Favorable Effect Research Articles

The selection of animal models influences the assessment of anti-tumor efficacy: promising sialic acid-conjugate modified liposomes demonstrate remarkable therapeutic effects in diverse mouse strains.

Mice as a crucial tool for preclinical assessment of antineoplastic agents. The impact of physiological differences among mouse strains on the in vivo efficacy of antitumor drugs, however, has been significantly overlooked. Mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) is the major player in clearance in vivo, and differences in MPS among different strains may potentially impact the effectiveness of antitumor preparations. Therefore, in this study, we employed conventional liposomes (CL-EPI) and SA-ODA modified liposomes (SAL-EPI) as model preparations to investigate the comprehensive tumor therapeutic effects of CL-EPI and SAL-EPI in KM, BALB/c, and C57BL/6 tumor-bearing mice. The results demonstrated significant variability in the efficacy of CL-EPI for tumor treatment across different mouse strains. Therefore, we should pay attention to the selection of animal models in the study of antitumor agents. SAL-EPI effectively targeted tumor sites by binding to Siglec-1 on the surface of peripheral blood monocytes (PBMs), and achieved good therapeutic effect in different mouse strains with little difference in treatment. The SA modified preparation is therefore expected to achieve a favorable therapeutic effect in tumor patients with different immune states through PBMs delivery (Siglec-1 was expressed in both mice and humans), thereby possessing clinical translational value and promising development prospects.

The Effects of International Monetary Flows on the Ecuadorian Economy from 2002 to 2021

Ecuador’s economic expansion has been shaped by diverse external factors that have impacted its performance. This study investigated the correlation between external debt, foreign direct investment, and gross fixed capital formation in relation to Ecuador’s economic growth spanning from 2001 to 2021. Employing a quantitative approach, the research sourced data from various macroeconomic indicators of Ecuador’s Central Bank, and an econometric model of logarithmic linear regression was devised, grounded in the principles of ordinary least squares. This model facilitated an examination of the interrelationships among the variables of interest. The results obtained from the analysis indicated that both external debt and foreign direct investment wielded significant influence on economic growth. Specifically, external debt demonstrated a favorable effect on the dependent variable, whereas foreign direct investment displayed an adverse relationship, painting a less promising scenario for Ecuador’s economy.

Powering a sustainable future: Does economic structure influence the ecological footprint?

AbstractTo achieve sustainable development goal (SDG) 7 the world needs a lot of catching up. India has been at the forefront of renewable and clean energy missions and its ecological footprint of 0.8 global hectares fares quite well vis‐à‐vis the world average. This study, spanning from 1990 to 2021, investigates the impact of structural changes, technological innovation, and renewable energy adoption on India's ecological footprint, utilizing a novel dynamic Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) simulation for both short and long‐term analysis. We find that agriculture exerts a significant increase in the ecological footprint, both in the long run and the short run. Similarly, industry value added has a positive and statistically related to the ecological footprint. However, the result of the service sector indicates negative influence on ecological footprint in the long run, but a positive and significant relation with ecological footprint in the short run. Technological innovation has shown a favorable effect on the environment by reducing ecological footprint. Renewable energy consumption has also enhanced environmental quality by reducing ecological footprint in both short run and long run. To reach SDG 7 goals and lower India's ecological footprint, policy implications include promoting renewable energy, sustainable practices in agriculture and industry, and encouraging technological innovation.

Prosthodontic Research in the Digital Era: Current Trends and Future Prospects

Prosthodontic Research in the Digital Era: Current Trends and Future Prospects

A 24-Week, Multi-Center, Randomized, Open-Label Clinical Trial Comparing the Effects of Xuezhikang and Atorvastatin on Glucose Metabolism in Patients with Dyslipidemia and Prediabetes (XTREME Study): Design of the Study Protocol

