Ether Inhalation Research Articles

Effect of spironolactone on diabetic nephropathy in albino rats: ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Diabetic nephropathy (DN) has become one of the most common causes of end stage renal disease (ESRD). Hyperglycemia induces oxidative stress in renal tubular epithelial cells that initiate tubulointerstitial fibrosis, which is a characteristic feature of diabetic nephropathy that becomes progressively complicated by renal failure. Aim: To assess the effect of spironolactone (SPL) on WT-1 protein expression and ultrastructural changes associated with the progression of experimental diabetic nephropathy (DN).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Forty female albino rats were divided into five groups. Group I (control group), Group II (untreated diabetic rats), Group III (insulin-treated diabetic rats), Group IV (spironolactone-treated diabetic rats) and Group V (insulin and spironolactone-treated diabetic rats). At the 4<sup>th</sup> and 8<sup>th</sup> weeks, 4 rats from each group were sacrificed and renal tissue and blood samples were obtained. The rats were anaesthetized using ether inhalation. Each kidney was longitudinally divided and processed for immunohistochemical analysis with rabbit polyclonal anti-WT-1 Antibody and electron microscopic examination.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Treatment of STZ-induced diabetic rats with insulin and spironolactone (Group V) showed improvement in renal corpuscles as well as their capsular space, the basement membrane became normal with preserved minor and major processes and subpodocytic space, most of the proximal convoluted tubules retained their brush border, and their cells showed normal euchromatic nuclei and scattered mitochondria with apical microvilli, which is similar to the findings of the control group. Quantitative analyses showed significant increase in area of fibrosis and focal thickening of the glomerular basement membrane in non-SPL treated groups. There was a marked decrease in proteinuria compared to other treated groups. The results were better after 8 weeks compared to those after 4 weeks.</p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The administration of SPL significantly prevented the extent of interstitial fibrosis in the diabetic kidney.

Histological and immunohistochemical study of cyclophosphamide effect on adult rat testis

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Nowadays, cyclophosphamide is widely used as anticancer and immunosuppressive agent in various drug regimens in many diseases and in young and old age. The aim of this research is to study the possible histological changes that may occur in the testes of adult male albino rats as a result of chronic exposure to cyclophosphamide and the prognosis of this effect.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Thirty healthy adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were equally divided into three groups; a control, an experimental and a withdrawal groups. The Animals of the experimental group were treated with daily dose of 5 mg/ kg cyclophosphamide orally for successive 28 days. Animals of the withdrawal group were left without treatment and sacrificed after 28 days from the last dose of cyclophosphamide. At the time of sacrifice, all animals were anesthetized by ether inhalation and their testes were dissected out carefully and processed for light and electron microscope examinations<span lang="EN-IN">. </span><span lang="EN-IN"> </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Testes of the cyclophosphamide treated group revealed presence of many distorted shrunken seminiferous tubules which appeared with marked reduction in the thickness of the epithelium and wide lumina. Many germ cells with deeply stained nuclei, giant cells in mitosis and intracellular vacuoles were observed. Cross sections in mid pieces of sperms showed marked affection of axoneme, fibrous sheath and mitochondrial sheath. The cytoplasm of the Leydig cells contained mitochondria, dilated SER, Golgi cisternae and RER. Testes of the withdrawal group showed that the seminiferous tubules still had reduced height of their epithelium with wide intercellular spaces. Abnormal stratification and destructed germinal epithelium were evident with desquamated germ cells. Cross sections of mid pieces of the sperms showed distorted axoneme and swollen mitochondrial sheath. The cytoplasm of leydig cells contained many electron dense granules, RER, many dilated SER and mitochondria.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Chronic cyclophosphamide treatment not only produced serious histological changes of the testis but also in its serological parameter. These changes persisted after cessation of cyclophosphamide administration which indicates the cumulative irreversible toxic effect of cyclophosphamide. So, it is advisable to avoid the usage of cyclophosphamide as possible especially in young patients<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"> </p>

Classical Methods of Tissue Studies: The Artifacts and the Impact of Transverse Serial Sections

