Experimental models for the autoimmune and inflammatory blistering disease, Bullous pemphigoid

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a subepidermal skin blistering disease characterized immunohistologically by dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ) separation, an inflammatory cell infiltrate in the upper dermis, and autoantibodies targeted toward the hemidesmosomal proteins BP230 and BP180. Development of an IgG passive transfer mouse model of BP that reproduces these key features of human BP has demonstrated that subepidermal blistering is initiated by anti-BP180 antibodies and mediated by complement activation, mast cell degranulation, neutrophil infiltration, and proteinase secretion. This model is not compatible with study of human pathogenic antibodies, as the human and murine antigenic epitopes are not cross-reactive. The development of two novel humanized mouse models for the first time has enabled study of disease mechanisms caused by BP autoantibodies, and presents an ideal in vivo system to test novel therapeutic strategies for disease management

F in A systematic revision of the African catfish genus Parauchenoglanis (Siluriformes: Claroteidae)

F. 1. Schematic illustration of measurements taken on the Parauchenoglanis specimens. See table 1 for the explanation of the different numbers.Published as part of <i>Geerinckx, T., Adriaens, D., Teugels, G. G. & Verraes, W., 2004, A systematic revision of the African catfish genus Parauchenoglanis (Siluriformes: Claroteidae), pp. 775-803 in Journal of Natural History 38 (6)</i> on page 778, DOI: 10.1080/0022293021000039160, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/10099764">http://zenodo.org/record/10099764</a&gt

F in A systematic revision of the African catfish genus Parauchenoglanis (Siluriformes: Claroteidae)

F. 10. Geographic distribution of Parauchenoglanis guttatus (2), P. buettikoferi (%), P. ahli (&), P. longiceps (+) and P. pantherinus ($).Published as part of <i>Geerinckx, T., Adriaens, D., Teugels, G. G. & Verraes, W., 2004, A systematic revision of the African catfish genus Parauchenoglanis (Siluriformes: Claroteidae), pp. 775-803 in Journal of Natural History 38 (6)</i> on page 795, DOI: 10.1080/0022293021000039160, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/10099764">http://zenodo.org/record/10099764</a&gt

In vitro evaluation of acute cytotoxicity of human chemically treated allografts.

In order to minimize the risk of contamination associated with tissue transplantation, tissue banks commonly chemically treat the tissues whenever possible. As viral inactivation uses agents lethal to microorganisms, it is imperative to assure that chemically inactivated tissue remains biocompatible. In vitro assays can be an effective means to assess the acute cytotoxicity of chemically treated human allografts. We have used different types of cells cultured in the presence of treated tissue extract. A standard cell line, a human fibroblast (WI38), which was the same for all the samples, was chosen. In addition, as the banked tissues (bone and fascia lata) were prepared to be used in bone or as a dura mater substitute, two other cell types were also used: an osteoblastic cell line (SaOS-2) and a neuronal cell line (Neuro 2A). Cytotoxic assessment was performed by qualitative evaluation of cell morphology based on confluence, granulation, vacuolization and swelling analysis. In addition, quantitative methods based on the use of neutral red (NR) and 3- (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) were assayed. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of fascia lata and bone extracts did not show deleterious effects on cell cultures. These results show that in vitro methods can be appropriate to select a non-toxic procedure before it is used in the human body and that several strong chemical treatments can result in a tissue suitable for human

Early development of the chondrocranium in Chrysichtys auratus (Pisces, Siluriformes, Claroteidae)

The inception and development of the cartilaginous cephalis skeleton of Chrysichthys auratus is described from hatching to about 18 days post-hatching. At hatching, no skeletal structure is present. Not until day 3 do clearly delimited cranial primordia become apparent. As in many siluriforms, the neurocranium is platybasic from the start, the suspensorium constitutes, with Meckel’s cartilage and the hyoid bar, a single cartilaginous element, and the junction between the front and rear of the neurocranium is complete on day 4. By day 8 the quadratomandibular joint has formed and the tectum posterius has appeared. Cartilage reduction first affects the trabecular bars, then, markedly, the visceral arches. By day 18 the braincase floor has almost disappeared