Background: Statins, a first-line therapeutic option for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), have prompted concerns regarding dysglycemia and diabetes, thus posing a dilemma in treating patients with prediabetes. Xuezhikang (XZK) decreases blood cholesterol levels without affecting glucose metabolism, and may serve as a potential substitute. Methods: The XTREME study is a prospective, randomized, open-label, multi-center trial evaluating whether XZK 1200 mg/d, compared with atorvastatin 20 mg/d, has favorable effects on HbA1c levels after 24 weeks of treatment in patients with dyslipidemia and prediabetes. After a 1-week run-in period for adherence assessment, the study will randomly assign (1:1) 392 patients meeting the protocol inclusion criteria to one of two treatment groups: an experimental group (XZK 1200 mg/day) or a control group (atorvastatin 20 mg/day). All participants will be recruited from approximately 20 Chinese medical centers. The last participant is planned to be recruited before December 2023. The primary endpoint will be change in HbA1c level from baseline to 24 weeks, or before anti-diabetic therapy initiation within 24 weeks. The key secondary outcomes will include other biomarkers reflecting blood glucose or lipid metabolism. Discussion: Delaying diabetes is desirable for individuals with prediabetes. The XTREME trial presents a unique opportunity to demonstrate whether XZK might provide an alternative to statins for patients with dyslipidemia and prediabetes.

Effect of salt bath nitriding on tribological properties of AISI52100 steel coatings using RSM

This investigation employs the salt bath nitriding to extend the service life and improve the surface characteristics of AISI 52100, commonly employed in bearing applications. A wear test was conducted using a pin-on-disc device according to ASTM G-99 standard, and the findings show a 30% reduction in wear loss. Sliding wear experiments were conducted at 1.5 meters per sec with a 5 N force at room temperature on uncoated and nitrided pins which was obtained as optimum value from RSM. The three variables five levels central composite design (CCD) were utilized in order to reduce the number of trails and the model relations were examined through ANOVA. Surface hardness, friction coefficient, wear coefficient, Loss in wear is measured over pins without coating and nitride pins. Investigations were done into how 5W30 oil affected passive and drip lubrication. Nitride substrates had a hardness of 590 HV. Also, nitriding has a favorable effect on the friction coefficient, lowering it by up to 23%. The 5W30 lubricant will further decrease the friction coefficient. The lowest coefficient of friction was seen with the addition of 14% drip oil lubrication. Significantly less wear loss in the pin was caused by a combination of high hardness and low coefficient of friction.

Image deblurring by multi-scale modified U-Net using dilated convolution.

In modern urban traffic systems, intersection monitoring systems are used to monitor traffic flows and track vehicles by recognizing license plates. However, intersection monitors often produce motion-blurred images because of the rapid movement of cars. If a deep learning network is used for image deblurring, the blurring of the image can be eliminated first, and then the complete vehicle information can be obtained to improve the recognition rate. To restore a dynamic blurred image to a sharp image, this paper proposes a multi-scale modified U-Net image deblurring network using dilated convolution and employs a variable scaling iterative strategy to make the scheme more adaptable to actual blurred images. Multi-scale architecture uses scale changes to learn the characteristics of different scales of images, and the use of dilated convolution can improve the advantages of the receptive field and obtain more information from features without increasing the computational cost. Experimental results are obtained using a synthetic motion-blurred image dataset and a real blurred image dataset for comparison with existing deblurring methods. The experimental results demonstrate that the image deblurring method proposed in this paper has a favorable effect on actual motion-blurred images.

Sensitizing chemotherapy for glioma with fisetin mediated by a microenvironment-responsive nano-drug delivery system.

Drug resistance has become an obstacle to successful cancer chemotherapies, with therapeutic agents effectively traversing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) remaining a great challenge. A microenvironment responsive and active targeting nanoparticle was constructed to enhance the penetration of drugs, leading to improved therapeutic effects. Dynamic light scattering demonstrated that the prepared nanoparticle had a uniform size. The cRGD modification renders the nanoparticle with active targeting capabilities to traverse the BBB for chemotherapy. The disulfide-bond-containing nanoparticle can be disintegrated in response to a high concentration of endogenous glutathione (GSH) within the tumor microenvironment (TME) for tumor-specific drug release, resulting in more effective accumulation. Notably, the released fisetin further increased the uptake of doxorubicin by glioma cells and exerted synergistic effects to promote apoptosis, induce cellular G2/M cycle arrest, and inhibit cell proliferation and migration in vitro. Moreover, the nanoparticle showed favorable anti-glioma effects in vivo. Our study provides a new strategy to overcome drug resistance by utilizing a natural product to sensitize conventional chemotherapeutics with well-designed targeted nanodelivery systems for cancer treatment.

