bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceptions of nurse managers and staff nurses regarding Technological Competency as Caring in Nursing theory in general hospitals in Japan
Authors: Nakano Youko , Yokotani Tomoya , Betriana Feni , Kawai Chihiro , Ito Hirokazu , Yasuhara Yuko , Tanioka Tetsuya , Locsin Rozzano , Miyagawa Misao
Published: October 2021

Background: Nurses as primary healthcare providers demonstrate quality nursing care through competencies with healthcare technologies, while nurse managers assume the primacy of managing quality healthcare in their respective care settings. However, little is known about perceptions of the influence of care technologies on their nursing practice.
Objective: This study aimed to determine managers’ and staff nurses’ perceptions regarding the Technological Competency as Caring in Nursing (TCCN) theory in general hospitals in Japan.
Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional survey design, with 421 participants selected using a stratified sampling method. Technological Competency as Caring in Nursing Instrument–Revised (TCCNI-R) was used for online data collection using Survey Monkey©. Data were analyzed using Welch’s t-test and ANOVA.
Results: Nurses with years of experience within the range of 20 to less than 30 years showed the highest TCCNI-R scores among the two groups. Nurses who had received education on caring in nursing showed significant differences for Factor 2 (Technological Competency as Caring), that of expressing Technological Competency as Caring. Three other factors showed no significant difference, namely in Factor 1 (Nursing Expression as Caring), Factor 3 (Technology and Caring), and Factor 4 (Technological Knowing). However, the average scores of these factors were high, which reflect high professional ethics and occupational discipline and increased awareness of caring in nursing. It was also found that the nurse managers were more aware of the TCCN than were the staff nurses. The nurse managers were also more aware of providing care using technology, recognizing the need-to-know patient needs through technology and providing care to the ever-changing patient’s condition.
Conclusion: The study discovered that continuing education is needed regarding the practice of nursing based on theory, enabling appropriate and accurate understanding of practicing knowing persons as caring in nursing.
VERİLDİĞİ ÜLKEDE İPTAL EDİLEN HAKEM KARARLARININ TANINMASI VE TENFİZİ
Authors: ÖĞÜNÇ Esra
Published: October 2021

1958 tarihli Yabancı Hakem Kararlarının Tanınması ve Tenfizi Hakkındaki New York Sözleşmesi (New York Sözleşmesi) madde V (1) (e) ve madde VII (1) hükümleri nedeniyle hakem kararının verildiği ülkede iptal edilmiş olması halinde başka bir ülkede tanınması ve tenfizinin mümkün olup olmadığı tartışma konusu olmuştur ve buna göre bu konuda doktrinde iki farklı görüş bulunmaktadır. İptal edilmiş yabancı hakem kararları çeşitli ülke mahkemelerinde tanınmış ve tenfiz edilmiştir. Bu çalışmada, bu kararlardan ve doktrindeki farklı görüşlerden bahsedilecektir. Konu Türk mahkemeleri açısından New York Sözleşmesi hükümleri, Milletlerarası Ticari Hakemlik Konusundaki 21 Nisan 1961 Tarihinde Cenevre’de Yapılan Avrupa Sözleşmesi hükümleri, Türkiye’nin taraf olduğu iki taraflı anlaşma hükümleri ve 5718 sayılı Milletlerarası Özel Hukuk ve Usul Hukuku Hakkında Kanun (MÖHUK) hükümleri dikkate alınarak incelenecektir.
ULUSLARARASI DOĞAL GAZ ALIM VE SATIM SÖZLEŞMELERİNİN DEĞİŞEN ŞARTLARA GÖRE UYARLANMASI VE UYGULANACAK HUKUK
Authors: TAŞVEREN Sema
Published: October 2021

Klasik uluslararası doğal gaz alım ve satım sözleşmeleri genellikle uzun dönemli sözleşmelerdir. Bu sözleşmeler uzun dönemli olmaları nedeni ile stratejik, ekonomik ve politik gelişmelerden etkilenmektedir. Sözleşmeler hazırlanırken taraflarca risk ve fayda analizi yapılmakta ve riskler paylaşılmaktadır. Alıcı sözleşmelerde yer alan “al ya da öde” hükmü ile miktar riskine, satıcı ise fiyat formülü ile fiyat riskine katlanmaktadır. Sözleşmeler imzalandıktan sonra tarafların kontrolü dışında gerçekleşen, öngörülemeyen ve beklenmeyen olaylar nedeni ile sözleşmelerin ekonomik dengesinin bozulması halinde ekonomik dengenin yeniden sağlanması ve sözleşmelerin başlangıçtaki pazarlığa ve risk paylaşımına yeniden kavuşturulması için yeniden müzakere edilerek değişen koşullara göre uyarlanması gündeme gelmektedir. Uyarlama sözleşmede fiyat revizyonu veya genel bir revizyon hükmünün bulunması halinde bu hükümler kapsamında gerçekleştirilmektedir. Bu hükümlerin yokluğunda sözleşmelerde mücbir sebep ve aşırı ifa güçlüğüne ilişkin düzenlemeler kapsamında uyarlama gerçekleştirilebilir. Sözleşmede bu tür hükümler yer alsa da almasa da sonuçta, uyarlamanın esas itibariyle sözleşmenin esasına uygulanacak hukukun izin verdiği ölçüde ve koşullarda yapılacağını söylemek yanlış olmaz. Taraflar arasında tahkim anlaşmasının varlığı halinde, hakemlerin, sözleşmenin değişen koşullara uyarlaması konusunda uyarlama yapma yetkisi sadece lex causa’nın hakimiyeti altında olmayacaktır. Tahkim anlaşmasında tarafların uyarlama ile ilgili hususlara yer vermiş olmaları halinde hakem heyeti bu hususu göz ardı edemez. Nihayet, tahkim usulüne uygulanacak hukukun hakemlerin bu konudaki yetkisi ile ilgili hükümleri de hakemlerin uyarlama yapma yetkisi üzerinde etkili olacaktır.
ANONİM ŞİRKETTE SERMAYE KAYBININ TESPİT EDİLMESİ
Authors: AKSU ÖZKAN Raziye
Published: October 2021

