Abstract: Disclosed herein is a non-naturally occurring non-human vertebrate animal incapable of expressing a functional Fc receptor which may optionally be capable of expressing a protein which comprises a domain of a human Fc receptor, as well as DNA encoding such Fc receptor-based proteins. Also disclosed are in vivo methods for identifying proinflammatory agents that depend on a functional Fc receptor, in vivo methods for identifying proinflammatory agents that do not depend on a functional Fc receptor, and both in vivo and in vitro methods of identifying anti-inflammatory agents. Pharmaceutical compositions containing, and methods of treating inflammation with anti-inflammatory agents are also described.

Abstract: A process for producing a resin foam by using an aqueous medium, which comprises(a) treating a resin compound with said aqueous medium to cause the aqueous medium to adhere to and be held by the resin compound, said resin compound being composed of porous agglomerated particles resulting from partial melt-adhesion of thermoplastic resin particles coated with a fine hydrophilic solid powder which does not substantially melt at the melting temperature of the resin particles, said solid powder being embedded in the resin particles but partly exposed at their surfaces,(b) melt-kneading the resin compound treated with the aqueous medium under such an elevated pressure that evaporation of the aqueous medium is substantially inhibited, and(c) thereafter releasing the kneaded resin composition from the pressurized state to foam it; and a thermoplastic resin compound used for the aforesaid process.