ICUC Newsflash Summer 2008 University f Pittsburgh Research Cnduct and Cmpliance Office nimal Care and Use Prgram RTICLES LC PPROVL... 1 HS LIBRRY SYSTEM...2 ENRICHMENT VS TRETS...3 UPDTES TRINING MODULES...4 SURGICL GUIDELINES...5 PRE-OP FSTING SOP...5 DLR NEWS...6 REVIEW F CENTER...7 MISCELLNEOUS VENDOR DY FLYER...8 LC Internatinal wards Pitt Cntinuing Full ccreditatin Bill Yates, Ph.D, C-Directr RCCO s yu may recall, last fall The ssciatin fr ssessment and ccreditatin f Labratry nimal Care (LC) Internatinal reviewed the University f Pittsburgh's animal prgram. team f LC representatives reviewed the University's Prgram Descriptin and then cnducted a site visit f ur facilities during the week f Nvember 12, 2007. ll individuals wh engage in animal care and use at the University are t be cmmended fr their tireless effrts t maintain a high-quality prgram. Based n this thrugh assessment, the Cuncil has awarded the University cntinuing full accreditatin status. LS VENDOR DY Date: Thursday, June 26 Lcatin: S120 BST See flyer n page 8 This indicates that ur prgram fully meets r exceeds all requirements set frth in laws such as the nimal Welfare ct (W) and by funding agencies such as the Natinal Institutes f Health (NIH). It is ntewrthy that this is the secnd cnsecutive site visit by LC where ur institutin was awarded full accreditatin status. ll individuals wh engage in animal care and use at the University are t be cmmended fr their tireless effrts t maintain a highquality prgram. LC Exit Interview Ntes ICUC Summary f LC Findings and University Crrective ctins LC CONCERNS NEW GUIDELINES 1) Pst-p analgesia administed slely in fd and/r water. 2) Zebrafish and amphibians euthanized with unbuffered Tricaine. 3) Pithing frgs preceded by ice immersin as euthanasia. 4) Bullfrgs hused in rat cages with metal lids 5) Cntaminatin f clth cvers (used ver nnhuman primate transprt devices) when stred utside the transprt device. 6) Ptential exprsure t airbrne frmaldehyde where animals are perfused ver a sink using a 4% frmaldehyde slutin. 1) Initial administratin f an injectable frm f medicatin r an assurance (based n peri-perative mnitring) that animals are eating and drinking prmptly after anesthetic recvery. 2) Tricaine must be buffered with sdium bicarbnate. See Guidelines fr Euthanasia f mphibians, Fish, and Reptiles fr mre details and instructins fr mixing and string a stck sln: www.iacuc.pitt.edu/sp/plicies DesignSmnimalStudy.asp 3) If ice is t be used, animals must be anesthetized prir t freezing. uick freezing f deeply anesthetized animals is acceptable. Rapid freezing as a sle means f euthanasia is nt cnsidered t be humane. 4) Ensure that animals can exhibit species-typical behavir withut the risk f injury. 5) Keep clth cvers in an enclsed cntainer when nt cntained in the nnhuman primate transprt device. 6) Envirnmental Health and Safety (EH&S) rutinely mnitrs ptential airbrne frmaldehyde expsure acrss the animal prgram and wrks with users and facilities persnnel t implement effective cntrls. Fr cncerns f this nature, cntact EH&S at 412-624- 9505 r safety@ehs.pitt.edu Editr's Nte The Educatin and Cmpliance Office (ECO) welcmes participatin in the ICUC newsletter. If yu have ICUC related editrials, articles, r questins fr the F sectin, please email yur submissin t Julie Cursi, cursija@upmc.edu. ECO Editrs will review all articles fr pssible submissin int the next ICUC newsletter. Thank yu in advance fr yur editrials, articles, and Fs. ne
Health Sciences Library System Update Melissa Ratajesky, MLIS, RLT, HSLS Faculty Reference Librarian University f Pittsburgh HSLS CLSSES The Health Sciences Library System (HSLS) ffers a variety f classes t faculty, staff, and students f the University f Pittsburgh schls f the health sciences and emplyees f UPMC. There is n charge and n registratin is required. Seating fr classes is first-cme, first served until the class is full. Class tpics include database searching (e.g. PubMed Basics) sftware (e.g. dvanced PwerPint fr Presentatins), bibligraphic management (EndNte Basics), mlecular bilgy and genetics (e.g. Prtein nalysis Tls), and library rientatins. Fr a cmplete listing f classes, visit www.hsls.pitt.edu/services/instructin/desc. BiMedPrtcls.cm: Resurce fr Bimedical Research Prtcls re yu learning hw t wrk with micrrns? Trying t get a handle n gene expressin assays? Lking fr techniques t analyze prtein-prtein interactins? Wrking with a new animal mdel? HSLS