bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Animate the cluster or subsidize collaborative R&D? A multiple overlapping treatments approach to assess the impacts of the French cluster policy
Authors: Mar Modou , Massard Nadine 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis article examines the effectiveness of the French cluster policy on R&D and innovation in terms of the economic performance of participating SMEs. Based on an original dataset, we built different measures of treatment and extended the DiD methodology to a multiple overlapping treatments approach. Joining a cluster’s association allows firms to benefit from low-cost animation actions and common services, while participating in R&D projects offers substantial financial support. Our findings indicate a complementarity between the two types of instruments since the policy is most effective when the two treatments are simultaneously used. Interestingly, they also show that belonging to a cluster alone induces much stronger positive impacts on R&D spending and on both the R&D and total employment of SMEs than participating in R&D collaborative projects alone. Therefore, to achieve its impact on SMEs, the cluster policy should not overlook low-cost instruments such as animation actions and common services, both as a standalone instrument and as an effective complement to subsidy policies for collaborative R&D projects.
The impact of intellectual property rights on labor productivity: do constitutions matter?
Authors: Carbonara Emanuela , Gianfreda Giuseppina , Santarelli Enrico , Vallanti Giovanna 
Published: January 2021

AbstractFocusing on a sample of 22 industries and 22 OECD countries and controlling for a full set of year-, industry-, and country fixed effects (and their interactions), we first show that intellectual property rights (IPRs) protection, by means of both constitutional provisions and ordinary laws, is positively associated with the dynamics industry-level labor productivity. Disentangling the impact of constitutional provisions from that of ordinary laws, we then show that constitutional provisions protecting IPRs positively affect the differential in labor productivity between high and low R&D intensive industries. This effect is driven by the mutually reinforcing impact of constitutional IPRs protection and R&D investment in the high R&D intensive industries. Furthermore, the impact of constitutions appears to be stronger in those countries where IPRs protection by ordinary laws is weaker.
Characterizing a two-pronged epidemic in Mexico of non-communicable diseases and SARS-Cov-2: factors associated with increased case-fatality rates
Authors: Monterrubio-Flores Eric , Ramírez-Villalobos María D , Espinosa-Montero Juan , Hernandez Bernardo , Barquera Simón , Villalobos-Daniel Victor E , Campos-Nonato Ismael 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
People with a previous diagnosis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are more likely to develop serious forms of COVID-19 or die. Mexico is the country with the fourth highest fatality rate from SARS-Cov-2, with high mortality in younger adults.

Objectives
To describe and characterize the association of NCDs with the case-fatality rate (CFR) adjusted by age and sex in Mexican adults with a positive diagnosis for SARS-Cov-2.

Methods
We studied Mexican adults aged ≥20 years who tested positive for SARS-Cov-2 during the period from 28 February to 31 July 2020. The CFR was calculated and associations with history of NCDs (number of diseases and combinations), severity indicators and type of institution that treated the patient were explored. The relative risk (RR) of death was estimated using Poisson models and CFR was adjusted using logistic models.

Results
We analysed 406 966 SARS-Cov-2-positive adults. The CFR was 11.2% (13.7% in men and 8.4% in women). The CFR was positively associated with age and number of NCDs (p trend &lt;0.001). The number of NCDs increased the risk of death in younger adults when they presented three or more NCDs compared with those who did not have any NCDs [RR, 46.6; 95% confidence interval (CI), 28.2, 76.9 for women; RR, 16.5; 95% CI, 9.9, 27.3 for men]. Lastly, there was great heterogeneity in the CFR by institution, from 4.6% in private institutions to 18.9% in public institutions.

