bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polyalanine peptide variations may have different mechanisms of action against multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens
Authors: Felício Mário R , Silveira Gislaine G O S , Oshiro Karen G N , Meneguetti Beatriz T , Franco Octávio L , Santos Nuno C , Gonçalves Sónia 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Objectives
The number of bacterial pathogens resistant to the currently available antibiotics has dramatically increased, with antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) being among the most promising potential new drugs. In this study, the applicability and mechanisms of action of Pa-MAP 2 and Pa-MAP 1.9, two AMPs synthetically designed based on a natural AMP template, were evaluated.

Methods
Pa-MAP 2 and Pa-MAP 1.9 were tested against a clinically isolated multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli strain. Biophysical approaches were used to evaluate the preference of both peptides for specific lipid membranes, and bacterial surface changes imaged by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The efficacy of both peptides was assessed both in vitro and in vivo.

Results
Experimental results showed that both peptides have antimicrobial activity against the E. coli MDR strain. Zeta potential and surface plasmon resonance assays showed that they interact extensively with negatively charged membranes, changing from a random coil structure, when free in solution, to an α-helical structure after membrane interaction. The antibacterial efficacy was evaluated in vitro, by several techniques, and in vivo, using a wound infection model, showing a concentration-dependent antibacterial effect. Different membrane properties were evaluated to understand the mechanism underlying peptide action, showing that both promote destabilization of the bacterial surface, as imaged by AFM, and change properties such as membrane surface and dipole potential.

