| 1. |
- Cruz, Raquel, et al.
(author)
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Novel genes and sex differences in COVID-19 severity
- 2022
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In: Human Molecular Genetics. - : Oxford University Press. - 0964-6906 .- 1460-2083. ; 31:22, s. 3789-3806
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)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. |
- Ballesteros, Soledad, et al.
(author)
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A randomized controlled trial of brain training with non-action video games in older adults : results of the 3-month follow-up
- 2015
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In: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1663-4365. ; 7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This randomized controlled study (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02007616)investigated the maintenance of training effects of 20 1-hr non-action video gametraining sessions with selected games from a commercial package on several agedecliningcognitive functions and subjective wellbeing after a 3-month no-contactperiod. Two groups of cognitively normal older adults participated in both the posttraining(posttest) and the present follow-up study, the experimental group who receivedtraining and the control group who attended several meetings with the research teamduring the study but did not receive training. Groups were similar at baseline ondemographics, vocabulary, global cognition, and depression status. Significant improvements in the trained group, and no variation in the control group had been previously found at posttest, in processing speed, attention and visual recognition memory, as well as in two dimensions of subjective wellbeing. In the current study, improvement from baseline to 3 months follow-up was found only in wellbeing (Affection and Assertivity dimensions) in the trained group whereas there was no change in the control group. Previous significant improvements in processing speed, attentionand spatial memory become nonsignificant after the 3-month interval. Training olderadults with non-action video games enhanced aspects of cognition just after training butthis effect disappeared after a 3-month no-contact follow-up period. Cognitive plasticitycan be induced in older adults by training, but to maintain the benefits periodic boosting sessions would be necessary.
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| 3. |
- Ballesteros, Soledad, et al.
(author)
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Brain training with non-action video games enhances aspects of cognition in older adults : a randomized controlled trial
- 2014
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In: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1663-4365. ; 6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Age-related cognitive and brain declines can result in functional deterioration in many cognitive domains, dependency, and dementia. A major goal of aging research is to investigate methods that help to maintain brain health, cognition, independent living and wellbeing in older adults. This randomized controlled study investigated the effects of 20 1-hr non-action video game training sessions with games selected from a commercially available package (Lumosity) on a series of age-declined cognitive functions and subjective wellbeing. Two groups of healthy older adults participated in the study, the experimental group who received the training and the control group who attended two meetings with the research team along the study. Groups were similar at baseline on demographics, vocabulary, global cognition, and depression status. All participants were assessed individually before and after the intervention, or a similar period of time, using neuropsychological tests and laboratory tasks to investigate possible transfer effects. The results showed significant improvements in the trained group, and no variation in the control group, in processing speed (choice reaction time), attention (reduction of distraction and increase of alertness), immediate and delayed visual recognition memory, as well as a trend to improve in Affection and Assertivity, two dimensions of the Wellbeing Scale. Visuospatial working memory (WM) and executive control (shifting strategy) did not improve. Overall, the current results support the idea that training healthy older adults with non-action video games will enhance some cognitive abilities but not others.
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| 4. |
- Jarne, Carmen, et al.
(author)
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Underpotential Photoelectrooxidation of Water by SnS2-Laccase Co-catalysts on Nanostructured Electrodes with Only Visible-Light Irradiation
- 2019
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In: ChemElectroChem. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2196-0216. ; 6:10, s. 2755-2761
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- More sustainable ways to produce and store energy are urgently needed to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, which are the principal drivers of global warming and pollution. Hydrogen may become the energy vector needed for this purpose if its production through water splitting can become competitive against steam methane reforming. Even after decades of research, the proposed strategies for water splitting are not efficient enough to overcome the high overpotential of the water oxidation reaction. In a quest for new approaches to this problem, recent studies have attempted to combine inorganic catalysts with biocatalysts, aiming to open new possibilities towards a definitive solution. In the present work we have tested a chalcogenide semiconductor, SnS2, characterized by a deep valence band and a visible-light band gap of approximately 2.2eV (lambda=550nm). Preparation of a fluorine-doped tin oxide electrode modified with SnS2 and laccase allowed water oxidation at a lower overpotential, taking better advantage of light energy. Additionally, indium tin oxide nanoparticles were added to increase the contact area between SnS2 and the electrode surface and thereby improve charge separation for photobioelectrocatalytic water oxidation. We tested the nanostructured anode electrodes under different applied potentials and irradiance intensities from a solar simulator to find the optimal photonic and faradaic efficiencies.
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