Cardiac activity in walleye (Sander vitreus) during exposure to and recovery from chemical anaesthesia, electroanaesthesia and electrostunning.

Handling and conducting invasive procedures are necessary for aspects of fisheries science, invariably inducing a stress response and imposing energetic demands on fish. Anaesthesia or immobilisation techniques are often used in an attempt to mitigate stress and improve welfare, yet these also come with their own impacts on post-release recovery. Here, the authors investigated whether changes in cardiac activity (heart rates over time, heart rate maxima, and scopes) differed in adult walleye (Sander vitreus) anaesthetised with AQUI-S® 20E (eugenol), electroanaesthetised with a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit or electrostunned with a commercially developed stunning unit. This experiment was divided into two trials. In the first trial, fish were implanted with heart rate loggers and left to recover for c. 4 days. In the second trial, fish were implanted with heart rate loggers, given 3 days to recover and re-exposed to their initial treatments (excluding surgery). Post-treatment cardiac activity was quantified for both trials. Although highly variable across individuals, the authors found no significant differences in heart rate changes over time or recovery times among treatments. Maximum heart rates were consistent among treatment groups, yet significant differences in heart rate scope provided further evidence of strong interindividual variation in the second trial. Based on these results, the authors did not identify any welfare-relevant differences or concerns associated with one treatment over another. Further investigations of the relationships between measures of cardiac function and other physiological stress markers would be beneficial towards identifying best practices for fish handling in fisheries science.

A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF INTRINSIC AND EXTRINSIC FACTORS INFLUENCING INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE IN BROOK TROUT (SALVELINUS FONTINALIS).

Reference intervals of intraocular pressure (IOP) are poorly described in piscine species as the factors that may influence it. Rebound tonometry was used to measure IOP in 28 adult brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) anesthetized in a buffered solution of 60 mg/L tricaine methanesulfonate (n = 16) or restrained with electronarcosis (n = 12) at 16 mA. There was no significant effect of the eye side, sex, fish origin, and body weight, but IOP values were significantly higher with electronarcosis (mean ± SD: 16.4 ± 5.0 mm Hg) than with immersion anesthesia (10.8 ± 3.3 mm Hg; P = 0.0017). The same restraint method should be used for comparison with previously published IOP values or when evaluating individual variations over time.

Electroanaesthesia--from torpedo fish to TENS.

In 153 AD, the Roman physician Scribonius Largus identified that electric current had analgesic properties, instructing patients to stand on an electric ray for the treatment of gout. In 2014, transcranial magnetic stimulation was approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for the treatment of migraine. Although separated by nearly two millennia, these milestones represent the evolution of the utilisation of electric current in medical and anaesthetic practice. Significant advances have been made over the last century in particular, and during the 1960s and 1970s, tens of thousands of patients were reportedly anaesthetised for surgical interventions using electric current as the anaesthetic agent. Many medical interventions, including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and deep brain stimulation, have evolved in the aftermath of investigations into electroanaesthesia; the potential for electric current to be an anaesthetic agent of the future still exists.

[The influence of electrosleep therapy on the dynamics of the parameters of biorhythmic hormonal activity in the children presenting with extrasystolic arrhythmia in the course of the spa and resort-based treatment].

