bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Open heart surgery or echocardiographic transthoracic or percutaneous closure in secundum atrial septal defect: a developing approach in one Chinese hospital
Authors: Qi Hongwei , Zhao Jiangang , Tang Xiujie , Wang Xizheng , Chen Nan , Lv Wenqing , Bian Hong , Wang Shumin , Yuan Biao 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
To study the clinical manifestations and advantages of open-heart surgery and echocardiographic transthoracic or percutaneous closure with secundum atrial septal defect (ASD). The surgeon’s learning curve was also analyzed.

Methods
In all, 115 consecutive patients with ASD from May 2013 to May 2019 were enrolled. According to the operative procedure, patients were divided into three groups: group one (open repair group) (n = 24), where patients underwent ASD repair (ASDR) under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB); group two (closed surgical device closure group) (n = 69), where patients (six patients ≤1 y and sixteen ≤10 kg) underwent transthoracic ASD occlusion under transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) guidance; and group three (transcatheter occlusion group) (n = 22), where patients underwent percutaneous ASD occlusion under echocardiography. The clinical features and results of each group were analyzed. All patients were telephonically followed-up after 3 months.

Results
All the three methods treating ASD were successfully performed in our hospital. It was also a typical developing history of congenital heart disease (CHD) surgery in China. One patient in the group two was transferred to emergency surgery for occluder retrieval and CPB-ASDR. Eight patients experienced failed transthoracic or percutaneous occlusion, two of whom underwent unsuccessful percutaneous closure at another hospital. Two patients each in the groups two and three were intraoperatively converted to CPB-ASDR. Two patient in the group three was converted to transthoracic occlusion surgery. All patients were discharged without any residual shunt. The three-month follow-up also did not show any residual shunt and occluder displacement.

Conclusion
In low-weight, infants, or huge ASDs with suitable rim for device occlusion, transthoracic ASD closure was successfully performed. Based on knowledge of ASD anatomy and skilled transthoracic occlusion of ASD, surgeons can perform percutaneous occlusion of ASD under echocardiographic guidance.
Cyclin-dependent kinases and rare developmental disorders
Authors: Colas Pierre 
Published: August 2020

AbstractExtensive studies in the past 30 years have established that cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) exert many diverse, important functions in a number of molecular and cellular processes that are at play during development. Not surprisingly, mutations affecting CDKs or their activating cyclin subunits have been involved in a variety of rare human developmental disorders. These recent findings are reviewed herein, giving a particular attention to the discovered mutations and their demonstrated or hypothesized functional consequences, which can account for pathological human phenotypes. The review highlights novel, important CDK or cyclin functions that were unveiled by their association with human disorders, and it discusses the shortcomings of mouse models to reveal some of these functions. It explains how human genetics can be used in combination with proteome-scale interaction databases to loom regulatory networks around CDKs and cyclins. Finally, it advocates the use of these networks to profile pathogenic CDK or cyclin variants, in order to gain knowledge on protein function and on pathogenic mechanisms.
Modification of transcriptional factor ACE3 enhances protein production in Trichoderma reesei in the absence of cellulase gene inducer
Authors: Luo Yun , Valkonen Mari , Jackson Raymond E. , Palmer Jonathan M. , Bhalla Aditya , Nikolaev Igor , Saloheimo Markku , Ward Michael 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Trichoderma reesei is one of the best-known cellulolytic organisms, producing large quantities of a complete set of extracellular cellulases and hemicellulases for the degradation of lignocellulosic substances. Hence, T. reesei is a biotechnically important host and it is used commercially in enzyme production, of both native and foreign origin. Many strategies for producing enzymes in T. reesei rely on the cbh1 and other cellulase gene promoters for high-level expression and these promoters require induction by sophorose, lactose or other inducers for high productivity during manufacturing.

