Finding biomarkers of experience in animals

At a time when there is a growing public interest in animal welfare,it is critical to have objective means to assess the way that an animal experiences a situation.Objectivity is critical to ensure appropriate animal welfare outcomes.Existing behavioural,physiological,and neurobiological indicators that are used to assess animal welfare can verify the absence of extremely negative outcomes.But welfare is more than an absence of negative outcomes and an appropriate indicator should reflect the full spectrum of experience of an animal,from negative to positive.In this review,we draw from the knowledge of human biomedical science to propose a list of candidate biological markers(biomarkers)that should reflect the experiential state of non-human animals.The proposed biomarkers can be classified on their main function as endocrine,oxidative stress,non-coding molecular,and thermobiological markers.We also discuss practical challenges that must be addressed before any of these biomarkers can become useful to assess the experience of an animal in real-life.

Clinical/Behavioral Monitoring of Rodents and Rabbits Undergoing Scientific Experiments

Background: We currently have international and national guidelines regarding the assessment and monitoring of clinical signs and humane endpoints in animals used in teaching and research, which make the performance of these activities mandatory for any experiment and professional working in this area. Assigning the severity of a research experiment is the result of an analysis of records of observations of the animal’s behavior, and clinical signs. The aim of this study was to describe the importance of carrying out a severity assessment associated with clinical and behavioral monitoring of rodents and rabbits during experimentation to maintain the welfare of these animals undergoing scientific research. Methods: The literature search was carried out using the following terms: “Monitoring”;“Humane endpoints”;“Animal welfare”, “Rodents”;“Rabbits”, and as connectors “and”;“or”, in the following databases: PubMed;LILACS/BIREME and SciELO. Results: A total of 987 articles were identified in the databases, and 20 of these studies were included in this review. Conclusions: Humane endpoint protocols and procedure severity tables are of the utmost importance, both from an ethical point and to refine the results of research conducted on laboratory animals. They should be drawn up jointly by the teams responsible for the project and the maintenance of the animals during the research period, and the data obtained should be published so that the scientific community can have access to it, helping to disseminate these practices, as well as helping to draw up new procedures. Monitoring and evaluating the welfare and clinical condition of animals undergoing scientific research procedures is the responsibility of the professors, researchers, veterinarians, and animal facility coordinators. The Ethics Committee on the Use of Animals must monitor all the activities conducted with the animals, by inspecting the experimental procedures and the physical environment of the laboratory animal facility where the animals are housed.

Study on Load Bearing Characteristics of Novel Expandable Deepwater Drilling Conductor Based on Laboratory Experiment and Field Test

A novel expandable conductor was designed and applied in deep-water drilling to improve the vertical and lateral bearing capacity with a significant reduction of conductor jetting depth and soaking time. The vertical and lateral bearing capability of expandable conductors was depicted based on the ultimate subgrade reaction method and pile foundation bearing theory. The load-bearing characteristics of a laboratory-scale expandable conductor were analyzed through laboratory experiments. The serial simulation experiments are accomplished to study the bearing characteristics(vertical ultimate bearing capacity, lateral soil pressure, and lateral displacement) during the conductor soaking process. The laboratory experimental results show that the larger the length and thickness of expandable materials are,the higher the bearing capacity of the wellhead will be. During the conductor soaking process, the soil pressure around the three expandable conductors increases faster, strings representing a stronger squeezing effect and resulting in higher vertical bearing capacity. Furthermore, the lateral displacement of novel expandable conductor is smaller than that of the conventional conductor. All the advantages mentioned above contributed to the reduction of conductor’s jetting depth and soaking time. Lastly, the application workflow of a novel expandable deep-water drilling conductor was established and the autonomous expandable conductor was successfully applied in the South China Sea with a significant reduction of conductor’s jetting depth and soaking time. According to the soil properties and designed installation depth of the surface conductor, the arrangement of expandable materials should be designed reasonably to meet the safety condition and reduce the construction cost of the subsea wellhead.

Animal experiments and clinical application of CT during percutaneous splenoportography

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Preparation of Filling Porous Osteoconduction Materials and Its Animal Experiment Study

Titanium rods were processed into implant samples with cavity and groove in which was filled with HAP/β-TCP porous osteoconduction composite materials in order to increase the mechanical stability of the implant in vivo.The phase compositions of the composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy（SEM）.Histological evaluation showed that the biogradable composite could enhanced the ability of new bone formation.The composite can conduct new bone tissue growing into the cavities gradually after implanted into animal,and then achieve mechanical fixation.The filling biogradable compound exhibited excellent biocompatibility,which combined with the new bone tissues tightly without inflammation and loosing.

Animal bone growth experiment of rapid-growing rats in different stress environment and its mathematical model

The aim of this study is to explore a way that quantify the qualitative equation of bone growth and remodeling which was based on the animal Experiment of rapid-growing Rats in Different Stress Environment. These results were proved to be of good stability and identification precision with the numerical method of inversion. It suggested that the growing coefficient and the threshold in function were variables changing with time and space. The idea and method used in the research of bone growth and remodeling adaptation in this paper also provided clue and reference to establish other models for living system.

