OBJECTIVE: This study is aimed to see ultrastructural changes of pineal gland in rats exposed to microwaves. METHODS: We conducted an experiment by exposing rats at the electromagnetic wave frequency of 2.45GHz, using with an EMR(electromagnetic radiation) emitting apparatus to study the effect of electromagnetic wave on the pineal gland. Paying especial attention to measure damages to pineal gland cells in the brain, we set the levels of EMR according to the duration of electromagnetic wave exposure at 1.2 joules(20min exposure), 2.4 joules(40min exposure), 3.6 joules(60 min exposure), and 4.8 joules(80min exposure) per 1cm2. RESULTS: Compared with normal cells, main histologic changes were observed with an electron microscope included swelling of the pineal gland cells, a decrease in the electron density of interstitial tissue, an increase in the distances between pineal gland cells, an increase in number of lipid-droplets, and swelling of mitochondria. Especially in those pineal cells exposed to EMR for 80 min, severe swelling of mitochondria and a slight increase in lysosome were observed. CONCLUSION: The authors could identify the harmful effect of microwave by observing abnormal ultrastructural changes of pineal cell in rat according to the increasement of electromagnetic radiation.
Animals ; Brain ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Lysosomes ; Microwaves* ; Mitochondria ; Pineal Gland* ; Rats*

The extensive use of mobile phones causes increasing public concern on health effects of exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields. Conflicting results are found in publications on the mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic effects of RF electromagnetic fields. The overwhelming findings do not support the assumption that RF exposure may induce mutagenic, carcinogenic or teratogenic effects. However, health effects from low level RF exposure need to be further studied.
Animals ; Cell Phone ; Congenital Abnormalities ; etiology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Electromagnetic Fields ; adverse effects ; Female ; Fetal Diseases ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Neoplasms ; etiology ; Occupational Exposure ; Pregnancy ; Radio Waves ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of GSM 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) exposure on protein expression profile of human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), as to exploring the possible effects on normal cell physiological function.

METHODSMCF-7 cells were continuously or intermittently (5 minutes field on followed by 10 minutes off) exposed to RF EMF for different duration (1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, or 24 hours) at an average specific absorption rate (SAR) of 3.5 W/kg. The extracted proteins were separated by 2-dimensional electrophoresis and the protein-spot distribution of the silver-stained gels was analyzed by using PDQuest software 7.1. Each experiment was repeated three times.

RESULTSOn the average, around 1100 proteins were detected using pH 4 - 7 IPG strip. There were no differential proteins found under continuous exposure at SAR of 3.5 W/kg for 6 hours. Under other exposure conditions, we found various differentially expressed proteins in exposure groups as compared with the sham-exposed controls. Especially in 3 hours intermittent exposure and 12 hours continuous exposure, eighteen and seven differential proteins were detected, respectively. The categories and functions of these differentially expressed proteins were analyzed by searching of SWISS-PROT protein database, which suggested that these proteins should be related to the functions of biosynthesization, signal transduction, and DNA damage and repair.

CONCLUSIONSData indicated that the protein expression changes induced by RF radiation might depend on exposure duration and mode. Many biological processes might be affected by RF exposure.

Cell Line, Tumor ; radiation effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Electromagnetic Fields ; adverse effects ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Proteome ; Radio Waves

Solar urticaria is an uncommon disorder characterized by rapid development of urticarial reaction in areas of skin exposed to nonizing electromagnetic radiation. Herber and Baer classified solar urticaria into eight types on the basis of action spectrum and passive or reverse passive transfer ability. We report two cases of type ]g solar urticaria which were activated by visible light and negative in both passive and reverse passive transfer test.
Electromagnetic Radiation ; Intradermal Tests ; Light ; Skin ; Transfer (Psychology) ; Urticaria*

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of GSM 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) on DNA damage in Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells.

METHODSThe cells were intermittently exposed or sham-exposed to GSM 1800 MHz RF EMF (5 minutes on/10 minutes off) at a special absorption rate (SAR) of 3.0 W/kg for 1 hour or 24 hours. Meanwhile, cells exposed to 2-acetylaminofluorene, a DNA damage agent, at a final concentration of 20 mg/L for 2 hours were used as positive control. After exposure, cells were fixed by using 4% paraformaldehyde and processed for phosphorylated form of H2AX (gammaH2AX) immunofluorescence measurement. The primary antibody used for immunofluorescence was mouse monoclonal antibody against gammaH2AX and the secondary antibody was fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG. Nuclei were counterstained with 4, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). The gammaH2AX foci and nuclei were visualized with an Olympus AX70 fluorescent microscope. Image Pro-Plus software was used to count the gammaH2AX foci in each cell. For each exposure condition, at least 50 cells were selected to detect gammaH2AX foci. Cells were classified as positive when more than five foci were detected. The percentage of gammaH2AX foci positive cells was adopted as the index of DNA damage.

RESULTSThe percentage of gammaH2AX foci positive cell of 1800 MHz RF EMF exposure for 24 hours (37.9 +/- 8.6)% or 2-acetylaminofluorene exposure (50.9 +/- 9.4)% was significantly higher compared with the sham-exposure (28.0 +/- 8.4)%. However, there was no significant difference between the sham-exposure and RF EMF exposure for 1 hour (31.8 +/- 8.7)%.