is here t help by prviding access t BiMedPrtcls.cm, an electrnic bk database cntaining full text bimedical and bilgical research prtcls frm five titles in the ppular Methds series by Humana Press: Methds in Mlecular Bilgy, Methds in Mlecular Medicine, Neurmethds, Methds in Pharmaclgy and Txiclgy, and Methds in Bitechnlgy. BiMedPrtcls.cm cntains mre than 16,000 peer-reviewed prtcls that are available as PDF files. Examples f highly accessed prtcls include Micrarrays: n Overview and Vectrs and Strains fr Expressin. BiMedPrtcls.cm ffers a number f ways t lcate prtcls f interest, including a basic search bx, authr lkup, and brwse by categry. Examples are prvided t assist yu with frmulating yur search. Recent tp searches include ubiquitin, animal mdels, and prtein design. Users may register fr an accunt t save searches and/r receive BiMedPrtcls.cm cntent alerts. T access BiMedPrtcls.cm, type BiMedPrtcls int the search.hsls quick search bx at www.hsls.pitt.edu. This article was adapted frm an HSLS Update article written by Carrie Iwema. BOOKS OF INTEREST The belw bks are lcated at Falk Library, 200 Scaife Hall, and can be checked ut fr 3 weeks. T lcate mre titles f interest, search the card catalg, PittCat, at: http://pittcat.hsls.pitt.edu Bilgical Safety: Principles and Practices Call number: q R64.7.L33 2006 Clinical Labratry nimal Medicine: an Intrductin Call number: SF996.5.H65 2007 The Muse in Bimedical Research Call number: q L737.R638 M68 2007 Need Help with ICUC Literature Searches? s required by the nimal Welfare ct and the Institutinal nimal Care and Use Cmmittee (ICUC), investigatrs must cnsider alternatives t prcedures that my cause pain r distress t animals used in research. The USD and ICUC cnsiders the perfrmance f tw database searches as an effective methd fr demnstrating cmpliance with this requirement. T schedule a cnsultatin r seek assistance n searching the literature fr animal alternatives, cntact Melissa Ratajeski, MLIS, RLT at mar@pitt.edu r 412-648-1971. Ratajeski is a faculty reference librarian at HSLS. She earned a BS degree frm the University f Pittsburgh in bilgical sciences and psychlgy with a related cncentratin in chemistry, and cmpleted a MLIS degree frm Pitt's Schl f Infrmatin Sciences. Befre jining HSLS, Ratajeski wrked as a Research ssistant and Research Crdinatr in the Neurbilgy department fr Dr. Peter Strick. tw
Enrichment vs. Treats: What is the Difference? Russell Ythers, rltg, DLR Enrichment Specialist University f Pittsburgh What is Envirnmental Enrichment? Envirnmental Enrichment is the prvisin f enhancements t the captive envirnment t prmte the expressin f species typical behavirs as a sign f psychlgical and physilgical well being. In ther wrds, it is allwing a caged animal t express mre wild r natural behavirs, decreasing any detrimental effects f the caging n bth mental and physical health. This includes, but is nt limited t, prviding shelters and nesting materials t species that naturally nest; grup husing and/r human interactin t scial species; pprtunities t play, climb, run, swim, r jump, as apprpriate; and the ability t frage fr sme r all f an animal s diet. In sme species, such as nnhuman primates, this shuld als include cntrl ver aspects f the envirnment, prper rearing f infants, manipulatable bjects, and nvel stimulatin f all five senses. re treats Envirnmental Enrichment? Nvel treats can be used as an Envirnmental Enrichment, as they can stimulate different taste and tactile sensatins. Sweetness, saltiness, bitterness, and surness, alng with different temperatures, textures, and ther variances, stimulate the senses in the same fashin as the varied fds sme species encunter in the wild. This stimulatin can be very effective in small dses, and have a lasting effect lng after the treat is cnsumed. Prvisin f treats als serves as a psitive reinfrcement and human scializatin tl. One must remember, hwever, that prvisin f nvel treats shuld nt be used as the sle, r even main, surce f Envirnmental Enrichment. This leaves a wide array f ther behavirs unavailable r under stimulated. When treats are presented in a way that requires an animal t search, remve cverings, r slve a puzzle t btain them, cgnitive ability and fraging behavir is als stimulated. Why shuld treats be limited? Treats, especially thse high in fats and sugars, shuld be limited t just enugh t prvide sme stimulatin r prvide a lasting fraging experience. Very few wild species