UNLABELLED: Heart rhythm disorders occupy a leading place in the modern structure of cardiovascular diseases in the children. At present, the role of stress-induced reactions in the development of more than a thousand diseases has been proved. Rehabilitation of systemic manifestations of extrasystolic arrhythmia (EA) in the children is only scarcely described in the literature. AIM: The objective of the present work was to improve the effectiveness of the spa and resort-based treatment of the children presenting with extrasystolic arrhythmia taking advantage of the available information about the different biorhythmic activities of the stress-realizing and stress-limiting systems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 60 children presenting with EA, who received a standard combination of spa and resort-based therapeutic modalities in conjunction with electro-sleep therapy. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The study revealed desynchronization of the endocrine functions in the children with EA that manifests itself as the increased secretion of cortisol and adrenaline, suppressed melatonin and ACTH production, mismatched daytime and nocturnal hormonal levels. The daily bio-rhythmic profile influenced the formation of circadian-type extra systola in the children. The most unfavorable clinical and electrocardiographic patterns were observed in the children with the mixed and night-type arrhythmia. The complex of rehabilitation measures practiced at the Evpatoriya health resort including electro-sleep therapy made it possible to balance the activities of the stress-limiting and stress-implementing systems of the body in the form of normalization of the altered levels of adaptive hormones, ordering of biorhythmical hormonal relationships, and reduction of the number of extrasystoles. The most pronounced effect of the treatment was observed in the group of children with a rare and day-type of arrhythmia to whom electrosleep was prescribed. It is concluded that the significant decrease in the frequency of night-type and mixed-type extrasystoles under effect of electro-sleeptherapy allows to recommend the treatment modality being considered for the correction of this type of heart rhythm disorders.

Effect of tricainemethanesulfonate (MS222), clove oil and electro-anaesthesia on respiratory burst activity in whole blood and serum alternative complement response in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), during the narcosis stage.

There is a little available information on the suppressive effect of anaesthesia on immune response in fish, especially electro-anaesthesia. In the present study, two anaesthetics, MS222 (50 ppm), clove oil (25 ppm), and electro-anaesthesia were tested in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) during the narcosis stage in order to observe their effects on the innate immune system. The results showed that electro-anaesthesia reduces light emission in chemiluminescence assay both 1 and 24 h post anaesthesia. Clove oil and MS222 decreased light emission 24 h post anaesthesia. In addition, clove oil, MS222 and electro-anaesthesia had no effect on alternative complement (ACH50) response. From the perspective of aquaculture practice, these data show that the type of anaesthesia should be taken into account to avoid possible immunosuppression in rainbow trout.

[Anesthesiological support of operative interventions in the injured persons, suffering a cold trauma].

Basing on analysis of the treatment results in 74 injured persons with a cold trauma there was proved, that during operative interventions performance a total intravenous anesthesy and a spinal cord anesthesy are used most frequently. Inhalation anesthesy and conducting methods of anesthesy ought to be used more frequently, because a total intravenous anesthesy is a lesser guided one and a spinal cord anesthesy may cause a severe hypotension in the injured persons.

[The combined rehabilitative treatment of the children with obesity and metabolic syndrome].

The present study included a total of 66 children at the age from 11 to 16 years with obesity and metabolic syndrome. The latter condition in the childhood and adolescence is characterized by the pronounced disturbances of basal metabolism, vasoactive systems, psychoemotional status, and regulatory hormonal functions that determine the choice of rehabilitative modalities. The combined treatment of such disturbances is considered to be an efficacious method for the rehabilitation of these patients. It is recommended that cortexin be prescribed to the children presenting with obesity and metabolic syndrome because this medication promotes correction of the hormonal and metabolic status and improves the brain cognitive function.

The use of Eugenol and electro-narcosis as anaesthetics: transcriptional impacts on the European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.).

Ecotoxicological studies aim to assess the potential environmental risks of various products. This implies the use of various biological models and tests on live animals. In case of handling fish and mammals, ethical rules have to be respected. The use of anaesthesia is considered to be the best way to ensure animal welfare. Eugenol and electro-narcosis are among the most popular chemical and physical anaesthetics used in fisheries and by field biologists. In this study, the genetic and endocrine impacts of these anaesthetics were assessed in order to establish whether the use of such methods could skew the results of ecotoxicological studies. Twenty yellow European eels (Anguilla anguilla) were submitted to Eugenol (50mg/L) and electro-narcosis until they reached a level of deep anaesthesia, while 20 other eels were kept aware. Five anaesthetized and five unanaesthetized eels were sacrificed and analysed directly after treatment and after 1, 7 and 21 days of recovery. At the brain level, Eugenol triggered an increase in the transcription level of genes encoding proteins involved in oxidative stress responses (catalase expression 2.5-fold, mitochondrial superoxide dismutase expression 3-fold), probably due to a hypoxic event during anaesthesia. Later impacts were detected in muscles 21 days after anaesthesia (ATP synthase subunit 6 3-fold, NADH deshydrogenase subunit 5 4-fold and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase 3-fold increased) revealing oxidative stress from an accrued mitochondrial respiratory metabolism. Hormone dosages showed that the use of Eugenol reduced the release of plasma cortisol during anaesthesia. However, this impact seemed to be reversible within one day. In case of electro-narcosis, no significant variation in transcriptional levels could be detected between anaesthetized and unanaesthetized eels. Our results suggest that the use of Eugenol as an aesthetic in ecotoxicological studies measuring gene expression or plasma cortisol concentration is not appropriate, while electro-narcosis does not seem to have any impact, at least on the parameters taken into consideration in this study.