This work aims to study the mechanism of appearance of the histological alterations inherent in classical methods of tissue study and to give the difficulties related to the incidence of transverse serial sections. 4 lefts and rights testes were taken from two immature rats aged between 11 and 12 days. The testes were taken under anesthesia by ether inhalation. The gonads were fixed in 10% formic aldehyde and dehydrated in alcohol and then included in the paraffin. The ribbon of transverse serial sections of 5 μm were made by a microtome from the upper pole to the lower pole of the testes. The portions of the ribbon were then spread on slides. The smears were stained with hemalun-eosin and then covered with coverslip. The observation of transverse serial sections presented different types of degradation on them caused by technology. This involves deforming the contours of sections characterized by dye deposits, albuginea folds, tearing or destruction of the seminiferous tubes and then the formation of artificial vacuum between the tubes in the testicular parenchyma. It resulted from the stage of section, the loss of the three-dimensional (3D) coherence of the testes, generating the images visualized in a plan in a two-dimensional (2D) plane resulting from the serial histological sections. The results of this study show that the steps of the methods of tissue study are major factors that can condition the success or failure of reading the results of the histological technique. This study invites us to consider artefacts that combine artificial images created by classical methods of tissue study. In addition, images visualized in a plan with two dimensions (2D) do not allow a direct assessment of the spatial configuration. Thus, a better understanding of the structures, a correction of deformities and a three-dimensional reconstitution (3D) could improve compliance.

TIMING OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND ITS SYSTEMIC EFFECTS ON THE LUNGS OF ADULT MALE ALBINO RATS

Objective: Timing of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is very common and important especially, in forensic autopsy cases with no signs of intracranial hemorrhage or contusion and with short time of survival following head injury. In such cases it is difficult to determine the cause of death. TBI results in systemic inflammatory responses that are complicated by dysfunction of peripheral organs such as the lungs, liver and intestine. The lung is especially critical in the setting of lung transplantation, where more than half of donor allografts are obtained postmortem from individuals with TBI. The aim of the present study was to assess post-intervals of traumatic brain injury and to evaluate the effects of TBI on lungs by measuring serum levels of High mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), performing quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis for gene expression and detecting any histopathological changes or immunohistochemical reaction of brain and lungs. Materials and Methods: Fifty four adult male albino rats divided into in to 3 groups (18 rats each): Group I: Negative control: rats left without any intervention. Group II: (sham): rats were anesthetized with ether inhalation and left without TBI inflection. Group III (TBI): rats were anesthetized with ether inhalation then the head was placed on platform and brain injury was done by weight drop method. After TBI infliction, six rats from group III (TBI) at each time point (1 st, 3rd& 7thday) and six rats from group I&II were anesthetized and blood samples were drawn for measuring serum level of (HMGB1).Then rats were sacrificed, specimens from contused cerebral cortex and lungs were subjected to quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis for gene expression of HMCB1, histopathology examination and immunohistochemical detection of HMGB1 immunoreaction. Results: Traumatic brain injury induced time dependent up-regulation of HMGB1 in serum and qPCR gene expression. Significant histopathological inflammatory changes and positive HMGB1 immunoreaction of brain and lung tissues of TBI (group III) were detected when compared with both control groups. Conclusion: It can be concluded that traumatic brain injury induced time dependent changes in serum and tissue levels of HMGB1, also histopathological changes in the brain and lungs of adult male albino rats. So, this marker can be useful for the diagnosis and timing of brain trauma and predict post TBI lung injury.

Histological changes of the adult albino rats entorhinal cortex under the effect of tramadol administration: Histological and morphometric study

BackgroundTramadol is a centrally acting synthetic analgesic agent with opioid activity. Tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain. The entorhinal cortex has initially attracted attention because of its strong reciprocal connections with the hippocampal formation and its involvement in certain brain disorders. Aim of workThe present study was designed to assess the deleterious effects of tramadol on the entorhinal cortex of the adult male albino rats. Materials and methodsThe study was carried out on 40 adult male rats. The rats were divided equally into two groups: control group, received 1ml normal saline 0.9% intraperitoneally for 4weeks. Treated group received 50mg/kg/day of tramadol intraperitoneally for 4weeks. All animals were anaesthetized by ether inhalation and perfused by normal saline. The brains were extracted from the skulls. For light microscopy, the brains of 10 animals in each group were processed for paraffin sections and stained by Gallocyanine stain. For electron microscopy, the entorhinal cortex was dissected in 10 brains of each group and processed. Semithin sections were prepared and stained with toluidine blue. Morphometric and statistical studies were performed. ResultsBy light microscopy, the treated groups showed neuronal cells disorganization. Apoptotic cells were detected. In addition, diffuse chromatolysis of nuclear chromatin, absence of nucleoli, multinuclear cells, intercellular edema and a congested blood capillary were noticed. By electron microscopy, the treated groups of both lateral and medial entorhinal areas showed granular and pyramidal apoptotic cells. The morphometric and statistical studies showed significant increase of apoptotic index % in treated group as compared with control group. ConclusionTramadol had degenerative effects on both lateral and medial entorhinal areas. Light as well as electron microscopic examination of entorhinal areas came to prove these effects. Tramadol abuse should be avoided without medical description due to its toxic effects.

Control of Stress-Induced ACTH Secretion by Vasopressin and CRH: Additional Evidence

Vasopressin and CRH have complementary roles in the secretion of ACTH following different stress modalities. The concomitant use of V_1b and CRF₁ receptor antagonists completely inhibits ACTH secretion in response to different stress modalities. The combination of the CRF₁ antagonist SSR125543 with the V_1b antagonist SSR149415 effectively suppressed plasma ACTH 1.30 h after injection in rats stressed by ether vapor inhalation for 1 min, restraint stress for 1 h or forced swimming for 5 min. The duration of the effect was also studied. The CRF₁ antagonist effectively suppressed ACTH secretion in restraint stress, while the V_1b antagonist was effective against ether inhalation. Both antagonists were necessary to block the forced swimming stress response. SSR125543 induced a prolonged effect and can be used in a model of prolonged HPA axis blockade.

Evaluation of Postoperative Anti-nociceptive Efficacy of Intrathecal Dexketoprofen in Rats

Some studies have suggested that the intrathecal use of cyclooxygenase enzyme inhibitors provides an anti-nociceptive effect. Therefore, the occurrence of side effects seen in systemic usage can be eliminated. The primary objective of this experimental, randomized, controlled trial was to test the hypothesis asserting that intrathecal dexketoprofen trometamol would demonstrate an analgesic effect during postoperative period. Animal experimentation. Forty rats were randomized into 4 groups 7 days after intrathecal catheterization; the following drugs were given through catheter lumens: Group Lidocaine (Group L): Lidocaine 20 μg; Group Lidocaine-Morphine (Group LM): Lidocaine 20 μg and morphine 0.5 μgr; Group Lidocaine-Dexketoprofen (Group LD): Lidocaine 20 μg and dexketoprofen trometamol 100 μg; and Group Dexketoprofen (Group D): Dexketoprofen trometamol 100 μg. Paw incision was achieved under ether inhalation. To measure analgesic potential, hot plate and tail immersion tests were used as nociceptive tests during the postoperative period. The mean reaction times detected in groups during hot plate and tail immersion tests were shortest in Group L at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, and 120 minutes after start of surgery (p<0.01, all others). In the groups using dexketoprofen, as in the morphine group, longer reaction times were detected than in the lidocaine group at all measurement times except 120 minutes (p<0.01). Intrathecal dexketoprofen in the optimal perioperative pain management is effective, and can be administered as an adjuvant in clinics after neurotoxicity studies in animals, and effective dose studies in volunteers.

Galantamine bioactivity improvement in rat brain using two novel nanodrug delivery systems as therapy for Alzheimer's disease

Reminyl is one of the most common drugs presently used for treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer. The present study is an attempt to investigate the influence of presenting two innovative nano-engineered drug carriers (Ce/Ca-HAp& CMCS/Ce/Ca-HAp) as carriers for Rem in Alz therapy. A total of 86 adult female albino Wistar rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: Control group (C) of 8 rats given saline; Reminyl group (Rem) of 8 rats treated with Rem; Alzheimer’s group (Alz) of 16 ovariectomized animals inoculated orally with AlCl3 (17mg/Kg b.wt/day) for 2 months after 6 weeks of surgical operation; Alzheimer’s disease-induced rats treated (i.p) with Rem (2.5mg/Kg b.wt/day); Alzheimer’s disease-induced rats treated (i.p) with Rem coated by Ce/Ca-HAp (2.5mg/Kg b.wt/day) and Alzheimer’s disease-induced rats treated (i.p) with Rem coated by CMCS/Ce/Ca-HAp (2.5mg/Kg b.wt/day). After 2 and 4 weeks animals were sacrificed by ether inhalation anesthesia where brains were removed and processed for histological analysis by Hx&E and biochemical analysis for measuring GSH, SOD, CAT and CytoP450reductase levels. Histological and biochemical alterations designated in Rem treated rat brains were ameliorated following the use of Rem coated by Ce/Ca-HAp and not with Rem coated by CMCS/Ce/Ca-HAp. Initiation of new nano drug delivery systems may attribute in delivery of therapeutic drug to the site of action and overcome drawbacks of the drug alone.