Conclusion
In younger adults, higher CFRs were associated with the total number of NCDs and some combinations of type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiovascular disease.
Floating PV; an assessment of water quality and evaporation reduction in semi-arid regions
Authors: Abdelal Qasem 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
This work addresses the potential impact on water quality and quantifies the benefit of the low carbon power source of floating solar panels in evaporation reduction when using them on an open water body, such as an agricultural irrigation pond in semi-arid regions. By utilizing agricultural ponds for low carbon energy conversion, and saving precious water through evaporation reduction, the highly vulnerable agricultural sector will be empowered. A pilot size setup is prepared, key water quality parameters were monitored and evaporation quantities in a PV-covered pond are compared to those from an adjacent open water pond used as a control. Several inclination angles for the panels were tested. Results showed no adverse impact on the water quality; on the contrary, there is evidence of improvement particularly in nitrate and chlorophyll concentrations. Moreover, a reduction of ~60% in evaporation was observed; power generation from the floating panels, on the other hand, was statistically similar to that from ground-mounted panels.
Transferable Acinetobacter baumannii plasmid pDETAB2 encodes OXA-58 and NDM-1 and represents a new class of antibiotic resistance plasmids
Authors: Liu Haiyang , Moran Robert A , Chen Ying , Doughty Emma L , Hua Xiaoting , Jiang Yan , Xu Qingye , Zhang Linghong , Blair Jessica M A , McNally Alan , van Schaik Willem , Yu Yunsong 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Objectives
To characterize a blaOXA-58- and blaNDM-1-containing MDR plasmid from a rare Acinetobacter baumannii lineage and compare it with related plasmids to explore the distribution and evolution of a new plasmid group.

Methods
A. baumannii DETAB-P2 was isolated from a rectal swab of an intensive care patient. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined using broth microdilution. DETAB-P2 was mated with A. baumannii ATCC 17978 and putative transconjugants were characterized by S1/PFGE and Southern hybridization. WGS was performed on the Illumina and Oxford Nanopore platforms. MLST was performed with the Pasteur and Oxford schemes. Antibiotic resistance genes were identified with ABRicate. Plasmid sequence annotation was performed manually. Complete plasmids in GenBank with the same rep gene were used for comparative analyses.

Results
A. baumannii DETAB-P2 was ST138 by the Pasteur scheme and a novel Oxford type, ST2209. It transferred blaOXA-58 and blaNDM-1 to ATCC 17978 in the 100 072 bp plasmid pDETAB2 that also carried bleMBL, sul2, aacC2d, tet(39), msr(E)-mph(E) and putative mercury resistance and RND efflux system determinants. pDETAB2 represents a new plasmid type, GR34, and contained 16 pdif sites and several novel dif modules. Only a 10 kbp core sequence is shared amongst pDETAB2 and 18 further GR34 plasmids in GenBank, with diverse accessory regions comprised of various dif modules.

Conclusions
GR34 plasmids are found in several Acinetobacter species from diverse environments. They display considerable variation in accessory content owing to the presence of pdif sites and an array of dif modules, some of which contain antibiotic resistance genes.
Cefiderocol: a novel siderophore cephalosporin for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections
Authors: Parsels Katie A , Mastro Keri A , Steele Jeffrey M , Thomas Stephen J , Kufel Wesley D 
Published: January 2021

AbstractCefiderocol is a novel siderophore cephalosporin that forms a complex with extracellular free ferric iron, which leads to transportation across the outer cell membrane to exert its bactericidal activity through cell wall synthesis inhibition. This pharmacological property has rendered cefiderocol active against several clinically relevant MDR Gram-negative bacteria as evidenced by several in vitro and in vivo studies. Cefiderocol was first approved by the US FDA on 14 November 2019 for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections. On 28 September 2020, cefiderocol was approved for the treatment of hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia. The FDA-approved indications are based on clinical data from the APEKS-cUTI, APEKS-NP and CREDIBLE-CR trials. In APEKS-cUTI, cefiderocol demonstrated non-inferiority to imipenem/cilastatin for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infection caused by MDR Gram-negative bacteria. In APEKS-NP, cefiderocol demonstrated non-inferiority to meropenem for treatment of nosocomial pneumonia. However, in CREDIBLE-CR, higher all-cause mortality was observed with cefiderocol compared with best available therapy for the treatment of severe infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, primarily in the subset of patients with Acinetobacter spp. infections. Several case reports/series have demonstrated clinical success with cefiderocol for a variety of severe infections. The purpose of this article is to review available data on the mechanism of action, in vitro and in vivo data, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, susceptibility testing, efficacy and safety of cefiderocol to address its role in therapy.
Identification of 16S rRNA mutations in Mycoplasma genitalium potentially associated with tetracycline resistance in vivo but not selected in vitro in M. genitalium and Chlamydia trachomatis
Authors: Le Roy Chloé , Touati Arabella , Balcon Carla , Garraud Justine , Molina Jean-Michel , Berçot Béatrice , de Barbeyrac Bertille , Pereyre Sabine , Peuchant Olivia , Bébéar Cécile 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Tetracyclines are widely used for the treatment of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and recently have been used successfully for post-exposure prophylaxis of STIs in MSM. We investigated the in vitro and in vivo development of tetracycline resistance in Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium and evaluated 16S rRNA mutations associated with acquired resistance in other bacteria.

