Do geomagnetic disturbances of solar origin affect arterial blood pressure?

OBJECTIVE: Episodic reports suggest that geomagnetic disturbances of solar origin are associated with biological and clinical events, including increased arterial blood pressure (BP). We reassessed this aspect by relating solar activity levels to ambulatory BP measured in our out-patient population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The ambulatory BP measurements of 447 consecutive untreated patients attending a hypertension out-patient clinic who did a monitoring for diagnostic purposes over 5 years were retrieved. The mean daytime, night-time and 24-h BP and heart rate values were related to the temporally corresponding geomagnetic index k-sum obtained by the nearest observatory. K-sum is a local measurement of the irregular disturbances of the geomagnetic field caused by solar particle radiation. RESULTS: Significant to highly significant positive correlations were observed for k-sum with systolic (daytime and 24 h) and diastolic BP (daytime, night-time and 24 h), but not with heart rate. No correlations were found with the k-sum of 1 or 2 days before the monitorings. Multiple correlations which also included other potential confounding factors (date, age) confirmed a significant effect of k-sum on BP. Comparison made in season-matched subgroups of quiet and disturbed days (using three different criteria of definition), always showed significantly higher values in the disturbed days for all BP parameters except systolic night-time pressure. The difference between the quietest and the most disturbed days was of about 6 to 8 mm Hg for 24-h systolic and diastolic BP. CONCLUSION: These results are unlikely to be due to unrelated secular trends, but seem to reflect a real relation between magnetic field disturbances and BP.     

The multiyear changes in the epidemic activity of the foci of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis at the Murgab oasis. I. An analysis of the relations of morbidity to heliogeophysical factors

Attempts were made to analyse the relationships of changes in the pattern of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) morbidity by the 1951-1993 statistics of the Turkmenistan Ministry of Health by the areas of Mary?ski? velaiat with heliogeophysical factors. For quantitative characterization of solar activity changes, various indices were used; among them there was the Wolf number, radio radiation flux at a wavelength of 10.7 cm. and the geomagnetic Aa-index. In some many-year observations, vague cyclic variations were detected on a personal computer by spectral and periodogram analyses proved to be effective in other diseases. Correlation and cross-correlation analyses were used to evaluate the possible relationships between the morbidity rates and the changes in heliogeophysical factors. The study has revealed that the epidemic activity of ZCL foci is characterized by cyclicity with variations of about 2.4, 3.6, 6.9, and 11.2 years. The changes in ZCL morbidity in the areas, including the natural ZCL foci of Murgab delta landscapes, slightly differ from those in the areas with valley foci in the south part of the velayat in the duration and expression of cycles. At the same time sun-caused 11-year cycles are observed in all groups of the areas, though they are slightly more pronounced in the north than in the south. The greatest epidemic outbreaks (1956-1957, 1965, 1977, and 1986-1988) occurred in various areas of the Murgab oasis on an average of 1-3 years after the minimum of 11-year solar cycles. Noteworthy, they are greatly marked in odd solar activity cycles (the 1957 and 1977 outbreaks) in many areas. Among the parameters chosen, the radio flux of solar radiation at a wavelenght of 10.7 cm and the Wolf number (the correlation coefficients are as high as 0.30-0.50 at P = 0.95) are closely related with ZCL morbidity changes when the plot is shifted. At the same time the values of the geomagnetic Aa-index are unlikely to greatly affect changes in the epidemiological situation. The regularities revealed are of particular significance for long-term prediction of the greatest rises of ZCL morbidity rates. Taking into account the estimated solar activity changes within the next years, one may expect activation of natural ZCL foci and, in case of untimely use of prophylactic measures, the following rise in the population's morbidity in 1998-1999.     

Protein kinase C alterations in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells from rats with cirrhosis

It was found that the frequency of extreme situations (traumas, deaths, sudden diseases) in miners working in Spitsbergen mines (74 degree N) correlates well with heliogeomagnetic activity (local magnetic disturbances, solar proton flashes). It was shown that in winter, both an enhanced and an extremely low level of magnetic activity can affect the occurrence of extreme situations. The results obtained can be used for predicting and reducing the frequency of extreme events in the zone of the polar cap during geomagnetic disturbances.     

