bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microclimate–forage growth linkages across two strongly contrasting precipitation years in a Mediterranean catchment
Authors: Devine Scott M. , O'Geen Anthony T. , Larsen Royce E. , Dahlke Helen E. , Liu Han , Jin Yufang , Dahlgren Randy A. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractGiven the complex topography of California rangelands, contrasting microclimates affect forage growth at catchment scales. However, documentation of microclimate–forage growth associations is limited, especially in Mediterranean regions experiencing pronounced climate change impacts. To better understand microclimate–forage growth linkages, we monitored forage productivity and root‐zone soil temperature and moisture (0–15 and 15–30 cm) in 16 topographic positions in a 10‐ha annual grassland catchment in California's Central Coast Range. Data were collected through two strongly contrasting growing seasons, a wet year (2016–17) with 287‐mm precipitation and a dry year (2017–18) with 123‐mm precipitation. Plant‐available soil water storage (0–30 cm) was more than half full for most of the wet year; mean peak standing forage was 2790 kg ha−1 (range: 1597–4570 kg ha−1). The dry year had restricted plant‐available water and mean peak standing forage was reduced to 970 kg ha−1 (range: 462–1496 kg ha−1). In the wet year, forage growth appeared energy limited (light and temperature): warmer sites produced more forage across a 3–4°C soil temperature gradient but late season growth was associated with moister sites spanning this energy gradient. In the dry year, the warmest topographic positions produced limited forage across a 10°C soil temperature gradient until late season rainfall in March. Linear models accounting for interactions between soil moisture and temperature explained about half of rapid, springtime forage growth variance. These findings reveal dynamic but clear microclimate–forage growth linkages in complex terrain, and thus, have implications for rangeland drought monitoring and dryland ecosystems modeling under climate change.
Changing Etiologies and Prognostic Factors in Pediatric Acute Liver Failure
Authors: Mendizabal Manuel , Dip Marcelo , Demirdjian Ezequiel , Lauferman Leandro , Lopez Susana , Minetto Julia , Costaguta Alejandro , Rumbo Carolina , Malla Ivone , Sanchez María Camila , Halac Esteban , Cervio Guillermo , Cuarterolo Miriam , Galoppo Marcela , Imventarza Oscar , Bisgniano Liliana , D’Agostino Daniel , Rubinstein Fernando 
Published: October 2019

After the implementation of universal hepatitis A virus vaccination in Argentina, the outcome of pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) remains unknown. We aimed to identify variables associated with the risk of liver transplantation (LT) or death and to determine the causes and short‐term outcomes of PALF in Argentina. We retrospectively included 135 patients with PALF listed for LT between 2007 and 2016. Patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), Wilson’s disease (WD), or inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) were classified as PALF–chronic liver disease (CLD), and others were classified as “pure” PALF. A logistic regression model was developed to identify factors independently associated with death or need of LT and risk stratification. The most common etiologies were indeterminate (52%), AIH (23%), WD (6%), and IEM (6%). Overall, transplant‐free survival was 35%, whereas 50% of the patients underwent LT and 15% died on the waiting list. The 3‐month risk of LT or death was significantly higher among patients with pure PALF compared with PALF‐CLD (76.5% versus 42.5%; relative risk, 1.8 [1.3‐2.5]; P < 0.001), and 3 risk factors were independently associated with worse outcome: international normalized ratio (INR) ≥3.5 (odds ratio [OR], 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3‐7.2]), bilirubin ≥17 mg/dL (OR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.9‐10.3]), and pure PALF (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.6‐8.9). Patients were identified by the number of risk factors: Patients with 0, 1, or ≥2 risk factors presented a 3‐month risk of worse outcome of 17.6%, 36.6%, and 82%, respectively. In conclusion, although lacking external validation, this simple risk‐staging model might help stratify patients with different transplant‐free survival rates and may contribute to establishing the optimal timing for LT.
