Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for liver fibrosis need“partner”:Results based on a meta-analysis of preclinical studies

BACKGROUND The efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)in treating liver fibrosis has been demonstrated in several clinical studies.However,their low survival and liver implantation rates remain problematic.In recent years,a large number of studies in animal models of liver fibrosis have shown that MSCs combined with drugs can improve the efficacy of MSCs in the treatment of liver fibrosis alone and inhibit its progression to end-stage liver disease.This has inspired new ways of thinking about treating liver fibrosis.AIM To investigate the effectiveness and mechanisms of MSCs combined with drugs in treating liver fibrosis.METHODS Data sources included four electronic databases and were constructed until January 2024.The subjects,interventions,comparators,outcomes,and study design principle were used to screen the literature,and the quality of the literature was evaluated to assess the risk of bias.Relevant randomised controlled trials were selected,and the final 13 studies were included in the final study.RESULTS A total of 13 studies were included after screening.Pooled analysis showed that MSCs combined with drug therapy significantly improved liver function,promoted the repair of damaged liver tissues,reduced the level of liver fibrosis-related indexes,and effectively ameliorated hepatic fibrosis by modulating the hepatic inflammatory microenvironment,promoting the homing of MSCs,and regulating the relevant signaling pathways,and the treatment efficacy was superior to MSCs alone.However,the combined treatment statistics showed no amelioration in serum albumin levels(standardized mean difference=0.77,95%confidence interval:-0.13 to 1.68,P=0.09).CONCLUSION In conclusion,MSCs combined with drugs for treating liver fibrosis effectively make up for the shortcomings of MSCs in their therapeutic effects.However,due to the different drugs,the treatment mechanism and effect also differ.Therefore,more randomized controlled trials are needed to compare the therapeutic efficacy of different drugs in combination with MSCs,aiming to select the“best companion”of MSCs in treating hepatic fibrosis.

Cooperation with industry partners and academia provides British SMEs a very powerful and efficient business model--Interview with Mr.Jason Kent,Chief Executive Officer of British Textile Machinery Association

The textile market has been quite buoyant,in part due to the world eCo-nomic challenges that have seen sourcing in the UK as both competitive and rich in desirable sustainable products.The ever-widening sector in technical textiles as driven innovation strongly here in the UK which has seen an increase in activ-ity in the machine building industry.

Postpartum depression and partner support during the period of lactation:Correlation research and its influencing factors

BACKGROUND Postpartum depression(PPD)not only affects the psychological and physiological aspects of maternal health but can also affect neonatal growth and development.Partners who are in close contact with parturient women play a key role in communication and emotional support.This study explores the PPD support relationship with partners and its influencing factors,which is believed to establish psychological well-being and improve maternal partner support.AIM To explore the correlation between PPD and partner support during breastfeeding and its influencing factors.METHODS Convenience sampling was used to select lactating women(200 women)who underwent postpartum examinations at the Huzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital from July 2022 to December 2022.A cross-sectional survey was conducted on the basic information(general information questionnaire),depression level[edinburgh postnatal depression scale(EPDS)],and partner support score[dyadic coping inventory(DCI)]of the selected subjects.Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between PPD and DCI in lactating women.Factors affecting PPD levels during lactation were analyzed using multiple linear regression.RESULTS The total average score of EPDS in 200 lactating women was(9.52±1.53),and the total average score of DCI was(115.78±14.90).Dividing the EPDS,the dimension scores were:emotional loss(1.91±0.52),anxiety(3.84±1.05),and depression(3.76±0.96).Each dimension of the DCI was subdivided into:Pressure communication(26.79±6.71),mutual support(39.76±9.63),negative support(24.97±6.68),agent support(6.87±1.92),and joint support(17.39±4.19).Pearson’s correlation analysis demonstrated that the total mean score and individual dimension scores of EPDS during breastfeeding were inversely correlated with the total score of partner support,stress communication,mutual support,and cosupport(P<0.05).The total mean score of the EPDS and its dimensions were positively correlated with negative support(P<0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the main factors affecting PPD during breastfeeding were marital harmony,newborn health,stress communication,mutual support,negative support,cosupport,and the total score of partner support(P<0.05).CONCLUSION PPD during breastfeeding was associated with marital harmony,newborn health,stress communication,mutual support,negative support,joint support,and the total DCI score.

