Complete pacemaker failure following lightning strike injury: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Modern cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have mechanisms that prevent damage from external electric shocks, and malfunction following accidental electrocution is rare. However, the effects of lightning injuries in patients with CIEDs are uncertain. CASE PRESENTATION: A 74-year-old man with a dual-chamber pacemaker due to complete heart block was struck by a lightning while farming. He had no serious injury at the time and sought medical evaluation 1 month later, when he presented with asymptomatic bradycardia. Device interrogation suggested major battery and lead damage, requiring extraction and subsequent placement of a new pacing system. DISCUSSION: While a previous report depicted pacing threshold elevation without extensive device impairment, our patient presented with major damage to the whole pacing system. The factors contributing to these divergent outcomes are unclear. Differences in injury mechanism, pacemaker model, and the pattern of electric current dispersion within the device may each play a part in this discrepancy.

Contextual fear conditioning in zebrafish: Influence of different shock frequencies, context, and pharmacological modulation on behavior.

Contextual fear conditioning is a protocol used to assess associative learning across species, including fish. Here, our goal was to expand the analysis of behavioral parameters that may reflect aversive behaviors in a contextual fear conditioning protocol using adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) and to verify how such parameters can be modulated. First, we analyzed the influence of an aversive stimulus (3 mild electric shocks for 5 s each at frequencies of 10, 100 or 1000 Hz) on fish behavior, and their ability to elicit fear responses in the absence of shock during a test session. To confirm whether the aversive responses are context-dependent, behaviors were also measured in a different experimental environment in a test session. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of dizocilpine (MK-801, 2 mg/kg, i.p.) on fear-related responses. Zebrafish showed significant changes in baseline activity immediately after shock exposure in the training session, in which 100 Hz induced robust contextual fear responses during the test session. Importantly, when introduced to a different environment, animals exposed to the aversive stimulus did not show any differences in locomotion and immobility-related parameters. MK-801 administered after the training session reduced fear responses during the test, indicating that glutamate NMDA-receptors play a key role in the consolidation of contextual fear-related memory in zebrafish. In conclusion, by further exploring fear-related behaviors in a contextual fear conditioning task, we show the effects of different shock frequencies and confirm the importance of context on aversive responses for associative learning in zebrafish. Additionally, our data support the use of zebrafish in contextual fear conditioning tasks, as well as for advancing pharmacological studies related to associative learning in translational neurobehavioral research.

Bilateral maculopathy and cataracts secondary to an accidental high-voltage electrical discharge.

The aim of the study was to describe the ocular findings following an accidental high-voltage electrical discharge. A 32-year-old male suffered an accidental electric discharge of 10,000 volts of direct current. He developed cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular opacities in both the eyes. The retinal examination showed bilateral macular cysts. Four months after the event, the macular cyst in the OD spontaneously regressed without visual improvement. The macular cyst in the OS remained unchanged. High-voltage electrical discharge can lead to bilateral maculopathy and cataracts. The visual prognosis is reserved. The visual acuity may not improve despite macular cyst regression.

Fatty acid profile of frozen fillets of cobia (Rachycentron canadum) stunned by electronarcosis / Insensibilização do bijupirá (Rachycentron canadum) por eletronarcose: efeitos sobre o perfil de ácidos graxos em filés congelados

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of desensitisation by electronarcosis on the changes to the fatty acid profile of cobia (Rachycentron canadum) fillets stored at low sub-zero temperature. For stunning, 50, 100 and 150 V were used for 120 s and then exsanguination was performed, followed by storage at –18 °C for 180 days. A total of 47 fatty acids were detected in cobia fillet samples, and most of the quantified fatty acids differed (p < 0.05) between treatments and storage times. The n6/n3 ratio did not differ (p > 0.05) among treatments; however, the n6/n3 ratio and Σhypocholesterolaemic fatty acids/Ʃhypercholesterolaemic fatty acids ratio were significantly affected by the storage times and their outcomes. In general, the electronarcosis intensities used to numb cobia did not promote differences during the frozen storage of the fillets for most of the analysed variables but a significant effect of the storage time was noted within the treatments, with meat quality loss observed over time.(AU)