Results
We described an approach for producing high levels of secreted proteins by overexpression of a transcription factor ACE3 in T. reesei. We refined the ace3 gene structure and identified specific ACE3 variants that enable production of secreted cellulases and hemicellulases on glucose as a sole carbon source (i.e., in the absence of an inducer). These specific ACE3 variants contain a full-length Zn2Cys6 binuclear cluster domain at the N-terminus and a defined length of truncations at the C-terminus. When expressed at a moderate level in the fungal cells, the ACE3 variants can induce high-level expression of cellulases and hemicellulases on glucose (i.e., in the absence of an inducer), and further improve expression on lactose or glucose/sophorose (i.e., in the presence of an inducer). Finally, we demonstrated that this method is applicable to industrial strains and fermentation conditions, improving protein production both in the absence and in the presence of an inducer.

Conclusions
This study demonstrates that overexpression of ACE3 variants enables a high level of protein production in the absence of an inducer, and boosts protein production in the presence of an inducer. It is an efficient approach to increase protein productivity and to reduce manufacturing costs.
On the numerical solutions of two-dimensional scattering problems for an open arc
Authors: Li Hu , Huang Jin , Zeng Guang 
Published: August 2020

AbstractFor the scattering problems of acoustic wave for an open arc in two dimensions, we give a uniqueness and existence analysis via the single layer potential approach leading to a system of integral equations that contains a weakly singular operator. For its numerical solutions, we describe an $O(h^{3})$
O
(

h
3

)
order quadrature method based on the specific integral formula including convergence and stability analysis. Moreover, the asymptotic expansion of errors with odd power $O(h^{3})$
O
(

h
3

)
is got and the Richardson extrapolation algorithm (EA) is used to improve the accuracy of numerical solutions. The efficiency of the method is illustrated by a numerical example.
HDL Cholesterol Efflux Capacity is Impaired in Severe Short-Term Hypothyroidism Despite Increased HDL Cholesterol
Authors: van der Boom Trynke , Jia Congzhuo , Lefrandt Joop D , Connelly Margery A , Links Thera P , Tietge Uwe J F , Dullaart Robin P F 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Context
Severe hypothyroidism has profound effects on lipoprotein metabolism including high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol elevations but effects on HDL function metrics are unknown.

Objective
To determine the impact of severe short-term hypothyroidism on HDL particle characteristics, HDL cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), and HDL antioxidative capacity.

Design
Observational study with variables measured during severe short-term hypothyroidism (median TSH 81 mU/L) and after 20 weeks of thyroid hormone supplementation (median TSH 0.03 mU/L) (Netherlands Trial Registry ID 7228).

Setting
University hospital setting in The Netherlands.

Patients
Seventeen patients who had undergone a total thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Main outcome measures
HDL particle characteristics (nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry), CEC (human THP-1-derived macrophage foam cells and apolipoprotein B-depleted plasma), and HDL anti-oxidative capacity (inhibition of low-density lipoprotein oxidation).

Results
During hypothyroidism plasma total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I were increased (P ≤ 0.001). HDL particle concentration was unchanged, but there was a shift in HDL subclasses toward larger HDL particles (P &lt; 0.001). CEC was decreased (P = 0.035), also when corrected for HDL cholesterol (P &lt; 0.001) or HDL particle concentration (P = 0.011). HDL antioxidative capacity did not change.

Conclusion
During severe short-term hypothyroidism CEC, an important antiatherogenic metric of HDL function, is impaired. HDL cholesterol and larger HDL particles are increased but HDL particle concentration is unchanged. Combined, these findings suggest that HDL quality and quantity are not improved, reflecting dysfunctional HDL in hypothyroidism.
Longitudinal Increases in Serum Insulin-like Factor 3 and Testosterone Determined by LC-MS/MS in Pubertal Danish Boys
Authors: Albrethsen Jakob , Ljubicic Marie Lindhardt , Juul Anders 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
Serum concentrations of the peptide hormone insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) is a candidate marker for improved distinction between constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) and permanent hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) in boys.

