Comentarios sobre la Directiva Europea 2010/63/EU para la protección de animales de laboratorio

El 20 de Octubre del 2010 se publico la nueva Directiva Europea 2010/63/EU sobre la protección de los animales utilizados en procedimientos científicos. Dicha publicación en el Diario Oficial de la Unión Europea supone el inicio de su tramitación para su entrada en vigor como ley Europea. Los países miembros tienen ahora un periodo de dos años para implementar dicha directiva como documento legal asegurando su completa entrada en vigor para Enero del 2013. En este artículo se realiza un análisis comparativo de la nueva Directiva 2010/63/EU y la normativa actual vigente en el Reino Unido, referente mundial en el área de protección de animales de laboratorio. La nueva Directiva reconoce la importancia de la utilización de animales de experimentación en los avances científicos, pero reforzando la defensa y el respeto del valor intrínseco del ser animal. En este sentido la Directiva representa un importante avance para la protección del bienestar animal en todos los estados miembros, con el objetivo de armonizar la legislación vigente. Si bien varios países ya disponen de una legislación bastante progresiva, la implementación de la nueva directiva representa una excelente oportunidad para asentar y/o homogeneizar criterios de alto estándar de protección del bienestar animal en todos los países miembros, reforzando así el compromiso de la Unión Europea con la investigación científica y el respeto al bienestar de los animales de experimentación. On 20th October 2010 the new 2010/63/EU European directive on the protection of animals used in scientific procedures was published in the Official Journal of the European Union, entering into force as a European law. Member States now have a period of two years to implement the directive as a legal document ensuring its full legal binding by January 2013. This article undertakes a comparative analysis between the new directive 2010/63/EU and the current regulatory system in the UK, which is an international reference in the protection of laboratory animals. The new directive recognizes the importance of the use of animal experiments in scientific advances, but ensuring the defence and respect for the intrinsic values of the animals. In this regard the directive represents an important advance for the protection of animal welfare in all the Member States, with the aim of harmonizing such values in the EU current legislation. While several countries already have fairly progressive legislation, the implementation of the new directive represents an excellent opportunity to reinforce high criteria levels in the defence of animal welfare throughout all the Member States. This represents a good opportunity for the EU to reinforce its commitment with the scientific research and the welfare of experimental animals

Comentarios sobre la Directiva Europea 2010/63/EU para la protección de animales de laboratorio

El 20 de Octubre del 2010 se publico la nueva Directiva Europea 2010/63/EU sobre la protección de los animales utilizados en procedimientos científicos. Dicha publicación en el Diario Oficial de la Unión Europea supone el inicio de su tramitación para su entrada en vigor como ley Europea. Los países miembros tienen ahora un periodo de dos años para implementar dicha directiva como documento legal asegurando su completa entrada en vigor para Enero del 2013. En este artículo se realiza un análisis comparativo de la nueva Directiva 2010/63/EU y la normativa actual vigente en el Reino Unido, referente mundial en el área de protección de animales de laboratorio. La nueva Directiva reconoce la importancia de la utilización de animales de experimentación en los avances científicos, pero reforzando la defensa y el respeto del valor intrínseco del ser animal. En este sentido la Directiva representa un importante avance para la protección del bienestar animal en todos los estados miembros, con el objetivo de armonizar la legislación vigente. Si bien varios países ya disponen de una legislación bastante progresiva, la implementación de la nueva directiva representa una excelente oportunidad para asentar y/o homogeneizar criterios de alto estándar de protección del bienestar animal en todos los países miembros, reforzando así el compromiso de la Unión Europea con la investigación científica y el respeto al bienestar de los animales de experimentación. On 20th October 2010 the new 2010/63/EU European directive on the protection of animals used in scientific procedures was published in the Official Journal of the European Union, entering into force as a European law. Member States now have a period of two years to implement the directive as a legal document ensuring its full legal binding by January 2013. This article undertakes a comparative analysis between the new directive 2010/63/EU and the current regulatory system in the UK, which is an international reference in the protection of laboratory animals. The new directive recognizes the importance of the use of animal experiments in scientific advances, but ensuring the defence and respect for the intrinsic values of the animals. In this regard the directive represents an important advance for the protection of animal welfare in all the Member States, with the aim of harmonizing such values in the EU current legislation. While several countries already have fairly progressive legislation, the implementation of the new directive represents an excellent opportunity to reinforce high criteria levels in the defence of animal welfare throughout all the Member States. This represents a good opportunity for the EU to reinforce its commitment with the scientific research and the welfare of experimental animals.El 20 de Octubre del 2010 se publico la nueva Directiva Europea 2010/63/EU sobre la protección de los animales utilizados en procedimientos científicos. Dicha publicación en el Diario Oficial de la Unión Europea supone el inicio de su tramitación para su entrada en vigor como ley Europea. Los países miembros tienen ahora un periodo de dos años para implementar dicha directiva como documento legal asegurando su completa entrada en vigor para Enero del 2013. En este artículo se realiza un análisis comparativo de la nueva Directiva 2010/63/EU y la normativa actual vigente en el Reino Unido, referente mundial en el área de protección de animales de laboratorio. La nueva Directiva reconoce la importancia de la utilización de animales de experimentación en los avances científicos, pero reforzando la defensa y el respeto del valor intrínseco del ser animal. En este sentido la Directiva representa un importante avance para la protección del bienestar animal en todos los estados miembros, con el objetivo de armonizar la legislación vigente. Si bien varios países ya disponen de una legislación bastante progresiva, la implementación de la nueva directiva representa una excelente oportunidad para asentar y/o homogeneizar criterios de alto estándar de protección del bienestar animal en todos los países miembros, reforzando así el compromiso de la Unión Europea con la investigación científica y el respeto al bienestar de los animales de experimentación

