| 1. |
- Cruz, Raquel, et al.
(författare)
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Novel genes and sex differences in COVID-19 severity
- 2022
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Ingår i: Human Molecular Genetics. - : Oxford University Press. - 0964-6906 .- 1460-2083. ; 31:22, s. 3789-3806
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Here, we describe the results of a genome-wide study conducted in 11 939 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positive cases with an extensive clinical information that were recruited from 34 hospitals across Spain (SCOURGE consortium). In sex-disaggregated genome-wide association studies for COVID-19 hospitalization, genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10−8) was crossed for variants in 3p21.31 and 21q22.11 loci only among males (P = 1.3 × 10−22 and P = 8.1 × 10−12, respectively), and for variants in 9q21.32 near TLE1 only among females (P = 4.4 × 10−8). In a second phase, results were combined with an independent Spanish cohort (1598 COVID-19 cases and 1068 population controls), revealing in the overall analysis two novel risk loci in 9p13.3 and 19q13.12, with fine-mapping prioritized variants functionally associated with AQP3 (P = 2.7 × 10−8) and ARHGAP33 (P = 1.3 × 10−8), respectively. The meta-analysis of both phases with four European studies stratified by sex from the Host Genetics Initiative (HGI) confirmed the association of the 3p21.31 and 21q22.11 loci predominantly in males and replicated a recently reported variant in 11p13 (ELF5, P = 4.1 × 10−8). Six of the COVID-19 HGI discovered loci were replicated and an HGI-based genetic risk score predicted the severity strata in SCOURGE. We also found more SNP-heritability and larger heritability differences by age (<60 or ≥60 years) among males than among females. Parallel genome-wide screening of inbreeding depression in SCOURGE also showed an effect of homozygosity in COVID-19 hospitalization and severity and this effect was stronger among older males. In summary, new candidate genes for COVID-19 severity and evidence supporting genetic disparities among sexes are provided.
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| 2. |
- Abbasi, Rasha, et al.
(författare)
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IceCube search for neutrinos from GRB 221009A
- 2023
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Ingår i: Proceedings of 38th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC 2023). - : Sissa Medialab Srl.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- GRB 221009A is the brightest Gamma Ray Burst (GRB) ever observed. The observed extremelyhigh flux of high and very-high-energy photons provide a unique opportunity to probe the predictedneutrino counterpart to the electromagnetic emission. We have used a variety of methods to searchfor neutrinos in coincidence with the GRB over several time windows during the precursor, promptand afterglow phases of the GRB. MeV scale neutrinos are studied using photo-multiplier ratescalers which are normally used to search for galactic core-collapse supernovae neutrinos. GeVneutrinos are searched starting with DeepCore triggers. These events don’t have directionallocalization, but instead can indicate an excess in the rate of events. 10 GeV - 1 TeV and >TeVneutrinos are searched using traditional neutrino point source methods which take into accountthe direction and time of events with DeepCore and the entire IceCube detector respectively. The>TeV results include both a fast-response analysis conducted by IceCube in real-time with timewindows of T0 − 1 to T0 + 2 hours and T0 ± 1 day around the time of GRB 221009A, as well asan offline analysis with 3 new time windows up to a time window of T0 − 1 to T0 + 14 days, thelongest time period we consider. The combination of observations by IceCube covers 9 ordersof magnitude in neutrino energy, from MeV to PeV, placing upper limits across the range forpredicted neutrino emission.
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| 3. |
- Brea, Oriana, et al.
(författare)
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Are beryllium-containing biphenyl derivatives efficient anion sponges?
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Molecular Modeling. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1610-2940 .- 0948-5023. ; 24:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The structures and stabilities of 2,2'-diBeX-1,1'-biphenyl (X = H, F, Cl, CN) derivatives and their affinities for F-, Cl-, and CN- were theoretically investigated using a B3LYP/6-311 + G(3df, 2p)//B3LYP/6-31 + G(d,p) model. The results obtained show that the 2,2'-diBeX-1,1'-biphenyl derivatives (X = H, F, Cl, CN) exhibit very high F-, Cl-, and CN- affinities, albeit lower than those reported before for their 1,8-diBeX-naphthalene analogs, in spite of the fact that the biphenyl derivatives are more flexible than their naphthalene counterparts. Nevertheless, some of the biphenyl derivatives investigated are predicted to have anion affinities larger than those measured for SbF5, which is considered one of the strongest anion capturers. Therefore, although weaker than their naphthalene analogs, the 2,2'-diBeX-1,1'-biphenyl derivatives can still be considered powerful anion sponges. This study supports the idea that compounds containing -BeX groups in chelating positions behave as anion sponges due to the electron-deficient nature and consequently high intrinsic Lewis acidity of these groups.