China Remains Africa’s Top Trading Partner

China has remained Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years,with bilateral trade reaching a record$282.1 billion in 2023,Ministry of Commerce official Jiang Wei said at a press conference on 31 January.Economic and trade cooperation is the ballast and propeller of China-Africa relations,he said.

Research on Partner Selection in Enterprise Innovation Ecosystem

In the face of fierce market competition,enterprises must ensure the competitiveness of their products or services through technological innovation.However,the complexity of technology often surpasses the capabilities of individual enterprises,leading them to deepen cooperation with other organizations.The entities within the enterprise innovation ecosystem depend on each other,collaborate closely,and rely on core enterprises to integrate resources,thereby creating system value and enhancing competitiveness.The purpose of this paper is to explore the process of selecting appropriate ecosystem partners.It begins by providing an overview of relevant concepts,characteristics,selection factors,and methods.Subsequently,it analyzes the roles,resources,and synergy evolution of the entities within the ecosystem.An evaluation system encompassing operation,core,synergy,and development capability is then established.This system comprises 16 indicators,including organization scale and reputation,and is accompanied by a hierarchical evaluation model.Finally,the validity of the evaluation system is confirmed through empirical analysis,utilizing the Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP)and the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method.

Partners of patients with ulcerative colitis exhibit a biologically relevant dysbiosis in fecal microbial metacommunities

AIM To investigate alterations in the fecal microbiome using 16 S r RNA amplicon sequencing in couples in the same cohabitation environment.METHODS Fecal samples were collected from eight ulcerative colitis(UC) patients and their healthy partners at Lishui People's Hospital, Zhejiang Province, China. DNA was extracted and the variable regions V3 and V4 of the 16 S r RNA genes were PCR amplified using a two-step protocol. Clear reads were clustered into operational taxonomic units(OTUs) at the 97% sequence similarity level using UCLUST v1.2.22. The Wilcoxon rank-sumtest(R v3.1.2) was used to compare inter-individual differences. Differences with a P value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.RESULTS Fecal microbial communities were more similar among UC patients than their healthy partners(P = 0.024). UC individuals had a lower relative abundance of bacteria belonging to the Firmicutes, especially Blautia, Clostridium, Coprococcus and Roseburia(P < 0.05). Microbiota dysbiosis was detected in UC patients and their healthy partners. Relevant genera included Akkermansiam, Bacteroides, Escherichia, Lactobacillales, Klebsiella and Parabacteroides. The enriched pathways in fecal samples of UC patients were related to lipid and nucleotide metabolism. Additionally, the pathways involved in membrane transport and metabolism of cofactors and vitamins were more abundant in the healthy partners.CONCLUSION Our results suggested that the microbial composition might be affected in healthy partners cohabiting with UC patients, especially in terms of microbiota dysbiosis.

Relationship between the Existence of Exercise Partners and Exercise Habits in University Students in Japan

We investigated the relationships between the existence of exercise partners and exercise habits among Japanese university students. Subjects were 650 university students (539 males, 111 females;age range 18 - 27 years). They responded to an anonymous questionnaire asking about current and past exercise habits, preference for exercise (i.e., like or dislike of exercise), and the existence of one or more exercise partners. In the results, the existence of exercise partners had a significant association with exercise habits at each school stage in both genders. Exercise preference had a significant association with exercise habits during high school in both genders;during primary and middle school, however, this association was significant only in males. In males, exercise habits and the preference for exercising in high school affected current exercise habits. In females, only exercise habits in high school affected current exercise habits. Our results suggest that the existence of one or more exercise partners is important for the practice of exercise, as well as the preference for exercise. They also suggest that continuity of exercise habits is different between males and females.

