bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A case of intrathyroid parathyroid tumor that was difficult to diagnose by ultrasonography
Authors: Takemoto Nobuyuki , Koyanagi Ai , Yasuda Masanori , Yamamoto Yuya , Yamamoto Hiroshi 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
With advances in diagnostic imaging such as ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), and 99mTc-MIBI-sestamibi (MIBI) scintigraphy, localized diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) has become possible with considerable accuracy. However, even with the use of these imaging techniques, since intrathyroid parathyroid tumors exist as a mass within the thyroid, it is often difficult to distinguish from thyroid masses. Although there have been various reports on US images of intraparathyroid tumors, we experienced a case with US images that were distinct from previous reports. Herein we present a case of an intrathyroid parathyroid adenoma (IPA) that was difficult to diagnose, with a main focus on US images.

Case presentation
A 53-year-old man with a diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism was referred to our department in December 2018. Ultrasonography revealed a tumor that was located in the inferior pole of the right lobe of the thyroid gland and no parathyroid mass was observed. The tumor had an irregular round shape and showed heterogeneous hyperechogenicity with a defined margin, but within it, there were a few irregular and hypoechogenic area with unclear margins, while the tumor had a mosaic appearance at first glance. Although 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy showed accumulation at the same location in delayed phase, it was difficult to determine the presence of a parathyroid tumor on the image. The patient underwent an operation on April 2019 and the tumor could not be identified on both naked eye and palpation. We used US intraoperatively to define the location and resected the tumor. A parathyroid adenoma was diagnosed by frozen section and the final diagnosis was an intrathyroid parathyroid adenoma.

Conclusion
We experienced an IPA presenting an US image that was atypical and has previously not been reported. IPA has no established US image to confirm the diagnosis and even with the use of other imaging techniques, a definitive diagnosis often cannot be established. Thus, our recommendation based on the current situation is that operation with intraoperative diagnosis using frozen section should be conducted if hypercalcemia and high I-PTH are observed and when localization sites in MIBI and US coincide.
PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is essential for de novo hair follicle regeneration
Authors: Chen Yu , Fan Zhimeng , Wang Xiaoxiao , Mo Miaohua , Zeng Shu Bin , Xu Ren-He , Wang Xusheng , Wu Yaojiong 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Cultured epidermal stem cells (Epi-SCs) and skin-derived precursors (SKPs) were capable of reconstituting functional hair follicles after implantation, while the signaling pathways that regulate neogenic hair follicle formation are poorly investigated. In this study, we aimed to understand the interactions between Epi-SCs and SKPs during skin organoid formation and to uncover key signal pathways crucial for de novo hair follicle regeneration.

Methods
To track their fate after transplantation, Epi-SCs derived from neonatal C57BL/6 mice were labeled with tdTomato, and SKPs were isolated from neonatal C57BL/6/GFP mice. A mixture of Epi-SCs-tdTomato and SKPs-EGFP in Matrigel was observed under two-photon microscope in culture and after implantation into excisional wounds in nude mice, to observe dynamic migrations of the cells during hair follicle morphogenesis. Signaling communications between the two cell populations were examined by RNA-Seq analysis. Potential signaling pathways revealed by the analysis were validated by targeting the pathways using specific inhibitors to observe a functional loss in de novo hair follicle formation.

Results
Two-photon microscopy analysis indicated that when Epi-SCs and SKPs were mixed in Matrigel and cultured, they underwent dynamic migrations resulting in the formation of a bilayer skin-like structure (skin organoid), where Epi-SCs positioned themselves in the outer layer; when the mixture of Epi-SCs and SKPs was grafted into excisional wounds in nude mice, a bilayer structure resembling the epidermis and the dermis formed at the 5th day, and de novo hair follicles generated subsequently. RNA-Seq analysis of the two cell types after incubation in mixture revealed dramatic alterations in gene transcriptome, where PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in Epi-SCs was significantly upregulated; meanwhile, elevated expressions of several growth factors and cytokine potentially activating PI3K were found in SKPs, suggesting active reciprocal communications between them. In addition, inhibition of PI3K or Akt by specific inhibitors markedly suppressed the hair follicle regeneration mediated by Epi-SCs and SKPs.

Conclusions
Our data indicate that the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway plays a crucial role in de novo hair follicle regeneration, and the finding may suggest potential therapeutic applications in enhancing hair regeneration.
Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction optimized HGF-overexpressing bone marrow stem cells to repair fibrotic liver in rats
Authors: Sun Ting , Li Hualin , Bai Yun , Bai Min , Gao Feng , Yu Jie , Wu Rong , Du Lianfang , Li Fan 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background/aims
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have shown their therapeutic potential in cytotherapy for liver fibrosis. However, the insufficient homing of BMSCs and undefined proliferation of BMSCs represent a significant challenge and largely limit the effective implementation. The aims of the present study were to determine whether stable expression of hepatic growth factor (HGF) in BMSCs coupled with ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) technique could effectively and definitely alleviating carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats.

