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Lee JM, Lee GH, Kim K. Attending veterinarians improve the research capability and psychological well-being of researchers in animal research institutes. Front Vet Sci 2024; 10:1340225. [PMID: 38249556 PMCID: PMC10797093 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1340225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of laboratory animals in biomedical research has significantly advanced scientific understanding, yet it raises ethical concerns about animal welfare and the mental health of researchers Recent research has highlighted the potential for stress and compassion fatigue among researchers working with distressed animals. Attending veterinarians (AVs) are crucial in mitigating the pain and stress experienced by animals and, by extension, researchers. However, the impact of AVs on researchers' psychological well-being remains understudied. This study explores how AVs contribute to researchers' research capability and psychological well-being in animal research institutions. AVs oversee animal housing, health, and welfare; their involvement is mandated or strongly recommended in developed countries. AVs enhance animal welfare by ensuring proper housing, nutrition, and social interaction. They monitor animal health, educate researchers on pain assessment, and promote compliance with post-surgical care. AVs also contribute to researchers' well-being by addressing euthanasia procedures, which can be emotionally challenging. Programs for rehoming animals after experiments offer an alternative to euthanasia and positively impact researchers' psychological well-being. Moreover, AVs promote workplace well-being by fostering positive workplace cultures, offering peer counseling, and providing social support. Programs considering animal welfare and researchers' emotions are crucial for a healthy research environment. In conclusion, AVs are essential in balancing scientific progress with animal welfare and researchers' psychological well-being. Therefore, their role should be recognized as vital in achieving social equity that considers the welfare of humans and laboratory animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Min Lee
- Research Ethics Team, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gwang-Hoon Lee
- Preclinical Research Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - KilSoo Kim
- Preclinical Research Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Department of Veterinary Toxicology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
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Rumpel S, Kempen R, Merle R, Thoene-Reineke C. Psychological stress and strain in laboratory animal professionals - a systematic review. Lab Anim 2023; 57:396-411. [PMID: 36691311 DOI: 10.1177/00236772221129111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Laboratory animal professionals (LAP) are faced with various situations and tasks influencing their mental well-being. A systematic review has been conducted to investigate whether there are specific stressors for LAP and which moderators are relevant for the development of psychological strain. A comprehensive search following PRISMA Guidelines was carried out in June 2021. Results include 12 studies and have been summarized qualitatively in narrative synthesis and tabular presentation. Available literature indicates that LAP are facing stressors but does not allow for conclusions on specific stressful job duties other than euthanasia.Signs of strain are present in LAP. Specifically, participants in qualitative studies reported acute symptoms, while chronic manifestations were in focus in quantitative studies. Although a wide variety of moderating factors have been investigated, only social support has been rated as relevant by multiple qualitative and quantitative studies without contrasting results.According to current data, there is a risk for psychological strain in LAP. However, there is limited understanding of specific stressors and data on moderators is diverse. Further studies that focus on domain-specific knowledge and clearly distinguish stressors from moderators are necessary to set up institutional programmes addressing psychological strain in LAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Rumpel
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behaviour and Laboratory Animal Science, Germany
| | - Regina Kempen
- Aalen University of Applied Sciences, Department of Business Psychology, Germany
| | - Roswitha Merle
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behaviour and Laboratory Animal Science, Germany
| | - Christa Thoene-Reineke
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behaviour and Laboratory Animal Science, Germany
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Ferrara F, Hiebl B, Kunzmann P, Hutter F, Afkham F, LaFollette M, Gruber C. Culture of care in animal research - Expanding the 3Rs to include people. Lab Anim 2022; 56:511-518. [PMID: 35758270 DOI: 10.1177/00236772221102238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Research on animals is essential for science and medical progress. While it is still necessary to conduct this research, it is essential to apply the highest standards in animal welfare, including animal husbandry and care. Furthermore, it is important to recognize the special relationship between research animals and the people who care for them. Caring for research animals can be extremely fulfilling and meaningful, but it also comes with challenges, particularly when caring for animals experiencing pain or distress. These challenges can lead to work-related mental stress. To get more insight into the challenges of working in animal research, we organized a panel discussion at the GV-SOLAS (German Society for Laboratory Animal Science) and IGTP (Interest Group Animal Caretakers) conference 2021 about work