Ruth Tomson

Effect of 7, 14 and 21 Hz modulated 450 MHz microwave radiation on human electroencephalographic rhythms

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of microwaves modulated at different frequencies on human electroencephalographic (EEG) rhythms. Materials and methods: Thirteen healthy volunteers were exposed to microwaves (450 MHz) pulse-modulated at frequencies of 7, 14 and 21 Hz. The field power density at the scalp was 0.16 mW/cm2. Our experimental protocol consisted of two five-cycle (1 min on and 1 min off) series of exposures at fixed modulation frequencies. A relative change in the EEG power with and without exposure was used as a quantitative measure. EEG frequencies recorded in the theta (4 – 6.8 Hz), alpha (8 – 13 Hz), beta1 (15 – 20 Hz), and beta2 (22 – 38 Hz) bands were analyzed. Results: Modulated microwaves caused an increase in the average EEG alpha (17%) and beta (7%) power but the theta rhythm remained unaffected. Increases in the EEG alpha and beta power were statistically significant during the first half-period of the exposure interval (30 s) at the modulation frequencies of 14 and 21 Hz. Differences were found in individual sensitivity to exposure. Increases in the EEG beta power appeared statistically significant in the case of four subjects. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the effect of the 450 MHz microwave radiation modulated at 7, 14 and 21 Hz varies depending on the modulation frequency. The microwave exposure modulated at 14 and 21 Hz enhanced the EEG power in the alpha and beta frequency bands, whereas no enhancement occurred during exposure to the modulation frequency of 7 Hz.

Methods of electroencephalographic signal analysis for detection of small hidden changes

The aim of this study was to select and evaluate methods sensitive to reveal small hidden changes in the electroencephalographic (EEG) signal. Two original methods were considered. Multifractal method of scaling analysis of the EEG signal based on the length distribution of low variability periods (LDLVP) was developed and adopted for EEG analysis. The LDLVP method provides a simple route to detecting the multifractal characteristics of a time-series and yields somewhat better temporal resolution than the traditional multifractal analysis. The method of modulation with further integration of energy of the recorded signal was applied for EEG analysis. This method uses integration of differences in energy of the EEG segments with and without stressor. Microwave exposure was used as an external stressor to cause hidden changes in the EEG. Both methods were evaluated on the same EEG database. Database consists of resting EEG recordings of 15 subjects without and with low-level microwave exposure (450 MHz modulated at 40 Hz, power density 0.16 mW/cm2). The significant differences between recordings with and without exposure were detected by the LDLVP method for 4 subjects (26.7%) and energy integration method for 2 subjects (13.3%). The results show that small changes in time variability or energy of the EEG signals hidden in visual inspection can be detected by the LDLVP and integration of differences methods.

Optical measurement of creatinine in spent dialysate

AIM The aim of the study was to develop an optical method for the estimation of creatinine (Cr) removal during dialysis using UV-absorbance. MATERIAL AND METHODS 29 hemodialysis patients on chronic 3-times-a-week hemodialysis were studied in 6 separate studies. Double-beam pectrophotometer was used for the determination of UV-absorbance in the collected spent dialysate samples. A single wavelength (SW) and a multi-wavelength (MW) model were developed using stepwise regression utilizing Cr values from the laboratory as the dependent parameter. The reduction ratio (RR) and total removed Cr (TRCr) were estimated. RESULTS For blood-Cr RRb (mean ± SD) was 60.9 ± 5.0% (calibration set) and 58.1 ± 6.0% (validation set), for SW UVabsorbance RR_SW was 61.5 ± 5.9% and 57.3 ± 6.0%, and for MW UV-absorbance RR_MW was 65.8 ± 5.8% and 61.7 ± 6.4% respectively. RR_SW and RRb were not statistically different. RR_MW was higher compared to RRb (p < 0.05). TRCr_lab was 13.8 ± 3.8 mmol, TRCr_SW 14.5 ± 2.5 mmol and TRCr_MW 13.8 ± 2.6 mmol, being not statistically different. CONCLUSION In summary, creatinine removal during dialysis can be estimated as reduction ratio and total removed creatinine with the UV-absorbance technique.

Integration of differences in EEG Analysis Reveals Changes in Human EEG Caused by Microwave

Three different methods in combination with integration of differences in signals were applied for EEG analysis to distinguish changes in EEG caused by microwave: S-parameter, power spectral density and length distribution of low variability periods. The experiments on the effect of modulated low-level microwaves on human EEG were carried out on four different groups of healthy volunteers exposed to 450 MHz microwave radiation modulated with 7 Hz, 14 Hz, 21 Hz, 40 Hz, 70 Hz, 217 or 1000 Hz frequencies. The field power density at the scalp was 0.16 mW/cm2. The EEG analysis performed for individuals with three different methods showed that statistically significant changes occur in the EEG rhythms energy and dynamics between 12% and 30% of subjects

Urea Rebound Assessment Based on UV Absorbance in Spent Dialysate.