Bu çalışmada, anonim şirkette sermaye kaybının ne şekilde tespit edileceği incelenmiş ve hükmün işlevsel hâle getirilmesi için bir öneride bulunulmuştur. Anonim şirkette finansal durumun bozulmasının birçok göstergesi olabilir. Bununla birlikte, 6102 sayılı Türk Ticaret Kanunu madde 376/1 son yıllık bilançoya göre sermaye ve kanuni yedek akçeler toplamının yarısının; TTK m. 376/2 ise, üçte ikisinin zarar sebebiyle karşılıksız kalması durumunda devreye girmektedir. Bu sebeple, öncelikle sermaye, kanuni yedek akçe, zarar ve son yıllık bilanço kavramları ele alınmıştır. Ardından, burada yapılan saptamaya göre sermaye kaybının hesaplanması incelenmiştir. Bu inceleme esnasında, Ticaret Bakanlığı tarafından yayınlanan “6102 sayılı Türk Ticaret Kanununun 376 ncı Maddesinin Uygulanmasına İlişkin Usul ve Esaslar Hakkında Tebliğ”e de değinilmiştir. Bu bağlamda, sermaye kaybı düzenlemesinin, finansal durumu bozulan bir şirketin kurtarılabilmesi açısından geç bir sinyal olduğu sonucuna varılmıştır. Bu sebeple, son olarak çalışmada, olması gereken hukuk açısından, finansal durumu bozulan bir şirketin sermaye kaybı düzenlemesine göre daha erken bir uyarı sistemi kurması gerektiği önerisine yer verilmiştir.
6271 SAYILI CUMHURBAŞKANI SEÇİMİ KANUNU’NUN 11. MADDESİNİN SEÇİLME HAKKI YÖNÜNDEN DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ
Authors: YÜKSEL İsmail , ŞAHİN Erdal
Published: October 2021

2012 yılında kabul edilmiş olan 6271 sayılı Cumhurbaşkanı Seçimi Kanunu’nun 11. maddesi Cumhurbaşkanı adaylığının kesinleşmesi ile görevden ayrılmış sayılacak kişileri ve bu kişilerden hangilerinin seçilememeleri halinde görevlerine dönemeyeceklerini düzenlemektedir. Anayasa’nın 101. maddesinin sadece milletvekili seçilme yeterliliğine atıfta bulunması nedeniyle CBSK’nın 11. maddesinin görevden ayrılmayı düzenleyen 76. maddenin 3. fıkrasına dayanması mümkün değildir. Eğer bu fıkraya dayanıyor olsa bile fıkrada yer alan sınırlı sayıdaki listeyi fıkrayla çelişir biçimde genişletmiştir. 11. maddedeki sınırlandırmalar Anayasa’nın 67. maddesine dayanarak kanunla yapılmış olsa dahi, özel sınırlama sebeplerine dayanmaması, pratik uyuşum ilkesiyle açıklanamaması ve ölçülü olmaması nedeniyle Anayasa’ya aykırıdır. Göreve dönmeyi düzenleyen ikinci fıkra hükmü ise dar anlamda kamu görevlilerine dair hükümler içermekte, dar anlamda kamu görevlisi sayılmayan kişileri ise düzenlememektedir. Bu durumda dar anlamda kamu görevlisi olmayan kişilerin seçilememeleri durumunda görevlerine dönmesi gerekir. Hem sonraki tarihli hem de özel kanun olması nedeniyle diğer kanunlarda Cumhurbaşkanı adayı olup seçilemeyen kişilerin göreve dönmesini engelleyen hükümler 11. maddenin ikinci fıkrasıyla zımnen ilga edilmiştir. Ne var ki, Anayasa Mahkemesi ve Yüksek Seçim Kurulu’nun yerleşik içtihatları karşısında 11. maddeye karşı başvurulabilecek bir iç hukuk yolu bulunmamaktadır.
THE EXPERIENCE OF THE AFRICAN UNION IN THE PROCESS OF RESOLVING REGIONAL CRISES
Authors: CAUİA Alexandr , ALABDULJABBAR Naif Jassim
Published: October 2021

The African continent has proven to be the area most severely affected by the armed conflicts and military mutinies that have caused and continue to substantially affect the peace and security process on the continent and beyond.
This article reflects the process of building, the importance and structure of the African Union, the Peace and Security Council and the African Peace and Security Architecture as mechanisms and tools for preventing and combating violations of peace and security. The legal and regulatory framework for prevention and intervention in armed conflicts, military mutiny and attempts to unconstitutional seizure of power, both inside and outside Member States, are also analyzed.
Ana Baba ve Çocuk Arasında Kişisel İlişki Kurulmasında Çocuğun İradesinin Dikkate Alınması
Authors: İMAMOĞLU Selma Hülya
Published: October 2021