Materials and methods
A rat model of liver fibrosis was acquired by injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The experimental rats were randomly assigned to the four groups: normal, CCl4, BMSCs-HGF/US, and BMSCs-HGF/UTMD groups. The BMSCs, transfected by recombinant adeno-associated virus vector encoding human genome sequence of HGF (BMSCs-HGF), were transplanted in rat via the tail vein. The homing efficiency of BMSCs was observed by immunofluorescence staining. The liver function and its morphological changes were analyzed by biochemical tests and liver histology. The expression of liver fibrosis markers including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, and vimentin were examined by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results
The homing efficiency of BMSCs in the fibrotic liver was significantly greater with the application of UTMD. The biochemical markers of liver function and histopathological results showed significantly better improvement in BMSCs-HGF/UTMD group than the other groups, and the serum levels of biochemical markers returned to normal ranges in 12 weeks in this group. Furthermore, the expression levels of liver fibrosis markers (α-SMA, collagen I, and Vimentin) were all significantly lower in BMSCs-HGF/UTMD group in comparison with other groups.

Conclusions
Our findings have demonstrated that stable expression of HGF in BMSCs and application of the UTMD technique facilitate the homing of BMSCs, and more importantly, which could further improve their alleviation of liver fibrosis. Therefore, these findings have an important clinical implication that AAV-BMSCs-HGF and UTMD hold promise as a novel therapeutic approach for liver fibrosis.
Consumers’ food choices, understanding and perceptions in response to different front-of-pack nutrition labelling systems in Belgium: results from an online experimental study
Authors: Vandevijvere Stefanie , Vermote Marie , Egnell Manon , Galan Pilar , Talati Zenobia , Pettigrew Simone , Hercberg Serge , Julia Chantal 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Front-of-pack nutrition labels (FoPLs) are increasingly implemented by governments internationally to support consumers to make healthier food choices. Although the Nutri-Score FOPL has officially been implemented in Belgium since April 2019, no study has been conducted before its implementation to compare the effectiveness of different FOPLs.

Methods
The aim of this study was to compare food choices, objective understanding and perceptions of Belgian consumers in response to five different FOPLs, currently implemented in different countries internationally, namely the Health Star Ratings (HSR), the Multiple Traffic Lights (MTL), Nutri-Score, Guideline Daily Amounts (GDA), and Warning symbols. During the summer 2019, 1007 Belgian consumers were recruited and randomized to one of the five different FOPLs. Through an online questionnaire they were asked to choose one of three different foods within each of three categories (pizzas, cakes, breakfast cereals), as well as rank those same three foods according to nutritional quality, in the condition without as well as with FOPL. In addition, various questions were asked on their perceptions in relation to the FOPL they were exposed to.

Results
Perceptions of consumers were favorable for all FOPLs with no significant differences between the different FOPLs. There were no significant differences in food choices among the different FOPLs, but Nutri-Score performed best for ranking food products according to nutritional quality.

Conclusions
While there were no significant differences among different FOPLs for food choices and perceptions, the Nutri-Score was the most effective FOPL in informing Belgian consumers of the nutritional quality of food products.
Measuring consumers’ preferences for craft beer attributes through Best-Worst Scaling
Authors: Lerro Marco , Marotta Giuseppe , Nazzaro Concetta 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe current paper investigates consumers’ consumption behavior and preferences for craft beer. More specifically, it uncovers consumers’ consumption habits and perception about craft beer, as well as their preferences for 13 beer attributes drawn from the literature.The analysis was carried out in Italy by administering a structured questionnaire to 323 consumers. Best-Worst Scaling was used to detect consumers’ preferences towards the 13 craft beer attributes. The latter were then ranked on the basis of their best-worst scores to identify the level of importance Italian consumers assign to the different attributes.The study findings reveal that Italian craft beer consumers are young, well-educated, and employed. They drink craft beer more than once per month, mainly in pub and with friends and colleagues. Craft beer is perceived with higher quality and different flavors, while compared with a commercial beer, it results tastier, more genuine, and natural. As for the beer attributes, Italians prefer taste, fermentation process, and color, while store promotion, brand, and price rank as the least important.The study findings offer several implications for brewers and marketers involved in the beer sector. Based on the preferences detected, breweries should adapt their product offer to meet craft beer consumers’ expectations.
Innovative deep learning artificial intelligence applications for predicting relationships between individual tree height and diameter at breast height
Authors: Ercanlı İlker 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Deep Learning Algorithms (DLA) have become prominent as an application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Techniques since 2010. This paper introduces the DLA to predict the relationships between individual tree height (ITH) and the diameter at breast height (DBH).

