bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aflatoxin B1 impairs spermatogenesis: An experimental study for crosslink between oxidative stress and mitochondria‐dependent apoptosis
Authors: Yasin Malekzadeh , Mazdak Razi , Mino Ilkhanipour 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe present experimental study was carried out to investigate the crosslink between aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)‐induced oxidative stress and mitochondria‐dependent apoptosis in testicles. For this purpose, 24 mature male Swiss albino mice were randomly divided into control and test groups. The AFB1 was dissolved in corn oil and ethanol (95:5, v/v) vehicle. The animals in test group subdivided into three groups, which received the AFB1 at a daily dose of 20 μg/kg body weight, through intraperitoneal (i.p.) route, for 7, 14, and 21 days. The mice in the control group received the vehicle alone for 21 days. The expression of Bcl‐2, Bax, p53, and caspase‐3 at both mRNA and protein levels were analyzed by using reverse transcription PCR (RT‐PCR) and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Moreover, the mitochondrial content of germinal epithelium, tubular differentiation (TDI), and spermiogenesis (SPI) indices was analyzed. Finally, the apoptosis was assessed by using TUNEL staining. Observations revealed that the AFB1 remarkably (P < .05) reduced Bcl‐2 expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Up‐regulated Bax, caspase‐3, and p53 expression were revealed in AFB1‐received animals, which developed time‐dependently. Histological examinations exhibited a significant reduction in TDI and SPI indices. Finally, the AFB1‐induced apoptosis index increased time‐dependently. In conclusion, the AFB1 adversely affects the spermatogenesis via inducing oxidative stress, diminishing cellular mitochondrial content and enhancing pro‐apoptotic Bax, caspase‐3, and p53 expression. All these impairments result in mitochondria‐dependent apoptosis.
Reference ranges for Doppler indices of umbilical and fetal middle cerebral arteries and cerebroplacental ratio: systematic review
Authors: Oros D. , Ruiz‐Martinez S. , Staines‐Urias E. , Conde‐Agudelo A. , Villar J. , Fabre E. , Papageorghiou A. T. 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo assess studies reporting reference ranges for umbilical artery (UA) and fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) Doppler indices and cerebroplacental ratio (CPR), using a set of predefined methodological quality criteria for study design, statistical analysis and reporting methods.MethodsThis was a systematic review of observational studies in which the primary aim was to create reference ranges for UA and MCA Doppler indices and CPR in fetuses of singleton gestations. A search for relevant articles was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science (from inception to 31 December 2016) and references of the retrieved articles. Two authors independently selected studies, assessed the risk of bias and extracted the data. Studies were scored against a predefined set of independently agreed methodological criteria and an overall quality score was assigned to each study. Linear multiple regression analysis assessing the association between quality scores and study characteristics was performed.ResultsThirty‐eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The highest potential for bias was noted in the following fields: ‘ultrasound quality control measures’, in which only two studies demonstrated a comprehensive quality‐control strategy; ‘number of measurements taken for each Doppler variable’, which was apparent in only three studies; ‘sonographer experience’, in which no study on CPR reported clearly the experience or training of the sonographers, while only three studies on UA Doppler and four on MCA Doppler did; and ‘blinding of measurements’, in which only one study, on UA Doppler, reported that sonographers were blinded to the measurement recorded during the examination. Sample size estimations were present in only seven studies. No predictors of quality were found on multiple regression analysis. Reference ranges varied significantly with important clinical implications for what is considered normal or abnormal, even when restricting the analysis to the highest scoring studies.ConclusionsThere is considerable methodological heterogeneity in studies reporting reference ranges for UA and MCA Doppler indices and CPR, and the resulting references have important implications for clinical practice. There is a need for the standardization of methodologies for Doppler velocimetry and for the development of reference standards, which can be correctly interpreted and applied in clinical practice. We propose a set of recommendations for this purpose. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Overcoming the risks of privileged user abuse in Salesforce
Authors: Mason Mike 
Published: August 2018

Privileged Salesforce users are necessary to every organisation. These are members of your organisation who have more advanced permission sets than the average user and can include Salesforce admins, sales reps, developers, HR staff, management and senior or executive leadership. Privileged Salesforce users are necessary to every organisation. But they hold the keys to your kingdom, with access to a broad array of company data, security controls, workflows and resources. These advanced users can make nearly unlimited changes to your Salesforce instance, placing your organisation at tremendous risk. And they can even cover their own tracks in the process. Privileged user abuse may be malicious or it may be unintentional. Either way, it represents a huge vulnerability to your company with the two main areas of concern being data security and compliance, explains Mike Mason of FairWarning.