The aim of the study was to examine the possibility of postdialysis urea rebound assessment using UV-absorbance measurements in spent dialysate. Twenty-six patients on chronic three-times-a-week hemodialysis (HD) were studied in two separate studies. Double-beam spectrophotometer was used for the determination of UV absorbance in the collected spent dialysate samples. Also, on-line UV absorbance was monitored. The equilibrium concentration (Ceq) of urea at the end of the rebound phase was calculated based on urea concentration in blood and dialysate and UV absorbance in spent dialysate. Based on Ceq, urea rebound was expressed relative to urea concentration at the end of HD (R1) and relative to the decrease in urea concentration during HD (R2). Estimates based on UV-absorbance values in spent dialysate (R1_a, R2_a) slightly over assess postdialysis rebound compared with results based on the blood sample drawn 30 min after HD (R1_30post, R2_30post), but R1_a and R2_a presented greater consistency and accuracy compared with the estimates based on the intradialytic blood sample (R1_b, R2_b). In summary, the results show that it is possible to assess postdialysis urea rebound in blood based on UV-absorbance measurements in spent dialysate.

Adaptation of Human Brain Bioelectrical Activity to Low-Level Microwave

The experiments of adaptation of the human brain bioelectrical activity were carried out on a group of 14 healthy volunteers exposed to 450 MHz microwave radiation modulated at 40 Hz frequencies. The field power density at the scalp was 0.16 mW/cm2. Results of the study indicate that adaptation effect of human brain to low-level microwave exposure is evident. The initial increase of EEG power was compensated and even overcompensated. The adaptation phenomena were obvious in EEG alpha and beta rhythms.

Removal Estimation of Uremic CVD Marker Phosphate in Dialysis Using Spectrophoto-and Fluorimetrical Signals

The high phosphate (P) level is considered a key player in the genesis and progression of vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease. Therefore, it is necessary to assure the sufficient removal of this uremic retention solute during dialysis. The aim of this study was to develop models on the basis of optical signals of a particular biofluid - the spent dialysate, a waste product of kidney replacement therapy, to estimate concentrations and removal of phosphate. Eleven uremic patients from Tallinn, Estonia, were studied during altogether 42 hemodialysis treatments. Dialysate samples were collected during each treatment and analyzed at a laboratory. Ultraviolet absorbance and fluorescence spectra of the spent dialysate samples were measured. The spectral values were transformed into phosphate concentration using multiple linear regression models. Three different models were created, one used UV- absorbance values, second fluorescence values and third combined both signals. Mean phosphate concentration (mmol/L) measured in the lab was 0.299±0.141, and 0.298±0.114, 0.296±0.115, and 0.296±0.118 estimated by UV, fluorescence and combined model, respectively.

Optical measurement of 4-pyridoxic acid in the spent dialysate: Algorithm Development

The aim of this study was to develop an algorithm suitable for the estimation of 4-pyridoxic acid (4PA) concentration removed during dialysis through fluorescence measurements in spent dialysate. 4PA is the major urinary catabolite of vitamin B-6 (B6), that is regularly injected to dialysis patients. 4PA could be used to estimate B6 nutritional status of the patients. For the study 10 hemodialysis patients during 40 dialysis sessions were studied. Full fluorescence spectra of spent dialysates were recorded with the spectrofluorophotometer RF-5301 by Shimadzu (Kyoto, Japan) and 4-pyridoxic acid concentrations were measured with HPLC system. Two single wavelength models were developed were correlation coefficients for Ex/Em 320/430 nm were 0.931 and 0.853 and for Ex/Em 310/460 nm were 0.944 and 0.931 for calibration and validation set, respectively. In summary, 4PA concentration can be estimated through fluorescence measurements from spent dialysate.

4-Pyridoxic Acid in the Spent Dialysate: Contribution to Fluorescence and Optical Monitoring.

Aim In this work we estimated the contribution of the fluorescence of 4-pyridoxic acid (4-PA) to the total fluorescence of spent dialysate with the aim of evaluating the on-line monitoring of removal of this vitamin B-6 metabolite from the blood of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Methods Spectrofluorometric analysis of spent dialysate, collected from hemodialysis and hemodiafiltration sessions of 10 patients receiving regularly pyridoxine injections after dialysis treatment, was performed in the range of Ex/Em 220–500 nm. 4-PA in dialysate samples was identified and quantified using HPLC with fluorescent and MS/MS detection. Results Averaged HPLC chromatogram of spent dialysate had many peaks in the wavelength region of Ex320/Em430 nm where 4-PA was the highest peak with contribution of 42.2±17.0% at the beginning and 47.7±18.0% in the end of the dialysis. High correlation (R = 0.88–0.95) between 4-PA concentration and fluorescence intensity of spent dialysate was found in the region of Ex310-330/Em415-500 nm, respectively. Conclusion 4-PA elimination from the blood of ESRD patients can be potentially followed using monitoring of the fluorescence of the spent dialysate during dialysis treatments.

Can Removal of Middle Molecular Uremic Retention Solutes be Estimated by UV-absorbance Measurements in Spent Dialysate?

The objectives of this study were: (1) to compare removal of the middle molecular (MM) and small uremic retention solutes; (2) to investigate if MM removal can be assessed by UV-absorbance at the wavelength of 297 nm during various dialysis treatment modalities.