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(Sb,Bi)(S,Se)(Br,I) pnictogen chalcohalides constitute an emerging family of Van der Waals (VdW) semiconductors with remarkable potential for energy-related applications, including photovoltaics (PV), photocatalysis (PC), and photoelectrocatalysis (PEC). These ternary compounds exhibit a quasi-1D orthorhombic crystalline phase, and an electronic structure analogous to lead-halide perovskites, making them promising candidates for sustainable and high-performance energy devices. This study introduces a new versatile and adaptable synthesis methodology, which combines co-evaporation of binary chalcogenides with reactive annealing under high-pressure halide atmospheres, to fabricate the eight (Sb,Bi)(S,Se)(Br,I) chalcohalides. Comprehensive structural, compositional, and optoelectronic analyses reveal a wide bandgap range (1.2-2.2 eV), high absorption coefficients, and anisotropic properties driven by unique ribbon-like morphology. Theoretical and experimental results highlight their high stability, versatile chemical adaptability, and defect-tolerant characteristics. Moreover, the distinct differences in morphology and crystallization between Sb and Bi-based compounds, as well as the influence of chalcogen and halogen elements on the optical and structural properties are discussed. Demonstrations of functional devices, including photocatalytic systems, underscore the practical viability of these materials. This work establishes a foundation for the development of pnictogen chalcohalides as scalable and eco-friendly alternatives for advanced energy applications. Show less

Ischemic stroke is among the leading causes of adult disability. Part of the variability in functional outcome after stroke has been attributed to genetic factors but no locus has been consistently associated with stroke outcome. Our aim was to identify genetic loci influencing the recovery process using accurate phenotyping to produce the largest GWAS (genome-wide association study) in ischemic stroke recovery to date. A 12-cohort, 2-phase (discovery-replication and joint) meta-analysis of GWAS included anterior-territory and previously independent ischemic stroke cases. Functional outcome was recorded using 3-month modified Rankin Scale. Analyses were adjusted for confounders such as discharge National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. A gene-based burden test was performed. The discovery phase (n=1225) was followed by open (n=2482) and stringent joint-analyses (n=1791). Those cohorts with modified Rankin Scale recorded at time points other than 3-month or incomplete data on previous functional status were excluded in the stringent analyses. Novel variants in PATJ (Pals1-associated tight junction) gene were associated with worse functional outcome at 3-month after stroke. The top variant was rs76221407 (G allele, β=0.40, P=1.70×10 Our results identify a set of common variants in PATJ gene associated with 3-month functional outcome at genome-wide significance level. Future studies should examine the role of PATJ in stroke recovery and consider stringent phenotyping to enrich the information captured to unveil additional stroke outcome loci. Show less

Multiple osteochondromatosis (MO), or EXT1/EXT2-CDG, is an autosomal dominant O-linked glycosylation disorder characterized by the formation of multiple cartilage-capped tumors (osteochondromas). In contrast, solitary osteochondroma (SO) is a non-hereditary condition. EXT1 and EXT2, are tumor suppressor genes that encode glycosyltransferases involved in heparan sulfate elongation. We present the clinical and molecular analysis of 33 unrelated Latin American patients (27 MO and 6 SO). Sixty-three percent of all MO cases presented severe phenotype and two malignant transformations to chondrosarcoma (7%). We found the mutant allele in 78% of MO patients. Ten mutations were novel. The disease-causing mutations remained unknown in 22% of the MO patients and in all SO patients. No second mutational hit was detected in the DNA of the secondary chondrosarcoma from a patient who carried a nonsense EXT1 mutation. Neither EXT1 nor EXT2 protein could be detected in this sample. This is the first Latin American research program on EXT1/EXT2-CDG. Show less

Endothelial cells (ECs) lining arteries and veins have distinct molecular/functional signatures. The underlying regulatory mechanisms are incompletely understood. Here, we established a specific fingerprint of freshly isolated arterial and venous ECs from human umbilical cord comprising 64 arterial and 12 venous genes, representing distinct functions/pathways. Among the arterial genes were 8 transcription factors (TFs), including Notch target HEY2, the current "gold standard" determinant for arterial EC (aEC) specification. Culture abrogated differential gene expression in part due to gradual loss of canonical Notch activity and HEY2 expression. Notably, restoring HEY2 expression or Delta-like4-induced Notch signaling in cultured ECs only partially reinstated the aEC gene signature, whereas combined overexpression of the 8 TFs restored this fingerprint more robustly. Whereas some TFs stimulated few genes, others boosted a large proportion of arterial genes. Although there was some overlap and cross-regulation, the TFs largely complemented each other in regulating the aEC gene profile. Finally, overexpression of the 8 TFs in human umbilical vein ECs conveyed an arterial-like behavior upon their implantation in a Matrigel plug in vivo. Thus, our study shows that Notch signaling determines only part of the aEC signature and identifies additional novel and complementary transcriptional players in the complex regulation of human arteriovenous EC identity. Show less

Proteomics is a technology to detect and identify several proteins and their isoforms in a single sample. We used proteomics to analyze modifications in the protein map of plasma after simvastatin treatment of moderate hypercholesterolemic patients. Plasma from hypercholesterolemic patients (n = 9) was compared before and after 12 weeks of simvastatin treatment (40 mg/day). Patients with similar cardiovascular risk factors were used as controls (CR group). By using two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, we identified the different protein isoforms. The plasma expression of three fibrinogen gamma chain isoforms (FGG) was enhanced, whereas the expression of two isoforms of the fibrinogen beta chain (FGB) was reduced in the hypercholesterolemic patients compared with the CR group. The expression of apolipoprotein A-IV and three haptoglobin isoforms was higher in hypercholesterolemic patients. Simvastatin treatment modified the plasma expression of FGG chain isoform 1, FGB chain isoforms 1 and 2, vitamin D binding protein isoform 3, apo A-IV, and haptoglobin isoform 2. The modification of FGG chain isoform 1 and FGB chain isoforms 1 and 2 was positively correlated with total plasma cholesterol level. Proteomic analysis of plasma may help to know more in depth the molecular mechanism modified by simvastatin treatment. Show less