[Quantitative analysis of ovalbumin by thin-layer isoelectric focusing (author's transl)]. / Analyse quantitative de l'ovalbumine par electrofocalisation sur gel de polyacrylamide en couche mince

A new method for quantitation of ovalbumin by thin layer isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gel is described. This technique separates ovalbumin from avian-magnum homogenates or egg white and allows the quantitative determination of each ovalbumin fraction. Considering the very small amount (7 mul) of sample needed for an analysis, the sensitivity and the reproducibility of the proposed method are good. The application of this technique to quail egg white ovalbumin analysis leads to the characterization of four fractions A3, A2, A1 and A0 containing, respectively, 0, 1, 2 and 3 atoms of phosphorus per mole and with isoelectric points that range from 4.95 (A3) to 4.65 (A0).

Influence of skin illumination on serum acetylcholinesterase of the rabbit.

The effects of skin illumination (continuous or discontinuous colorless or yellow filtered white light) on acetylcholinesterase levels are tested on rabbit serum. Significant increases in acetylcholinesterase are observed with continuous and discontinuous colorless filtered white light as compared to controls.

Influence of skin illumination on blood glucose level of the rabbit.

The effects of skin illumination with light beam on blood glucose level are tested on the rabbit. Significant difference in glucose values was observed only between continuous and discontinuous lighted animals 90 minutes after skin illumination (P less than 0.02).

[Danger of cellular telephones and their relay stations]. / Danger des téléphones cellulaires et de leurs stations relais.

Cellular phones and their base stations emit pulsed microwaves in the environment. Cellular phone users are exposed in the near field and, under this condition, a large part of the electromagnetic energy is absorbed by the head, leading to an increased brain temperature. The general population is exposed under far field conditions to an electromagnetic intensity depending on the distance from the base station, passive re-emitters, the number of communications maintained by the base station and their position in relation to antennae (in front of the antenna or behind). Biological effects have been reported, such as radiofrequency sickness, electroencephalographic and blood pressure changes and also cancer risks in humans and animals exposed to microwave irradiation. Some European countries (Italy, France, Belgium, etc.) have taken measures to protect their populations.

[Investigation on the health of people living near mobile telephone relay stations: I/Incidence according to distance and sex]. / Enquête sur la santé de riverains de stations relais de téléphonie mobile: I/incidences de la distance et du sexe.

A survey study using questionnaire was conducted in 530 people (270 men, 260 women) living or not in vicinity of cellular phone base stations, on 18 Non Specific Health Symptoms. Comparisons of complaints frequencies (CHI-SQUARE test with Yates correction) in relation with distance from base station and sex, show significant (p < 0.05) increase as compared to people living > 300 m or not exposed to base station, till 300 m for tiredness, 200 m for headache, sleep disturbance, discomfort, etc. 100 m for irritability, depression, loss of memory, dizziness, libido decrease, etc. Women significantly more often than men (p < 0.05) complained of headache, nausea, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, depression, discomfort and visual perturbations. This first study on symptoms experienced by people living in vicinity of base stations shows that, in view of radioprotection, minimal distance of people from cellular phone base stations should not be < 300 m.

[Symptoms reported by mobile cellular telephone users]. / Symptômes rapportés par des utilisateurs de téléphones mobiles cellulaires.

A survey study, using questionnaire, was conducted in 161 students and workers in a French engineering school on symptoms experienced during use of digital cellular phones. A significant increase in concentration difficulty (p < 0.05) was reported by users of 1800-MHz (DCS) cellular phones compared to 900-MHz (GSM) phone users. In users of cellular phones, women significantly (p < 0.05) complained more often of sleep disturbance than men. This sex difference for sleep complaint is not observed between women and men non-users of cellular phone. The use of both cellular phones and VDT significantly (p < 0.05) increased concentration difficulty. Digital cellular phone users also significantly (p < 0.05) more often complained of discomfort, warmth, and picking on the ear during phone conversation in relation with calling duration per day and number of calls per day. The complaint of warmth on the ear might be a signal to users for stopping the call.

[Symptoms experienced by people in vicinity of base stations: II/ Incidences of age, duration of exposure, location of subjects in relation to the antennas and other electromagnetic factors]. / Enquête sur la santé de riverains de stations relais de téléphonie mobile: II/ Incidences de l'âge des sujets, de la durée de leur exposition et de leur position par rapport aux antennes et autres sources électromagnétiques.

This is the 2nd part of a survey study conducted on 530 people (270 men, 260 women) living or not in vicinity of cellular phone base stations. Comparison of complaints frequencies for 16 Non Specific Health Symptoms was done with the CHI-Square test with Yates correction. Our results show significant increase (p < 0.05) in relation with age of subjects (elder subjects are more sensitive) and also, that the facing location is the worst position for some symptoms studied, especially for distances till 100 m from base stations. No significant difference is observed in the frequency of symptoms related to the duration of exposure (from < 1 year to > 5 years), excepted for irritability significantly increased after > 5 years. Other electromagnetic factors (electrical transformers, radio-television transmitters,...) have effects on the frequency of some symptoms reported by the subjects.

[Demonstration, in the black mouse, of a protein linked to the process of cancer formation in B16 melanoma]. / Mise en évidence chez la Souris "black" d'une protéine liée au processus de cancérisation par le mélanome B16.

One supplementary protein (PI = 3,5; molecular weight 70 000) was detected by electrofocusing in sera of black male and female Mice bearing the B16 melanoma. This protein was also present in the cytoplasmic fraction of tumoral cells, but not in the membrane fraction and cytoplasmic fractions of hepatic and spleen cells. The cancerous Mice presented an augmentation of the total sera proteins compared to the controls.