Guidelines for the establishment and functioning of Animal Ethics Commitees (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees) in Africa.

Animals are used for scientific purposes across Africa to benefit humans, animals or the environment. Nonetheless, ethical and regulatory oversight remains limited in many parts of the continent. To strengthen this governance framework, the Pan-African Network for Laboratory Animal Science and Ethics brought together experts from 12 African countries to create an Africa-centric practical guide to facilitate the establishment and appropriate functioning of Institutional Animal Ethics Committees across Africa. The Guidelines are based on universal principles for the care and use of sentient animals for scientific purposes, with consideration of the cultural, religious, political and socio-economic diversity in Africa. They focus on 11 key elements, including responsibilities of institutions and of the Institutional Official; composition of the Committee; its responsibilities, functioning and authority; ethical application and review processes; oversight and monitoring of animal care and use and of training and competence; quality assurance; and the roles of other responsible parties. The intent is for African institutions to adopt and adapt the guidelines, aligning with existing national legislation and standards where relevant, thus ensuring incorporation into practice. More broadly, the Guidelines form an essential component of the growing discourse in Africa regarding moral considerations of, and appropriate standards for, the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. The increased establishment of appropriately functioning animal ethics committees and robust ethical review procedures across Africa will enhance research quality and culture, strengthen societal awareness of animals as sentient beings, improve animal well-being, bolster standards of animal care and use, and contribute to sustainable socio-economic development.

Supporting advancement of lab animal welfare and scientific integrity in developing countries: ACURET Cage Consortium (ACCON) Project.

Research involving animals remains an essential tool to increase our understanding of how human and animal bodies work; how diseases affect them and the safety assessment of chemicals, such as pesticides, for their possible effects on human health or the environment; and how diseases can be prevented or treated via developing and testing medicines and vaccines for humans or animals. To achieve high quality science based on animal manipulations and experimentations from developing countries, adequate welfare of the lab animals needs to become sine qua non for all concerned.ACURET.ORG is in the forefront of promoting humane animal care and use for scientific purposes in developing countries, with focus on Africa, seeking to aid and facilitate aspects of Institutional Lab Animal programmes in addition to its training and education programmes in the last 11 years since its inception and incorporation eight years ago. ACURET has embarked upon a project tagged 'ACURET Cage Consortium Project', the provision of re-usable 'open-top' cages for mice and rats in place of the many varied artificial housing materials being used to hold such animals in many facilities in Africa. ACURET is seeking old but functional cages and accessories, still 'fit for purpose'; other animal husbandry and research equipment, as donations from institutions and industry for distribution to institutions in Africa who require them to improve their lab animal welfare programme.With a phased funding support from Laboratory Animal Ltd., ACURET will be responsible for the collection of donated items from locations, re-package them for sea-shipping to NIMR in Lagos, from where they will be distributed to successful applying institutional animal facilities, on a 'first come, first served' basis.At the heart of the ACURET Cage Consortium Project is the enablement of researchers in Africa to engage in the essence of their research when the welfare of the laboratory animals they care for and use has been affirmed. Ultimately, we anticipate that the project will support raising the bar on Africans skilled in humane animal care and use for scientific purposes in developing countries.

Correlation of some predisposing intrinsic conditions with the morphological integrity of the Achilles tendon.

BACKGROUND: Most studies have focused on ill-tendons with a little insight on how intrinsic factors correlate with the Achilles tendon (AT) morphology. AIM: This study aims at establishing how blood pressure (BP), blood glucose (BG), and body mass index (BMI) correlate with the morphology of the AT with emphasis on width changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were volunteers who were recruited during and after an organized health fair by the Medical Students' body of All Saints University, School of Medicine, Commonwealth of Dominica. A total of 336 people, consisting of 135 males and 201 females volunteered for the study. The most dominant age group was between 60 and 65 years. A self-administered questionnaire was used to acquire necessary information, and a preliminary clinical procedure was used to check for BP, BG, and BMI. Ultrasound examination was done in B-mode using a linear array high-frequency probe with a mediolateral approach at the AT. RESULTS: Among the participants, 42.68%, 69.75%, and 30.38% had normal BP, BG, and BMI readings, respectively. BP, BG, and BMI statistically supported the hypothesis. Individuals with extreme BP, BG, and BMI had their AT width wider when compared with individuals with normal systemic readings. Sonographic examination revealed most participants with normal tendon morphology while some identifiable changes were observed among others. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that BP, BG, and BMI could affect the morphological integrity of the AT. It indicates that asymptomatic high blood sugar and BP could weaken the AT, leading to pain which may appear unrelated to the physician and patient.

