scholarly journals A novel multi-parametric analysis of non-invasive methods to assess animal distress during chronic pancreatitis

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Abdelrahman ◽  
Simone Kumstel ◽  
Xianbin Zhang ◽  
Marie Liebig ◽  
Edgar Heinz Uwe Wendt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pancreatitis ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Parametric Analysis ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Faecal Corticosterone Metabolites ◽  
Corticosterone Metabolites ◽  
Nesting Activity

Abstract Ethical responsibility, legal requirements and the need to improve the quality of research create a growing interest in the welfare of laboratory animals. Judging the welfare of animals requires readout parameters, which are valid and sensitive as well as specific to assess distress after different interventions. In the present study, we evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of different non-invasive parameters (body weight change, faecal corticosterone metabolites concentration, burrowing and nesting activity) by receiver operating characteristic curves and judged the merit of a multi-parametric analysis by logistic regression. Chronic pancreatitis as well as laparotomy caused significant changes in all parameters. However, the accuracy of these parameters was different between the two animal models. In both animal models, the multi-parametric analysis relying on all the readout parameters had the highest accuracy when predicting distress. This multi-parametric analysis revealed that C57BL/6 mice during the course of chronic pancreatitis often experienced less distress than mice after laparotomy. Interestingly these data also suggest that distress does not steadily increase during chronic pancreatitis. In conclusion, combining these non-invasive methods for severity assessment represents a reliable approach to evaluate animal distress in models such as chronic pancreatitis.

scholarly journals Non-invasive methods to measure inter-renal function in aquatic salamanders—correlating fecal corticosterone to the environmental and physiologic conditions of captive Necturus

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew H Nagel ◽  
Mark Beshel ◽  
Christopher J DeChant ◽  
Sarah M Huskisson ◽  
Mark K Campbell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Function ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Acth Challenge ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Breeding Activity ◽  
Faecal Corticosterone Metabolites ◽  
Aquatic Salamanders ◽  
Corticosterone Metabolites

We measured faecal corticosterone metabolites (fCMs) in aquatic salamander Necturus to understand how inter-renal function changes throughout seasonal environmental changes and associated reproductive activity. fCMs elevated with lower water temperatures and breeding activity. To overcome some challenges associated with faecal hormone collection/analysis, waterborne corticosterone (wCM) was validated through ACTH challenge.

scholarly journals The Benefits of Using New Tools for Behavioral Investigations in Animal Experimental Models

2019 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dragica Selakovic ◽  
Jovana Joksimovic
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Emotional Disorders ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Clinical Pathology ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Preclinical Studies ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Drug Treatments

Abstract The animal experimental models of emotional disorders attempt to reproduce features of human psychiatric disorders in laboratory animals by correlating the physiological and behavioral changes associated with specific emotional states, the etiology of disorders, and responses on drug treatments. Animal experimental models that accurately recapitulate clinical pathology are indispensable for understanding molecular mechanisms and advancing preclinical studies. Behavioral tests on animal models have been developed over time in two directions: to enable the acquisition of as many valid behavior data as possible, and constructing experimental models and procedures that represent a parallel with certain conditions in humans. In this review we discuss more information for the new tools in behavioral investigations in animal experimental models. Here we described evoked beam-walking (EBW) test as a new test for estimation of anxiety levels. The reliability of that test was confirmed in our studies by using nandrolone decanoate (ND) and testosterone enanthate (TE) in supraphysiological doses. Also, we defined a new approach to estimation of exploratory activity by using these tests and an improvement of detectability in standard evaluation of depressive state levels. Taking into account that behavioral investigation in animal models still has to remain indispensable in conducting of preclinical studies, we assume that new tools that can be applied in this field may improve the quality of research.

scholarly journals Diagnostic Ability of Methods Depicting Distress of Tumor-Bearing Mice

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2155
Author(s):  
Wentao Xie ◽  
Marcel Kordt ◽  
Rupert Palme ◽  
Eberhard Grambow ◽  
Brigitte Vollmar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Change ◽  
Body Weight Change ◽  
Diagnostic Ability ◽  
Human Malignant Melanoma ◽  
Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves ◽  
Distress Score ◽  
Faecal Corticosterone Metabolites ◽  
Burrowing Activity ◽  
Corticosterone Metabolites

