Application Of Electric Shock Research Articles

Utilisation of Snails for Wound Healing: A Review

Snails exhibit remarkable adaptability, allowing them to flourish in diverse environmental conditions and resulting in thriving populations in specific regions. This abundance has led communities to harness snails for various purposes, including their use as animal feed, daily dietary source, and in traditional wound-healing practices with historical roots. The primary objective of this systematic review is to identify the snail species commonly employed in wound healing and evaluate the bioactivity of compounds derived from different snail species. This review was conducted using literature review method, drawing from international databases such as Scopus, and encompassed publications from 2013 to 2023. A total of 22 articles met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Snail body parts that have been explored for wound-healing purposes include both the body and the shell, along with snail secretions, particularly their mucus. Various methods have been employed to extract mucus, involving manual stimulation of the snail's body, spraying with a saline solution (NaCl), application of electric shock, and the use of ozone gas through nebulisation. Prominent snail species found to be beneficial for wound healing include Achatina fulica, Helix aspersa, Eobania desertorum, Helix lucurus, Cornu bistrialis, Theba pisana, and Megalobulimus lopesi. These snail species demonstrate potential applications in the treatment of burns, excision wounds, incision wounds, and diabetic ulcers. Key compounds within snail secretions encompass mucopolysaccharides, polyphenols, peptides, and glycosaminoglycans. These compounds exert significant effects on haemostasis, inflammation control, cellular proliferation, and re-epithelialisation, significantly contributing to the wound healing process.

A Non-Lethal Electric Shock Generator with Wireless Control Function

A Non-lethal electric shock generator is presented and tested. This non-lethal electric shock generator without trail wires, is different from Taser series stun guns or Husha TX series electric shock guns which all have trail wires. And the intensity of electric shock can be adjusted by remote control device according to the status of the target. This no-lethal electric shock generator extends the range of application of electric shock from about 9 meters to 30 meters. The manner of using electric shocks of single intensity is also changed by telecontrol adjustment. It can provide electric shocks of different intensities for different conditions, such as different distances from special electrodes to targets, different targets with different clothes and different height or weight. Basic functions of the non-lethal electric shock generator are tested. Results show that the prototype projectile can be launched from a barrel stably, and the flight range is over 30 meters. When it captured the target, it can be triggered via the telecontrol adjustment. The prototype projectile can support a series of pulses at a rate of 20 r/s with the peak voltage of 30kV.

Generation of a cohort of whole-torso cardiac models for assessing the utility of a novel computed shock vector efficiency metric for ICD optimisation

Implanted cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) seek to automatically detect and terminate potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmias by applying strong internal electric shocks across the heart. However, the optimisation of the specific electrode design and configurations represents an intensive area of research in the pursuit of reduced shock strengths and fewer device complications and risks. Computational whole-torso simulations play an important role in this endeavour, although knowing which specific metric should be used to assess configuration efficacy and assessing the impact of different patient anatomies and pathologies, and the corresponding effect this may have on different metrics has not been investigated. We constructed a cohort of CT-derived high-resolution whole torso-cardiac computational models, including variants of cardiomyopathies and patients with differing torso dimensions. Simulations of electric shock application between electrode configurations corresponding to transveneous (TV-ICD) and subcutaneous (S-ICD) ICDs were modelled and conventional metrics such as defibrillation threshold (DFT) and impedance computed. In addition, we computed a novel metric termed the shock vector efficiency (η), which quantifies the fraction of electrical energy dissipated in the heart relative to the rest of the torso. Across the cohort, S-ICD configurations showed higher DFTs and impedances than TV-ICDs, as expected, although little consistent difference was seen between healthy and cardiomyopathy variants. η was consistently <2% for S-ICD configurations, becoming as high as 13% for TV-ICD setups. Simulations also suggested that a total torso height of approximately 20 cm is required for convergence in η. Overall, η was seen to be approximately negatively correlated with both DFT and impedance. However, important scenarios were identified in which certain values of DFT (or impedance) were associated with a range of η values, and vice-versa, highlighting the heterogeneity introduced by the different torsos and pathologies modelled. In conclusion, the shock vector efficiency represents a useful additional metric to be considered alongside DFT and impedance in the optimisation of ICD electrode configurations, particularly in the context of differing torso anatomies and cardiac pathologies, which can induce significant heterogeneity in conventional metrics of ICD efficacy.

Maggot Instructor: Semi-Automated Analysis of Learning and Memory in Drosophila Larvae.

For several decades, Drosophila has been widely used as a suitable model organism to study the fundamental processes of associative olfactory learning and memory. More recently, this condition also became true for the Drosophila larva, which has become a focus for learning and memory studies based on a number of technical advances in the field of anatomical, molecular, and neuronal analyses. The ongoing efforts should be mentioned to reconstruct the complete connectome of the larval brain featuring a total of about 10,000 neurons and the development of neurogenic tools that allow individual manipulation of each neuron. By contrast, standardized behavioral assays that are commonly used to analyze learning and memory in Drosophila larvae exhibit no such technical development. Most commonly, a simple assay with Petri dishes and odor containers is used; in this method, the animals must be manually transferred in several steps. The behavioral approach is therefore labor-intensive and limits the capacity to conduct large-scale genetic screenings in small laboratories. To circumvent these limitations, we introduce a training device called the Maggot Instructor. This device allows automatic training up to 10 groups of larvae in parallel. To achieve such goal, we used fully automated, computer-controlled optogenetic activation of single olfactory neurons in combination with the application of electric shocks. We showed that Drosophila larvae trained with the Maggot Instructor establish an odor-specific memory, which is independent of handling and non-associative effects. The Maggot Instructor will allow to investigate the large collections of genetically modified larvae in a short period and with minimal human resources. Therefore, the Maggot Instructor should be able to help extensive behavioral experiments in Drosophila larvae to keep up with the current technical advancements. In the longer term, this condition will lead to a better understanding of how learning and memory are organized at the cellular, synaptic, and molecular levels in Drosophila larvae.

Novel CPR system that predicts return of spontaneous circulation from amplitude spectral area before electric shock in ventricular fibrillation

AimAmplitude spectral area (AMSA), an index for analysing ventricular fibrillation (VF) waveforms, is thought to predict the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after electric shocks, but its validity is unconfirmed. We developed an equation to predict ROSC, where the change in AMSA (ΔAMSA) is added to AMSA measured immediately before the first shock (AMSA1). We examine the validity of this equation by comparing it with the conventional AMSA1-only equation. MethodWe retrospectively investigated 285 VF patients given prehospital electric shocks by emergency medical services. ΔAMSA was calculated by subtracting AMSA1 from last AMSA immediately before the last prehospital electric shock. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed using post-shock ROSC as a dependent variable. ResultsAnalysis data were subjected to receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, goodness-of-fit testing using a likelihood ratio test, and the bootstrap method. AMSA1 (odds ratio (OR) 1.151, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.086–1.220) and ΔAMSA (OR 1.289, 95% CI 1.156–1.438) were independent factors influencing ROSC induction by electric shock. Area under the curve (AUC) for predicting ROSC was 0.851 for AMSA1-only and 0.891 for AMSA1+ΔAMSA. Compared with the AMSA1-only equation, the AMSA1+ΔAMSA equation had significantly better goodness-of-fit (likelihood ratio test P<0.001) and showed good fit in the bootstrap method. ConclusionsPost-shock ROSC was accurately predicted by adding ΔAMSA to AMSA1. AMSA-based ROSC prediction enables application of electric shock to only those patients with high probability of ROSC, instead of interrupting chest compressions and delivering unnecessary shocks to patients with low probability of ROSC.

The CRF1 receptor antagonist SSR125543 prevents stress-induced cognitive deficit associated with hippocampal dysfunction: Comparison with paroxetine and d-cycloserine

The selective CRF1 (corticotropin releasing factor type 1) receptor antagonist SSR125543 has been previously shown to attenuate the long-term cognitive deficit produced by traumatic stress exposure. Memory disturbances described in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients are believed to be associated with changes in neuronal activity, in particular at the level of the hippocampus. The present study aims at investigating whether the effects of SSR125543 (10 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks) on cognitive impairment induced by traumatic stress exposure are associated with changes in hippocampal excitability. Effects of SSR125543 were compared to those of the 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, paroxetine (10 mg/kg/day), and the partial N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonist, D-cycloserine (10 mg/kg/day), two compounds which have demonstrated clinical efficacy against PTSD. Mice received two unavoidable electric foot-shocks. Then, 1 or 16 days after stress, they were tested for their memory performance using the object recognition test. Neuronal excitability was recorded during the third week post-stress in the CA1 area of the hippocampus. Drugs were administered from day 1 post-stress to the day preceding the electrophysiological study. Application of electric shocks produced cognitive impairment 16, but not 1 day after stress, an effect which was associated with a decrease in hippocampal neuronal excitability. Both stress-induced effects were prevented by repeated administration of SSR125543, paroxetine and D-cycloserine. These findings confirm that the CRF1 receptor antagonist SSR125543 is able to attenuate the behavioral effects of traumatic stress exposure and indicate that these effects are associated with a normalization of hippocampal neuronal excitability impaired by stress.

Endangered Scholars Worldwide

Endangered Scholars Worldwide BAHRAIN d r . a b d u l -j a l i l a l - s i n g a c e , a professor of engineering at the University of Bahrain, was arrested on August 13, 2010 on his way back to Bahrain from the United Kingdom, w here he had given a speech about the hum an rights situation in his country. He was subsequently held incom m unicado for two weeks, during which tim e he claims he and other detainees were severely tortured. Al-Singace is the spokes­ m an and director of the H um an Rights Bureau of the Haq Movement for Civil Liberties and Democracy, an opposition political organiza­ tion w ith support from the Shiite com m unity in Bahrain. According to Human Rights Watch, several other m embers of the Haq Movement were arrested shortly after al-Singace, and w hen finally given access to their lawyers on August 27 and 28, they all reported being tortured. The torture, w hich the lawyers claimed was visible on their bodies, included severe beatings, being forced to stand for long periods, being suspended by their hands, application of electric shocks, and depriva­ tion of food, water, and sleep. The Bahrain Center for Hum an Rights has reported th at the governm ent has issued a ban on publications about the case of Dr. al-Singace and the other detainees. Appeals to: Shaikh Khaled bin Ali al-Khalifa His M ajesty S haikh H am ad b in Issa M inister o fJustice and Islamic Affairs A1 Khalifa P.O. Box 450 King o f Bahrain al-M anam a Office o f His Majesty th e King Bahrain P. O. B ox 555 Fax: +973 17536343 Rifa’a Palace Salutation: Your Excellency Kingdom o f Bahrain Fax:+ 973 1766 8884 Salutation: Your Majesty Inform ation current, to the best of our knowledge, as o f Septem ber 7, 2010. Endangered Scholars W orldw ide v IRAN e m a d e d d i n b a g h i , a w ell-know n Iranian scholar and hum an rights defender w hom we have often featured in previous issues, was sentenced in July and Septem ber 2010 to a total of seven years in prison on charges related to the form ation of an organization to defend prisoners’ rights and for recording an interview w ith a reform ist cleric, Baghi, w ho was only just released on June 23, 2010. After spending five m onths in solitary confinem ent w ithout charge, Baghi will now retu rn to jail. He is at grave risk due to a heart condition for w hich he has been refused treatm ent during previous im prisonm ents. j a ’f a r k a z e m i , a textbook lithographer at Amir Kabir University in Tehran, was arrested in Septem ber 2009 for participating in the protests that followed the disputed presidential elections, and for his alleged contact w ith the banned organization the People’s Mojahedin of Iran. In April 2010 he was sentenced to death for “enm ity against God” and “propaganda against the regim e” and according to Amnesty International his last appeal to this sentence was rejected by the Supreme Court in July. He is now at im m inent risk ofbeing executed. An online petition on his behalf can be accessed through the Endangered Scholars Worldwide website. Scholars featured in previous issues w ho rem ain in prison in Iran include m a j i d t a v a k o l i , b a h a r e h h e d a y a t , and m i l a d a s a d i , distinguished student activists sentenced to eight-and-a-half, nine-and-a-half, and seven years, respectively, for th e ir involve­ m en t in 2009 anti-governm ent protests; d r . m o s t a f a a l a v i , an Iranian doctor and researcher sentenced to 15 years im prisonm ent in August 2008 for “plotting against th e regim e...

