OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMFs) on pregnant mice and development of offsprings.

METHODSFemale mice were exposed to 50 Hz, 1.2 mT electromagnetic fields during the whole pregnant period (8 h/d). The body weight of dams, delivery and development of offsprings were observed and measured.

RESULTSThe increase of body weight of exposed dams (29.0%) was significantly slower than that of the control group (47.8%) during late pregnancy period (P < 0.05). The producing rate of exposed group was 60% of that of control group. Miscarriage, fetal loss and externally malformed fetus appeared in exposed group. The average number of offsprings of each exposed mouse was significantly decreased (11 +/- 1.6 vs 7 +/- 2.0, P < 0.05) and 11 for control group. Regarding the development of offspring, the body weight of prenatally exposed offsprings was increased more slowly than that of the control in the first two weeks after birth (P < 0.05). Developmental manifestations including eye opening [(252 +/- 24) h] and tooth eruption [(336 +/- 19) h] presented later in exposed offspring [(226 +/- 12), (319 +/- 15) h, respectively] (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONExposure to ELF EMFs during pregnancy period can cause adverse effects on pregnancy of female mice and development of offsprings.

Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced ; Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; Reproduction ; radiation effects

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the influence of gestational age at exposure on the prenatal effects of gamma-radiation. Pregnant ICR mice were exposed to a single dose of 2.0 Gy gamma-radiation at a gestational 2.5 to 15.5 days post-coitus (p.c.). The animals were sacrificed on day 18 of gestation and the fetuses were examined for mortality, growth retardation, change in head size and any other morphological abnormalities. The only demonstrable effect of irradiation during the preimplantation period was an increase in prenatal mortality. Resorptions were maximal on post-exposure day 2.5 after conception. The pre-implantation irradiated embryos which survived did not show any major fetal abnormalities. Small head, growth retardation, cleft palate, dilatation of the cerebral ventricle, dilatation of the renal pelvis and abnormalities of the extremities and tail were prominent after exposure during the organogenesis period, especially on day 11.5 of gestation. Our results indicate that the late period of organogenesis in the mouse is a particularly sensitive phase in terms of the development of the brain, skull and extremities.
Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced/*pathology ; Animals ; Bone and Bones/abnormalities/radiation effects ; Female ; Fetal Death ; *Gamma Rays ; *Gestational Age ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Animal/*radiation effects ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects

In 1945, many Koreans, in addition to Japanese, were killed or injured by the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. This study compared the biological profiles of Korean atomic bomb survivors in residence at Daegu and Kyungbuk, Republic of Korea with those of a representative sample of Koreans obtained during a similar period. We evaluated anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, blood cell counts, blood chemistry, and urinalysis of survivors (n=414) and age- and sex-matched controls (n=414) recruited from the third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2005. Univariate analyses revealed significantly higher systolic blood pressure, white blood cell count, and serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and aspartate aminotransferase levels (p<0.01) in the survivors. Conversely, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, red blood cell count, and the proportion of positive urine occult blood (p<0.01) were lower in the survivors. Our findings suggest that biological profiles of Korean atomic bomb survivors were adversely affected by radiation exposure.
Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced ; Aged ; Biological Markers/analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea ; Male ; *Nuclear Warfare ; Radiation Injuries/diagnosis/*metabolism ; Radioactive Fallout ; Survivors

Many Koreans, in addition to Japanese, were killed or injured by the atomic bombs detonated over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in 1945. Our study examined noncancer diseases of Korean A-bomb survivors in residence at Hapcheon, Republic of Korea and evaluated whether they had significantly higher prevalence of noncancer diseases than non-exposed people. We evaluated a number of tests, including anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, blood chemistry, hepatitis B surface antigen, and urinalysis, of survivors (n=223) and controls (n=372). Univariate analysis revealed significantly lower fasting glucose and creatinine, and higher diastolic blood pressure, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and blood urea nitrogen levels in the survivors than in the controls. The calculation of crude prevalence ratios (PRs) revealed that A-bomb survivors had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension (PR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.00-1.35) and chronic liver disease (2.20; 1.59-3.06) than controls. After adjusting for covariates (age, sex, body mass index, marital status, education, alcohol consumption, and smoking), A-bomb survivors had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension (1.24; 1.06-1.44), chronic liver disease (2.07; 1.51-2.84), and hypercholesterolemia (1.79; 1.11-2.90) than controls. This study suggests that A-bomb exposure is associated with a higher prevalence of non-cancer diseases in Korean survivors.
Survivors ; Radioactive Fallout ; Radiation Injuries/diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Nuclear Warfare ; Neoplasms ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Korea ; Japan ; Humans ; Female ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aged ; Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced ; etiology ; Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced ; etiology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Contraindications ; Female ; Humans ; Mastectomy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy ; adverse effects ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy