Are slaughterhouse-obtained livers suitable for use in ex vivo perfusion research?

Objectives: The success of the ex vivo machine perfusion of pig livers used for preclinical research depends on organ quality and availability. In this study, we investigated whether livers obtained from slaughterhouses are suitable and equivalent to livers obtained from laboratory pigs. Methods: Livers were obtained from slaughterhouse pigs stunned by electrocution or CO2 inhalation and from laboratory pigs. For the latter group, 45 minutes of warm ischemia was mimicked for a subgroup, ensuring a valid comparison with slaughterhouse-derived livers. Results: Livers from CO2-stunned pigs showed lower indocyanine green clearance and bile production, higher blood lactate and potassium concentrations, and higher alanine aminotransferase activities than electrically stunned pigs. Furthermore, livers from electrically stunned pigs, and livers from laboratory pigs, subjected or not to warm ischemia, showed similar performance in terms of perfusion and metabolism. Conclusion: For an ex vivo liver model generated using slaughterhouse pigs, electrical stunning is preferable to CO2 stunning. Livers from electrically stunned slaughterhouse pigs performed similarly to laboratory pig livers. These findings support the use of livers from electrically stunned slaughterhouse pigs, which may therefore provide an alternative to livers obtained from laboratory pigs, consistent with the principle of the 3Rs.</p

Evaluation of the Performance of Coordinate Measuring Machines in the Industry, Using Calibrated Artefacts

AbstractThe coordinate measuring machines (CMM's) has given a new impulse in the field of geometrical and dimensional metrology. The CMM's in industrial environments have become an important resource for the quality systems, monitoring manufacturing processes, reduction errors during the manufacturing process, inspection of product specifications and in continuous quality improvement. However, there is a need to evaluate, through practical, fast, effective and low cost methods, the CMM metrological specifications. Using calibrated artefacts, able to reproduce the geometric elements frequently measured, it seeks to ensure stability of the functional and metrological characteristics between calibrations and simultaneously knowing the errors. With better monitoring of the control parameters it is possible evaluate and optimize the calibration set deadlines, timely detection of faults and failures, detect structural changes and changes in environmental conditions of the laboratories, thus seeking to conduct a more detailed assessment of the stability of metrological characteristics of a CMM in industrial environments

Elizabeth Irene Reiser, By And Through Her Guardian, Richard E. Reiser And Eleanor Reiser v. Richard Lohner And Howard Francis, Medical Doctors, And Provo Obstetrical And Gynecology Clinic, Inc., A Professional Corporation : Brief of Defendants-Respondents

Appeal from a Verdict of the Fourth Judicial District Court of Utah County, State of Utah Honorable James S. Sawaya, Presidin

Are slaughterhouse-obtained livers suitable for use in ex vivo perfusion research?

OBJECTIVES: The success of the ex vivo machine perfusion of pig livers used for preclinical research depends on organ quality and availability. In this study, we investigated whether livers obtained from slaughterhouses are suitable and equivalent to livers obtained from laboratory pigs. METHODS: Livers were obtained from slaughterhouse pigs stunned by electrocution or CO 2 inhalation and from laboratory pigs. For the latter group, 45 minutes of warm ischemia was mimicked for a subgroup, ensuring a valid comparison with slaughterhouse-derived livers. RESULTS: Livers from CO 2-stunned pigs showed lower indocyanine green clearance and bile production, higher blood lactate and potassium concentrations, and higher alanine aminotransferase activities than electrically stunned pigs. Furthermore, livers from electrically stunned pigs, and livers from laboratory pigs, subjected or not to warm ischemia, showed similar performance in terms of perfusion and metabolism. CONCLUSION: For an ex vivo liver model generated using slaughterhouse pigs, electrical stunning is preferable to CO 2 stunning. Livers from electrically stunned slaughterhouse pigs performed similarly to laboratory pig livers. These findings support the use of livers from electrically stunned slaughterhouse pigs, which may therefore provide an alternative to livers obtained from laboratory pigs, consistent with the principle of the 3Rs

Normothermic Ex Vivo Liver Platform Using Porcine Slaughterhouse Livers for Disease Modeling

