Testing, Testing 1,2,3

Overview: Since childhood, most human beings have been raised on the foundation of accepting and adhering to the “Golden Rule” in everyday aspects of life. We have grown to appreciate the idea that one should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) reports that more than 100 million animals every year suffer and die in cruel chemical, drug, food and cosmetic tests; lab experimentations and lessons in the sciences; medical training exercises; and curiosity-driven medical experiments. Why do human beings sit back and do nothing, knowing that these innocent creatures who so greatly benefit the world are locked up in cold cages? The animals ache with lonesomeness, suffer in agony, and so desperately yearn to be free and loved. Instead, all they are able to do is wait in terror of the next excruciatingly painful procedure that they must tolerate. The stress and boredom these animals are compelled to deal with everyday causes many of them to exhibit neurotic behaviors, including ceaselessly spinning in circles, pulling out their own hair, and biting their own skin. After enduring lonely lives filled with pain, many of them will be killed. At what point will human beings step up and act in these animals’ best interest; at what point will we treat them the way we know we would want to be treated? Animal rights activist, Charles R. Magel detests the lack of logic behind animal testing. “Ask the experimenters why they experiment on animals, and the answer is: ‘Because the animals are like us.’ Ask the experimenters why it is morally okay to experiment on animals and the answer is: ‘Because the animals are not like us.’ Animal experimentation rests on a logical contradiction” (Magel). According to Robert Waterston, a prominent American geneticist, in his article, “Initial Sequence of the Chimpanzee Genome and Comparison with the Human Genome,” “There is only a slight difference, roughly 2%, between the genome of a human being and the genome of a chimpanzee” (Waterston 73). We should be promoting animals’ happiness and well-being and treating them as if they were our brothers and sisters, not promoting their demise. Accordingly, in this paper I will argue that researchers who perform animal testing for medical advancements should understand that harming animals for the benefit of humanity violates basic bioethical principles and should therefore be stopped; further, animals cannot defend themselves and for this reason, humans should take on the responsibility of being the voice for the animals, promoting alternatives to animal testing, and acting in the animals best interest, promoting for these animals the same principles we insist on for humans, the principles of beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. Accordingly, this paper will examine (1) the reality of animal testing and what goes on behind closed doors, (2) the life-saving alternatives that are proven to be more cost effective and comprehendible, (3) the lifelong implications testing has on animals who survive, (4) the inefficiency of current laws regarding animal testing, and (5) why this destruction of lives is not justified based on the moral standing of animals as compared to humans

Do extraverts prefer extraverted ads? Consumer responses to visual and selfcongruity in advertsing

Recent studies emphasize positive effects of congruity in advertising on consumer responses, but the effects of different types of congruity remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of visual and ad/self-congruity on consumers’ attitudes toward the ad, perceived product quality and purchase intentions. In a 2x2 between-subjects experiment (N=173), introverted and extroverted participants were exposed to advertisements with introverted/extraverted visual design for extraverted/introverted products. The results demonstrated the positive effect of visual congruity on attitude towards the ad. However, the effect of ad/self-congruity was non-significant. Both introverted and extraverted consumers preferred the congruent combination of the introverted product and advertisemen

Association between consumption of black tea and iron status in adult Africans in the North West Province: The THUSA study

The association between black tea consumption and iron status was investigated in a sample of African adults participating in the cross-sectional THUSA (Transition and Health during Urbanization of South Africans) study in the North West Province, South Africa. Data were analysed from 1605 apparently healthy adults aged 15-65 years by demographic and FFQ, anthropometric measurements and biochemical analyses. The main outcome measures were Hb and serum ferritin concentrations. No associations were seen between black tea consumption and concentrations of serum ferritin (men P=0.059; women P=0.49) or Hb (men P=0.33; women P=0.49). Logistic regression showed that tea consumption did not significantly increase risk for iron deficiency (men: OR 1.36; 95 % CI 0.99, 1.87; women: OR 0.98; 95 % CI 0.84, 1.13) nor for iron deficiency anaemia (men: OR 1.28: 95 % Cl 0.84, 1.96; women: OR 0.93; 95 % Cl 0.78, 1.11). Prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia was especially high in women: 21.6 and 14.6 %, respectively. However, the likelihood of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia was not significantly explained by tea consumption in sub-populations which were assumed to be at risk for iron deficiency. Regression of serum ferritin levels on tea consumption in women : 40 years, adults with a daily iron intak

