Previous research found that the administration of verapamil and felodipine immediately before electroconvulsive shocks (ECS) attenuated ECS-induced retrograde amnesia. This study examined whether sodium nitroprusside, an antihypertensive drug that does not affect calcium channels, has a similar action. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received nitroprusside (0.5 mg/kg ip) or saline 3 minutes before each of three once-daily true or sham ECS. Retention of pre-ECS learning was studied 1 day after ECS using a passive avoidance task. Nitroprusside was associated with increased seizure duration in ECS-treated rats, and with enhanced recall in both true and sham ECS groups. The latter finding suggests that nitroprusside nonspecifically improves cognitive functions, and does not support the hypothesis that ECS-induced cognitive impairment is a result of blood-brain barrier breach. Nitric oxide mechanisms may underlie the benefits purveyed by nitroprusside.

No abstract

Phenylephrine is a nonselective alpha-receptor agonist. This study examined whether the administration of phenylephrine immediately before electroconvulsive shocks (ECS) attenuated ECS-induced retrograde amnesia. Adult male Wistar rats received phenylephrine (0.25 mg/kg i.p.) or saline 3 min before each of three once-daily true or sham ECS. Retention of pre-ECS learning was studied 1 day after the ECS course using a passive avoidance task. Phenylephrine increased seizure duration in ECS-treated rats, and also enhanced recall in both true and sham ECS groups. The latter finding suggests that phenylephrine nonspecifically improves cognitive functions, perhaps through adrenergic mechanisms that improve memory consolidation and storage. Since phenylephrine increases blood pressure, its cognitive effects also weaken the hypothesis that ECT-induced cognitive impairment results from the seizure-related hypertensive surge.

Aim:The present study was undertaken to study the clinical and hemato-biochemical alterations, ultrasonography, and surgical treatment of bovine suffering from cecal dilatation and cecal impaction.Materials and Methods:The present study was conducted on 11 bovines (9 buffaloes and 2 cattle) suffering from cecal dilatation (n=6) and cecal impaction (n=5). The diagnosis of surgical affections of cecum was made on the basis of clinical examination, hematobiochemistry, ultrasonography, and exploratory laparotomy.Results:A marked decrease in serum total protein, albumin, chloride, potassium, and calcium levels while an increase in lactate concentrations was recorded. Peritoneal fluid examination revealed an increase in total protein concentration. Per rectal examination along with ultrasonography was used as a confirmatory diagnostic tool for cecal dilatation and cecal impaction. Ultrasonographic features of cecal dilatation and cecal impaction were recorded. Left flank laparorumenotomy was performed in six animals with dilated cecum along with colonic fecalith. Post-rumenotomy, these animals were treated with massage of cecum along with kneading of colonic fecalith. Right flank typhlotomy was done in the remaining five animals having impacted cecum for decompression of the dilated cecum. 9 of 11 animals survived which underwent surgery and remained healthy up to 3-month follow-up.Conclusion:Ultrasonography was reliable in the diagnosis of cecal dilatation and cecal impaction in bovine. Left flank exploration after laparorumenotomy is an ideal surgical technique for the management of cecal dilatation, while right flank typhlotomy is ideal for the management of cecal impaction in bovine.

Pneumoperitoneum is more pathognomonic of ruptured hollow viscera which requires urgent surgical intervention. But uncommon surgical entities may present with pneumoperitoneum. Splenic abscess is a relatively rare medical condition that results from bacteraemia. Pneumoperitoneum in a ruptured splenic abscess is very uncommon and is often misdiagnosed as a perforation. Spontaneous rupture of splenic abscess is a life-threatening emergency mandating early surgical intervention. We report a case of ruptured splenic abscess which presented with peritonitis and pneumoperitoneum, managed successfully by splenectomy.