1000 Genomes-based metaanalysis identifies 10 novel loci for kidney function

HapMap imputed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed >50 loci at which common variants with minor allele frequency >5% are associated with kidney function. GWAS using more complete reference sets for imputation, such as those from The 1000 Genomes project, promise to identify novel loci that have been missed by previous efforts. To investigate the value of such a more complete variant catalog, we conducted a GWAS meta-Analysis of kidney function based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR) in 110,517 European ancestry participants using 1000 Genomes imputed data. We identified 10 novel loci with p-value < 5 × 10-8 previously missed by HapMap-based GWAS. Six of these loci (HOXD8, ARL15, PIK3R1, EYA4, ASTN2, and EPB41L3) are tagged by common SNPs unique to the 1000 Genomes reference panel. Using pathway analysis, we identified 39 significant (FDR < 0.05) genes and 127 significantly (FDR < 0.05) enriched gene sets, wh

Distribution, abundance and ecology of the sponge Spheciospongia vagabunda (Phylum: Porifera, Class: Demospongiae) in a shallow lagoon of Mauritius.

The distribution, abundance and physico-chemical parameters affecting the sponge Spheciospongia vagabunda were studied in a shallow lagoon (Albion) of Mauritius.  Visual censuses were conducted along the 2 Km lagoon and GPS coordinates around sponge assemblages (patches) were noted.  Sponge abundance and ecological parameters were assessed by random throws of quadrats and physico-chemical parameters, including water depth; salinity, pH, and turbidity were noted.   A distribution map of Spheciospongia vagabunda was constructed on Google Earth.  Two distinctive sponge patches with the largest patch averaging 15350 m2 were identified.  Spheciospongia vagabunda in Albion were mostly anchored in the sand which is an unlikely substratum for Poriferans.  Some sponges were also observed next to the seagrass Syringodium filiforme.  Statistical analysis (t-test) showed that there was a significant difference among sponge size between both sponge assemblages (t = 3.01; p &lt; 0.05).  One-way ANOVA analysis indicated that physico-chemical parameters of surrounding water did not influence the sponge abundance within the lagoon.  Spheciospongia vagabunda were mostly distributed in shallow regions (3.3 sponge/m2 at a depth of 1.18 m).  This study adds to the lack of knowledge on Mauritian sponges and also acts as a baseline study for further monitoring of these benthic animals in the Albion lagoon

α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity of marine sponges collected in Mauritius waters

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