Contexte: La plupart des études se sont concentrées sur les tendons avec un aperçu sur la façon de faire correspondre le tendon d'Achille (AT) morphologie. But: Cette étude vise à établir la pression artérielle (BP), la glycémie (BG), et l'indice de masse corporelle (IMC) en corrélation avec la morphologie de l'AT en mettant l'accent sur les changements de largeur. Matériel et Méthodes: Les participants étaient des volontaires qui ont été recrutés pendant et après une foire organisée de la santé par Corps des étudiants en médecine de l'Université All Saints de l'École de médecine du Commonwealth de la Dominique. Un total de 336 personnes, composé de 135 hommes et 201 femmes se sont portées volontaires pour l'étude. Le groupe d'âge le plus dominant était entre 60 et 65 ans. Un questionnaire auto-administré était utilisé pour acquérir les informations nécessaires, et une procédure clinique préliminaire a été utilisée pour vérifier BP, BG et BMI. Examen échographique a été effectuée en mode B en utilisant une sonde à haute fréquence à réseau linéaire avec une approche médiolatérale à l'AT. Résultats: Parmi les participants, 42,68%, 69,75% et 30,38% avaient des valeurs normales de pression artérielle, de glycémie et d'IMC, respectivement. BP, BG et BMI ont statistiquement soutenu l'hypothèse. Les personnes atteintes de TA, de BG et d'IMC extrêmes avaient une largeur AT supérieure par rapport aux personnes ayant des lectures systémiques normales. L'examen échographique a révélé la plupart des participants ayant une morphologie tendineuse normale, tandis que certains changements identifiables ont été observés chez autres. Conclusion: Cette étude suggère que BP, BG et BMI pourraient affecter l'intégrité morphologique de l'AT. Il indique que asymptomatique l'hyperglycémie et la TA pourraient affaiblir l'AT, entraînant une douleur qui peut sembler sans rapport avec le médecin et le patient. Mots-clés: tendon d'Achille, glycémie, tension artérielle, indice de masse corporelle, chaussures à talons hauts, activités sportives, échographie.

Correlation of some predisposing intrinsic conditions with the morphological integrity of the Achilles tendon

Background: Most studies have focused on ill-tendons with a little insight on how intrinsic factors correlate with the Achilles tendon (AT) morphology. Aim: This study aims at establishing how blood pressure (BP), blood glucose (BG), and body mass index (BMI) correlate with the morphology of the AT with emphasis on width changes. Materials and Methods: Participants were volunteers who were recruited during and after an organized health fair by the Medical Students' body of All Saints University, School of Medicine, Commonwealth of Dominica. A total of 336 people, consisting of 135 males and 201 females volunteered for the study. The most dominant age group was between 60 and 65 years. A self-administered questionnaire was used to acquire necessary information, and a preliminary clinical procedure was used to check for BP, BG, and BMI. Ultrasound examination was done in B-mode using a linear array high-frequency probe with a mediolateral approach at the AT. Results: Among the participants, 42.68%, 69.75%, and 30.38% had normal BP, BG, and BMI readings, respectively. BP, BG, and BMI statistically supported the hypothesis.Individuals with extreme BP, BG, and BMI had their AT width wider when compared with individuals with normal systemic readings. Sonographic examination revealed most participants with normal tendon morphology while some identifiable changes were observed among others. Conclusion: This study suggests that BP, BG, and BMI could affect the morphological integrity of the AT. It indicates that asymptomatic high blood sugar and BP could weaken the AT, leading to pain which may appear unrelated to the physician and patient

A core syllabus for the teaching of embryology and teratology to medical students.

Clinical relevance in the teaching of biomedical sciences within health care courses presupposes that there is internationally agreed core material within the curricula. However, with the exception of a syllabus for neuroanatomy and gross anatomy of the head and neck for medical students, core syllabuses within many of the specialized anatomical sciences have yet to be developed. The International Federation of Associations of Anatomists aims to formulate internationally accepted core syllabuses for all anatomical sciences disciplines initially using Delphi Panels that comprise anatomists, scientists, and clinicians who evaluate syllabus content. Here, the suggestions of a Delphi Panel for embryology and teratology are presented prior to their publication on the website of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists. Hence, to obtain a more definitive syllabus, it is required that anatomical and embryological/teratological societies, as well as individual anatomists, embryologists and clinicians, freely comment upon, elaborate and amend, this draft syllabus. The goal is to set internationally recognized standards and thereby provide guidelines concerning embryological and teratological knowledge when involved with course development. Clin. Anat. 30:159-167, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Ultrasound and stethoscope as tools in medical education and practice: considerations for the archives.

