Applications and limitations of uranyl ion as a photophysical probe

Uranyl ion has a long-lived luminescent excited state, which can be used as a probe for the aggregation behaviour in a variety of surfactant and polymeric systems. The general spectroscopy and photophysics of this species are discussed, and the applications to specific micellar, microemulsion, vesicular and liquid crystalline systems presented. It is shown that both dynamic and structural information can be obtained from spectral and kinetic data. Examples of applications of uranyl probe studies to technologically important mesoscopic and mesoporous systems involving metal oxides, or their salts, and to humic acids and soils will also be reviewed. Emphasis will be given to both the advantages and restrictions on the use of this useful photophysical probe.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V5F-423HJVT-V/1/abc36a619aebc745170fe32b4e51b5f

Genome-wide association analyses identify distinct genetic architectures for age-related macular degeneration across ancestries

To effectively reduce vision loss due to age-related macular generation (AMD) on a global scale, knowledge of its genetic architecture in diverse populations is necessary. A critical element, AMD risk profiles in African and Hispanic/Latino ancestries, remains largely unknown. We combined data in the Million Veteran Program with five other cohorts to conduct the first multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of AMD and discovered 63 loci (30 novel). We observe marked cross-ancestry heterogeneity at major risk loci, especially in African-ancestry populations which demonstrate a primary signal in a major histocompatibility complex class II haplotype and reduced risk at the established CFH and ARMS2/HTRA1 loci. Dissecting local ancestry in admixed individuals, we find significantly smaller marginal effect sizes for CFH risk alleles in African ancestry haplotypes. Broadening efforts to include ancestrally distinct populations helped uncover genes and pathways that boost risk in an ancestry-dependent manner and are potential targets for corrective therapies