(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

Lobaplatin arrests cell cycle progression in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still is a big burden for China. In recent years, the third-generation platinum compounds have been proposed as potential active agents for HCC. However, more experimental and clinical data are warranted to support the proposal. In the present study, the effect of lobaplatin was assessed in five HCC cell lines and the underlying molecular mechanisms in terms of cell cycle kinetics were explored.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cytotoxicity of lobaplatin to human HCC cell lines was examined using MTT cell proliferation assay. Cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. Expression of cell cycle-regulated genes was examined at both the mRNA (RT-PCR) and protein (Western blot) levels. The phosphorylation status of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and retinoblastoma (Rb) protein was also examined using Western blot analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Lobaplatin inhibited proliferation of human HCC cells in a dose-dependent manner. For the most sensitive SMMC-7721 cells, lobaplatin arrested cell cycle progression in G₁and G₂/M phases time-dependently which might be associated with the down-regulation of cyclin B, CDK1, CDC25C, phosphorylated CDK1 (pCDK1), pCDK4, Rb, E2F, and pRb, and the up-regulation of p53, p21, and p27.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Cytotoxicity of lobaplatin in human HCC cells might be due to its ability to arrest cell cycle progression which would contribute to the potential use of lobaplatin for the management of HCC.</p

Chloridobis[N′-(2-meth­oxy­benzyl­idene)-4-nitro­benzohydrazidato-κ2 O,N′](4-methyl­pyridine-κN)cobalt(III)

In the title complex, [Co(C15H12N3O4)2Cl(C6H7N)], the CoIII ion is coordinated by two N atoms and two O atoms from two deprotonated Schiff base ligands, one N atom from a 4-methyl­pyridine ligand and one Cl atom, forming a distorted octa­hedral geometry. The CoIII ion is displaced by 0.038 (2) Å from the equatorial plane towards the axial Cl atom

Sigma metrics for assessing the analytical quality of clinical chemistry assays: a comparison of two approaches

Introduction: Two approaches were compared for the calculation of coefficient of variation (CV) and bias, and their effect on sigma calculation, when different allowable total error (TEa) values were used to determine the optimal method for Six Sigma quality management in the clinical laboratory. Materials and methods: Sigma metrics for routine clinical chemistry tests using three systems (Beckman AU5800, Roche C8000, Siemens Dimension) were determined in June 2017 in the laboratory of Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Imprecision (CV%) and bias (bias%) were calculated for ten routine clinical chemistry tests using a proficiency testing (PT)- or an internal quality control (IQC)-based approach. Allowable total error from the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 and the Chinese Ministry of Health Clinical Laboratory Center Industry Standard (WS/ T403-2012) were used with the formula: Sigma = (TEa − bias) / CV to calculate the Sigma metrics (σCLIA, σWS/T) for each assay for comparative analysis. Results: For the PT-based approach, eight assays on the Beckman AU5800 system, seven assays on the Roche C8000 system and six assays on the Siemens Dimension system showed σCLIA > 3. For the IQC-based approach, ten, nine and seven assays, respectively, showed σCLIA > 3. Some differences in σ were therefore observed between the two calculation methods and the different TEa values. Conclusions: Both methods of calculating σ can be used for Six Sigma quality management. In practice, laboratories should evaluate Sigma multiple times when optimizing a quality control schedule

Unconventional polarization switching mechanism in (Hf, Zr)O2 ferroelectrics

HfO$_{2}$-based ferroelectric thin films are promising for their application in ferroelectric devices. Predicting the ultimate magnitude of polarization and understanding its switching mechanism are critical to realize the optimal performance of these devices. Here, a generalized solid-state variable cell nudged elastic band (VCNEB) method is employed to predict the switching pathway associated with domain-wall motion in (Hf, Zr)O$_{2}$ ferroelectrics. It is found that the polarization reversal pathway, where three-fold coordinated O atoms pass across the nominal unit-cell boundaries defined by the Hf/Zr atomic planes, is energetically more favorable than the conventional pathway where the O atoms do not pass through these planes. This finding implies that the polarization orientation in the orthorhombic Pca2$_{1}$ phase of HfO$_{2}$ nd its derivatives is opposite to that normally assumed, predicts the spontaneous polarization magnitude of about 70 ${\mu}$C/cm$^{2}$ that is nearly 50% larger than the commonly accepted value, signifies a positive intrinsic longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient, and suggests growth of ferroelectric domains, in response to an applied electric field, structurally reversed to those usually anticipated. These results provide important insights into the understanding of ferroelectricity in HfO$_{2}$-based ferroelectrics.Comment: 34 pages, 28 figure

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

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)

Methoxo[N′-(3-meth­oxy-2-oxidobenzyl­idene)benzohydrazidato]oxidovanadium(V)

In the title complex, [V(C15H12N2O4)(CH3O)O], the VV ion exhibits a distorted square-pyramidal coordination geometry; three donor atoms from a hydrazone ligand and one O atom of the deprotonated methanol define the coordination basal plane. The VV ion is displaced by 0.464 (1) Å from the basal plane towards the axial oxide O atom. Intra­molecular O—H⋯N hydrogen bonding occurs. Inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonding is also observed in the crystal structure

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