Methods
A set of 2024 pairs of individual height and diameter at breast height measurements, originating from 150 sample plots located in stands of even aged and pure Anatolian Crimean Pine (Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold ssp. pallasiana (Lamb.) Holmboe) in Konya Forest Enterprise. The present study primarily investigated the capability and usability of DLA models for predicting the relationships between the ITH and the DBH sampled from some stands with different growth structures. The 80 different DLA models, which involve different the alternatives for the numbers of hidden layers and neuron, have been trained and compared to determine optimum and best predictive DLAs network structure.

Results
It was determined that the DLA model with 9 layers and 100 neurons has been the best predictive network model compared as those by other different DLA, Artificial Neural Network, Nonlinear Regression and Nonlinear Mixed Effect models. The alternative of 100 # neurons and 9 # hidden layers in deep learning algorithms resulted in best predictive ITH values with root mean squared error (RMSE, 0.5575), percent of the root mean squared error (RMSE%, 4.9504%), Akaike information criterion (AIC, − 998.9540), Bayesian information criterion (BIC, 884.6591), fit index (FI, 0.9436), average absolute error (AAE, 0.4077), maximum absolute error (max. AE, 2.5106), Bias (0.0057) and percent Bias (Bias%, 0.0502%). In addition, these predictive results with DLAs were further validated by the Equivalence tests that showed the DLA models successfully predicted the tree height in the independent dataset.

Conclusion
This study has emphasized the capability of the DLA models, novel artificial intelligence technique, for predicting the relationships between individual tree height and the diameter at breast height that can be required information for the management of forests.
Expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of thrombocytopenia in adult critical care patients in China
Authors:   on behalf of the Critical Care Medicine Committee of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA); Chinese Society of Laboratory Medicine, Chinese Medical Association, Song Jing-Chun , Liu Shu-Yuan , Zhu Feng , Wen Ai-Qing , Ma Lin-Hao , Li Wei-Qin , Wu Jun 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThrombocytopenia is a common complication of critical care patients. The rates of bleeding events and mortality are also significantly increased in critical care patients with thrombocytopenia. Therefore, the Critical Care Medicine Committee of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) worked with Chinese Society of Laboratory Medicine, Chinese Medical Association to develop this consensus to provide guidance for clinical practice. The consensus includes five sections and 27 items: the definition of thrombocytopenia, etiology and pathophysiology, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Globeville: the neighborhood that shapes the learning environment for BFLA Spanish-English Mexican Americans
Authors: Nalls Irdawati Bay 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBronfenbrenner’s bioecological model is a theory of educational psychology that studies human development over time. Drawing on Bronfenbrenner’s early theory on ecological systems, this paper focuses on the Mesosystem and Exosystem – environments in which Bilingual First Language Acquisition (BFLA) Spanish-English Mexican American children develop. It can also be regarded as a research on the immigrant community, as this paper looks at BFLA Spanish-English Mexican American bilinguals at an elementary school in Denver Public Schools (DPS), Colorado. As a marginalized immigrant community in America, their voices tell a story of their struggles, as they acculturate in America through their attempt to blend heritage, societal languages, and cultural practices. Globeville, a neighborhood located in North Denver, is home to many BFLA Spanish-English Mexican Americans. It shapes their growth, repositioning, and struggles as they learn to assimilate and acculturate in order to be accepted. Using historiography as a methodology, Globeville became the data itself, presenting a different kind of learning environment that promotes growth despite the odds.
Temporal and spatial variations of vegetation in a riparian zone of South Korea
Authors: Park Hyekyung , Kim Jae Geun 
Published: April 2020

