reduced the counts of total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMAB) and total yeast and mold (TYM), but also decreased the relative activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and lipoxygenase (LOX) by more than 91% after 90 s of treatment. HHAIB altered the cellular structure of celery stalks, shortened the drying time by 29.33-41.43%, and improved their hydration properties. HHAIB pretreatment promoted the conversion of bound phenolics to free phenolics in celery stalks, with significant increases in the contents of p-coumaric acid, apigenin, graveobioside A, and other components. The total free phenolic content increased by 56.99%, thus HHAIB enhanced the antioxidant activity. An electronic nose and sensory evaluation revealed that HHAIB-pretreated celery stalks better retained the characteristic herbal and pungent notes. GC-MS results indicated that HHAIB treatment optimized the aroma profile by regulating the contents and composition of terpenes, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, and aromatic compounds.

Apium↗

In vivo monitoring of chlorophyll fluorescence response to low-dose gamma-irradiation in pumpkin (cucurbita pepo) leaves.

The effect of gamma-irradiation on the in vivo-measured chlorophyll fluorescence in a pumpkin leaves (Cucurbita pepo) has been investigated. Plants were grown in the same environment, then divided into several groups and irradiated at ambient conditions at small dose levels (up to 13.4 Gy) with (60)Co gamma-rays. The post-irradiation effect on chlorophyll status in the leaves was examined by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence 2 days (48 h) after exposure. It is undoubtedly found that the value of fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) at 690 nm and 735 nm (F(690)/F(735)) depends upon the ionizing radiation dose. Even with the smallest dose of 3.35 Gy, ionizing radiation notably altered the fluorescence spectra of leaves. The spectra difference was manifested by decrease of FIR due to changed chlorophyll luminescence, the possible reason for which could be increase of chlorophyll concentration during the recovery process of the plant. The potential implications of these results for plant physiological status monitoring, as well as for pollution detection and assessment, are discussed in brief.

Chlorophyll↗

Validity and power in hemodynamic response modeling: a comparison study and a new approach.

One of the advantages of event-related functional MRI (fMRI) is that it permits estimation of the shape of the hemodynamic response function (HRF) elicited by cognitive events. Although studies to date have focused almost exclusively on the magnitude of evoked HRFs across different tasks, there is growing interest in testing other statistics, such as the time-to-peak and duration of activation as well. Although there are many ways to estimate such parameters, we suggest three criteria for optimal estimation: 1) the relationship between parameter estimates and neural activity must be as transparent as possible; 2) parameter estimates should be independent of one another, so that true differences among conditions in one parameter (e.g., hemodynamic response delay) are not confused for apparent differences in other parameters (e.g., magnitude); and 3) statistical power should be maximized. In this work, we introduce a new modeling technique, based on the superposition of three inverse logit functions (IL), designed to achieve these criteria. In simulations based on real fMRI data, we compare the IL model with several other popular methods, including smooth finite impulse response (FIR) models, the canonical HRF with derivatives, nonlinear fits using a canonical HRF, and a standard canonical model. The IL model achieves the best overall balance between parameter interpretability and power. The FIR model was the next-best choice, with gains in power at some cost to parameter independence. We provide software implementing the IL model.

Brain↗

Quantitative evaluation of several partial Fourier reconstruction algorithms used in MRI.

Partial Fourier reconstruction algorithms exploit the redundancy in magnetic resonance data sets so that half of the data is calculated during image reconstruction rather than acquired. The conjugate synthesis, Margosian, homodyne detection, Cuppen and POCS algorithms are evaluated using spatial frequency domain analysis to show their characteristics and where limitations may occur. The phase correction used in partial Fourier reconstruction is equivalent to a convolution in the frequency domain and the importance of accurately implementing this convolution is demonstrated. New reconstruction approaches, based on passing the partial data through a phase correcting, finite impulse response (FIR), digital filter are suggested. These FIR and MoFIR algorithms have a speed near that of the Margosian and homodyne detection reconstructions, but with a lower error; close to that of the Cuppen/POCS iterative approaches. Quantitative analysis of the partial Fourier algorithms, tested with three phase estimation techniques, are provided by comparing artificial and clinical data reconstructed using full and partial Fourier techniques.

Algorithms↗

Biosynthesis of monoterpenes: regio- and stereochemistry of (+)-3-carene biosynthesis.

Incubation of [1-3H1]geraniol with stem disks of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and incubation of [1-3H1]geranyl pyrophosphate with both a soluble enzyme extract from Douglas fir and a partially purified preparation of (+)-3-carene synthase from lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) resulted in the production of (+)-3-[3H] carene. Subsequent conversion of the product to car-3-en-5-one and to 4-isocaranone followed by base-catalyzed exchange of the alpha-hydrogens established that the 3H located at C1 in the geranyl substrate resided at C5 of (+)-3-carene. Incubation of the (+)-3-carene synthase preparation with (S)-[5-3H1, 4-14C]geranyl pyrophosphate resulted in the production of (+)-3-carene without loss of tritium, indicating that the 5-proR hydrogen is eliminated during cyclopropyl ring closure. Analysis of the conformational requirements for this 1,3 elimination involving the 5-proR hydrogen suggested that cyclopropyl ring formation occurs via a (4S)-alpha-terpinyl cation derived from the anti-endo cyclization of a (3S)-linalyl pyrophosphate intermediate. Kinetic analyses of the conversion of (1Z,3R)-[1-3H1]linalyl pyrophosphate, (1Z, 3S)-[1-3H1]linalyl pyrophosphate and [1-3H1]geranyl pyrophosphate by (+)-3-carene synthase revealed that the velocity of the reaction with the (3S)-linalyl enantiomer was 25-fold greater than the velocity with the (3R)-enantiomer and twice that of the natural substrate, geranyl pyrophosphate, thereby confirming this stereochemical prediction and also indicating that the cyclization of the linalyl intermediate is faster than the coupled isomerization and cyclization of the geranyl substrate. From these results, a model that details the regio- and stereochemistry of the enzymatic conversion of geranyl pyrophosphate to (+)-3-carene is proposed.

Bicyclic Monoterpenes↗

Manganese peroxidase isoenzymes produced by Pleurotus ostreatus grown on wood sawdust.

The white rot basidiomycete Pleurotus ostreatus produces two manganese peroxidase (MnP) isoenzymes when grown in solid stationary conditions on poplar sawdust, whereas a lower production of these same enzymes is observed on fir sawdust. Addition of Mn(2+) to poplar culture resulted in a threefold increase of MnP activity; the same addition to fir culture was able to increase tenfold the MnP production. The two MnP isoenzymes (MnP2 and MnP3) were purified from P. ostreatus poplar culture. The isoenzymes differ in their pI values, molecular masses, and N-terminal sequences. MnP3 has the same N-terminal sequence as that of a P. ostreatus MnP previously reported. Both isoenzymes exhibit Mn(2+)-dependent and Mn(2+)-independent peroxidase activities when tested on phenolic substrates. The gene coding for the new isoenzyme MnP2 was cloned and sequenced and the promoter region analyzed. Furthermore, the chromosomal localization of all known P. ostreatus genes was determined.

Amino Acid Sequence↗