Assessable Learning Outcomes for the EU Education and Training Framework core and Function A specific modules: Report of an ETPLAS Working Group

Article 23(2) of the European Union Directive 2010/63/EU, which regulates welfare provisions for animals used for scientific purposes, requires that staff involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes be adequately educated and trained before they undertake any such work. However, the nature and extent of such training is not stipulated in the Directive. To facilitate Member States in fulfilling their education and training obligations, the European Commission developed a common Education and Training Framework, which was endorsed by the Member States Competent Authorities. An Education & Training Platform for Laboratory Animal Science (ETPLAS) Working Group was recently established to develop further guidance to the Learning Outcomes in the Framework, with the objective to clarify the levels of knowledge and understanding required by trainees, and to provide the criteria by which these Learning Outcomes should be assessed. Using the Framework document as a starting point, assessment criteria for the Learning Outcomes of the modules required for Function A persons (carrying out procedures on animals) for rats, mice and zebrafish were created with sufficient detail to enable trainees, providers and assessors to appreciate the level of knowledge, understanding and skills required to pass each module. Adoption and utilization of this document by training providers and accrediting or approving bodies will harmonize introductory education and training for those involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes within the European Union, promote mutual recognition of training within and between Member States and therefore free movement of personnel

Association of physical exercise and calcium intake with bone mass measured by quantitative ultrasound

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Interventions other than medications in the management of osteoporosis are often overlooked. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of physical activity and calcium intake with bone parameters.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We measured the heel T-score and stiffness index (SI) in 1890 pre- and postmenopausal women by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and assessed physical activity and dietary calcium intake by questionnaire. Participants were divided according to their weekly physical activity (sedentary, moderately active, systematically active) and daily calcium consumption (greater than or less than 800 mg/day).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>SI values were significantly different among premenopausal groups (p = 0.016) and between sedentary and systematically active postmenopausal women (p = 0.039). QUS T-scores in systematically active premenopausal women with daily calcium intake > 800 mg/day were significantly higher than those in all other activity groups (p < 0.05) independent of calcium consumption.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Systematic physical activity and adequate dietary calcium intake are indicated for women as a means to maximize bone status benefits.</p

INFLUENCE OF 5-FLUOROURACIL ON SERUM-LIPIDS

The effect of the cytotoxic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on plasma lipid levels was studied in patients and animals. Seven patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon and three with advanced breast cancer were treated with 5-FU monotherapy by i.v. push at a dose of 500 mg/m(2)/d for 3-5 consecutive days. The animal group comprised 9 rabbits treated with 5-FU by i.v. push at 12-18 mg/kg/d for 2 consecutive days. Measurements of serum lipid levels were performed before and 2 and 4 weeks after 5-FU administration. No obvious change of diet, body weight and bowel habits occurred during the study period. A significant reduction of total plasma cholesterol was observed in both patients and animals. The triglyceride levels were also reduced in the rabbits. Maximal cholesterol-lowering effect was observed in patients and rabbits with higher baseline cholesterol levels. The results suggest that 5-FU might interfere with lipid metabolism

Adhesion formation and intraperitoneal catheters: histologic findings in a rat model

Pieces of polyurethane, Teflon, silicone, and polyvinyl chloride were placed intraperitoneally to compare the histologic findings regarding intraperitoneal adhesion development in a rat model. The overall adhesion score differed significantly among the groups, the highest being in the Teflon group (mean 13.2), followed in descending order by the polyvinyl chloride group (10), the silicone group (9.6), and the polyurethane group (6.8). Thus, polyurethane causes the least adhesion development and can be used more extensively for the construction of catheters for intraperitoneal use. (C)2005 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine

MEDIAL NECROSIS AND ACUTE ALTERATIONS IN AORTIC DISTENSIBILITY FOLLOWING REMOVAL OF THE VASA VASORUM OF CANINE ASCENDING AORTA

Objective: It is known that the outer layers of the thoracic aorta receive substantial blood flow through vasa vasorum. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that removal of vasa vasorum flow will alter the elastic properties of the ascending aorta. Methods: Distensibility of the ascending aorta was determined before and 30 min after careful removal of the periaortic fat network which contains the vasa vasorum in 10 acutely instrumented dogs (experimental group) and the results were compared with those obtained from six weight matched sham operated control dogs. Aortic distensibility was measured using the formula: distensibility=2xpulsatile changes in aortic diameter divided-by (diastolic aortic diameterXpulse pressure). Aortic pressures were measured directly from the ascending aorta by a pressure gauge. Aortic diameters were simultaneously determined by an elastic air filled ring connected to a transducer. The efficacy of the technique for the interruption of vasa vasorum blood supply to the aortic wall was proved in six additional animals by histology of transverse blocks of aortic wall from the area of interest. Histology was performed before vasa vasorum removal in two animals, 30 min after vasa vasorum removal in another two, and 15 d after vasa vasorum removal in the remainder. Results: At baseline, there was no difference in the measured variables between the two groups. Aortic distensibility decreased significantly in the experimental group after vasa vasorum removal by 0.90(SEM 0.17) 10(-6).cm2-dyn-1 (p&lt;0.001), while it remained unchanged in the control group during the experiment. Complete removal of vasa vasorum of the ascending aorta was found in experimental group animals which were killed 30 min after operation, while ischaemic medial necrosis was observed in those killed 15 d after operation. Conclusions: Vasa vasorum removal led to an acute decrease in the distensibility of the ascending aorta. Lack of blood supply to the outer part of the aortic wall is most likely to have accounted for these findings

Adhesion formation: Intraperitoneal catheters in surgical practice

To compare the adhesion formation, in a rat model, of commercially available materials used as intraperitoneal catheters in clinical practice, pieces of polyurethane, Teflon, silicone, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were placed intraperitoneally in 36 female Wistar rats randomly assigned into four groups. Adhesion development was quantitated according to Nair’s classification system( NCS). According to NCS, polyurethane showed the least adhesion formation, while the highest scores were found in the PVC group. Comparing the thickness and the firmness of adhesions in the four groups, significant differences were found, with the polyurethane group developing none or filmy and mild adhesions. In contrast, almost all the rats in the Teflon group developed thick and dense adhesions. Thus, polyurethane caused the least adhesion formation among the four materials evaluated, and can be used more extensively for the construction of catheters for prolonged intraperitoneal use

A research model of measuring the tensile strength of colonic anastomosis in Wistar rats

The present experimental study investigates the mechanical behavior of intestinal anastomoses in  Wistar rats. More specifically the response of the anastomoses to a properly applied uniaxial direct  tensile load is studied and the respective tensile strength is determined. The surgical procedure of large  bowel anastomoses is described in detail. In addition the authors provide a thorough description of  the experimental apparatus, designed especially for measuring the tensile strength of the specimens  under study, with special consideration in gripping of the intestine, the load application and the data  acquisition and storage systems. This experimental model provides an excellent method for measuring the  anastomotic strength and therefore a flexible tool for the comparative evaluation of various anastomotic  techniques.