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| 4. |
- Merced Montero-Campillo, M., et al.
(författare)
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Gas-phase reactivity tuned through the interaction with alkaline-earth derivatives
- 2019
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Ingår i: Theoretical Chemistry accounts. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-881X .- 1432-2234. ; 138:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The cooperativity between MX2:XH alkaline-earth bonds and XH:NH3 hydrogen bonds (M=Mg, Ca; X=F, Cl) was investigated at the G4 level of theory. The cooperativity between these two non-covalent linkages is extremely large, to the point that the increase in their bond dissociation enthalpies may be as large as 240%. More importantly, the weaker the interaction, the larger the increase, so in some cases the linkage that stabilizes the most is the alkaline-earth bond, whereas in others is the hydrogen bond. In all cases, the formation of the MX2:XH:NH3 ternary complex is followed by a spontaneous proton transfer, very much as previously found for the Be-containing analogues. Similarly, MX2:FCl:NH3 complexes evolve from a chlorine-shared ternary complex (MX2FClNH3) or from an ion pair (MX2F-NH3Cl+) if M=Ca. Although F is the only halogen without sigma-hole, MgCl2 derivatives induce the appearance of a sigma-hole on it, though less deep than those induced by BeCl2. We have also studied whether Mg and Ca bond-containing complexes MR2:FY (R=H, F, Cl; Y=NH2, OH, F, Cl) may react to form radicals, as it has been found for the Be-containing analogues. These interactions provoke a drastic decrease in the F-Y bond dissociation enthalpy, very much as the one reported for the corresponding Be-analogues, to the point that in some cases the formation of the corresponding MR2F center dot+Y radicals becomes exothermic. Hence, the general conclusion of this study is that Mg or Ca derivatives give place to similar or even larger perturbations on the electron density than those induced by Be, a result not easily predictable.
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| 5. |
- Merced Montero-Campillo, M., et al.
(författare)
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Modulating the intrinsic reactivity of molecules through non-covalent interactions
- 2019
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Ingår i: Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics - PCCP. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1463-9076 .- 1463-9084. ; 21:5, s. 2222-2233
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Non-covalent interactions unavoidably involve a certain disturbance of the electronic density of the interacting systems. Such perturbations are particularly strong when dealing with electron deficient systems such as boron, beryllium, magnesium (pre-p elements) or calcium (a pre-d element) derivatives. Indeed, these compounds have been shown to modify the intrinsic reactivity of the systems interacting with them. In the first part of this paper, we present an overview on (i) how electron deficient systems, acting as Lewis acids, modulate the intrinsic acidity of Lewis bases, explaining for instance why a typical base, such as aniline, can be converted by association with borane into an acid as strong as phosphoric acid; (ii) how other weak non-covalent interactions, such as halogen bonds, permit one to modulate the intrinsic basicity of typical oxyacids changing them into strong BrOnsted bases; (iii) how cooperativity between different non-covalent interactions may lead to the spontaneous formation of ion-pairs in the gas phase; (iv) how non-covalent interactions generate sigma-holes in systems where this feature is not present; and (v) how these interactions can induce exergonic and spontaneous formation of neutral radicals. In the second part of the paper, we show, by using G4 high-level ab initio calculations, that the acidity enhancement phenomenon is a general mechanism whenever a given base interacts with non-protic and protic acids. In the non-protic acid case, the underlying mechanism behind the enhancement is similar to the one reported for electron-deficient compounds, whereas the protic acid case appears in complexes stabilized through conventional hydrogen bonds. We also show that the former could be classified as an a priori mechanism, whereas the latter would be an a posteriori mechanism. This same a posteriori mechanism is behind the significant basicity enhancement of water and ammonia when interacting with conventional N-bases. Finally, we present a detailed analysis of the role that deformation can play in the intensity and nature of these enhancements.
