实验动物许可证管理现状分析

随着生命科学研究的发展,我国实验动物科学进入快速发展时期,加强实验动物行业的规范化管理彰显重要。实验动物许可证管理是实验动物工作规范化、科学化管理的重要组成部分,同时也是推进实验动物学科发展的重要途径。随着国家实验动物立法和各省市对实验动物的配套立法等工作,促进了实验动物行业的有序发展,加强实验动物许可证的有效管理,对于促进我国实验动物的产业化和规范国家实验动物管理发挥了重要的推动与保障作用。本文对我国实验动物许可证管理现状进行分析,以对实验动物管理工作提供参考。     

Evaluation of a training program: a usda perspective

Is your institution's animal care training program up to par? The author lists questions you'll need to answer.     

福建省实验动物技术服务基地建设规划的思路

制订福建省2008～2010年实验动物技术服务基地建设规划,是促进实验动物科技资源的合理配置与共享和实验动物学科发展的需求。本文根据对全省实验动物科技现状的调查,在《福建省＂十一五＂科技发展规划纲要》的基础上,提出制订福建省2008～2010年实验动物技术服务基地建设规划的思路,包括指导思想、工作目标、工作重点和对策措施。通过整合、优化和提升实验动物现有资源,建设技术先进、管理规范、开放运行的实验动物技术服务平台,成为我省生命科学、生物科学、食品、化妆品、保健品等相关研究与技术开发提供公共服务的动物实验基地,实现全省范围的服务共享。     

The evolution of fidelity in sensory systems

We investigate the effect that noise has on the evolution of measurement strategies and competition in populations of organisms with sensory systems of differing fidelities. We address two questions motivated by experimental and theoretical work on sensory systems in noisy environments: (1) How complex must a sensory system be in order to face the need to develop adaptive measurement strategies that change depending on the noise level? (2) Does the principle of competitive exclusion for sensory systems force one population to win out over all others? We find that the answer to the first question is that even very simple sensory systems will need to change measurement strategies depending on the amount of noise in the environment. Interestingly, the answer to the second question is that, in general, at most two populations with different fidelity sensory systems may co-exist within a single environment.     

Assessing animal care and use programs internationally

As international collaborations become commonplace, new issues arise concerning the potentially variable quality of laboratory animals. The Associate Director and the Director of AAALAC International discuss efforts to harmonize facility procedures and practices of animal care and use globally.     

A report on methods to reduce,refine and replace animal testing in industrial toxicology laboratories

The Committee to Promote Principles of Reduction, Refinement and Replacement of Animal Testing in Industrial Toxicology Laboratories was established in 1987 to work toward industrywide improvements in laboratory animal testing methods. The committee's goals are to gather information about effective nonanimal testing techniques and other methods of conserving and improving the care of laboratory animals, to work toward the systematic validation of nonanimal alternatives, and to disseminate useful information about progressive programs and policies throughout the industrial toxicology community. This is the first in a continuing series of reports the committee plans to produce as part of an ongoing program to promote communication among industrial toxicologists about successful methods of reducing, refining and replacing animal testing. Here are some of the report's major findings: (1) Animal care and use committees charged with the oversight of laboratory animal use are a universal practice at the companies surveyed. (2) Significant reductions in the number of animals used for acute toxicity testing have taken place at all the companies during the last 5- to 10-year period. (3) Structure-activity relationships (predicting a test compound's properties based on the known properties of familiar chemicals with similar structures) are widely used to minimize, but not replace, the use of animals. (4) Tissue and organ culture systems are being used with increasing frequency for screening and mechanistic studies, but are not completely replacing animal evaluations as a final step. (5) There is a pressing need for the systematic and scientifically sound validation of nonanimal alternative techniques to reduce the use of animals in toxicology testing while satisfying requirements for the protection of public safety.     

Disposition of Shelter Companion Animals From Nonhuman Animal Control Officers,Citizen Finders,and Relinquished by Caregivers

Many private not-for-profit humane societies have contracts with their local government entities to provide nonhuman animal control services that the law commonly requires the government to provide to its residents. These services normally have the humane organization providing either the total animal control program (including field work to pick up stray animal companions, enforcing local animal ordinances, and the impounding of stray companion animals) or just the boarding of companion animals with no fieldwork or enforcement duties. Shelter companion animals normally come from three main sources: (a) stray or lost companion animals impounded by animal control field officers or animals impounded for violations of humane care regulations; (b) stray companion animals brought to the shelter by a resident who happens across, and catches, a lost companion animal and delivers the animal to the shelter; and (c) companion animals relinquished by their caregivers.     

Disposition of shelter companion animals from nonhuman animal control officers, citizen finders, and relinquished by caregivers

Many private not-for-profit humane societies have contracts with their local government entities to provide nonhuman animal control services that the law commonly requires the government to provide to its residents. These services normally have the humane organization providing either the total animal control program (including field work to pick up stray animal companions, enforcing local animal ordinances, and the impounding of stray companion animals) or just the boarding of companion animals with no fieldwork or enforcement duties. Shelter companion animals normally come from three main sources: (a) stray or lost companion animals impounded by animal control field officers or animals impounded for violations of humane care regulations; (b) stray companion animals brought to the shelter by a resident who happens across, and catches, a lost companion animal and delivers the animal to the shelter; and (c) companion animals relinquished by their caregivers.     