have access t many f these sweets, and cnsumptin f them is nt a typical behavir. Over use f treats can cause an animal t refuse t eat standard diets specifically frmulated t meet the nutritinal needs f the animal. These standard diets are als nutritinally balanced, and any additinal nutrients supplied by treats will unbalance the verall diet f the animal. ls, captive animals typically burn fewer calries n a daily basis than d their wild cunterparts. Therefre, excessive prvisin f these treats can quickly lead t clinical issues, such as malnutritin, besity, and diabetes, as well as pr dental health and ther cmplicatins. This is cunterprductive t the gal f envirnmental enrichment, as it has a negative, rather than psitive, effect n the physilgical well being f the animal. ny painful r distressful symptms f such clinical issues can als have further detrimental effects n the psychlgical well being f the animal as well. Bld chemistry, immune system respnse, and neurlgical changes assciated with these effects n well being can als have significant impact n experimental gals. What is an acceptable use f treats? The Enrichment Specialist, in cnjunctin with the DLR nutritin subcmmittee, will establish species specific guidelines regarding upper limits f serving size and frequency fr fds used fr enrichment. s a general rule, n mre than a small handful f any treat shuld be used, and fds high in fats and sugars shuld be limited t nce r twice per week, at a maximum. These shuld be replaced with healthier and species apprpriate chices, when available, and access t these shuld include mre difficult manipulatin f fraging devices r lnger perids f interactin when used fr human scializatin. nyne prviding a fd based enrichment shuld remember that it is the quality f the presentatin f these fds that is mst imprtant, nt the quantity r flavr. Fr example, five grapes requiring 30 minutes f puzzle manipulatin is far mre effective n a nnhuman primate s psychlgical well being than a large handful f marshmallws that is cnsumed in mere secnds, and the verall nutritinal impact n clinical health is reduced as well. Bth, hwever, will prvide nvel sweetness stimulatin t the taste buds. References: nnymus (2001). Enrichment discussin: The sugar questin. Labratry Primate Newsletter 40[3], 6-8. Natinal Research Cuncil (2003). Nutrient requirements f nnhuman primates. 2nd Revised Editin. 259-265. Washingtn, DC: Natinal cademy Press. Pett. J., & Devin M. (1988). Fd Chices in Captive Cmmn Marmsets (Callithrix jacchus). Labratry Primate Newsletter 27[3], 7. Plesker R., & Schuhmacher, (2006). Feeding fruits and vegetables t nnhuman primates can lead t nutritinal deficiencies. Labratry Primate Newsletter 45[4], 1-5. three
W ICUC Training Mdules eb based versins f Large nimal training and Nnhuman Primate training are currently under develment. Therefre, Large nimal and Nnhuman Primate training sessins will cntinue t be shwn in VHS frmat in the Hieber Pharmacy building in Oakland until further ntice. ECO's target fr cmpletin is winter '08-'09. In the meantime, Large nimal training is ffered every Wednesday at 1:30, and Nnhuman Primate training is ffered every Thursday at 1:30. Bth vides run until 3:00. Lcatin: Hieber Pharmacy Building, 3500 Fifth venue (crner f Fifth and McKee), Suite 206. Cntact Julie Cursi, ICUC Training Crdinatr fr scheduling, directins, and questins: cursija@upmc.edu / 412-383-1737. ll ther ICUC training mdules are available nline at http://cme.hs.pitt.edu. Lgin and click the CME flder called Respnsible Cnduct f Research t access ICUC required mdules.. The chart belw shws the current status f all ICUC training mdules / sessins: ICUC MODULE REUIRED FOR: FORMT ND LOCTION RECERTIFICTION REUIRED? Research Integrity (Mdule 1) ll researchers Web: http://cme.hs.pitt.edu N - take nly nce Use f Labratry nimals in Resarch and Educatin (Mdule 3) Researchers intending t use animal mdels r expecting t be listed n an ICUC prtcl. Web: http://cme.hs.pitt.edu Yes - every three years Small nimals Research and Training Rresearchers intending t use muse and/r rat mdels. Web: http://cme.hs.pitt.edu Yes - every three years Large nimal Training Researchers intending t use * W cvered animal mdels. VHS: see abve fr lcatin and schedule. VHS frmat: N - take nly nce. * nimal Welfare ct. e.g. cats, chinchillas, cws, dgs, ferrets, guinea pigs, gats, hamsters, pigs, prairie dgs, rabbits, and sheep. Web based frmat (under develpment): Recertificatin will be required every three years after initial cmpletin f nline versin. Nnhuman Primate Training Researchers intending t use nnhuman primate mdels. VHS: see abve fr lcatin and schedule. VHS frmat: N - take nly nce. Web based frmat (under develpment): Recertificatin will be required every three years after initial cmpletin f nline versin. fur
