Generating a comprehensive set of standard operating procedures for a biorepository network-The CTRNet experience.

Despite the integral role of biorepositories in fueling translational research and the advancement of medicine, there are significant gaps in harmonization of biobanking practices, resulting in variable biospecimen collection, storage, and processing. This significantly impacts accurate downstream analysis and, in particular, creates a problem for biorepository networks or consortia. The Canadian Tumour Repository Network (CTRNet; www.

IgE-dependent mast cell activation potentiates airway responses in murine asthma models.

We have studied murine models of asthma using FcepsilonRIalpha-chain-deficient (FcepsilonRIalpha(-/-)) mice to investigate the role of IgE-dependent mast cell activation in these models. When mice were either 1) immunized once with OVA in alum i.p.

Systemic and neurologic abnormalities distinguish the lysosomal disorders sialidosis and galactosialidosis in mice.

Neuraminidase initiates the hydrolysis of sialo-glycoconjugates by removing their terminal sialic acid residues. In humans, primary or secondary deficiency of this enzyme leads to two clinically similar neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorders: sialidosis and galactosialidosis (GS). Mice nullizygous at the Neu1 locus develop clinical abnormalities reminiscent of early-onset sialidosis in children, including severe nephropathy, progressive edema, splenomegaly, kyphosis and urinary excretion of sialylated oligosaccharides.