A Review of the Influence of Different Leadership Styles on Employees’ Initiative Behavior

The review mainly concludes the impact of three leadership styles, inclusive, transformational and authentic, on employees’ initiative behavior. The comparative method and literature analysis method are the research methods which used. Through the above methods, this study finds that different leadership styles have different degrees of influence on employees’ initiative behavior. Meanwhile, this study also recognizes that management style has a universally favorable orientation effect on employees’ active behavior, whether from its own theoretical framework or leadership level. Also, it finds that most of the effects are influenced by indirect factors rather than direct ones. This study has wide knowledge coverage and a large knowledge span by reading a lot number of domestic and foreign literature. And it is committed to providing more vision and more effective information for subsequent researchers. At the same time, based on the lack of existing authoritative literature on this subject and the narrow research direction, this research wants to attract more people to pay attention to this field and contribute to its development.

Impact of financial factors on economic growth : Evidence from India

To investigate the effects of financial issues, specifically M3 and loans to the private sector, on India’s economic expansion from 1996 Q2 to 2020 Q4. The paper employs augmented dickey fuller test to verify stationarity, cointegration analysis and vector error correction model. Key result outcomes indicate that, whereas credit to the private sector and M3 have significant short term and prolonged negative affects on GDP, credit to the private sector has essential favorable short-term effects on GDP. Using financial institution parameters, this research investigates the implication of financial measures on the expansion of the economy of India. The majority of prior investigations had its origins in developed nations.

Extension Effect of Poly(Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid)-Polyethylene Glycol Encapsulated Bupivacaine on Postoperative Neuroblockade in Cardiothoracic Surgery

This research was aimed to evaluate extension effect of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polyethylene glycol (PLGA/PEG) thermosensitive hydrogel-encapsulated bupivacaine (BUP) on neuroblockade in cardiothoracic surgery and explore the potential adoption of this thermosensitive hydrogel as a drug carrier for postoperative neuroblockade. An animal experimental design was adopted. First, PLGA/PEG thermosensitive hydrogel was prepared and BUP was encapsulated as the drug carrier and evaluated. Then, 40 rats were selected for thoracic surgery and randomly rolled into experimental group (injection of hydrogel in the cardiothoracic region for neuroblockade after cardiothoracic surgery) and control group (conventional BUP injection). The neuroblockade effects (maximum possible effect (MPE), sensory and motor blockade duration) in the two groups of rats were compared and analyzed. The Results showed that gel-microsphere (Gel-MS) composite drug delivery system was successfully prepared, which exhibited a complete 3D porous structure and favorable encapsulation effect for BUP. Rheological testing showed favorable hardness (G′) and viscosity (G″) for Gel-MS/BUP (GMB). The experimental group exhibited a notably prolonged period of 100% MPE with a slower rate of decline versus controls. Sensory blockade and motor blockade durations in the experimental group rats were (22.4±3.8) h and (22.7±3.5) h, respectively, both markedly longer than those in the control group rats (P <0.05). In Conclusion, Gel/MS-BUP demonstrated a remarkable extension effect on neuroblockade in cardiothoracic surgery, indicating its potential adoption value in prolonging anesthesia duration.