Revisin f Pre-p Fasting SOP Charles "Bud" Burnett, Executive Directr DLR University f Pittsburgh In January 2008, the DLR created a new Standard Operating Prcedure (SOP) in an effrt t imprve nnhuman primate (NHP) fasting methds. s part f the new SOP, all NHP fasting requests that precede a majr prcedure shuld be submitted n DLR s standardized fasting request frm, and will be prcessed thrugh the centralized fasting request email accunt: np@dlar.pitt.edu. Bth the request frm and the fasting instructins are lcated n the DLR website: www.dlar.pitt.edu. DLR Veterinary Services has defined a majr prcedure as any anesthetic event that requires intubatin and/r prlnged sedatin. ll invasive perative prcedures and all imaging prcedures are cnsidered t be majr, and therefre, require the use f the abve described frm. If yu wuld like clarificatin abut a specific prcedure, please cntact yur facility veterinary technician, r the DLR receptinist (dlar@pitt.edu; 412-648-8950). T btain infrmatin abut minr prcedure fasting methds, please cntact yur facility supervisr r the DLR receptinist. Revisin f Surgical Guidelines ICUC Sectin VI B f Guidelines fr Surgery has been updated t establish clarity and cnsistency in ICUC medical recrd-keeping guidelines fr rats, mice, and birds. These updates will als be incrprated int Medical Recrd Keeping Requirements - Rdents. Guidelines fr Surgery can be fund here: www.iacuc.pitt.edu/sp/surgicalguidelines.pdf Medical Recrd Keeping Requirements - Rdents can be fund here: www.iacuc.pitt.edu/sp/plicies_designsmnimalstudy.asp s part f the new SOP, the DLR has created standardized rm level and cage level signage that indicates a fast is in prgress. These signs, as well as the request frm, are psted during an active fast in an effrt t minimize the ptential f accidental feeding. In additin, all bedding is nw remved during the fast s that the NHP cannt ingest the bedding material. If yu have any additinal requests, such as fluid restrictin, please include the request in the Special Instructins prtin f the fasting request frm, and it will be reviewed by a member f Veterinary Services. s a future initiative, the DLR intends t create a webbased, fasting request prcess that can easily encmpass all species and requests. It is ur sincerest hpe that the current prcedures, as well as future fasting initiatives, will strengthen the DLR s services t the research cmmunity. five
Charles "Bud" Burnett, Executive Directr DLR University f Pittsburgh Recent Changes within the DLR The fllwing annuncement is t infrm yu f key changes in persnnel and f prgram imprvements. Key Changes in Persnnel Veterinary Services: Dr. Rbert Wagner serves as Chief f Veterinary Surgical Supprt Services. We are als pleased t annunce that Ms. Diann Funk- Flavin has jined the DLR as the Manager f Surgical Research. She cmes t us frm Massachusetts General Hspital, with ver 13 years f experience, and is a Certified Veterinary Technician with LS LT certificatin. Dr. Chris Janssen nw prvides research supprt fr prjects using Nn Human Primates, imaging, and ther prcedural supprt. He assumes the duties and respnsibilities previusly held by Dr. nita Trichel wh nw serves as the Clinical Veterinary Directr, RBL. Dr. Mike Winnen and Dr. Sai Tummala have assumed the respnsibility f day t day rdent management issues, such as quarantine, imprt/exprt issues, cell line verificatin prgrams, and the uality ssurance Rdent Sentinel Prgrams. We are pleased t annunce that as f July 1, 2008 Dr. Shawn Rsensteel, a recent graduate f Penn State University Labratry nimal Residency Prgram, will jin ur staff as a Clinical Veterinarian. Mr. William Cassidy frmally wrking in nimal Husbandry Services has been prmted t the secnd nimal Enrichment Specialist within the DLR. This is t accmmdate ur needs fr bth Nn Human Primate and ther species enrichment as ur prgram cntinues t expand. DLR News and Updates Husbandry Services: Ms. Kathleen McDnald was prmted t the Senir Leadership psitin, ssciate Directr f Husbandry Services. Her frmer psitin, Manager f Husbandry Services is currently psted fr