Methods
In vitro selection of resistant mutants of reference strains of C. trachomatis and M. genitalium was undertaken by serial passage in medium containing subinhibitory concentrations of tetracycline or doxycycline, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene of the two microorganisms was amplified and sequenced at different passages, as were those of 43 C. trachomatis- and 106 M. genitalium-positive specimens collected in France from 2013 to 2019.

Results
No tetracycline- or doxycycline-resistant strains of C. trachomatis and M. genitalium, respectively, were obtained after 30 serial passages. The tetracycline and doxycycline MICs were unchanged and analysis of the 16S rRNA gene, the molecular target of tetracyclines, of C. trachomatis and M. genitalium revealed no mutation. No mutation in the 16S rRNA gene was detected in C. trachomatis-positive specimens. However, six M. genitalium-positive specimens harboured a mutation potentially associated with tetracycline resistance without known prior tetracycline treatment for patients.

Conclusions
Tetracyclines did not select in vitro-resistant mutants of C. trachomatis or M. genitalium. However, 16S rRNA mutations either responsible for or associated with tetracycline resistance in other bacteria, including mycoplasma species, were identified in several M. genitalium-positive specimens.
Endotracheal tubes coated with a broad-spectrum antibacterial ceragenin reduce bacterial biofilm in an in vitro bench top model
Authors: Latorre María Consuelo , Pérez-Granda María Jesús , Savage Paul B , Alonso Beatriz , Martín-Rabadán Pablo , Samaniego Rafael , Bouza Emilio , Muñoz Patricia , Guembe María 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Ventilator-associated pneumonia is one of the most common nosocomial infections, caused mainly by bacterial/fungal biofilm. Therefore, it is necessary to develop preventive strategies to avoid biofilm formation based on new compounds.

Objectives
We performed an in vitro study to compare the efficacy of endotracheal tubes (ETTs) coated with the ceragenin CSA-131 and that of uncoated ETTs against the biofilm of clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), Escherichia coli (EC) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA).

Methods
We applied an in vitro bench top model using coated and uncoated ETTs that were treated with three different clinical strains of PA, EC and SA for 5 days. After exposure to biofilm, ETTs were analysed for cfu count by culture of sonicate and total number of cells by confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Results
The median (IQR) cfu/mL counts of PA, EC and SA in coated and uncoated ETTs were, respectively, as follows: 1.00 × 101 (0.0–3.3 × 102) versus 3.32 × 109 (6.6 × 108–3.8 × 109), P &lt; 0.001; 0.0 (0.0–5.4 × 103) versus 1.32 × 106 (2.3 × 103–5.0 × 107), P &lt; 0.001; and 8.1 × 105 (8.5 × 101–1.4 × 109) versus 2.7 × 108 (8.6 × 106–1.6 × 1011), P = 0.058. The median (IQR) total number of cells of PA, EC and SA in coated and non-coated ETTs were, respectively, as follows: 11.0 [5.5–not applicable (NA)] versus 87.9 (60.5–NA), P = 0.05; 9.1 (6.7–NA) versus 62.6 (42.0–NA), P = 0.05; and 97.7 (94.6–NA) versus 187.3 (43.9–NA), P = 0.827.