ВПЛИВ ПОДАТКОВОГО ЛАНДШАФТУ КРАЇНИ НА ПОДАТКОВЕ ПЛАНУВАННЯ ТНК В УМОВАХ ПРОЄКТУ BEPS

The article notes that in the context of globalization, multinational corporations exert an increasing influence on the economies of their home countries, host countries, and the overall state of international economic relations. The authors underline that tax planning is one of the TNC activities that grabs attention of the global public in terms of both its favorable and unfavorable effects. The article offers its own definition of the term «tax landscape», in which, unlike the existing ones, vertical, horizontal and temporal aspects are distinguished. The vertical aspect is presented as a synthesis of the supranational level of taxation and the national one; horizontal, as a system of tax rules and laws within a separate state; temporal, as a change in the main elements of taxation over time. It has been proven that at the current stage of formation of tax landscapes to characterize the supranational level, it is necessary to take into account the elements of taxation defined as part of the implementation of the international BEPS project: the global minimum tax, tax rates for surplus profits, and surplus profits as an object of taxation. The authors have been able to divide the studied countries into three groups depending on the level of direct taxation: high (United States, Canada and Australia), moderate (Great Britain, France, Italy, India, Germany and Switzerland), and low (China and Saudi Arabia). The first group (the United States) and the second group (the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland, and Italy) have been found to have the greatest tax losses as a result of «tax havens.» The level of direct taxation (profit and capital) in the countries of registration and countries of digital presence, the volatility of tax legislation, and compliance with the conditions of tax justice have been proposed as factors of the tax landscape to be taken into account by transnational corporations when developing tax planning strategies.

Nanoparticle-Facilitated Therapy: Advancing Tools in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration.

Peripheral nerve injuries, arising from a diverse range of etiologies such as trauma and underlying medical conditions, pose substantial challenges in both clinical management and subsequent restoration of functional capacity. Addressing these challenges, nanoparticles have emerged as a promising therapeutic modality poised to augment the process of peripheral nerve regeneration. However, a comprehensive elucidation of the complicated mechanistic foundations responsible for the favorable effects of nanoparticle-based therapy on nerve regeneration remains imperative. This review aims to scrutinize the potential of nanoparticles as innovative therapeutic carriers for promoting peripheral nerve repair. This review encompasses an in-depth exploration of the classifications and synthesis methodologies associated with nanoparticles. Additionally, we discuss and summarize the multifaceted roles that nanoparticles play, including neuroprotection, facilitation of axonal growth, and efficient drug delivery mechanisms. Furthermore, we present essential considerations and highlight the potential synergies of integrating nanoparticles with emerging technologies. Through this comprehensive review, we highlight the indispensable role of nanoparticles in propelling advancements in peripheral nerve regeneration.

Nanotechnologies in ceramic electrochemical cells.

Although they are emerging technologies for achieving high-efficiency and green and eco-friendly energy conversion, ceramic electrochemical cells (CECs), i.e. solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) and fuel cells (SOFCs), are still fundamentally limited by their inferior catalytic activities at low temperature, poor thermo-mechanical stability, high material cost, etc. The materials used in electrolytes and electrodes, which are the most important components in CECs, are highly associated with the cell performances. Therefore, rational design of electrolytes and electrodes with excellent catalytic activities and high stabilities at relatively low cost is a meaningful and valuable approach for the development of CECs. Nanotechnology is a powerful tool for improving the material performances in CECs owing to the favourable effects induced by the nanocrystallization of electrolytes and electrodes. Herein, a relatively comprehensive review on the nanotechnologies implemented in CECs is conducted. The working principles of CECs and the corresponding challenges were first presented, followed by the comprehensive insights into the working mechanisms of nanocrystalline materials in CECs. Then, systematic summarization and analyses of the commonly used nano-engineering strategies in the fabrication of CEC materials, including physical and chemical methods, were provided. In addition, the frontiers in the research of advanced electrolyte and electrode materials were discussed with a special emphasis on the modified electrochemical properties derived from nanotechnologies. Finally, the bottlenecks and the promising breakthroughs in nanotechnologies were highlighted in the direction of providing useful references for rational design of nanomaterials for CECs.

Are web-based stress management interventions effective as an indirect treatment for depression? An individual participant data meta-analysis of six randomised trials

QuestionDepression is highly prevalent and associated with numerous adverse consequences for both individuals and society. Due to low uptake of direct treatment, interventions that target related, but less stigmatising problems,...

