Reverse knowledge transfer in digital era and its effect on ambidextrous innovation: A simulation based on system dynamics.

Knowledge transfer plays a prominent role in fostering innovation among multinational corporations (MNCs), however, the exploration of reverse knowledge transfer in today's digital era remains insufficient. Therefore, we explore the impact of reverse knowledge transfer on ambidextrous innovation and the process mechanism against the backdrop of digital technology. A system dynamics model of reverse knowledge transfer is constructed from three aspects: knowledge acquisition, knowledge absorption and knowledge application. Our simulation results indicate that the dual embeddedness of multinational R&D centers promotes knowledge acquisition and absorption, enhances the knowledge base of parent companies, and facilitates ambidextrous innovation. In particular, the application of digital technology further promotes the process through knowledge absorption, with the long-term impact more pronounced. This study not only enriches the literature on reverse knowledge transfer but also expands the application of digital technology in the field of MNCs' innovation.

Baicalein alleviated TGF ß1-induced type I collagen production in lung fibroblasts via downregulation of connective tissue growth factor.

Although we have reported that baicalein ameliorated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats and inhibited fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation, the mechanisms of the capability of baicalein to suppress the production of type I collagen in fibroblasts remains unclear. Here, we showed that baicalein suppressed transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF ß1)-stimulated the production of type I collagen in lung fibroblast MRC-5 cells. By applying SILAC-based proteomic technology, 158 proteins were identified as baicalein-modulated proteins in TGF ß1-stimulated the accumulation of type I collagen in MRC-5 cells. Our proteomic and biochemical analysis demonstrated that baicalein decreased the expression levels of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in TGF ß1-stimulated MRC-5 cells. In addition, CTGF overexpression elevated the levels of type I collagen in baicalein-treated fibroblasts. Moreover, our results demonstrated that baicalein-downregulated CTGF expression might be related with the decrease of Smad2 phosphorylation, but not SP1. This work not only linked CTGF to TGF ß1-stimulated the production of type I collagen in its attribution to the effects of baicalein, but also might provide valuable information for enhancing the knowledge of the pharmacological inhibition of collagen production, which might represent a promising strategy for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

Baicalein represses TGF-ß1-induced fibroblast differentiation through the inhibition of miR-21.

Fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation is a highly important pathological characteristic of pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of baicalein on the differentiation of human lung fibroblasts. Baicalein reduced the levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) mRNA and protein expression in TGF-ß1-treated human lung fibroblasts. It also decreased the contents of collagen type I and fibronectin in time- and dose-dependent manners, and retarded TGF-ß1-stimulated α-SMA filament formation. Baicalein diminished the expression of miR-21, and miR-21 mimics partially antagonized the effects of baicalein. Additionally, Baicalein inhibited the miR-21 transcriptor STAT3 activity but not AP-1 activity. Moreover, the expression of Spry 1 protein, a miR-21 known target, was improved by baicalein treatment, but the level of Smurf2 protein, another miR-21 target, was not interfered. Collectively, these results demonstrated that baicalein can attenuate TGF-ß1-induced human lung fibroblast differentiation by inhibiting the miR-21 expression.

Light absorption of black carbon is doubled at Mt. Tai and typical urban area in North China.

The estimates of radiative forcing of black carbon (BC) remain great uncertainty, largely due to variations in the absorption enhancement of BC by mixing with organic and inorganic coatings in ambient aerosols. We applied a two-step solvent treatment method that experimentally removed coating materials in aerosol samples to determine the BC absorption enhancement. Aerosol samples were collected at Mt. Tai and a severely polluted urban area (Jinan) in North China Plain (NCP). The mass absorption cross-section (MAC) of BC aerosols was determined before and after the coating removal. Three thermal-optical protocols, NIOSH, EUSAAR and IMPROVE, were tested for determining of BC mass and MAC. The EUSAAR protocol gave the optimal values of BC mass concentrations and MAC. The MAC for decoated BC was 3.8 ±â€¯0.9 and 3.8 ±â€¯0.1 m2 g-1 (Average and 1SD) at 678 nm wavelength at the urban area and Mt. Tai, respectively, and it was consistent with the theoretical calculation for pure BC. The MAC for ambient aerosol samples was enhanced to 7.4 ±â€¯2.6 and 7.8 ±â€¯2.7 m2 g-1 at Jinan and Mt. Tai respectively. Non -BC coatings could enhance the MAC (EMAC) by a factor of 2 at both the polluted urban area and mountain summit. The light absorption of BC may be rapidly enhanced from air pollution in severely polluted area, and then it remains relatively constant for aged aerosols at Mt. Tai. Climate model is recommended for amplifying BC absorption by a factor of 2 in East Asia and other areas with intense industrialization and urbanization.

Characteristics of elastofibroma dorsi on PET/CT imaging with (18)F-FDG.

PURPOSE: To assess the characteristics of 18F-FDG uptake in elastofibroma dorsi (EFD). METHODS: Seventeen patients with EFD were retrospectively studied. RESULTS: The mean±S.D. of SUV was 2.29±0.60 (range, 1.2-4.3), and the uptake were Grade 0 in 6, Grade 1 in 12, Grade 2 in 7, and Grade 3 in 1. There is no correlation between lesion volume, SUVmax, and computer tomography value. All EFD lesions showed soft tissue density with low or moderate diffused and homogeneous uptake of 18F-FDG. CONCLUSIONS: Mild and moderate uptake of 18F-FDG is frequently observed in EFD, which should be known to avoid making wrong diagnosis.

18F-FDG PET/CT Findings of Metastasis to Spongy Body of Penis From Urothelial Carcinoma of Bladder.