Plugging IT/OT vulnerabilities – part 1
Authors: Caldwell Tracey 
Published: August 2018

The separation between IT and operational technology (OT) networks, such as those linking manufacturing control systems, is breaking down. Not long ago, systems that monitor and control physical equipment were engineered and implemented independently from the computers, systems and applications that process, store and exchange operational data. But the line between IT and OT is blurring. In this, the first instalment of a two-part article on the impact of increasing IT and operating technology convergence on network security, industry experts contribute their assessment of the emerging threats. The separation between IT and operational technology (OT) networks, such as those linking manufacturing control systems, is breaking down. Not long ago, systems that monitored and controlled physical equipment were engineered and implemented independently from the computers, systems and applications that process, store and exchange operational data. But the line between IT and OT is blurring. In this first instalment of a two-part article, Tracey Caldwell asks industry experts for their assessment of the emerging threats.
Seed treatments alleviate dormancy of field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensisL.)
Authors: Xiong Renci , Wang Ying , Wu Hanwen , Ma Yan , Jiang Weili , Ma Xiaoyan 
Published: August 2018

AbstractField bindweed, a member of the Convolvulaceae family, is a problematic perennial weed in cotton fields and orchards in northwest China. The species exhibits strong seed dormancy, causing delayed germination. A clear understanding of the mechanisms involved in alleviating seed dormancy is important for effective plant propagation and successful management of field bindweed. Experiments were conducted to investigate seed germination and radicle growth of field bindweed by breaking seed dormancy using mechanical scarification, sulfuric acid, hot-water scarification, cold stratification, and chemical treatment. Chemical treatments (gibberellic acid or potassium nitrate) had no effect on breaking seed dormancy, whereas mechanical scarification (sandpaper and blade) resulted in 92% to 98% seed germination, indicating that seed dormancy of field bindweed was mainly due to the presence of a hard seed coat. Seeds pretreated with 80% sulfuric acid for 15 to 60 min or 98% sulfuric acid for 15 to 30 min had germination rates above 80%, and soaking seeds in 70 C water for 4 to 16 min or in boiling water for 5 to 20s were effective in breaking seed dormancy but had no effect on the radicle growth of field bindweed. Cold stratification at 5 C for 2 to 8wk partially accelerated seed dormancy release, resulting in 53% to 67% seed germination. Results indicated that field bindweed could potentially form a persistent soil seed bank with physically dormant seed; therefore, strategies for eliminating seed production should be adopted.
Decadal Variability of North Pacific Eastern Subtropical Mode Water
Authors: Guo Yongqing , Lin Xiaopei , Wei Meng , Liu Cong , Men Guang 
Published: August 2018

AbstractA significant decadal variability of the North Pacific Eastern Subtropical Mode Water (NPESTMW), related to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, is identified from the gridded Argo and EN4 observational data sets. To investigate the decadal variability of the NPESTMW volume, the high‐resolution Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean, Phase II simulation is used to diagnose the volume budget of the NPESTMW density layer in the NPESTMW formation region (20°–36°N, 160°–120°W) between 1992 and 2016. Results show that NPESTMW is formed through subduction of low potential vorticity (PV) water. This low‐PV water subduction is mainly determined by mixed layer depth change and lateral induction, which account for approximately 58% and 32%, respectively. The decadal NPESTMW volume anomaly is originated from the Pacific Decadal Oscillation‐induced decadal anomaly of air‐sea buoyancy flux. This decadal buoyancy flux anomaly drives the decadal anomaly of mixed layer depth change, then causes anomalous subduction, and leads to anomalous low‐PV water subduction. The decadal NPESTMW volume anomaly is finally generated by this anomalous low‐PV water subduction.
