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Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder with a strong genetic inheritance. Although more than 100 loci were reported through the genome-wide association study of European populations, the genetic underpinning of asthma in African American individuals remains largely elusive.We aimed to identify genetic loci associated with asthma in African American individuals.Three cohorts were genotyped at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia by using the Illumina single-nucleotide polymorphism array platform. Genotype imputation was performed by using the Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) reference panel, which includes whole genome sequencing data from more than 100,000 individuals. A meta-analysis of 3 Children's Hospital of Philadelphia cohorts and 10 Consortium on Asthma among African Ancestry Populations in the Americas cohorts, totaling 19,628 subjects, was conducted to identify genetic loci associated with asthma in African American individuals.Our study identified 12 loci surpassing the classical genome-wide significance threshold (5 × 10Our findings provide candidate genetic loci for therapeutic target identification and prioritization for African populations.

BackgroundWhile polygenic risk scores hold significant promise in estimating an individual’s risk of developing a complex trait such as obesity, their application in the clinic has, to date, been limited by a lack of data from non-European populations. As a collaboration model of the International Hundred K+ Cohorts Consortium (IHCC), we endeavored to develop a globally applicable trans-ethnic PRS for body mass index (BMI) through this relatively new international effort.MethodsThe PRS model was developed trained and tested at the Center for Applied Genomics (CAG) of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) based on a BMI meta-analysis from the GIANT consortium. The validated PRS models were subsequently disseminated to the participating sites. Scores were generated by each site locally on their cohorts and summary statistics returned to CAG for final analysis.ResultsWe show that in the absence of a well powered trans-ethnic GWAS from which to derive SNPs and effect estimates, trans-ethnic scores can be generated from European ancestry GWAS using Bayesian approaches such as LDpred to adjust the summary statistics using trans-ethnic linkage disequilibrium reference panels. The ported trans-ethnic scores outperform population specific-PRS across all non-European ancestry populations investigated including East Asians and three-way admixed Brazilian cohort.ConclusionsWidespread use of PRS in the clinic is hampered by a lack of genotyping data in individuals of non-European ancestry for the vast majority of traits. Here we show that for a truly polygenic trait such as BMI adjusting the summary statistics of a well powered European ancestry study using trans-ethnic LD reference results in a score that is predictive across a range of ancestries including East Asians and three-way admixed Brazilians.

Combination Ru nanoparticles/MnFe phosphides and the firm support of a Prussian blue analogue (PBA) in a well-designed architecture (Ru-MnFeP/PBA) is presented. An Li–O2 battery with a Ru-MnFeP/PBA cathode provided good electrochemical performances.

Lithium (Li)-O2 batteries have triggered worldwide interest due to their ultrahigh theoretical energy density. However, it is a long shot for the grand-scale applications of Li-O2 battery at current stage owing to its significant polarization, inferior cycling life, and irreversible decomposition of Li2O2. Herein, a facile way of preparing the highly dispersed Co-based nanoparticles encapsulated into porous N-doping carbon polyhedral with the low content of Ru modification (LRu@HDCo-NC) is explored through the pyrolysis of Co/Zn based zeolitic imidazole frameworks (ZIFs) containing Ru-based ligands. Even with the very small amount of Ru introduction (1.8%), LRu@HDCo-NC still exhibits the superior oxygen evolution reaction/oxygen reduction reaction (OER/ORR) performance and also inhibits side reactions in Li-O2 battery because of the abundant pores, plentiful surface N heteroatoms, and highly dispersed metal-based sites which are induced by the volatilization of Zn, and conductive/stable carbon skeleton derived from ZIFs. When applied in Li-O2 batteries, LRu@HDCo-NC cathode delivers a high discharge capacity of 15,973 mAh·g−1 at 200 mA·g−1, good capacity retention at higher rate (12,362 mAh·g−1 at 500 mA·g−1) and outstanding stability for > 300 cycles with low voltage polarization of < 2.3 V under a cut-off capacity of 1,000 mAh·g−1 at 500 mA·g−1. More critically, a series of ex situ and in situ characterization technologies disclose that the LRu@HDCo-NC cathodes can effectively promote the reversible reactions in Li-O2 batteries.