The spongy body of the penis metastasis from other primary sites is a rare clinical entity. It is frequently associated with widespread metastatic disease and poor prognosis clinically. We report a case of a 61-year-old man with a previous history of cystectomy due to infiltrating urothelial carcinoma of the bladder 12 months ago and presented with penile shaft swelling pain and hematuria for 3 months. The restaging F-FDG PET/CT scan demonstrated a hypermetabolic mass at his penile shaft. This lesion was confirmed on phallectomy to be infiltrating urothelial carcinoma metastasis from the known primary bladder tumor.

Myofibroma of the Left Supraspinous Muscle on 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Myofibroma of the muscle is extremely rare. This report describes a 46-year-old man with myofibroma of the left supraspinous muscle on 18F-FDG PET/CT and includes MRI and 18F-FDG PET/CT findings. Whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT showed abnormal tracer uptakes in the left supraspinous muscle, which was subsequently confirmed as myofibroma by histopathology.

Metastatic Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma in the Stomach: Imaging With 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Metastatic malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) in the stomach is extremely rare. We report a 73-year-old man with MFH in the left popliteal fossa that metastasized to the stomach. Whole-body F-FDG PET/CT showed abnormal tracer uptakes in the stomach, which was subsequently confirmed as metastatic MFH.

Localized Airspace Consolidation of Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis Mimicking Malignant Lesions in 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging: One Case Report.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare lung disease caused by diffuse, abnormal intra-alveolar surfactant accumulation. Here, we report a case of autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis with heterogeneous accumulation of F-FDG in both lungs shown on the combined F-FDG PET/CT.

Feasible Method to enable clear visualization of suspected bladder cancer with 18F-FDG PET/CT.

PURPOSE: To evaluate value of a new method in detecting bladder lesion with (18)F-FDG PET/CT. METHODS: Routine and delayed scans of 14 patients were retrospectively studied. All these bladder lesions were confirmed by pathology. By increasing display threshold of SUVmax, routine images were analyzed for the second time. RESULTS: Of 12 (18)F-FDG-avid cases, 10 cases were confirmed to be primary bladder carcinoma, 2 false-positive cases were inflammation. There were 25% positive cases on routine display and 50% on display with increased SUVmax threshold. CONCLUSION: The method can effectively increase the sensitivity and accuracy in detecting bladder cancer with (18)F-FDG PET/CT.

[Clinical value of (18)F-FDGPET/CT in differentiation between benign lesions and lung cancer for large shadows in patients with pneumoconiosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical value of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in the differentiation between benign lesions and lung cancer for large shadows in patients with pneumoconiosis. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in 21 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of pneumoconiosis who had a total of 37 large shadows in the lung fields as shown by whole-body (18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging, and (18)F-FDG uptake was evaluated using the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax). Twelve lesions were examined by CT-guided aspiration biopsy, and one case underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy, as well as tests based on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and sputum; the other cases were followed up for more than 2 years. The differences between pneumoconiosis nodules with high (18)F-FDG uptake and lung cancer were evaluated by t test. RESULTS: Seventeen lung masses or nodules with high (18)F-FDG uptake were detected in 13 patients; among the 13 patients, 5 lesions of 5 cases were confirmed as non?small cell lung cancer (1 case of squamous cell carcinoma, 3 cases of adenocarcinoma, and 1 case of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma after operation), and 7 lesions of 7 cases were progressive massive fibrosis as shown by CT-guided aspiration biopsy; one case had no tumor cells detected by fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and 2.5-year follow-up revealed no changes in the lesions. The other 8 patients showed no increased (18)F-FDG uptake in their 20 lung nodules, which were confirmed as benign lesions by follow-up. The diameter range of lung cancer was 1.6∼6.8 cm, and the SUVmax range was 4.8∼14.0; the diameter range of pneumoconiosis nodules with high (18)F-FDG uptake was 1.5∼4.6 cm, and the SUVmax range was 2.6∼12.4. There were no significant differences in diameter and SUVmax between the lung cancer and pneumoconiosis nodules with high (18)F-FDG uptake (P > 0.05 for both). (18)F-FDG PET/CT had a specificity of 62.5% (20/32), an accuracy of 67.6% (25/37), a false-positive rate of 37.5% (12/32), and a negative predictive value of 100% (20/20) for the diagnosis of lung cancer. The lung cancer detection rate was 23.8% (5/21). CONCLUSION: In (18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging for patients with pneumoconiosis, the lung lesions without (18)F-FDG uptake or symmetrical lesions with high (18)F-FDG uptake are considered as benign pneumoconiosis nodules; however, (18)F-FDG PET/CT might have a limited role in evaluating the solitary lung lesions in patients with pneumoconiosis and needs further study.

Xanthogranulomatous osteomyelitis of rib mimicking malignant lesions in (18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging: a report of two cases.

Xanthogranulomatous osteomyelitis is a rare inflammatory process characterized histologically by collection of foamy macrophages admixed with mononuclear cells. We describe 2 cases with chest and back pain; radiography and CT scan identified expansile osteolytic rib destructive lesions with soft tissue mass. F-FDG PET/CT revealed accumulation of F-FDG similar to malignancy. Xanthogranulomatous osteomyelitis was histologically confirmed with numerous foamy histiocytes admixed with inflammatory infiltrate.

Detection of lung cancer in patients with pneumoconiosis by fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography: four cases.

We report 4 cases of lung cancer in patients with pneumoconiosis detected by F18-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT), which could differentiate lung cancer and pneumoconiosis. FDG-PET/CT may be useful in cancer screening for patients with pneumoconiosis.