Morphology and structure of ZIF-8 during crystallisation measured by dynamic angle-resolved second harmonic scattering
Authors: Van Cleuvenbergen Stijn , Smith Zachary J. , Deschaume Olivier , Bartic Carmen , Wachsmann-Hogiu Sebastian , Verbiest Thierry , van der Veen Monique A. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractRecent developments in nonlinear optical light scattering techniques have opened a window into morphological and structural characteristics for a variety of supramolecular systems. However, for the study of dynamic processes, the current way of measuring is often too slow. Here we present an alternative measurement scheme suitable for following dynamic processes. Fast acquisition times are achieved through Fourier imaging, allowing simultaneous detection at multiple scattering angles for different polarization combinations. This allows us to follow the crystal growth of the metal organic framework ZIF-8 in solution. The angle dependence of the signal provides insight into the growth mechanism by probing the evolution of size, shape and concentration, while polarization analysis yields structural information in terms of point group symmetry. Our findings highlight the potential of dynamic angle-resolved harmonic light scattering to probe crystal growth processes, assembly–disassembly of biological systems, adsorption, transport through membranes and myriad other applications.
Massively parallel fabrication of crack-defined gold break junctions featuring sub-3 nm gaps for molecular devices
Authors: Dubois Valentin , Raja Shyamprasad N. , Gehring Pascal , Caneva Sabina , van der Zant Herre S. J. , Niklaus Frank , Stemme Göran 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBreak junctions provide tip-shaped contact electrodes that are fundamental components of nano and molecular electronics. However, the fabrication of break junctions remains notoriously time-consuming and difficult to parallelize. Here we demonstrate true parallel fabrication of gold break junctions featuring sub-3 nm gaps on the wafer-scale, by relying on a novel self-breaking mechanism based on controlled crack formation in notched bridge structures. We achieve fabrication densities as high as 7 million junctions per cm2, with fabrication yields of around 7% for obtaining crack-defined break junctions with sub-3 nm gaps of fixed gap width that exhibit electron tunneling. We also form molecular junctions using dithiol-terminated oligo(phenylene ethynylene) (OPE3) to demonstrate the feasibility of our approach for electrical probing of molecules down to liquid helium temperatures. Our technology opens a whole new range of experimental opportunities for nano and molecular electronics applications, by enabling very large-scale fabrication of solid-state break junctions.
Origin of Circumpolar Deep Water intruding onto the Amundsen and Bellingshausen Sea continental shelves
Authors: Nakayama Yoshihiro , Menemenlis Dimitris , Zhang Hong , Schodlok Michael , Rignot Eric 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMelting of West Antarctic ice shelves is enhanced by Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) intruding onto the Amundsen and Bellingshausen Seas (ABS) continental shelves. Despite existing studies of cross-shelf and on-shelf CDW transports, CDW pathways onto the ABS originating from further offshore have never been investigated. Here, we investigate CDW pathways onto the ABS using a regional ocean model. Simulated CDW tracers from a zonal section across 67°S (S04P) circulate along the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) and Ross Gyre (RG) and travel into ABS continental shelf after 3–5 years, but source locations are shifted westward by ~900 km along S04P in 2001–2006 compared to 2009–2014. We find that simulated on- and off-shelf CDW is ~0.1–0.2 °C warmer in the 2009–2014 case than in the 2001–2006 case together with changes in simulated ocean circulation. These differences are primarily caused by lateral, rather than surface, boundary conditions, implying that large-scale atmospheric and ocean circulations are able to control CDW pathways and thus off- and on-shelf CDW properties.
