Characterization of low-molecular-weight-glutenin subunit genes from the D-genome of Triticum aestivum,Aegilops crassa,Ae. cylindrica and Ae. tauschii

Twenty low-molecular-weight-glutenin subunit (LMW-GS) gene sequences from the D-genome from Aegilops crassa (2n = 4x = 28), Ae. cylindrica (2n = 4x = 28), Ae. tauschii (2n = 2x = 14) and Triticum aestivum (2n = 6x = 42) were obtained using five sets of specific allele primer pairs. Only the sequences of the first primer pair were complete coding sequences (cds) of LMW-GS, and had 305, 304, 306 and 305 LMW-m amino acid residues in Ae. crassa, Ae. cylindrica, Ae. tauschii and T. aestivum, respectively. The repetitive domain and repeat motif numbers of all LMW glutenin subunits showed eight conserved cysteine residues that lead to the same functional activity in different genome. Based on DNA and predicted protein sequences, phylogenetic trees for all sets of sequences were drawn. At the DNA level, the species closest to T. aestivum for the second, third, fourth and fifth set of sequences were Ae. cylindrica, Ae. tauschii and Ae. crassa, respectively. At the protein level, the species closest to T. aestivum based on the first, second and fifth set of sequences were Ae. cylindrica, Ae. crassa and Ae. crassa, respectively. For other sets of sequences, bread wheat proved to be a distinct species. The LMW-GS gene sequences have been recorded in the GenBank with accession numbers JQ726549–JQ726568JQ726549JQ726550JQ726551JQ726552JQ726553JQ726554JQ726555JQ726556JQ726557JQ726558JQ726559JQ726560JQ726561JQ726562JQ726563JQ726564JQ726565JQ726566JQ726567JQ726568.     

Discovery of novel indole-based aroylhydrazones as anticonvulsants: Pharmacophore-based design

A number of novel melatonin derivatives, containing aroylhydrazone moieties, were synthesized and explored in vivo for anticonvulsant activity, neurotoxicity in ICR mice as well as in-vitro for cytoxicity and oxidative stress in rats. The structures and configurations were confirmed by NMR, FTIR, HRMS and crystal X-ray diffraction method. For selection of potent structures for synthesis a pharmacophore model was used. Two compounds 3e, with a 2-furyl moiety fragment and 3f with 2-thienyl fragment, showed a potency in maximal electroshock (MES) test (ED₅₀ = 50.98 mg kg⁻¹, PI > 5.88 and ED₅₀ = 108.7 mg kg⁻¹; PI > 2.76), respectively, higher than melatonin (ED₅₀ = 160.3 mg kg⁻¹, PI > 1.87). The compounds 3c, 3e, 3f and 3i suppressed psychomotor seizures in the 6 Hz test and 3c was the most potent with higher ED₅₀ = 13.98 mg kg⁻¹ and PI of > 21.46 compared to that of melatonin (ED₅₀ = 49.76 mg kg⁻¹ and PI of > 6.03) in mice. None of the compounds displayed neurotoxicity in the rota-rod test. The novel melatonin derivatives exerted weak cytotoxic effects while 3f showed the lowest hepatoxic effects comparable to that of the positive control melatonin in rats. The high affinities to the elucidated pharmacophore model of the novel melatonin compounds derived from the inclusion of aroylhydrazone moiety in the indole scaffold yielded suitable candidates with anticonvulsant activity in the MES and 6 Hz test of psychomotor seizures.     

DNA sequencing of 13 cytokine gene fragments of Aotus infulatus and Saimiri sciureus,two non-human primate models for malaria

Aotus and Saimiri are non-human primate models recommended by the World Health Organization for experimental studies in malaria, especially for vaccine pre-clinical trials. However, research using these primates is hindered by the lack of specific reagents to evaluate immune responses to infection or vaccination. As a step toward developing molecular tools for cytokine expression studies in these species, primer pairs for 18 cytokine gene fragments were designed based on human DNA sequences and used to amplify the corresponding genes in Aotus infulatus and Saimiri sciureus genomic DNA samples. IFNγ, TNFα, LTA, IL2, IL3, IL4, IL5, IL6, IL10, IL12, IL13, CSF2 and TGFβ2 gene fragments were amplified and sequenced. Primer pairs for IL8, IL17, IL18, IL27 and MIF failed to generate amplification products. When compared to the available corresponding human and non-human primate sequences, most – except IL3 and IL4 – showed identity degrees above 90%. Small variations in sequence can help to explain the failure to amplify certain genes or the amplification only at lower annealing temperatures as compared to human DNA samples for several primer pairs. The sequences made available provide the basis for designing molecular tools such as primers for real time PCR specific for A. infulatus and/or S. sciureus.The nucleotide sequences reported in this paper have been submitted to the GenBank nucleotide sequence database and have been assigned accession numbers DQ985386 to DQ985389, DQ989356 to DQ989369, FJ89020 to FJ89024 and FJ89029.     