Aim
To assess the possible diagnostic role of LC-MS/MS-based INSL3 measurements as a marker of imminent puberty by comparison with testosterone (T) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in serum longitudinally collected from 18 healthy boys throughout puberty.

Results
The first increase in serum LH was detected on average 4 months earlier, as compared with the first observed increases in INSL3 and T. When comparing the 2 testicular hormones only, we found that in 22% (4 of 18) of the boys the first increase in serum INSL3 was observed prior to the first observed increase in T, whereas in 44% (8 of 18) the first increase in T was observed before the first observed increase in INSL3. In the remaining 6 boys, the 2 testicular hormones showed the first increase at the same examination.

Conclusion
In some boys with delayed puberty, the first indication of testicular maturation may be detectable by observing serum INSL3. Further studies of LC-MS/MS determination of serum INSL3 in patients with CDGP and HH are warranted.
NC1-Peptide From Collagen α3 (IV) Chains in the Basement Membrane of Testes Regulates Spermatogenesis via p-FAK-Y407
Authors: Li Huitao , Liu Shiwen , Wu Siwen , Ge Renshan , Cheng C Yan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe blood–testis barrier (BTB) in the testis is an important ultrastructure to support spermatogenesis. This blood-tissue barrier undergoes remodeling at late stage VII to early stage IX of the epithelial cycle to support the transport of preleptotene spermatocytes across the BTB to prepare for meiosis I/II at the apical compartment through a mechanism that remains to be delineated. Studies have shown that NC1-peptide-derived collagen α3 (IV) chain in the basement membrane is a bioactive peptide that induces BTB remodeling. It also promotes the release of fully developed spermatids into the tubule lumen. Thus, this endogenously produced peptide coordinates these 2 cellular events across the seminiferous epithelium. Using an NC1-peptide complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) construct to transfect adult rat testes for overexpression, NC1-peptide was found to effectively induce germ cell exfoliation and BTB remodeling, which was associated with a surge and activation of p-rpS6, the downstream signaling protein of mTORC1 and the concomitant downregulation of p-FAK-Y407 in the testis. In order to define the functional relationship between p-rpS6 and p-FAK-Y407 signaling to confer the ability of NC1-peptide to regulate testis function, a phosphomimetic (and thus constitutively active) mutant of p-FAK-Y407 (p-FAK-Y407E-MT) was used for its co-transfection, utilizing Sertoli cells cultured in vitro with a functional tight junction (TJ) barrier that mimicked the BTB in vivo. Overexpression of p-FAK-Y407E-MT blocked the effects of NC1-peptide to perturb Sertoli cell BTB function by promoting F-actin and microtubule cytoskeleton function, and downregulated the NC1-peptide-mediated induction of p-rpS6 activation. In brief, NC1-peptide is an important endogenously produced biomolecule that regulates BTB dynamics.
Knowledge Sharing in Alliances and Alliance Portfolios
Authors: Arora Ashish , Belenzon Sharon , Patacconi Andrea 
Published: August 2020