Effect of electrical stunning current and frequency on meat quality, plasma parameters, and glycolytic potential in broilers.

This study was designed to determine the effect of electrical stunning variables (low currents and high frequencies) on meat quality, glycolytic potential, and blood parameters in broilers. A total of 54 broilers were stunned with 9 electrical stunning methods for 18 s using sinusoidal alternating currents combining 3 current levels (35 V, 47 mA; 50 V, 67 mA; and 65 V, 86 mA) with 3 frequencies (160, 400, and 1,000 Hz). Samples for meat quality were obtained from the pectoralis major (PM) and musculus iliofibularis (MI), and samples for glycogen metabolism were taken from the PM and tibialis anterior muscle at 45 min postmortem. The use of high frequency reduced the shear value in PM (400 and 1,000 Hz vs. 160 Hz; P < 0.01) and cooking loss in MI (1,000 Hz vs. 160 and 400 Hz; P < 0.01). The shear value of PM decreased at high frequency (400 and 1,000 Hz) when current was high (50 V, 67 mA and 65 V, 86 mA; P < 0.01) but increased at high frequency (1,000 Hz) when current was low (35 V, 47 mA). Stunning with 1,000 Hz (vs. 160 Hz) caused low glycogen and glycolytic potential in PM (P < 0.05). Plasma corticosterone decreased (P < 0.05) at high currents (≥50 V, 67 mA) but was not affected by changes in frequency. Electrical current interacted with frequency in plasma glucose, redness 24 h postmortem, shear value (PM), pH 24 h postmortem (MI), and glycolytic potential (tibialis anterior; P < 0.05). This study indicated that high stunning frequencies (400 and 1,000 Hz) may improve meat quality without aggregating stress when the current was not too low (>50 V, 67 mA).

Comparison of blood variables, fiber intensity, and muscle metabolites in hot-boned muscles from electrical- and gas-stunned broilers.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of gas stunning (GS) and electrical stunning (ES) on energy metabolism in Arbor Acres broilers. Thirty-six birds were slaughtered without stunning (control) or after stunning with the following treatments: 40% CO(2) + 21% O(2) + N(2) (G40%); 60% CO(2) + 21% O(2) + N(2) (G60%); 35 V, 47 mA, 400 Hz (E35V); 50 V, 67 mA, 160 Hz (E50V); and 65 V, 86 mA, 1,000 Hz (E65V). Muscle samples were obtained from the pectoralis major (breast) and tibialis anterior (leg) muscles in ambient temperature within 45 min postmortem and stored at -80°C. Blood pH decreased consistently with GS (G40% and G60%) compared with ES and the control (P < 0.01). No consistent differences were observed between GS and ES in the plasma variables, glycolytic potential, adenosine phosphates, or fiber intensities. Plasma lactate increased with G40% and E35V (P < 0.05), whereas plasma uric acid and urea nitrogen increased with E35V (P < 0.05) compared with the control. Compared with the control, the intensity of type IIB fibers decreased in broilers stunned with E35V and E50V (P < 0.05) and glycolytic potential increased (P < 0.01) with G60% in the breast muscle and decreased (P < 0.01) in the leg muscle with all the stunning treatments except for E50V. Energy decreased (lower adenosine triphosphate, higher adenosine monophosphate, and adenosine monophosphate:adenosine triphosphate ratio, P < 0.05) in breast muscle with G40% compared with ES at high currents (E50V and E65V). However, the adenosine phosphates with GS were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from ES at low current (E35V) in either breast or leg muscle. In conclusion, no essential difference in energy metabolism was found in broilers stunned with ES and GS when ES was based on low current and high frequency and GS was based on hypercapnic moderate oxygenation. This study indicated that G40% was potentially a superior stunning variable.