Small needle-knife versus extracorporeal shock wave therapy for the treatment of plantar fasciitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundPlantar fasciitis (PF) is the most common cause of chronic heel pain among adults. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is the recommended in the current guidelines, and the small needle-knife yields acceptable clinical effects for musculoskeletal pain. ObjectiveTo systematically compare the efficacy of the small needle-knife versus ESWT for the treatment of PF. MethodsThe present review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (i.e., “PROSPERO”, CRD42023448813). Two of the authors searched electronic databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the small needle-knife versus ESWT for the treatment of PF, and collected outcomes including curative effect, pain intensity, and function. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook Risk of Bias tool and the quality of the RCTs was evaluated according to the Jadad Scale. The same authors independently performed data extraction from the included studies, which were imported into Review Manager version 5.4.1(Copenhagen: Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2020) for meta-analysis. ResultsThe initial literature search retrieved 886 studies, of which 6 were eventually included in this study. Meta-analysis revealed no significant difference in curative effect (OR = 1.87; 95 % CI [0.80, 4.37], p = .15) nor short-term pain improvement (MD = 2.20; 95 % CI [-2.77, 7.16], p = .39) between the small needle-knife and ESWT. However, the small needle-knife may be more effective than ESWT for pain improvement in mid-term (MD = 9.11; 95 % CI [5.08, 13.15], p＜ .00001) and long-term follow-ups (MD = 10.71; 95 % CI [2.18, 19.25], p＜ .00001). Subgroup analysis revealed that the small needle-knife combined with a corticosteroid injection yielded a statistically significant difference in reduction of pain intensity at all follow-ups (MD = 4.84; 95 % CI [1.33, 8.36], p = .007; MD = 10.99; 95 % CI [8.30, 13.69], p＜ .00001; MD = 17.87; 95 % CI [15.26, 20.48], p＜ .00001). Meta-analysis revealed no statistical differences in short-term (MD = 1.34; 95 % CI [-3.19, 5.86], p = .56) and mid-term (MD = 2.75; 95 % CI [-1.21, 6.72], p = . 17) functional improvement between the needle-knife and ESWT groups. In a subgroup analysis of moderate-quality studies, the small needle-knife demonstrated a favorable effect on mid-term functional improvement (MD = 1.58; 95 % CI [0.52, 2.65], p = .004), with low heterogeneity (χ2 = 0.77, p = .038, I2 = 0 %). Conclusion: Pain reduction and functional improvement are essential for the treatment of PF. Therefore, treatment using the small needle-knife may be superior to ESWT. Results of this systematic review and meta-analysis may provide alternative treatment options for patients with PF as well as more reliable, evidence-based recommendations supporting use of the small needle-knife.

Effect of steviol glycosides as natural sweeteners on glucose metabolism in adult participants.

Steviol glycosides (SGs) are recognized as safe natural sweeteners; however, evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showed an inconclusive effect of SGs on glucose metabolism in adult participants. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs to assess the effect of SGs on glucose metabolism. We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE to include eligible RCTs. Our primary outcomes were differences between SGs and the control group with respect to changes in blood glucose from the baseline to the end of intervention (including fasting blood glucose [FBG], and HbA1c measurements). A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted for data synthesis to calculate the pooled mean difference (MD). There were twelve RCTs included for analyses with a total of 871 participants (48% females). A significant effect of SGs on FBG (MD = -4.10 mg dl-1, 95% CI -6.55 to -1.65) was found, while no significant difference in HbA1c (MD = 0.01%, 95% CI -0.12% to 0.13%) was observed between SGs and controls. The whole quality of evidence was rated as low. Subgroup analyses demonstrated favorable effects of SGs on FBG in participants aged ≤50 years, those without diabetes mellitus (DM) or hypertension at the baseline, and overweight and obese adults. Sensitivity analyses yielded results largely similar to the main findings. To conclude, SGs are found to produce significant improvement in glucose metabolism in adult participants when compared with the control. More evidence is required to further clarify and support the benefit of SGs as a sugar substitute for glucose metabolism.