Metabolic and toxic liver disorders, such as fatty liver disease (steatosis) and drug-induced liver injury, are highly prevalent and potentially life-threatening. To allow for the study of these disorders from the early stages onward, without using experimental animals, we collected porcine livers in a slaughterhouse and perfused these livers normothermically. With our simplified protocol, the perfused slaughterhouse livers remained viable and functional over five hours of perfusion, as shown by hemodynamics, bile production, indocyanine green clearance, ammonia metabolism, gene expression and histology. As a proof-of-concept to study liver disorders, we show that an infusion of free fatty acids and acetaminophen results in early biochemical signs of liver damage, including reduced functionality. In conclusion, the present platform offers an accessible system to perform research in a functional, relevant large animal model while avoiding using experimental animals. With further improvements to the model, prolonged exposure could make this model a versatile tool for studying liver diseases and potential treatments

Characteristics of surgical prosthetic heart valves and problems around labeling: a document from the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS)—The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS)—American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) Valve Labelling Task Force

Intraoperative surgical prosthetic heart valve (SHV) choice is a key determinant of successful surgery and positive postoperative outcomes. Currently, many controversies exist around the sizing and labeling of SHVs rendering the comparison of different valves difficult. To explore solutions, an expert Valve Labelling Task Force was jointly initiated by the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS), The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS). The EACTS–STS–AATS Valve Labelling Task Force, comprising cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, engineers, regulators and representatives from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and major valve manufacturers, held its first in-person meeting in February 2018 in Paris, France. This article was derived from the meeting's discussions. The Task Force identified the following areas for improvement and clarification: reporting of physical dimensions and characteristics of SHVs determining and labeling of SHV size, in vivo and in vitro testing, and reporting of SHV hemodynamic performance and thrombogenicity. Furthermore, a thorough understanding of the regulatory background and the role of the applicable ISO standards, together with close cooperation between all stakeholders (including regulatory and standard- setting bodies), is necessary to improve the current situation. Cardiac surgeons should be provided with appropriate information to allow for optimal SHV choice. This first article from the EACTS–STS–AATS Valve Labelling Task Force summarizes the background of SHV sizing and labeling and identifies the most important elements where further standardization is necessary

Characteristics of surgical prosthetic heart valves and problems around labelling: a document from the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS)– the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS)– American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) valve labelling task force

Intraoperative surgical prosthetic heart valve (SHV) choice is a key determinant of successful surgery and positive postoperative outcomes. Currently, many controversies exist around the sizing and labelling of SHVs rendering the comparison of different valves difficult. To explore solutions, an expert Valve Labelling Task Force was jointly initiated by the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS), The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS). The EACTS–STS–AATS Valve Labelling Task Force, comprising cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, engineers, regulators and representatives from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and major valve manufacturers, held its first in-person meeting in February 2018 in Paris, France. This article was derived from the meeting's discussions. The Task Force identified the following areas for improvement and clarification: reporting of physical dimensions and characteristics of SHVs determining and labelling of SHV size, in vivo and in vitro testing and reporting of SHV hemodynamic performance and thrombogenicity. Furthermore, a thorough understanding of the regulatory background and the role of the applicable ISO standards, together with close cooperation between all stakeholders (including regulatory and standard-setting bodies), is necessary to improve the current situation. Cardiac surgeons should be provided with appropriate information to allow for optimal SHV choice. This first article from the EACTS–STS–AATS Valve Labelling Task Force summarizes the background of SHV sizing and labelling and identifies the most important elements where further standardization is necessary

Characteristics of surgical prosthetic heart valves and problems around labelling:a document from the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS)– the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS)– American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) valve labelling task force

Intraoperative surgical prosthetic heart valve (SHV) choice is a key determinant of successful surgery and positive postoperative outcomes. Currently, many controversies exist around the sizing and labelling of SHVs rendering the comparison of different valves difficult. To explore solutions, an expert Valve Labelling Task Force was jointly initiated by the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS), The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS). The EACTS–STS–AATS Valve Labelling Task Force, comprising cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, engineers, regulators and representatives from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and major valve manufacturers, held its first in-person meeting in February 2018 in Paris, France. This article was derived from the meeting's discussions. The Task Force identified the following areas for improvement and clarification: reporting of physical dimensions and characteristics of SHVs determining and labelling of SHV size, in vivo and in vitro testing and reporting of SHV hemodynamic performance and thrombogenicity. Furthermore, a thorough understanding of the regulatory background and the role of the applicable ISO standards, together with close cooperation between all stakeholders (including regulatory and standard-setting bodies), is necessary to improve the current situation. Cardiac surgeons should be provided with appropriate information to allow for optimal SHV choice. This first article from the EACTS–STS–AATS Valve Labelling Task Force summarizes the background of SHV sizing and labelling and identifies the most important elements where further standardization is necessary.</p