Hormone Inhibition During Mini-Puberty and Testicular Function in Male Rats

Background:The mini-pubertal period of almost six hours in neonatal male rats is thought to be an important stage in sexual development.Objectives:The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hormone inhibition during mini-puberty on testicular function in male rats.Materials and Methods:We measured serum testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in male rats at different time points after birth by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and established a “no mini-puberty” model by ether inhalation. The mRNA expression levels of testicular androgen receptor (AR), insulin-like growth factor 3 (INSL3), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), and ghrelin were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays on postnatal days 45 and 75. Testicular tissue biopsies were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) and the structure, number and maturity of testis cells (including spermatogenic, Sertoli, and Leydig cells) were observed under microscopy at the same time.Results:Serum T and LH levels peaked at two hours after birth, while FSH peaked at hour 0, and bilateral testicular weight peaked at four hours after birth. The rats that underwent ether inhalation five minutes after birth had markedly reduced serum hormone levels. The mini-puberty model group revealed visible morphologic alterations in the tests on postnatal day 45. Then, on postnatal day 75, the mRNA expression level of AMH significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the same group.Conclusions:The inhibition of mini-puberty period in male rats was demonstrated to have an effect on their testicular function to some extent.

Crawford Williamson Long: The True Pioneer of Surgical Anesthesia

ABSTRACTAnesthesia and analgesia are as old as mankind itself. However, we now know that the true pioneer of surgical anesthesia through inhalation of ether was Doctor Crawford Williamson Long (1815–1878), who endeavored to help his profession and mankind without pursuing any reward or honor. Crawford Williamson Long was a great and beloved American surgeon. He was a well-educated and elegant man with an outstanding personality. Crawford was born in Danielsville, Georgia, in the United States and was the son of James Long and Elizabeth Ware Long. He married Mary Caroline Swain Long and gave birth to 12 children. Long proved the effectiveness of ether after painlessly removing a tumor from the neck. In 1847, a rivalry broke out among Horace Wells, Charles Thomas Jackson, and William Thomas Green Morton for the primacy as regards the discovery of anesthesia. The US Congress offered itself to arbitrate the case of the so called “ether controversy.” Finally, a few years after the end of the North American Civil War, while taking care of a patient, Crawford passed away, presumably after suffering a stroke.

The Effect of Montelukast on Liver Damage in an Experimental Obstructive Jaundice Model

Background: Montelukast is a cysteinyl-leukotriene type 1 (CysLT₁) selective receptor antagonist. In recent years, investigations have shown that montelukast possesses secondary anti-inflammatory activities and also antioxidant effects. For this reason, we aimed to determine the possible effects of montelukast on liver damage in experimental obstructive jaundice. Methods: 30 Wistar-Albino male rats were randomized and divided into three groups of 10 animals each: group I, sham-operated; group II, ligation and division of the common bile duct (BDL) followed by daily intraperitoneal injection of 1 ml of saline; group III, BDL followed by daily intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg montelukast dissolved in saline. The animals were killed on postoperative day 7 by high-dose diethyl ether inhalation. Blood and liver samples were taken for examination. Results: In this study, liver malondialdehyde (MDA) (p = 0.001), myeloperoxidase (p = 0.003), and total sulfhydryl (SH) (p = 0.009) were found to be significantly different between the BDL + montelukast and the BDL groups. Plasma total SH (p = 0.002) and MDA (p = 0.027) values were also statistically different between these groups. Statistical analyses of histological activity index scores showed that the histopathological damage in the BDL + montelukast group was significantly less than the damage in the control group (p < 0.05 for all pathological parameters). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, montelukast showed a significant hepatoprotective effect in this experimental obstructive jaundice model, which might be due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Louis Ombrédanne (1871–1956), chirurgien pédiatre et plasticien

One of the fathers of pediatric surgery in France, Louis Ombrédanne (1871-1956) was a great plastic surgeon. During his residency he was initiated to plastic surgery by Charles Nélaton (1851-1911). Both wrote two books: "La rhinoplastie" and "Les autoplasties", taking stock of these techniques in the early 20th century. In 1906, he was the first to describe the pectoral muscle flap for immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy. He used this flap in conjunction with an axillo thoracic flap. From 1908 to 1941, Louis Ombrédanne practised pediatric surgery, most of which was devoted in reconstruction of congenital and acquire anomalies. From 1924to1941, he was Professor of pediatric surgery at the hospital Enfants-Malades in Paris. In 1907, Louis Ombrédanne created a prototype of an ether inhaler as a safe anesthetic device. The device was successfully used for fifty years in Europe.