Role of D1 dopaminergic receptors in the ventral pallidum in passive avoidance learning

Event Abstract Back to Event Role of D1 dopaminergic receptors in the ventral pallidum in passive avoidance learning László Péczely1*, Tamás Ollmann1, Kristóf László1, Katalin O. Várady1 and László Lénárd1 1 University of Pécs, Institute of Physiology and Neurophysiology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HAS), Hungary The mesolimbic dopaminergic system (MLDS) originating from the ventral tegmental area has an important role in the regulation of motivation, learning and perception. The ventral pallidum (VP), innervated by the MLDS, is involved in the regulation of adaptive behavior, but it’s exact role is not known in passive avoidance learning (PAV). The VP contains D1 and D2 dopaminergic receptors that differ in signal transduction, densitiy, and location. In our experiments we investigated the role of D1 dopaminergic receptors of the VP in PAV. By means of stereotaxic technique stainless steel guide tubes were bilaterally implanted into the VP of male Wistar rats. One trial step-through passive avoidance paradigm was used. During conditioning trial weak (0.5 mA) electric shock was used. Animals were bilaterally microinjected into the VP with D1 receptor agonist (SKF38393 0.1 µg, 1.0 µg, 5.0 µg in 0.4 µl saline), D1 receptor antagonist (SCH23390 5.0 µg in 0.4 µl saline) or vehicle after the application of electric shock. Tests were carried out 24 hours, one week, and two weeks after conditionig (Test 1, Test 2 and Test 3, respectively). The 1.0 µg and 5.0 µg dose of D1 receptor agonist significantly increased the step-through latency, retention was significant even after 2 weeks of conditioning (Test 3). D1 receptor antagonist (applied 15 min prior the agonist treatment) eliminated learning and retention. Our results show that D1 dopaminergic receptors in the VP play distinct roles in the mechanisms of PAV. D1 receptor activation in the VP facilitates reinforcement and memory and this facilitation effect is specific because it can be eliminated by D1 receptor antagonist. These results may contribute to the better understanding of functional significance of the MLDS and related dopaminergic receptors in the VP. Supported by NKTH-OTKA K 68431 and by the HAS. Conference: IBRO International Workshop 2010, Pécs, Hungary, 21 Jan - 23 Jan, 2010. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Cognition and behavior Citation: Péczely L, Ollmann T, László K, Várady KO and Lénárd L (2010). Role of D1 dopaminergic receptors in the ventral pallidum in passive avoidance learning. Front. Neurosci. Conference Abstract: IBRO International Workshop 2010. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnins.2010.10.00180 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 02 May 2010; Published Online: 02 May 2010. * Correspondence: László Péczely, University of Pécs, Institute of Physiology and Neurophysiology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HAS), Pécs, Hungary, peczelylaszlo@gmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers László Péczely Tamás Ollmann Kristóf László Katalin O Várady László Lénárd Google László Péczely Tamás Ollmann Kristóf László Katalin O Várady László Lénárd Google Scholar László Péczely Tamás Ollmann Kristóf László Katalin O Várady László Lénárd PubMed László Péczely Tamás Ollmann Kristóf László Katalin O Várady László Lénárd Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Dynamic activation of the anterior cingulate cortex during anticipatory anxiety

