[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 67 (Friday, April 8, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18037-18038]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7002]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


National Toxicology Program (NTP); NTP Interagency Center for the 
Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM); Ocular 
Toxicity Scientific Symposia: Mechanisms of Chemically-Induced Ocular 
Injury and Recovery and Minimizing Pain and Distress in Ocular Toxicity 
Testing

AGENCY: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), 
National Institutes of Health (NIH).

ACTION: Meeting announcement.

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SUMMARY: The Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of 
Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) and the NICEATM announce two upcoming 
scientific symposia entitled, ``Mechanisms of Chemically-Induced Ocular 
Injury and Recovery'' and ``Minimizing Pain and Distress in Ocular 
Toxicity Testing.''

DATES: The first symposium, ``Mechanisms of Chemically-Induced Ocular 
Injury and Recovery,'' will be held on May 11 and 12, 2005. The second 
symposium, ``Minimizing Pain and Distress in Ocular Toxicity Testing,'' 
will be held on May 13, 2005. In order to facilitate planning for this 
meeting, persons wishing to attend the symposia are asked to register 
via the ICCVAM/NICEATM Web site (http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov) by May 2, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Both symposia will be held at the National Institutes of 
Health, Natcher Conference Center, 45 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 
20892. An updated agenda and other information will be available on the 
NICEATM/ICCVAM Web site (http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov) and can also be 
obtained from NICEATM (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT below).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: All correspondence should be submitted 
to the Director of NICEATM (Dr. William S. Stokes, NICEATM, NIEHS, P.O. 
Box 12233, MD EC-17, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, (phone) 919-
541-2384, (fax) 919-541-0947, (e-mail) [email protected]. Courier 
address: NICEATM, 79 T.W. Alexander Drive, Building 4401, Room 3128, 
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The symposium, ``Mechanisms of Chemically-Induced Ocular Injury and 
Recovery,'' will review the state-of-the-science and understanding of 
the pathophysiology and mechanisms of chemically-induced ocular injury 
and recovery (reversibility vs. irreversibility). The symposium will 
seek to identify research needed to address current knowledge gaps and 
that will advance the development and validation of test systems for 
regulatory testing that provide for protection of human health while 
reducing, refining (less pain and distress), and/or replacing the use 
of animals.
    The symposium, ``Minimizing Pain and Distress in Ocular Toxicity 
Testing,'' will review current understanding of the sources and 
mechanisms of pain and distress in ocular toxicity testing; identify 
current best practices for preventing, recognizing, and alleviating 
ocular pain and distress; and identify additional research, 
development, and validation studies necessary to support scientifically 
valid ocular testing procedures that avoid pain and distress.

Preliminary Agenda

    Mechanisms of Chemically-Induced Ocular Injury and Recovery, May 11 
and 12, 2005, National Institutes of Health, Natcher Conference Center, 
Room E1/E2, 45 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892 (A photo ID is required 
to access the NIH campus).

Day 1 Wednesday, May 11, 2005

8:30 a.m.
     Welcome and Introduction of Symposium Objectives
     Session 1--Overview of Recent Initiatives
     Session 2--Current Ocular Injury and Toxicity Assessments
     Session 3--Mechanisms and Biomarkers of Ocular Injury and 
Recovery
     Discussion
5 p.m.
    Adjourn Day 1

Day 2 Thursday, May 12, 2005

8:30 a.m.
     Session 4--In Vitro Models of Ocular Injury and Recovery
     Discussion
     Session 5--In Vivo Quantitative Objective Endpoints to 
Support Development and Validation of Predictive In Vitro Models
     Discussion
     Summary of Symposium Discussions
5 p.m.
    Adjourn Meeting

    Minimizing Pain and Distress in Ocular Toxicity Testing, May 13, 
2005, National Institutes of Health, Natcher Conference Center, Balcony 
B, 45 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892 (A photo ID is required to 
access the NIH campus).

8:30 a.m.
     Welcome and Introduction of Symposium Objectives
     Session 1--Recognition and Sources of Pain in Ocular 
Injuries and Safety Testing
     Discussion: Clinical Signs, Lesions and Other Biomarkers 
of Pain and Distress in Animals
     Session 2--Alleviation and Avoidance of Ocular Injury and 
Pain
     Discussion
     Session 3--Biomarkers that Can Serve as Earlier Humane 
Endpoints for Ocular Studies
     Discussion
     Closing Remarks
5 p.m.
    Adjourn Meeting

Attendance and Registration

    The symposia will be held on May 11-13, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. until 
adjournment and are open to the public with attendance limited only by 
the space available. Individuals who plan to attend are strongly 
encouraged to register with NICEATM via the NICEATM/ICCVAM Web site 
(http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov) by May 2, 2005. A map of the NIH campus, 
including visitor parking, is available at http://www.nih.gov/about/visitor/index.htm#directions. Please note that a photo ID is required 
to access the NIH campus. Persons needing special assistance, such as 
sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation in order 
to attend, are asked to notify NICEATM at least 7 business days in 
advance of the meeting (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).

[[Page 18038]]

Availability of Meeting Materials

    An updated agenda and other additional information will be 
available on the ICCVAM Web site and upon request from NICEATM (see FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above). Those persons who register by the 
deadline will be provided with materials for the meeting upon on-site 
check-in at the meeting.

Background Information on ICCVAM and NICEATM

    ICCVAM is an interagency committee composed of representatives from 
15 Federal regulatory and research agencies that use or generate 
toxicological information. ICCVAM conducts technical evaluations of 
new, revised, and alternative methods with regulatory applicability, 
and promotes the scientific validation and regulatory acceptance of 
toxicological test methods that more accurately assess the safety and 
hazards of chemicals and products while refining (less pain and 
distress), reducing, and replacing animal use. The ICCVAM Authorization 
Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-545, available at http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/about/PL106545.htm) establishes ICCVAM as a permanent interagency 
committee of the NIEHS under the NICEATM. NICEATM administers the 
ICCVAM and provides scientific and operational support for ICCVAM-
related activities. NICEATM and ICCVAM work collaboratively to evaluate 
new, improved, and alternative test methods applicable to the needs of 
Federal agencies. Additional information about ICCVAM and NICEATM can 
be found at the following Web site: http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov.

    Dated: March 31, 2005.
Kenneth Olden,
Director, National Toxicology Program.
[FR Doc. 05-7002 Filed 4-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P