Effects of Polysaccharides from Pulsatilla Decoction on the Microvascular Endothelial Glycocalyx

Pulsatilla decoction is a famous traditional Chinese herbal formula for clearing heat and treating dysentery of animals or human. To elucidate its mechanism, many active components have been studied, however, the roles of its polysaccharides still remain unclear. This study aimed to explore effects of polysaccharides from Pulsatilla decoction (PPD) on the microvascular endothelial glycocalyx (eGC). The polysaccharides were extracted from PPD by water extraction and alcohol precipitation method. Mice were administered with PPD for 4 wk, and were then anesthetized with ether inhalation and were fixed by cardiac perfusion with gradient concentration alcian blue solution. The jejunum was sampled and jejunal mucosa was prepared for ultrathin sections by routine method and was analyzed by transmission electron microscope. The results indicated that the eGC was observed as a strong electron-dense smooth linear margin or nonuniform conglomerates coating cell membranes, and PPD significantly increased its thickness from (21.85±1.87) to (28.71±3.61) nm and improved its integrity. This study suggested that PPD may express their biological activities and protect against pathogenic factor damages by influencing the eGC.

Reawakening anaesthesia research.

Each year, more than 230 million surgical procedures are performed under general anaesthesia worldwide, and most of us will experience going under at some point in our lives. We take that dreamless sleep through an otherwise unbearably painful procedure for granted, yet it is one of the greatest achievements of medicine. “Before October 1846, surgery and pain were synonymous. These gruesome interventions were carried out with requisite haste and inevitable commotion. Absent was the precision and calm that we associate with modern surgery. It consisted of pulling, cutting, sewing, sawing, manipulation of joints, and slicing of skin”, wrote Daniel Robertson and Alexander Toledo in their recent account of the invention of anaesthesia [1]. Although attempts at putting patients to sleep had been reported since ancient times, the dawn of modern anaesthesia is unanimously set on 16 October 1846, when surgeon John Collins Warren removed a tumour from the neck of a local printer with the help of a young Boston dentist, William T.G. Morton, who had discovered that inhaled ether made tooth extraction painless (Fig 1). Figure 1. Anaesthesia inhalation, the old way Allis’ Ether Inhaler: a circular apparatus, slotted to accept a weave of fabric and fitted with an outer covering, is placed over a reclining patient's nose and mouth; ether is being administered from a bottle, a few drops at a time onto the fabric. Allis’ instrument can be considered as a development of the original Morton's inhaler (see main text). Wood engraving, published in Artificial anaesthesia. A manual of anaesthetic agents and their employment in the treatment of disease , by Laurence Turnbull, Blakiston, Philadelphia, 1896. Credit: US National Library of Medicine, History of Medicine Division. But oddly enough, despite the fact that general anaesthesia has been around for some 170 years and that anaesthetics are among the most common drugs administered …

Влияние кальцитонина на репаративную регенерацию костной ткани

Исследование проведено на 60 половозрелых самках крыс линии Vistar в возрасте 6 мес. Всем животным под ингаляционным эфирным наркозом был выполнен дырчатый дефект дистального метаэпифиза бедренной кости. Животные были разделены на 3 группы, по 20 животных в каждой: группа А — животные, которым кальцитонин назначался со 2-х суток после операции; группа В — животные, которым кальцитонин назначался с 5-х суток после операции; группа С — контроль, без назначения препарата. Животным групп А и В подкожно вводился кальцитонин в дозе 10 мкг/кг/сут. Из эксперимента животные выводились на 3-и, 7, 14 и 28-е сутки (по 5 животных в каждой подгруппе) путем передозировки эфира. Взятый материал подвергали гистологическому исследованию. В ходе исследования выяснилось, что лечение кальцитонином животных с травматическим повреждением бедренной кости в метафизарной области на стадии репаративного остеогенеза, охватывающей воспалительный процесс (группа А), неэффективно. Имеет место замедление перестройки отломков материнской кости и снижение репаративного потенциала. Более оптимистический прогноз может быть сделан после введения препарата на стадии пролиферации (группа В), дифференцировки клеток и начала формирования тканевых структур. На 28-е сутки в области травматического повреждения наблюдалась сформированная пластинчатая костная ткань с более высокой плотностью клеточных элементов, чем в группе А и контрольной группе.