Immunomodulatory role of Keratin 76 in oral and gastric cancer
Authors: Sequeira Inês , Neves Joana F. , Carrero Dido , Peng Qi , Palasz Natalia , Liakath-Ali Kifayathullah , Lord Graham M. , Morgan Peter R. , Lombardi Giovanna , Watt Fiona M. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractKeratin 76 (Krt76) is expressed in the differentiated epithelial layers of skin, oral cavity and squamous stomach. Krt76 downregulation in human oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) correlates with poor prognosis. We show that genetic ablation of Krt76 in mice leads to spleen and lymph node enlargement, an increase in regulatory T cells (Tregs) and high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Krt76−/− Tregs have increased suppressive ability correlated with increased CD39 and CD73 expression, while their effector T cells are less proliferative than controls. Loss of Krt76 increases carcinogen-induced tumours in tongue and squamous stomach. Carcinogenesis is further increased when Treg levels are elevated experimentally. The carcinogenesis response includes upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhanced accumulation of Tregs in the tumour microenvironment. Tregs also accumulate in human OSCC exhibiting Krt76 loss. Our study highlights the role of epithelial cells in modulating carcinogenesis via communication with cells of the immune system.
Organic carbon burial during OAE2 driven by changes in the locus of organic matter sulfurization
Authors: Raven Morgan Reed , Fike David A. , Gomes Maya L. , Webb Samuel M. , Bradley Alexander S. , McClelland Harry-Luke O. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractOcean Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2) was a period of dramatic disruption to the global carbon cycle when massive amounts of organic matter (OM) were buried in marine sediments via complex and controversial mechanisms. Here we investigate the role of OM sulfurization, which makes OM less available for microbial respiration, in driving variable OM preservation in OAE2 sedimentary strata from Pont d’Issole (France). We find correlations between the concentration, S:C ratio, S-isotope composition, and sulfur speciation of OM suggesting that sulfurization facilitated changes in carbon burial at this site as the chemocline moved in and out of the sediments during deposition. These patterns are reproduced by a simple model, suggesting that small changes in primary productivity could drive large changes in local OM burial in environments poised near a critical redox threshold. This amplifying mechanism may be central to understanding the magnitude of global carbon cycle response to environmental perturbations.
Medial septum activation produces opposite effects on dopamine neuron activity in the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra in MAM vs. normal rats
Authors: Bortz David M. , Grace Anthony A. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe medial septum (MS) differentially impacts midbrain dopamine (DA) neuron activity via the ventral hippocampus, a region implicated in DA-related disorders. However, whether MS regulation of ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) is disrupted in a developmental disruption model of schizophrenia is unknown. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed at gestational day 17 to methylazoxymethanol (MAM) or saline. As adults, NMDA (0.75 µg/0.2 µL) was infused into the MS, and either DA neuron activity in the VTA and SNc (7–9 anesthetized rats per group) or amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion (AIH, 11-13 rats per group) was measured. MS activation produced a 58% increase in the number of spontaneously active DA neurons in VTA and a 37% decrease in SNc in saline rats. However, MS activation produced opposite effects on DA population activity in MAM rats, decreasing VTA DA activity by 51% and increasing SNc DA activity by 47%. MS activation also increased AIH by 113% in MAM rats, opposite of what is seen in intact rats. The effect in behavioral output may be due to disrupted GABAergic regulation of SNc as bicuculline infusion into vSub, which selectively prevented the MS activation-induced decrease in SNc DA activity in intact rats, prevented the increase in AIH and SNc DA activity in MAM rats. These findings demonstrate that the regulation of midbrain DA neurons by the MS is disrupted in this well-validated animal model, suggesting that it could be a potential locus for pharmacological intervention in disorders such as schizophrenia.