Based on theoretical models, we investigated the dynamics of brain activation during anticipatory anxiety using functional magnetic resonance imaging and a combined parametric/correlational design. Subjects (16 females) anticipated the application of electrical shocks of varying intensity resulting in four different threat levels. The parametric analysis revealed an inverted U-function of activation in the ventral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) depending on the level of threat. Furthermore, the correlation analysis showed that the association between anxiety and brain activation in the pregenual ACC was, as a tendency, positive during moderate threat but clearly negative during strong threat. Moreover, during strong threat, a positive correlation between anxiety and activation was observed in the dorsal ACC, somatosensory cortex, motor cortex, and hippocampus. These findings suggest threat dependent dynamics of brain activation in the ACC; with increased attentional avoidance during moderate threat and a switch to hypervigilant action readiness in the most anxious subjects during strong threat.

The Application of Electric Shock as a Novel Pest Control Method for Apple Snail, Pomacew canaliculata (Gastropoda: Ampullariidae)

The apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata, brought to Japan from Taiwan for human consumption in the 1980s, has come to be considered as deleterious for rice cultivation. The snail is unable to injure young rice plants while receiving electric shock because the snail retracts its entire body into its shell and shuts its aperture with its operculum. Electric shock should be applied intermittently to reduce the amount of energy that is wasted when the snail is in its shell made of one of the insulator. The minimum electric shock required for controlling snails and the time required for movement after application of electric shock to determine the frequency of each electric shock were investigated using two methods; vertical and horizontal application of the electrical stimulation. The results showed that there is a strong correlation between the strength of electric shock and the reaction of the snails, and electric shock made snails inactive when it was applied 0.35 A/m2 in the horizontal direction and 0.45 A/m2 in the vertical direction with water of 11 mS/m. A positive correlation was also found between electric shock and the reaction of the snails and shell height. In comparison with larger snails, the smaller snails had higher threshold levels against electric current density because their shorter feet tended to have lower voltage dorp. Moreover, the frequency of electric shock should be chosen the minimum duration for the inactive condition, and it was approximately 10 seconds. Consequently the direction of electric current should be in the horizontal direction above 0.35 A/m2 and the frequency of electric shock should be less than 10 seconds for practical use. However, electric shock would have to be maintained at greater than 0.35 A/m2 because snails might become habituated to electric shock and water in paddy field would have high electric conductivity.

Antistatic Foam as a Shocking Surface for Behavioral Studies with Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and American Cockroaches (Orthoptera: Blattelidae)

The application of electric shock is useful in the study of the learning process in vertebrates and invertebrates. In most behavioral studies, electric current is delivered with a shock grid. When applying electric current to a terrestrial invertebrate the use of shock grids is problematic. An alternative used for many years is the “resistive-sheet,” an asphalt and graphite mixture painted on a nonconductive surface such as plastic. The resistive sheet has several limitations, including difficulty in applying the mixture uniformly and uneven distribution of current. This article advocates replacing the resistive sheet with antistatic foam. Antistatic foam is used to prevent damage to integrated circuits and circuit boards due to static electrical charge. The foam is easily manipulated, standardized, and with the addition of two wires delivers consistent current across its area. The efficacy of antistatic foam as a shocking surface was examined in two experiments. In the first, escape behavior in honey bees, Apis mellifera L., was examined by placing two groups of bees (n = 26) in a two compartment shuttle box. One group received 25 V AC shock that terminated when the bee crossed into the opposing compartment. A control group did not receive any shock. Results showed that bees in the shock group crossed into the opposing chamber significantly more often than the no-shock group (t= 6.796, df = 24, P &amp;lt; .001). In the second experiment, a contraction response was tested in a group (n = 10) of American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana L. Each roach was individually placed in the apparatus and received 1 min no shock (baseline), 1 min (1 s 50 V AC every 10 s) shock, and 1 min baseline. Roaches contracted significantly more often in the shock condition than in either of the baseline conditions (F= 10.049, df = 2,18, P = .001). These results demonstrate that antistatic foam can be used to create a shocking surface suitable for investigating behavior in insects.