TMK m. 323 hükmü uyarınca “ana ve babadan her biri, velayeti altında bulunmayan veya kendisine bırakılmayan çocuk ile uygun kişisel ilişki kurulmasını isteme hakkına sahiptir”. Anılan madde hükmünde sadece ana baba yönünden ifade edilmişse de kişisel ilişki kurma hakkı, karşılıklı olup hem ana babanın hem de çocuğun kişilik hakkına dahildir.
Kişisel ilişkinin düzenlenmesinde yönlendirici temel düşünce, çocuğun yararı olmakla birlikte, çocuğun iradesi de dikkate alınmalıdır. Zira çocuğun görüşünün alınması, diğer ifadeyle çocuğun dinlenilmesi, çocuğun kişilik hakkının doğrudan bir sonucudur. Çocuğun iradesi, çocuğun yararı ile her zaman örtüşmeyebilir. Bununla birlikte çocuğun iradesi, çocuğun kişiliğinin parçası olarak kişisel ilişki kurma hakkının belirlenmesinde göz ardı edilmemelidir. Diğer taraftan çocuğun iradesi, kişisel ilişki kurma hakkının gerçekleştirilmesi sırasında da dikkate alınmalıdır. Özellikle çocuğun kişisel ilişkiye direnmesi halinde çocuk, buna zorlanmamalıdır.
Türk hukukunda çocukla kişisel ilişki kurulmasına ilişkin mahkeme kararlarının yerine getirilmesi, İcra ve İflâs Kanununun 25/a ve 25/b maddeleri çerçevesinde düzenlenmiştir. Kişisel ilişkinin gerekirse zorla gerçekleştirilebileceğini öngören bu düzenleme, çocuğun yararını olumsuz etkileyebilecek bir uygulamaya yol açabilecek niteliktedir.
Çocukla kişisel ilişki kurulmasına ilişkin hükümlerin, çocuğun yararı ile birlikte çocuğun iradesini de dikkate alan bir bakış açısıyla gözden geçirilmesi isabetli olacaktır. Kişisel ilişki kurulmasını istemenin çocuk yönünden de bir hak olduğu ve bu konuda çocuğun görüşünün alınması gerekliği, Türk hukukuna dâhil uluslararası sözleşmeler çerçevesinde kabul edilmiş bulunmaktadır. Ancak bu husus, Türk Medeni Kanunu temelinde de vurgulanmalıdır. Kişisel ilişki kurma hakkının gerçekleştirilmesi ise İcra ve İflâs Kanunu dışında düzenlenmelidir.
YALAN TANIKLIK SUÇU (TCK m. 272) VE ETKİN PİŞMANLIK
Authors: KIR Feyza
Published: October 2021

Ceza muhakemesinin maddi gerçeğin ortaya çıkarılmasına ilişkin amacına ulaştıran en etkili yol, adil yargılanma hakkı temelinde güvenilir-sahih delil teminidir. Bu bağlamda, tanık beyanı en önemli delillerden biridir. Hatırlayamamak ya da öyle olduğu zannıyla konuşmak gibi insani sebepler haricinde bilerek, isteyerek, kasten gerçeğin değiştirilerek veya saklanarak ifade edilmesi, halk arasında “yalancı şahitlik” olarak tabir edilen yalan tanıklık suçunu oluşturmaktadır. Bu suçun ağırlaşmış halleri olabileceği gibi, failin cezasının azaltılmasını gerektiren ve hatta şahsi cezasızlık halleri de mümkündür. Yalan ile adalete verilen zararı önlemek veya en aza indirmek için suç sonrasında pişmanlık duyulması hali de etkin pişmanlık hükümlerini gündeme getirmektedir. Bu hususlarla birlikte etkin pişmanlık hükümlerinin Kanunun lafzına itibar ederek sadece aleyhe tanıklıkta uygulanmasını savunan görüşe karşın, bizim de savunucuları arasında yer aldığımız, lehe aleyhe ayırımı yapılmaksızın yalan tanıklıktan pişman olan kişilerin tümüne etkin pişmanlık hükümlerinin uygulanması gerektiği görüşü, yargı kararlarındaki değerlendirmeler ile birlikte bu makalede ele alınmaya çalışılmıştır.
KÖY ENSTİTÜLERİ HAKKINDA BİR DÜŞÜNCE
Authors: HAFIZOĞULLARI Zeki
Published: October 2021

Köy enstitüleri, Genç Cumhuriyet’in, özellikle kırsal kesimde eğitimi yaygınlaştırma projesi olarak hayata kavuşturulmuştur. Savaş sonrası Türkiye Cumhuriyeti döneminde, bu proje, özellikle kırsal nüfusun eğitim ihtiyacının gerçekleştirilebilmesi bakımından çok önemli bir mihenk taşı niteliği taşımaktaydı. Köy enstitüleri fikri ve bunun temel çerçevesi ilk olarak, Atatürk önderliğinde gerçekleştirilen İzmir İktisat Kongresinde ortaya atılmış; 17/4/1940 tarihli 3803 sayılı kanunla birlikte kanuni zemine kavuşturulmuştur. Ancak başarılı geçen 14 senenin ardından, tarihi bir hata olarak; görevini tamamlama fırsatı verilmeden 1954 yılında Köy Enstitüleri kaldırılmıştır.
NEW RUSSIAN "TIGERS": ORIGINS OF PRIMARY REGIONAL GROWTH
Authors: Lavrovskij Boris L. , Gorjushkina Ekaterina A. , Ruzaeva Irina V.
Published: October 2021

The article is devoted to the peculiarities of regional development in Russia. Particular attention is paid to the newest period after the crisis of 2008-2009. It is noted that over the past about 10 years, the indicators of GRP dynamics have sharply decreased in the overwhelming majority of the RF regions. At the same time, a considerable number of regions are demonstrating high dynamics these days, significantly exceeding the national average. The article examines the conditions under which some Russian regions have achieved high growth rates of GRP. It is shown that primary economic growth is achieved only if the region’s rate of accumulation is higher than the one of Russian Federation; or is similar to the average for Russia, and the capital cost per unit of output is noticeably lower.
ASIAN RUSSIAN LABOR MARKET: THE SYMMETRY OF MISCONCEPTIONS?
Authors: Solomennikova Elena A. , Lugacheva Larisa I.
Published: October 2021

The problem of mismatch of labor force qualifications to modern business needs is inherent not only in Russia, but also in the global economy. The analysis of the qualification pit shows that the economy of any country loses GDP from its presence. The article shows that the country's universities produce students who poorly meet the requirements of business. Students with higher and secondary specialized education are becoming more and more numerous, while businesses are experiencing a shortage of qualified personnel. Business uses various forms of solving the problem of labor shortage: they create departments and laboratories in universities, joint training programs, its representatives teach special disciplines, take students on industrial practice and employ not only graduates, but also senior students. The authors of the article propose a mechanism for determining the demand for specialists with the necessary business competencies and skills, and based on it, develop recommendations for planning recruitment to universities and colleges, forms of acquiring knowledge and competencies, which, if not eliminate the qualification hole, but reduce it.
ACCOUNTING AND SPECIFICATION OF AGRARIAN LAND USE RIGHTS
Authors: Fadeeva Olga P.
Published: October 2021

