A protective garment for swine models

Domesticated pigs are commonly used as an experimental model of wound-healing, owing to similarities between porcine skin and human skin. Many studies require the application of topical agents, dressings and biomedical devices to the pig, and maintaining these can be a challenge. Mino et al. describe a novel and simple technique for constructing a fitted neoprene garment for pigs that covers dressings and maintains their integrity during experiments. The garment easily can be customized to fit animals ranging in size from 30 kg to 100 kg and can be created from simple measurements and materials without advanced skills in sewing.

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An overview of laboratory animal allergy

Laboratory animal allergy (LAA) is caused by a reaction to antigens that are present in laboratory animals' urine, dander and saliva. All laboratory animal facility personnel who regularly come in contact with laboratory animals are at risk of developing LAA, which affects up to one-third of laboratory animal personnel. Corradi and colleagues provide an overview of LAA epidemiology, triggering mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment and risk factors and discuss preventative measures that can be taken to protect the health of laboratory animal personnel.

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