Non-thermal continuous and modulated electromagnetic radiation fields effects on sleep EEG of rats

In the present study, the alteration in the sleep EEG in rats due to chronic exposure to low-level non-thermal electromagnetic radiation was investigated. Two types of radiation fields were used; 900 MHz unmodulated wave and 900 MHz modulated at 8 and 16 Hz waves. Animals has exposed to radiation fields for 1 month [1 h/day]. EEG power spectral analyses of exposed and control animals during slow wave sleep [SWS] and rapid eye movement sleep [REM sleep] revealed that the REM sleep is more susceptible to modulated radiofrequency radiation fields [RFR] than the SWS. The latency of REM sleep increased due to radiation exposure indicating a change in the ultradian rhythm of normal sleep cycles. The cumulative and irreversible effect of radiation exposure was proposed and the interaction of the extremely low frequency radiation with the similar EEG frequencies was suggested

Quality of life among visually impaired elderly at assiut university hospital

Vision impairment is common among older adults and increases with age. About 314 million people are visually impaired worldwide; 45 million of them are blind. Most people with visual impairment are older, and females are more at risk at every age. About 82% of all people who are visually impaired are age 50 years and older [although they represent only 19% of the world's population]. About 87% of visually impaired live in developing countries, [World Health Organization [WHO], 2009]. This study aimed to assess the quality of life among visually impaired elderly patient attending ophthalmic clinic at Assiut University Hospital. Methods: Descriptive, Cross Sectional research design was used in this study. The total number of the study subjects were 275 elders aged 60+ years, Alert, able to communicate and agreed to participate in the study two tools were used to collect the data needed for the study. The first tool was structured interview sheet, it consisted of three parts, and the first one was concerned with personal and socio-demographic characteristics of the study sample. The second part covered the elderly medical history [history of eye disease, onset of visual impairment, first time of eye examination, changes in vision acuity during the last years, onset of changes in vision acuity, measures taken on onset of the disease]. Part Three: it included the other health problems as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, arteriosclerosis, or other diseases. The second tool was Quality of Life Scale: it include information related to the original scale constructed by Lehman [1986] and from WHO [1997]. It consists of [50] items divided into six domains or subscales, the quality of life domains are physical health, self-dependence, psychological status, social relationships, environment, and spiritual/ religion/ personal beliefs. Data was collected during the period from the first of June2009 to the end of May2010. The present study showed that the mean age of the studied sample was 65.95 +/- 6.23 years with directed relation between quality of life scores of the studied sample and their age. Vision impairment was more common in female than male the result of the current study revealed that more than three-fifths of studied sample was female. Regarding to the cause of visually impaired, it noticed that cataract was a relatively frequent cause of visual impairment, more than three-quarter of the studied sample had cataract, visual impairment is associated with a significant decrease in QOL among the studied sample, [14.9%] of the studied sample had low score while three-fifths of them had moderate score. Visual impairment affected QOL domains, such as physical domains, self dependence psychological status, social domains, and environment domains. The results of the present study offer general awareness of the impact of visual impairment on the QOL of elderly patient. This suggests a greater need for eye care services in older populations. Increasing elderly awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to detect early health deviation to make early detection, treatment, and prevent complications. Screening for all elderly population who suffer from diabetes for early detection of diabetic retinopathy this should be part of the health examination