Marginal Zone B Cells in Neonatal Rats Express Intermediate Levels of CD90 (Thy-1)

Here we show that marginal zone (MZ)-B cells in rats can already be detected in neonatal spleen from two days after birth. At this time point, morphologically distinct MZs are not present yet and the vast majority of B cells in spleen are located in a concentric area surrounding the T cell zones (PALS). Before MZs are obviously detectable in spleen (14 days after birth), MZ-B cells seem to be enriched at the outer zones of the concentric B cell areas. Similar to adult rats, neonatal MZ-B cells are intermediate-sized cells that express high levels of surface (s)IgM and HIS57 antigen, and low levels of sIgD and CD45R (HIS24). We show here, however, that in contrast to adult MZ-B cells, MZ-B cells (and also recirculating follicular (RF)-B cells) in neonatal rats express higher levels of CD90 (Thy-1). In adult rats, expression of CD90 on the B cell lineage is confined to immature B cells. We speculate that the expression of CD90 on neonatal MZ-B cells may have implications for their responsiveness to polysaccharide (T cell-independent type 2) antigens

Initiatives, experiences and best practices for teaching social and ecological responsibility in ethics education for science and engineering students

For the past 14 years the Social Ecological Responsibility in Science and Engineering Education (SERSEE) Network has discussed the challenging but necessary task of teaching social and ecological responsibility to science and engineering students. Identifying, sharing and developing best practices, pedagogical materials and tools as well as a strategy for promoting it at universities can aid and promote this endeavour. This paper presents the central concepts and pedagogical methods that have emerged during the informal network’s meetings, and compares these concepts and methods to trends in the research literature.Ethics & Philosophy of Technolog

Non-bone marrow origin of neointimal smooth muscle cells in experimental in-stent restenosis in rats

Objective: To determine the contribution of bone marrow (BM)-derived cells in in-stent restenosis (ISR) and transplant arteriosclerosis (TA). Methods: Non-transgenic rats WT F344TG (n = 3) received stent implantation 6 weeks after lethal total body irradiation and suppletion with bone marrow from a R26-hPAP transgenic rat. After 4 weeks the abdominal aortas were harvested, the stent was quickly removed, the abdominal aorta was snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen and 5 μm cryosections for stainings were cut. Additionally, DA aortic allografts were transplanted into WT F344TG (n = 3) and R26-hPAPWT (n = 3) BM-chimeric recipients. Immunohistochemistry (hPAP staining) and immunofluorescence (hPAP, α-SMA and OX1) was performed on all sections. Results: Few hPAP-positive cells were observed in the neointima. Double stainings of hPAP-positive areas showed no α-SMA colocalization; OX-1 did show colocalization. Conclusions: Non-BM-derived cells are the predominant source of neointimal cells in ISR and TA. Vascular wall-derived progenitor cells may rather be the source of SMCs that contribute to ISR and TA, which may have implications for our quest for new therapeutic targets to treat these vasculopathies.</p

Non-bone marrow origin of neointimal smooth muscle cells in experimental in-stent restenosis in rats

Objective: To determine the contribution of bone marrow (BM)-derived cells in in-stent restenosis (ISR) and transplant arteriosclerosis (TA). Methods: Non-transgenic rats WT F344TG (n = 3) received stent implantation 6 weeks after lethal total body irradiation and suppletion with bone marrow from a R26-hPAP transgenic rat. After 4 weeks the abdominal aortas were harvested, the stent was quickly removed, the abdominal aorta was snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen and 5 μm cryosections for stainings were cut. Additionally, DA aortic allografts were transplanted into WT F344TG (n = 3) and R26-hPAPWT (n = 3) BM-chimeric recipients. Immunohistochemistry (hPAP staining) and immunofluorescence (hPAP, α-SMA and OX1) was performed on all sections. Results: Few hPAP-positive cells were observed in the neointima. Double stainings of hPAP-positive areas showed no α-SMA colocalization; OX-1 did show colocalization. Conclusions: Non-BM-derived cells are the predominant source of neointimal cells in ISR and TA. Vascular wall-derived progenitor cells may rather be the source of SMCs that contribute to ISR and TA, which may have implications for our quest for new therapeutic targets to treat these vasculopathies.</p

Adaptation pathways in planning for uncertain climate change : Applications in Portugal, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands

Adaptation pathways are developed to design adaptive policies to handle climate change uncertainty. Use of this tool varies across planning practices and adaptation challenges and adjusting the tool to particular practices can foster its adequate use. To gain insight into the use of adaptation pathways, we compared four initiatives (one each in Portugal and the Czech Republic and two in the Netherlands) with regard to design choices made. We found six design choices which need to be considered when adjusting adaptation pathways. Design choices about the geographic scale, inclusion of sectors, the generation and delineation of adaptation options, specification of possible pathways, the related performance metrics and the type of assessment are interdependent, but they are also influenced by contextual aspects. Analysis of the institutional diversity, planning culture and framing shows that the use of adaptation pathways is flexible enough to be adjusted for diverging planning practices. However, the tool is best suited to deliver local adaptation solutions, and adequate use depends on consensus about the adaptation problem, setting objective thresholds and determining uncertainty about future change. We conclude that understanding the customised use of tools for local planning practices is essential for adaptive policy design.</p

Adaptation pathways in planning for uncertain climate change : Applications in Portugal, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands

Adaptation pathways are developed to design adaptive policies to handle climate change uncertainty. Use of this tool varies across planning practices and adaptation challenges and adjusting the tool to particular practices can foster its adequate use. To gain insight into the use of adaptation pathways, we compared four initiatives (one each in Portugal and the Czech Republic and two in the Netherlands) with regard to design choices made. We found six design choices which need to be considered when adjusting adaptation pathways. Design choices about the geographic scale, inclusion of sectors, the generation and delineation of adaptation options, specification of possible pathways, the related performance metrics and the type of assessment are interdependent, but they are also influenced by contextual aspects. Analysis of the institutional diversity, planning culture and framing shows that the use of adaptation pathways is flexible enough to be adjusted for diverging planning practices. However, the tool is best suited to deliver local adaptation solutions, and adequate use depends on consensus about the adaptation problem, setting objective thresholds and determining uncertainty about future change. We conclude that understanding the customised use of tools for local planning practices is essential for adaptive policy design