The solution to the problem of accounting for land resources and their use is equally relevant for business, and for the authorities, and for the rural population. The authorities cannot build a strategy for economic development, plan support for rural producers, or collect taxes if they do not have reliable data on the most important local resource. For business, the formation of a transparent and consistent accounting system and clear rules for land use will facilitate access to land. The main research issue of this article is to assess the possibilities and limitations of existing technologies for the specification of land rights and the organization of land use monitoring as tools for increasing the productivity of cultivated and engaging in the circulation of unused land resources.
CONSUMPTION AND USE OF OXYGEN BY THE BODY OF PERSONS WITH CARDIOVASCULAR PATHOLOGY WITH CHANGES IN GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY
Authors: Usenko Gennady A. , Vasendin Dmitry V.
Published: October 2021

The aim of the study was to identify and evaluate the relationship between the indicators of solar activity, the content of magnesium in the blood and the level of oxygen utilization by tissues in men with different temperaments and anxiety, suffering from arterial hypertension. During the period of the study from 1995 to 2015, sick and healthy men were divided into equal groups with a predominance of choleric, sanguine, phlegmatic and melancholic temperament with high and low anxiety. The average annual values of the Wolf numbers, the radio emission of the Sun at a wavelength of 10,7 cm, atmospheric pressure, gamma background and air temperature were taken into account, and the content of magnesium and hemoglobin in the blood serum was determined. The oxygen concentration was determined by the calculated method. A statistically significant direct correlation has been established between the increase in solar activity (Wolf numbers, radio emission flux at a wavelength of 10.7 cm), on the one hand, and atmospheric pressure, air temperature, and the gamma background of the environment, on the other. Under the same environmental conditions, the content of magnesium in the blood and the level of oxygen utilization by the body tissues of patients with arterial hypertension decreased in the temperamental range from high- and low-anxiety sympathotonics (choleric and sanguine) to parasympathotonics (high- and low-anxiety phlegmatic and melancholic). During the study period, a statistically significant relationship was established between an increase in solar activity (Wolf numbers, radio emission flux), atmospheric pressure, air temperature, and gamma background, on the one hand, and a decrease in the content of magnesium in the blood, as well as the level of oxygen utilization by tissues in healthy high- and low-anxiety individuals and patients with arterial hypertension, regardless of temperament.
Effect of Liquid Rubbers on The Mechanical and Dispersibility Properties of The Tire Skim Compound
Authors: Kılıç Enes , Çeltik Furkan , Bora Mustafa Ozgur , Altuncu Ekrem
Published: October 2021

Lastiklerde iskelet yapısını kord bezi ile hamurun kaplaması olan kaplanmış kord bezleri sağlar. Kord bezi olarak aramid, rayon, karbon elyaf, naylon ve polyester olmak üzere çok sayıda elyaf tipi kullanılabilir ve hangi elyafın kullanılacağına, lastikten beklenen performansa göre karar verilir. Bu kaplamada hamur ile elyafın uyumu gerek performans gerekse yapışma açısından çok önemlidir. Doğal ve sentetik kauçuk, dolgu maddeleri, reçineler, pişiriciler ve diğer proses kimyasalları bu bileşiklerin üretiminde kullanılan ana hammaddelerdir. Bu çalışmada temel olarak sıvı kauçukların farklı oranlarda klullanılması ile kauçuk bileşiminin pişim performansı, mekanik özellikleri, dispersiyon özellikleri ve proses edilebilirlik gibi değerlere etkilerini incelemek ve analiz etmek amaçlanmıştır. Sonuç olarak, farklı oranlarda ve farklı tiplerdeki kauçukların, tüm bu konulardaki değerlerde gözle görülür değişime sebep olduğu gözlemlenmiştir.
Venturili Konduitin Havalandırma Performansının Topluluk Tabanlı Bulanık Sistem ile Modellenmesi
Authors: Yağcı Ayşe Ece , Özger Zeynep Banu , Ünsal Mehmet
Published: October 2021

Su kalitesinin en önemli göstergelerinden biri sudaki çözünmüş oksijen konsantrasyonudur. Havalandırma ise, suya atmosferden oksijen transfer edilmesi işlemidir. Kapaklı kondüitler ve Venturi son yıllarda havalandırma için popüler olarak kullanılan hidrolik yapılardır. Bu çalışmada, havalandırma için venturili konduit diye adlandırılan yeni bir havalandırma sistemi kullanılmıştır. Hava giriş oranı (QA/QW), farklı venturiler için (Dt/D=0,75 ve 0,90) farklı konduit boylarında (75, 100 ve 125 cm), su kesit alanının konduit kesit alanına göre farklı oranlarında incelenmiştir. Venturi hava deliklerinin hava giriş oranı QA/QW üzerinde önemli bir etkisinin olmadığı görülmektedir. Deneysel yöntemlerden elde edilen sonuçlar, regresyon analizi için geliştirilen eksiltici kümeleme ve bulanık c-ortalamalar (SBC), hibrit sinirsel bulanık çıkarım sistemi (HYFIS) ve Wang ve Mendel [1] tarafından geliştirilen model tabanlı dahili fonksiyon (WM) metodları uygulanarak kural tabanlı bulanık karar sistemleri ile modellenmiştir. Nihai sonuçlar, ilgili 3 yöntemin kararlarının ortalaması alınarak elde edilmiştir. Buna göre 0,75 ve 0,90 veri kümelerinde sırasıyla, MSE değeri 0,03, RMSE değeri 0,19 ve 0,17, SMAPE değeri 4,89 ve 7,47, R2 değeri 0,91 ve 0,96, MAE değeri ise 4,49 ve 3,46 olarak elde edilmiştir. Regresyon yöntemlerinin başarısını değerlendirmek için kullanılan ilgili hata ölçüm metrikleri, önerilen topluluk tabanlı yöntemin veriyi modellemede yetkin olduğunu göstermektedir.
Effect of Electrical and Electromechanical Stimulation on PC12 Cell Proliferation and Axon Outgrowth
Authors: Xu Kailei , Liu Xixia , Li Xiaokeng , Yin Jun , Wei Peng , Qian Jin , Sun Jie
Published: October 2021

