What public health challenges and unmet medical needs would benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration in the EU? A survey and multi-stakeholder debate.

In the past decade, significant European calls for research proposals have supported translational collaborative research on non-communicable and infectious diseases within the biomedical life sciences by bringing together interdisciplinary and multinational consortia. This research has advanced our understanding of disease pathophysiology, marking considerable scientific progress. Yet, it is crucial to retrospectively evaluate these efforts' societal impact.

A worldwide survey on the use of animal-derived materials and reagents in scientific experimentation.

The use of cell and tissue-based methods in basic, applied and regulatory science has been increasing exponentially. Animal-derived components, including serum, coating materials, growth factors and antibodies are routinely used in cell/tissue cultures and in general laboratory practices. In addition to ethical issues, the use and production of animal-derived materials and reagents raises many scientific concerns, generally associated with presence of undefined components and batch-to-batch variability, which may compromise experimental reproducibility.

The Relevance of , and Non-human Primate Based Approaches to Clinical Research on Major Depressive Disorder.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most severe form of depression and the leading cause of disability worldwide. When considering research approaches aimed at understanding MDD, it is important that their effectiveness is evaluated. Here, we assessed the effectiveness of original studies on MDD by rating their contributions to subsequent medical papers on the subject, and we compared the respective contribution of findings from non-human primate (NHP) studies and from human-based or research approaches.

An empirical model for educational simulation of cervical dilation in first-stage labor.

Background: Several models for educational simulation of labor and delivery were published in the literature and incorporated into a commercially available training simulator (CAE Healthcare Lucina). However, the engine of this simulator does not include a model for the clinically relevant indicators: uterine contraction amplitude and frequency, and cervical dilation. In this paper, such a model is presented for the primigravida in normal labor.

Contribution of animal models to contemporary understanding of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a poorly understood neurodevelopmental disorder of multifactorial origin. Animal-based research has been used to investigate ADHD aetiology, pathogenesis and treatment, but the efficacy of this research for patients has not yet been systematically evaluated. However, such evaluation is important, given the resource consumption and ethical concerns incurred by animal use.

A model for educational simulation of the effect of oxytocin on uterine contractions.

Fetal oxygenation is sometimes compromised due to hyperstimulation of uterine contractions (UC) following labor augmentation with oxytocin. We present a model for educational simulation that incorporates the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic properties of oxytocin, reproducing the effect of this drug on UC features. Six UC tracings were generated, reflecting different relevant situations.

A model for educational simulation of the evolution of uterine contractions during labor.

Electronic fetal monitoring remains an important tool in labor ward settings, providing continuous information on fetal heart rate and maternal uterine contractions. A prompt detection of abnormalities in these signals is essential for the timely resolution of situations that may put both mother and fetus at risk. Uterine contraction signals provide information that is important to evaluate the onset and progress of labor, as well as the significance of certain fetal heart rate abnormalities.