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- 2021 Michael Balls Award
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Abstract: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, Ahead of Print.
Citation: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals PubDate: 2022-06-29T08:45:56Z DOI: 10.1177/02611929221110115
- Development of an Accessible Gene Expression Bioinformatics Pipeline to
Study Driver Mutations of Colorectal Cancer-
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Authors: Lisa van den Driest, Caroline H. Johnson, Nicholas J.W. Rattray, Zahra Rattray Abstract: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, Ahead of Print. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a global cause of cancer-related mortality driven by genetic and environmental factors which influence therapeutic outcomes. The emergence of next-generation sequencing technologies enables the rapid and extensive collection and curation of genetic data for each cancer type into clinical gene expression biobanks. We report the application of bioinformatics tools for investigating the expression patterns and prognostic significance of three genes that are commonly dysregulated in colon cancer: adenomatous polyposis coli (APC); B-Raf proto-oncogene (BRAF); and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue (KRAS). Through the use of bioinformatics tools, we show the patterns of APC, BRAF and KRAS genetic alterations and their role in patient prognosis. Our results show mutation types, the frequency of mutations, tumour anatomical location and differential expression patterns for APC, BRAF and KRAS for colorectal tumour and matched healthy tissue. The prognostic value of APC, BRAF and KRAS genetic alterations was investigated as a function of their expression levels in CRC. In the era of precision medicine, with significant advancements in biobanking and data curation, there is significant scope to use existing clinical data sets for evaluating the role of mutational drivers in carcinogenesis. This approach offers the potential for studying combinations of less well-known genes and the discovery of novel biomarkers, or for studying the association between various effector proteins and pathways. Citation: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals PubDate: 2022-06-29T05:45:38Z DOI: 10.1177/02611929221107546
- The Evolution of Regulatory Toxicology: Where is the Gardener'
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Authors: Robert Landsiedel, Barbara Birk, Dorothee Funk-Weyer Abstract: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, Ahead of Print. There is a need for paradigm change in the methodology employed for toxicological testing and assessment. It could be said that this change is well on its way, through an evolutionary progress analogous to that of natural selection. Darwin’s Theory of Evolution has defined the idea of evolution and descendancy since the last third of the 19th century. Increasingly, this concept of ‘evolution’ is being applied beyond the field of biology. This Comment article discusses the progress of toxicological testing in the context of ‘evolutionary pressure’ and deliberates how this process can help foster the development, implementation and acceptance of mechanistic and human-relevant methods in this field. By comparing the current regulatory landscape in toxicity testing and assessment to specific elements in Charles Darwin’s evolutionary theory, we aim to better understand the needs and requirements for the future. Citation: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals PubDate: 2022-06-24T09:43:15Z DOI: 10.1177/02611929221107617
- Editorial
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Authors: Susan Trigwell First page: 177 Abstract: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, Ahead of Print.
Citation: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals PubDate: 2022-05-18T04:37:28Z DOI: 10.1177/02611929221101658
- Spotlight on Three Rs Progress
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First page: 179 Abstract: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, Ahead of Print.
Citation: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals PubDate: 2022-05-12T05:33:50Z DOI: 10.1177/02611929221101990
- Resources Round-up
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First page: 182 Abstract: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, Ahead of Print.