Peripheral nerve injuries have become a common clinical disease with poor prognosis and complicated treatments. The development of tissue engineering pointed a promising direction to produce nerve conduits for nerve regeneration. Electrical and mechanical stimulations have been incorporated with tissue engineering, since such external stimulations could promote nerve cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. However, the combination of electrical and mechanical stimulations (electromechanical stimulation) and its effects on neuron proliferation and axon outgrowth have been rarely investigated. Herein, silver nanowires (AgNWs) embedded polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) electrodes were developed to study the effects of electromechanical stimulation on rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells) behaviors. AgNWs/PDMS electrodes demonstrated good biocompatibility and established a stable electric field during mechanical stretching. PC12 cells showed enhanced proliferation rate and axon outgrowth under electrical stimulation alone, and the cell number significantly increased with higher electrical stimulation intensity. The involvement of mechanical stretching in electrical stimulation reduced the cell proliferation rate and axon outgrowth, compared with the case of electrical stimulation alone. Interestingly, the cellular axons outgrowth was found to depend on the stretching direction, where the axons prefer to align perpendicularly to the stretch direction. These results suggested that AgNWs/PDMS electrodes provide an in vitro platform to investigate the effects of electromechanical stimulation on nerve cell behaviors and can be potentially used for nerve regeneration in the future.
Antifungal Activity of ToAP2D Peptide Against Sporothrix globosa
Authors: Yan Tianyi , Li Fuqiu , Li Jinran , Chen Feng
Published: October 2021

Improving clinical efficacy and reducing treatment time have been the focus of sporotrichosis therapy. Antimicrobial peptides ToAP2A, ToAP2C, and ToAP2D were synthesized on the basis of ToAP2 (AP02759), a peptide derived from the antimicrobial peptide database by the database filtering technology, and their physicochemical characteristics were analyzed. Compared with template peptide ToAP2, the modified peptides had much shorter length, lower molecular weight but significantly greater stability, which in return resulted in increases in the aliphatic index, hydrophilicity, and protein binding ability. Here, we show that the three derived peptides inhibit the growth of Sporothrix globosa, among which ToAP2D had the strongest anti-fungal activity. ToAP2D showed good serum stability without acute toxicity. The ToAP2D treatment inhibited the growth of S. globosa and enhanced apoptosis, which was evidenced by the upregulation of apoptosis-related protein caspase-3. The scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed deformation and rupture of S. globosa. The levels of mitochondrial membrane potential were decreased and that of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) were increased in S. globosa upon ToAP2D treatment. Moreover, ToAP2D activated metacaspase. In the in vivo study, we further demonstrated that ToAP2D inhibited the S. globosa infection of mice footpads, and its efficiency was nearly comparable to itraconazole. In summary, our results suggest that antimicrobial peptide ToAP2D has the potential for sporotrichosis therapy.
Low-Intensity Exercise Modulates Gut Microbiota to Fight Against Radiation-Induced Gut Toxicity in Mouse Models
Authors: Wang Bin , Jin Yu-xiao , Dong Jia-li , Xiao Hui-wen , Zhang Shu-qin , Li Yuan , Chen Zhi-yuan , Yang Xiao-dong , Fan Sai-jun , Cui Ming
Published: October 2021

Radiation-induced gastrointestinal (GI) tract toxicity halts radiotherapy and degrades the prognosis of cancer patients. Physical activity defined as “any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscle that requires energy expenditure” is a beneficial lifestyle modification for health. Here, we investigate whether walking, a low-intensity form of exercise, could alleviate intestinal radiation injury. Short-term (15 days) walking protected against radiation-induced GI tract toxicity in both male and female mice, as judged by longer colons, denser intestinal villi, more goblet cells, and lower expression of inflammation-related genes in the small intestines. High-throughput sequencing and untargeted metabolomics analysis showed that walking restructured the gut microbiota configuration, such as elevated Akkermansia muciniphila, and reprogramed the gut metabolome of irradiated mice. Deletion of gut flora erased the radioprotection of walking, and the abdomen local irradiated recipients who received fecal microbiome from donors with walking treatment exhibited milder intestinal toxicity. Oral gavage of A. muciniphila mitigated the radiation-induced GI tract injury. Importantly, walking did not change the tumor growth after radiotherapy. Together, our findings provide novel insights into walking and underpin that walking is a safe and effective form to protect against GI syndrome of patients with radiotherapy without financial burden in a preclinical setting.
Intrinsic Photoluminescence of Solid-State Gold Nanoclusters: Towards Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging of Tissue-Like Phantoms Under Two-Photon Near-Infrared Excitation
Authors: Hada Alexandru-Milentie , Craciun Ana-Maria , Astilean Simion
Published: October 2021

Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have attracted extensive attention as light-emissive materials with unique advantages such as high photostability, large Stoke shifts and low toxicity. However, a better understanding of their solid-state photoluminescence properties is still needed. Herein, we investigated for the first time the intrinsic photoluminescence properties of lyophilized bovine serum albumin stabilized AuNCs (BSA-AuNCs) via fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) studies performed under both one and two photon excitations (OPE and TPE) on individual microflakes, combined with fluorescence spectroscopic investigations. Both in solution and solid-state, the synthesized BSA-AuNCs exhibit photoluminescence in the first biological window with an absolute quantum yield of 6% and high photostability under continuous irradiation. Moreover, under both OPE and TPE conditions, solid BSA-AuNCs samples exhibited a low degree of photobleaching, while FLIM assays prove the homogeneous distribution of the photoluminescence signal inside the microflakes. Finally, we demonstrate the ability of BSA-AuNCs to perform as reliable bright and photostable contrast agents for the visualization of cancer tissue mimicking agarose-phantoms using FLIM approach under non-invasive TPE. Therefore, our results emphasize the great potential of the as synthesized BSA-AuNCs for ex vivo and in vivo non-invasive NIR imaging applications.
Appropriate Age for Height Control Treatment in Patients With Marfan Syndrome
Authors: Kim Sung Eun , Lee Dong-Yun , Kim Min-Sun , Cho Sung Yoon , Jin Dong-Kyu , Choi DooSeok
Published: October 2021

Objective

This study aimed to determine the most appropriate age for height control treatment in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS).