Conclusions
Despite their similarity, data indicate that the mechanisms of action of the peptides are different, with Pa-MAP 1.9 being more effective than Pa-MAP 2. These results highlight their potential use as antimicrobial agents against MDR bacteria.
Rare presentation of growing teratoma syndrome in patient with remote history of testicular cancer resection
Authors: Nelson Blessie , Warfield Dylan , Mejia Camilo Velasquez , Walker John Patrick 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Growing teratoma syndrome (GTS) is documented in literature to be a rare complication of non-seminomatous germ cell tumors that arises following chemotherapeutic treatment. Though represented through multiple case reports, the condition is rare that it evades observation and diagnosis, leading to complications secondary to metastasis and unchecked growth. GTS is identified via incidental finding on imaging (e.g. CT) or due to complications involving mass obstruction. Due to the potential severity of undiagnosed malignancy, it is important to effectively diagnose GTS in those presenting with non-specific symptoms and a history of testicular/ovarian cancer. It is also necessary to develop a method on how to monitor those considered to be at increased risk for developing such a condition. Here, we present a case of a middle-aged male who presented with complaints of a left lower quadrant abdominal mass and incidental finding of right retroperitoneal lesion, consistent with GTS.
Congenital peritoneal encapsulation—a rare entity presented with small bowel obstruction
Authors: Tojal André , Marques Júlio , Coelho Sandra , Ferreira Maria-João , Carrilho Noel , Horta-Oliveira António , Casimiro Carlos 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Congenital peritoneal encapsulation is a rare congenital malformation in which all or part of the small bowel is covered by a thin accessory peritoneal membrane. Despite being usually asymptomatic and an incidental finding during surgery or autopsy, there is a small number of reports in the literature whose diagnosis was established in the context of intestinal obstruction. The authors review the topic and describe a case report undergoing surgery for intestinal obstruction. Intraoperatively, there was a partial peritoneal encapsulation of the small bowel with signs of intestinal malrotation. Peritoneal membrane excision, terminal ileum release and complementary appendicectomy were performed. There was a favorable clinical evolution in the postoperative period. Although rare, it is important to remember this entity in the differential diagnosis of patients with intestinal obstruction, in the absence of other etiologic factors.
Patent Macracanthorhynchus ingens Infection in a 17-Month-Old Child, Ohio
Authors: Chancey Rebecca J , Sapp Sarah G H , Fox Mark , Bishop Henry S , Ndubuisi MacKevin , de Almeida Marcos , Montgomery Susan P , Congeni Blaise 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Limited data exist on human Macracanthorhynchus infections. We report an asymptomatic 17-month-old who passed eggs and an adult Macracanthorhynchus ingens worm, indicating parasite maturation and reproduction. Macracanthorhynchus ingens may have a greater capacity to mature in humans versus Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus.
Increased cortical excitability but stable effective connectivity index during attentional lapses
Authors: Cardone Paolo , Van Egroo Maxime , Chylinski Daphne , Narbutas Justinas , Gaggioni Giulia , Vandewalle Gilles 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Modern lifestyle curtails sleep and increases nighttime work and leisure activities. This has a deleterious impact on vigilance and attention, exacerbating chances of committing attentional lapses, with potential dramatic outcomes. Here, we investigated the brain signature of attentional lapses and assessed whether cortical excitability and brain response propagation were modified during lapses and whether these modifications changed with aging. We compared electroencephalogram (EEG) responses to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) during lapse and no-lapse periods while performing a continuous attentional/vigilance task at night, after usual bedtime. Data were collected in healthy younger (N = 12; 18–30 years) and older individuals (N = 12; 50–70 years) of both sexes. The amplitude and slope of the first component of the TMS-evoked potential were larger during lapses. In contrast, TMS response scattering over the cortical surface, as well as EEG response complexity, did not significantly vary between lapse and no-lapse periods. Importantly, despite qualitative differences, age did not significantly affect any of the TMS–EEG measures. These results demonstrate that attentional lapses are associated with a transient increase of cortical excitability. This initial change is not associated with detectable changes in subsequent effective connectivity—as indexed by response propagation—and are not markedly different between younger and older adults. These findings could contribute to develop models aimed to predicting and preventing lapses in real-life situations.
Occupational use of agrochemicals results in inhibited cholinesterase activity and altered reproductive hormone levels in male farmers from Buea, Cameroon
Authors: Manfo Faustin Pascal Tsagué , Suh Christian Fusi , Nantia Edouard Akono , Moundipa Paul Fewou , Cho-Ngwa Fidelis 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The efficiency of agro pesticides and fertilizers in eliminating pests and scaling up crop yield has motivated farmers to increase their use. Unfortunately, health hazards caused on farmers by these agrochemicals are of growing concern, though not well elucidated. In order to evaluate the effects of occupational exposure to agrochemicals on some key parameters of male farmers’ health in Buea Subdivision, Cameroon, a total of 101 men, including 62 farmers using the agrochemicals and a reference population of 39 men not involved in occupational utilization of the agrochemicals, were interviewed on use of protective equipment, exposure symptoms and reproductive health status. Thereafter, serum cholinesterase [acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE)] activities, total antioxidant capacity and reproductive hormones [follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone and testosterone] were assessed. Results revealed that farmers mainly used insecticides followed by fungicides, herbicides and fertilizers, but with inadequate protective measures. The use of agrochemicals resulted in several exposure symptoms including weakness, itches, burning sensation, headache, sneezing, coughing and vomiting, as well as decrease in serum AChE activity when compared to the reference population. The agrochemicals impacted negatively on the farmers’ reproductive health as evidenced by increased FSH levels. Taken altogether, these results suggested that exposure to agrochemicals adversely affects farmers’ health. Therefore, there is a need to further sensitize the farmers on the use of protective equipment to mitigate the exposure and resulting health hazards.
The effect of malaria on stunting: an instrumental variables approach
Authors: Ateba François Freddy , Doumbia Seydou , ter Kuile Feiko O , Terlouw Dianne J , Lefebvre Genevieve , Kariuki Simon , Small Dylan S 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies have found mixed evidence for an effect of malaria on stunting, but have suffered from concerns about confounding and/or power. Currently, an effect of malaria on stunting is not included in the Lives Saved Tool (LiST) model.MethodsWe used instrumental variables regression with the sickle cell trait and random assignment to bednets as instruments in the analysis of data on children aged 0–2 y from a bednet trial in western Kenya.ResultsWe estimated that one additional clinical malaria episode per year increases the odds of a child being stunted by 6% (OR estimate: 1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.11).ConclusionsOur finding that malaria affects stunting suggests that an effect of malaria on stunting in young children should be considered in the LiST model.
DNA Methylation Age Is More Closely Associated With Infection Risk Than Chronological Age in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Schaenman Joanna , Zhou Xinkai , Guo Rong , Rossetti Maura , Liang Emily C. , Lum Erik , Abdalla Basmah , Bunnapradist Suphamai , Pham Phuong-Thu T. , Danovitch Gabriel , Karlamangla Arun , Reed Elaine , Horvath Steve , Elashoff David 
Published: December 2020

Background.
Older kidney transplant recipients demonstrate increased rates of infection but decreased rates of rejection compared with younger recipients, suggesting that older transplant patients are functionally overimmunosuppressed. We hypothesized that this is a consequence of reduction in immunological activity due to biological aging and that an immune biological age, as determined by DNA methylation (DNAm), would be associated more strongly with incidence of infection than chronological age.