Understanding the YouTube Partners and Their Data： Measurement and Analysis

User generated content,e.g.,from YouTube,the most popular online video sharing site,is one of the major sources of today's big data and it is crucial to understand their inherent characteristics.Recently,YouTube has started working with content providers(known as YouTube partners) to promote the users' watching and sharing activities.The substantial benefit is to further augment its service and monetize more videos,which is crucial to both YouTube and its partners,as well as to other providers of relevant services.In this paper,our main contribution is to analyze the massive amounts of video data from a YouTube partner's view.We make effective use of Insight,a new analytics service of YouTube that offers simple data analysis for partners.To provide the practical guidance from the raw Insight data,we enable more complex investigations for the inherent features that affect the popularity of the videos.Our findings facilitate YouTube partners to re-design current video publishing strategies,having more opportunities to attract more views.

Chlamydia Trachomatis and Ureaplasma Urealyticum Transmission Between Regular Sexual Partners

Objective: To investigate the transmission ratio andepidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) andUreaplasma urealyticum (Uu) between regular sexualpartners. Methods: We collected secretion specimens of geni-tourinary tract from sexual partners who attended ourclinic during the period from May 1, 1999 to May 31,2000 and then detected Ct and Uu in the specimens. Results: The inconsistent rate of Ct and Uu infectedbetween sexual partners was 59.22% and 38.92%respectively. There were no correlations between pa-tients' age and the inconsistent rate of Ct and Uu in-fected (P>0.05). The most common inconsistency be-tween regular partners was seen in man with Ct infec-tion while in female with Uu infection; and in manwith concurrent infection of Ct while in female onlywith Uu; or in man with Ct infection while in female noCt and Uu were detected. Conclusion: The sexual transmitting ability of Ctand Uu is not as active as we have expected.

The role of partners in shaping the body image and body change strategies of adult men ——Partners and male body image

The current study examined the relationship between perceived messages about the bodies of adult men from their sexual partners and the actual body image of these men. Interviews were conducted among 38 middle-aged men. Feedback from partners was generally complimentary, and the men were generally positive about their body image. Partners were seen to be more focused on a healthy body rather than a physically attractive body. The implications of these findings for better understanding the social influence on adult men to obtain a healthy body weight are discussed.

The Networked Manufacturing Resources Optimizing Configuration System and Its Partners Selection Method

The three levels optimizing strategy is put forward for the networked manufacturing resources optimizing configuration, namely, the optimizing of a logical manufacturing process, the optimizing of simulation-based integration of process planning and scheduling, and the optimizing of networked production scheduling. Then, the web services-based architecture of networked manufacturing resources optimizing configuration is brought forward. Finally, the key algorithm of the networked manufacturing resources optimizing configuration is discussed, namely, the two phases manufacturing partners selection method, which including the group technology-based manufacturing resources pre-configuration and the genetic algorithm-based executable manufacturing process optimizing.

Psychological Distress and Resilience among Partners of Cancer Patients Receiving Outpatient Chemotherapy

Background: Partners of cancer patients are at elevated risk of experiencing psychological distress. Psychological distress is known to be countered by the protective factor, resilience. The relationship between psychological distress and resilience among partners of cancer patients remains to be examined by quantitative studies. We aimed to investigate the association between psychological distress, and resilience and cancer-related psychological experience among partners of cancer patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy. Methods: Spouses and significant others of cancer patients were consecutively recruited into our cross-sectional study. The primary outcome was psychological distress, as assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The primary explanatory variables were resilience, as assessed by the short Japanese version of the Resilience Scale, and cancer-related psychological experience. Traumatic stress was assessed by the Japanese-language version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, while perception of caregiving burden and patients’ symptoms, and psychological support needs were assessed by single-item questions. To examine the association between psychological distress, and resilience and partners’ psychological experience, hierarchical multiple regression analysis was applied. Results: Psychological distress was evident in 33 of 109 partners, (30.3%, 95% confidence interval, 21.5 - 39.1). After adjusting for potential confounders, hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed the main effect of resilience. In the final step, while resilience was not found to be significant, psychological distress was observed to be positively associated with traumatic stress and perceived caregiving burden (β = 0.64, p β = 0.22, p Conclusions: The protective effect of resilience on partners’ psychological distress is moderated by traumatic stress and perceived caregiving burden during patients’ chemotherapy. The findings of this study suggest that a systematic way of providing appropriate psychological service to appropriate partners of cancer patients is required.

