Seizures and Epilepsy: An Overview for UK Medical Students.

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder impacting millions globally, marked by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. This review article, tailored for UK medical students, provides a broad clinical overview of epilepsy, focusing on its pathophysiology, classification, and management strategies. The article clarifies the distinction between epilepsy and seizures and delves into key areas, including risk factors, clinical features, and differential diagnosis. The discussion extends to diagnostic methods, underscoring the importance of conducting a thorough evaluation in diagnosing and managing epilepsy effectively. Data were drawn from the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, World Health Organization (WHO) reports, and key peer-reviewed studies. Particular attention was given to UK-specific data on epilepsy incidence, treatment gaps, and clinical outcomes. A review of relevant literature was conducted, covering epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic protocols, and management strategies based on UK practices. Finally, the article addresses the acute management of seizures and the pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of epilepsy based on the NICE guidelines. The goal is to offer medical students a concise yet comprehensive understanding of epilepsy, preparing them for practical, evidence-based decision-making in clinical practice.

Tracking Resistance in Polymeric Insulation Materials for High-Voltage Electrical Mobility Applications Evaluated by Existing Test Methods: Identified Research Needs.

With the increasing electrification of the transportation and mobility sectors, polymer insulation materials are inevitably exposed to harsher environments, including exposure to contamination, wide temperature ranges, operation at higher voltages and switching frequencies, and low-pressure environments. This paper reviews the tests to characterize the polymeric materials used in insulation systems for electric mobility applications, focusing on resistance to tracking. This paper also reports on the limitations of existing standard test methods and identifies the challenges and research needs to meet the increasing demands of the electric mobility industry. To this end, an evaluation of the scientific and technological state of the art is carried out through the analysis of theses, research articles, technical reports, manufacturers' datasheets, international standards, and white papers.

Extraction of Mycosporine-like Amino Acids and Proteins from the Agarophyte Gelidium corneum Using Pulsed Power Techniques.

Gelidium corneum (syn. sesquipedale) is an industrially and ecologically important species of red alga used for the production of high-quality agar. However, the species is also of growing interest for the production of other valuable compounds, such as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), with potential cosmeceutical and biomedical applications. Novel methods using two pulsed power techniques, high-voltage electrical discharges (HVED) and pulsed electrical fields (PEF), were evaluated for efficacy of MAA extraction. Algal suspensions were prepared at two ratios (1:20 and 1:40 w:v). Four different extraction protocols were compared: (i) high-voltage electrical discharges, (ii) pulsed electric fields, (iii) maceration at room temperature, and (iv) maceration at 50 °C. The algae were treated in three states: freshly harvested, dried, and powdered. HVED and PEF treatments were effective when performed on fresh algae, and in particular the HVED treatment resulted in yields of MAAs twenty times higher than the control: 0.81 ± 0.05 mg/gDry Weight (DW) vs. 0.037 ± 0.002 mg/gDW. This effect was not observed to the same extent when the algae were dried or powdered, although HVED remained the most selective method overall.

Measurement of Corona Discharges under Variable Geometry, Frequency and Pressure Environment.

Aeronautical industry is evolving towards more electric aircrafts (MEA), which will require much more electrical power compared to conventional models. To satisfy this increasing power demand and stringent weight requirements, distribution voltages must be raised, which jointly with the low-pressure environment and high operating frequencies increase the risk of electrical discharges occurrence. Therefore, it is important to generate data to design insulation systems for these demanding applications. To this end, in this work a sphere-to-plane electrode configuration is tested for several sphere geometries (diameters ranging from 2 mm to 10 mm), frequencies of 50 Hz, 400 Hz and 800 Hz and pressures in the 20-100 kPa range, to cover most aircraft applications. The corona extinction voltage is experimentally determined by using a gas-filled tube solar blind ultraviolet (UV) sensor. In addition, a CMOS imaging sensor is used to locate the discharge points. Next, to gain further insight to the discharge conditions, the electric field strength is calculated using finite element method (FEM) simulations and fitted to equations based on Peek's law. The results presented in this paper could be especially valuable to design aircraft electrical insulations as well as for high-voltage hardware manufacturers, since the results allow determining the electric field values at which the components can operate free of surface discharges for a wide altitude range.