Conclusions
We demonstrated significantly reduced biofilm formation in coated ETTs. However, the difference for SA was not statistically significant. Future clinical studies are needed to support our findings.
Income Shocks and Conflict: Evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Abidoye Babatunde , Calì Massimiliano 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
This paper examines the relationship between income shocks and conflict across Nigerian states over the 2000s. By matching consumption, production, commodity prices and conflict data, the analysis captures two opposite channels linking agricultural price changes to conflict. Consistently with the opportunity cost mechanism of conflict, price increases of commodities produced by the households have a conflict-reducing effect, while the opposite is true for prices of consumed commodities. The net impact turns out to be conflict inducing in contrast with most of the related literature that focuses on the production side of agricultural price shocks. These results underscore the importance of modelling both production and consumption effects to get consistent estimates of the impact of price changes on conflict.
Confirming the Presence ofLegionella pneumophilain Your Water System: A Review of CurrentLegionellaTesting Methods
Authors: Walker James T , McDermott Paul J 
Published: January 2021

AbstractLegionnaires’ disease has been recognized since 1976 and Legionella pneumophila still accounts for more than 95% of cases. Approaches in countries, including France, suggest that focusing risk reduction specifically on L. pneumophila is an effective strategy, as detecting L. pneumophila has advantages over targeting multiple species of Legionella. In terms of assays, the historically accepted plate culture method takes 10 days for confirmed Legionella spp. results, has variabilities which affect trending and comparisons, requires highly trained personnel to identify colonies on a plate in specialist laboratories, and does not recover viable-but-non-culturable bacteria. PCR is sensitive, specific, provides results in less than 24 h, and determines the presence/absence of Legionella spp. and/or L. pneumophila DNA. Whilst specialist personnel and laboratories are generally required, there are now on-site PCR options, but there is no agreement on comparing genome units to colony forming units and action limits. Immunomagnetic separation assays are culture-independent, detect multiple Legionella species, and results are available in 24 h, with automated processing options. Field-use lateral flow devices provide presence/absence determination of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 where sufficient cells are present, but testing potable waters is problematic. Liquid culture most probable number (MPN) assays provide confirmed L. pneumophila results in 7 days that are equivalent to or exceed plate culture, are robust and reproducible, and can be performed in a variety of laboratory settings. MPN isolates can be obtained for epidemiological investigations. This accessible, non-technical review will be of particular interest to building owners, operators, risk managers, and water safety groups and will enable them to make informed decisions to reduce the risk of L. pneumophila.
Enzymolysis–Microwave-Assisted Hydrodistillation for Extraction of Volatile Oil from Atractylodes Chinensis and Its Hypoglycemic Activity in vitro
Authors: Wang Yitong , Yan Meixing , Qin Ruiqing , Gong Yanling 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Atractylodes chinensis (family Asteraceae) is a perennial herb with many pharmacological effects.

Objective
Extraction of volatile oil from Atractylodes chinensis was optimized and its hypoglycemic activities were studied.

Methods
Enzymolysis–microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (EMAHD) was adopted to extract the volatile oil, and the technology was optimized using a single-factor experiment that incorporated response surface methodology (RSM). The extraction rates of volatile oil by EMAHD, microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD), and hydrodistillation (HD) methods were compared at different times. The ingredients of Atractylodes chinensis volatile oil were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to analyze the microstructural changes in Atractylodes chinensis residue before and after extraction. The inhibition of α-amylase activity was determined.

Results
The obtained optimal extraction conditions for EMAHD were as follows: enzyme concentration 1.6%, pH 7, enzymolysis time 20 min, enzymolysis temperature 50°C, liquid–solid ratio 30:1, microwave power 455 W, and microwave time 40 min. The levels of the main ingredients and the in vitro inhibition of α-amylase activities were higher for Atractylodes chinensis volatile oil extracted by EMAHD than by HD or MAHD. The powder residue of Atractylodes chinensis remaining after EMAHD showed a ruptured and collapsed cell structure, indicating accelerated dissolution of the volatile oil.