SUPPORT TO CITIZEN RADIATION MONITORING OF RADIOACTIVITY IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC—PROJECT RAMESIS
Authors: Helebrant Jan , Kuča Petr 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Project ‘RAMESIS’, solved by SURO+UTEF+NUVIA, is aimed at the improvement of population safety through supporting Citizen Monitoring in Czechia. Radiation monitoring system at the level of institutions, schools and citizens will be developed and implemented, covering equipment for both fixed-site and mobile monitoring using simple-designed and easy-to-operate detectors, enabling their usage by public and mass-production at acceptable price. The instrumentation includes central application for reception, storage, administration and publication of monitoring results analyzed and presented on web-portal, tools for user’s local online and offline data visualization on a map background, and web portal providing training and informational materials for understanding radiation problems. The system will be implemented in selected institutions and schools, initial sets of detectors are distributed free of charge among schools, institutions and the public. This article describes the technical part of the project, solved in the framework of Ministry of Interior-founded security research ID VI20152019028.
HLA and sleep parameter associations in post-H1N1 narcolepsy type 1 patients and first-degree relatives
Authors: Juvodden Hilde T , Viken Marte K , Nordstrand Sebjørg E H , Viste Rannveig , Westlye Lars T , Thorsby Per M , Lie Benedicte A , Knudsen-Heier Stine 
Published: October 2019

AbstractStudy ObjectivesTo explore HLA (human leukocyte antigen) in post-H1N1 narcolepsy type 1 patients (NT1), first-degree relatives and healthy controls, and assess HLA associations with clinical and sleep parameters in patients and first-degree relatives.MethodsNinety post-H1N1 NT1 patients and 202 of their first-degree relatives were HLA-genotyped (next generation sequencing) and phenotyped (semistructured interviews, Stanford Sleep Questionnaire, polysomnography, and multiple sleep latency test). HLA allele distributions were compared between DQB1*06:02-heterozygous individuals (77 patients, 59 parents, 1230 controls). A subsample (74 patients, 114 relatives) was investigated for associations between HLA-loci and continuous sleep variables using logistic regression. Identified candidate HLA-loci were explored for HLA allele associations with hypnagogic hallucinations and sleep paralysis in 90 patients, and patient allele findings were checked for similar associations in 202 relatives.ResultsDQB1*06:02 heterozygous post-H1N1 NT1 patients (84.4% H1N1-vaccinated) showed several significant HLA associations similar to those reported previously in samples of mainly sporadic NT1, i.e. DQB1*03:01, DRB1*04:01, DRB1*04:02, DRB1*04:07, DRB1*11:04, A*25:01, B*35:03, and B*51:01, and novel associations, i.e. B*14:02, C*01:02, and C*07:01. Parents HLA alleles did not deviate significantly from controls. The HLA-C locus was associated with sleep parameters in patients and relatives. In patients C*02:02 seems to be associated with protective effects against sleep paralysis and hypnagogic hallucinations.ConclusionsOur findings of similar risk/protective HLA-alleles in post-H1N1 as in previous studies of mainly sporadic narcolepsy support similar disease mechanisms. We also report novel allelic associations. Associations between HLA-C and sleep parameters were seen independent of NT1 diagnosis, supporting involvement of HLA-C in sleep subphenotypes.
Thymus size is associated with breastfeeding and having pets in a sex‐specific manner
Authors: Laursen Rikke P. , Larnkjær Anni , Ritz Christian , Frøkiær Hanne , Rytter Maren J. H. , Mølgaard Christian , Michaelsen Kim F. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAimThe aim was to examine associations between thymus size and anthropometric measurements, sex, age, breastfeeding status, presence of siblings, household pets, and infections and allergies since birth in 8‐ to 13‐month‐old healthy Danish infants.MethodsData collected from 256 healthy infants enrolled in the ProbiComp study were used. Thymus size was assessed using sonographic measures, and thymic index (TI) and thymus weight index (TWI) was used as an absolute and a relative volume estimate, respectively.ResultsIn terms of TI and TWI, boys had approximately 15% and 5% larger thymus than girls (P < .001 and P < .02, respectively). TWI was larger in girls who were still breastfed than girls who were no longer breastfed (β: 0.16 cm3/kg; 95% CI: 0.004, 0.29; P = .01), but no difference was observed for boys. Having household pets was associated with a larger TI (P = .02), which seemed to be driven by associations for boys (β: 1.38 cm3; 95% CI: 0.02, 2.74). No other factors associated with thymus size were identified.ConclusionThymus size was associated with current breastfeeding in girls and with having household pets in boys. Sex‐specific associations should be further explored in future studies on factors associated with thymus size.