Subcutaneous tumor models in mice are the most commonly used experimental animal models in cancer research. To improve animal welfare and the quality of scientific studies, the distress of experimental animals needs to be minimized. For this purpose, one must assess the diagnostic ability of readout parameters to evaluate distress. In this study, we evaluated different noninvasive readout parameters such as body weight change, adjusted body weight change, faecal corticosterone metabolites concentration, burrowing activity and a distress score by utilising receiver operating characteristic curves. Eighteen immunocompromised NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ mice were used for this study; half were subcutaneously injected with A-375 cells (human malignant melanoma cells) that resulted in large tumors. The remaining mice were inoculated with SCL-2 cells (cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cells), which resulted in small tumors. The adjusted body weight and faecal corticosterone metabolites concentration had a high diagnostic ability in distinguishing between mice before cancer cell injection and mice bearing large tumors. All other readout parameters had a low diagnostic ability. These results suggest that adjusted body weight and faecal corticosterone metabolites are useful to depict the distress of mice bearing large subcutaneous tumors.

Deterioration of quality of life in patients with chronic pancreatitis

2001 ◽  
Vol 120 (5) ◽  
pp. A647-A647
Author(s):  
M WEHLER ◽  
R NICHTERLEIN ◽  
B FISCHER ◽  
M FARNBACHER ◽  
U REULBACH ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Chronic Pancreatitis

scholarly journals Clinical characteristics and quality of life among Sri Lankan patients with chronic pancreatitis

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (12) ◽  
pp. 030006052097987
Author(s):  
Umesh Jayarajah ◽  
Thisaru Widyarathne ◽  
Metthananda Nawarathne ◽  
Sivananthan Raguvaran ◽  
Nishanthan Subramaniam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Chronic Pancreatitis ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Intractable Pain ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
European Organization ◽  
Loss Of Appetite

Objective We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of chronic pancreatitis (CP) and patient quality of life (QOL) in a resource-limited setting. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study including patients with clinical and radiological features of CP. We collected clinical data and assessed QOL using the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire. Results We included 103 patients (median age 44 years, 84 men). Median age at symptom onset was 36 (4–78) years. Around 70% of patients had diabetes mellitus and 62.1% had consumed alcohol; 36 (35%) were current smokers. The mean overall global QOL score was 68.7. Most patients (91.3%) sought treatment from multiple centers. Nineteen (18.5%) had pancreatic stone disease, 38 (36.9%) had persistent abdominal pain (median severity 7.8/10, 59 (57.3%) had steatorrhea, and 56 (54.4%) had jaundice. Poor QOL was significantly associated with weight loss, loss of appetite, and intractable pain. No correlation with age, sex, or alcohol consumption was noted. Conclusion A considerable proportion of patients with CP had troublesome symptoms. Intractable pain, loss of appetite, and weight loss were significantly associated with poor QOL. Further assessment is needed of patients’ psychosocial well-being and its association with QOL.

scholarly journals Non-Invasive Monitoring of Adrenocortical Activity in Three Sympatric Desert Gerbil Species

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
Álvaro Navarro-Castilla ◽  
Mario Garrido ◽  
Hadas Hawlena ◽  
Isabel Barja
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample ◽  
Post Injection ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Adrenocortical Activity ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Endocrine Status ◽  
Corticosterone Metabolites ◽  
Small Sample Sizes ◽  
Fecal Corticosterone Metabolites

The study of the endocrine status can be useful to understand wildlife responses to the changing environment. Here, we validated an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to non-invasively monitor adrenocortical activity by measuring fecal corticosterone metabolites (FCM) in three sympatric gerbil species (Gerbillus andersoni, G. gerbillus and G. pyramidum) from the Northwestern Negev Desert’s sands (Israel). Animals included into treatment groups were injected with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to stimulate adrenocortical activity, while control groups received a saline solution. Feces were collected at different intervals and FCM were quantified by an EIA. Basal FCM levels were similar in the three species. The ACTH effect was evidenced, but the time of FCM peak concentrations appearance differed between the species (6–24 h post-injection). Furthermore, FCM peak values were observed sooner in G. andersoni females than in males (6 h and 18 h post-injection, respectively). G. andersoni and G. gerbillus males in control groups also increased FCM levels (18 h and 48 h post-injection, respectively). Despite the small sample sizes, our results confirmed the EIA suitability for analyzing FCM in these species as a reliable indicator of the adrenocortical activity. This study also revealed that close species, and individuals within a species, can respond differently to the same stressor.

scholarly journals Molecular mechanisms of Zika virus teratogenesis from animal studies: a systematic review protocol

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Elis Wachholz ◽  
Julia do Amaral Gomes ◽  
Juliano André Boquett ◽  
Fernanda Sales Luiz Vianna ◽  
Lavínia Schuler-Faccini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Standard Form ◽  
Teratogenic Effect ◽  
Control Group

