Refinement techniques in experimental protocols involving Callitrichids.
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The invasiveness of biomedical experiments on laboratory animals should be limited to the greatest extent possible yet without sacrificing the quality of the data collected. To this end, refinement techniques can be used. In the present work, we describe some of these techniques, focussing on the familiarity of the experimental environment, alternative sampling techniques (including the use of positive training), telemetry, and methods for improving ethological experiments. As a model, we have chosen the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), which is frequently used in biomedical research. (+info)
Effects of static load on the weight and protein content in the leg muscles of the mouse: a simulation of prolonged standing in the workplace.
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To simulate the effects of prolonged standing in the workplace on the leg muscles, we subjected mice to centrifugation for 6 wk. The absolute wet weight of leg muscles and internal organs of mice were measured after exposure to 3G by centrifugation for 6 wk and at 2 wk after removal of centrifugation. The weight of the soleus muscle (antigravity muscle) significantly increased after 6-wk exposure to centrifugation, but it decreased to its control weight 2 wk after removal of centrifugation. In contrast, the wet weights of the anterior tibial muscle, liver, and kidneys of mice centrifuged for 6 wk were significantly lower than those of the control mice; they had returned to control levels 2 wk after removal of centrifugation. It was therefore suggested that prolonged standing enlarged the leg muscles but its effect did not last for a long period of time after stopping prolonged standing. Western blot analysis of proteins extracted from the soleus muscle showed that vinculin and alpha-actinin in the centrifuged mice increased slightly, but there were no differences in the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and desmin levels between the centrifuged mice and control mice. No difference in HSP 70 suggested that muscle damage did not exist after 6 wk centrifugation. (+info)
Use of live nonhuman primates in research in Asia.
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BACKGROUND: Use of live non-human primates (NHPs) in biomedical research is a controversial issue in many parts of the world. Recent use of NHPs in research in Asian countries was surveyed. AIM: To elucidate the use of NHPs in research in Asian countries. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The peer-reviewed literature was sampled according to the species used, area of research, research class and geographic location. Articles derived from database searches were scrutinised. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Studies were identified from the PrimateLit database. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Results suggested that NHP research was conducted in 16 countries, of which Japan accounted for two-thirds. About 55% of studies involved use of live animals, whereas the remaining 45% used some lower level of biological material. More than 70% of the studies using live NHPs included use of Old World monkeys. M. fuscata (18%), M. mulatta (17%) and M. fascicularis (10%) were the three most commonly used species. The most common research areas were neuroscience (44%), conservation (14%) and behaviour (11%). Due to high demand for NHPs, there is room for increased breeding of NHPs to be used for research in Asian countries. (+info)
Demand for nonhuman primate resources in the age of biodefense.
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The demand for nonhuman primates will undoubtedly increase to meet biomedical needs in this current age of biodefense. The availability of funding has increased the research on select agents and has created a requirement to validate results in relevant primate models. This review provides a description of current and potential biological threats that are likely to require nonhuman primates for the development of vaccines and therapeutics. Primates have been an invaluable resource in the dissection of viral disease pathogenesis as well as in testing vaccine efficacy. DNA vaccine approaches have been studied successfully for Ebola, Lassa, and anthrax in nonhuman primate models. Nonhuman primate research with monkeypox has provided insight into the role of cytokines in limiting disease severity. Biodefense research that has focused on select agents of bacterial origin has also benefited from nonhuman primate studies. Rhesus macaques have traditionally been the model of choice for anthrax research and have yielded successful findings in vaccine development. In plague research, African green monkeys have contributed to vaccine development. However, the disadvantages of current vaccines will undoubtedly require the generation of new vaccines, thus increasing the need for nonhuman primate research. Unfortunately, the current biosafety level (BSL)-3 and BSL-4 facilities equipped to perform this research are limited, which may ultimately impede progress in this era of biodefense. (+info)
Facility design considerations for select agent animal research.