Correlation analysis of the changes of EEG mapping and the changes of CT scan in patients with senile dementia

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of EEG mapping and CT scan and analyse the correlation between the changes of the function presented by EEG mapping and morphology presented by CT. METHODS: The absolute power of EEG mapping and 9 parameters of CT in 30 normal controls and 31 patients with senile dementia were measured. The correlation was analysed quantitatively with multiple stepwise regression method. RESULTS: The EEG mapping of senile dementia revealed a diffuse increase in delta, theta power and decreased alpha power in most areas. CT scan showed cortical and subcortical atrophy in brain. There were positive correlations between the increase of delta power and lateral fissure, and between the increase of delta power and average cerebral sulcus. There was a negative correlation between the decrease of alpha power and the increase of lateral fissure. CONCLUSION: The EEG mapping and CT in patients with senile dementia are different from those in normal elderly. There is a correlation between the changes of EEG mapping and CT scan.     

Mechanisms of biophysical effects of microwaves

According to our and other investigators theoretical and experimental dates biophysical effects of microwaves are defined by thermal and specific biological action. Specific influence are realized by more delicate and precise ways and mechanisms of absorption and molecular relaxation of microwave energy, energy-informative interaction of radio-emission with biosystem. It include three mechanisms: synchronisation of oscillatory processes (oscillators) of irradiated object in acting electromagnetic field; selective influence of microwaves on the biomembranes, on nervous and other highly-organized systems of living organism, on the complex formation processes and fermentative activity; resonance phenomena. These mechanisms connected with parameters of acting electromagnetic field and with electrical, magnetic and other properties of biological systems.     

Weak combined magnetic field affects basic and morphine-induced rat's EEG

The present study was undertaken to find out, whether weak combined magnetic field (CMF) with intensity comparable to that of the Earth's static magnetic field can influence the EEG activity of the rat's brain at normal (non-treated animals) conditions and after intraperitoneal (i.p.) and intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of morphine in experimental animals bearing chronically implanted electrodes and cannules. Most of the experiments were performed using CMF containing co-linear static (20.9 microT) and alternating sinusoidal (20.9 microT, 48 Hz) components, i.e., tuned for Ca2+-resonance. The effects of the field were estimated by comparison of the averaged EEG frequency spectra in the range of frequencies between 0.8-23 Hz in experimental and control animals. Statistically significant effects of CMF were observed both in non-treated and morphine-treated rats. However, the most profound effect-the drastic power reduction at most EEG frequencies-appeared in the animals subjected to the i.p.-injection of morphine. These results show that weak CMF can influence the spontaneous electrical brain activity. The data obtained are consistent with the findings of other groups demonstrating that weak magnetic fields may drastically modify the effects of both exogenous and endogenous opioids on different basic functions in vertebrates and invertebrates. Possible mechanisms for the observed effects are discussed.     

铁磁试件应力磁化过程中的磁化反转效应

在反复加载-卸载条件下,测量了35号冷轧钢试件在不同的最大拉应力作用下试件表面某确定点漏磁场随拉应力的对应关系,并进行了讨论和分析。建立了两种应力磁效应的数学模型,即应力磁化反转效应的应力等效磁场模型和应力磁化反转效应的磁导率模型。理论模型都能很好地反映应力磁化耦合的反转现象,和试验数据基本一致。理论模型的建立进一步证明了金属磁记忆定量检测的可能性。     

Rol' of the frontal lobe in synchronizing biopotentials in different regions of the dog brain

The role of the frontal cortex in formation of neocortical systemic processes has been studied by the method of sign correlation of the summate electrical activity. A distant EEG synchronization in the temporal and occipital zones sets in following strychninization of F2 zones (but not of Prc2 zones) in anaesthetized dogs or in cerveau isolé preparations. In dogs with elaborated conditioned reflexes a statistically significant distant synchronization of the neocortical EEG sets in during the delay period only in case of well expressed motivation (of hunger in case of food reinforcement, and of thirst in case of water reinforcement). No distant conditioned EEG synchronization was revealed in lobectomised dogs. The role of the frontal cortex in the intracerebral integration is discussed which is necessary for achievement of the forthcoming signal activity.     