Abstract Background Due to the diversity of studies in animal models reporting that molecular mechanisms are involved in the teratogenic effect of the Zika virus (ZIKV), the objective of the present study is to evaluate the methodological quality of these studies, as well as to demonstrate which genes and which molecular pathways are affected by ZIKV in different animal models. Methods This search will be performed in four databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus, as well as in the grey literature. The studies selection process will be reported through the PRISMA Statement diagram model. All studies describing the molecular mechanisms possibly involved in the development of malformations caused by embryonic/fetal ZIKV exposure in animal models with an appropriate control group and methodology will be included (including, for instance, randomized and non-randomized studies). All animals used as experimental models for ZIKV teratogenesis may be included as long as exposure to the virus occurred during the embryonic/fetal period. From the selected studies, data will be extracted using a previously prepared standard form. Bias risk evaluation will be conducted following the SYRCLE’s Risk of Bias tool. All data obtained will be tabulated and organized by outcomes (morphological and molecular). Discussion With the proposed systematic review, we expect to present results about the methodological quality of the published studies with animal models that investigated the molecular mechanisms involved in the teratogenic effect of ZIKV, as well as to show the studies with greater reliability. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42019157316

scholarly journals Differences in Cardiac Effects of Venoms from Tentacles and the Bell of Live Carukia barnesi: Using Non-Invasive Pulse Wave Doppler

Toxins ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Mark Little ◽  
Peter Pereira ◽  
Jamie Seymour
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Murine Model ◽  
Real World ◽  
Cardiac Dysfunction ◽  
Pulse Wave ◽  
Cardiac Effects ◽  
Post Exposure ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Cardiac Decompensation

Carukia barnesi was the first in an expanding list of cubozoan jellyfish whose sting was identified as causing Irukandji syndrome. Nematocysts present on both the bell and tentacles are known to produce localised stings, though their individual roles in Irukandji syndrome have remained speculative. This research examines differences through venom profiling and pulse wave Doppler in a murine model. The latter demonstrates marked measurable differences in cardiac parameters. The venom from tentacles (CBVt) resulted in cardiac decompensation and death in all mice at a mean of 40 min (95% CL: ± 11 min), whereas the venom from the bell (CBVb) did not produce any cardiac dysfunction nor death in mice at 60 min post-exposure. This difference is pronounced, and we propose that bell exposure is unlikely to be causative in severe Irukandji syndrome. To date, all previously published cubozoan venom research utilised parenterally administered venom in their animal models, with many acknowledging their questionable applicability to real-world envenomation. Our model used live cubozoans on anaesthetised mice to simulate normal envenomation mechanics and actual expressed venoms. Consequently, we provide validity to the parenteral methodology used by previous cubozoan venom research.

scholarly journals Carbon Dioxide Laser Vulvovaginal Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review

Cosmetics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Tassahil Messas ◽  
Achraf Messas ◽  
George Kroumpouzos
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Laser Therapy ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Laser ◽  
Invasive Treatment ◽  
Erbium:Yag Laser ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Level I ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) causes significant symptomatic aggravation that affects the quality of life (QoL). Vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA), the hallmark of GSM, is managed with topical non-hormonal therapy, including moisturizers and lubricants, and topical estrogen application. Patients not responding/being unsatisfied with previous local estrogen therapies are candidates for a noninvasive modality. Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser therapy, especially the fractionated type (FrCO2), has drawn considerable attention over the past two decades as a non-invasive treatment for GSM. This systematic review describes the accumulated evidence from 40 FrCO2 laser studies (3466 participants) in GSM/VVA. MEDLINE, Scopus and Cochrane databases were searched through April 2021. We analyze the effects of FrCO2 laser therapy on symptoms, sexual function, and QoL of patients with GSM/VVA. As shown in this review, FrCO2 laser therapy for GSM shows good efficacy and safety. This modality has the potential to advance female sexual wellness. Patient satisfaction was high in the studies included in this systematic review. However, there is a lack of level I evidence, and more randomized sham-controlled trials are required. Furthermore, several clinical questions, such as the number of sessions required that determine cost-effectiveness, should be addressed. Also, whether FrCO2 laser therapy may exert a synergistic effect with systemic and/or local hormonal/non-hormonal treatments, energy-based devices, and other modalities to treat GMS requires further investigation. Lastly, studies are required to compare FrCO2 laser therapy with other energy-based devices such as erbium:YAG laser and radiofrequency.

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