wellbeing. This discussion was the first of its kind in Germany. The active panel contributions included the view of an ethical philosopher, a scientist, a lecturer for laboratory animal science, an animal facility manager and an animal caretaker. They gave insights from their perspective into key factors that can affect human wellbeing in animal research. Keys ideas included stigmatization of work, tension between research aims and animal wellbeing, and the importance of supportive culture to overcome work-related strains, as well as lack of education and supportive environments to cope with emotional stress in the workplace. Overall, the discussion has shown that we must also promote human wellbeing when promoting culture of care in animal research, because there is strong relationship between culture of care and individual performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabienne Ferrara
- Consulting and Training in Laboratory Animal Science, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hiebl
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, Germany
| | - Peter Kunzmann
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, Germany
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Mental stress of animal researchers and suggestions for relief. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL REPRODUCTION AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.12750/jarb.37.1.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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Duchesne de Lamotte J, Perrier A, Martinat C, Nicoleau C. Emerging Opportunities in Human Pluripotent Stem-Cells Based Assays to Explore the Diversity of Botulinum Neurotoxins as Future Therapeutics. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7524. [PMID: 34299143 PMCID: PMC8308099 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are produced by Clostridium botulinum and are responsible for botulism, a fatal disorder of the nervous system mostly induced by food poisoning. Despite being one of the most potent families of poisonous substances, BoNTs are used for both aesthetic and therapeutic indications from cosmetic reduction of wrinkles to treatment of movement disorders. The increasing understanding of the biology of BoNTs and the availability of distinct toxin serotypes and subtypes offer the prospect of expanding the range of indications for these toxins. Engineering of BoNTs is considered to provide a new avenue for improving safety and clinical benefit from these neurotoxins. Robust, high-throughput, and cost-effective assays for BoNTs activity, yet highly relevant to the human physiology, have become indispensable for a successful translation of engineered BoNTs to the clinic. This review presents an emerging family of cell-based assays that take advantage of newly developed human pluripotent stem cells and neuronal function analyses technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Duchesne de Lamotte
- IPSEN Innovation, 91940 Les Ulis, France;
- I-STEM, INSERM UMR861, Université Evry-Paris Saclay, 91100 Corbeil-Essonne, France
| | - Anselme Perrier
- I-STEM, INSERM UMR861, Université Evry-Paris Saclay, 91100 Corbeil-Essonne, France
- Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: Mécanismes, Thérapies, Imagerie, CEA/CNRS UMR9199, Université Paris Saclay, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Cécile Martinat
- I-STEM, INSERM UMR861, Université Evry-Paris Saclay, 91100 Corbeil-Essonne, France
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Mamzer H, Zok A, Białas P, Andrusiewicz M. Negative psychological aspects of working with experimental animals in scientific research. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11035. [PMID: 33976956 PMCID: PMC8063873 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to reveal the negative psychological aspects of using animals by scientists and to determine whether the emotional tensions and stress are associated with performing experiments on animals. All 150 participants of the study conduct experiments on animals in their work. Computer-assisted web interviewing, was used to collect the data. Correlation matrices for factorial analysis of main component loads and cluster analysis have been calculated as grouping methods revealed two different categories of researchers, which were mostly distinguished by acceptance and aversion to animal testing and animal welfare. The main findings demonstrated, that there is a group of respondents who feel discomfort when performing experiments on animals. Especially young people involved in animal testing, feel remorse, emotional tension and helplessness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Mamzer
- Faculty of Sociology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Greaterpoland, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Zok
- Division of Philosophy of Medicine and Bioethics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Greaterpoland, Poland
| | - Piotr Białas
- Chair and Department of Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Greaterpoland, Polska
| | - Mirosław Andrusiewicz
- Chair and Department of Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Greaterpoland, Polska