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study included patients with MFS who underwent height control treatment with estradiol valerate. The estrogen dose was increased according to the height change. The cut-off age for the maximum difference between the expected height and actual final height was evaluated.

Results

Seventeen patients were included in this study. The difference between the height predicted by the growth curve and the final height (gcHtD) and that predicted by the bone age and the final height (baHtD) was the largest in the 10.5 years age group (p=0.0045 and p=0.0237, respectively). The gcHtD was 10.6 (10.2, 13.5) cm for patients aged ≤10.5 years, whereas it was 0.6 (−3.65, 5.85) cm for patients aged >10.5 years. The baHtD was 10.1 (7.31, 11.42) cm for patients aged ≤10.5 years, while it was 3.83 (0.84, 6.4) cm for patients aged >10.5 years. When height change was observed for a minimum of 6 months after completion of estrogen treatment, the average growth was 0.6 (0.2, 2.1) cm.

Conclusion

Initiating height control treatment before the age of 10.5 years is effective in female patients with MFS.
A Counterfactual Baseline for Assessing Future Environmental Impact: A Case Study of the Belt and Road Initiative
Authors: Li Jing Victor , Cheong Tsun Se , Shi Xunpeng
Published: October 2021

The impact of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on the environment is an important but controversial topic. But assessing it faces a significant challenge for separating its policy impact from the overall effect of economic development that will also have environmental impacts. This paper attempts to provide an evolutionary and counterfactual baseline to evaluate the environmental impact of BRI, based on the distribution dynamics approach and the mobility probability plots (MPPs). Our estimation results suggest that while the majority of BRI economies will lower their emission levels compared with the world average, there are significant differences between BRI and non-BRI countrie’s emission patterns and dynamics. The majority of non-BRI economies will have lower emission levels than their BRI counterparts in the absence of BRI policy, indicating that the difference in future emissions between BRI and non-BRI countries should not be completely attributed to the environmental impact of BRI. Instead, BRI should take measures to prevent certain countries from moving upwards energy intensity paths through policy intervention, international cooperation, and an inclusive project assessment process.
Identification of Pathway-Based Biomarkers with Crosstalk Analysis for Overall Survival Risk Prediction in Breast Cancer
Authors: Liu Xiaohua , Su Lili , Li Jingcong , Ou Guoping
Published: October 2021

Recently, many studies have investigated the role of gene-signature on the prognostic assessment of breast cancer (BC), however, the tumor heterogeneity and sequencing noise have limited the clinical usage of these models. Pathway-based approaches are more stable to the perturbation of certain gene expression. In this study, we constructed a prognostic classifier based on survival-related pathway crosstalk analysis. We estimated pathway’s deregulation scores (PDSs) for samples collected from public databases to select survival-related pathways. After pathway crosstalk analysis, we conducted K-means clustering analysis to cluster the patients into G1 and G2 subgroups. The survival outcome of the G2 subgroup was significantly worse than the G1 subgroup. Internal and external dataset exhibits high consistency with the training dataset. Significant differences were found between G2 and G1 subgroups on pathway activity, gene mutation, immune cell infiltration levels, and in particular immune cells/pathway’s activities were significantly negatively associated with BC patient’s outcomes. In conclusion, we established a novel classifier reflecting the overall survival risk of BC and successfully validated its clinical usage on multiple BC datasets, which could offer clinicians inspiration in formulating the clinical treatment plan.
Encounters in Three Dimensions: How Nuclear Topology Shapes Genome Integrity
Authors: Sebastian Robin , Aladjem Mirit I. , Oberdoerffer Philipp
Published: October 2021

Almost 25 years ago, the phosphorylation of a chromatin component, histone H2AX, was discovered as an integral part of the DNA damage response in eukaryotes. Much has been learned since then about the control of DNA repair in the context of chromatin. Recent technical and computational advances in imaging, biophysics and deep sequencing have led to unprecedented insight into nuclear organization, highlighting the impact of three-dimensional (3D) chromatin structure and nuclear topology on DNA repair. In this review, we will describe how DNA repair processes have adjusted to and in many cases adopted these organizational features to ensure accurate lesion repair. We focus on new findings that highlight the importance of chromatin context, topologically associated domains, phase separation and DNA break mobility for the establishment of repair-conducive nuclear environments. Finally, we address the consequences of aberrant 3D genome maintenance for genome instability and disease.
Perspectives and Management of Atypical Asthma in Chinese Specialists and Primary Care Practitioners—A Nationwide Questionnaire Survey
Authors: Huang Huaqiong , Hua Wen , Chen Ruchong , Hu Yue , Ying Songmin , Chi Chunhua , Zhang Min , Huang Kewu , Liu Huiguo , Shen Huahao , Lai Kefang
Published: October 2021

Background and objective: To evaluate the awareness/knowledge and clinical practice for the treatment of atypical asthma among respiratory specialists and primary care practitioners (PCPs) in China.

Methods: A total number of 1,997 physicians participated in the survey via WeChat. The questionnaire included six main items: physician demographic characteristics, awareness, diagnosis, medical prescription, assessment/education, and proposal.