Electrical Discharges in Oil-Lubricated Rolling Contacts and Their Detection Using Electrostatic Sensing Technique.

The reliability of rolling element bearings has been substantially undermined by the presence of parasitic and stray currents. Electrical discharges can occur between the raceway and the rolling elements and it has been previously shown that these discharges at relatively high current density levels can result in fluting and corrugation damages. Recent publications have shown that for a bearing operating at specific mechanical conditions (load, temperature, speed, and slip), electrical discharges at low current densities (<1 mA/mm2) may substantially reduce bearing life due to the formation of white etching cracks (WECs) in bearing components, often in junction with lubricants. To date, limited studies have been conducted to understand the electrical discharges at relatively low current densities (<1 mA/mm2), partially due to the lack of robust techniques for in-situ quantification of discharges. This study, using voltage measurement and electrostatic sensors, investigates discharges in an oil-lubricated steel-steel rolling contact on a TE74 twin-roller machine under a wide range of electrical and mechanical conditions. The results show that the discharges events between the rollers are influenced by temperature, load, and speed due to changes in the lubricant film thickness and contact area, and the sensors are effective in detecting, characterizing and quantifying the discharges. Hence, these sensors can be effectively used to study the influence of discharges on WEC formation.

Corona Discharge Characteristics under Variable Frequency and Pressure Environments.

More electric aircrafts (MEAs) are paving the path to all electric aircrafts (AEAs), which make a much more intensive use of electrical power than conventional aircrafts. Due to the strict weight requirements, both MEA and AEA systems require to increase the distribution voltage in order to limit the required electrical current. Under this paradigm new issues arise, in part due to the voltage rise and in part because of the harsh environments found in aircrafts systems, especially those related to low pressure and high-electric frequency operation. Increased voltage levels, high-operating frequencies, low-pressure environments and reduced distances between wires pose insulation systems at risk, so partial discharges (PDs) and electrical breakdown are more likely to occur. This paper performs an experimental analysis of the effect of low-pressure environments and high-operating frequencies on the visual corona voltage, since corona discharges occurrence is directly related to arc tracking and insulation degradation in wiring systems. To this end, a rod-to-plane electrode configuration is tested in the 20-100 kPa and 50-1000 Hz ranges, these ranges cover most aircraft applications, so that the corona extinction voltage is experimentally determined by using a low-cost high-resolution CMOS imaging sensor which is sensitive to the visible and near ultraviolet (UV) spectra. The imaging sensor locates the discharge points and the intensity of the discharge, offering simplicity and low-cost measurements with high sensitivity. Moreover, to assess the performance of such sensor, the discharges are also acquired by analyzing the leakage current using an inexpensive resistor and a fast oscilloscope. The experimental data presented in this paper can be useful in designing insulation systems for MEA and AEA applications.

Electric Fence Artifact on Ambulatory EEG and Review of Common EEG Electrical Artifacts.

Ambulatory electroencephalogram (AEEG) can be a cost-effective and valuable alternative to in-patient long-term EEG monitoring. A potential benefit of AEEG is that it allows monitoring in the patient's unique home environment. While this can be more affordable and convenient for the patient, it can also present unique challenges for the reviewer. Unlike long-term monitoring in an epilepsy unit, the AEEG recording occurs in a less controlled environment and most often without immediate EEG technical assistance during the recording. As a result, unique EEG artifacts can occur with AEEG. Their recognition and correct interpretation are crucial for proper EEG analysis. This report presents a case of a patient who underwent a 72-hour AEEG to evaluate symptoms initially concerning for subclinical seizures. During the AEEG recording, the patient had a tactile encounter with an electric fence. This tactile event resulted in a unique, not previously reported, pattern clouding an otherwise normal study. By conducting a brief review of the most common non-physiologic environmental artifacts encountered in modern EEG monitoring, we aim to emphasize the importance of patient education to prevent artifactual pollution. This knowledge can facilitate planning and help avoid environmental influences that may create artifacts when recording in an uncontrolled setting.

Electrical Supply Circuit for a Cold Plasma Source at Atmospheric Pressure Based on a Voltage Multiplier.

