OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of extremely low frequency magnetic and electric fields (ELFEMFs) emitted from 380 kV transmission lines on some leukocyte differentiation antigens in dairy cows.

METHODSThe study was carried out in 5 cows exposed to 1.98-3.28 microT of ELFEMFs and in 5 control cows exposed to 0.2-0.7 microT of ELFEMFs. Following haematological and immunologic parameters were measured in both groups: WBC, CD45R, CD6, CD4, CD8, CD21, and CD11B leukocyte antigen expression.

RESULTSSome of the haematological and immunologic parameters under investigation were similar in both groups. However, CD8 (T lymphocyte surface antigen) was higher in the exposed group (1.35 +/- 0.120 vs. 0.50 +/- 0.14 x 10(3)/mL). Furthermore, the CD4/CD8 ratio (0.84 +/- 0.05 and 2.19 +/- 0.16 for exposed and not exposed cows respectively) and circadian rhythm were different between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONExposure to ELFEMFs is responsible of the abnormal temporal variations and distribution of some haematological and immunological parameters in dairy cows.

Animals ; Antigens, CD ; blood ; Cattle ; Circadian Rhythm ; radiation effects ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Environmental Exposure ; analysis ; Female ; Leukocytes ; immunology

Background/Aims: Since available data on pediatric non-erosive esophageal phenotypes (NEEPs) are scant, we investigated their prevalence and the phenotype-dependent treatment response in these children. Methods: Over a 5-year period, children with negative upper endoscopy, who underwent esophageal pH-impedance (off-therapy) for persisting symptoms not responsive to proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-treatment, were recruited. Based on the results of acid reflux index (RI) and symptom association probability (SAP), patients were categorized into: (1) abnormal RI (non-erosive reflux disease [NERD]), (2) normal RI and abnormal SAP (reflux hypersensitivity [RH]), (3) normal RI and normal SAP (functional heartburn [FH]), and (4) normal RI and not-reliable SAP (normal-RI-not otherwise-specified [normal-RI-NOS]). For each subgroup, treatment response was evaluated. Results: Out of 2333 children who underwent esophageal pH-impedance, 68 cases, including 18 NERD, 14 RH, 26 FH, and 10 normal-RI-NOS were identified as fulfilling the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Considering symptoms before endoscopy, chest pain was more reported in NERD than in other cases (6/18 vs 5/50, P = 0.031). At long-term follow-up of 23 patients (8 NERD, 8 FH, 2 RH, and 5 normal-RI-NOS): 17 were on PPIs and 2 combined alginate, 1 (FH) was on benzodiazepine + anticholinergic, 1 (normal-RI-NOS) on citalopram, and 3 had no therapy. A complete symptom-resolution was observed in 5/8 NERD, in 2/8 FH, and in 2/5 normal-RI-NOS. Conclusions FH may be the most common pediatric NEEP. At long-term follow-up, there was a trend toward a more frequent complete symptom resolution with PPI-therapy in NERD patients while other groups did not benefit from extended acid-suppressive-treatment.