Multiple Sexual Partners and Vulnerability to HIV: A Study of Patterns of Sexual Behaviour in the Slum Population of India

Globally, research indicates that monogamous married women living in slums are at heightened risk of HIV men’s risky sexual behaviour. Hence, to reduce the risk of HIV transmission, there is need to understand the number, nature and variation in transition of sexual partners of men in living in slums. This paper uses India’s National Family Health Survey-3 data to estimate the variation in the type of sexual partners among sexually active men age 15 - 54 with more than one sexual partner in last 12 months prior to the survey in eight slums?of India. Among sexually active men, 1.3 percent reported having more than one sexual partner in the last 12 months prior to the survey. Men who are more likely to have two or more partners are those who are young, especially below age 25 years, never married, educated up to 5 years, and from middle class. There is a higher increase in the probability of sex with spouse from second last to the last sexual partner in non-slum areas than slum areas. However, in case of transition from other friends/relatives and female sex workers to spousal partners, there is a major decline in probability among non-slum men than slum men. These transitions are extremely important from the perspective of curbing the spread of HIV epidemic, especially in situations where women lack control over their own sexuality and seldom use condom in marital sex. Therefore, strategies focused in slums should either consider reducing men’s risky sexual behaviour or build capacities of women to negotiate safe sex in marital relationships or consider a combination of both.

The Power of Partners: A Qualitative Study of the Dissonance between African-American Females’ Interest in Practicing Secondary Abstinence and Continued Sexual Activity

Reducing disparities in STI/HIV rates for young heterosexual African-American women in the US is a public health priority. Although several strategies can reduce risk, some sexually experienced young women are choosing to abstain from sex for various reasons and periods of time following sexual debut, a practice known as secondary abstinence. However, others who desire to practice secondary abstinence find it difficult to do so. This qualitative study explored barriers that explained the dissonance between interest in secondary abstinence and continued sexual activity. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 sexually-experienced African-American adolescent females, ages 18 - 23, who expressed interest in secondary abstinence. Partner-related barriers that created power imbalances presented the greatest challenges to becoming or remaining abstinent. Findings suggest that teaching young women how to recognize characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships, identify power imbalances, communicate assertively and develop positive coping skills can empower young women to build healthier relationships with their partners.

Improvement of Sliding Performance for Ball on Disc Tribo-Partners Using Graphite Like Carbon Solid Lubricant Coating

Sliding wear tests of chilled cast iron tappet-disc and cam-ball tribo-partners were conducted by using ball on disc testing device. Magnetron sputtering CrTiAlN hard coating and Graphite like carbon (GLC) solid lubricant coatings were applied on either one or both of the contact surfaces on tribo-partners. Ball crater device and scanning electron microscope were used to investigate surface wear of rubbed track on disc and wear scar on ball. The sliding performances of tribo-partners were evaluated in terms of coefficient of friction at sliding surfaces and specific wear rate (SWR) on both of the rubbed surfaces under specific test conditions. All test results showed that GLC solid lubricant coating on both surfaces of tappet-disc and cam-ball was the best option to allow this tribo-partners having high performance in terms of sliding under high load with low coefficient of friction and low SWR. The advantage of using GLC solid lubricant coating is to enable mechanical parts made of ordinary and sustainable materials (e.g. cast iron or plain steels) to be operated under even harsher conditions of higher load and higher wear environment with improved performance.