We develop a model of knowledge sharing in alliances and alliance portfolios. We show that, once the issue of encouraging effective collaboration is put center stage, many standard intuitions of the learning race view and alliance portfolio literature are overturned or qualified. Partners engage in learning races in some cases, but exhibit “altruistic” behaviors in other cases. They may reduce their own absorptive capacity or increase the transparency of their own operations to facilitate their partner’s learning. In alliance portfolios, we show that not all substitutability between alliance portfolio partners is bad. We distinguish between substitutability in implementation and substitutability in rival benefits and show that the latter is conducive to knowledge sharing. Our work contributes toward putting the literature on learning alliances on a more solid foundation by emphasizing the importance of commitments that leading firms can make to encourage collaboration. This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, business strategy.
Application of Transcriptional Gene Modules to Analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans’ Gene Expression Data
Authors: Cary Michael , Podshivalova Katie , Kenyon Cynthia 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Identification of co-expressed sets of genes (gene modules) is used widely for grouping functionally related genes during transcriptomic data analysis. An organism-wide atlas of high-quality gene modules would provide a powerful tool for unbiased detection of biological signals from gene expression data. Here, using a method based on independent component analysis we call DEXICA, we have defined and optimized 209 modules that broadly represent transcriptional wiring of the key experimental organism C. elegans. These modules represent responses to changes in the environment (e.g., starvation, exposure to xenobiotics), genes regulated by transcriptions factors (e.g., ATFS-1, DAF-16), genes specific to tissues (e.g., neurons, muscle), genes that change during development, and other complex transcriptional responses to genetic, environmental and temporal perturbations. Interrogation of these modules reveals processes that are activated in long-lived mutants in cases where traditional analyses of differentially expressed genes fail to do so. Additionally, we show that modules can inform the strength of the association between a gene and an annotation (e.g., GO term). Analysis of “module-weighted annotations” improves on several aspects of traditional annotation-enrichment tests and can aid in functional interpretation of poorly annotated genes. We provide an online interactive resource with tutorials at http://genemodules.org/, in which users can find detailed information on each module, check genes for module-weighted annotations, and use both of these to analyze their own gene expression data (generated using any platform) or gene sets of interest.
Oscillation criteria for first-order dynamic equations with nonmonotone delays
Authors: KILIÇ Nurten , ÖCALAN Özkan 
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we consider the first-order dynamic equation as the following:$$x^{\Delta}(t)+\sum\limits_{i=1}^m p_i(t)x(\tau_i(t))=0,\,\,t\in[t_0,\infty)_{\mathbb{T}}$$where $p_{i}\in C_{rd}\left( [t_{0},\infty )_{\mathbb{T}},\mathbb{R}^{+}\right) ,$ $\tau _{i}\in C_{rd}\left( [t_{0},\infty )_{\mathbb{T}},\mathbb{T}\right) $ $(i=1,2,\ldots ,m)$ and $\tau_i(t)\leq t,\,\, \lim_{t\to\infty}\tau_i(t)=\infty$. When the delay terms $\tau_{i}(t)$ $(i=1,2,\ldots ,m)$ are not necessarily monotone, we present new sufficient conditions for the oscillation of first-order delay dynamic equations on time scales.
Importancia de la comunicación integrada de marketing en la creación de valor de marca aplicado al sector cervecero en Bogotá
Authors: Mayorga Montoya Laura Lucía 
Published: August 2020

<p>El auge y uso de las nuevas tecnologías de la información, y la necesidad de adoptar métodos alternativos para persuadir a los clientes ha incentivado el interés en un nuevo enfoque denominado Comunicación Integrada de Marketing (CIM) aplicado a todas las industrias que evalúan la efectividad de sus esfuerzos en la promoción de sus marcas. Desde tal punto de vista, este trabajo busca analizar desde la percepción de los consumidores, la percepción de estrategias de mercadeo y comunicación que están implementando marcas cerveceras conducentes a generar valor de marca (calidad percibida, lealtad hacia la marca, notoriedad y asociaciones). Este documento describe las definiciones, dimensiones y relaciones en torno al concepto de CIM y el valor de marca mediante la revisión de literatura, para una posterior demostración aplicada en la industria cervecera Colombiana, escogida por su crecimiento, rentabilidad y surgimiento de monopolios empresariales.</p>
Retrospective analysis of the results of transurethral contact pyelocalycolithotripsy in patients with kidney stones
Authors: Nazarov Toirhon Kh. , Rychkov Ivan V. , Akhmedov Magomed A. , Trubnikova Kseniya E. , Tursunov Anisjon I. , Nikolaev Vladimir A. 
Published: August 2020