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o efeito da insensibilização por eletronarcose em bijupirás (Rachycentron canadum) sobre o perfil de ácidos graxos em filés armazenados em congelamento. Foram utilizadas as voltagens de 50, 100 e 150 volts por 120 segundos, e após a insensibilização foi realizada a sangria e o armazenamento a -18 °C durante 180 dias. Foram analisados 47 ácidos graxos em amostras de filé do bijupirá. Ocorreram diferenças significativas (p<0,05) entre os tratamentos para os ácidos graxos e foram observadas diferenças no tempo de estocagem para a maioria dos ácidos graxos quantificados. A relação n6/n3 não apresentou diferença (p>0,05) entre os tratamentos, no entanto para os tempos de estocagem e seus desdobramentos foram observadas diferenças significativas. Para a razão H/H (Ʃ ácidos graxos hipocolesterolêmicos/Ʃ ácidos graxos hipercolesterolêmicos), ocorreram variações, mas não foram observadas diferenças (p>0,05), mas sim entre os tempos de estocagem e seus desdobramentos. De maneira geral, as intensidades de choque elétrico utilizadas para insensibilização do bijupirá não promoveram diferenças durante a estocagem congelada dos filés, na maioria das variáveis analisadas, no entanto, a avaliação do tempo de estocagem dentro dos tratamentos utilizados foi significativa, notando-se perda de qualidade da carne com o passar do tempo.(AU)

Fatty acid profile of frozen fillets of cobia (Rachycentron canadum) stunned by electronarcosis / Insensibilização do bijupirá (Rachycentron canadum) por eletronarcose: efeitos sobre o perfil de ácidos graxos em filés congelados

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of desensitisation by electronarcosis on the changes to the fatty acid profile of cobia (Rachycentron canadum) fillets stored at low sub-zero temperature. For stunning, 50, 100 and 150 V were used for 120 s and then exsanguination was performed, followed by storage at –18 °C for 180 days. A total of 47 fatty acids were detected in cobia fillet samples, and most of the quantified fatty acids differed (p 0.05) among treatments; however, the n6/n3 ratio and Σhypocholesterolaemic fatty acids/Ʃhypercholesterolaemic fatty acids ratio were significantly affected by the storage times and their outcomes. In general, the electronarcosis intensities used to numb cobia did not promote differences during the frozen storage of the fillets for most of the analysed variables but a significant effect of the storage time was noted within the treatments, with meat quality loss observed over time.

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o efeito da insensibilização por eletronarcose em bijupirás (Rachycentron canadum) sobre o perfil de ácidos graxos em filés armazenados em congelamento. Foram utilizadas as voltagens de 50, 100 e 150 volts por 120 segundos, e após a insensibilização foi realizada a sangria e o armazenamento a -18 °C durante 180 dias. Foram analisados 47 ácidos graxos em amostras de filé do bijupirá. Ocorreram diferenças significativas (p0,05) entre os tratamentos, no entanto para os tempos de estocagem e seus desdobramentos foram observadas diferenças significativas. Para a razão H/H (Ʃ ácidos graxos hipocolesterolêmicos/Ʃ ácidos graxos hipercolesterolêmicos), ocorreram variações, mas não foram observadas diferenças (p>0,05), mas sim entre os tempos de estocagem e seus desdobramentos. De maneira geral, as intensidades de choque elétrico utilizadas para insensibilização do bijupirá não promoveram diferenças durante a estocagem congelada dos filés, na maioria das variáveis analisadas, no entanto, a avaliação do tempo de estocagem dentro dos tratamentos utilizados foi significativa, notando-se perda de qualidade da carne com o passar do tempo.