CONCLUSION1800 MHz RF EMF (SAR, 3.0 W/kg) for 24 hours might induce DNA damage in CHL cells.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded ; radiation effects ; DNA Damage ; radiation effects ; Electromagnetic Fields ; adverse effects ; Fibroblasts ; chemistry ; radiation effects ; Radio Waves

From July, 1992 to June, 1993, 32 patients with BPH were treated with transurethral radio frequency thermotherapy(TURT) and 54 patients with transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT). Of the patients 15 and 19 were followed for 3 month(range 2-6 months) and analysed to compare the effectiveness of TURT and TUMT respectively. Mean age was 70.3(range 55-88) and 68.7( 54-82) and mean prostatic weight was 30.3gm ( 14-52gm) and 33.8gm(11 -60gm). These patients were treated by one session for 1 hour. The improved response rate with TURT versus TUMT in residual urine volume and maximal flow rate were 40%, 57% and 47%, 32%. The improved response rate more than 6 points in modified Boyarsky symptom score were 73% and 63%. The side effects were urinary retention, dysuria, hematuria and perineal discomfort in both types. We conclude there were no differences in the effectiveness according to electromagnetic wave types and these transurethral thermotherapies are safe and simple method for patients who are not candidates for surgery because of medical illness or personal favorites.
Dysuria ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced* ; Microwaves* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; Urinary Retention

The paper is focused on a kind of portable monitor that is widely used in military hospitals. In order to study the electromagnetic radiation immunity of the monitor, the experiments of electromagnetic radiation caused by radio frequency continuous wave in reverberation chamber and by ultra wide band (UWB) electromagnetic pulse have been done. The study results show that UWB electromagnetic pulse interferes observably the operating state of the monitor. It should be paid high attention to take protective measures. The monitor tested has some electromagnetic immunity ability for radio frequency continuous wave radiation. The frequent abnormal phenomena are baseline drift and waveform distortion. The electromagnetic sensitivity of the monitor is related to the frequency of interference source. The monitor tested is most sensitive to the frequency of 390 MHz.
Electromagnetic Fields ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; instrumentation

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether GSM 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF EMF) can change the gene expression profile in MCF-7 cells and to screen RF EMF responsive genes.

METHODSSubcultured MCF-7 cells were intermittently (5-minute fields on/10-minute fields off) exposed or sham-exposed to GSM 1800 MHz RF EMF, which was modulated by 217 Hz EMF, for 24 hours at an average specific absorption rate (SAR) of 2.0 W/kg or 3.5 W/kg. Immediately after RF EMF exposure or sham-exposure, total RNA was isolated from MCF-7 cells and then purified. Affymetrix Human Genome U133A Genechip was applied to examine the change of gene expression profile according to the manufacturer's instruction. Data was analyzed by Affymetrix Microarray Suite 5.0 (MAS 5.0) and Affymetrix Data Mining Tool 3.0 (DMT 3.0). Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to validate the differentially expressed genes identified by Genechip analysis.

RESULTSA small number of differential expression genes were found in each comparison after RF EMF exposure. Through reproducible and consistent analysis, no gene or five up-regulated genes were screened out after exposure to RF EMF at SAR of 2.0 W/kg or 3.5 W/kg, respectively. However, these five genes could not be further confirmed by RT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONThe present study did not provide clear evidence that RF EMF exposure might distinctly change the gene expression profile in MCF-7 cells under current experimental conditions, implying that the exposure might not affect the MCF-7 cell physiology, or this cell line might be less sensitive to the RF EMF exposure.

Cell Line, Tumor ; radiation effects ; Electromagnetic Fields ; adverse effects ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Radiation Dosage ; Radio Waves ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of low intensity and very high frequency (VHF) electromagnetic radiation (170 MHz) on nervous system function and serum enzymes and immune function in human subjects with occupational exposure to VHF.

METHODSTo measure the intensity of VHF and other environmental factors on the spot, to hold the questionnaire about chief complaints, to examine the rheoencephalography and the neurobehavior function, to analyze ALT, AST, ALP and LDH, and IgA, IgM and IgG in experimental group and control group.

RESULTSThe intensity of VHF (direction of antenna: 0 degrees, 10 m and 135 degrees, 20 m) was higher than that of national standard on-the-spot. The incidences of symptoms such as headache, insomnia and amnesia etc. was significantly higher in experimental group (P < 0.01). Rheoencephalography indicated that the raising time of both left [(0.155 3 +/- 0.057 9) s] and right [(0.154 1 +/- 0.059 2) s] in the experimental group after exposure were significantly longer than before exposure [(0.104 4 +/- 0.030 2) s, (0.103 2 +/- 0.030 4) s respectively] or in the control [(0.118 5 +/- 0.056 8) s, (0.117 7 +/- 0.057 5) s respectively, (P < 0.01)]. Neurobehavior function test showed that digital symbol, digital span and pursuit aiming test were decreased after exposure in the experimental group (P < 0.01). Serum enzyme analysis showed that AST, ALP and LDH were significantly increased after exposure in the experimental group (P < 0.01). No marked change was found in IgA level, while the levels of IgM and IgG after exposure in the experimental group especially the latter were significantly increased (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSLow-intensity VHF radiation can decrease the nervous system function in occupationally exposed personnel and induce increase in some kinds of enzymes and immunoglobulins.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Electroencephalography ; radiation effects ; Electromagnetic Fields ; adverse effects ; Higher Nervous Activity ; drug effects ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; radiation effects ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; radiation effects ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; Radiation Dosage ; Radio Waves ; adverse effects ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; radiation effects

Electromagnetic Fields ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Humans ; Mitochondria ; radiation effects