New insights into the genetic etiology of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias

Characterization of the genetic landscape of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias (ADD) provides a unique opportunity for a better understanding of the associated pathophysiological processes. We performed a two-stage genome-wide association study totaling 111,326 clinically diagnosed/'proxy' AD cases and 677,663 controls. We found 75 risk loci, of which 42 were new at the time of analysis. Pathway enrichment analyses confirmed the involvement of amyloid/tau pathways and highlighted microglia implication. Gene prioritization in the new loci identified 31 genes that were suggestive of new genetically associated processes, including the tumor necrosis factor alpha pathway through the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex. We also built a new genetic risk score associated with the risk of future AD/dementia or progression from mild cognitive impairment to AD/dementia. The improvement in prediction led to a 1.6- to 1.9-fold increase in AD risk from the lowest to the highest decile, in addition to effects of age and the APOE ε4 allele

The 2014 ALMA Long Baseline Campaign: An Overview

Instrumentatio

Analysis of shared heritability in common disorders of the brain

Paroxysmal Cerebral Disorder

Uncovering the heterogeneity and temporal complexity of neurodegenerative diseases with Subtype and Stage Inference

The heterogeneity of neurodegenerative diseases is a key confound to disease understanding and treatment development, as study cohorts typically include multiple phenotypes on distinct disease trajectories. Here we introduce a machine-learning technique\u2014Subtype and Stage Inference (SuStaIn)\u2014able to uncover data-driven disease phenotypes with distinct temporal progression patterns, from widely available cross-sectional patient studies. Results from imaging studies in two neurodegenerative diseases reveal subgroups and their distinct trajectories of regional neurodegeneration. In genetic frontotemporal dementia, SuStaIn identifies genotypes from imaging alone, validating its ability to identify subtypes; further the technique reveals within-genotype heterogeneity. In Alzheimer\u2019s disease, SuStaIn uncovers three subtypes, uniquely characterising their temporal complexity. SuStaIn provides fine-grained patient stratification, which substantially enhances the ability to predict conversion between diagnostic categories over standard models that ignore subtype (p = 7.18 7 10 124 ) or temporal stage (p = 3.96 7 10 125 ). SuStaIn offers new promise for enabling disease subtype discovery and precision medicine

A novel hemilabile calix[4],quinoline-based P,N-ligand: coordination chemistry and complex characterisation

The synthesis of the calix[4]arene-based P,N-ligand 3 (5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25-[(2-quinolylmethyl)oxy]-26,27,28-(3-phosphorustrioxy)calix[4]arene), in which the nitrogen atom-containing moiety has been introduced at the lower rim of the cavity prior to P-functionalisation, is described and its coordination properties investigated. In the crystal structure, the calix[4]-cavity adopts a cone conformation with an exo orientation of the phosphorus lone pair enabling P-N chelation. 1H, 13C, 31P and 1H{15N} HMQC NMR spectra indicated that, in complexes [PdCl(CH3)( 3)] ( 4) and [Rh(CO)Cl( 3)] ( 5), ligand 3 coordinates in a chelating fashion, while in cis-[PtCl2( 3)2] ( 6) and [Rh(acac)(CO)( 3)] ( 7) it behaves as a monodentate ligand, coordinating via the phosphorus atom only. X-Ray crystal structure determinations were performed for [PdCl(CH3)( 3)] ( 4) and cis-[PtCl2( 3)2] ( 6). The cationic Pd complex [Pd(CH3)(CH3CN)( 3)][PF6] ( 8) was found to be active in a CO/ethylene copolymerisation reaction. Good selectivities were observed for the Pd-catalysed allylic alkylation of cinnamyl acetate with in situ prepared catalysts. [Rh(acac)(CO)2] modified with ligand 3 catalyses the hydroformylation of 1-octene with low selectivities towards linear aldehydes. High-pressure NMR experiments on the hydrido carbonyl rhodium( 3) were inconclusive, different species were formed

A novel hemilabile calix[4],quinoline-based P,N-ligand: coordination chemistry and complex characterisation

The synthesis of the calix[4]arene-based P,N-ligand 3 (5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25-[(2-quinolylmethyl)oxy]-26,27,28-(3-phosphorustrioxy)calix[4]arene), in which the nitrogen atom-containing moiety has been introduced at the lower rim of the cavity prior to P-functionalisation, is described and its coordination properties investigated. In the crystal structure, the calix[4]-cavity adopts a cone conformation with an exo orientation of the phosphorus lone pair enabling P-N chelation. 1H, 13C, 31P and 1H{15N} HMQC NMR spectra indicated that, in complexes [PdCl(CH3)( 3)] ( 4) and [Rh(CO)Cl( 3)] ( 5), ligand 3 coordinates in a chelating fashion, while in cis-[PtCl2( 3)2] ( 6) and [Rh(acac)(CO)( 3)] ( 7) it behaves as a monodentate ligand, coordinating via the phosphorus atom only. X-Ray crystal structure determinations were performed for [PdCl(CH3)( 3)] ( 4) and cis-[PtCl2( 3)2] ( 6). The cationic Pd complex [Pd(CH3)(CH3CN)( 3)][PF6] ( 8) was found to be active in a CO/ethylene copolymerisation reaction. Good selectivities were observed for the Pd-catalysed allylic alkylation of cinnamyl acetate with in situ prepared catalysts. [Rh(acac)(CO)2] modified with ligand 3 catalyses the hydroformylation of 1-octene with low selectivities towards linear aldehydes. High-pressure NMR experiments on the hydrido carbonyl rhodium( 3) were inconclusive, different species were formed

Erratum: Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 Genetic Variants Modify the Circulating MMP-2 Levels in End-Stage Kidney Disease

<i>Background:</i> Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play important roles in the pathophysiology of renal diseases, and imbalanced MMP-2 and its endogenous inhibitor (the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2; TIMP-2) are implicated in the vascular alterations of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients. We have examined whether MMP-2 gene polymorphisms and haplotypes modify MMP-2 and TIMP-2 levels in ESKD patients as well as the effects of hemodialysis on the concentrations of these biomarkers. <i>Methods:</i> We determined MMP-2 and TIMP-2 plasma levels by gelatin zymography and ELISA, respectively, in 98 ESKD patients and in 38 healthy controls. Genotypes for two relevant MMP-2 polymorphisms (C^–1306T and C^–735T in the promoter region) were determined by TaqMan® allele discrimination assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The software program PHASE 2.1 was used to estimate the haplotype frequencies. <i>Results:</i> We found increased plasma MMP-2 and TIMP-2 levels in ESKD patients compared to controls (p < 0.05), and hemodialysis decreased MMP-2 (but not TIMP-2) levels (p < 0.05). The T allele for the C^–735T polymorphism and the C-T haplotype were associated with higher MMP-2 (but not TIMP-2) levels (p < 0.05), whereas the C^–1306T had no effects. Hemodialysis decreased MMP-2 (but not TIMP-2) levels independently of MMP-2 genotypes or haplotypes (p < 0.05). <i>Conclusions:</i> MMP-2 genotypes or haplotypes modify MMP-2 levels in ESKD patients, and may help to identify patients with increased MMP-2 activity in plasma. Hemodialysis reduces MMP-2 levels independently of MMP-2 genetic variants