Methods.
DNAm analysis was performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cell collected from 60 kidney transplant recipients representing older (≥age 60 y) and younger (aged 30–59 y) patients 3 months after transplantation. DNAm age was calculated based on methylation status of a panel of CpG sites, which have been previously identified as indicative of biological age.

Results.
Correlation was seen between chronological and DNAm age; however, there were many patients with significant differences (either acceleration or slowing) between DNAm age and chronological age. A statistically significant association was seen between increased DNAm age and incidence of infection in the first year after kidney transplantation, whereas no significant association was seen between chronological age and infection.

Conclusions.
Assessment of DNAm age holds promise as an approach for patient evaluation and individualization of immune suppression regimens. This analysis may provide insights into the immunological mechanism behind increased incidence of infection observed in older transplant patients. The ability to measure biological age would allow for patient risk stratification and individualization of immunosuppression, improving outcomes for the growing numbers of older patients undergoing kidney transplantation.
The evolution of business models of information and communication technology suppliers
Authors: Stone Merlin , Aravopoulou Eleni , Stott Ryan , Parnell Brett David , Machtynger Jon , Foss Bryan , Machtynger Liz 
Published: December 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show how the business model of the information and communications technology (ICT) industry has evolved and the general differences that evolution has made to information management.

Design/methodology/approach
Literature review was carried out accompanied by conceptual analysis.

Findings
It shows that changes in the business model of the ICT industry have been quite dramatic and have led to significant changes in the structure of the industry.

Research limitations/implications
This research is based on analysis of the ICT industry. The analysis could be broadened to include other industries. Research into business model change should consider adopting the evolutionary approach taken in this paper.

Practical implications
Managers in the ICT industry should factor the likely evolution of business models in their industry into their planning.

Social implications
Government policymakers considering how to stimulate the development of the ICT industry in their country should be aware of the moving nature of their target.

Originality/value
This is one of the first papers to apply the evolutionary approach to business model change.
An integrated model of IPSAS institutionalisation in Indonesia: a critical study
Authors: Harun Harun , Eggleton Ian R.C. , Locke Stuart 
Published: December 2020

PurposeThe aim of this study is to critically evaluate the institutionalisation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards in Indonesia.Design/methodology/approachThis case study approach relies on obtaining its data from document sources and interviews with relevant people and/or organisations involved in policy-making and implementation of IPSAS in Indonesia. To inform the study, we developed and used an integrated model of institutionalisation based on the work done by Dillard et al. (2004) and Dambrin et al. (2007).FindingsOur model shows that dissemination of new ideals and the transformation of these new ideals into new discourses were institutionalised at the economic and political level. However, the creation of a new [accounting]technique took place in the organisational field, instead of organisational level. The internalisation of IPSAS in the organisational field is characterised by limited use of IPSAS-based reports for making decisions. Overall the institionalisation of IPSAS in Indonesia is dominated by actors external to local governments.Research limitations/implicationsThe study’s results reflect the specific socio-economic and political contexts for a specific point in time.Practical implicationsPolicy-makers in developing nations should consider the applicability of IPSAS in accordance with the actual needs and capacities of their local governments.Social implicationsThe findings show that developing nations and international organisations have underestimated the technical and institutional issues of developing nations in the globalisation of IPSAS.Originality/valueThe study extends institutional theory by developing a new model to conceptualise the dynamic processes, the role of actors and outcomes of public sector accounting reforms in an emerging economy.
Gender diversity indices for interpreting the phenomena in expanding higher education
Authors: Chou Wen-Ching , Chang Dian-Fu 
Published: December 2020

PurposeThis study aims to explore the higher education expansion phenomenon and to what extent that expansion could reshape the pattern of gender.Design/methodology/approachWe selected Taiwan's higher education as a research target. First, we describe the gender diversity patterns in the humanity, social science and STEM programs according to Trow's definition. Second, we identify discrepancies in gender in the major programs according to different indices. Becker’s D, Blau index, GPI, trend analysis and multiple comparisons were used to transform the comparison series data.FindingsFirst, to assess system-wide gender diversity, it was shown that in the elite stage, the D is more sensitive than the Blau index in plotting trends. Second, neither the D nor the Blau index showed sensitivity in humanity and social science programs in the post-mass stage. Third, the GPI more accurately detects differences in gender patterns in the mass and universal stages.Practical implicationsThis study illuminates gender diversity patterns with indices transformation in higher education. Considering higher education expansion is a global phenomenon, the fitted indices can be used to detect gender diversity issues in wider higher education settings.Originality/valueThis study provides an example for addressing the issue using different indices to identify previous and future trends in the higher education system. The study suggests alternative interpretations for gender diversity in various programs that will assist in modifying related gender policies in higher education.
A systematic review of text mining approaches applied to various application areas in the biomedical domain
Authors: Cheerkoot-Jalim Sudha , Khedo Kavi Kumar 
Published: December 2020