Congratulations to the new journal: Animal Models andExperimental Medicine

I would like to extend my best congratulations to all concerned for the publication of the inaugural issue of Animal Models and Experimental Medicine (AMEM), an English journal published jointly by the Chinese Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences (CALAS) and the Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College. Basic medical research has been at the forefront of science and technology development. Essential to that, laboratory animal science is of foundamental importance in biomedical research, providing key advantages in understanding mechanisms of health and disease without posting actual risks to human beings.

Experimental Studies on the Irradiation of Facial Bones in Animals:A Review

Introduction: Radiotherapy is often used to treat head and neck malignancies, with inevitable effects on the surrounding healthy tissues. We have reviewed the literature concerning the experimental irradiation of facial bones in animals. Materials and Methods: A PubMed search was performed to retrieve animal experiments on the irradiation of facial bones that were published between January 1992 and January 2012. The search terms were “irradiation facial bone” and “irradiation osteoradionecrosis”. Results: Thirty-six publications were included. The irradiation sources were Cobalt60, orthovoltage, 4 - 6 megavolt photons, and brachytherapy. The total dose varied between 8 - 60 Gy in single or multiple fractions. The literature presents a broad range of animal studies that differ in terms of the in vivo model, irradiation, observation period, and evaluation of results. Discussion: The different animal models used leave many questions unanswered. A detailed and standardized description of the methodology and results would facilitate the comparability of future studies.

Animal experimental studies using small intestine endoscope

AIM To assess the feasibility and safety of a novel enteroscope,negative-pressure suction endoscope in examining the small intestine of a porcine model.METHODS In vitro experiments in small intestinal loops from 20pigs and in vivo experiments in 20 living pigs were conducted.RESULTS In in vitro experiments,a negative pressure of>0.06MPa was necessary for optimal visualization of the intestine,and this pressure did not cause gross or histological damage to the mucosa.For satisfactory examination of the small intestine in vivo,higher negative pressure(>1.00 MPa)was required.Despite this higher pressure,the small intestine did not show any gross or microscopic damage in the suctioned areas.The average time of examination in the living animals was 60±7.67 min.The animals did not experience any apparent ill effects from the procedure.CONCLUSION Small intestine endoscope was safely performed within a reasonable time period and enabled complete visualization of the intestine in most cases.

Synthesis,labelling and animal experiments of the derivative of phenylpentadecanoic acid(CACPPA)

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China's Space Animal Experiments Obtained Achievements

Entering into the 1990s, Chinese scientists have made mice, drosophila and silkworm eggs experiments in space with satellites and achieved remarkable results. These animals were put in space environment units with the ability of adjusting pressure, temperature and moisture control, air conditioning and purifying as well as foods and water supply. After 8-days’ flight, all performance parameters were normal and met the design requirements. The two mice kept alive for 5 days and 10 hours

Experimental investigation and flow analysis of clear-water scour around pier and abutment in proximity

Local scour around bridge piers and abutments is one of the most significant causes of bridge failure.Despite a plethora of studies on scour around individual bridge piers or abutments,few studies have focused on the joint impact of a pier and an abutment in proximity to one another on scour.This study conducted laboratory experiments and flow analyses to examine the interaction of piers and abutments and their effect on clear-water scour.The experiments were conducted in a rectangular laboratory flume.They included 18 main tests(with a combination of different types of piers and abutments)and five control tests(with individual piers or abutments).Three pier types(a rectangular pier with a rounded edge,a group of three cylindrical piers,and a single cylindrical pier)and two abutment types(a wingewall abutment and a semicircular abutment)were used.An acoustic Doppler velocimeter was used to measure the three-dimensional flow velocity for analyses of streamline,velocity magnitude,vertical velocity,and bed shear stress.The results showed that the velocity near the pier and abutment increased by up to 80%.The maximum scour depth around the abutment increased by up to 19%.In contrast,the maximum scour depth around the pier increased significantly by up to l71%.The presence of the pier in the vicinity of the abutment led to an increase in the scour hole volume by up to 87%relative to the case with a solitary abutment.Empirical equations were also derived to accurately estimate the maximum scour depth at the pier adjacent to the abutment.