AbstractUnderstanding vegetation structure and the relationship with environmental factors has been crucial for restoration and conservation of riparian zones. In this study, we conducted field survey in a riparian zone of Namhan River in South Korea both before and after flooding in order to understand temporal and spatial variations of riparian vegetation. There were significant temporal and spatial variations in species composition, and distribution patterns of vegetation were different along a gradient of elevation above the water level. At low elevation, Zizania latifolia was dominant throughout the field survey periods, and Bidens frondosa began to grow late and dominated both in post-flooding 1 and 2. Prior to flooding, Scirpus radicans and Polygonum thunbergii were widely distributed at middle elevation, while Artemisia vulgaris, Phragmites australis, and Miscanthus sacchariflorus were dominant at high elevation. After flooding, P. thunbergii was dominant at middle elevation with most other species decreasing, and more invasive or pioneer plants, including Artemisia princeps, H. scandens, and Sicyos angulatus, were observed at high elevation. Species composition and distribution patterns were homogeneous at low elevation, whereas dynamic variations of vegetation were observed both temporally and spatially at higher elevations. Elevation and distance from the water front were the most principal factors governing vegetation structure. Furthermore, soil physicochemical properties were also found to determine species composition and distribution patterns. These results indicate that vegetation structure in the riparian zones is formed by the combined effects of hydrological regime and soil physicochemical properties, inherent characteristics of species, and interspecific competition. Understanding of temporal and spatial variations of riparian vegetation may provide useful insights into ecological restoration and conservation of the vegetation within the riparian zones.
Susceptibility of different tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L., varieties to infestation with some insect pests in Egypt
Authors: Mahmoud Youssef Ahmed , Ebadah Ibrahim Mohamed Abd El-Monem , Attwa Wedad , Moawad Sayed , Omar Neama , El-Wahab Tarek Essa Abd , Sadek Hanaa 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundTomato,Solanum lycopersicum L(=Lycopersicon esculentumMiller), is one of the most economically important crops in the world. In Egypt, tomato is infested with different pests causing damages in both quantity and quality of the yields. Six varieties of tomato, ‘Strain B,’ ‘Beto’, ‘El bandora,’ ‘GS,’ ‘Casterlok,’ and ‘Super strain B’, were evaluated for their susceptibility to some insect pest infestations during summer plantation under field conditions.ResultsAccording to the infestation withTuta absoluta, the highly susceptible varieties that received the highest number of eggs were El bandora, followed by Strain B, while Super strain was the lowest. The obtained results indicated that the tomato Super strain B variety had much tolerance to the infestation byT. absoluta. GS variety recorded the highest mean number of eggs deposited byPhthorimaea operculella, but no eggs were observed on the leaves of El bandora and Super strain B varieties. Results also indicated that mean number ofLiriomyza trifoliilarvae/20 leaflets was the highest in Strain B and GS varieties. Strain B variety recorded the highest mean number ofBemisia tabacieggs and nymphs/20leaflets than GS, which recorded the lowest value. Casterlok variety had the lowest mean number ofAphis gossypii,while, Super strain B and Strain B recorded the highest values.ConclusionsGenerally, all the six tested varieties were susceptible to infestation with several insect pests. The most susceptible variety was Strain B, followed by El bandora and GS while the lowest ones were the varieties Beto 86 and Super strain B.
Promising applications of aggregation-induced emission luminogens in organic optoelectronic devices
Authors: Yu Maoxing , Huang Ruishan , Guo Jingjing , Zhao Zujin , Tang Ben Zhong 
Published: April 2020

AbstractSince the first report of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) concept in 2001, it has received intense attentions from academy and industry because of its important applications in diverse research fronts. Up to now, the luminogens with AIE property (AIEgens) have been widely used in optoelectronic devices, fluorescent bioprobes and chemosensors, and researchers have also committed to exploring the potentials of AIEgens in other cross-cutting areas. The AIEgens have shown superior advantages such as highly efficient emissions in the aggregated state and thus exhibited better performances in comparison with traditional luminescent materials whose emissions are usually quenched upon aggregate formation. In view of the significant achievements of AIEgens in recent years, this review presents representative advancements of AIEgens for the applications in organic optoelectronic devices, mainly including organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) devices, electrofluorochromic (EFC) devices, luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs), and liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Not only the design strategies of AIEgens for these optoelectronic devices are analyzed, but also their structure-property relationship and working mechanism are elucidated. It is foreseeable that robust AIEgens with specific functionalities will find more and more applications in various research fields and play an increasingly important role in high-tech devices.
Environmental technology and a multiple approach of competitiveness
Authors: Salem Milad Abdelnabi , Shawtari Fekri , Hussain Hafezali Bin Iqbal , Shamsudin Mohd Farid 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis paper investigates the relationships between environmental technology and competitiveness focusing on 224 industrial corporations. To date, there is still a debate regarding the benefits of being green. Previous literature has investigated this relationship mostly in developed countries. Additionally, the majority of these studies do not disaggregate the environmental practices and competitiveness. Less attention has been given to the environmental issues in developing countries. This study aims to fill these gaps by breaking down the environmental technology into two processes and products-focused practices and investigating their effects on the multiple approaches of competitiveness represented by image-, profits-, and satisfaction-related aspects of competitiveness. The study adopts a cross-sectional study using a self-reported questionnaire. The collected data are analysed using structural equation modelling technique based on AMOS methods. The results revealed that only products-focused practices could improve the three dimensions of competitiveness. The processes-focused practices did not contribute to any of the competitiveness aspects. Such results provide new insight for the application of resource-based view theory in green-based developing countries.