Purpose
This work shows the results of a systematic literature review on biomedical text mining. The purpose of this study is to identify the different text mining approaches used in different application areas of the biomedical domain, the common tools used and the challenges of biomedical text mining as compared to generic text mining algorithms. This study will be of value to biomedical researchers by allowing them to correlate text mining approaches to specific biomedical application areas. Implications for future research are also discussed.

Design/methodology/approach
The review was conducted following the principles of the Kitchenham method. A number of research questions were first formulated, followed by the definition of the search strategy. The papers were then selected based on a list of assessment criteria. Each of the papers were analyzed and information relevant to the research questions were extracted.

Findings
It was found that researchers have mostly harnessed data sources such as electronic health records, biomedical literature, social media and health-related forums. The most common text mining technique was natural language processing using tools such as MetaMap and Unstructured Information Management Architecture, alongside the use of medical terminologies such as Unified Medical Language System. The main application area was the detection of adverse drug events. Challenges identified included the need to deal with huge amounts of text, the heterogeneity of the different data sources, the duality of meaning of words in biomedical text and the amount of noise introduced mainly from social media and health-related forums.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, other reviews in this area have focused on either specific techniques, specific application areas or specific data sources. The results of this review will help researchers to correlate most relevant and recent advances in text mining approaches to specific biomedical application areas by providing an up-to-date and holistic view of work done in this research area. The use of emerging text mining techniques has great potential to spur the development of innovative applications, thus considerably impacting on the advancement of biomedical research.
A double design-science perspective of entrepreneurship – the example of smart contracts in the insurance market
Authors: Hoffmann Christian Hugo 
Published: December 2020

PurposeFollowing the call for strengthening the third pillar of knowledge in entrepreneurship as well as work-applied management contexts constituted by pragmatic design principles, we present a case study on an insurtech for insurance firms specialized in smart contract insurance solutions such as flight delay or ski resort insurance.Design/methodology/approachDesign science.FindingsThis not only serves as a pointer for how insurances may master their digital transformation while remaining competitive. But moreover, on the meta level, we find that the adoption of entrepreneurial design principles by the students, whose experiential project represents our case study, does not necessarily require continuous support or foundational knowledge to be delivered beforehand. However, for a deeper or more holistic assessment of the case sketched in their project, it makes sense to introduce them to newer developments such as the simple, practical framework of the Entrepreneur's Question Index.Originality/valueInnovative teaching method on innovative topics.
Risks in the absence of optimal knowledge management in knowledge-intensive organizations
Authors: Nakash Maayan , Bouhnik Dan 
Published: December 2020

Purpose
This study aims to identify the risks associated with the lack of optimal knowledge management (KM) in knowledge-intensive organizations and delves into understanding their severity. In doing so, the authors explored the significance attributed to these issues by international KM experts.

Design/methodology/approach
A case method was chosen. The study began with semi-structured in-depth interviews and continued with focus groups as part of the qualitative research paradigm. The data was analyzed using a thematic analysis method, based on the grounded theory approach.

Findings
The findings provide empirical evidence for a set of risks faced by organizations in a reality where organizational knowledge is managed poorly. The study finds that, in the experts’ view, the risks associated with knowledge constitute a clear catalyst for initiating and investing efforts to manage organizational knowledge. In addition, their severity is usually understood only after the occurrence of a business or organizational crisis related to knowledge.

Originality/value
This pioneering research contributes to empirical knowledge through an unexplored scientific field. The uniqueness of this research is also reflected in the voices of KM professionals. The authors extended the literature on knowledge risks, taking a broad perspective of a variety of organizations from different sectors. In doing so, the study also contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of KM. The study has implications on the practical level in view of deepening the understanding of the severity of the risk in the absence of optimal KM in knowledge-intensive organizations.