Habituation of the early pain-specific respiratory response in sustained pain

Neurokinin-1 receptor and μ-opioid receptor agonists affect respiratory rhythm when injected directly into the preBötzinger brainstem complex, which is the hypothesized site for respiratory rhythmogenesis in mammals (Science 286 (1999) 1566). Early stress-induced analgesia (SIA) is naloxone-insensitive and as such considered independent of the activation of the μ-opioid system. Prolonged application of electrical shocks, however, produces analgesia that is mediated by the μ-opioid system (Science 208 (1980) 623). Together these findings suggest that any early pain-specific increased respiration should be attenuated in the tonic state of pain. Ten healthy, pain-free female volunteer subjects participated in this experimental study involving deep acute and tonic pain. The experimental design included three conditions: (1) baseline; (2) pain; and (3) a placebo control stimulus. Experimental pain was induced by the infusion of hypertonic saline into the masseter muscle. Infusion of isotonic saline in the contralateral masseter was used as a control. Blinded subjects were randomly assigned to a particular sequential order of the experimental stages, i.e. hypertonic saline infusion preceded the isotonic saline infusion or vice versa. Respiration rate, mean peak inspiratory and expiratory flow rates, and the minute ventilation volume quantified breathing. Results indicate that effects on respiration were pain-specific and that the early effects on respiration were significantly attenuated in sustained pain. In the early stage of pain, all monitored variables (respiration rate, minute ventilation volume, and inspiratory and expiratory flow rates) were elevated to statistically significant degrees when compared to measurements taken at baseline or during control infusion. Only respiration rate continued to be significantly elevated in sustained pain. We concluded that rhythmogenic neurons in the preBötzinger brainstem complex appear as the likely target for pro-nociceptive and anti-nociceptive input, explaining both the observed initial facilitation and subsequent habituation of respiration in early and sustained pain.

Histological aspects and protein content of Apis mellifera L. Worker venom glands: the effect of electrical shocks in summer and winter

This paper analyzes the summer and winter total protein content of 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 40-day old Apis mellifera L. worker venom glands before (control) and 24 and 96 hours after applying electrical shocks for venom extraction (experimental). During venom extraction, 7-day old workers responded more slowly and weakly to electrical shocks. This response intensifies with age, so that the workers approaching 20 days old respond faster and more aggressively to the shocks. Statistical analysis, using the non-parametric Wilcoxon and Kruskall-Wallis tests and complemented by the Jonckheere test, showed that the protein content varied from one age to another in the experimental group, which was well distinguishable from the values in the control Group in summer and winter. Summer values at all ages were always higher than those detected in winter in both groups. This variation seems to indicate the occurrence of more than one winter glandular development cycle. Histological studies showed secretion in the lumen of the control Group secretory tubes and reservoirs. The experimental group only showed vestigial secretion in the collapsed reservoirs at all ages, except at 7 days. These workers, which reacted less efficiently to electrical shocks, showed secretion in the lumen, reservoir, and tubes, even after the application of electrical shocks. During the 96 hours following the electrical shocks, a slight protein replacement was seen at some ages. This, although higher in summer than in winter, was much lower than the level detected in the control group at all ages. The significantly lower values were frequent in the older workers 96 hours after extraction and could reflect reabsorption or degradation of proteins from glandular secretion due to aging. Our results show that venom extraction is more productive in summer using older workers. However, their capacity of replacing protein eliminated during stinging of the substrate, in response to shocks is shown to be low, as demonstrated for other analyzed bees.

THE AUTOMATED EXTERNAL CARDIAC DEFIBRILLATOR: LIFESAVING DEVICE FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

More than 350,000 adult Americans die each year of sudden cardiac arrest, or SCA. The event is unpredictable and can occur in patients with no history of cardiac disease or cardiac symptoms. Drugs and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, save only a small percentage of victims. The necessary response is rapid application of electrical shock, and the chances of success are reduced 10 percent for every minute of delay. The author reviewed the literature on resuscitation of people who have undergone SCA, and examined the emerging technology of automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, for correcting cardiac ventricular fibrillation. Included is a review of the controversies surrounding AED waveforms and energy levels. Automated cardiac defibrillators are becoming readily available because of improved technology and decreasing prices. AEDs are now commonly found in commercial aircraft, gambling casinos, sports arenas and public buildings, and will soon become as readily available as fire extinguishers. The use of AEDs is being taught in standard CPR courses. AEDs are being installed in more public locations, including some dental offices. As costs decrease and availability increases, there is significant potential use for AEDs in managing SCAs in dental offices.