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The events of September 11, 2001, have piqued US interest and investment in infectious disease research and the facilities that support the research. Since 1999, federal grants for biosafety level (BSL)-3, -3 agricultural (Ag), and -4 research have increased by more than 900%--to 13.1B dollars in the fiscal years 2002 to 2004 compared with 1.2B dollars from 1999 to 2001. This dramatic growth has forced experienced professionals from government agencies, universities, industry, design firms, commissioning firms, and contractors to work together to construct buildings that meet the demanding and unique needs of the research. This discussion pertains primarily to select agent research and provides (1) an overview of the guidelines and standards pertinent to the design and construction of biocontainment research facilities using animals, (2) design considerations appropriate for these facilities, (3) special requirements associated with BSL-3Ag agricultural research, and (4) information to prepare for the use of a state-of-the-art infectious disease research facility. (+info)
Issues related to the use of animals in biocontainment research facilities.
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The expansion and improvement of high-containment animal facilities has been driven by terrorism, economics, the emergence of new pathogens, and the re-emergence of other pathogens in new areas. Working with highly infectious viral agents requires a team of trained scientists, laboratory technicians, veterinarians, animal care staff, biological safety officers, engineers, and physical plant staff to ensure safety, biocontainment, and the animals' well being, while providing essential scientific data. The challenges of working with infectious disease agents in high levels of containment, and some solutions to these challenges, are described from an animal care point of view. (+info)
Animal-based medicines: biological prospection and the sustainable use of zootherapeutic resources.
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Animals have been used as medicinal resources for the treatment and relieve of a myriad of illnesses and diseases in practically every human culture. Although considered by many as superstition, the pertinence of traditional medicine based on animals cannot be denied since they have been methodically tested by pharmaceutical companies as sources of drugs to the modern medical science. The phenomenon of zootherapy represents a strong evidence of the medicinal use of animal resources. Indeed, drug companies and agribusiness firms have been evaluating animals for decades without paying anything to the countries from where these genetic resources are found. The use of animals' body parts as folk medicines is relevant because it implies additional pressure over critical wild populations. It is argued that many animal species have been overexploited as sources of medicines for the traditional trade. Additionally, animal populations have become depleted or endangered as a result of their use as experimental subjects or animal models. Research on zootherapy should be compatible with the welfare of the medicinal animals, and the use of their by-products should be done in a sustainable way. It is discussed that sustainability is now required as the guiding principle for biological conservation. (+info)
Ahimsa and alternatives -- the concept of the 4th R. The CPCSEA in India.
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The Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA) in India is one of a kind in the world. It is a statutory body of the government of India formed by an act of the Indian parliament. This body consists of nominated members and representatives from national regulatory agencies, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Environment and Forests, national academic and research councils, premier research institutes, eminent scientists and animal welfare organisations. The CPCSEA draws its powers from the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act of 1960 which states that the duty of the committee is "to take all such measures as may be necessary to ensure that animals are not subject to unnecessary pain or suffering before, during or after the performance of experiments on them". With the power to promulgate its own laws to ensure the humane and ethical use of animals in research and education, the CPCSEA in 1998 notified in the gazette of India the "Breeding of and Experiments on Animals (Control and Supervision) Rules 1998". The CPCSEA is unique in that the law in itself has enabled the creation of a common platform of discussion for scientists and animal activists for humane and progressive solutions for the use of animals in experimentation. In a country that is caught in a paradox of violence and rich cultural and religious traditions, India still draws a lot of its power from the concept of "Ahimsa" (the philosophy of non-violence). This concept is also pertinent to the use of animals in laboratories. Unethical, inhumane and unscientific practices, and ignorance of the use of alternatives were the way of science until 1999 when CPCSEA became functional. For four years CPCSEA has waged a battle, rescued thousands of animals from laboratories, fought legal battles to victory, enforced for the first time in the country good laboratory practice, designed guidelines for the use of animals in the production of immunobiologicals, introduced the credo of 3R principles, trained and taught scientific personnel the credibility of humane science and most importantly brought forward the concept of the fourth R, "rehabilitation" of used laboratory animals. Today CPCSEA has made it a national policy that personnel using experimental animals have a moral responsibility towards these animals after their use. Costs of after-care/rehabilitation of animals post experimentation are to be a part of research costs and should be scaled in positive correlation with the level of sentience of the animals. This paper is about the Indian law on animal experimentation and the success story of the CPCSEA in India in inculcating the credo of 4Rs -- Replacement, Reduction, Refinement, and Rehabilitation of animals used in experimentation. (+info)