One-week sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) grain consumption is insufficient to increase adiponectin levels in prediabetic adults.

Objective. Adiponectin is an internally produced bioactive compound with a protective role against the insulin resistance-related diseases. Finding an adiponectin modifier can play a beneficial role in preventing the progression of the diseases, particularly in the prediabetic patients, as a high-risk population. This study was undertaken to examine the effect of dietary sorghum grain for a week on the plasma adiponectin levels in prediabetic patients. Methods. The study involved 26 (13+13) participants in both control and intervention groups. The control group maintained their habitual diet of white rice, while the intervention group replaced their habitual diet of white rice with sorghum grain for seven consecutive days. In all participants, the adiponectin concentration was measured before and after the intervention period. Results. Most study subjects had central obesity and dyslipidemia. Adiponectin levels after the intervention period decreased from the baseline in the control and sorghum groups including in all BMI groups. The change of decreasing adiponectin level was greater in the control than the sorghum group and in line with greater BMI in the sorghum group, but statistically insignificant. No significant difference in adiponectin concentrations was found among BMI groups. Conclusion. Sorghum grain consumption for a week is insufficient to increase adiponectin levels in the prediabetic patients. Insulin resistance, central obesity, and dyslipidemia may be the confounding variables that alter the favorable effect of sorghum on adiponectin. Longer sorghum consumption or other interventions may be needed to increase the adiponectin levels in people under these conditions.

Firm value determinants: Panel evidence from European listed companies

Background: To manage growth opportunities effectively and to make a significant impact on superior longterm performance, it is necessary to analyze firm value and diagnose its determinants. Increasing profit, providing prosperity to the company's stakeholders, and improving company value are the goals of every company's business. Purpose: The paper aims to build a model of the company's optimal value by assessing company performance based on financial statement analysis of European companies over the period 2015-2020. Study design/methodology/approach: The impact of financial indicators such as financial leverage, profitability, size, liquidity, growth, and asset tangibility on company value was thoroughly considered. The empirical research was founded on a sample of 158 Eastern and Western European companies, generating 948 observations. Panel regression analysis was conducted. Findings/conclusions: The obtained results revealed that debt-to-assets ratio, return on equity, and assets tangibility have a significant adverse effect on company value, whereas the return on assets and firm size have a significant favorable effect. The obtained conclusions should serve as a beneficial tool for the strategy of reaching the targeted market company's value and ensuring the company's future viability by the market. Hence, stakeholders could assess the perspective of the future company's development and strengthen the importance and influence of financial variables on the company's value. Limitations/future research: The research limitations, which are also opportunities for future research, are aimed at the investigation of company value indicators at the level of individual European economies or industries. One should look at the company's value factors before and after the Covid-19 pandemic and consider a longer time in the company's business. Other financial determinants that affect the value of the company could be considered, and the company value could be measured by some other indicators. Also, the influence of nonfinancial determinants on the company value could be researched.

A Review of the Theoretical Developments and Challenges in Regional Trade Agreements

Purpose - The core of the debate on RTAs is the economic welfare effect resulting from the provision of preferential treatment among member countries and discrimination against non-member countries, and the resulting implications for the multilateral trading system. This study aims to answer these questions by reviewing theoretical and empirical research on RTAs from an economic perspective. It also presents theoretical challenges that may reflect changes in RTAs.
 Design/Methodology/Approach - This study examines the development of RTAs from an economic perspective, covering both traditional and new approaches. It does so by reviewing the literature on the theory and empirical evidence of RTAs.
 Findings - Concerns that RTAs will cause trade diversion and have a negative impact on the multilateral trading system are greatly exaggerated in our study. We also find that deep integration is less discriminatory than RTAs, resulting in more favorable effects on economic welfare and the multilateral trading system.
 Research Implications - Beyond the theoretical for and against RTAs, given that RTAs exist as a realistic entity, a more practical approach is to explore institutional ways in which RTAs and multilateral trading systems coexist. In other words, in a situation where the WTO system is facing a crisis, a realistic answer must be found as RTAs may be the only means to supplement the WTO system.