Comparison of lipid oxidation, messenger ribonucleic acid levels of avian uncoupling protein, avian adenine nucleotide translocator, and avian peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α in skeletal muscles from electrical- and gas-stunned broilers.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of stunning methods [electrical stunning (ES) vs. gas stunning (GS)] on lipid oxidation in broiler meat and to investigate possible mechanisms of lipid oxidation by measuring plasma variables, muscle reactive oxygen species (ROS), and TBA reactive substance (TBARS) concentrations, muscle fiber ratios, and mRNA levels of avian uncoupling protein (avUCP), avian adenine nucleotide translocator, and avian peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (avPGC-1α). Arbor Acres broilers (n = 36) were not stunned (control) or were exposed to the following stunning treatments: 40% CO(2) + 21% O(2) + N(2); 60% CO(2) + 21% O(2) + N(2); 35 V, 47 mA, 400 Hz; 50 V, 67 mA, 160 Hz; and 65 V, 86 mA, 1,000 Hz. The ROS level in tibialis anterior (TA; P < 0.05) and the TBARS concentration in pectoralis major (PM; P < 0.01) were decreased in the GS groups compared with the ES groups at 45 min postmortem. However, the TBARS concentrations at 24 h postmortem in the PM and TA groups were not affected by stunning method (ES or GS). Compared with ES, GS caused greater expression of avUCP mRNA (1.47-fold in PM, and 2.41-fold in TA) and avPGC-1α mRNA (1.42-fold in PM, and 2.08-fold in TA). In conclusion, the upregulation of avUCP and avPGC-1α reduced ROS accumulation and lipid oxidation at 45 min postmortem in the skeletal muscles of broilers stunned with hypercapnic moderate oxygenation GS. However, these changes were not sufficient to cause a difference in meat lipid oxidation at 24 h postmortem between broilers stunned with hypercapnic moderate oxygenation GS and those stunned with low-current, high-frequency ES.

A study of preslaughter pig handling and stunning in selected South African Highveld Region abattoirs.

The study hypothesis was that pre-slaughter handling is not conducted in such a way that pigs can be considered humanely slaughtered, nor is it conducive to promoting those properties of fresh meat that could enhance pork quality. The 1st phase of the investigation was aimed at confirming the present compliance level within the prescribed norms. To this end the importance of stunning induction requirements for effective electrical stunning, the welfare implications relating to the pre-slaughter handling of pigs and the stunning and sticking techniques were investigated. Pre-slaughter welfare of the pigs at the abattoir was found to be influenced at the outset by the origin and type of pig slaughtered, the daily throughput range of pigs and the type of abattoir involved. A disappointing pre-arrival aspect was that deficiencies in road motor vehicles were observed while off-loading pigs. Through poor design or lack of maintenance, another factor that hampered free movement of pigs was the off-loading facilities. The nature of animal behaviour in the pens, in the passages and when going into the stunning area was directly related to the pig handling efficiency and to the nature and extent of design and maintenance problems with equipment. None of the abattoirs had a well designed in-feed to a well planned stunning area/facility, and a very high level of pig pre-slaughter stress prevailed. The optimum position of the electrodes is virtually impossible to attain under practical conditions and the practice of repeat application of electrical stunning is common. Of the total sample size (n = 1175), 34% were difficult to shackle, 90% of these being from the abattoirs tending to slaughter more routinely a wide range of different sized pigs. In this survey 149 pigs (13%) required more than a single sticking attempt to bleed out properly, considerably higher than in other published reports.