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, the use and portability of ultrasound has threatened the utility of the stethoscope, with many debating and even advocating its replacement. The authors set out to assess opinions in this regard among faculty within a medical school and specifically within an anatomy department where ultrasound is incorporated into the curriculum from the first term. METHODS: A debate was elicited during a biweekly Anatomy Journal Club session and was centered on three published papers presented. Several questions were raised regarding the possible replacement of stethoscope - the value of early exposure to students as well as how ultrasound and stethoscope should be considered by physicians, students, and teachers. RESULTS: The general consensus was that the stethoscope should not be replaced but should be used in conjunction with emerging portable ultrasound. Caution was given that technology could "overcomplicate" diagnosis and lead to increased tests resulting in increased cost of care. In terms of exposing students to ultrasound, just as the stethoscope requires practice to use effectively, so does the ultrasound and should be introduced as early on as possible. As is the case with the stethoscope, students may not initially appreciate all the finer details on ultrasound; however, continual use would improve skill. CONCLUSION: The stethoscope should always remain part of the physical examination and ultrasound should be used in addition to, not replacement of. As technology advances the need for apprenticeship, training increases and students of the medical profession should be exposed to these technologies as early as possible. Hence, it is not yet time to archive the stethoscope. Perhaps never.

The Governance of Animal Care and Use for Scientific Purposes in Africa and the Middle East.

Animals are commonly used for scientific purposes in Africa and the Middle East. However, this field is often inadequately regulated, with many countries lacking national legislation, policies, or guidelines for the care and use of animals used for research, testing, or education. This results in an essentially uncontrolled system where scientific quality and animal wellbeing cannot robustly be guaranteed, which may hinder acceptance (i.e., publication) of results by the scientific community and limit public confidence. Though accepted international guidelines and best practice recommendations exist that could be adopted or adapted to meet local needs, the responsible conduct of research and animal welfare may not be prioritized in regions that are affected by instability, poverty, disease, or malnutrition. Some notable exceptions do, however, exist in individual countries or institutions where ethical review processes, oversight of animal health and welfare, the competence of personnel, and other scientific standards are appropriately regulated and implemented. These countries and institutions represent nodes of expertise that could act as platforms of support for surrounding regions in terms of the provision of education, training, and sharing of experience and resources. To make such regional capacity-strengthening efforts sustainable will require regional cooperation, the establishment of regional networks, harmonization of policies, pooled resources, and long-term investment in education, training, and infrastructure. An overarching system is needed to oversee the efficient promotion of scientific and ethical standards and the dissemination of information on laboratory animal science in Africa and the Middle East, while each country should remain able to maintain a system of oversight that reflects its own cultures, traditions, religions, laws, and regulations. This article provides an overview of the governance of the care and use of animals for scientific purposes in different regions of Africa and the Middle East as a foundation for coordinated future advancement.

Neocortical neurodegeneration in young adult Wistar rats prenatally exposed to ethanol.

This study was aimed to determine the persistence of neurodegeneration in the cerebral cortex of adult Wistar rats following prenatal ethanol exposure. Timed pregnant rats maintained on standard mouse chow (Ladokun Feeds, Ibadan, Nigeria) and water ad libitum were used for the study. The rats were divided randomly into groups A and B (n-6) and C (n = 4). Group A received a daily ethanol dose of 5.8 g/Kg body weight/day, on the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th days of gestation by intragastric intubation, at 16.00 h (PEE) group B was pair-fed with the ethanol dams on isocaloric solution of sucrose for the same duration (PF), while group C received standard chow (C) and water ad libitum. At birth, the pups were weighed and weaned at 30 days of age. Wet brain weights of adult offsprings were determined at 42 days of age. Following whole body perfusion-fixation after anaesthesia, specimens of the neocortex were processed routinely for paraffin embedding and sections of 6 mum thickness stained for neurohistology from each group. Another set of specimens was cryosectioned at -23 degrees C and evaluated for apoptosis by the TUNEL method. The study showed a significantly sustained 44% reduction in brain weight. Neurodegeneration was evident in the layer V, consisting of mostly pyknotic pyramidal neurons, with broken dendrites, collapsed cell bodies, obliterated nuclei and nucleoli. There was a 55% decrease in the normal pyramidal neuron cell pack density. The negative TUNEL signals in both groups suggest that apoptosis may play no role in the mechanism of action occurring at this age of the animals. These sustained changes may underlie the neurobehavioural deficits that have been variously reported.

