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.

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.

工程项目管理模式—Partnering模式的探讨

Partnering是国际上正在研究和推行的一种新的工程项目管理方式。针对目前研究成果更多的是从概念和理论层面对战略Partnering模式进行的研究和介绍,本文从工程项目全过程的角度论述了项目Partnering模式实施流程,提出项目Part-nering模式是战略Partnering模式的第一步,根据合作伙伴的特征将其划分为5个等级,提出了对Partnering实施过程绩效进行评价的效能监控表,以控制和监督项目执行过程中Partnering的效果,并分析了Partnering执行过程中存在的缺陷,最后阐述了项目Partnering模式和战略Partnering模式的联系和区别。

关于Partnering模式的几点认识

Partnering模式是项目管理中的一种较新的管理方法,本文重点分析Partnering模式中的相关术语。

Relationship between Intimate Partner Violence and Quality of Life among Females Attending the HIV Clinic of a Teaching Hospital in North Central, Nigeria

Background: Intimate partner violence is a serious public health concern worldwide and is linked with serious mental and physical health consequences. Despite its commonality and attendant consequences, proper public healthcare intervention is rudimentary. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between quality of life associated with intimate partner violence among females attending the HIV Clinic at Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau, Nigeria. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design and data was collected from 174 female patients attending the HIV Clinic who met the inclusion criteria with the aid of a 73-item semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. This captured socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitude towards intimate partner violence and their experiences of violence and quality of life using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Brief version (WHOQOL-BREF). Results: Almost half of the respondents, 85 (48.9%) rated their quality of life as good. Respondents experiencing IPV reported poorer quality of life compared to those not experiencing partner violence in all the domains and it was statistically significant in the physical health (p Conclusion: IPV is common among females attending the HIV/AIDS Clinic and those affected reported significantly poorer quality of life.

HIV Status Disclosure Rate to a Sexual Partner, Associated Factors and Outcomes among Pregnant Women in PMTCT Care in Two Large HIV Facilities in Abuja, Nigeria

HIV status disclosure to partners is critical in improving the health and well-being of mother-infant dyad in the prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child (PMTCT) program. This study assesses the HIV disclosure rate to intimate partners, associated factors, and outcomes among women in the PMTCT program in two large HIV clinics in Abuja, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study employed a multi-stage sampling technique in selecting 220 pregnant women enrolled in PMTCT care in two clinics. Outcomes measures include HIV status disclosure to intimate partner, women’s viral suppression status (suppressed < 1000 copies/mL, unsuppressed ≥ 1000 copies/mL), and previous MTCT experience. Exposure variables include the participant’s socio-demographic characteristics and HIV care history. Data were presented using frequency tables. Simple and multivariate logistic regression was done to ascertain the predictors of HIV status disclosure and assess the association between HIV disclosure, viral suppression, and MTCT experience at a p-value of less than 0.05. Only 205 (96.7%) entries were completed and analyzed A larger percentage of the participants were married women, 158 (77.1%), within the age group 26 - 35 years (53.3%). Women’s HIV status disclosure rate to intimate partners was 49.3% (101/205). Factors associated with HIV disclosure rate to intimate partners at the univariate level were the participant’s age, Christian religion [COR: 1.80, 95%CI: 1.04 - 3.21, p = 0.04], full employment [COR: 1.92, 95%CI: 1.10 - 3.34, p = 0.02], HIV positivity prior to PMTCT enrollment [COR: 2.88, 95%CI: 1.26 - 6.59, p < 0.01], duration on antiretroviral therapy [COR: 1.07, 95%CI: 1.01 - 1.13, p = 0.03], and knowledge of partner’s HIV status [COR: 0.20, 95%CI: 0.08 - 0.51, p < 0.01]. Only HIV positivity prior to PMTCT enrollment [AOR: 3.27, 95%CI: 1.23 - 8.70, p < 0.01] and awareness of the partner’s HIV status, [AOR: 0.17, 95%CI: 0.06 - 0.49, p < 0.01] were significant predictors of HIV status disclosure after controlling for confounder. The two study outcomes;women’s viral suppression and MTCT experience were not significantly associated with participants’ HIV status disclosure to intimate partners. Our study shows that HIV disclosure to intimate partners is still a big challenge among pregnant women in PMTCT settings in Nigeria, with awareness of the partner’s HIV status and the type of patient enrollment in the PMTCT setting being the two strong predictors of pregnant women’s HIV disclosure status to partners.