The theta rhythm of the infant EEG and the development of the mechanisms of voluntary control of attention in the 2nd half of the first year of life

The neurophysiological basis of attention control was studied in infants at the second half-year of life, i.e. in the period when the capability for voluntary control over behavior fundamentally improves. EEG was recorded in 60 infants aed 8-11 months in three experimental conditions: 1) attention to an object in the visual field (externally controlled attention, or the baseline state), 2) anticipation of a person in the peek-a-boo game (internally controlled attention), 3) attention to the reappeared person in the peek-a-boo game (control condition). The spectral analysis of the EEG data revealed a sharp increase in the EEG theta (3.6-6.0 Hz) during internally controlled attention as compared to the baseline and control conditions. The theta1 (3.6-4.8 Hz) increase was maximal in the frontal derivations. The reactivity of the frontal theta1 during internally controlled attention discriminated infants with different abilities to maintain this type of attention. The reactivity of the theta2 (5.2-6.0 Hz) was maximal in the right temporal derivation (T6) and did not depend on stability of the anticipatory attention. The findings point to different functional significance of the theta1 and theta2 rhythms in infants. It is suggested that synchronization of the frontal theta1 rhythm in infants reflects the activity of the anterior attention system which realizes the executive attention control. The ability to maintain anticipatory attention increased with age, whereas the frontal theta1 synchronization decreased and totally disappeared at the age of 11 months. At the age of 8 months there was a positive correlation between the frontal theta1 synchronization and behavioral index of stability of the internally controlled attention. On the contrary, this correlation was negative at the age of 9 and 10 months. It is suggested that the age-dependent dynamics of the relationship between the frontal theta1 reactivity and attention reflects a leap in maturation of the anterior attention system resulting in its more economic and efficient functioning.     

Medico-biological effect of natural electromagnetic variations

Emergency ambulance statistical data accumulated in Moscow during March 1983-October 1984 have been analyzed. Diurnal numbers of urgent hospitalization of patients in connection with suicides, mental disorders, myocardial infarction, defects of cerebrum vessels and arterial and venous diseases have been examined. Intensity and duration of planetary geomagnetic storms were used as magnetic activity indices. Comparison of geomagnetic and medical data rows has shown that at least 75% of magnetic storms caused increase in hospitalization of patients with the above-mentioned diseases on 30-80% at average. The dependence of the value of biotropic effect on the duration of effect and intensity of magnetic storm is observed.     

Transgenerational effects of abusive violence on the children of Vietnam combat veterans

The present study was aimed at the comparative assessment of electrophysiological and clinical data in persons (155 right-handed men) who took part in the Chernobyl clean-up in different periods after radiation. Dynamic evaluation of psychoneurological disorders revealed the growth of incidence and severity of cerebrovascular disturbances accompanied by the signs of organic symptoms' aggravation and encephalopathy in longer periods after radiation. The results of neuropsychological examination also showed the deterioration of patients' state manifested as growth of fatigue, cognitive defects, and emotional impairments. Analysis of the EEG parameters, including power and coherence mapping and 3-d dipole source localization analysis demonstrated the increasing number of patients with the most severe forms of EEG pathology: the "plane" type in combination with fast paroxysmal (beta-band) and slow forms of activity from 45% in 1990-92 to 63% in 1997. The "hypersynchronization" type of EEG activity was typical for the earlier period accompanied by the dominance of the pathological forms of EEG activity in mediobasal structures of the left hemisphere, and brainstem zones vs. diencephalon and the right hemisphere. The later period was characterized by decreasing coherence in symmetrical frontal and front-temporal areas of the left hemisphere, while in the early period the hypersynchronization prevailed in symmetrical central areas and in the right hemisphere. The evidence were obtained to a disconnection between the brain hemispheres. We suppose that the progressive involvement of structures of the limbic-reticular complex (especially, brainstem, mediobasal structures, and white matter) into the pathological process occurs with time in participants of clean-up of the Chernobyl disaster consequences.     

