Point Mutations on Mitochondrial DNA in Iranian Patients with Friedreich’s Ataxia

ObjectiveMitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is considered a candidate modifier factor for neuro-degenerative disorders. The most common type of ataxia is Friedreich's ataxia (FA). The aim of this study was to investigate different parts of mtDNA in 20 Iranian FA patients and 80 age-matched controls by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and automated DNA sequencing methods to find any probable point mutations involved in the pathogenesis of FA.Materials and MethodsWe identified 13 nucleotide substitutions including A3505G, T3335C, G3421A, G8251A, A8563G, A8563G, G8584A, T8614C, T8598C, C8684T, A8701G, G8994A and A9024G.ResultsTwelve of 13 nucleotide substitutions had already been reported as polymorphism. One of the nucleotide substitutions (A9024G) had not been reported before. The A9024G nucleotide substitution does not change its amino acid. The controls were also investigated for this polymorphism which was found in two of them (2.5%).ConclusionNone of the mutations found in this study can affect the clinical manifestations of FA. This survey also provides evidence that the mtDNA A9024G allele is a new nonpathogenic polymorphism. We suggest follow-up studies for this polymorphism in different populations.

Adaptation of the application WASPAR to new Linux distributions

1 page, 2 figuresIn this paper we present the process of adaptation of WASPAR, a free software tool that processes and displays wide-angle seismic data. It originally worked in an early version of Fedora, so the intention was to make it compatible with more Linux distributions, such as new versions of Fedora or Ubuntu. Further adaptations have been planned, so it can also be used in a Windows environmentPeer reviewe

Low Power and Easy to Use Ocean Bottom Seismometer (OBS) For Long Period Surveys

5 pages, 11 figuresThe OBS (ocean bottom seismometer) has been a key instrument for geophysical study of sea subbottom layers in the last decades. Now scientists are demanding highly reliable autonomous equipment capable of staying underwater for long periods of time and therefore handling large data storage. Power consumption of the acquisition system as well as a stable time base with temperature are the main issues in order to achieve high autonomy together with a good data quality. This paper presents a new OBS designed to be used in marine long term surveys. To achieve our goals, a new datalogger based on Compactflash memories with high data transfer capacity is designed to enable continuous data acquisition. The equipment is now under evaluation where lab tests have been carried out and tests under real environmental conditions are programmed for second semester of 2005The development of the new Ocean Bottom Seismometer has been possible thanks to the project Signal Transmission in light and Autonomous Underwater Sensors (CTM2004-04510-C03-00) funded by the Spanish Research and Technology Management Unit (DGICYT), as a continuation of the project New Generation of Light and Autonomous Underwater Sensors-SENSUAL (Ref:REN2000-1016-C02-01/02) which is a joint work between Technical university of Catalonia (UPC), Marine Technology Unit (UTM) and Technical University of Navarra (UPN)Peer reviewe