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Topic Review
Animal Stone Disease
Animals have stone disease too. There are several animal models for the research of human stone disease. Rodents are the most frequently used for stone research, although they are not prone to forming crystals in the kidneys. Ethylene glycol (EG), sodium oxalate and -hydroxyproline are common lithogenic agents. Dogs and pigs were also reported as a study animal for stone disease. However, the breeding costs and body size are too high. The most-used genetic study animal for stone disease was the mouse, but it was high-cost. Calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals can also be light microscopically observed in the Malphigian tubules of Drosophila melanogaster, induced by adding EG to the food. Genetic studies of flies can be done by cross-breeding, and this has a lower cost than using mice. The fly model also has several advantages, including minimal breeding equipment, the fact that it is easier to reach larger numbers in a short time with flies, that crystals can be observed under microscopy, and that they allow genetic study. We suggest the fly will be an ideal animal model for stone research in the future.
  • 518
  • 22 Jul 2020
Topic Review
Animal to Human Efficacy Data
Reports of a reproducibility crisis combined with a high attrition rate in the pharmaceutical industry have put animal research increasingly under scrutiny in the past decade. Many researchers and the general public now question whether there is still a justification for conducting animal studies. While criticism of the current modus operandi in preclinical research is certainly warranted, the data on which these discussions are based are often unreliable. Several initiatives to address the internal validity and reporting quality of animal studies (e.g., Animals in Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments (ARRIVE) and Planning Research and Experimental Procedures on Animals: Recommendations for Excellence (PREPARE) guidelines) have been introduced but seldom implemented. As for external validity, progress has been virtually absent. Nonetheless, the selection of optimal animal models of disease may prevent the conducting of clinical trials, based on unreliable preclinical data. Here, we discuss three contributions to tackle the evaluation of the predictive value of animal models of disease themselves. First, we developed the Framework to Identify Models of Disease (FIMD), the first step to standardise the assessment, validation and comparison of disease models. FIMD allows the identification of which aspects of the human disease are replicated in the animals, facilitating the selection of disease models more likely to predict human response. Second, we show an example of how systematic reviews and meta-analyses can provide another strategy to discriminate between disease models quantitatively. Third, we explore whether external validity is a factor in animal model selection in the Investigator’s Brochure (IB), and we use the IB-derisk tool to integrate preclinical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data in early clinical development. Through these contributions, we show how we can address external validity to evaluate the translatability and scientific value of animal models in drug development. However, while these methods have potential, it is the extent of their adoption by the scientific community that will define their impact. By promoting and adopting high-quality study design and reporting, as well as a thorough assessment of the translatability of drug efficacy of animal models of disease, we will have robust data to challenge and improve the current animal research paradigm.
  • 679
  • 31 Jul 2020
Topic Review
Animal Toxin Historical Outlook from Paris Institut Pasteur
The term “toxin” is derived from the Greek word “toxon”, which refers to a bow, implying poisoned arrows, while “poison” is a broader term originating from the Latin “potionem” (meaning a drink). Initially, it denoted harmful liquid substances, and later, it encompassed any dangerous substances. The earliest civilizations were familiar with animal poisons, often using them in combination with plant toxins for hunting and fishing. They also recognized toxins for their potential therapeutic or psychoactive effects, capable of inciting fury, trances, love, and ecstasy.
  • 278
  • 07 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Animal Welfare Discourse and Debate
Animal welfare is a public good that is extremely important to stakeholders, who can hold conflicting values and viewpoints, on what animal welfare is, and how a good life is achieved. Various stakeholder groups tend to signal different problems, or problematize specific aspects of farm animal welfare, and propose different actions or interventions within food supply chains.
  • 542
  • 26 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Animal-Derived Polysaccharides
Polysaccharides are biomolecules found in microorganisms, plants, and animals that constitute living organisms. Glycosaminoglycans, unique acidic polysaccharides in animal connective tissue, are often combined with proteins in the form of covalent bonds due to their potent biological activity, low toxicity, and minimal side effects, which have the potential to be utilized as nutrition healthcare and dietary supplements.
  • 170
  • 11 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Animals Microbially Mediated Chemical Ecology
Microbial symbionts are nowadays considered of pivotal importance for animal life. Among the many processes where microorganisms are involved, an emerging research avenue focuses on their major role in driving the evolution of chemical communication in their hosts. Volatiles of bacterial origin may underlie chemical communication and the transfer of social information through signals, as well as inadvertent social information.
  • 562
  • 07 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Aniridia
Aniridia is an eye disorder characterized by a complete or partial absence of the colored part of the eye (the iris). These iris abnormalities may cause the pupils to be abnormal or misshapen. Aniridia can cause reduction in the sharpness of vision (visual acuity) and increased sensitivity to light (photophobia).
  • 390
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Anisakidae Family
Nematodes of the Anisakidae family have a cosmopolitan distribution, due to their ability to infest a wide variety of aquatic hosts during the development of their larval stages, mainly marine mammals and aquatic birds, such as pelicans; being the hosts where the life cycle is completed. The participation of intermediate hosts such as cephalopods, shrimp, crustaceans and marine fish, are an important part to complete this cycle. However, its importance in human health is due to its zoonotic capacity, which causes the clinical presentation in humans, known as Anisakiasis or Anisakidosis, depending on the species of the infecting parasite.
  • 1.3K
  • 16 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Anisakis
Anisakis is a genus of parasitic nematodes that have life cycles involving fish and marine mammals. They are infective to humans and cause anisakiasis. People who produce immunoglobulin E in response to this parasite may subsequently have an allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis, after eating fish infected with Anisakis species.
  • 717
  • 14 Oct 2022
Topic Review
ANK2
Ankyrin-B, also known as Ankyrin-2, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the ANK2 gene. Ankyrin-B is ubiquitously expressed, but shows high expression in cardiac muscle. Ankyrin-B plays an essential role in the localization and membrane stabilization of ion transporters and ion channels in cardiomyocytes, as well as in costamere structures. Mutations in ankyrin-B cause a dominantly-inherited, cardiac arrhythmia syndrome known as ankyrin-B syndrome as well as sick sinus syndrome; mutations have also been associated to a lesser degree with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Alterations in ankyrin-B expression levels are observed in human heart failure.
  • 305
  • 08 Nov 2022
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