Rare survival of high-tension electrocution shock in a crossbred Jersey cattle: a complete profile on critical care monitoring

Background

Accidental electrocution was more common in animals and death was mostly due to shock and cardiac arrest. Survival of animals or humans could be possible if victims receive immediate medical support.

Case description

A 3-year-old crossbred Jersey heifer was presented to the Emergency and Critical Care Medicine Referral Clinic of the Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu, with a history of accidental electrocution by broken high-tension overhead power transmission line during grazing in the paddy fields. The animal was dull and depressed, dark red, and some areas were charred in appearance on the dorsum and limbs. The animal showed difficulty walking due to the electrocution burn injury and was poorly responding to the surroundings. Clinical examination revealed subnormal temperature, polypnea, pale mucous membranes, ruminal atony, and arrhythmias on auscultation.

Findings/treatment and outcome

On point of care (PoC) hematology testing, leukocytosis, neutrophilia, and microcytosis were observed. PoC electrolyte analysis revealed hypocalcemia (ionized calcium 0.89 mmol/L), mild hypochloremia, and severe hypokalemia (2.81 mmol/L). PoC biochemistry revealed hypoglycemia (41 mg/dl). PoC elevated levels of serum cardiac troponin (0.33 ng/dl) indicated cardiac damage. Aspartate aminotransferase (1794 U/L), CK-MB (699 U/L) and LDH (6.7 U/L) were also elevated. On PoC urinalysis, proteinuria, myoglobinuria, and glucosuria were observed. Evident clinical recovery, wound healing, and improvement in animal activities were observed.

Conclusion

High-voltage electrocution injury is a serious type of accident with the potential risk of multi-organ damage and death. Early diagnosis of electrocution and immediate management enhances the expectancy of complete recovery.

Surfactant modified ZnO-Bi2O3 nanocomposite for degradation of lambda- cyhalothrin pesticide in visible light: A study of reaction kinetics and intermediates

Coupling of semiconductor photocatalyst attracted more attention in the area of heterogeneous photocatalytic process. Herein we developed a low-cost visible light responsive coupled ZnO-Bi₂O₃ semiconductor with a molar ratio of 1:4, 1:2, and 3:4 by facile one-step hydrothermal method using a surfactant. The influences of Bi₂O₃ content on coupled catalyst were investigated. The synthesized catalysts were characterized by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance (UV-DRS). Photocatalytic performance of ZnO-Bi₂O₃ was investigated using Lambda-Cyhalothrin (L-CHT), a pyrethroid pesticide that is harmful to human beings and animals under visible light irradiation. Kinetic study of the degradation of L-CHT reveals that there is a shift in the reaction order from first-order to second-order. The photocatalytic degradation of L-CHT using ZnO-Bi₂O₃ is found to be more efficient since the separation of photogenerated holes and electrons are improved by coupling of ZnO with Bi₂O₃. When compared to bare ZnO the degradation percentage of 85.7% was achieved within 120 min of the photocatalytic process using the catalyst dosage of 1.2 gm/L in 50 mg/L of L-CHT solution with formation of Phthalic acid, butyl 2-ethyl butyl ester and Diethyl phthalate as intermediates. No other hazardous intermediates are formed and a scheme for photodegradation pathway was proposed.

Chronic pancreatitis. A prospective nationwide study of 1,086 subjects from India

CONTEXT

Chronic pancreatitis is common in India. However, its risk factors are not clear. There is sparse data on the current prevalence of tropical pancreatitis in India.

OBJECTIVE

To undertake a prospective nationwide study of the risk factors and clinical profile of chronic pancreatitis.

SETTING

Thirty-two major centers from different regions of India contributed data on 1,086 patients to a common online website (www.ipans.org).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Risk factors, clinical features complications and treatment of chronic pancreatitis.

RESULTS

Of the 1,086 subjects, complete data on risk factors were available for 1,033 subjects. Idiopathic pancreatitis was the most common form of pancreatitis (n=622; 60.2%) and alcoholic chronic pancreatitis accounted for about a third of the cases (n=400; 38.7%); the rest (n=11; 1.1%) had rare risk factors. Smoking and cassava intake were documented in 292 (28.3%) and 189 (18.3%) subjects, respectively. Using well-defined criteria, only 39 (3.8%)cases could be labeled as 'tropical pancreatitis'. Pain occurred in 971 patients (94.0%). Four hundred and eighteen (40.5%) subjects had diabetes mellitus. Of alcohol consumers, alcoholism and female gender were independent risk factors for diabetes in subjects with chronic pancreatitis (OR=1.48, P=0.003; and OR=1.75, P<0.001, respectively). The most common complications were pseudocysts (15.8%) and biliary obstruction (8.2%). Pancreatic cancer occurred in 42 subjects (4.1%). Ultrasound detected calculi in 69.7%, ductal dilatation in 63.4% and atrophy in 27.3%. The majority of patients were on medical therapy (n=849; 82.2%); endotherapy and surgery accounted for the rest. About 50% percent of the patients with diabetes required insulin (198/418).

CONCLUSIONS

In this first nationwide prospective survey of chronic pancreatitis in India, idiopathic pancreatitis was the most common form, followed by alcoholic pancreatitis. The classical form of tropical chronic pancreatitis is becoming less common.