recruitment. Ms. Paula Chalmers and Mr. Rn Heberling began serving as the new SBST Husbandry Services Supervisrs. Mr. David Grainy, Research Technician III, was recruited t assist with versight f the BST3 aquatics area. dministratin: Mr. Maur Nfi was hired as Financial Specialist. Mr. Tny Scarpari was hired as Web Develper. Ms. Sally Caine Leathers, dministrative ssistant and HR Specialist left the DLR in May t pursue her cntinuing educatin. Her psitin is currently psted fr recruitment. Prgram Imprvements: The DLR nimal Transprt SOP was mdified t clarify established guidelines fr inclement weather transprt. The Nutritin Cmmittee devised a plan t scre nn-human primates n their bdy fat cntent. ny animal that des nt receive an ptimal rating will be placed n a mdified feeding regimen until they achieve ptimal bdy weight. n SOP titled, Fasting Prcedures fr Nn-Human Primates was develped and implemented t standardize cmmunicatins and prcedures invlving pre-surgical and pre-prcedural fasting f ur nn-human primate clny. The new researcher cmpleted DLR NHP Fasting Request Frm serves as the ntificatin request t the DLR. This frm alng with dr signage is psted t indicate fasting is in prgress. s part f yur research supprt, if yu need assistance in cntacting any f these individuals, please cntact DLR@pitt.edu r call ur central ffice at 412-648-8950. Dr. Chris Janssen, Clinical Veterinarian, and Educatin Crdinatr fr the lcal merican ssciatin fr Labratry nimal Science (LS) Three Rivers Branch (TRB) is cnducting LT certificatin classes fr DLR emplyees and TRB members. six
ICUC and Cmpliance F Center PROTOCOL DMINISTRTION F COMPLINCE F Hw lng des it take t get my prtcl applicatin apprved? If a substance is labeled D nt use after 4/08, d I have t wrry abut the exact day f expiratin? Review time is variable depending upn the cmplexity f each study. Hwever, the fllwing practices will help reduce time-bstacles. Make sure yur prtcl applicatin: is clear (even t prfessinals utside f yur field). is thrugh (cmplete every sectin). is accmpanied by an EHS wrkbk. includes a pwer analysis. includes animal numbers prjected fr 3 years supprted by a pwer analysis (upn submissin). What is cntained in a 7-digit ICUC prtcl number? Drugs labeled in this manner are in cmpliance until the last day f the mnth (e.g. 4/08 wuld be in cmpliance until pril 30, 2008. Hw ften d I need t have my gas anesthesia vaprizer recertified? Every tw-years. See www.iacuc.pitt.edu/sp/ Vaprizer.pdf fr details and service surces. I mved t a new lab, hw d I btain up-t-date signage? The riginal apprval date, which remains the same fr the duratin f a prtcl (3 years). Email Julie Cursi, ICUC training crdinatr (cursija@upmc.edu) fr signage. Prtcl 08 01 357: 08 = Year f apprval Prtcl 08 01 357 : 01 = Mnth f apprval Prtcl 08 01 357 : 357 = Unique identifier dministrative renewals ccur every year fr tw years. ICUC crdinatrs email renewal-reminders directly t Principal Investigatrs at 90, 60, and 30-days prir t expiratin date. Prtcl numbers expire n the third-year and last day f the prtcl s apprval mnth. (e.g. prtcl 0801357 expires n January 31, 2011). If I mve t r frm an Outside Use rea (nn-dlr space), d I need t ntify the ICUC? Yes. Yu email a mdificatin applicatin t the ICUC (iacuc@pitt.edu) fr review f yur Outside Use rea Lcatin Change. s a DE license hlder, is it kay t transfer cntrlled substances t a nn-de licensed researcher at Pitt? NOTE: If yu want t cntinue yur prject, submit a threeyear renewal (a new prtcl applicatin) t the ICUC (iacuc@pitt.edu) at least three mnths prir t the thirdyear expiratin date, r as sn as yu receive a 90-day three-year renewal ntice frm the ICUC. N. Cntrlled substances may nly be transferred between tw DE license hlders. seven
Three Rivers Branch f LS Vendr Day 2008 Thursday, June 26 S120 BST University f Pittsburgh Theme: Fd, Bedding and Envirnmental Enrichment Vendr bths will be set up in the lbby frm 10 am t 2 pm. Presentatins by vendrs during lunch, frm 11 am t 1 pm Drawings held after each presentatin, must attend presentatin t win. Vendr Display Bth Challenge pick up a questinnaire and visit the different display bths fr answers. t the end f the day, a winner will be drawn frm questinnaires with crrect answers. Pirates vs Yankees Pre-Vendr Day Party Wednesday, June 25th Shtz Café, Suthside 2505 Carsn Street 6 pm t 10 pm Branch will prvide wings, pizza, and nn-alchlic drinks Vendrs, friends and family invited eight