Transurethral contact lithotripsy is a promising treatment method and occupies an important place among endoscopic methods for removing kidney stones.
The aim of the study was to identify the advantages and disadvantages of transurethral contact pyelocalycolithotripsy in patients with kidney stones based on retrospective analysis.
Material and methods. A retrospective analysis of 178 clinical cases of treating patients aged from 19 to 71 years who suffered from kidney stones and underwent transurethral contact pyelocalycolithotripsy was performed. All patients were diagnosed with calculi of the pyelocaliceal system with the diameter ranging from 10 to 20 mm according to multispiral CT data. Renal calculi had different composition and their density varied from 460 HU to 1440 HU. Pneumatic and laser energy was used for lithotripsy in 102 (57.3%) and 76 (42.7%) patients respectively.
Results. The obtained data show that complete destruction of the stones and the removal of fragments within 2 weeks after transurethral contact pyelocalycolithotripsy was noted in 143 (80.3%) patients. In 140 (78.7%) cases positive results were achieved in one surgical intervention and in 38 (21.3%) patients after two procedures. Complications of this treatment method were relatively rare and included intraoperative bleeding, pelvic perforation, acute pyelonephritis, stent migration, postoperative bleeding, and residual stones.
Conclusion. Transurethral contact pyelocalycolithotripsy is a promising method due to the fact that in most cases it allows you to simultaneously rid a patient of kidney stones with minimal complications
paridad de la tasa de interés en Colombia, 1981-2018
Authors: Gómez-Mejía Alberto 
Published: August 2020

Después de analizar cuatro períodos (1981-1991, 1992-2006, 2000-2006, 2007-2018) marcados por cambios en el manejo de la tasa de cambio por parte del Banco de la República y política económica gubernamental, técnicas econométricas permiten concluir que pese a la creciente apertura de la economía colombiana, a partir de 1991, la liberalización del mercado cambiario y de flujo de capitales, la paridad de la tasa de interés, con tasa de cambio nominal y real, se empezó a cumplir en la medida que los mercados de capitales y la economía se fue consolidando en el proceso de apertura. En el primer período, 1981-1991, no se dio y sí durante 2007-2018. Se usaron pruebas de cointegración de Johansen y regresiones EGARCH. Un estudio detallado de las estadísticas y la política económica prueban que la lentitud en el cumplimiento de la paridad, que tomó más de una década, se debió a que el banco central colombiano siempre intervino el mercado para estimular la depreciación del peso (banda cambiaria) como tampoco se eliminaron factores institucionales que afectan las tasas de interés. Además, en los últimos años se han producido cambios en la dirección del flujo de capitales internacionales hacia Colombia, que han alterado la tasa de cambio más fuertemente que la diferencia de las tasas de interés.
Functional outcome of instrumented and non-instrumented fusion in lumbar canal stenosis
Authors: Abdul Aziz Ansari Muqtadeer , Sasidharan Nair Pradeepkumar , Abdul Aziz Ansari Ishtyaque , Sonkawade Venktesh Dattatray 
Published: August 2020

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Lumbar canal stenosis (LSS) is a source of significant morbidity and economic burden in the Indian population. Spinal canal compression is the sine qua non of lumbar canal stenosis but whether instrumentation should be done or not is the major dilemma. In this study, we aim to compare the functional outcome of instrumented versus non-instrumented fusions for the treatment of lumbar stenosis along with the post-operative complications and cost-effectiveness of both procedures.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> This study was conducted at a tertiary-care medical college and hospital, Aurangabad specializing in post-graduate training, where all patients who underwent surgical treatment between May 2016 and May 2018 were included. Patients were assessed using the modified Oswestry disability index (MODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS). These evaluations were done at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> We found similar pain relief and stabilization in both the groups in the initial post-operative period, but after 2 years, there was a significant difference (p=0.0001) between the two groups in terms of VAS (back) and MODI score. Complication rate was higher in instrumented patients. </p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Patient selection is the most important thing in the management of lumbar canal stenosis. We believe that, with the flowchart on the management of lumbar canal stenosis, it would help choosing patients better as to who would require instrumented fusion. Non-instrumented fusions might cost less and have fewer complications, but the overall outcome of the patient in the future should be kept in mind.</p>