Tuning the structural features that furnish electrochemically active sites with improved kinetic diffusion can provide an alternative way to achieve high performance of electrocatalysis. Here, we report a nano-structure of Ni2P/C(NPC) nano-sheets supported on nickel foam (NF) that is prepared by sequenced nitrogen pyrolysis and gas phosphatization of Ni-MOF nanosheets. Initially, the passivated surface of nickel foam facilitates the oriented growth of Ni-MOF nanosheets, which is crucial for the maintenance of structure stability during the subsequent pyrolysis and phosphatization treatment. As a result, more catalytic active sites are exposed than the non-oriented NPC catalysts and diffusion kinetics is favorable. Consequently, the obtained composite can exhibit excellent hydrogen evolution catalytic activity in an alkaline electrolyte. For hydrogen evolution reaction, a current density of 10 mA cm−2 is provided at an overpotential of 97 mV and its onset overpotential is only 29 mV. Meanwhile, good morphology and catalytic activity can be maintained after 12 h of stability testing. This excellent performance is believed to be the result of NPC nanosheet structure on NF derived from the facet-oriented control of pristine Ni-MOF, enabling excellent reaction kinetics.

Zeolites possess unique ion exchange property, abundant acid sites, and highly hydrothermal stability, which have been widely used in catalysis, separation, and adsorption etc. However, the application of zeolite is greatly restrained in catalytic reactions involved in the large molecules due to their small micropore size (

Metronidazole(MTZ) is an important antibiotic, which has been widely applied to cure protozoal and bacterial diseases for human beings or animals. Herein, three novel drug supramolecular crystals constructed by MTZ with 2,5-dihydroxy-benzoic acid(2,5-DHBA)(1), 2,6-dihydroxy-benzoic acid(2,6-DHBA)(2) and 3,5-dihydroxy-benzoic acid(3,5-DHBA)(3), respectively, have been discovered. The hydrogen bonds of N—H⋯O(O—H⋯N), C—H⋯O and O—H⋯O play important roles in the 3D supramolecular framework formation for crystals 1–3. Interestingly, due to the vary locations of the substituent groups, the two-dimensional layers in crystals 1 or 2 are constructed via intermolecular hydrogen bonds between MTZ and 2,5-DHBA or 2,6-DHBA, while in crystal 3 water molecules play a significant role except the intermolecular hydrogen bonds between MTZ and 3,5 -DHBA. In addition, five synthons of I R22(8), II R33(9) in crystal 1, III R21(4), IV R22(8) in crystal 2 and V R22(7) in crystal 3 formed through various hydrogen bonds are founded in this work. Systematic studies of syntheses, crystal structures and thermal analysis are reported.

2D heterostructures provide a competitive platform to tailor electrical property through control of layer structure and constituents. However, despite the diverse integration of 2D materials and their application flexibility, tailoring synergistic interlayer interactions between 2D materials that form electronically coupled heterostructures remains a grand challenge. Here, the rational design and optimized synthesis of electronically coupled N-doped mesoporous defective carbon and nitrogen modified titanium carbide (Ti

The ingenious design and synthesis of bifunctional electrocatalysts with high activity and robust stability for hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction (HER and OER) is desirable and challenging. Herein, bimetallic phosphides CoFeP with hollow microspheres structure has been synthesized through a facile gas phosphorization as bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting. SEM and TEM demonstrate the formation of uniform hollow microspheres of CoFeP. The hollow structure of CoFeP is helpful to increase the exposed actives and the larger contact surface with electrolyte. The bimetallic composites can provide the better intrinsic activity. Compared with single metallic phosphides CoP and FeP, the obvious enhancement of electrocatalytic performances of CoFeP can be observed. The electrochemical results show that the bimetallic CoFeP hollow microspheres only have the lower overpotential of 177 and 350 mV (vs. RHE) to drive a current density of 10 mA cm−2 for HER and OER, respectively. The reasons may be due to the hollow nanostructure and the synergistic effect from bimetallic phosphides. This work provides a facile and effective way to design excellent phosphides electrocatalysts for water splitting based on gas phosphorization of bimetallic oxides precursors.