The Politicization of the European Central Bank: What Is It, and How to Study It?
Authors: Tortola Pier Domenico 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe politicization of the European Central Bank (ECB) is a recurrent theme in debates on the EU after the crisis, yet it is one that still suffers from a considerable degree of vagueness. This is unfortunate as it hinders the development of useful discussions on the place and legitimacy of the ECB within Europe's institutional order. To tackle this problem, this article presents a systematic analysis of the concept of ECB politicization and an agenda for future research on this phenomenon. After reviewing existing uses of the term in the form of three dichotomies – politicization versus independence, impartiality, and convention – the article proposes an alternative, preference‐based definition of politicization as a deviation from technocratic policy‐making in the ECB. Building on this definition, the article then indicates three avenues for the empirical study of politicization centred, respectively, on elite interviews and surveys, the analysis of central bankers’ networks and the study of ECB language.
Capitalist Outcomes, Ideal Types, Historical Realities
Authors: Davidson Neil 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
This article is a response to some of the criticisms made of How Revolutionary were the Bourgeois Revolutions? by Gerstenberger, Post and Riley. In particular, it focuses on two issues of definition – that of capitalism and the capitalist nation-state – which arise from the book’s ‘consequentialist’ claim that bourgeois revolutions are defined by a particular outcome: the establishment of nation-states dedicated to the accumulation of capital.
Cytotoxic Injury to Thymic Stroma and Impaired Reconstitution.
Authors: Prockop Susan E. , O’Reilly Richard J. , Petrie Howard 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
A key component of long-term outcome after stem cell transplant (SCT) is successful reconstitution of the immune system. Effective reconstitution of antigen-specific T-cell immunity requires de novo T cell generation. Bone marrow derived progenitors seed the thymus and undergo a complex process involving lineage commitment, proliferation and selection. Coordinated interaction of marrow-derived lymphoid progenitors with thymic stromal cells is required for successful T lymphopoiesis in the post-natal thymus. Disruption of the microenvironment can result in disrupted T cell lymphopoiesis. One cause of prolonged defects in generating functional T lymphocytes after BMT is damage to the thymic microenvironment induced by radiation or cytotoxic therapy. However, the impact of individual agents, administered at myeloablative or non-myeloablative doses, on the thymic microenvironment has not been fully evaluated. In addition, mechanisms by which stromal injury modifies T cell production and maturation have only begun to be understood. We have developed a model system using immunodeficient mice as a platform on which to assess thymic reconstitution. The thymus of mice deficient for the alpha chain of the IL-7 receptor (IL7R−/−) is relatively depleted of lymphoid cells and can be reconstituted following transplant of wild type marrow administered without myeloablative or immunosuppressive treatment. Injection of low doses of wild type bone marrow into these mice results in low levels of marrow chimerism and a normally cellular thymus repopulated with donor-derived lymphocytes. The ability to achieve this reconstitution appears to depend on absolute numbers of early intra-thymic precursors, rather than on total thymic cellularity. We have exploited this model to differentially assess the effects of cytotoxic agents including radiation and immunosuppressive drugs, on the capacity of the thymic microenvironment to support the maturation of normal lympoid progenitors (Figure 1). We demonstrate that some agents do not affect the ability of the thymic microenvironment to support reconstitution (eg fludarabine), others nearly ablate it (cyclophosphamide). We are also able to show dose, schedule, and synergistic effects on the ability of the thymic microenvironment to support de novo T cell lymphopoeisis. Distinct morphologic and phenotypic effects can be demonstrated by different agents (eg busulfan versus thiotepa) with preliminary data suggesting that the effects are mediated by injury to different stromal subsets. It is anticipated that this information will lead to strategies to both minimize delayed immune reconstitution and to augment T cell lymphopoiesis post-transplant. In addition, further evaluation of impaired thymic reconstitution will augment the understanding of lymphostromal interactions crucial to normal T cell lymphopoiesis.