Realising the therapeutic potential of neuroactive steroid modulators of the GABA_A receptor

In the 1980s particular endogenous metabolites of progesterone and of deoxycorticosterone were revealed to be potent, efficacious, positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the GABAA receptor (GABAAR). These reports were followed by the discovery that such steroids may be synthesised not only in peripheral endocrine glands, but locally in the central nervous system (CNS), to potentially act as paracrine, or autocrine "neurosteroid" messengers, thereby fine tuning neuronal inhibition. These discoveries triggered enthusiasm to elucidate the physiological role of such neurosteroids and explore whether their levels may be perturbed in particular psychiatric and neurological disorders. In preclinical studies the GABAAR-active steroids were shown to exhibit anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, analgesic and sedative properties and at relatively high doses to induce a state of general anaesthesia. Collectively, these findings encouraged efforts to investigate the therapeutic potential of neurosteroids and related synthetic analogues. However, following over 30 years of investigation, realising their possible medical potential has proved challenging. The recent FDA approval for the natural neurosteroid allopregnanolone (brexanolone) to treat postpartum depression (PPD) should trigger renewed enthusiasm for neurosteroid research. Here we focus on the influence of neuroactive steroids on GABA-ergic signalling and on the challenges faced in developing such steroids as anaesthetics, sedatives, analgesics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants and as treatments for neurodegenerative disorders

Collectie Nederlandse Natuurfilms

Dutch nature and wildlife filmmaking has a long history, starting with the pioneering work of the wealthy Swiss ornithologist Ad Burdet (1860-1940). Directors of international renown such as Bert Haanstra (1916-1997) and Hugo van Lawick (1937- 2002) were active alongside filmmakers who remained largely anonymous to the public. Many of the nature filmmakers who are still active have built up a considerable oeuvre and have collected a library of stock shots. Young filmmakers still find nature films a worthwhile proposition and a number of amateurs are also making active contributions. Compared to the Anglo-Saxon world nature films in the Netherlands have a low status and modest production budgets. There is no association to look after the particular interests of the Dutch nature filmmakers and prestigious awards can only be won abroad. There is no catalogue for nature films and stock footage, nor for historic or contemporary images. Furthermore, it isn’t clear where these films are being kept: in the offices of the filmmakers concerned, or of the nature protection organizations that commissioned the films, or in the audiovisual archives (Sound and Vision, Film Museum). In order to fill this void, the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision and the National Natural History Museum Naturalis have started the project Dutch Nature Film Collection. The collection will not only bring together data on nature films past and present, but will also offer access to films and stock footage via a digital platform. Nature protection organizations and broadcasters alike have shown considerable interest in this initiative

Leefbaarheid & kulturhusen : welke overheid doet wat?

Een discussienotitie over verschillende overheidsrollen, taken en verantwoordelijkheden bij het waarborgen van leefbaarheid, specifiek de ontwikkeling van het kulturhus-concept

Does modifying the thick texture and creamy flavour of a drink change portion size selection and intake?

Previous research indicates that a drink's sensory characteristics can influence appetite regulation. Enhancing the thick and creamy sensory characteristics of a drink generated expectations of satiety and improved its actual satiating effects. Expectations about food also play an important role in decisions about intake, in which case enhancing the thick and creamy characteristics of a drink might also result in smaller portion size selection. In the current study forty-eight participants (24 female) completed four test days where they came into the laboratory for a fixed-portion breakfast, returning two hours later for a mid-morning drink, which they could serve themselves and consume as much as they liked. Over the test days, participants consumed an iso-energetic drink in four sensory contexts: thin and low-creamy; thin and high-creamy; thick and low-creamy; thick and high-creamy. Results indicated that participants consumed less of the thick drinks, but that this was only true of the female participants; male participants consumed the same amount of the four drinks regardless of sensory context. The addition of creamy flavour did not affect intake but the thicker drinks were associated with an increase in perceived creaminess. Despite differences in intake, hunger and fullness ratings did not differ across male and female participants and were not affected by the drinks sensory characteristics. The vast majority of participants consumed all of the drink they served themselves indicating that differences in intake reflected portion size decisions. These findings suggest women will select smaller portions of a drink when its sensory characteristics indicate that it will be satiating