Comentarios sobre la Directiva Europea 2010/63/EU para la protección de animales de laboratorio

El 20 de Octubre del 2010 se publico la nueva Directiva Europea 2010/63/EU sobre la protección de los animales utilizados en procedimientos científicos. Dicha publicación en el Diario Oficial de la Unión Europea supone el inicio de su tramitación para su entrada en vigor como ley Europea. Los países miembros tienen ahora un periodo de dos años para implementar dicha directiva como documento legal asegurando su completa entrada en vigor para Enero del 2013. En este artículo se realiza un análisis comparativo de la nueva Directiva 2010/63/EU y la normativa actual vigente en el Reino Unido, referente mundial en el área de protección de animales de laboratorio. La nueva Directiva reconoce la importancia de la utilización de animales de experimentación en los avances científicos, pero reforzando la defensa y el respeto del valor intrínseco del ser animal. En este sentido la Directiva representa un importante avance para la protección del bienestar animal en todos los estados miembros, con el objetivo de armonizar la legislación vigente. Si bien varios países ya disponen de una legislación bastante progresiva, la implementación de la nueva directiva representa una excelente oportunidad para asentar y/o homogeneizar criterios de alto estándar de protección del bienestar animal en todos los países miembros, reforzando así el compromiso de la Unión Europea con la investigación científica y el respeto al bienestar de los animales de experimentación. On 20th October 2010 the new 2010/63/EU European directive on the protection of animals used in scientific procedures was published in the Official Journal of the European Union, entering into force as a European law. Member States now have a period of two years to implement the directive as a legal document ensuring its full legal binding by January 2013. This article undertakes a comparative analysis between the new directive 2010/63/EU and the current regulatory system in the UK, which is an international reference in the protection of laboratory animals. The new directive recognizes the importance of the use of animal experiments in scientific advances, but ensuring the defence and respect for the intrinsic values of the animals. In this regard the directive represents an important advance for the protection of animal welfare in all the Member States, with the aim of harmonizing such values in the EU current legislation. While several countries already have fairly progressive legislation, the implementation of the new directive represents an excellent opportunity to reinforce high criteria levels in the defence of animal welfare throughout all the Member States. This represents a good opportunity for the EU to reinforce its commitment with the scientific research and the welfare of experimental animals

Molecular SPECT Imaging: An Overview

Molecular imaging has witnessed a tremendous change over the last decade. Growing interest and emphasis are placed on this specialized technology represented by developing new scanners, pharmaceutical drugs, diagnostic agents, new therapeutic regimens, and ultimately, significant improvement of patient health care. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) have their signature on paving the way to molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine. The former will be the topic of the current paper where the authors address the current position of the molecular SPECT imaging among other imaging techniques, describing strengths and weaknesses, differences between SPECT and PET, and focusing on different SPECT designs and detection systems. Radiopharmaceutical compounds of clinical as well-preclinical interest have also been reviewed. Moreover, the last section covers several application, of μSPECT imaging in many areas of disease detection and diagnosis

Imaging technologies for preclinical models of bone and joint disorders

Preclinical models for musculoskeletal disorders are critical for understanding the pathogenesis of bone and joint disorders in humans and the development of effective therapies. The assessment of these models primarily relies on morphological analysis which remains time consuming and costly, requiring large numbers of animals to be tested through different stages of the disease. The implementation of preclinical imaging represents a keystone in the refinement of animal models allowing longitudinal studies and enabling a powerful, non-invasive and clinically translatable way for monitoring disease progression in real time. Our aim is to highlight examples that demonstrate the advantages and limitations of different imaging modalities including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and optical imaging. All of which are in current use in preclinical skeletal research. MRI can provide high resolution of soft tissue structures, but imaging requires comparatively long acquisition times; hence, animals require long-term anaesthesia. CT is extensively used in bone and joint disorders providing excellent spatial resolution and good contrast for bone imaging. Despite its excellent structural assessment of mineralized structures, CT does not provide in vivo functional information of ongoing biological processes. Nuclear medicine is a very promising tool for investigating functional and molecular processes in vivo with new tracers becoming available as biomarkers. The combined use of imaging modalities also holds significant potential for the assessment of disease pathogenesis in animal models of musculoskeletal disorders, minimising the use of conventional invasive methods and animal redundancy