Results: Cough variant asthma (CVA) was recognized by 97.51% of physicians (1,166 respiratory specialists and 799 PCPs), followed by chest tightness variant asthma (CTVA, 83.72%) and occult asthma (73.54%). Specialists were more likely to follow diagnostic recommendations than PCPs (P < 0.01); however, 34.15% of physicians reported the utility of bronchodilation tests, airway provocation tests, and peak expiratory flow monitoring. A total of 91.70% and 92.01% of physicians prescribed inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) or ICS plus long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) for CVA and CTVA, respectively. Physicians prescribed an ICS or ICS/LABA for 4 (2–8) or 8 (4–12) weeks for CVA and 4 (2–8) or 5 (4–12) weeks for CTVA, and the prescription durations were significantly shorter for PCPs than for specialists (P < 0.01). Further, 52.42% and 35.78% reported good control of CVA and CTVA, respectively, with significantly lower control rates for PCPs than for specialists (P < 0.01). Additionally, specialists exhibited better assessment and educational habits than PCPs.

Conclusion: While atypical asthma was identified by most specialists and PCPs, there remains a gap between management in real clinical practice and guideline recommendations, especially for PCPs. Further training of PCPs and clinical studies of atypical asthma are required to improve practice.
Does Use of Acupuncture Reduce the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis? Evidence From a Universal Coverage Health Care System
Authors: Chen Wei-Jen , Livneh Hanoch , Chen Chi-Hsien , Huang Hui-Ju , Liu Wen-Jiun , Lu Ming-Chi , Tsai Tzung-Yi
Published: October 2021

Objectives: Although acupuncture is often advocated for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), its efficacy for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a common metabolic disease among RA cohorts, has not yet been established. This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the association between acupuncture use and the development of T2DM among them.

Methods: Data were collected from 1999 through 2008 for individuals aged 20–70 years in the nationwide insurance database of Taiwan. From them, we extracted 4,941 subjects within newly diagnosed RA and being T2DM free at baseline. A total of 2,237 patients had ever received acupuncture, and 2,704 patients without receiving acupuncture were designated as a control group. All of them were followed to the end of 2013 to identify T2DM incidence. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was utilized to obtain the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for acupuncture use.

Results: Compared with the RA subjects without use of acupuncture, the incidence of T2DM was lower for those who received acupuncture, with the incidence rates of 24.50 and 18.00 per 1,000 person-years (PYs), respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders, use of acupuncture was significantly related to the lower T2DM risk, with the adjusted HR of 0.73 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65–0.86]. Those who used acupuncture for more than five sessions had the greatest benefit in lowering the susceptibility to T2DM.

Conclusion: Adding acupuncture into conventional treatment for RA was found to be related to lower risk of T2DM among RA patients. Further clinical and mechanistic studies are warranted.
The Potential Regulatory Mechanism of lncRNA 122K13.12 and lncRNA 326C3.7 in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Wang Jian-xiong , Jing Feng-yang , Xu Yue-chen , Zong He-xiang , Chu Yi-ran , Wang Cong , Chen Ke-ming , Tong Wan-qiu , Wang Xi-le , Xu Sheng-qian
Published: October 2021

This work aims to analyze and construct a novel competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with bone bridge formation, lncRNA. Using RNA sequencing and bioinformatics, we analyzed expression profiles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and mRNAs in whole blood cells from 5 AS patients and 3 healthy individuals. Next, we verified the expression levels of candidate lncRNAs in 97 samples using the ΔΔCt value of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). We used multivariate logistic regression analysis to screen lncRNAs and clinical indicators for use in the prediction model. Both SPSS 24.0 and R software were used for data analysis and prediction model construction. The results showed that compared with the normal controls, 205 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), 961 microRNAs (miRNAs), and 200 mRNAs (DEmRNAs) were differentially expressed in the AS patients. We identified lncRNA 122K13.12 and lncRNA 326C3.7 among 205 lncRNAs differentially expressed between AS patients and healthy humans. Then, we noted that 30 miRNAs and five mRNAs formed a ceRNA network together with these two lncRNAs. These ceRNA networks might regulate the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway in AS development. In addition, the expression level of lncRNA 122K13.12 and lncRNA 326C3.7 correlated with various structural damage indicators in AS. Specifically, the lncRNA 326C3.7 expression level was an independent risk factor in bone bridge formation [area under the ROC curve (AUC) = 0.739 (0.609–0.870) and p = 0.003], and the best Youden Index was 0.405 (sensitivity = 0.800 and specificity = 0.605). Moreover, we constructed a lncRNA-based nomogram that could effectively predict bone bridge formation [AUC = 0.870 (0.780–0.959) and p < 0.001, and the best Youden Index was 0.637 (sensitivity = 0.900 and specificity = 0.737)]. In conclusion, we uncovered a unique ceRNA signaling network in AS with bone bridge formation and identified novel biomarkers and prediction models with the potential for clinical applications.
A Nomogram to Predict Disease-Free Survival Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Zhu Meizhen , Liang Chenlu , Zhang Fanrong , Zhu Liang , Chen Daobao
Published: October 2021

Background

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is considered a standard treatment strategy for locally advanced triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). TNBC patients who achieve a pathologic complete response (pCR) are predicted to have a better prognosis while unfavorable chemo-sensitivity is still associated with a higher risk of disease relapse. The objective of this study was to construct a nomogram to predict disease-free survival (DFS) for TNBC patients following NACT.

Methods

A total of 165 TNBC patients who underwent standard NACT and surgery were retrospectively reviewed, and data on their clinicopathological factors before and after NACT were collected. Independent prognostic factors for DFS were identified by Cox regression based on lower Akaike information criteria (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC). A nomogram to predict the 2-year and 5-year DFS following NACT for TNBC was constructed based on training cohort (n = 132) and validated by a validation cohort (n = 33).