Trauma elétrico em gato filhote: um relato de caso / Electric trauma in a juvenile cat: a case report / Traumatismo eléctrica en gatito joven: presentación de un caso

Un gato, SRD, con unos 60 días de vida se ha visto en la Clínica de pequenos animales Hospital Veterinario de la Universidad de Alfenas con la historia de descarga eléctrica después de haber mordido a un cable de alimentación de una computadora. En la exploración clínica, el animal tenía lesión ulcerada que implica el plano nasal y trufas y se extiende hasta los labios, la lengua y el paladar. El paciente recibió analgesia y recibió tratamiento tópico con papaína gel 5%. El tratamiento duró 130 días, el progreso de la curación fue satisfactorio, sin enfermedad respiratoria por lá exposición constante secundaria de la cavidad nasal.(AU)

A feline, with no breed, around 60 days of life and weighing 0,7kg was attended at the Small Animal Clinic of the Veterinary Hospital at the University of Alfenas with history of electric shock after bite an electric wire three days before the consult. In the physical exam the animal presented a sore wound that inciuded the nasal plan and the nasal truffle, extending to the lips, tongue and palate. At the first consult the animal received analgesics and was chosen a treatment with homeopathy and Papain gel 5%. The treatment last for 130 days and the cicatricial progress was satisfactory. There was no respiratory disease or a decrease of the animal's welfare.(AU)

Uma gata, SRD, com cerca de 60 dias de vida foi atendida na Clínica de pequenos animais do Hospital Veterinário da Universidade de Alfenas com histórico de choque elétrico após ter mordido um fio de alimentação de um computador. Ao exame clínico o animal apresentava lesão ulcerada envolvendo o plano nasal e trufas e estendendo se aos lábios, língua e palato. O paciente recebeu analgesia e recebeu tratamento tópico com papaína. O tratamento durou 130 dias e o progresso cicatricial foi satisfatório, não havendo doença respiratória secundária a exposição constante da cavidade nasal.(AU)

Trauma elétrico em gato filhote: um relato de caso / Electric trauma in a juvenile cat: a case report / Traumatismo eléctrica en gatito joven: presentación de un caso

Un gato, SRD, con unos 60 días de vida se ha visto en la Clínica de pequenos animales Hospital Veterinario de la Universidad de Alfenas con la historia de descarga eléctrica después de haber mordido a un cable de alimentación de una computadora. En la exploración clínica, el animal tenía lesión ulcerada que implica el plano nasal y trufas y se extiende hasta los labios, la lengua y el paladar. El paciente recibió analgesia y recibió tratamiento tópico con papaína gel 5%. El tratamiento duró 130 días, el progreso de la curación fue satisfactorio, sin enfermedad respiratoria por lá exposición constante secundaria de la cavidad nasal.

A feline, with no breed, around 60 days of life and weighing 0,7kg was attended at the Small Animal Clinic of the Veterinary Hospital at the University of Alfenas with history of electric shock after bite an electric wire three days before the consult. In the physical exam the animal presented a sore wound that inciuded the nasal plan and the nasal truffle, extending to the lips, tongue and palate. At the first consult the animal received analgesics and was chosen a treatment with homeopathy and Papain gel 5%. The treatment last for 130 days and the cicatricial progress was satisfactory. There was no respiratory disease or a decrease of the animal's welfare.

Uma gata, SRD, com cerca de 60 dias de vida foi atendida na Clínica de pequenos animais do Hospital Veterinário da Universidade de Alfenas com histórico de choque elétrico após ter mordido um fio de alimentação de um computador. Ao exame clínico o animal apresentava lesão ulcerada envolvendo o plano nasal e trufas e estendendo se aos lábios, língua e palato. O paciente recebeu analgesia e recebeu tratamento tópico com papaína. O tratamento durou 130 dias e o progresso cicatricial foi satisfatório, não havendo doença respiratória secundária a exposição constante da cavidade nasal.

A forced running wheel system with a microcontroller that provides high-intensity exercise training in an animal ischemic stroke model

We developed a forced non-electric-shock running wheel (FNESRW) system that provides rats with high-intensity exercise training using automatic exercise training patterns that are controlled by a microcontroller. The proposed system successfully makes a breakthrough in the traditional motorized running wheel to allow rats to perform high-intensity training and to enable comparisons with the treadmill at the same exercise intensity without any electric shock. A polyvinyl chloride runway with a rough rubber surface was coated on the periphery of the wheel so as to permit automatic acceleration training, and which allowed the rats to run consistently at high speeds (30 m/min for 1 h). An animal ischemic stroke model was used to validate the proposed system. FNESRW, treadmill, control, and sham groups were studied. The FNESRW and treadmill groups underwent 3 weeks of endurance running training. After 3 weeks, the experiments of middle cerebral artery occlusion, the modified neurological severity score (mNSS), an inclined plane test, and triphenyltetrazolium chloride were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed platform. The proposed platform showed that enhancement of motor function, mNSS, and infarct volumes was significantly stronger in the FNESRW group than the control group (P<0.05) and similar to the treadmill group. The experimental data demonstrated that the proposed platform can be applied to test the benefit of exercise-preconditioning-induced neuroprotection using the animal stroke model. Additional advantages of the FNESRW system include stand-alone capability, independence of subjective human adjustment, and ease of use.