Impact of pore anisotropy on the thermal conductivity of porous Si nanowires
Authors: Ferrando-Villalba P. , D’Ortenzi L. , Dalkiranis G. G. , Cara E. , Lopeandia A. F. , Abad Ll. , Rurali R. , Cartoixà X. , De Leo N. , Saghi Z. , Jacob M. , Gambacorti N. , Boarino L. , Rodríguez-Viejo J. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPorous materials display enhanced scattering mechanisms that greatly influence their transport properties. Metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) enables fabrication of porous silicon nanowires starting from a doped Si wafer by using a metal template that catalyzes the etching process. Here, we report on the low thermal conductivity (κ) of individual porous Si nanowires (NWs) prepared from MACE, with values as low as 0.87 W·m−1·K−1 for 90 nm diameter wires with 35–40% porosity. Despite the strong suppression of long mean free path phonons in porous materials, we find a linear correlation of κ with the NW diameter. We ascribe this dependence to the anisotropic porous structure that arises during chemical etching and modifies the phonon percolation pathway in the center and outer regions of the nanowire. The inner microstructure of the NWs is visualized by means of electron tomography. In addition, we have used molecular dynamics simulations to provide guidance for how a porosity gradient influences phonon transport along the axis of the NW. Our findings are important towards the rational design of porous materials with tailored thermal and electronic properties for improved thermoelectric devices.
Impact of fetal maceration grade on risk of maternal disseminated intravascular coagulation after intrauterine fetal death – A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Muin Dana A. , Haslacher Helmuth , Koller Vanessa , Kiss Herbert , Scharrer Anke , Farr Alex 
Published: August 2018

AbstractDisseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a life-threatening event that is the endpoint of a pathologically activated cascade leading to excessive consumption of platelets culminating in bleeding. Several diseases are known to be associated with DIC, some of which may also occur during pregnancy or the puerperium. One of the potential risk factors that have been considered as a potential trigger for DIC is the retention of a highly macerated fetus after intrauterine fetal death (IUFD). However, sparse evidence exists on its clinical implication on hemostasis parameters. In this retrospective single-center study, we investigated the role of fetal maceration grades 0-III on the risk of DIC in 91 women following IUFD between gestational weeks (+days) 22 + 0 and 41 + 6 between 2003 and 2017. We calculated the Erez DIC-score after consideration of maternal platelet count (PC), prothrombin time (PT) and fibrinogen (Fib) and correlated the findings with fetal maceration grade. Mean (±SD) age of women was 32.1 ± 6.7 years. Neither maternal hemostasis parameters (PC, PT, Fib), nor the Erez score showed a statistically significant difference between maceration grades 0-III with median values of 1 for all four grades (maceration grade I: range 0 to 27; I: 0 to 51; II: 0 to 52; III: 0 to 39). We therefore conclude, that the pathophysiology of DIC in women after singleton IUFD is unrelated to the degree of fetal maceration.
The Antihelminthic Niclosamide Inhibits Cancer Stemness, Extracellular Matrix Remodeling, and Metastasis through Dysregulation of the Nuclear β-catenin/c-Myc axis in OSCC
Authors: Wang Lin-Hong , Xu Mei , Fu Luo-Qin , Chen Xiao-Yi , Yang Fan 
Published: August 2018

AbstractNiclosamide is an oral chlorinated salicylanilide antihelminthic agent with potential anticancer activity suggested in several cancer types, however, its anticancer action and likely molecular mechanism in malignant oral cells remain unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that ALDH+ human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells are characterized by upregulated expression of the pluripotency transcription factors OCT4, Nanog and Sox2, as well as exhibit enhanced cancer stemness, as demonstrated by enhanced tumorsphere formation. We also showed that niclosamide effectively inhibits activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by targeting multiple components of this pathway, including downregulating the expression β-catenin, Dishevelled 2 (DVL2), phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3β (p-GSK3β) and Cyclin D1, in human OSCC SCC4 and SCC25 cell lines, as well as reduced the formation of primary and secondary tumorspheres. In addition, we showed that niclosamide inhibits the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration and colony formation of the OSCC cells, by dose-dependently upregulating E-cadherin and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP2) mRNA levels, while reducing the expression levels of vimentin, snail, MMP2 and MMP9 mRNA. These anticancer activities of niclosamide were similar to those caused by interference with nuclear β-catenin/c-Myc expression using the siRNA transfection. Finally, we demonstrated that niclosamide inhibits cisplatin-induced OSCC stem cell enrichment and enhances sensitivity to cisplatin in ALDH+ tumorspheres. These experimental data, combined with accumulated evidence, are suggestive of the potential and efficacy of niclosamide in the treatment of OSCC.