A laboratory acoustic emission experiment and numerical simulation of rock fracture driven by a high-pressure fluid source

In order to improve our understanding of rock fracture and fault instability driven by high-pressure fluid sources, the authors carried out rock fracture tests using granite under a confining pressure of 80 MPa with fluid injection in the laboratory. Furthermore, we tested a number of numerical models using the FLAC;modeling software to find the best model to represent the experimental results. The high-speed multichannel acoustic emission（AE） waveform recording system used in this study made it possible to examine the total fracture process through detailed monitoring of AE hypocenters and seismic velocity.The experimental results show that injecting high-pressure oil into the rock sample can induce AE activity at very low stress levels and can dramatically reduce the strength of the rock. The results of the numerical simulations show that major experimental results, including the strength, the temporal and spatial patterns of the AE events, and the role of the fluid can be represented fairly well by a model involving（1） randomly distributed defect elements to model pre-existing cracks,（2） random modification of rock properties to represent inhomogeneity introduced by different mineral grains, and（3）macroscopic inhomogeneity. Our study, which incorporates laboratory experiments and numerical simulations, indicates that such an approach is helpful in finding a better model not only for simulating experimental results but also for upscaling purposes.

The development and application of Laboratory Animal Science in China

The 14th Scientific Congress of the Chinese Association for Laboratory Animal Science was held on October 11‐12,2018 in Qingdao,China.During this congress,an international forum on the development of Laboratory Animal Sciences(LAS)worldwide was held in which participants learnt about the development of new LAS resources and technologies,as well as the progress of LAS in China.The main points that were discussed are as follows.After nearly a century of development,there are more than 200 species of experimental animals,and more than 20 000 inbred lines,outbred lines,genetic engineered animals,animal models of diseases,and other resources all over the world,which provide abundant experimental animal resources for scientific research.These resources are widely used in life science research.

One health, monkeypox prevention, and treatment: The second online academic salon on monkeypox virus by the Chinese Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences (August 26, 2022, Beijing, China)

The Second Online Academic Salon on Monkeypox Virus: One Health, monkeypox prevention, and treatment was held online on August 26, 2022, at Beijing, China. The Academic Salon was hosted by the Chinese Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences(CALAS);organized by the Editorial Office of Animal Models and Experimental Medicine( AMEM), Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica, and the Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine;and co-organized by the China Union of Life Science Societies and Wiley Press. This online salon was simultaneously broadcast live, and attracted more than 2000 participants online from home and abroad.

LasDB: A collective database for laboratory animal strain resources

Background: With the aim of establishing the most comprehensive database of laboratory animal strains, the "laboratory animal strain resources database"(LasDB)was constructed as a searchable online database of all laboratory animal strains,stocks and mutant embryonic stem-cell lines available worldwide, including inbred,outbred, mutant and genetically engineered strains.Methods: MySQL database software was used to construct the LasDB, offering an easy-to-use interface.Results: To date, LasDB has a collection covering data for 21 596 mouse strains,2062 rat strains, 13 monkey strains, 2 hamster strains, 5 dog strains, 5 rabbit strains and more than 50 other laboratory animal strains. LasDB will be continually improved with regular updates of new laboratory animal strains from all over the world.Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first database that attempts to systematically integrate all available laboratory animal strain data with the aim of supporting open usage and full resource sharing.

The 1st online academic salon on monkeypox virus by Chinese Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences(2022, June 10th,Beijing, China)

The First Academic Salon on Monkeypox Virus was held online on June 10th,2022 in Beijing,China.The Academic Salon was hosted by the Chinese Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences (CALAS);organized by the Editorial Office of Animal Models and Experimental Medicine (AMEM),Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica,and the Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine,and co-organized by China Union of Life Science Societies.This Academic Salon was also broadcast live on Wiley WeChat Video Channel,and attracted over 2400online attendees home and abroad.

3D Mobile Augmented Reality Interface for Laboratory Experiments

In fields such as science and engineering, virtual environment is commonly used to provide replacements for practical hands-on laboratories. Sometimes, these environments take the form of a remote interface to the physical laboratory apparatus and at other times, in the form of a complete software implementation that simulates the laboratory apparatus. In this paper, we report on the use of a semi-immersive 3D mobile Augmented Reality (mAR) interface and limited simulations as a replacement for practical hands-on laboratories in science and engineering. The 3D-mAR based interfaces implementations for three different experiments (from micro-electronics, power and communications engineering) are presented;the discovered limitations are discussed along with the results of an evaluation by science and engineering students from two different institutions and plans for future work.

History and development of laboratory animal science in Sri Lanka

The Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo(UCFM), is the forerunner in the laboratory animal science(LAS) field in Sri Lanka. Here laboratory animals such as rats, frogs and rabbits were used in medical education to demonstrate physiological principles in the early 1950 s. The establishment of the first animal house in 1969 at UCFM better facilitated the use of laboratory animals in medical education and research. By 2006, lack of ethical guide lines was an issue and a set of ethical guidelines was developed and published in 2009, which today are followed by researchers and reviewers in many universities and research institutions in the country. With this development, there was a need for an organized system of education for the LAS discipline. This was fulfilled by conducting the first certificate course on LAS in the Asian region in 2011 in collaboration with the Utrecht University,Netherlands. The Sri Lanka Association for LAS has continued LAS education since its establishment in 2012 at UCFM by conducting workshops and short courses.