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As Oxford MediStress continues to develop the possible applications of its Leukocyte Coping Capacity Stress test, we welcome Caitlen Carr Knox as Clinical Research Scientist.

New Animal Welfare review article

June 21, 2019

An article has been published in the journal, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, which reviews many studies using the LCC test and technique. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2019.00105/full Huber, N., Marasco, V., Painer, J., Vetter, S. G., Göritz, F., Kaczensky, P., & Walzer, C. (2019). Leukocyte Coping Capacity: An Integrative Parameter for Wildlife Welfare Within Conservation Interventions. Frontiers in veterinary...

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An article has been published in the journal, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, which reviews many studies using the LCC test and technique.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2019.00105/full

Huber, N., Marasco, V., Painer, J., Vetter, S. G., Göritz, F., Kaczensky, P., & Walzer, C. (2019).

Leukocyte Coping Capacity: An Integrative Parameter for Wildlife Welfare Within Conservation Interventions.

Frontiers in veterinary science, 6, 105. doi:10.3389/fvets.2019.00105

Copyright © 2019 Huber, Marasco, Painer, Vetter, Göritz, Kaczensky and Walzer.

Table 1 from this paper both provides and is entitled “An overview of studies inferring LCC as a valid proxy to assess stress and welfare in animals”

Open pdf  Animal Welfare Studies And References

Stress and Health: New Research

May 18, 2016

"Of Street Mice and Men: A Radical Approach to Old Problems" published in Stress and Health: New Research, Chapter 3, pages 61 - 79, editor Kimberly V Oxington Nova Science Publications...

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“Of Street Mice and Men: A Radical Approach to Old Problems” published in Stress and Health: New Research, Chapter 3, pages 61 – 79, editor Kimberly V Oxington Nova Science Publications.\r\n\r\nAbstract: The tremendous destructive capabilities of reactive oxygen species in stress related disorders has become apparent only recently, although in early historical times the ancients may have been aware of the devastating power of stress on well-being. This chapter explores ancient myths and modern techniques surrounding stress-induced immunosuppression in species as diverse as mice and humans, investigating techniques and mechanisms, and speculating on possible therapeutic interventions.\r\n\r\nPreview the article here.

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics

December 20, 2013

This study demonstrates how immune responsiveness, known to be influenced by psychological stress, can be used to assess changes in mental workload...

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This study demonstrates how immune responsiveness, known to be influenced by psychological stress, can be used to assess changes in mental workload. Healthy male and female subjects provided capillary blood samples before and after completing the same, basic, driver-related tasks followed by a simple manoeuvre in two unfamiliar motor vehicles.

Using the Leukocyte Coping Capacity (LCC) test kit, the ability of leukocytes to produce reactive oxygen species in vitro was assessed. Significant post-stressor changes in leukocyte activity were demonstrated between treatment groups. These findings add weight to the proposition that leukocyte activation is a useful quantitative measure of psychological stress and mental loading in humans. This study demonstrates the diagnostic ability of LCC for use during ergonomic evaluation.

SHELTON-RAYNER G, MIAN R, CHANDLER S, ROBERTSON D, MACDONALD DW (2012) Leukocyte responsiveness, a quantitative assay for subjective mental workload. Int J Industrial Ergonomics 42, 25-33.

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International Journal of Human Computer Interaction

December 20, 2013

The capability of drivers to accomplish basic tasks utilizing differing sensory modalities while maintaining lane discipline within a computer-simulated environment was assessed...

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The capability of drivers to accomplish basic tasks utilizing differing sensory modalities while maintaining lane discipline within a computer-simulated environment was assessed. Subjects provided capillary blood samples before and after using three human–machine interface designs—touch-screen, voice control, and multimodal.

Using the Leukocyte Coping Capacity test kit, the ability of leukocytes to produce reactive oxygen species in vitro was assessed. Significant post-stressor changes in leukocyte activity of varying magnitude were observed following the use of all interfaces; with the multimodal interface provoking the most pronounced response and voice control the least. Results support the proposition for using immune responsiveness as a means for quantifying psychological stress.

SHELTON-RAYNER G, MIAN R, CHANDLER S, ROBERTSON D, MACDONALD DW (2011) Quantitative physiological assessment of mental loading via altered immune functioning following interaction with differing automotive interface technologies. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction 27 (9), 900–919.

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Experimental Physiology Journal

December 20, 2013

In this experiment badgers (Meles meles), which were caught as part of an on-going population study, were either transported to a central site prior to blood sampling or blood was collected at their site of captur...

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In this experiment badgers (Meles meles), which were caught as part of an on-going population study, were either transported to a central site prior to blood sampling or blood was collected at their site of capture. Using the leukocyte coping capacity (LCC) test kit, the ability of leukocytes to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitro was assessed.

Transported animals had a significantly lower leukocyte coping capacity score (LCC) and showed changes in leukocyte composition that were indicative of stress. The study concluded that the stress of transport reduced LCC in badgers and that LCC serves as a quantitative measure of stress. Potential applications of this method are discussed.

MCLAREN, G., MACDONALD, D.W., GEORGIOU, C., NEWMAN, C. and MIAN, R. (2003) Leukocyte coping capacity: a novel technique for measuring the stress response in vertebrates Experimental Physiology 88 (4) pp. 541-546 (ISSN: 0958 0607).

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