A Review of Index Case Testing Induced Intimate Partner Violence and Electronic Management of Information in HIV Care

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a form of Gender Base Violence (GBV) where an intimate partner perpetrates violence. In the HIV care continua which has the aim of achieving epidemic control based on the goals defined by UNAIDS, 95% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) have to know their HIV status, 95% initiated ARV treatment and 95% are virally suppressed in order to achieve epidemic control. One of the evidence-based strategies used for achieving an optimal number of PLHIV who know their HIV status is the Index Case Testing Strategy (ICT). While the ICT strategy helps the achievement of epidemic control, its implementation increases the incidence of IPV among either serodiscordant or concordant couples. Tackling information about IPV is very sensitive. A review of the literature on the management of HIV patient information has shown that shifting from paper-based management of HIV patient information to computerized Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems, using software such as OPEN MRS has significantly improved the management of HIV patient information with high-level confidentiality of patient information. The reviews showed that the EMR systems put in place to manage HIV patient information need to integrate the stages used for the management of IPV among PLHIV.

BRI: ENTERING A NEW PHASE The Belt and Road Initiative has come to a new age of going multi-dimensional in meeting the rising aspirations of the partnering countries

The 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI)marks its coming of age amid rising geopolitical tensions.The ambitious mega endeavor weathered through its first decade of inception with vigor.The multitude of orchestrated disinformation designed to discredit it with such malicious labels as“debt trap”fails to impede the BRI momentum worldwide as the initiative snowballs into more areas,notably in the developing Global South.

工程项目组合管理的战略Partnering模式

为了提高工程项目组合管理的综合效益,将战略Partnering模式应用于工程项目组合管理中。通过对战略Partnering模式概念和特点的分析,设计了战略Partnering模式的组织结构,提出了战略Partnering模式的工作流程,详述了战略Partnering工程项目组合管理机制应包括信任机制、沟通机制、协作机制、利益机制与调节机制,对战略Partnering模式在建筑企业中的应用起到了一定的示范作用。

Probabilistic Pre-requisites Contributing to Successful Housing Association Partnering

The necessity to achieve value for money(VFM)has been paramount during the current economic climate,with reductions in investment inducing Housing Associations(HAs)to minimise waste and pursue the maximisation of value.Differing characteristics between HAs and private sector clients have a bearing on the pre-requisites associated with a successful partnering outcome.The purpose of this paper is to assist HAs maximise VFM by increasing the likelihood of a successful partnering outcome through gaining an understanding of the most important pre-requisites to be implemented into the arrangement from a HA perspective.A quantitative analysis was adopted to identify the level of importance placed by HA on the probabilistic pre-requisites that contribute to a successful partnering outcome.The results highlight the most important probabilistic pre-requisites from a HA perspective.The research concluded that the three most importantly ranked pre-requisites that contribute to a successful partnering arrangement,perceived exclusively by HAs,were mutual trust between parties;stakeholder commitment and mutual objectives.The plethora of construction partnering research is predominantly based on the construction industry generally.This research focuses on the specific needs of HAs.The findings therefore enable HAs to differentiate between the most and least important pre-requisites identified within the literature.This will increase the probability of a successful partnering arrangement through the unveiling of the pre-requisites that HAs should focus on implementing.Subsequently,the research will assist HAs maximise VFM during the challenging economic period where investment into social housing has been reduced.

