After macroscopic inspection of the trachea, sections were evaluated by light microscopy.
These selected sections were evaluated by two independent graders in the RIRRC who were informed of the patients' diagnosis but masked to the visits that were graded.
All free text sections were evaluated by the first author (GM) and converted to values and categories suitable for statistical analysis.
After H&E staining, the sections were evaluated by blinding test, using an optical microscope (U-III Multi-point Sensor System; Nikon, Tokyo, Japan).
Stained sections were evaluated by four blinded graders and scored according to a modification of a canine knee synovial grading system (Cook et al. 2010) (Additional file 1: Table S1).
HE stained sections were evaluated by a pathologist (B.S).
The sections were evaluated by light microscopic examination using Olympus BX51 microscope.
Consecutive tissue sections were evaluated by the standard immunohistochemical techniques for the presence of activated T-cells.
Using this system, blinded tissue sections were evaluated by two independent examiners and the average score is presented in Fig. 5A.
To further investigate the subcellular localization of PAD2, mammary tissue sections were evaluated by IF, and high magnification images were taken.
Selected brain, thoracic and lumbar spinal cord sections were evaluated by an examiner blinded to the treatment status of the experimental animals.