Effect of electrical stimulation of the cerebral cortex on the expression of the fos protein in the basal ganglia

The protein Fos is a transcription factor which is quickly induced in response to a variety of extracellular signals. Since this protein is expressed in a variety of neuronal systems in response to activation of synaptic afferents, it has been suggested that it might contribute to activity-dependent plasticity in neural networks. The present study investigated the effect of cortical electrical stimulation on the expression of Fos in the basal ganglia in the rat, a group of structures that participate in sensorimotor learning. Results show that the repetitive application of electrical shocks in restricted areas of the cerebral cortex induces an expression of Fos mostly confined to the striatum and the subthalamic nucleus. The induction which can be elicited from different cortical areas (sensorimotor, auditory and limbic areas) does not require particular temporal patterns of stimulation but rather depends on the total number of shocks delivered during a given period of time. Moreover, it appears to be rather independent of the number of spikes discharged by the activated cells. In the striatum, the distribution of immunoreactive neurons is precisely delineated and conforms to the known topographical organization of stimulated corticostriatal projections. As demonstrated using a variety of double labelling techniques (combination of the immunocytochemical detection of Fos with the autoradiography of μ opioid receptors, calbindin immmunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization of preproenkephalin and preprotachykinin A messenger RNAs), striatal neurons which express Fos are mostly localized in the matrix compartment and concern equally enkephaline and substance P containing efferent neurons. In the subthalamic nucleus, Fos expression evoked by cortical stimulation is also confined to discrete regions of the nucleus, the localizations corresponding to the primary projection site of the stimulated cortical cells. These results indicate that in addition to its phasic synaptic influence on the basal ganglia, the cerebral cortex could exert a long-term effect on the functional state of this system via a genomic control. Since the basal ganglia are involved in sensorimotor learning and motor habit formation, it is tempting to speculate that the activity-dependent Fos induction at corticostriatal and subthalamic synapses may contribute to consolidate the functionality of the neuronal networks activated during the completion of given motor tasks.

Epicardial electric shock ablation of the left lateral accessory pathway

Fifty patients with drug-resistant, recurrent tachyarrhythmias causing Wolff—Parkinson—White syndrome underwent surgery between 1990 and 1992. All recognized surgical methods for accessory pathway destruction were performed. Epicardial electric shock ablation was first used as a method of surgically destroying an accessory atrioventricular pathway in 1983. This technique avoids the need for cardioplegia and hypothermia during operation. The procedure is based on the application of a series of two to five electrical shocks (50–150 J) to the region of the atrioventricular groove where the accessory pathway has been previously located. Some 32 patients with a left free wall accessory pathway underwent this operation. Cardioplegia and hypothermia were not required in 22 patients with an accessory pathway located in the left lateral position. In the second group comprising ten patients with a left lateral accessory pathway, four were diagnosed as having a second pathway and four had concomitant heart pathology such as coronary artery disease — one had an atrial septal defect and another had a ventricular septal defect. Accessory pathway ablation was carried out in these ten patients using epicardial electric shock under normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. Concomitant heart pathology was corrected at the second stage of the operation under cardiopulmonary bypass with cardioplegia and hypothermia. Postoperative electrophysiological studies confirmed that the accessory pathway had been destroyed in all patients. The only side effects of epicardial electric shock application were transient ST elevation < 1 mm in four patients, transient atrioventricular block in two and moderate sinus tachycardia in three. These were all minor side effects. It is concluded that epicardial electric shock ablation is a useful and safe method for destroying left free wall accessory pathways that avoids the necessity for hypothermia and cardioplegia.