The Belt and Road Partner Countries Becoming Popular Tourist Attractions for Outbound Travel

Tourism is one of the important areas of the Belt and Road exchange and cooperation.Since China proposed the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI)in 2013,the tourism exchanges between BRI partner countries have been close and the cooperation has achieved remarkable results.With the accelerated recovery of China's outbound travel market this year,BRI partner countries are becoming popular destinations for Chinese tourists.

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.

国际工程项目管理新模式——Partnering模式研究

项目管理模式是影响工程项目成功的关键因素,传统工程项目管理模式存在不足,近年来在发达国家和地区常用伙伴关系(Partnering模式)。在分析Partnering模式基本要素和类型的基础上,研究了Partnering模式的组织结构、工作流程和主要运作内容。

Partnering模式的基本思想及实施措施

指出Partnering模式是工程项目管理模式的重大创新,其基本思想与"设计—招标—建造"模式、"设计—建造"模式和"CM模式"等传统模式完全不同,比较了Partnering模式与三种传统模式的基本思想,分析了实施Partnering模式所采取的协议、组织等实施措施,以期为引入Partnering模式提供有益的参考。

Partnering模式的基本思想及实施措施

Partnering模式是工程项目管理模式的重大创新，其基本思想与“设计-招标-建造”模式、“设计-建造”模式乖“CM模式”等传统模式完全不同。它建立了共同的项目目标，使项目各方重新定位，协作实现项目目标，最终使参与各方的利益得以实现。本文比较了Partriering模式与三种传统模式的基本思想，分析了实施Partnering模式所采取的协议、组织等实施措施，以期为引入Partnering模式提供有益的参考。

建设工程项目Partnering管理方式探究

近十多年来Partnering已成为在国际上得到成功实践的一种新的工程项目管理方式。本文诠释了Partnering管理方式的核心内容,提出了Partnering管理方式的工作流程;构造了以Partnering协议为基础,以Partnering管理为手段,以目标实现机制为核心的项目管理机制框架模型。分析Partnering管理方式化解建设工程项目信息不对称冲突、工程变更冲突、项目要素关系冲突及发挥合作性资源效益的机理。列举了我国岭澳核电建设工程应用Partnering管理理念的成功实践经验。提出我国要引入Partnering管理方式需要建立诚信制度、合同创新,需要得到政府的重视和业主的推动。

Partnering项目合作伙伴选择的群组决策方法

针对Partnering项目合作伙伴选择决策问题,在构建Partnering合作伙伴选择的多属性评价指标体系的基础上,提出基于熵权和特征值法的群组决策模型。基于决策者决策矩阵信息,引入熵权理论进行数据挖掘,确定群体决策者属性权重;将群体决策者对合作伙伴多属性决策的集结值组成矩阵,采用特征值法确定最优决策者的评分向量。通过对评分向量的比较得出Partnering合作伙伴选择的最优决策结论。本文算例验证了模型的可行性和实用性。

PARTNERING模式最佳实践研究——工作流程再设计

建筑项目一般都比较复杂,还存在许多不可预计的风险。建筑界存在着诸如在工程参与各方之间缺乏协作,相互信任度低以及沟通交流效率低等问题,这些导致了工程参与各方之间的对立关系。作为一个创新性的工程承发包模式,在过去的20年内,Partnering模式越来越多地在建筑项目中得到应用,它更好地达到了项目目标,并很大程度上减少了冲突和纠纷。对香港近期完成的6个主要Partnering项目进行案例分析,总结使用Partnering模式建筑项目的关键成功要素以及实施的主要障碍。对Partnering模式流程进行重新设计,为更好地在建筑项目中实施Partnering模式提供了方便。在本次研究的成果基础上,设计了一个Partnering模式"最佳实践"的框架结构,建议我国建筑界业者在今后的建筑项目中实施Partnering模式时加以应用。