Sequence-based 5-mers highly correlated to epigenetic modifications in genes interactions

One of the main concerns in biology is extracting sophisticated features from DNA sequence for gene interaction determination, receiving a great deal of researchers’ attention. The epigenetic modifications along with their patterns have been intensely recognized as dominant features affecting on gene expression. However, studying sequenced-based features highly correlated to this key element has remained limited. The main objective in this research was to propose a new feature highly correlated to epigenetic modifications capable of classification of genes. In this paper, classification of 34 genes in PPAR signaling pathway associated with muscle fat tissue in human was performed. Using different statistical outlier detection methods, we proposed that 5-mers highly correlated to epigenetic modifications can correctly categorize the genes involved in the same biological pathway or process. Thirty-four genes in PPAR signaling pathway were classified via applying a proposed feature, 5-mers strongly associated to 17 different epigenetic modifications. For this, diverse statistical outlier detection methods were applied to specify the group of thoroughly correlated genes. The results indicated that these 5-mers can appropriately identify correlated genes. In addition, our results corresponded to GeneMania interaction information, leading to support the suggested method. The appealing findings imply that not only epigenetic modifications but also their highly correlated 5-mers can be applied for reconstructing gene regulatory networks as supplementary data as well as other applications like physical interaction, genes prioritization, indicating some sort of data fusion in this analysis.     

Simultaneous determination of sucrose and trehalose in olive leaves by spectrophotometry utilizing partial least squares method

This study deals with the simultaneous determination of sucrose and trehalose in olive leaf samples, with easy sample preparation step, by second derivative UV–Vis spectrophotometry and partial least squares technique. A training set consisting of 31 binary mixture solutions was applied for the construction of PLS model. The proposed procedure was successfully applied for the simultaneous determination of both carbohydrates in laboratory prepared mixtures and in real samples. The real samples were from different growth stages of olive plant. The root mean square error of prediction was determined to be 1.95 and 2.06 for sucrose and trehalose, respectively. Also, limit of detection was 0.21 ppm for sucrose and 0.26 ppm for trehalose. The proposed procedure is rapid, simple, and easy to perform which can be used for routine analysis of both carbohydrates in plant leaves.     

AChemS: the beginning. Association for Chemoreception Sciences

This paper unfolds the events, the people and the times that led up to the founding of AChemS and fashioned its character during its early formative years. It describes the path over which AChemS came, going from the original assertions and denials for the need of such an organization to its later inception and nascent development. This narration highlights such topics as the debate over the need for AChemS, the role of National Science Foundation in the founding of AChemS, the derivation of the Association's name, the choice of Sarasota and the Hyatt House as the meeting site, the generation of the programs for the early annual meetings, the adoption of the bylaws, the process of incorporation and tax deferment, and the birth of the Givaudan Lectureship. Most emphatically highlighted, however, is the enthusiasm, commitment and hard work that the members of the chemosensory research community displayed in bringing AChemS to fruition.