Age-dependent effects of chronic fluoxetine treatment on the serotonergic system one week following treatment

Abstract Rationale Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine are increasingly used for the treatment of depression in children. Limited data are, however, available on their effects on brain development and their efficacy remains debated. Moreover, previous experimental studies are seriously hampered in their clinical relevance. Objectives The aim of the present study was to investigate putative age-related effects of a chronic treatment with fluoxetine (5 mg/kg, either orally or i.p. for 3 weeks, 1 week washout) using conventional methods (behavioral testing and binding assay using [ 123 I]β-CIT) and a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach. Methods Behavior was assessed, as well as serotonin transporter (SERT) availability and function through ex vivo binding assays and in vivo pharmacological MRI (phMRI) with an acute fluoxetine challenge (10 mg/kg oral or 5 mg/kg i.v.) in adolescent and adult rats. Results Fluoxetine caused an increase in anxiety-like behavior in treated adult, but not adolescent, rats. On the binding assays, we observed increased SERT densities in most cortical brain regions and hypothalamus in adolescent, but not adult, treated rats. Finally, reductions in brain activation were observed with phMRI following treatment, in both adult and adolescent treated animals. Conclusion Collectively, our data indicate that the shortterm effects of fluoxetine on the 5-HT system may be agedependent. These findings could reflect structural and functional rearrangements in the developing brain that do not occur in the matured rat brain. phMRI possibly will be well suited to study this important issue in the pediatric population

In vivo mapping of vascular inflammation using the translocator protein tracer 18F-FEDAA1106

YesNon-invasive imaging methods are required to monitor the inflammatory content of atherosclerotic plaques. FEDAA1106 (N-(5-fluoro-2-phenoxyphenyl)-N-(2-(2-fluoroethoxy)-5- methoxybenzyl) acetamide) is a selective ligand for TSPO-18kDa (also known as peripheral benzodiazepine receptor), which is expressed by activated macrophages. We compared 18F- FEDAA1106 and 18F-FDG (a marker of glucose metabolism) for PET imaging of vascular inflammation. This was tested using a murine model where focal inflammation was induced in the carotid artery via placement of a constrictive cuff. Immunostaining revealed CD68-positive cells (macrophages) at a disturbed flow site located downstream from the cuff. Dynamic PET imaging using 18F-FEDAA1106 or 18F-FDG was registered to anatomical data generated by CT/CT angiography. Standardized uptake values (SUV) were significantly increased at cuffed compared to contralateral arteries using either 18F-FEDAA1106 (p<0.01) or FDG (p<0.05). However, the 18F-FEDAA1106 signal was significantly higher at the inflamed disturbed flow region compared to the non-inflamed uniform flow regions, whereas differences in FDG uptake were less distinct. We conclude that 18F-FEDAA1106 can be used in vivo for detection of vascular inflammation. Moreover, the signal pattern of 18F-FEDAA1106 correlated with vascular inflammation more specifically than FDG uptake.: This study was funded by the British Heart Foundation and through a grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation (310030_143343/1 to B.R.K.

Brain phospholipid precursors administered post-injury reduce tissue damage and improve neurological outcome in experimental traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) leads to cellular loss, destabilisation of membranes, disruption of synapses and altered brain connectivity, and increased risk of neurodegenerative disease. A significant and long-lasting decrease in phospholipids (PL), essential membrane constituents, has recently been reported in plasma and brain tissue, in human and experimental TBI. We hypothesised that supporting PL synthesis post-injury could improve outcome after TBI. We tested this hypothesis using a multi-nutrient combination designed to support the biosynthesis of phospholipids and available for clinical use. The multi-nutrient Fortasyn® Connect (FC) contains polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, choline, uridine, vitamins, co-factors required for PL biosynthesis, and has been shown to have significant beneficial effects in early Alzheimer's disease. Male C57BL/6 mice received a controlled cortical impact injury and then were fed a control diet or a diet enriched with FC for 70 days. FC led to a significantly improved sensorimotor outcome and cognition, reduced lesion size and oligodendrocyte loss, and it restored myelin. It reversed the loss of the synaptic protein synaptophysin and decreased levels of the axon growth inhibitor Nogo-A, thus creating a permissive environment. It decreased microglia activation and the rise in ß-amyloid precursor protein and restored the depressed neurogenesis. The effects of this medical multi-nutrient suggest that support of PL biosynthesis after TBI, a new treatment paradigm, has significant therapeutic potential in this neurological condition for which there is no satisfactory treatment. The multi-nutrient tested has been used in dementia patients, is safe and well-tolerated, which would enable rapid clinical exploration in TBI