Disclosure, Multiple Sex Partners, and Consistent Condom Use among HIV Positive Adults on Antiretroviral Therapy in Johannesburg, South Africa

Inconsistent condom use among persons on antiretroviral treatment (ART) is a major public health concern because of the risk of HIV transmission. This study examined the association between socio-demographic variables and knowing partners’ HIV status, multiple sex partners, and consistent condom use among 400 HIV-infected adults who had received ART for at least six months in Johannesburg, South Africa. The study used a cross-sectional survey and a structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Over half (n = 225, 56.3%) of participants were on ART for more than two years. Two thirds (n = 234, 63.2%) were aware of partner’s HIV status. Over a third (n = 136, 34.0%) reported having more than one sex partners. Three quarters (n = 279, 75.8%) reported consistent condom use with regular partner. Discussing HIV testing (aOR = 2.28, CI: 1.31 -3.95), awareness of partner’s HIV status (aOR = 2.59, CI: 1.50 -4.46), level of education (aOR = 0.64, CI: 0.42 -0.98), and duration on ART (aOR = 0.71, CI: 1.31 -3.95) were predictors for consistent condom use. Awareness of partner’s HIV status was associated with multiple partnership (aOR = 0.38, CI: 0.21 -0.66), living with partner (aOR = 4.75, CI: 2.86 -7.91), discussing HIV testing (aOR = 2.43, CI: 1.48 -3.99), and duration on ART (aOR = 2.04, CI: 1.43 -2.92). While gender (aOR = 5.68, CI: 3.46 -9.34), marital status (aOR = 0.44, CI: 0.25 -0.77), and awareness of partner’s HIV status (aOR = 0.52, CI: 0.30 -0.89) were associated with multiple partnerships. Risky sexual behaviours occurred in all types of partners and knowing partner’s HIV status was a predictor for consistent condom use with all types of partners. It is essential that HIV prevention strategies create an enabling environment for disclosure and reductions of risky sexual behaviours by HIV-infected persons on ART.

Legal Regulation of Public-Private Partnership in the Republic of Macedonia

This paper deals with a very important issue,which concerns the possibility of establishing a public-private partnership(PPP),through which link is made between the public and the private sector,for the benefit of both sectors,which is a very important opportunity for the realization of different infrastructure projects,and of course tourism facilities can be created in this form.Particular attention is given to the legal regulation of this issue in the Republic of Macedonia.It is mainly expressed through the provisions of the Law on PPP,which makes a clear distinction between the public and the private partner.Public partner is a legal entity that gives an agreement for the establishment of a public private partnership.Private Partner is a domestic or foreign legal entity or natural person or consortium with whom the public partner concludes an agreement for a PPP.

Partners selection of VE based on the organizational field

VE organizational field is a management meaning field formed by the mutual action of resources element.It studies leader and partners in VE as a system,and founds the affiliation among them by the relation of resources.It describes candidate partner enterprise's inner trait and exterior trait by quality parameter and exterior parameter,then analyzes and evaluates them.It combines the qualitative variable and quantitative variable to evaluate the candidate enterprises.It integrates static and dynamic method to help the VE leader to choose partner,which is good for the whole alliance.

China’s Imports Technology Structure and Its Relationship with Trade Partners:1995-2011

This paper uses the latest data to analyze the historical patterns and the current situation of the technology structure of China＇ commodities imports, the structure of China＇s commodities imports from 19 countries and regions, and China＇s interdependent relationship with its trade partners on the basis of studying 230 kinds of manufactured products categorized by their technological intensity. The results show that during the period of 1995-2011, the share of low technology （low-tech） products and medium technology （medium-tech） products declined,＂ the share of primary products, resource- based products, and high technology （high-tech） products increased; high-tech products had taken the largest share, bypassing low-tech and medium-tech products, as early as 2000; different types of countries exported different kinds of commodities to China and had different positions in China＇s imports; China had relatively high interdependent relations with Japan, South Korea and China＇s Taiwan; China had relatively low interdependent relations with the United States, Germany, France and the Netherlands; China＇s import dependence on major developing countries and emerging developing countries was less than these countries＇ export dependence on China; China was the leading export destination for major developing countries and emerging developing countries. Generally speaking, the development of China＇s import trade is inclusive, and China shares its growth with other countries. It not only promotes developing countries＇exports but also enhances developed countries＇ exports.