Citation: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals PubDate: 2022-05-13T03:20:40Z DOI: 10.1177/02611929221101659
- The Use of Simulators for Teaching Practical Clinical Skills to Veterinary
Students — A Review-
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Authors: Helen R. Braid First page: 184 Abstract: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, Ahead of Print. In the context of veterinary education, simulators are devices or sets of conditions aiming to imitate real patients and enable students to practice skills without the need for live animal use. Simulator use in veterinary education has increased significantly in recent years, allowing consistent practical teaching without reliance on clinical cases. This review examines the available literature regarding the use of simulation and simulators for teaching practical day one competences to veterinary students. Scientific databases were searched and 73 relevant articles were reviewed. The reviewed articles revealed that there are a number of simulators currently available to veterinary educators, that simulators can enhance student skills and provide an alternative learning environment without the need for live animal and/or cadaver use, and that they usually receive positive feedback from the students who use them. There appears to be a bias towards small animal simulators — however, some skills that are developed through the use of small animal or table-top models will be transferrable to other species. The majority of large animal simulators focus on bovine rectal palpation and/or pregnancy diagnosis. Further research is required to increase the repertoire of available simulators for use in veterinary education, in order to improve the practical skills of veterinary students and reduce the use of live animals and cadaver material for teaching purposes. Citation: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals PubDate: 2022-05-19T04:12:05Z DOI: 10.1177/02611929221098138
- A Low-fidelity Simulator for the Development of Vascular Ligation Skills
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Authors: Juan José Perez-Rivero, Ileana María Barbosa-Callejas, Lilia Delgado-Garduño, Lidia Rodríguez-Buitrón, Amira Eunice Lavalle-Avalos, José Antonio Herrera-Barragan First page: 195 Abstract: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, Ahead of Print. Training simulators can facilitate the acquisition and development of basic surgical skills, and they constitute a safe and humane method that does not harm animals in the process. The objective of this work was to create and evaluate a low-cost simulator to help undergraduate students of veterinary medicine acquire and practise vascular ligation skills. A training model was made by using easily accessible and inexpensive materials. Fifteen students, without prior surgical experience, each performed the orchiectomy technique on the simulator seven times. The emphasis was on performing vascular ligatures in both testicles of the simulator (n = 14), in two different scenarios: firstly, with the contents of the blood vessels not under pressure; and secondly, with the syringe plunger depressed by 1 ml to pressurise the blood vessels. The outcomes of the procedure in the simulator were based on three qualitative criteria: Correct (no ‘bleeding’), Sufficient (light ‘bleeding’) and Incorrect (heavy ‘bleeding’). After the seventh attempt, all participants were able to perform vascular ligatures with at least a score of Sufficient in both scenarios. By the 10th ligature attempt, they were all able to perform the procedure with a score of Correct (p < 0.05). There was a trend toward a decrease in the time taken to carry out the procedure as learning progress was made during training, with this being significant from the 12th attempt (p < 0.05). The use of this low-cost simulator represents a useful didactic tool, which supports the acquisition and practise of manual skills by using methods that do not involve the use of animals. In addition, this training simulator could be useful in distance learning, in view of the ready accessibility of the materials required for its construction. Citation: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals PubDate: 2022-05-18T06:25:13Z DOI: 10.1177/02611929221096677
- Evaluation of a Low-cost Renal Simulator for the Diagnostic Ultrasound
Training of Veterinary Medicine Students-
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Authors: Angel R. Lozada-Gallegos, Irma Campero-Ruíz Velasco, Juan J. Pérez-Rivero First page: 201 Abstract: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, Ahead of Print. The acquisition of ultrasound diagnostic skills via training is important for undergraduate veterinary medical students. Unfortunately, commercial simulators are costly, which limits their use and makes it necessary to develop low-cost simulators for training purposes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an easily constructed, low-cost, high-fidelity renal simulator for use in diagnostic ultrasound training of veterinary medical students. To construct the simulators, donated cat kidneys were embedded in a prepared agar matrix. The echogenicity of ultrasound scans obtained on the kidney simulator was assessed by the subject lecturers and compared with images acquired during clinical routine diagnostic procedures. Five students with no prior experience of the technique, under the direct supervision of a lecturer, performed five B-mode ultrasound examinations of the renal structure of the simulator. The structure of the kidney was assessed, and its length, width and thickness were measured. Three lecturers performed the same procedure as the students, and their results were used for comparison. Appropriate anatomical and ultrasonographic realism was achieved for each of the three layers of the kidney (cortex, medulla and pelvis), and similar pixel values were obtained with the simulator model and actual clinical diagnostic ultrasounds. In addition, the kidney dimensions acquired by the students were consistent with those acquired by the lecturers. Thus, the proposed kidney simulator can be used for the training of veterinary medicine students in ultrasonographic diagnostic techniques. Citation: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals PubDate: 2022-05-18T06:36:12Z DOI: 10.1177/02611929221101610
- The Use of 3-D Models of Echocardiographic Imaging Planes for Teaching
