(1,10-Phenanthroline-κ2 N,N′)(triphenyl­phosphine-κP)silver(I) trifluoro­methane­sulfonate

The structure of the title complex, [Ag(C12H8N2)(C18H15P)]CF3SO3, is based on a distorted trigonal–planar N2P coordination of the AgI ion, provided by two N atoms of the bidentate phenanthroline ligand and one P atom of the triphenyl­phosphine ligand. The phenanthroline ligand and one phenyl ring of the triphenyl­phosphine ligand almost lie in one plane (maximum deviation = 0.014 Å from the best planes). The crystal structure may be stabilized by an inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bond between the phenanthroline ligand and the O atom of the trifluoro­methane­sulfonate anion

Comparison analysis of full-spectrum metabolomics revealed on the variation of potential metabolites of unscented, Chloranthus spicatus scented, and Osmanthus fragrans (Thunb.) Lour. scented Congou black teas

IntroductionIn recent years, scented black tea has attracted much attention due to its pleasant floral aroma and mellow flavor, but little research has been carried out on its flavor metabolic profile.MethodsIn this study, the flavor metabolic profiles of unscented, Chloranthus spicatus scented, and Osmanthus fragrans (Thunb.) Lour. scented Congou black teas were investigated using full-spectrum metabolomics analysis method, the first time that the flavor profiles of scented black tea were characterized in detail.Results and DiscussionThe results revealed that a total of 3,128 metabolites were detected in the three teas. Based on the criteria of variable importance in the project >1 and fold change ≥2 or ≤  0.5, 761 non-volatile metabolites and 509 volatile metabolites were filtered as differential metabolites. Many differential non-volatile metabolites belonged to flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids. Floral, fruity and herbaceous volatile metabolites were significantly up-regulated in Chloranthus spicatus scented Congou black tea while sweet and fruity volatile metabolites were significantly down-regulated in Osmanthus fragrans (Thunb.) Lour. scented Congou black tea. The results contribute to a better understanding of the scenting techniques on the flavor quality of scented black teas and provide some information on the flavor chemistry theory of scented black teas

Comparison of Endocrine Profile and In Vitro Fertilization Outcome in Patients with PCOS, Ovulatory PCO, or Normal Ovaries

Aim. To compare the basic endocrine profile and outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), ovulatory polycystic ovaries (PCO), or normal ovaries (NO). Methods. The basic clinical features and in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer outcome in patients receiving IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were retrospectively analyzed. Results. The body mass index, basal luteinizing hormone, and testosterone levels were significantly lower in patients with ovulatory PCO compared to those in patients with PCOS. The PCOS patients exhibited the shortest duration of ovarian stimulation and lowest dose of gonadotropin, followed by the ovulatory PCO and NO patients. The ovulatory PCO and PCOS patients showed similar levels of E2 on the human chorionic gonadotropin treatment day and numbers of oocytes, which were both significantly higher than those of the NO patients. The fertilization rate of the PCOS patients was significantly lower than the other two groups. Compared to NO patients, the cleavage rate was lower in both PCOS and ovulatory PCO patients, however, the number of available embryos was significantly more in these two groups. The incidence of the moderate to severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) was markedly higher in the PCOS and ovulatory PCO patients. Conclusion. Ovulatory PCO patients do not express similar endocrine abnormalities as PCOS patients. Although the fertilization rate and cleavage rate were relatively low in PCOS patients, ultimately, all the three groups showed similar transferred embryo numbers, clinical pregnancy rates, and implantation rates. Since the incidence of OHSS was much higher in the PCOS and ovulatory PCO patients, we should take more care of these patients and try to prevent severe OHSS

Selection and environmental adaptation along a path to speciation in the Tibetan frog Nanorana parkeri.

Tibetan frogs, Nanorana parkeri, are differentiated genetically but not morphologically along geographical and elevational gradients in a challenging environment, presenting a unique opportunity to investigate processes leading to speciation. Analyses of whole genomes of 63 frogs reveal population structuring and historical demography, characterized by highly restricted gene flow in a narrow geographic zone lying between matrilines West (W) and East (E). A population found only along a single tributary of the Yalu Zangbu River has the mitogenome only of E, whereas nuclear genes of W comprise 89-95% of the nuclear genome. Selection accounts for 579 broadly scattered, highly divergent regions (HDRs) of the genome, which involve 365 genes. These genes fall into 51 gene ontology (GO) functional classes, 14 of which are likely to be important in driving reproductive isolation. GO enrichment analyses of E reveal many overrepresented functional categories associated with adaptation to high elevations, including blood circulation, response to hypoxia, and UV radiation. Four genes, including DNAJC8 in the brain, TNNC1 and ADORA1 in the heart, and LAMB3 in the lung, differ in levels of expression between low- and high-elevation populations. High-altitude adaptation plays an important role in maintaining and driving continuing divergence and reproductive isolation. Use of total genomes enabled recognition of selection and adaptation in and between populations, as well as documentation of evolution along a stepped cline toward speciation