Conclusions and Highlights
EMAHD is deemed a method with many advantages for extraction of volatile oil from Atractylodes chinensis. The volatile oil of Atractylodes chinensis is a promising component for treating hyperglycemia.
Frequency of Pathogenic Germline Variants in Cancer-Susceptibility
Genes in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study
Authors: Kim Jung , Gianferante Matthew , Karyadi Danielle M , Hartley Stephen W , Frone Megan N , Luo Wen , Robison Leslie L , Armstrong Gregory T , Bhatia Smita , Dean Michael , Yeager Meredith , Zhu Bin , Song Lei , Sampson Joshua N , Yasui Yutaka , Leisenring Wendy M , Brodie Seth A , de Andrade Kelvin C , Fortes Fernanda P , Goldstein Alisa M , Khincha Payal P , Machiela Mitchell J , McMaster Mary L , Nickerson Michael L , Oba Leatrisse , Pemov Alexander , Pinheiro Maisa , Rotunno Melissa , Santiago Karina , Wegman-Ostrosky Talia , Diver W Ryan , Teras Lauren , Freedman Neal D , Hicks Belynda D , Zhu Bin , Wang Mingyi , Jones Kristine , Hutchinson Amy A , Dagnall Casey , Savage Sharon A , Tucker Margaret A , Chanock Stephen J , Morton Lindsay M , Stewart Douglas R , Mirabello Lisa 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Pediatric cancers are the leading cause of death by disease in children despite improved survival rates overall. The contribution of germline genetic susceptibility to pediatric cancer survivors has not been extensively characterized. We assessed the frequency of pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants in 5451 long-term pediatric cancer survivors from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

Methods
Exome sequencing was conducted on germline DNA from 5451 pediatric cancer survivors (cases who survived ≥5 years from diagnosis; n = 5105 European) and 597 European cancer-free adults (controls). Analyses focused on comparing the frequency of rare P/LP variants in 237 cancer-susceptibility genes and a subset of 60 autosomal dominant high-to-moderate penetrance genes, for both case-case and case-control comparisons.

Results
Of European cases, 4.1% harbored a P/LP variant in high-to-moderate penetrance autosomal dominant genes compared with 1.3% in controls (2-sided P = 3 × 10-4). The highest frequency of P/LP variants was in genes typically associated with adult onset rather than pediatric cancers, including BRCA1/2, FH, PALB2, PMS2, and CDKN2A. A statistically significant excess of P/LP variants, after correction for multiple tests, was detected in patients with central nervous system cancers (NF1, SUFU, TSC1, PTCH2), Wilms tumor (WT1, REST), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (PMS2), and soft tissue sarcomas (SDHB, DICER1, TP53, ERCC4, FGFR3) compared with other pediatric cancers.

Conclusion
In long-term pediatric cancer survivors, we identified P/LP variants in cancer-susceptibility genes not previously associated with pediatric cancer as well as confirmed known associations. Further characterization of variants in these genes in pediatric cancer will be important to provide optimal genetic counseling for patients and their families.
Distress Trajectories for Parents of Children With DSD: A Growth Mixture Model
Authors: Perez Megan N , Clawson Ashley H , Baudino Marissa N , Austin Paul F , Baskin Laurence S , Chan Yee-Ming , Cheng Earl Y , Coplen Douglas , Diamond David A , Fried Allyson J , Kolon Thomas , Kropp Bradley , Lakshmanan Yegappan , Meyer Theresa , Nokoff Natalie J , Palmer Blake W , Paradis Alethea , Poppas Dix P , Reyes Kristy J. Scott , Williot Pierre , Wolfe-Christensen Cortney , Yerkes Elizabeth B , Wisniewski Amy B , Mullins Larry L 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Objective
This study identifies trajectories of parent depressive symptoms after having a child born with genital atypia due to a disorder/difference of sex development (DSD) or congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and across the first year postgenitoplasty (for parents who opted for surgery) or postbaseline (for parents who elected against surgery for their child). Hypotheses for four trajectory classes were guided by parent distress patterns previously identified among other medical conditions.

Methods
Participants included 70 mothers and 50 fathers of 71 children diagnosed with a DSD or CAH with reported moderate to high genital atypia. Parents were recruited from 11 US DSD specialty clinics within 2 years of the child’s birth and prior to genitoplasty. A growth mixture model (GMM) was conducted to identify classes of parent depressive symptoms over time.

Results
The best fitting model was a five-class linear GMM with freely estimated intercept variance. The classes identified were termed “Resilient,” “Recovery,” “Chronic,” “Escalating,” and “Elevated Partial Recovery.” Four classes have previously been identified for other pediatric illnesses; however, a fifth class was also identified. The majority of parents were classified in the “Resilient” class (67.6%).

Conclusions
This study provides new knowledge about the trajectories of depressive symptoms for parents of children with DSD. Future studies are needed to identify developmental, medical, or familial predictors of these trajectories.