Genomic signal processing (GSP) refers to the use of digital signal processing (DSP) tools for analyzing genomic data such as DNA sequences. A possible application of GSP that has not been fully explored is the computation of the distance between a pair of sequences. In this work we present GAFD, a novel GSP alignment-free distance computation method. We introduce a DNA sequence-to-signal mapping function based on the employment of doublet values, which increases the number of possible amplitude values for the generated signal. Additionally, we explore the use of three DSP distance metrics as descriptors for categorizing DNA signal fragments. Our results indicate the feasibility of employing GAFD for computing sequence distances and the use of descriptors for characterizing DNA fragments.

Preparation of silver nanoparticles was carried out by semicontinuous reduction of Ag⁺ ions at low temperatures. Silver nitrate was used as the Ag⁰ precursor, the carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as stabilizer and primary reducing agent, and sodium borohydride as reducing agent. Weight ratios of 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 of AgNO₃ : CMC were used for carrying out the reactions. Silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-VIS spectroscopy, transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by XRD spectroscopy and by the presence of an absorption peak around 400 nm in the UV-visible spectrum. Unimodal size distributions of spheroidal nanoparticles were observed by TEM. Greater productivities than those reported by other authors were obtained with the advantage of using a lower temperature and minor reaction times. By using a higher CMC/AgNO₃ weight ratio or a higher concentration of AgNO₃, AgNPs with larger average size were produced. Antibacterial activity of AgNPs against S. aureus and E. coli was determined by the agar disk diffusion method. The higher the AgNPs concentration, the larger the inhibition zone. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of AgNPs against S. aureus and E. coli was 5 μg/disk.

Recent information has revealed new roles in the angiogenic processes linked to the rennin-angiotensin system. To date few studies have been done on the association between RAS genes and cancer and the majority focus mainly on angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE). For breast cancer there are three reports that include the angiotensin II receptor, subtype 1 (AGTR1), only one for angiotensinogen (AGT) and none for renin gene (REN). In the present study we investigate whether REN (BglI), AGT (M235T), ACE (A245T, Indel), and AGTR1 (A1166C) are associated with breast cancer. Polymorphisms were analysed by PCR and RFPLs or sequence specific assay in three groups: breast cancer, benign breast disease (BBD) and general population. REN polymorphism shows that homozygous for A allele have an increased risk for BBD. Differences in M235T genotype frequencies were significant with less heterozygous in breast cancer. With different risk values ACE indel was associated with BBD and breast cancer. Association of AGTR1 was observed only in the breast cancer group, where C allele carriers present a reduced risk. Results of this work supports previous observations on the possible involvement of this system in breast cancer but it also suggests a role in benign disease.