A cold plasma source operating at atmospheric pressure powered by a voltage multiplier is reported. In addition to its usual high voltage output, there is an intermediate output of lower voltage and higher current capability. A discharge current is drawn from both outputs. The ratio of the current supplied by each output depends on the operating state, namely, before or after the plasma jet formation. The electrical circuit is equivalent to two dc sources connected in parallel, used to initiate and sustain the electrical discharge. The plasma source is aimed to study the effect of cold plasma on the surface of various liquid or solid materials, including polymers.

Quantum energy levels of glutamate modulate neural biophotonic signals.

Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, and it plays an essential and important role in neural functions. Current studies have shown that glutamate can induce neural biophotonic activity and transmission, which may involve the mechanism of photon quantum brain; however, it is unclear whether such a mechanism follows the principle of quantum mechanics. Here we show that the action of glutamate on its receptors leads to a decrease in its quantum energy levels, and glutamate then partially or completely loses its function to further induce the biophotonic activity in mouse brain slices. The reduced quantum energy levels of glutamate can be restored by direct-current electrical discharges and the use of energy transfer of chloroplast photosynthesis; hence, the quantum energy recovered glutamate can again induce significant biophotonic activity. Furthermore, the changes in quantum energy levels of glutamate are related to the exchange and transfer of electron energy on its active hydrogen atom. These findings suggest that the glutamate-induced neural biophotonic signals may be involved in the transfer of the quantum energy levels of glutamate, which implies a quantum mechanism of neurotransmitter action.

Green Extraction Methods for Extraction of Polyphenolic Compounds from Blueberry Pomace.

In this study, green extraction methods-high voltage electrical discharges (HVED), pulsed electric field (PEF), and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE)-were compared in terms of extraction yield of total and individual polyphenolic compounds, as well as the antioxidant capacity of blueberry pomace extracts. All extractions were performed with methanol- and ethanol-based solvents. The highest total polyphenols content (TPC) (10.52 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per g of dry weight (dw)) and antioxidant activity (AA) (0.83 mmol TE/g dw) were obtained by PEF-assisted extraction in the ethanol-based solvent after 100 pulses and 20 kV/cm, which corresponds to an energy input of 41.03 kJ/kg. A total of eighteen individual polyphenols were identified in all investigated blueberry pomace extracts by high-performance liquid chromatography with the diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) and liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric (LC-(HESI)-MS/MS). The highest anthocyanin (1757.32 µg/g of dw) and flavanol (297.86 µg/g of dw) yields were obtained in the methanol-based solvent, while the highest phenolic acid (625.47 µg/g of dw) and flavonol (157.54 µg/g of dw) yields were obtained in the ethanol-based solvent by PEF-assisted extraction at the energy input of 41.03 kJ/kg. These results indicated that PEF is a promising green extraction method which can improve the blueberry pomace's polyphenol extraction yield.

The potential for use of non-thermal plasma in microbiology and medicine.

The overview provides basic information on non-thermal plasma, its properties, and methods of its generation. It gives examples of its use in the inactivation of bacteria including biofilms, fungi, and prions. Related applications in human medicine, namely in wound healing, antitumor therapy, dental medicine, and dermatomycosis therapy are also mentioned.

Two-step procedure for selective recovery of bio-molecules from microalga Nannochloropsis oculata assisted by high voltage electrical discharges.

Two-step procedure with the initial aqueous extraction from raw microalgae Nannochloropsis oculata and secondary organic solvent extraction from vacuum dried (VD) microalgae were applied for selective recovery of bio-molecules. The effects of preliminary aqueous washing and high voltage electrical discharges (HVED, 40 kV/cm, 4 ms pulses) were tested. The positive effects of HVED treatment and washing on selectivity of aqueous extraction of ionics and other water-soluble compounds (carbohydrates, proteins and pigments) were observed. Moreover, the HVED treatment allowed improving the kinetic of vacuum drying, and significant effects of HVED treatment on organic solvent extraction of chlorophylls, carotenoids and lipids were determined. The proposed two-step procedure combining the preliminary washing, HVED treatment and aqueous/organic solvents extraction steps are useful for selective extraction of different bio-molecules from microalgae biomass.

Green extraction of polyphenols from grapefruit peels using high voltage electrical discharges, deep eutectic solvents and aqueous glycerol.