Relationship between Antithyroid Antibody and Pregnancy Outcome following in Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer

Objective: To investigate the impact of antithyroid antibody on pregnancy outcome following the in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET)

Depositional evolution and models for a deep-lacustrine gravity flow system in a half-graben rifted sag, Beibuwan Basin, South China Sea

Acknowledgement. The authors thank the Scientific Research Fund of the Institute of Seismology, CEA, and the National Institute of Natural Hazards, Ministry of Emergency Management of China (Grant No.IS201626261), for funding this study and allowing its publication. In addition, the China Southern Petroleum Exploration & Development Corporation is thanked for allowing publication of the well log and seismic data. The authors also thank Professor Hua Wang and Professor R.W.C. Arnott for providing instruction and discussion, as well as Laura Rincón, Daniel Ariztegui, and Ovie Emmanuel Eruteya for providing constructive and comprehensive reviews that helped to improve this manuscript. We thank International Science Editing for editing this manuscript.The Paleogene Liushagang Formation is part of the Fushan Sag, a continental lacustrine basin located at the Southeastern margin of the Beibuwan Basin, South China Sea. Further understanding of the deep-water gravity flow deposits in this formation will be conducive to lithologic reservoir exploration in the sag. In this study, three members of the Liushagang Formation, SQEls3 SQEls2 and SQEls1, from old to young, are used with core observation, well log data, and three-dimensional seismic data to identify four deep-lacustrine gravity flow lithofacies including their vertical and lateral relationships within the depositional system. The results are then used to establish a deep-water gravity flow depositional model. Four types of gravity flow lithofacies developed in the sag: sandy debrite, turbidite, sandy slump, and bottom-current deposits. Sand-rich sub-lacustrine fan deposits with typical turbidite channels were developed mainly in the western depression, whereas distal isolated lobes formed by sandy debrite flow deposits occurred mainly in the eastern depression. The results obtained in this study will be helpful in the research of gravity flows in similar continental lacustrine environments

Patrilineal Perspective on the Austronesian Diffusion in Mainland Southeast Asia

The Cham people are the major Austronesian speakers of Mainland Southeast Asia (MSEA) and the reconstruction of the Cham population history can provide insights into their diffusion. In this study, we analyzed non-recombining region of the Y chromosome markers of 177 unrelated males from four populations in MSEA, including 59 Cham, 76 Kinh, 25 Lao, and 17 Thai individuals. Incorporating published data from mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), our results indicated that, in general, the Chams are an indigenous Southeast Asian population. The origin of the Cham people involves the genetic admixture of the Austronesian immigrants from Island Southeast Asia (ISEA) with the local populations in MSEA. Discordance between the overall patterns of Y chromosome and mtDNA in the Chams is evidenced by the presence of some Y chromosome lineages that prevail in South Asians. Our results suggest that male-mediated dispersals via the spread of religions and business trade might play an important role in shaping the patrilineal gene pool of the Cham people

Tailoring of polar and nonpolar ZnO planes on MgO (001) substrates through molecular beam epitaxy

Polar and nonpolar ZnO thin films were deposited on MgO (001) substrates under different deposition parameters using oxygen plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The orientations of ZnO thin films were investigated by in situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction and ex situ X-ray diffraction (XRD). The film roughness measured by atomic force microscopy evolved as a function of substrate temperature and was correlated with the grain sizes determined by XRD. Synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) was performed to study the conduction band structures of the ZnO films. The fine structures of the XAS spectra, which were consistent with the results of density functional theory calculation, indicated that the polar and nonpolar ZnO films had different electronic structures. Our work suggests that it is possible to vary ZnO film structures from polar to nonpolar using the MBE growth technique and hence tailoring the electronic structures of the ZnO films

Clinical and biomarker trajectories in sporadic Alzheimer's disease: A longitudinal study.

Introduction: Amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition was identified to precede tau pathology and neurodegeneration in familial Alzheimer's disease (AD). But the divergence between sporadic and familial AD limits the extension of these findings to sporadic AD. Methods: Longitudinal changes of biomarkers among different stages were assessed using linear mixed-effects models. The slopes of the models were used to estimate rates of change to calculate the biomarker trajectories in sporadic AD. Results: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ was estimated to decline 45.2 years (abnormal: 27.8 years) before dementia, and Aβ deposition seemed to increase 31.7 years (abnormal: 26.7 years) before dementia. It was estimated to take 29.0 years (CSF t-tau), 12.2 years (memory), 11.6 years (hippocampus), 9.3 years (hypometabolism), and 6.1 years (cognition) to move from normal to dementia. Discussion: The trajectory in sporadic AD is led by Aβ accumulation, followed by CSF t-tau increase, memory deficits, brain atrophy, hypometabolism, and cognitive decline