Ritmo nodal secundario a descarga eléctrica de alto voltaje: Report of one case / Transient high frequency nodal rhythm after a high voltage electric shock

Electrical shock can cause a direct myocardial damage and different types of arrhythmias, which are uncommon and occur more often when there is a high voltage exposure. We report a 19-year-old male that received a high voltage shock, falling thereafter from an altitude of four meters. On admission to the emergency room, he had second and third degree burns in the right hand and the left thigh. The electrocardiogram showed a nodal rhythm of 72 beats per minute. After four hours of monitoring, sinus rhythm returned spontaneously.

Análise de pacientes internados por queimadura elétrica / Analysis of patients admitted for electrical burns

Introdução: Quando se comparam os dados referentes à gravidade, como uso de parâmetros como grau de incapacidade permanente das vítimas sobreviventes, enfatiza-se ainda mais a gravidade dos acidentes por energia elétrica. As vítimas costumam ser adultos jovens, do sexo masculino, em ambiente de trabalho. Do ponto de vista econômico, os acidentes causados por energia elétrica são de alto custo, pois costumam incidir sobre adultos jovens e tecnicamente diferenciados. O objetivo desse estudo é analisar os casos de acidentes ocupacionais decorrentes de queimadura elétrica em nosso serviço, com o intuito de conscientização, e alertar instituições governamentais e não-governamentais quanto à importância de sua prevenção. Método: Estudo retrospectivo transversal das internações dos anos de 2009 e 2010, a partir da coleta de dados em banco de dados do Centro de Tratamento de Queimados do Hospital Municipal Souza Aguiar, sendo analisados os seguintes dados: sexo, idade, local de ocorrência, porcentagem da superfície corporal queimada (SCQ), época do ano e taxa de mortalidade. Resultados: Foram acometidos 26 pacientes por queimadura elétrica, sendo todos do sexo masculino, com idade média de 29,5 anos. O acidente de trabalho foi o mais importante representando 38,46%, seguido de via pública (23,07%) e domiciliar (15,38%). A porcentagem do SCQ média: 0-9% (11,53%), 10-19% (34,61%), 20-29% (30,76%), 30-39% (30,76%) e 40-49% (3,84%). A taxa de óbito foi de 7,69%. Conclusão: Aconselha-se não fazer economia quanto aos gastos com prevenção e investir na pesquisa de novos métodos de tratamento capazes de diminuir o período de inatividade e o grau de incapacidade do trabalhador.

Introduction: When comparing the data on gravity, through parameters such as the degree of permanent disability of the surviving victims, it is emphasized further by the severity of electrical accidents. The victims are usually young adult males in the workplace. From an economic standpoint, accidents caused by electricity are expensive, because young adults tend to focus on differentiated and technically. The purpose of this study is to analyze the cases of occupational accidents due to electrical burn in our service, in order to raise awareness and alert governmental and non-governmental organizations on the importance of prevention. Methods: Cross-sectional retrospective study of admissions for the years 2009 and 2010, from the collection of data in the database of the Burn Treatment Center of the Hospital Municipal Souza Aguiar, and analyzed the following data: sex, age, place of occurrence, percentage of burned surface área (BSA), time of year and the mortality rate. Results: Twenty-six patients were affected by electrical burn, being all male, mean age 29.5 years. The accident was the most important work representing 38.46%, followed by road (23.07%) and home (15.38%). The average percentage of the BSA: 0-9% (11.53%), 10-19% (34.61%), 20-29% (30.76%), 30-39% (30.76%) and 40-49% (3.84%). The death rate was 7.69%. Conclusion: It is advisable not to make the economy and spending on prevention and investing in research of new treatment methods can reduce the period of inactivity and the degree of disability of the worker.