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| 6. |
- Mokhtar Lamsabhi, Al, et al.
(författare)
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Oxygenation of the phenylhalocarbenes : Are they spin-allowed or spin-forbidden reactions?
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Molecular Modeling. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1610-2940 .- 0948-5023. ; 18:6, s. 2813-2821
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Oxygenation mechanisms of phenylhalocarbenes in vacuum are investigated through the use of density functional theory and CASSCF-PT2 approaches. Reactions with both substituted and unsubstituted phenylhalocarbenes are strongly exothermic. The reactions with nitrosubstituted halocarbenes are predicted to be spin allowed due to the practical degeneracy of the singlet and triplet carbene states. Conversely, for the unsubstituted compounds, the equilibrium between the triplet carbene and O-3(2) requires a previous singlet-triplet state crossing. The large spin-orbit coupling at this crossing suggests a rather efficient tunneling rate. This would help to explain why the rate constant in solution in these cases is only one order of magnitude smaller than those involving a spin-allowed process. Moreover, the action of the solvent as a third body appears to play a fundamental role in prompting relatively smooth rates.
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| 7. |
- Ohaneje, Uchechi Linda, et al.
(författare)
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The Re-Addition of Seminal Plasma after Thawing Does Not Improve Buck Sperm Quality Parameters
- 2021
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Ingår i: Animals. - : MDPI. - 2076-2615. ; 11:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Simple Summary The Cabra Blanca de Rasquera is a native goat breed from Catalonia (Spain) facing the danger of extinction. To preserve its genetic diversity, ex situ conservation programs for semen cryopreservation and the development of a genetic sperm bank are of major importance. However, the post-thaw sperm quality in this species is still a major concern. Therefore, the aim of this research work was to establish an approach in the thawing protocol of cryopreserved sperm bank doses of this breed in order to achieve a better post-thaw sperm quality and improve reproductive outcomes through artificial insemination. Since seminal plasma has been found to provide a source of nutrients, improve sperm motility, and prevent premature activation during migration of spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract, our study proposed to assess the effect of the addition of 20% seminal plasma (SP) during a 3 h incubation period under in vitro conditions mimicking the in vivo survivability of thawed sperm, in relation to donor age, the season of collection, and melatonin implants of the males in the non-breeding season. However, the strategy of adding seminal plasma to the sperm after thawing failed to improve buck post-thawed sperm quality, thus further investigation is needed. In order to achieve a higher post-thaw buck sperm quality, an approach in the thawing protocol of cryopreserved sperm doses under in vitro capacitation conditions mimicking the in vivo female environment was studied. Therefore, functional and kinetic characteristics of buck thawed sperm from males of different ages, the season of collection, and melatonin implanted males in the non-breeding season were assessed after 3 h of incubation in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) media with 20% of buck seminal plasma (SP). Previously, fresh ejaculates were collected via artificial vagina from eight males of the Cabra Blanca de Rasquera breed during two consecutive years in breeding and non-breeding periods. Prior to semen collection in non-breeding seasons, males were split into two groups: one group was implanted with melatonin, while the other was not. In each group, semen samples were pooled, centrifuged, and diluted in an extender containing 15% powdered egg yolk and 5% glycerol before freezing. After thawing, sperm were washed and incubated in three different media: (a) control media (modified phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), (b) IVF commercial media, and (c) IVF media + 20% SP. Sperm motility was evaluated by CASA, while plasma and acrosome membrane integrity, mitochondria activity, and DNA fragmentation were analysed by flow cytometer at 0 h and after 3 h incubation. A significant reduction in motility, mitochondrial activity, plasma, and acrosome membrane integrity were observed after incubation in the presence of SP, although similar to that observed in IVF media alone. DNA integrity was not affected under in vitro capacitation conditions, regardless of SP addition. In conclusion, the addition of SP failed to improve post-thaw buck sperm quality under in vitro conditions irrespective of male age, the season of collection, and melatonin implant.
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