[Non-medication treatment of patients with chronic cystitis].

Combined application of ultrasound, modulated sinusoidal currents (MSC), and iodine-bromine baths is known to be a highly efficacious method for the rehabilitative treatment of patients with chronic cystitis in the phase of latent inflammation. The present study has demonstrated that combination of ultrasound with electrotherapeutic sleep and iodine-bromine baths exerts pronounced anti-inflammatory effect and bacteriostatic action whereas modulated sinusoidal currents combined with electrotherapeutic sleep and iodine-bromine baths significantly improve urodynamics in the lower urinary tract and produce marked anesthetic effect. Evaluation of the immediate and long-term results of the treatment of 16 patients presenting with chronic cystitis revealed the absence of exacerbation of infectious and inflammatory processes in the bladder within 6 months after physiotherapy

Surgery in the rat during electrical analgesia induced by focal brain stimulation.

Chronic monopolar electrodes were implanted in the region of the midbrain central gray in eight rats. In three rats, continuous 60 cycle-per-second sine-wave stimulation resulted in an electrical analgesia defined by the elimination of responses to aversive stimulation while general motor responsiveness was retained. Exploratory laparotomy was carried out in these animals during continuous brain stimulation without the use of chemical anesthetics. Following surgery, brain stimulation was terminated, and responses to aversive stimuli returned. Electrodes effective in inducing electrical analgesia at the lowest currents were located at the dorsolateral perimeter of the midbrain central gray. It was concluded that focal brain stimulation in this region can induce analgesia in the absence of diffusely applied "whole brain" stimulation.

Elevated beta-endorphin in cerebrospinal fluid after electrical brain stimulation: artifact of contrast infusion?

Beta-Endorphin-like immunoreactivity in cerebrospinal fluid was assayed in 11 patients receiving electrical stimulation of the brain for chronic pain. Immunoreactivity increased dramatically after contrast ventriculography prior to stimulation. No further elevations were observed after stimulation. The magnitude and time course of elevations were identical after placement of electrodes either in the thalamus or in the periventricular gray matter. These results suggest that previous findings of stimulation-induced elevation of beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity in cerebrospinal fluid are attributable to an artifact of contrast ventriculography.

[New perspectives in treatment of bounded forms of psoriasis].

29 patients with bounded forms of psoriasis (18-52 years old 19 men and 10 women since several months to 15 years suffering from the named illness) once in the morning were treated with Daivobet (ointment for external application). By the 10-14th day after treatment full regress of skin fine eruptions and significant reduction of large nidus and intensity of peeling were observed in 20 patients. PASI index decreased by 60%, that allow use Daivonex ointment (1-2-times a day. For strengthening the effect duration of treatment was about 4-6 weeks. 19 patients continued 21-day treatment with Daivobet after decreasing of PASI index by more than 60% of initial level. In case of neurotic complaints, patients additionally underwent sessions of electronarcosis therapy. The course of medicinal electro narcosis consisted of 5-11 sessions with the frequency of procedures about 2-3-times a week. After this kind of therapy, 60% of patients had remission exceeded 4-6 months in comparison with the data recorded earlier in out-patients department cards. Thus, our observations confirm effectiveness of offered algorithm of psoriasis external therapy by means of Daivobet and Daivonex in combination with electronarcosis.

Physicochemical and biochemical parameters of chicken breast meat influenced by stunning methods.

The influence of stunning methods on the physicochemical and biochemical parameters of chicken breast meat, as indicators of bird stress, was investigated. A total of 200 Cobb broiler chickens aged from 42 to 48 d were submitted to gas or electrical stunning and slaughtered according to the standard industry practice. Pectoralis major muscles (24 h post-mortem) from broilers stunned by electronarcosis exhibited a higher L* and R-value and lower pH45min than did those from gas stunning, indicating modification of the glycolytic rate. Protease activity, measured as the myofibril fragmentation index, and the sarcoplasmic Ca2+ concentration were highest in samples from broilers stunned by electronarcosis, suggesting the greatest activity of the calpain system. In the fatty acid profile, a higher ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids was observed in samples from broilers stunned by electronarcosis. These characteristics are related to phospholipase A2 activity, which is higher in animal stress conditions. These results indicated that the gas-stunning method produced less bird stress than electrical stunning.