Tuning the structural features that furnish electrochemically active sites with improved kinetic diffusion can provide an alternative way to achieve high performance of electrocatalysis. Here, we report a nano-structure of Ni

Pyridyltetrazolium is an advantageous molecular precursor for its abundant coordination sites, which is adequate for the design of novel multi-dimensional structures. Three compounds of P-pyridyltetrazolium with 1,2,3-benzenetricarboxylic acid 1, M-pyridyltetrazolium with 1,2,3-benzenetricarboxylic acid 2, and P-pyridyltetrazolium with 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3 were synthesized and investigated. Compounds 1 and 2 indicated that the position of the coordination nitrogen atom will affect the structure of the supramolecule. Compound 1 finally formed a three-dimensional network through hydrogen bonds of O–H⋯O and O–H⋯N, whereas compound 2 formed a two-dimensional layered structure and water molecules play an important role in the construction of the two-dimensional layer. In addition to O–H⋯N hydrogen bond interaction, a weak C–H⋯C hydrogen bond also has significant effect on the construction of compound 3. Some main supramolecular synthons observed in three compounds were shown to construct most of these hydrogen bonding networks. The three compounds have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Furthermore, their supramolecular structures are fully analyzed.

Two new metal-organic frameworks {[Ni0.5(DTA)0.5(H2O)]‧H2O}n (1) and [Ni(DTA)]n (2), where H2DTA = 2,5-di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)terephthalic acid, were constructed from the same reaction system at 120 °C and 180 °C, respectively. Different reaction temperatures were found to trigger different assembly processes and final structures. Single-crystal X-ray analyses show that compound 1 exhibits a 2D layered structure, further forming a 3D supramolecular by hydrogen bonding, while compound 2 shows 2-fold interpenetrating 3D framework with PtS topology. Compounds 1–2 have been evaluated as electrode materials for supercapacitors. The results show that compound 1 exhibits better electrochemical performance than 2. It may be ascribed to 2D layered structures facilitating electron transport and sufficient interlayer spaces available for the storage.

To examine the association between insertion/deletion polymorphism in intron 4 of ecNOS gene (ecNOS 4 b/a) and end-stage chronic renal failure (ESCRF) in Han people in Tianjin, China.The genotypes of ecNOS 4 b/a polymorphism were detected by PCR-minisatellite DNA detection technique. 67 CRF patients on hemodialysis were included in the study group, with 70 healthy volunteers as controls.(1) The genotype frequencies were 79.1%, 19.4% and 1.5% in the patients and 91.4%, 8.6% and 0% in the controls for bb, ba and aa genotypes, respectively. (2) The allele frequencies were significantly different between the patients and controls (chi(2) = 4.617, P0.05). The a/(a + b) odds ratio (OR, 95% confidence interval) of the patients vs controls was 2.64 (1.09, 6.43) (Z = 2.14, P0.05). (3) The average age of the patients with allele a was 47.43 +/- 11.63, while that without allele a was 58.08 +/- 13.68. The difference was significant, t = 2.664 (P0.01). (4) The frequency of allele a is lower in Han people of Tianjin (4.3%) than that in Japanese (10.1%) (chi(2) = 4.898, P = 0.027).(1) The frequency of allele a is lower in Han people of Tianjin than that in Japanese and Westeners; (2) ecNOS 4 b/a polymorphism is associated with ESCRF in Han population of Tianjin and allele a is associated with the increased risk of ESCRF.