Non Myeloablative Transplant in Patients with Indolent Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL): Results of Two Prospectives Multicenter Trials.
Authors: Caballero M.D. , Martino R. , Mateos M.V. , Briones J. , de la Serna J. , Tomas J.F. , Arranz R. , Diez J.L. , Rubio V. , Ribera Josep Maria , Moraleda J.M. , Sanz G. , Urbano A. , Sarrá J. , Sampol A. , Sierra J. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Myeloablative transplant has been investigated in poor prognosis indolent lymphoma; although recurrence rate is low it is associated with high mortality; the use of non-myeloablative conditioning regimens could reduce TRM maintaining the GVH effect.
Up to February 2004, 40 patients with indolent NHL(87% Folicular lymphoma(FL) 5% a lymphocytic well differenciate lymphoma (WDLL) 5% Waldenström Macroglobulinemia(WM) and 3% a Marginal Lymphoma(MZL) have been registered in two prospective multicenter trials;Conditioning regimen consisted of Fludarabine 150 mg and Melphalan 70–140 mg. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of CSA plus short-course MTX. All patients received filgrastim-stimulated peripheral blood stem cells from a HLA related identical donor.Median age at transplant was 50 years (34–67) and 15(40%) had received a previous autologous transplant. At transplant, 5 patients (13%) were in CR1 (after several lines of chemotherapy), 9 (22%) in >CR1, 16 (40%) in PR, 1(2%) had stable disease (after 3 chemotherapy lines) and 9(23%) progressive disease. All patients engrafted. Acute GVHD developed in 22 patients (55%) (18 patients grade II–IV). Chronic GVHD developed in 22 out of 27 patients at risk (81%), being extensive in 13; Disease was evaluated at day +100 and at that moment 22 patients(58%) were in CR, 3 (8%) in PR, two (5%) had stable disease and 11 patients (27%) have died. With a median follow up of 30 months (range: 10–56 months), 24 patients (60%) are alive disease free, 16 (39%) have died, 14 of them (35%) due to transplant toxicity and 2 patients (5%) due to progression. Overall Survival (OS) and Event Free Survival (EFS) are 60 and 58 % respectively. Analysing variables which influence on OS and EFS, patients ≥55 years have a OS significantly shorter than patients < 55 years old (22% vs 66%; p:0,01). Moreover, patients who develop chronic GVHD have an OS and EFS significantly better than those which do not develop it (OS: 89,7 vs 57%; p=0,02 (HR: 9,3-IC95% (2,08–41,5); EFS: 89 vs 42%; p=0,002 (HR: 11,08-IC95% (2,49–49,28)). In conclusion, our results demonstrates the efficacy of non-myeloablative transplant in indolent NHL with a very low relapse rate, indicating the important role of chronic GVHD in the control of the disease; however, mortality rate is still high, mainly in patients ≥55 years
Swine Bone Marrow Derived Multipotent Adult Progenitor Cells.
Authors: Zeng Lepeng , Zhang Jianyi , Verfaillie Catherine M. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
We have previously reported that multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs) can be isolated from the bone marrow of rodents and humans. Here we describe isolation of similar cells, fetal swine MAPCs (fsMAPCs) from fetal swine bone marrow (BM). BM was obtained from 5 fetal swine donors. BM mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) were plated into fibronectin-coated T150 flasks at 2x104 cells/cm2 in 58% LG-DMEM and 40% MCDB-201, supplemented with ITS, LA-BSA, 10−8 M dexamethasone, 10−4 M ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, 2% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 10ng/ml EGF and 10ng/ml PDGF-BB. Small clusters of cells appeared by day 5, were detached with 0.25% trypsin-EDTA on day 7 and sub-cloned at 1 cell/well in 96 well plates. Once populations of small cells appeared (40% of wells), they were culture expanded by plating at 500 cells/cm2. Cells were replated at 500cells/cm2 once they divided 2–3 times. Population doubling (PD) time was 24h for the initial 30–40 PDs, and 48 h at higher PDs. 3/5 fetal swine populations have been maintained for more than 100 PDs without cytogenetic abnormalities. For two of the populations, telomere length was evaluated on day-0, 40PDs and 80PDS, and no telomere shortening was seen. The phenotype of cultured cells before 30 PDs is CD45 and MHC class I negative, CD44 and MHC class II positive, while the phenotype after 60 PDs was CD44, CD45, MHC class I and II negative. FsMAPCs, cultured on Matrigel with fibroblast growth factor-4 (FGF-4) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), differentiated