Sign here for the dole

A dynamic signature verification solution has been installed at a dole office in Israel, allowing people to interact with a machine rather than a person in order to collect their dole money.Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news     

Atul Butte discusses the divide between bioinformatics and the clinic

Atul Butte is an Assistant in Endocrinology and Informatics and Attending Physician at Children's Hospital, Boston, USA (http://www.chip.org), and is an Instructor in Paediatrics at Harvard Medical School (http://www.harvard.edu). He received his undergraduate degree in Computer Science from Brown University in 1991, and worked in several stints as a software engineer at Apple Computer and Microsoft Corporation. He graduated from the Brown University School of Medicine in 1995, during which he worked as a research fellow at National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK; http://www.niddk.nih.gov) through the Howard Hughes/NIH Research Scholars Program. He completed his residency in Paediatrics and Fellowship in Paediatric Endocrinology in 2001, both at Children's Hospital. During his research under Isaac Kohane (at Children's Hospital) he developed a novel methodology for analyzing large data sets of RNA expression, called Relevance Networks. His recent awards include the 2003 Emory University School of Medicine, Pathology Residents’ Choice Award, 2002 American Association for Clinical Chemistry Outstanding Speaker Award, 2002 Endocrine Society Travel Award based on presentation merit, 2001 American Association for Cancer Research Scholar-In-Training Award and the 2001 Lawson Wilkins Paediatric Endocrine Society Clinical Scholar Award.     

Healthcare campus gets a helping hand

Rex Healthcare in North Carolina, USA, is using hand geometry technology to help heighten security for patients and 3500 employees at its main hospital campus.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security news.     

The Parasites of Homo sapiens by R.W. Ashford and W. Crewe

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, 1998. £10.00 (viii + 128 pages)ISBN 0 9508756 9 4     

Saflink revenues drop

Biometric middleware developer and integrator Saflink Corporation has announced disappointing financial results for its second quarter ended 30 June 2003.Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news     

Precise Biometrics makes agreements

Following a successful working partnership, Precise Biometrics and Schlumberger have renewed an existing technical agreement and detailed how the companies will work closer in the future.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news     

Imagis to acquire Briyante

Facial recognition technology vendor Imagis Technologies has concluded negotiations and entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Briyante, a database and application development company.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security news.     

Afghan project identifies 150,000 refugees,cuts abuse of system

More than 150,000 Afghan refugees in Pakistan registered their iris patterns as identification during their return journey to Afghanistan over the last year, the UN Refugee Agency has announced.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security news.     

Match on card system for IT security

Swedish data security company Comex Electronics has teamed up with French smart card developer Oberthur Card Systems and Fingerprint Cards to develop an IT security system based on smart card and finger pattern verification.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news     

Fingerprint scroll wheel launched for mobiles

Designed for integration into laptops, PDA’s and mobile phones, DigitalPersona has announced a space-saving fingerprint sensor/ scroll wheel. The patented U.are.U Firefly roller-style fingerprint reader optically records the fingerprint image as the user glides their finger over the roller.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news.     

New tech on the way

Two futuristic developments caught the eye in the last month, one of which is a new biometric, while the other is a technology which could prove to be interesting for image capture in the biometric industry.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news.     

DICUT snaps up Aurora

DICUT, a US security solutions provider, has snapped up Aurora Biometrics as well as its founder, Helena Wisniewski. According to DICUT, the acquisition complements its product range, making it a one-stop shop for physical, logical and biometric security.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news.     

VOICE.TRUST emerges onto European scene

German provider of speaker authentication solutions VOICE.TRUST has formalised its partnership with US company SpeechWorks International. The company, which was launched in 2000, uses SpeechWorks’ SpeechSecure speaker verification technology at the heart of its biometric-based authentication solution VOICE.TRUST Server.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news     

Serbia orders integrated ID system

The Republic of Serbia has ordered a US$21 million integrated identification system that will be used for both criminal and civil identification purposes. The system will include an automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS), facial and photo imaging and livescan fingerprint and palmprint scanning technologies.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security news.     

Viisage secures US$7 million from Lau

Lau Technologies has provided US$7 million in debt financing to Viisage Technology. Under the terms of the agreement, the extra money is to be used by Viisage as working capital and for other general corporate purposes.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news     

Bioscrypt aims for year-end profit

Fingerprint technology provider Bioscrypt has reported strong second quarter results, with its revenue growing by 60% over the same period last year. The company also announced a series of high-profile contract wins to complement its good financial showing.This is a short news story only. Visit www.compseconline.com for the latest computer security industry news.     

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in alpha-lactalbumin gene of Indian Jamunapari breed of Capra hircus

Alpha-lactalbumin is a major whey protein found in milk. It influences lactose synthesis by modifying the substrate specificity of galactosyl-transferase, is important to milk synthesis since lactose, an impermeable disaccharide, is the major osmole of milk. The present study was undertaken to detect polymorphism in the full coding region of alpha-lactalbumin at the genetic level and to explore allelic variability of this gene. Samples of Jamunapari breed of goat (n = 50) were included under the present study. Jamunapari is the highest milk producer among local Indian goat breeds. PCR-SSCP of all four exons of alpha-lactalbumin (ALA) revealed a total of 9 gel phenotypes of Jamunapari breed of goat. These were sequenced, analyzed and deposited in GenBank, NCBI (accession nos. EU573193–EU573195). Nucleotide and amino acid variations were searched within breeds of Indian goats and homology between caprine, ovine, bovine, bubaline and human. In the present study we describe for the first time two novel gene variants on the goat alpha-lactalbumin gene exon 4.