An inordinate fondness for Mecopteriformia

What is the Largest animal taxon? The most famous answer to this question has been given by Haldane who coined the phrase that ‘the Creator has an inordinate fondness for beetles’. Although much cited, this statement has never been tested. Other experts have suggested other candidates for the largest animal taxon, all of which included the beetles as a subordinate group. I here outline a novel phylogenetic‐comparative method that can address the question in a testable way. The result of applying the algorithm to the Metazoa is astonishing: the largest animal taxon is neither beetles nor a taxon super‐ or subordinated to beetles, but the Mecopteriformia.     

What's hot in animal biosafety?

In recent years, the emergence or re-emergence of critical issues in infectious disease and public health has presented new challenges and opportunities for laboratory animal care professionals. The re-emergence of bioterrorism as a threat activity of individuals or small groups has caused a heightened awareness of biosecurity and improved biosafety. The need for animal work involving high-risk or high-consequence pathogens and for arthropod-borne diseases has stimulated renewed interest in animal biosafety matters, particularly for work in containment. Application of these principles to animals retained in outdoor environments has been a consequence of disease eradication programs. The anticipated global eradication of wild poliovirus has prompted the promulgation of new biosafety guidelines for future laboratory and animal work. Increased concern regarding the use of biologically derived toxins and hazardous chemicals has stimulated a new categorization of facility containment based on risk assessment. Recognition that prion disease agents and other high-consequence pathogens require safe handling and thorough destruction during terminal decontamination treatment has led to the development of new biosafety guidelines and technologies. The implementation of these guidelines and technologies will promote state-of-the-art research while minimizing risk to laboratory animals, researchers, and the environment.     

中国实验动物产业化发展探讨

实验动物作为生命科学研究的基础和重要支撑条件,其产业化程度已经成为一个国家科学技术发展水平和能力的重要标志,在国民经济中发挥着重要作用.实验动物产业领域主要包括实验动物培育及生产供应、实验动物相关产品研发和生产供应、动物实验技术服务三个方面,其服务于各个科技领域.我国实验动物产业起步较晚.随着我国生命科学研究的发展和综合国力的提升,我国实验动物产业也得到快速发展,实验动物产业化初具规模.但是,我国目前实验动物产业发展还存在一些问题,主要体现在产业规模化不够,缺乏具有一定规模、在国内外占主导地位的企业;产品质量和服务质量有待进一步提高;质量管理和监督体系不健全;人才队伍不足.建议加大政府支持力度,合理布局,培育产业化集团;加强质量管理和监督体系建设,提高产品或服务质量：加强人才队伍建设,提高服务能力.以提升实验动物科学发展水平,推动人类健康事业的发展.     

规范实验动物设施管理,提高科研服务质量

实验动物设施是医院科学研究的技术平台。如何利用有限的资源,全面提高实验动物中心科研服务水平是管理者亟待解决的问题。本文通过总结第四军医大学口腔医院实验动物中心的规范化建设及管理,探索提高实验动物中心运行效率和科研服务质量的方法。     

屏障环境的门禁控制系统的设计与应用

实验动物屏障环境设施在动态运行时是一个封闭的系统,进入的人、动物、饲料、空气、垫料及用品均须进行严格的微生物控制。传递仓、渡槽、风淋室和缓冲间设备上的控制环节缺少必要的门禁自动化控制设备,在日常工作上极容易造成违章操作和失误,该门禁系统可控制设备的开关门程序和时间,并可启动消毒设备,实现门禁控制和消毒灭菌的目的。     

GLP原则在体外毒理学评价实验室的应用

在动物福利运动的推动下,以减少、优化和替代动物试验为核心内容的体外试验系统已成为安全评价不可或缺的组成部分,在药品、化学品、化妆品毒理学评价中起到重要作用。体外试验系统不同于体内动物实验,体外毒理学实验室GLP原则的建立和运行应充分考虑体外试验系统的特殊性。目前我国专业的体外安全评价实验室的建设刚刚起步,还没有可供借鉴的成熟经验。本文从实验室组织、试验系统维护、人员职责、质量管理和运行几个方面,介绍了GLP原则在化妆品体外毒理学检验和评价实验室的应用。     

