17 research outputs found
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<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.