Results

Either limited or full pCR (breast-only pCR, node-only pCR, or both-pCR) indicated significantly improved DFS and overall survival (OS) (p < 0.001). Lager residual tumor size (hazard ratio [HR] 1.175, p = 0.011) and the presence of lymphatic vessel invasion (LVI) (HR 3.168, p = 0.001) were identified as independent predictors of disease relapse in the training cohort. Five variables, including age, primary tumor size, histological grade, residual tumor size, and LVI were used to establish the nomogram. The C-index of the nomogram was 0.815, and calibration curves showed an acceptable consistency between the actual and nomogram-predicted 2-year and 5-year DFS. The proposed nomogram demonstrated superior predictive performance compared with Residual Cancer Burden (RCB) classification and the 8th American Joint Committee on Cancer Post Neoadjuvant Therapy Classification (AJCC ypTNM) staging system (area under the curve [AUC] for 2-year DFS: 0.870 vs. 0.758 vs. 0.711, respectively; AUC for 5-year DFS: 0.794 vs. 0.731 vs. 0.702, respectively) in the validation cohort.

Conclusions

The nomogram proposed in our study enabled to quantify the risk of disease relapse and demonstrated superior predictive performance than a survival predict instrument. It was an easy-to-use tool for clinicians to guide individualized surveillance of TNBC patients following standard NACT.
Preoperative Serum Prealbumin Level and Adverse Prognosis in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Hepatectomy: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Fan Yu , Sun Yimeng , Man Changfeng , Lang Yakun
Published: October 2021

Background

Prealbumin is a sensitive indicator of liver function and nutritional status.

Objectives

This meta-analysis aimed to examine the association of the serum prealbumin level with the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing hepatectomy.

Methods

We comprehensively searched the PubMed, Embase, Wanfang, China Academic Journals (CNKI), and SinoMed databases up to September 1, 2021. Eligible studies should report the association of the serum prealbumin level with prognosis and provide the multivariable-adjusted risk estimates of the outcomes of interest in HCC patients undergoing hepatectomy.

Results

A total of 11 studies with 7,442 HCC patients were identified and analyzed. Meta-analysis of a fixed effects model showed that a low serum prealbumin level was associated with poor overall survival [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.42–1.68], recurrence-free survival (HR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.17–1.52), and a higher risk of postoperative hepatic insufficiency (HR = 2.21; 95% CI = 1.36–3.60) in HCC patients. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses confirmed the robustness of low serum prealbumin in predicting poor overall survival.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis indicated that a low preoperative serum prealbumin level was significantly associated with adverse prognosis in HCC patients undergoing hepatectomy.
Case Report: Identification of Polygenic Mutations by Exome Sequencing
Authors: Liu Yanfeng , Zheng Zhongshi , Zhu Qingling
Published: October 2021

The discovery of rare genetic variation through different gene sequencing methods is a very challenging subject in the field of human genetics. A case of a 1-year-old boy with metabolic acidosis and hypokalemia, a small penis, growth retardation, and G-6PD deficiency was reported. Since the clinical symptoms are complex and seem uncorrelated, the authors hypothesized that the child had chromosome or gene problems, and exome sequencing (ES) was applied to samples from him and his parents. Three main locus mutations in three genes were found in the proband, including SLC4A1, FGFR1, and G6PD genes. A missense mutation (c.1766G>T, p.R589 L) was found in exon 14 of SLC4A1 gene, which was a de novo mutation. Another missense mutation (c.1028 A>G, p.H343R) was found in exon 9 of FGFR1 gene, which was also a de novo mutation. These findings further demonstrate the utility of ES in the diagnosis of rare diseases.
Prenatal Diagnosis of a Mosaic Paternal Uniparental Disomy for Chromosome 14: A Case Report of Kagami–Ogata Syndrome
Authors: Li Fenxia , Liu Siping , Jia Bei , Wu Ruifeng , Chang Qingxian
Published: October 2021

The Kagami–Ogata syndrome (KOS) is a rare imprinting disorder with a distinct clinical phenotype. In KOS, polyhydramnios is associated with a small bell-shaped thorax and coat-hanger ribs. The genetic etiology of KOS includes paternal uniparental disomy 14 [upd(14)pat], epimutations, and microdeletions affecting the maternally derived imprinted region of chromosome 14q32.2. More than 77 cases of KOS have been reported; however, only one mosaic upd(14)pat case has been reported. Here we report a second mosaic upd(14)pat case. The prognosis of upd(14)pat patients is poor because of severe respiratory insufficiency. We summarized prenatal ultrasound findings of KOS to raise awareness of this condition for possible diagnosis of KOS prenatally when polyhydramnios combination with a small bell-shaped thorax and other related features are first observed. Prenatal diagnosis using methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) or a single-nucleotide polymorphism-based microarray analysis is recommended.
Transcriptome-Wide Analysis and Functional Verification of RING-Type Ubiquitin Ligase Involved in Tea Plant Stress Resistance
Authors: Xing Dawei , Li Tongtong , Ma Guoliang , Ruan Haixiang , Gao Liping , Xia Tao
Published: October 2021

The ubiquitin/26S proteasome pathway is a critical protein-degradation pathway in plant growth and development as well as in nearly all biological and abiotic stress processes. Although as a member of the ubiquitin/26S proteasome pathway, the E3 ubiquitin ligase family has been shown to be essential for the selective degradation of downstream target proteins, it has been rarely reported in tea plants (Camellia sinensis). In this study, through database searches and extensive manual deduplication, 335 RING finger family proteins were selected from the Tea Plant Information Archive. These proteins were divided into six categories by the difference of RING finger domain: RING-H2, RING-HCa, RING-HCb, RING-C2, RING-v, and RING-G. Stress-induced differential gene expression analysis showed that 53 proteins in RING finger family can respond to selected exogenous stress. In vitro ubiquitination assays indicated that TEA031033, which was named CsMIEL1, exhibited the activity of E3 ubiquitin ligases. CsMIEL1-overexpressing transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings were resistant to some exogenous abiotic stresses, such as salt and drought stress but sensitive to exogenous methyl jasmonate treatment. Furthermore, CsMIEL1 reduced the accumulation of anthocyanin in transgenic plants in response to low temperature treatment. The results of this article provide basic date for studying the role of ubiquitin/26S proteasome pathway in tea plants response to stresses.