Suchergebnisse

Woodruff's target article on teleost consciousness is a well-organized logical argument for considering the fish as a sentient being. This becomes more important for animal ethical discussion as the fish becomes a more important and legitimate animal model for investigating animal states and traits associated with higher levels of behavior such as learning and memory.

Ebola virus is a highly pathogenic member of the family Filoviridae that causes a severe hemorrhagic disease in humans and NHP. The 2013–2016 West African outbreak has increased interest in the development and refinement of animal models of Ebola virus disease. These models are used to test countermeasures and vaccines, gain scientific insights into the mechanisms of disease progression and transmission, and study key correlates of immunology. Ebola virus is classified as a BSL4 pathogen and Category A agent, for which the United States government requires preparedness in case of bioterrorism. Rodents, such as Syrian golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus), mice (Mus musculus), and guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), are the most common research species. However, NHP, especially macaques, are favored for Ebola virus disease research due to similarities with humans regarding the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and causes of fatality. To satisfy the regulatory requirements for approval of countermeasures against high-consequence pathogens, the FDA instituted the Animal Rule, which permits efficacy studies in animal models in place of human clinical data when such studies are not feasible or ethical. This review provides a comprehensive summary of various animal models and their use in Ebola virus disease research.

The main objective of the present study was to characterize sex differences in the temporal discrimination and activity level of an animal model of attention deficit disorder (ADD) using a conjunctive 120-s variable interval 16-s differential reinforcement of low rate (VIDRL) schedule of reinforcement. The results showed that the spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) male was generally hyperactive and that the SHR female was both hyperactive and had severe time discrimination problems. The latter caused relatively fewer reinforcers to be delivered. However, even when a reinforcer was delivered, the SHR female frequently failed to collect it. When the SHR females were in diestrus, their behavior became even less efficient. The present findings with the animal model seem to be in general agreement with the behavior of ADD children when a DRL schedule is used. Most of our results were explained as due to impulsiveness, which is more pronounced in the SHR female than in the male. In addition, the SHR female had attention problems. The present study further supports the usefulness of the SHR as animal model of ADD.

Ebola and Marburg hemorrhagic fevers (EHF and MHF) are caused by the Filoviridae family, Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus (ebolavirus and marburgvirus), respectively. These severe diseases have high mortality rates in humans. Although EHF and MHF are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. A novel filovirus, Lloviu virus, which is genetically distinct from ebolavirus and marburgvirus, was recently discovered in Spain where filoviral hemorrhagic fever had never been reported. The virulence of this virus has not been determined. Ebolavirus and marburgvirus are classified as biosafety level-4 (BSL-4) pathogens and Category A agents, for which the US government requires preparedness in case of bioterrorism. Therefore, preventive measures against these viral hemorrhagic fevers should be prepared, not only in disease-endemic regions, but also in disease-free countries. Diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics need to be developed, and therefore the establishment of animal models for EHF and MHF is invaluable. Several animal models have been developed for EHF and MHF using non-human primates (NHPs) and rodents, which are crucial to understand pathophysiology and to develop diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics. Rhesus and cynomolgus macaques are representative models of filovirus infection as they exhibit remarkably similar symptoms to those observed in humans. However, the NHP models have practical and ethical problems that limit their experimental use. Furthermore, there are no inbred and genetically manipulated strains of NHP. Rodent models such as mouse, guinea pig, and hamster, have also been developed. However, these rodent models require adaptation of the virus to produce lethal disease and do not mirror all symptoms of human filovirus infection. This review article provides an outline of the clinical features of EHF and MHF in animals, including humans, and discusses how the animal models have been developed to study pathophysiology, vaccines, and therapeutics.

Intro -- Title page -- Table of Contents -- Copyright -- Contributors -- Preface -- Chapter One: Social Influences on Nicotine-Related Behaviors -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Clinical Examination of the Relationship Between Social Influence and Nicotine Use -- 3 Preclinical Models of Social Influence on Nicotine Addiction -- 4 Neurobiological Mechanisms Underlying Anxiolytic and Anxiogenic Effects of Nicotine and Its Role in Social Interaction -- 5 Conclusions -- Chapter Two: Assessing Social Alcohol Drinking in Rodent Models: Are We There Yet? -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Overview of Existing Methods and Results -- 3 Total Intake per Cage Model -- 4 Mesh-Separated Compartments Model -- 5 Parallel Use of Total Intake Model and Mesh Divided Compartments -- 6 Video Tracking -- 7 Radio Frequency Tracking -- 8 Conclusions -- Chapter Three: Social Factors in Ethanol Sensitization -- Abstract -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Factors Influencing Ethanol-Induced Behavioral Sensitization -- 3 Behavioral Sensitization and Stress -- 4 Behavioral Sensitization and Environmental Enrichment -- 5 Conclusions -- Chapter Four: Social Influences in Animal Models of Opiate Addiction -- Abstract -- 1 Endogenous Opioid Signaling -- 2 Historical Aspects of Social Influences on Opiate Use -- 3 The Current Opiate Epidemic -- 4 Standard Rodent Models of Opiate Addiction -- 5 Summary of Existing Literature on Social Influences on Opiate Addiction Behaviors in Rodents -- 6 Newer Rodent Paradigms for Assessing Prosocial Behavior in Opiate Addiction -- 7 Limitations of Current Models -- 8 Conclusions -- Chapter Five: Social Modification of Amphetamine Reward -- Abstract -- 1 Experimental Evidence of Social Modification of Drug Reward -- 2 Is Social Facilitation the Sum of Two Reinforcing Effects? -- 3 Modification of Drug Effects by Social Stress