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) and aqueous glycerol were proposed as green alternatives to conventional solvents for the extraction of polyphenols from grapefruit peels. In order to increase the extraction kinetics and yields of polyphenols, high voltage electrical discharges (HVED) were used as a pre-treatment technology (energy varied between 7.27 and 218 kJ/kg). Results showed that the HVED energy input can be reduced, when the subsequent solid-liquid extraction was performed in 20% (w/v) aqueous glycerol or in DES (lactic acid: glucose) instead of water. The addition of glycerol has reduced the energy of the pre-treatment by 6 times. The same diffusivity of polyphenols (4 × 10-11 m2/s) was obtained in water from HVED pre-treated peels at 218 kJ/kg and in aqueous glycerol from pre-treated peels at 36 kJ/kg. The solubility of naringin, the main flavonoid compound of grapefruit peels in the solvents, was investigated through a theoretical modelling of its Hansen solubility parameters.

Application of high-voltage electrical discharges and high-pressure homogenization for recovery of intracellular compounds from microalgae Parachlorella kessleri.

Treatments with high-voltage electrical discharges (HVED) and high-pressure homogenization (HPH) were studied and compared for the release of ionic components, carbohydrates, proteins, and pigments from microalgae Parachlorella kessleri (P. kessleri). Suspensions (1% w/w) of microalgae were treated by HVED (40 kV/cm, 1-8 ms) or by HPH (400-1200 bar, 1-10 passes). Particle-size distribution (PSD) and microscopic analyses were used to detect the disruption and damage of cells. HVED were very effective for the extraction of ionic cell components and carbohydrates (421 mg/L after 8 ms of the treatment). However, HVED were ineffective for pigments and protein extraction. The concentration of proteins extracted by HVED was just 750 mg/L and did not exceed 15% of the total quantity of proteins. HPH permitted an effective release overall of intracellular compounds from P. kessleri microalgae including a large quantity of proteins, whose release (at 1200 bar) was 4.9 times higher than that obtained by HVED. Consequently, HVED can be used at the first step of the overall extraction process for the selective recovery of low-molecular-weight components. HPH can be then used at the second step for the recovery of remaining cell compounds.

High voltage electrical discharges combined with enzymatic hydrolysis for extraction of polyphenols and fermentable sugars from orange peels.

Orange peels are a biomass rich in carbohydrates and polyphenols and characterized by their low lignin content. This work focuses on finding the best combination between physical and biological treatments to enhance the extraction of fermentable sugars and polyphenols. High voltage electrical discharges (HVED) (0 to 900 kJ/kg) or enzymatic hydrolysis with Viscozyme® L (12 FBGU/g) were applied on fresh or defatted orange peels for the extraction of polyphenols and fermentable sugars. An HVED energy input of 222 kJ/kg was optimal for the extraction of reducing sugars (19 g/100 g DM) and polyphenols (0.7 g/100 g DM). However, enzymatic hydrolysis allowed a higher extraction of reducing sugars (50 g/100 g DM). HVED were then applied prior or simultaneously to enzymatic hydrolysis to maximize the extraction of biomolecules from orange peels. Thus, the results clearly showed that the HVED pretreatment of orange peels is efficient to enhance the accessibility of cellulosic biomass to enzymes. HVED (222 kJ/kg) prior to enzymatic hydrolysis (12 FBGU/g), was the most effective combination of these two processes to get an intensive extraction of biomolecules from orange peels.

Impact of ultrasounds and high voltage electrical discharges on physico-chemical properties of rapeseed straw's lignin and pulps.

In this study, ultrasound (US) and high voltage electrical discharges (HVED) were combined with chemical treatments (soda or organosolv) for rapeseed straw delignification. Delignification was improved by both physical pretreatments. US increased the extractability of hemicelluloses and HVED induced a partial degradation of cellulose. Best synergies were observed for HVED-soda and US-organosolv treatments. The obtained lignin fractions were characterized with 13C NMR and 2D 1H-13C HSQC. It was observed that the physical treatments affected the syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) ratios. The values of S/G were ≈1.19, 1.31 and 1.75 for organosolv, HVED-organosolv and US-organosolv processes, suggesting recondensation reactions. The lignin fractions obtained from HVED-organosolv treatment contained less quantity of p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid as compared to those extracted by US-organosolv. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed a better heat resistance of physically extracted lignins as compared to the control. The enzymatic digestibility increased by 24.92% when applying HVED to mild organosolv treatment.

Bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds after non-thermal processing of an exotic fruit juice blend sweetened with Stevia rebaudiana.

A comparative study of the bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity in a fruit juice-Stevia rebaudiana mixture processed by pulsed electric fields (PEF), high voltage electrical discharges (HVED) and ultrasound (USN) technology at two equivalent energy inputs (32-256kJ/kg) was made using an in vitro model. Ascorbic acid was not detected following intestinal digestion, while HVED, PEF and USN treatments increased total carotenoid bioaccessibility. HVED at an energy input of 32kJ/kg improved bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds (34.2%), anthocyanins (31.0%) and antioxidant capacity (35.8%, 29.1%, 31.9%, for TEAC, ORAC and DPPH assay, respectively) compared to untreated sample. This was also observed for PEF treated samples at an energy input of 256kJ/kg (37.0%, 15.6%, 29.4%, 26.5%, 23.5% for phenolics, anthocyanins, and antioxidant capacity using TEAC, ORAC and DPPH method, respectively). Consequently, pulsed electric technologies (HVED and PEF) show good prospects for enhanced bioaccessibility of compounds with putative health benefit.

Extraction assisted by pulsed electric energy as a potential tool for green and sustainable recovery of nutritionally valuable compounds from mango peels.

The study compares the efficiency of conventional aqueous extraction at different temperatures (20-60 °C) and pH (2.5-11) and extraction assisted by pulsed electric energy (pulsed electric fields, PEF or high voltage electrical discharges, HVED) of nutritionally valuable compounds found in mango peels. Exponential decay pulses with initial electric field strengths of ≈ 13.3 kV/cm and ≈ 40 kV/cm for PEF and HVED treatments were used, respectively. The impact of temperature on aqueous extraction of proteins and carbohydrates was not significant. The highest values of nutritionally valuable and antioxidant compounds (7.5mM TE) were obtained for aqueous extraction (T = 60 °C, pH 6) but extracts were unstable and cloudy. The application of two-stage procedure PEF+supplementary aqueous extraction (+SE) that include PEF-assisted extraction as the first step, and +SE at 50 °C, pH 6 during 3h as the second step, allowed a noticeable enhancement of the yields of TPC (+400%) even at normal pH.

Quemadura por rayo / Lightning burn

Fundamento: las quemaduras eléctricas producidas por fenómenos atmosféricos probablemente fueron las primeras y tiene una alta mortalidad. Objetivo: describir el cuadro clínico de un paciente que presentó una descarga eléctrica natural y sobrevivió al evento. Caso clínico: paciente de 37 años de edad, masculino, sin antecedentes patológicos, fue alcanzado por un rayo que conllevó a la pérdida de conciencia por varios minutos, así como quemaduras en cara, zonas del tronco anterior y posterior y miembro superior derecho que se diagnosticaron como lesiones dérmicas A de un 22 % de superficie corporal quemada, con pérdida de conciencia momentánea y complicación renal y oftalmológica posteriormente, sobrevivió al evento inicial. Conclusiones: las quemaduras por electricidad natural o fulguraciones constituyen un evento dramático con graves complicaciones y alta mortalidad.

Background: electric burns produced by atmospheric phenomena were probably the first type of burn and have a high mortality. Objective: to describe the clinical manifestations of a patient who got a natural discharge and survived. Clinical case: a thirty-seven-year-old male patient without pathological records was struck by a lightning that caused the loss of consciousness for some minutes, as well as burns of the face, the torso, the back, and the right fore limb that were diagnosed as A dermic lesions of a 22 % of the body burned. Subsequently, the patient presented momentary loss of consciousness, and ophthalmic and kidney complications. He survived the initial event. Conclusions: burns by natural electricity and fulgurations constitute a dramatic event with severe complications and a high mortality.

Buraco macular traumático bilateral pós-descarga elétrica. Considerações sobre um caso de etiologia incomum / Macular hole following electric burn

Os autores relatam um caso de buraco macular por descarga elétrica, enfatizando que sua fisiopatologia difere das causas comuns, como a traumática e idiopática. Descrevem alterações morfológicas características utilizando a tomografia de coerência óptica (OCT) e imagens de retinografia.

The authors relate an uncommon case of macular hole following electric burn. They describe an uncommon physiopathology, which is different from traumatic and idiopathic macular hole.