into epitheloid cells that expressed cytokeratin 18 (CK18), hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 (HNF-1), albumin protein on day 14–28. Cells differentiated for 21 days secreted 10pg/cell/hour urea (Urea Production Test), as is seen for primary hepatocytes. More functional tests for hepatocytes are ongoing, including LDL uptake, glycogen storage, cytochrome-p450 activity. When treated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fsMAPCs differentiated into endothelium-like cells that expressed CD31, CD34, VEGF-Receptor, vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-Cadherin) and von willebrand factor (VWF) protein and mRNA at day 14–28, formed vascular tube on extracellular matrix and took up LDL. Neuroectoderm differentiation studies are ongoing. Finally, we have preliminary evidence that fsMAPCs may differentiate into cells with cardiomyocyte markers. FsMAPCs, plated at 1,500 cells/cm2, were cultured with dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) and 0.75% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 1 day, followed by bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), FGF-8, FGF-4, Dkk-1 for 21 days. Cells acquired muscle morphology after d6. By day 21, cells expressed cardiac Troponin T, cardiac myosin heavy chain (cMHC), phospholamban protein, and Nkx2.5, Cardiac Troponin T, cMHC, GATA-4, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) mRNA. Although suggestive that the cells may differentiate into cardiomyocytes, they did not beat regularly. Electrophysiology studies are ongoing to determine whether the cells have functional characteristics of cardiomyocytes.
Efficient Generation of Neural Stem Cell Lines from Adult Bone Marrow Using Serum Free Defined Media.
Authors: Wiersema Anita , Weersing Ellen , Copray Sjef , de Haan Gerald 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Adult bone marrow (BM) derived stem cells may have the ability to differentiate into cells of all three germ layers, including neural cells. However, the efficient and large-scale generation of such cells is still a great challenge. Unfractionated BM cells were cultured at high density (5x106 cells/well) in vitro in serum-free media supplemented with basic fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor. After one month in culture, many cells had died and most of the surviving cells attached to the bottom, where they consistently formed cyst-like structures. Cellular aggregates in the shape of spheres originated from these cysts and started to expand. Comparing these BM-derived spheres (BM-NSC) with neurospheres isolated from fetal brain (NSC), revealed similar morphology and equal expression of the neural precursor marker Nestin. BM-NSC showed a high proliferating capacity, increasing 1000-fold over a period of 50 days. Single cell cultures were initiated to assess clonogenic potential. 35% of single BM-NSC produced a neurosphere colony within 7 days, compared to 21% of NSC. To assess to what extent BM-NSC and NSC were comparable at the molecular level, array analysis, interrogating 5000 cDNAs were performed. A striking overlap in gene expression patterns between the two populations was observed, while comparison of BM-NSC to hematopoietic stem cells resulted in no overlap at all. We have cultured these spheres for more than 1 year in vitro and they have been successfully cryopreserved and thawed. Multilineage neural differentiation was induced by sphere dissociation and plating cells onto poly-L-Lysine/laminin-coated dishes, without FGF and EGF, in the presence of Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor and Ciliary Neurotropic Factor. Immunocytochemistry was performed at day 4 and day 12 and revealed that BM derived NSCs expressed several neuronal markers. Differentiating cells expressed the early neuronal maker Nestin at day 4 and also Map2 and occasionally some cells were positive for GFAP. In some cells Nestin was co-localized with Map2. At day 12 cells where positive for Neun and Map2 and infrequently some cells stained positive for O4. Expression patterns were confirmed by RT-PCR analysis. This indicates that BM-NSC, like their brain-derived counterparts, have neuronal, astrocyte, and pre-oligodendrocyte potential. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that it is feasible to generate a self-renewing population of neural stem cells from BM that are indistinguishable from brain-derived stem cells. We are currently using highly purified BM cell populations to identify the origin of these BM-NSC cells.