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Murray J, Bauer C, Vilminot N, Turner PV. Strengthening Workplace Well-Being in Research Animal Facilities. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:573106. [PMID: 33330693 PMCID: PMC7673436 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.573106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been an increased recognition of the potential cost of caring on the mental well-being of research animal facility personnel. While this issue is considered a normal consequence of caring for others, these stressors must be acknowledged and managed to ensure that the workplace culture remains positive and that employees are engaged. Factors that can contribute to these feelings in those working with animals in research include compassion and moral stress, issues related to staffing and scheduling of work, insufficient communication in the workplace, and public ambivalence toward the use of animals in science. The first step in developing a program is to survey facility personnel about their concerns, either formally (e.g., using a needs analysis) or informally. Two examples are provided to demonstrate different institutional approaches to assessing personnel needs and developing an internal compassion-resiliency program. The best programs are based on the needs and wants of personnel and these can be cost effective and geared at a grassroots level. Social support in the workplace, for example, through peer counseling, can be a highly effective means of helping personnel to build compassion-resiliency. Addressing mental well-being of research animal facility personnel is an important component of ensuring a positive culture of care in the workplace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy Murray
- Global Animal Welfare and Training, Charles River, Wilmington, MA, United States
| | - Cassondra Bauer
- Laboratory Animal Medicine, Charles River, Ashland, OH, United States
| | - Nicole Vilminot
- Veterinary Services, Charles River, Mattawan, MI, United States
| | - Patricia V Turner
- Global Animal Welfare and Training, Charles River, Wilmington, MA, United States.,Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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Nepal MR, Jeong TC. Alternative Methods for Testing Botulinum Toxin: Current Status and Future Perspectives. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2020; 28:302-310. [PMID: 32126735 PMCID: PMC7327137 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2019.200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum toxins are neurotoxic modular proteins composed of a heavy chain and a light chain connected by a disulfide bond and are produced by Clostridium botulinum. Although lethally toxic, botulinum toxin in low doses is clinically effective in numerous medical conditions, including muscle spasticity, strabismus, hyperactive urinary bladder, excessive sweating, and migraine. Globally, several companies are now producing products containing botulinum toxin for medical and cosmetic purposes, including the reduction of facial wrinkles. To test the efficacy and toxicity of botulinum toxin, animal tests have been solely and widely used, resulting in the inevitable sacrifice of hundreds of animals. Hence, alternative methods are urgently required to replace animals in botulinum toxin testing. Here, the various alternative methods developed to test the toxicity and efficacy of botulinum toxins have been briefly reviewed and future perspectives have been detailed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahesh Raj Nepal
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Cheon Jeong
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea
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Park YJ, Kim MK, Kim HS, Lee BM. Risk assessment of lithium-ion battery explosion: chemical leakages. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2019; 21:370-381. [PMID: 30977440 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2019.1601815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Use of lithium-ion batteries has raised safety issues owing to chemical leakages, overcharging, external heating, or explosions. A risk assessment was conducted for hydrofluoric acid (HF) and lithium hydroxide (LiOH) which potential might leak from lithium-ion batteries. The inhalation no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) for HF was 0.75 mg/kg/d. When a lithium-ion battery explodes in a limited space, HF emissions amount to 10-100 ppm. Assuming the worst-case scenario, the conversion rate was calculated to be 81.8 mg/m3, and the average daily dose (ADD) was 19.5 mg/kg/d. Consequently, the margin of exposure (MOE = NOAEL/ADD) was 0.034, a value which constitutes an unsafe inhalation exposure for HF. Conversely, skin toxicity NOAEL for LiOH was 41.35 mg/kg/d-. This LiOH value reflects the amount of lithium in the lithium-ion battery, which is generated upon contact between water and the electrolyte. The quantity of lithium in a mobile phone is approximately 295 mg, and systemic exposure dose (SED) was 4.92 mg/kg/d. Accordingly, the MOE (NOAEL/SED) value was 8.41, and skin exposure of LiOH was deemed as safe for humans. However, it is important that Energy Storage System batteries still require safety measures and technologies for next-generation batteries, to prevent any potential explosions of lithium-ion batteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoo Jung Park
- a Division of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy , Sungkyunkwan University , Suwon , Gyeonggi-do , South Korea
| | - Min Kook Kim
- a Division of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy , Sungkyunkwan University , Suwon , Gyeonggi-do , South Korea
| | - Hyung Sik Kim
- a Division of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy , Sungkyunkwan University , Suwon , Gyeonggi-do , South Korea
| | - Byung Mu Lee
- a Division of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy , Sungkyunkwan University , Suwon , Gyeonggi-do , South Korea
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Lim SE, Ha SJ, Jang WH, Jung KM, Jung MS, Yeo KW, Kim JS, Jeong TC, Kang MJ, Kim SY, Lee SH, Ko KY, Kim TS, Park KS, Bae S, Lim KM. Me-too validation study for in vitro eye irritation test with 3D-reconstructed human cornea epithelium, MCTT HCETM. Toxicol In Vitro 2019; 55:173-184. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2018.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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