3-Methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one or N-acetylcysteine prevents hippocampal mossy fiber sprouting and rectifies subsequent convulsive susceptibility in a rat model of kainic acid-induced seizure ceased by pentobarbital

There is accumulating evidence that reactive oxygen species are involved in the development of seizures under pathological conditions, and antioxidant treatments are a novel therapeutic approach for epilepsy. The kainic acid (KA) model of induced seizures has been widely used to study temporal lobe epilepsy. However, research on the use of free radical scavengers following KA-induced status epilepticus (SE) is limited. We examined whether antioxidants already used in humans could reduce hippocampal neuronal cell loss, mossy fiber sprouting and the acquisition of hyperexcitability when administered as a single dose after SE. The antioxidant 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (edaravone) (30mg/kg) or N-acetylcysteine (NAC) (30mg/kg) was administered after KA-induced SE ceased by pentobarbital. We evaluated neuronal cell viability 1 week after SE, determined the threshold for seizures induced by inhalation of flurothyl ether 12 weeks after SE, and examined the extent of mossy fiber sprouting 12 weeks after SE. We found that edaravone or NAC prevented neuronal cell loss and mossy fiber sprouting, and increased the threshold for seizures induced by flurothyl ether, even when administered after KA-induced SE. These results demonstrate that a single dose of edaravone or NAC can protect against neuronal cell loss and epileptogenesis when administered after SE ceased by pentobarbital.

Sleep characteristics in the quail Coturnix coturnix

As mammals, birds exhibit two sleep phases, slow wave sleep (SWS) and REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep characterized by presenting different electrophysiological patterns of brain activity. During SWS a high amplitude slow wave pattern in brain activity is observed. This activity is substituted by a low amplitude fast frequency pattern during REM sleep. Common quail (Coturnix coturnix) is an animal model that has provided information related to different physiological mechanisms present in man. There are reports related to its electrophysiological brain activity, however the sleep characteristics that have been described are not. The objectives of this study is describing the sleep characteristics throughout the nychthemeral cycle of the common quail and consider this bird species as an avian model to analyze the regulatory mechanisms of sleep. Experiments were carried out in implanted exemplars of C. coturnix. Under general anesthesia induced by ether inhalation, stainless steel electrodes were placed to register brain activity from the anterior and posterior areas during 24 continuous hours throughout the sleep–wake cycle. Ocular and motor activities were visually monitored. Quail showed four electrophysiologically and behaviorally different states of vigilance: wakefulness (53.28%), drowsiness (14.27%), slow wave sleep (30.47%) and REM sleep (1.98%). The animals presented 202 REM sleep episodes throughout the nychthemeral cycle. Sleep distribution was polyphasic; however sleep amount was significantly greater during the period corresponding to the night. The number of nocturnal REM sleep episodes was significantly greater than that of diurnal one. ConclusionThe quail C. coturnix shows a polyphasic distribution of sleep; however the amount of this state of vigilance is significantly greater during the nocturnal period.

Robotic Anesthesia: How is it Going to Change Our Practice?

Robotic Anesthesia: How is it Going to Change Our Practice?

Correspondence by Charles T. Jackson Containing the Earliest Known Illustrations of a Morton Ether Inhaler

A letter, dated December 1, 1846, from Charles T. Jackson, MD, to Josiah D. Whitney contains a previously unreported description of a Morton ether inhaler and the only known contemporaneous hand-drawn illustrations of this type of ether inhaler. This letter and 2 other known letters on ether anesthesia were probably carried from Boston, MA, to Liverpool, United Kingdom, on the same paddle steamer (Acadia) that carried the well-known letter from Jacob Bigelow, MD, to Francis Boott, MD.

Researches Regarding the Morton Ether Inhaler at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston

The Morton ether inhaler in the possession of Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, was traced back to 1906 when the earliest known photograph of it was published. The authors believe that the inhaler was given by William T. G. Morton, MD, to J. Mason Warren, MD, in January 1847. The inhaler was acquired by the Warren Anatomical Museum at an unknown date, loaned to Massachusetts General Hospital in October 1946, and placed on permanent loan to Massachusetts General Hospital in April 1948. Many documents relating to the inhaler have disappeared, and it was only identified in 2009 as the inhaler that probably belonged to J. Mason Warren, MD. The inhaler is not believed to be the one that Morton used on October 16, 1846, at Massachusetts General Hospital. It is the only known example of a Morton ether inhaler with valves (excluding replicas or reproduction inhalers) and is probably of similar design to the inhaler that Morton used on October 16, 1846.