Genome-wide association analysis of dementia and its clinical endophenotypes reveal novel loci associated with Alzheimer's disease and three causality networks: The GR@ACE project

INTRODUCTION: Large variability among Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases might impact genetic discoveries and complicate dissection of underlying biological pathways. METHODS: Genome Research at Fundacio ACE (GR@ACE) is a genome-wide study of dementia and its clinical endophenotypes, defined based on AD's clinical certainty and vascular burden. We assessed the impact of known AD loci across endophenotypes to generate loci categories. We incorporated gene coexpression data and conducted pathway analysis per category. Finally, to evaluate the effect of heterogeneity in genetic studies, GR@ACE series were meta-analyzed with additional genome-wide association study data sets. RESULTS: We classified known AD loci into three categories, which might reflect the disease clinical heterogeneity. Vascular processes were only detected as a causal mechanism in probable AD. The meta-analysis strategy revealed the ANKRD31-rs4704171 and NDUFAF6-rs10098778 and confirmed SCIMP-rs7225151 and CD33-rs3865444. DISCUSSION: The regulation of vasculature is a prominent causal component of probable AD. GR@ACE meta-analysis revealed novel AD genetic signals, strongly driven by the presence of clinical heterogeneity in the AD series

A Search for Photons with Energies Above 2X10(17) eV Using Hybrid Data from the Low-Energy Extensions of the Pierre Auger Observatory

Ultra-high-energy photons with energies exceeding 10(17) eV offer a wealth of connections to different aspects of cosmic-ray astrophysics as well as to gamma-ray and neutrino astronomy. The recent observations of photons with energies in the 10(15) eV range further motivate searches for even higher-energy photons. In this paper, we present a search for photons with energies exceeding 2 x 10(17) eV using about 5.5 yr of hybrid data from the low-energy extensions of the Pierre Auger Observatory. The upper limits on the integral photon flux derived here are the most stringent ones to date in the energy region between 10(17) and 10(18) eV

Identificaci�n y localizaci�n de una nueva especie de Tripsacum spp. en Nayarit, M�xico

Existe inter�s nacional por conservar la biodiversidad del ma�z (Zea mays L.) y a sus parientes silvestres, en virtud del peligro inminente de la p�rdida de dicha diversidad por factores externos bi�ticos, abi�ticos, socioecon�micos, pol�ticos y comerciales. El objetivo del presente estudio fue verificar la presencia de nuevas especies de Tripsacum spp., y afinar el conocimiento de su diversidad gen�tica y distribuci�n geogr�fica actual en Nayarit, M�xico. La recolecci�n de germoplasma se realiz� mediante recorridos de campo dirigidos a nuevas a�reas con base en antecedentes de colectas previas. Se colectaron muestras de semilla y material vegetativo para su regeneraci�n, identificaci�n y caracterizaci�n posterior. Asimismo se concentraron los datos de pasaportes correspondientes. Durante 2007 se colectaron en Nayarit 117 materiales de Tripsacum en los municipios de Ahuacatl�n, Jala, Santa Mar�a del Oro, Santiago Ixcuintla, Tepic y Jalisco. Los materiales colectados fueron clasificados como T. dactyloides, T. laxum, T. maizar y T. floridanum. El presente estudio constituye el primer reporte sobre la presencia de Tripsacum floridanum en el Estado de Nayarit, M�xico