Persistent neocortical astrogliosis in adult wistar rats following prenatal ethanol exposure.

Timed pregnant wistar rats were divided randomly into groups A and B (n=6) each and C (n=4). Group A received a daily ethanol dose of 5.8 g/kg body weight per day, at 16.00 h on days 9-12th of gestation by intragastric intubations. Group B was pair-fed along with the treated rats and received an isocaloric solution of sucrose to substitute for the ethanol in the experimental group, for the same duration, while group C received standard chow and water ad libitum. The adult offsprings at 42 days of age, (n=10) from each group were sacrificed by whole body perfusion-fixation, after anaesthesia by an overdose of pentothal intraperitoneally. Specimens of neocortical samples were processed routinely for paraffin embedding and sections of 6 microm thickness stained for neurohistology. Another set of specimens was cryosectioned at -23 degrees C after cryoprotection in 30% sucrose/PBS and evaluated for GFAP immunohistochemistry. The study showed a distortion of the microanatomy of the neocortex in the treatment group A, particularly of layer V pyramidal neurons, which revealed mostly pyknotic pyramidal neurons with broken dendrites, collapsed cell bodies, obliterated nuclei and nucleoli. No differences were found between the brains from rats in groups B and C. There were widespread focal areas of reactive astrogliosis, more prominent within the layer V. Astrocytes demonstrated highly stained GFAP-positive immunoreactivity with heavy fibrillary processes in the neocortex of group A offsprings compared to the controls. The sub-pial regions were, however, sparse. In conclusion, this study confirms the hypothesis that microanatomical and microchemical changes following prenatal ethanol exposure persist into adulthood in rats.

Morphological alterations in the seminiferous tubules of adult Wistar rats: the effects of prenatal ethanol exposure.

This study presents the effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on the morphology of the seminiferous tubules of the testes in the adult male rat. Timed-pregnant adult female Wistar rats (average weight 200 g) were given daily intragastric intubation of 5.8 g/kg ethanol between gestation days 9 and 12. Pair-fed and ad lib-fed animals served as controls. The pups were weighed at birth and weaned at 30 days. At 42 days of age the male offspring (n = 10) from each group were anaesthetised and the testes removed and weighed. Another set of male rats from each group (n = 6), were anaesthetised, whole body perfused and the testes removed and processed for paraffin embedding. Sections were subjected to morphological analysis and morphometric measurements based on computerised techniques following haematoxylin and eosin, PAS and reticulin staining. The results demonstrated that prenatal ethanol exposure induced persistent growth retardation and a 66% reduction in testicular weight and severely altered the morphology of the seminiferous tubules of adult male rats, causing a reduction in the cross-sectional area of the tubules by 18%, germinal epithelium thickness by 21% (p < 0.001) and an inhibition of spermatogenesis. The study showed the absence of reticulin fibres in the peritubular tissue of seminiferous tubules of prenatal ethanol-exposed adult male rats. The results imply that damage following prenatal ethanol exposure occurs irreversibly in utero and persists into adulthood in the exposed animals, which may have implications for male fertility.

Reticulin fibres in the tunica albuginea and peritubular tissue of seminiferous tubules of adult male Wistar rats.

Reticulin fibres are fine fibres that contain primarily collagen type III and are found in soft blood-forming or blood-processing tissues, and are supportive elements in kidney, liver and thymus. This study demonstrates for the first time the presence of reticulin fibres in the tunica albuginea and peritubular tissue of seminiferous tubules of adult rat testes after staining with the metallic silver impregnation method. Reticulin fibres of peritubular tissues may provide a supportive framework for germinal epithelium of seminiferous tubules to allow the periphery-to-centre progression of spermatozoa during spermatogenesis. The presence of fibres in all stages of the spermatogenic cycle suggests that they have structural functions.