我国实验动物科学带来的动物伦理及福利问题

实验动物是在一定条件下人工饲养繁殖,具有特定的生物学特性,用于科学研究的动物。实验动物是生命科学研究不可缺少的支撑条件,是为人类的健康和发展作出贡献和牺牲的生命体。实验动物科学包括实验动物和动物实验两个方面,是生命科学的重要分支。随着人类社会、经济和文化的发展,动物福利和动物伦理问题已经全面渗透到了实验动物科学乃至生命科学的各个领域之中。在我国,实验动物科学带来的伦理问题主要表现为：缺乏相应的法律法规,对虐杀实验动物的现象缺乏管理,违背实验动物伦理的技术操作现象依然存在,动物保护主义者和实验动物科学工作者之间的矛盾,等等。动物伦理学在中国出现的社会原因是：改革开放后经济的快速发展促使人们的观念转变,与国际的交往促进了东西方文化的交融,同时也是近十几年来教育的结果。近年来,我国实验动物科学领域内关于伦理问题和动物福利的研究进展迅速,实验动物纪念碑的出现和＂3R＂研究概念的传入是其主要表现。改善实验动物的生活条件,杜绝虐杀实验动物的现象,规范动物实验的技术操作,尽快制定和完善相关的法律法规,是进一步努力的目标;而落实组织措施,成立动物伦理委员会及专家组,加强与国际上的交流,推动＂3R＂研究的进展,扩大对社会的宣传,支持爱护动物的行为,注重与动物保护组织的理解及沟通等,是为达到这一目标应采取的措施。     

Is there a shortage of laboratory animal veterinarians?

There is evidence of a shortage of qualified laboratory animal veterinarians. Based on conversations with directors of animal care programs and heads of laboratory animal medicine training program, the author explores the problem of attracting veterinary school graduates to the field.     

The institutional official and postapproval monitoring: the view from 10,000 feet

The role of the institutional official (IO) in ensuring a high-quality program of laboratory animal care and use has received relatively little attention in the literature compared to that of the institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC) or attending veterinarian. Yet the IO is critical to institutional effectiveness. Often not a scientist, especially at colleges and universities, the IO is an executive who bears ultimate responsibility for the care and use of laboratory animals. An IO operates largely through delegation to the IACUC and the institutional veterinarian, yet must maintain a clear view of the program from the executive level--the "view from 10,000 feet." To do so, the IO must bring four critical leadership qualities to the position: (1) vision, (2) a commitment to quality and integrity, (3) strong planning and resource development, and (4) accountability to the laboratory animal program. The IO's ability to act on these qualities and to evaluate the effectiveness of the resulting program requires reliance on a strong program of postapproval monitoring (PAM). Summary data from PAM, based on metrics carefully defined by the IO in consultation with the IACUC and the institutional veterinarian, provide the feedback necessary to guide executive decisions and allow the IO to place the needs of the program of laboratory animal care and use successfully into the larger context of the mission of the institution.     

Institutional responsibilities in contamination control in research animals and occupational health and safety for animal handlers

The mechanisms for controlling microbial contamination in research animals are similar to those for preventing exposure among animal handlers to naturally occurring pathogens, research-related biohazards, or animal allergens. Research and resource preservation are the primary goals of each approach, and an appropriate assessment of risk is their foundation. The identification of potential risks enables the implementation of relevant risk management or control measures. This article summarizes the components of an occupational health and safety program for animal handlers, including screening, training, work practices, effective use of engineering controls, selection and use of personal protective equipment, and emergency response protocols. The features of a risk assessment and risk management program and the level of interaction and training required to implement and sustain the program correlate well with programs designed to control microbial contamination in laboratory animals. This article includes an explanation of the five Ps of risk assessment and risk management. Pathogens and the proposed experimental procedures account for the first two Ps; the other three focus on training and awareness of the personnel involved in the experiment, protective equipment and work practices, and factors associated with the place (or facility) where the research will be conducted. Animal handlers comprehension and knowledge determine the success of any containment program, and so this review also includes a discussion of critical teaching points for animal handlers and of the importance of evaluating personnel to verify their proficiency and competence in required protocols.     

A survey of laboratory animal disease in Kenya.

Diseases and infections diagnosed in laboratory mice, rats, guinea-pigs, golden hamsters and rabbits at the Veterinary Research Laboratory, Kabete, Kenya, are listed and discussed. Zoonoses encountered included salmonellosis and lymphocytic choriomeningitis. A number of traditionally recognised conditions were recorded but there were some notable omissions. The changing picture in laboratory animal science in East Africa is outlined and attention is drawn to the need for work on related diseases and infections.     

Training strategies for animal care technicians and veterinary technical staff

An institutional training program for animal care and veterinary technicians should be planned and implemented to provide these individuals with knowledge and skills for performing their duties within a laboratory animal care and use program. The complexity in the regulatory and scientific features of the animal research environment necessitates a strong training program on diverse topics according to staff duties. Orientation training should include ethics and compliance with relevant laws, policies, and guidelines. Depending on specific staff responsibilities, training may be general or in depth on topics of species-specific biology and behavior, animal facility equipment and operations, animal health procedures, animal research policies, occupational health and safety equipment and practices, computer usage, training, and management. Staff training should be an ongoing mission for incorporating new equipment, practices, and procedures in the laboratory animal program; for providing periodic refresher training to maintain a high level of staff qualifications; and for retraining when skills or knowledge are found deficient. Large institutions often have a dedicated training staff to implement the institutional training program.