Does low-energy sweetener consumption affect energy intake and body weight? A systematic review, including meta-analyses, of the evidence from human and animal studies

By reducing energy density, low-energy sweeteners (LES) might be expected to reduce energy intake (EI) and body weight (BW). To assess the totality of the evidence testing the null hypothesis that LES exposure (versus sugars or unsweetened alternatives) has no effect on EI or BW, we conducted a systematic review of relevant studies in animals and humans consuming LES with ad libitum access to food energy. In 62 of 90 animal studies exposure to LES did not affect or decreased BW. Of 28 reporting increased BW, 19 compared LES with glucose exposure using a specific ‘learning’ paradigm. Twelve prospective cohort studies in humans reported inconsistent associations between LES use and Body Mass Index (-0.002 kg/m2/year, 95%CI -0.009 to 0.005). Meta-analysis of short- term randomized controlled trials (RCTs, 129 comparisons) showed reduced total EI for LES- versus sugar-sweetened food or beverage consumption before an ad libitum meal (-94 kcal, 95%CI -122 to -66), with no difference versus water (-2 kcal, 95%CI -30 to 26). This was consistent with EI results from sustained intervention RCTs (10 comparisons). Meta-analysis of sustained intervention RCTs (4 weeks to 40 months) showed that consumption of LES versus sugar led to relatively reduced BW (nine comparisons; -1.35 kg, 95%CI –2.28 to - 0.42), and a similar relative reduction in BW versus water (three comparisons; -1.24 kg, 95%CI –2.22 to -0.26). Most animal studies did not mimic LES consumption by humans, and reverse causation may influence the results of prospective cohort studies. The preponderance of evidence from all human RCTs indicates that LES do not increase EI or BW, whether compared with caloric or non-caloric (e.g., water) control conditions. Overall, the balance of evidence indicates that use of LES in place of sugar, in children and adults, leads to reduced EI and BW, and possibly also when compared with water

Transcriptional expression levels of chicken collectins are affected by avian influenza A virus inoculation

Mammalian collectins have been found to play an important role in the defense against influenza A virus H9N2 inoculation, but for chicken collectins this has not yet been clarified. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of avian influenza A virus (AIV) inoculation on collectin gene expression in the respiratory tract of chickens and whether this was affected by age. For this purpose 1- and 4-week-old chickens were inoculated intratracheally with PBS or H9N2 AIV. Chickens were killed at 0, 8, 16 and 24 h postinoculation and trachea and lung were harvested for analysis. Viral RNA expression and mRNA expression of chicken collectins 1 and 2 (cCL-1 and cCL-2), chicken lung lectin (cLL) and chicken surfactant protein A (cSP-A) were determined using real-time quantitative RT-PCR. In lung, a decrease in mRNA expression of cCL-2, cLL and cSP-A after inoculation with H9N2 was seen in both 1- and 4-week-old birds, although at different time points, while in trachea changes were only seen in 4-week-old birds and expression was increased. Moreover, collectin expression correlated with viral RNA expression in lung of 1-week-old birds. These results suggest that both age and location in the respiratory tract affect changes in collectin mRNA expression after inoculation with H9N2 and indicate a possible role for collectins in the host response to AIV in the respiratory tract of chickens

Are You Sure? Confidence about the Satiating Capacity of a Food Affects Subsequent Food Intake

Expectations about a food’s satiating capacity predict self-selected portion size, food intake and food choice. However, two individuals might have a similar expectation, but one might be extremely confident while the other might be guessing. It is unclear whether confidence about an expectation affects adjustments in energy intake at a subsequent meal. In a randomized cross-over design, 24 subjects participated in three separate breakfast sessions, and were served a low-energy-dense preload (53 kcal/100 g), a high-energy-dense preload (94 kcal/100 g), or no preload. Subjects received ambiguous information about the preload’s satiating capacity and rated how confident they were about their expected satiation before consuming the preload in its entirety. They were served an ad libitum test meal 30 min later. Confidence ratings were negatively associated with energy compensation after consuming the high-energy-dense preload (r = −0.61; p = 0.001). The same relationship was evident after consuming the low-energy-dense preload, but only after controlling for dietary restraint, hunger prior to, and liking of the test meal (p = 0.03). Our results suggest that confidence modifies short-term controls of food intake by affecting energy compensation. These results merit consideration because imprecise caloric compensation has been identified as a potential risk factor for a positive energy balance and weight gain