Radiofrequency ablation of primary and metastatic lung tumors: preliminary experience with a single center device.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the feasibility and short-term results for percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of primary and secondary lung tumors. METHODS: Between May 2003 and July 2004, 15 patients (mean age, 64.9 years; range, 51-80 years) with 18 pulmonary lesions (9 primitive non-small cell lung cancers and 9 metastases) underwent the ablation procedure. All the patients had absolute contraindications to the surgery. The procedure was performed under computed tomography (CT) guidance with anesthesiologic assistance using a coaxial Le Veen needle electrode. The results were evaluated by postprocedural CT scan, and then by clinical and laboratory examination and CT scan 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the treatment. RESULTS: A complete ablation was obtained for 16 of 18 lesions (88.9%), and a partial ablation was achieved for the remaining 2 lesions (central tumors). In terms of complications, there were five cases of pneumothorax (2 resolved spontaneously and 3 were drained through a coaxial needle), four middle pleural reactions, and one hemothorax that required draining surgically. Follow-up evaluation was performed for 16 of 18 lesions. Stability was observed in one of two central tumors that received partial ablation. The remaining 15 tumors that received a complete ablation were followed up for a mean of 5 months (range, 1-12 months). All 15 lesions appeared to be hypodense at the CT examination. Dimension reduction with progressive fibrotic scar formation was observed in seven of seven lesions during a follow-up period of 6 months or more. A recurrence at the site of the treatment for two of three lesions was observed during a 12-month follow-up period. One of these received a second radiofrequency ablation. Five patients experienced systemic disease progression. In four of these five patients, this progression was not associated with recurrence at the site of the treatment. CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency ablation seems to be possible for "nonsurgical" patients with primary and secondary lung tumors. Good results in terms of local tumor control were observed during short-term follow-up evaluation.

Improvement of postoperative analgesia during cancer surgery with Limoge's current: a personal experience.

BACKGROUND: The anesthesiologist took advantage of a personal experience to determine whether transcutaneous cranial electrical stimulation using Limoge's current (TCES-LC) improved the level of postoperative analgesia by potentiating anesthetic agents used during the intra- and postoperative phases. Included were analgesics injected through an epidural thoracic catheter (T8-T9) positioned at the end of an esophagectomy. Another reason for a self-experimentation was to be able to evaluate the psycholeptic effects of TCES-LC to gain a better understanding of the problems linked with pain during treatment. METHODS: The Limoge' current is bidirectional and consists of a high-frequency biphasic asymmetrical wave composed of modulated, high-frequency (166-kHz) pulse trains with a repetition cycle of 100 Hz. TCES-LC was initiated 2 hours before anesthetic induction without any tranquilizer or other medication. TCES-LC was continuously applied during the entire surgical procedure and continued 48 hours postoperatively in the intensive care unit (ICU). As the objective was not to obtain electrical anesthesia, the usual anesthetic protocol was used during surgery. RESULTS: During the initial 48 postoperative hours with continuous application of TCES-LC (D0-D1), a decrease of the epidural anesthetic dose requirement was observed for ropivacaine, and sufentanil (-25% and -60% respectively). A similar decrease in these medications was also measured on day 2 (D2), while TCESLC was terminated. This decrease was amplified day 3 (D3) for both ropivacaine and sufentanil (-50% and -73% respectively). On day 4 (D4) the epidural anesthetics were totally suppressed (1 day before the normal conventional schedule planned for by the ICU physician with this type surgery). CONCLUSION: Future clinical trials need to be conducted to show the significant advantages of TCES-LC in alternative and complementary medicine.