The B vitamins are components of one-carbon metabolism (OCM) that contribute to DNA synthesis and methylation. Homocysteine, a by-product of OCM, has been associated with coronary heart disease, ...stroke and neurological disease. To investigate genetic factors that affect circulating vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate and homocysteine, a genome-wide association analysis was conducted in the InCHIANTI (N = 1175), SardiNIA (N = 1115), and BLSA (N = 640) studies. The top loci were replicated in an independent sample of 687 participants in the Progetto Nutrizione study. Polymorphisms in the
ALPL gene (rs4654748, p = 8.30 × 10
−18) were associated with vitamin B6 and
FUT2 (rs6022662, p = 2.83 × 10
−20) with vitamin B12 serum levels. The association of
MTHFR, a gene consistently associated with homocysteine, was confirmed in this meta-analysis. The
ALPL gene likely influences the catabolism of vitamin B6 while
FUT2 interferes with absorption of vitamin B12. These findings highlight mechanisms that affect vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and homocysteine serum levels.
We report on a spatial mapping of the electronic and vibrational structure of three-dimensional (3D) nanoporous graphene architectures, which have a hierarchical pore structure. We demonstrate that ...the topology, curvature, and pores lead to local changes in the electronic and vibrational structure and in the hybridization states of the carbon atoms (sp2 vs. sp3-like). Nitrogen substitutions in pyrrolic bonding configurations also contribute to local distortions of the planar geometry of graphene. The distortions influence the electronic density of states at the Fermi level by shifting the Dirac cone apex, opening potential avenues for applications of two-dimensional graphene in 3D devices.
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Long-term pulmonary sequelae following hospitalization for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia is largely unclear. The aim of this study was to identify and characterise pulmonary sequelae caused by SARS-CoV-2 ...pneumonia at 12-month from discharge.
In this multicentre, prospective, observational study, patients hospitalised for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and without prior diagnosis of structural lung diseases were stratified by maximum ventilatory support ("oxygen only", "continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)" and "invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV)") and followed up at 12 months from discharge. Pulmonary function tests and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), 6 min walking test, high resolution CT (HRCT) scan, and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale were collected.
Out of 287 patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and followed up at 1 year, DLCO impairment, mainly of mild entity and improved with respect to the 6-month follow-up, was observed more frequently in the "oxygen only" and "IMV" group (53% and 49% of patients, respectively), compared to 29% in the "CPAP" group. Abnormalities at chest HRCT were found in 46%, 65% and 80% of cases in the "oxygen only", "CPAP" and "IMV" group, respectively. Non-fibrotic interstitial lung abnormalities, in particular reticulations and ground-glass attenuation, were the main finding, while honeycombing was found only in 1% of cases. Older patients and those requiring IMV were at higher risk of developing radiological pulmonary sequelae. Dyspnea evaluated through mMRC scale was reported by 35% of patients with no differences between groups, compared to 29% at 6-month follow-up.
DLCO alteration and non-fibrotic interstitial lung abnormalities are common after 1 year from hospitalization due to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, particularly in older patients requiring higher ventilatory support. Studies with longer follow-ups are needed.
Heterostructures formed by ultrathin borocarbonitride (BCN) layers grown on TiO2 nanoribbons were investigated as photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting. TiO2 nanoribbons were obtained ...by thermal oxidation of TiS3 samples. Then, BCN layers were successfully grown by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition. The structure and the chemical composition of the starting TiS3, the TiO2 nanoribbons and the TiO2-BCN heterostructures were investigated by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Diffuse reflectance measurements showed a change in the gap from 0.94 eV (TiS3) to 3.3 eV (TiO2) after the thermal annealing of the starting material. Morphological characterizations, such as scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy, show that the morphology of the samples was not affected by the change in the structure and composition. The obtained TiO2-BCN heterostructures were measured in a photoelectrochemical cell, showing an enhanced density of current under dark conditions and higher photocurrents when compared with TiO2. Finally, using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the flat band potential was determined to be equal in both TiO2 and TiO2-BCN samples, whereas the product of the dielectric constant and the density of donors was higher for TiO2-BCN.
A suitable way to modify the electronic properties of graphene-while maintaining the exceptional properties associated with its two-dimensional (2D) nature-is its functionalisation. In particular, ...the incorporation of hydrogen isotopes in graphene is expected to modify its electronic properties leading to an energy gap opening, thereby rendering graphene promising for a widespread of applications. Hence, deuterium (D) adsorption on free-standing graphene was obtained by high-energy electron ionisation of D2 and ion irradiation of a nanoporous graphene (NPG) sample. This method allows one to reach nearly 50 at.% D upload in graphene, higher than that obtained by other deposition methods so far, towards low-defect and free-standing D-graphane. That evidence was deduced by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the C 1s core level, showing clear evidence of the D-C sp3 bond, and Raman spectroscopy, pointing to remarkably clean and low-defect production of graphane. Moreover, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy showed the opening of an energy gap in the valence band. Therefore, high-energy electron ionisation and ion irradiation is an outstanding method for obtaining low defect D-NPG with a high D upload, which is very promising for the fabrication of semiconducting graphane on large scale.
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