Epicardial Electric Shock Ablation of the Left Lateral Accessory Pathway

Fifty patients with drug-resistant, recurrent tachyarrhythmias causing Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome underwent surgery between 1990 and 1992. All recognized surgical methods for accessory pathway destruction were performed. Epicardial electric shock ablation was first used as a method of surgically destroying an accessory atrioventricular pathway in 1983. This technique avoids the need for cardioplegia and hypothermia during operation. The procedure is based on the application of a series of two to five electrical shocks (50-150J) to the region of the atrioventricular groove where the accessory pathway has been previously located. Some 32 patients with a left free wall accessory pathway underwent this operation. Cardioplegia and hypothermia were not required in 22 patients with an accessory pathway located in the left lateral position. In the second group comprising ten patients with a left lateral accessory pathway, four were diagnosed as having a second pathway and four had concomitant heart pathology such as coronary artery disease — one had an atrial septal defect and another had a ventricular septal defect. Accessory pathway ablation was carried out in these ten patients using epicardial electric shock under normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. Concomitant heart pathology was corrected at the second stage of the operation under cardiopulmonary bypass with cardioplegia and hypothermia. Postoperative electrophysiological studies confirmed that the accessory pathway had been destroyed in all patients. The only side effects of epicardial electric shock application were transient ST elevation &lt; 1 mm in four patients, transient atrioventricular block in two and moderate sinus tachycardia in three. These were all minor side effects. It is concluded that epicardial electric shock ablation is a useful and safe method for destroying left free wall accessory pathways that avoids the necessity for hypothermia and cardioplegia.

Learning dysfunction model in ddY mouse and IgG

Mice of the ddy strain having once received an electric shock in the dark chamber of a passive avoidance response unit were divided into two groups according to their behavior pattern. It is suggested that learning function of the mice which did not avoid the dark chamber (negative-avoidance mice: N-mice) was disturbed. After an injection of IgG obtained from the positive-avoidance mice (P-mice) into the N-mice, these prior N-mice displayed the behavior pattern similar to that of P-mice following an application of electric shock. It was found that the sugar chain structure of N-mouse IgG was different from that of P-mouse IgG. This result indicates that the sugar chain structure is related to the learning ability of ddy mice.

Failure of electric shock treatment for rattlesnake envenomation

The use of high-voltage electric shock therapy for the treatment of snake venom poisoning has recently gained popularity in the United States. We present a case that documents the dangerous, ineffective application of electric shock to the face of a patient envenomated by a Great Basin rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis lutosus). The successful use of antivenin in this critically ill, antivenin-allergic patient is described.

Levels of short (1-15 ms) electrical shocks from a 50 Hz supply inducing ventricular fibrillation in hyperbaric helium and oxygen.

An investigation was undertaken to determine the ventricular fibrillation (VF) threshold of anaesthetised dogs subjected to external application of electric shocks between a foreleg and a hindleg. The shocks were 2-15 ms sections of 50 Hz sine waveform starting at peak current and were applied at a known time in the heart cycle. The object of the experiment was to determine if there was an increase in cardiac susceptibility to electrically induced VF at 31 atmospheres absolute (atm abs) in a helium and oxygen environment. The duration and position of that part of the cardiac cycle most vulnerable to induction of VF by electrocution was found (seven animals) using 4 ms shocks and then the minimum fibrillating current for shocks of 2-15 ms (min FC2-15) delivered at the most vulnerable point of the cycle (five animals). Body resistance was calculated from the data so gathered. Fibrillation thresholds were not changed by compression and there were no significant changes in the vulnerable period of the cardiac cycle. Min FC2 was significantly higher than for other durations under both control (3.21 A, SD 1.08) and test conditions (3.26 A, SD 0.39), p = 0.001. There was no difference in body resistance at 31 atm abs (395.5, SD 12.9) from control values at 1 atm abs (396.7, SD 10.9). From these data it was concluded that the heart is no more susceptible to the induction of VF at 31 atm abs in a helium oxygen environment and additional safety factors are unnecessary from this point of view.