Qualitative and quantitative assessment of exposure to geomagnetic field variations on the functional status of the human brain

The comparison of functional dynamics of human brain with reference to qualitative and quantitative characteristics of local geomagnetic field (GMF) variations was conducted. It was showed that just local GMF variations can be a principal reason of modulation the human brain's functional state. The steady and unsteady states of human brain can be determined: by geomagnetic disturbances before the observation period; by structure and doses of GMF variations; by different combinations of qualitative and quantitative characteristics of GMF variations. The optimal level of GMF activity, manifested in periodic oscillations in certain amplitude-frequency range is demanded for steady brain's functional state. The decrease of optimal GMF activity level and the appearance of aperiodic disturbances of GMF can be a reason of unsteady brain's state.     

Abdominal epilepsy in an adolescent with bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria

PURPOSE: We report a patient with recurrent episodes of severe periumbilical pain accompanied by headache, pallor, dizziness, and visual hallucinations who was subsequently diagnosed as having abdominal epilepsy and a bilateral sylvian cortical malformation. METHODS AND RESULTS: During an EEG examination, the patient had a simple partial seizure, manifested as intense abdominal pain. The ictal EEG showed a focal electrographic seizure arising from the left frontotemporal region. Computed tomography scan was normal; however, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed asymmetric lesions involving both sylvian fissures compatible with polymicrogyria. Onset of treatment with sodium valproate was followed by a significant reduction of seizures. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal epilepsy should be suspected in adolescents or adults with paroxysmal episodes of abdominal pain associated with migraine-like symptoms. EEG and MRI investigations are indicated. A developmental brain disorder should be considered as a possible etiology.     

弱磁场下镀锌板磁性能的研究

针对冷轧生产的涂层钢板的直流磁性能进行了分析。分析结果表明,弱磁场(地磁范围)的直流磁性能,不随锌层量的变化而变化,在一定涂层重量条件下,不随钢板厚度和强度的变化而变化。     

Interrelationships between the background impulse activity of cortical neurons and the EEG

Spike activity of cortical units and EEG on the surface of the cortex near the microelectrode were recorded simultaneously in alert non-immobilized rabbits. The technique of synchronous summation used in the data processing has revealed a statistically significant interrelation between background spike activity of the cortical units and the surface biopotentials. A predominant tendency was revealed toward generation of a spike during the maximal surface-positive deviation of slow biopotentials. The average level of cross-correlation between the spike and slow processes in the background has a magnitude of the order of +/- 10(-2), while individual cross correlation coefficients attain the magnitude of 10-1.     

Comparison of innate EEG parameters in rat lines selected for ethanol preference

Through bidirectional selective breeding, lines of rats that differ greatly in their voluntary alcohol drinking behavior have been developed--namely, the alcohol-preferring (P) and high-alcohol-drinking (HAD) lines and the alcohol-nonpreferring (NP) and low-alcohol-drinking (LAD) lines. The present experiments were designed to determine if an association exists between ethanol preference and features of the electroencephalogram (EEG) during various sleep-wake behaviors. Of the EEG parameters measured, only theta activity in the hippocampus revealed differences in the lines. However, these differences were not generally associated with ethanol preference. The peak frequency and distribution mean of hippocampal theta activity during REM sleep were significantly higher in NP rats than in P, HAD, and LAD rats. In addition, theta frequency during alert immobility tended to be higher in NP rats than in P, HAD, and LAD rats. A qualitative comparison of these data with published data from unselected rats further suggested that the NP rats are uniquely different with respect to theta frequency.     