Echocardiography Techniques for Use in Dogs and Cats-
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Authors: Bruna N. da Costa, Marlos G. Sousa, Fernanda N. Tanji, Mariana Ulanin, Marcela Wolf, Simone T. O. Stedile First page: 208 Abstract: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, Ahead of Print. Echocardiography is an invaluable technique for the diagnosis of heart disease. The aim of this study was to develop 3-D models of healthy and diseased hearts of dogs and cats, and to evaluate their effectiveness in assisting veterinary undergraduates to understand echocardiographic imaging planes. Resin models depicting the main echocardiographic imaging planes of normal hearts were created, as well as example hearts with features of mitral degeneration in dogs and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats. After a theoretical class, fourth-year students were randomly assigned to one of two groups (model group or control group). The model group had access to the 3-D models, along with self-explanatory text about echocardiographic imaging planes; the control group only had access to the self-explanatory text. Both groups were allowed 2 weeks to study their allocated resources, after which the students undertook an assessment to evaluate their learning and completed a questionnaire about their experiences and satisfaction with the respective teaching method. A total of 39 students participated in the study, 19 in the model group and 20 in the control group. Students assigned to the model group spent more time studying (p = 0.0027). The proportion of students who achieved a satisfactory grade in the assessment was 89.5% in the model group and 60% in the control group (p = 0.0449). The 3-D models facilitated, and significantly improved, the identification of cardiac structures and disease-associated abnormalities, and the learning process in general. Additionally, the models seemed to provide greater student motivation for studying echocardiography. Citation: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals PubDate: 2022-05-17T12:44:34Z DOI: 10.1177/02611929221101608
- The Perceptions of Students and Lecturers on the Use of Animals in
Biomedical Science Undergraduate Education in Brazil-
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Authors: Paula S. Matos, Bruna dos Santos Rodrigues, Thaís de Oliveira Fernandes, Renato Ivan de Ávila, Marize C. Valadares First page: 221 Abstract: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, Ahead of Print. The use of animals in research and education is a controversial topic that has raised extensive debates. Undergraduate students (n = 404) and lecturers (n = 62) from biomedical science schools at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG) in the municipality of Goiânia, Jataí and Catalão, Goiás, Brazil, were asked about their knowledge and opinions on bioethics, the use and importance of animals in education, the replacement of animal use with non-animal alternatives, and the current legislation of the National Council for the Control of Animal Experimentation (CONCEA) that bans animal use in some practical classes within technical and higher education (i.e. Resolution No. 53/2021). Most students and lecturers agreed not only that animal use can contribute to education, but also that it is important to replace this animal use with innovative non-animal alternatives where appropriate. The lecturers emphasised that the replacement of animal models will be possible only with the provision of appropriate training to improve the skills of educators in their use, as well as ensuring reliable access to suitable facilities and materials. Citation: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals PubDate: 2022-06-06T08:30:01Z DOI: 10.1177/02611929221103252
- Educators’ Views on the Use of Dissection and Dissection Alternatives in
American Biology Classrooms-
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Authors: Pamela Osenkowski, Ignas Karaliunas, Merari Diorio First page: 235 Abstract: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, Ahead of Print. Animal dissection remains a common practice in American biology classrooms, despite the availability of dissection alternatives to study anatomy and physiology. Indeed, there is a growing body of evidence in the literature suggesting that the use of alternatives leads to the greater achievement of learning objectives, as compared to dissection. To better understand the current use of and attitudes toward dissection and alternatives, a nationwide survey of (mainly high-school) biology teachers (n = 2687) was conducted. Most educators believed that learning objectives related to biology subject content could be met through the use of alternatives, yet they preferred the hands-on experience of dissection. Most educators allow their students to use alternatives if requested, although few teachers ask students about their preference for using an animal specimen versus an alternative. Educators cited student engagement as the main factor driving their decision to choose between dissection specimens and alternatives, and felt that cost is the biggest barrier to implementing alternatives at their schools. Additional perspectives on dissection and alternatives were shared by survey participants. Since alternatives can be used to meet learning objectives associated with dissection, we recommend their use as replacements for traditional animal specimens, in line with the replacement, reduction and refinement of animal use in education, according to the Three Rs principles. Citation: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals PubDate: 2022-05-20T06:27:21Z DOI: 10.1177/02611929221096578
- Conference Diary
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First page: 244 Abstract: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, Ahead of Print.
Citation: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals PubDate: 2022-05-18T06:27:25Z DOI: 10.1177/02611929221101991
- Corrigendum to The Relevance of In Silico, In Vitro and Non-human Primate
Based Approaches to Clinical Research on Major Depressive Disorder-
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Abstract: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, Ahead of Print.
Citation: Alternatives to Laboratory Animals PubDate: 2020-09-24T12:17:20Z DOI: 10.1177/0261192920964278
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