Many of the inbred mouse strains commonly used in biomedical research are homozygous for the rd1 mutation of the Pde6b gene, which causes retinal degeneration. To dissociate the behavioural effects of rd1 homozygosity from those of the genetic background of the host strain in the most widely used paradigms for evaluating the cognitive abilities of mice, two rd1 homozygous strains (C3H/HeJ and C...

BACKGROUND Herbal medicines have unique odors, and the act of smelling may have modulatory effects on the immune system. We investigated the effect of olfactory exposure to Tokishakuyaku-san (TJ-23), a Japanese herbal medicine, on alloimmune responses in a murine model of cardiac allograft transplantation. METHODS Naïve or olfactory-dysfunctional CBA mice underwent transplantation of a C57BL/...

We showed previously that cecal bacterial Ag (CBA)-specific CD4(+) T cells induce colitis when transferred into SCID mice. The purpose of this study was to generate and characterize CBA-specific regulatory T cells in C3H/HeJBir (Bir) mice. CD4(+) T cells were stimulated with CBA-pulsed APC in the presence of IL-10 every 10-14 days. After four or more cycles, these T cells produced high levels o...

In this response to Dusík and Bond, I reflect on what taxonomies of sustainable investment will need be able deliver in order add value our existing efforts towards making development more environmentally sustainable. What support should provide for strategic environmental assessment (SEA) policies, plans programmes impact (EIA) projects, as well cost-benefit analysis (CBA) plans, projects is d...

When deciding what alternative is more sustainable than others (i.e., selecting materials while considering environmental-, social-, and economic outputs) in the AEC industry, stakeholders need to select a method for their decision-making process. From the literature it appears to be assumed that all multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods are equal or that the differences between th...

Alcohol use disorders (AUD) exacerbate neurocognitive dysfunction in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV+) patients. We have shown that chronic binge alcohol (CBA) administration (13-14 g EtOH/kg/wk) prior to and during simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in rhesus macaques unmasks learning deficits in operant learning and memory tasks. The underlying mechanisms of neurocognitive altera...

This study provides a basis for understanding the wide variations reported in the literature in IFN-gamma inducibility of class II MHC antigens on murine beta cells. Inducibility is not an intrinsic property of all mouse beta cells, but instead depends upon strain- (and tissue-) specific response modifying factors. This was demonstrated by comparison of constitutive and IFN-gamma-induced class ...

This  paper  describes  how  English  as  a  Foreign  Language  (EFL)  teachers  can  bring  reliable, valid, user-friendly assessment into their classrooms, and thus improve the quality of learning that  occurs  there.  Based  on  the  experience  of  the  author  as  a  an  EFL  teacher  and  teacher-trainer, it is suggested that the promotion and development of autonomy, intrinsic motivation...

While CBA is currently the recommended strain for the LLNA, the assay was originally developed using BALB/c mice. Since the introduction of the LLNA, several groups in the U.S. have published LLNA studies using BALB/c mice, including the National Toxicology Program, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the Dow Chemical Corporation. This has resulted in reference databa...

Background: There are several methods to detect AQP4-antibody which is essential for diagnosis neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Objective: To evaluate an accuracy of the commercially available kit compared with other available tests. Methods: One hundred and twelve patients who visited the multiple sclerosis (MS) clinic at Siriraj Hospital were tested for AQP4-antibody by cell-based assay with Senda...