New units for indoor air quality: decicarbdiox and decitvoc

OBJECTIVES: A framework for combining bioelectric and biomagnetic data is presented. The data are transformed to signal-to-noise ratios and reconstruction algorithms utilizing a new regularization approach are introduced. METHODS: Extensive simulations are carried out for 19 different EEG and MEG montages with radial and tangential test dipoles at different eccentricities and noise levels. The methods are verified by real SEP/SEF measurements. A common realistic volume conductor is used and the less well known in vivo conductivities are matched by calibration to the magnetic data. Single equivalent dipole fits as well as spatio-temporal source models are presented for single and combined modality evaluations and overlaid to anatomic MR images. RESULTS: Normalized sensitivity and dipole resolution profiles of the different EEG/MEG acquisition systems are derived from the simulated data. The methods and simulations are verified by simultaneously measured somatosensory data. CONCLUSIONS: Superior spatial resolution of the combined data studies is revealed, which is due to the complementary nature of both modalities and the increased number of sensors. A better understanding of the underlying neuronal processes can be achieved, since an improved differentiation between quasi-tangential and quasi-radial sources is possible.     

Magnetoreception attributed to the efficacy of light therapy

A group of specialized photoreceptors are suggested to amplify the weak interaction of the geomagnetic field with a single electron spin to the level of photon detection, resulting in a modulation of the response to light. Under exposure to rotating magnetic field, the size of pinealocytes is bigger at night than during the day in spring, but there is no day-night difference in autumn. Specialized photoreceptors are hypothesized to modulate the response of the photoreceptive system to light, and the pineal response to a magnetic stimulus, in patients with winter seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This could explain why some winter SAD patients show excessive sensitivity to light in winter.     

A pilot study of smokeless tobacco in smoking cessation

Two girls with florid extrapyramidal parkinsonism complicating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are reported. One patient (15 years old) presented with extreme rigidity, irritability, and mutism initially diagnosed as acute psychosis. Examination revealed severe extrapyramidal akinetic mutism, along with marked restlessness. CT and MRI imaging of the brain were unremarkable. EEG revealed moderate generalized disturbance of background activity. 99mTc-HmPAO SPECT cerebral scanning detected decreased regional cerebral blood flow at the basal ganglia. Dopamine-agonist drugs led to complete recovery after 3 months, along with normalization of EEG and SPECT alterations. The second patient (16 years old) was assessed for progressive bradykinesia and apathy impeding her active daily activities, and she was suspected to have developed depression. Neurologic assessment revealed a parkinsonian syndrome that was less severe than that of the first patient. The EEG showed mild disturbance of background activity, and 99mTc-HmPAO SPECT demonstrated impaired regional cerebral blood flow over the basal ganglia. A parkinsonian extrapyramidal syndrome complicating SLE should therefore be taken into account in any patient with SLE presenting with marked behavioral alterations, rigidity, or akinetic mutism.     

Pathologic classification of prostate carcinoma: the impact of margin status

Analysis of experimental data demonstrates that cosmic ray enhancement stimulates an increase of atmospheric aerosols and cloudiness. The study of solar proton events (SPE) has shown that during SPE one can observe increase in aerosol density by 1.2-1.4 times at 12-18 km altitudes. Such variations of aerosol density can be detected on global scale. Aerosol variations cause changes in integral atmospheric transparency which during disturbed periods can reach 5-6%. The atmospheric integral transparency variations are not less during the solar cycle on account of galactic cosmic ray variations. Atmospheric transparency variations creating the so-called "grey filter" for solar radiation should lead to surface temperature variations. During the periods of low solar activity under the influence of enhanced galactic cosmic ray fluxes, the density of the "grey filter" should increase and cause a decrease in surface temperatures, correspondingly. In frame of the physical mechanism considered the connection between solar cycle durations and surface temperature variations can be explained. In addition, one can understand the physical reason for the "Little Ice Age" appearance during Maunder minimum of solar activity, 2400 years periodicity of climatic processes, strong influence of the decrease in main geomagnetic field intensity on the development of Ice Age and Global Cooling.