Genome-Wide Association Study in BRCA1 Mutation Carriers Identifies Novel Loci Associated with Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk

BRCA1-associated breast and ovarian cancer risks can be modified by common genetic variants. To identify further cancer risk-modifying loci, we performed a multi-stage GWAS of 11,705 BRCA1 carriers (of whom 5,920 were diagnosed with breast and 1,839 were diagnosed with ovarian cancer), with a further replication in an additional sample of 2,646 BRCA1 carriers. We identified a novel breast cancer risk modifier locus at 1q32 for BRCA1 carriers (rs2290854, P = 2.7×10-8, HR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.09-1.20). In addition, we identified two novel ovarian cancer risk modifier loci: 17q21.31 (rs17631303, P = 1.4×10-8, HR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.17-1.38) and 4q32.3 (rs4691139, P = 3.4×10-8, HR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.17-1.38). The 4q32.3 locus was not associated with ovarian cancer risk in the general population or BRCA2 carriers, suggesting a BRCA1-specific associat

Active Plasmonic Devices with Anisotropic Optical Response: A Step Toward Active Polarizer

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Conducting polymer/gold nanoparticle hybrid materials: A step toward electroactive plasmonic devices

International audienc

Tunable Electrochemical Switch of the Optical Properties of Metallic Nanoparticles

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Atomic Contacts via Electrochemistry in Water/Cyclodextrin Media: A Step Toward Protected Atomic Contacts

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Photo-modulation of the permeation in azobenzene derivatives monolayer films electrografted on carbon substrates

Nanostructured monolayer of azobenzene derivatives was prepared on carbon materials. The method is based on the electrochemical reduction of a specific silyl-protected aryl diazonium salt followed by a deprotection step and a click chemistry coupling reaction. This procedure leads to a robust modification of the surface where molecular entities are placed in a “frozen” structuration thanks to the covalent nature of the modification. The photo-switchable properties of the surface were examined by electrochemistry using different redox probes. UV–visible light irradiation provides an easy way to reversibly modulate the permeability in a monolayer film grafted onto carbon materials. Keywords: Azobenzene, Electrografting of diazonium salt, Carbon surface, Monolaye

Nanostructured Monolayers on Carbon Substrates Prepared by Electrografting of Protected Aryldiazonium Salts

International audienceThe electrogeneration of aryl radicals from protected diazonium salts combined with protection-deprotection steps was evaluated to design functional monolayers on carbon substrates with a well-controlled organization at the nanometric scale. The structure of the obtained monolayer is adjusted by varying the size of the protecting group that is introduced on the precursors (trimethylsilyl, triethylsilyl, and tri(isopropyl)silyl were tested in the present study). After deprotection, a robust ethynylaryl monolayer is obtained whatever the substituent that serves as a platform to attach other functional groups by a specific "click chemistry" coupling step. Electrochemical and structural analyses show that the organization of the attached monolayer is totally governed by the size of the protecting group that leaves a footprint after removal but maintains a total availability of the immobilized functional groups. Properties of the monolayer (charge transfer, permeation of molecules through the layer, density of functional groups) were examined in combination with the performances for postfunctionalization taken with an alkyl-ferrocene derivative as an example of the immobilized species

Chemically irreversible redox mediator for SECM kinetics investigations: determination of the absolute tip-sample distance.

International audienceThe use of a chemically irreversible redox probe in scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was evaluated for the determination of the absolute tip-substrate distance. This data is required for a quantitative use of the method in the analysis of functional surfaces with an unknown redox response. Associated with the relevant model curves, the electrochemical response allows an easy positioning of the tip versus the substrate that is independent of the nature of the materials under investigation. The irreversible oxidation of polyaromatic compounds was found to be well adapted for such investigations in organic media. Anthracene oxidation in acetonitrile was chosen as a demonstrative example for evaluating the errors and limits of the procedure. Interest in the procedure was exemplified for the local investigations of surfaces modified by redox entities. This permits discrimination between the different processes occurring at the sample surface as the permeability of the probe through the layer or the charge transfer pathways. It was possible to observe small differences with simple kinetic models (irreversible charge transfer) that are related to permeation: charge transport steps through a permeable redox layer

Investigation of Protective Properties of Organic Layers toward Reactive Oxygen Species

International audienceThe antioxidant protective properties of polyaromatic organic layers were evaluated toward reactive oxygen species (ROS) using scanning electrochemical microscopy in a foot-printing strategy. The layers were prepared by electrografting of aryldiazonium salts. Where p-(methyl)phenyl films show only weak protective properties toward ROS, p-(ethynyl)phenyl films evidence efficient protection of the covered surfaces. Applied potentials and electrolytes used during oxygen reduction reaction are critical parameters to control, prevent, or reduce the influence of ROS production and hence enhance the device lifetime

Surface Modification for Promoting Durable, Efficient, and Selective Electrocatalysts

International audienceIntensive research into the design of catalysts involved in energy conversion and fuel cell technologies has allowed great progress in the field. However, durable, efficient and selective electrocatalytic systems for the activation of fuel molecules at the lowest cost are still needed. The most developed strategies consist of tailoring the shape, size and composition of metallic nanomaterials. Yet, deliberate surface modification of the catalysts should be considered as a promising alternative approach. The functionalization of metallic catalysts with organic ligands has been recently demonstrated to promote high catalytic activity. This Review focuses on the functionalization of metallic or alloy catalysts with organic ligands, showing the impact of the surface modification for different materials and different reactions. Hybrid systems based on this alternative strategy could contribute to the elaboration of cutting-edge systems for electrocatalysis