Exploring the radiosensitizing potential of magnetotherapy: a pilot study in breast cancer cells.

Aim: To explore the influence of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on the cell cycle progression of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines and to evaluate the radiosensitizing effect of magnetotherapy during therapeutic co-exposure to EMFs and radiotherapy. Material and methods: Cells were exposed to EMFs (25, 50 and 100 Hz; 8 and 10 mT). In the co-treatment, cells were first exposed to EMFs (50 Hz/10 mT) for 30 min and then to ionizing radiation (IR) (2 Gy) 4 h later. Cell cycle progression and free radical production were evaluated by flow cytometry, while radiosensitivity was explored by colony formation assay. Results: Generalized G1-phase arrest was found in both cell lines several hours after EMF exposure. Interestingly, a marked G1-phase delay was observed at 4 h after exposure to 50 Hz/10 mT EMFs. No cell cycle perturbation was observed after repeated exposure to EMFs. IR-derived ROS production was enhanced in EMF-exposed MCF-7 cells at 24 h post-exposure. EMF-exposed cells were more radiosensitive in comparison to sham-exposed cells. Conclusions: These results highlight the potential benefits of concomitant treatment with magnetotherapy before radiotherapy sessions to enhance the effectiveness of breast cancer therapy. Further studies are warranted to identify the subset(s) of patients who would benefit from this multimodal treatment.

Anogenital distance and reproductive outcomes in 9- to 11-year-old boys: the INMA-Granada cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Studies examining the association of anogenital distance (AGD), a biomarker of prenatal androgen exposure, with sexual development in children are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between AGD measures and reproductive outcomes, including puberty onset, testicular volume, reproductive hormone levels, and urogenital malformations in boys aged 9-11 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among children belonging to the Spanish Environment and Childhood (INMA) Project, a population-based birth cohort study. The present sample included 279 boys for whom data were available on AGD, pubertal stage, testicular volume, and relevant covariates. Out of the boys with AGD data, 187 provided a blood sample for hormone analysis. AGD was measured from the center of the anus to the base of the scrotum. Pubertal development was assessed according to Tanner stage of genital development (G1-G5), and testicular volume was measured with an orchidometer. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounders, logistic regression analysis showed that AGD was positively associated with testicular volume but not with Tanner stage (>G1 vs. G1), serum hormone levels, or undescended testis. Regardless of their age, body mass index, and Tanner stage (G1 or >G1), boys with longer AGD showed increased odds of a testicular volume >3 mL (OR = 1.06, 95%CI = 1.00-1.19 per 10% increment in AGD; and OR = 3.14, 95%CI = 0.99-9.94 for AGD >42 mm vs. <33 mm). DISCUSSION: Longer AGD was associated with testicular growth, an indicator of gonadarche, but not with other reproductive outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Although AGD was positively associated with testicular volume, it remains unclear whether AGD predicts testis size at puberty or is related to puberty onset.

Radiofrequency exposure in the Neonatal Medium Care Unit.

The aims of this study were to characterize electromagnetic fields of radiofrequency (RF-EMF) levels generated in a Neonatal Medium Care Unit and to analyze RF-EMF levels inside unit's incubators. Spot and long-term measurements were made with a dosimeter. The spot measurement mean was 1.51±0.48V/m. Higher values were found in the proximity to the window and to the incubator evaluated. Mean field strength for the entire period of 17h was 0.81 (±0.07)V/m and the maximum value was 1.58V/m for long-term RF-EMF measurements in the incubator. Values found during the night period were higher than those found during the day period. It is important to consider RF-EMF exposure levels in neonatal care units, due to some evidence of adverse health effects found in children and adults. Characterization of RF-EMF exposure may be important to further investigate the mechanisms and underlying effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on infant health. A prudent avoidance strategy should be adopted because newborns are at a vulnerable stage of development and the actual impact of EMF on premature infants is unknown.

Exposure to bisphenol A and behavior in school-age children.

INTRODUCTION: Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure has been shown to affect human brain neurodevelopment and behavior. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate whether environmental exposure to BPA in children was associated with their childhood behavior. METHODS: Urinary BPA concentrations and behavioral characteristics were assessed in 300 children belonging to the INMA "Environment and Childhood" Granada birth cohort in their follow-up at 9-11 years of age. BPA concentrations were quantified in urine using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS), and child behavior reported by parents using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/6-18) under supervision of a psychologist. The association between BPA concentrations and CBCL standardized scores was analyzed using linear regression models, adjusted for important covariates. RESULTS: Median (P25, P75) BPA concentration was 4.76 (2.77, 9.03)µg/L. Mean (±SD) CBCL externalizing and internalizing scores were 56.35 (±8.06) and 51.36 (±9.22), respectively. In multivariate regression analyses, adjusted for maternal and child characteristics, higher BPA concentrations were associated with worse behavioral scores on all scales. Children with BPA concentrations in the 4th quartile had more somatic complaints (ß=2.35; 95% CI: 0.25, 4.46) and social (ß=1.71; 95% CI: 0.19, 3.22) and thought problems (ß=2.58; 95% CI: 0.66, 4.51) in comparison to those in the 1st quartile. Children with values in the 3rd quartile of BPA concentrations also showed greater social problems (ß=1.94; 95% CI: 0.43, 3.45). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that exposure to BPA in childhood may affect children's behavior. Although further investigations are required, preventive measures should be undertaken to reduce inadvertent exposure to BPA.

Outdoor characterization of radio frequency electromagnetic fields in a Spanish birth cohort.

There is considerable public concern in many countries about the possible adverse effects of exposure to non-ionizing radiation electromagnetic fields, especially in vulnerable populations such as children. The aim of this study was to characterize environmental exposure profiles within the frequency range 100kHz-6GHz in the immediate surrounds of the dwellings of 123 families from the INMA-Granada birth cohort in Southern Spain, using spot measurements. The arithmetic mean root mean-square electric field (ERMS) and power density (SRMS) values were, respectively, 195.79mV/m (42.3% of data were above this mean) and 799.01µW/m(2) (30% of values were above this mean); median values were 148.80mV/m and 285.94µW/m(2), respectively. Exposure levels below the quantification limit were assigned a value of 0.01V/m. Incident field strength levels varied widely among different areas or towns/villages, demonstrating spatial variability in the distribution of exposure values related to the surface area population size and also among seasons. Although recorded values were well below International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection reference levels, there is a particular need to characterize incident field strength levels in vulnerable populations (e.g., children) because of their chronic and ever-increasing exposure. The effects of incident field strength have not been fully elucidated; however, it may be appropriate to apply the precautionary principle in order to reduce exposure in susceptible groups.

Thyroid status and its association with cognitive functioning in healthy boys at 10 years of age.

OBJECTIVE: Thyroid hormones (THs) are crucial for the correct maturation of the CNS and the neurodevelopment of the child. We aimed to investigate the association of TSH and free thyroxine (FT4) levels with cognitive functioning in children from the INMA-Granada cohort studied during their follow-up at the age of 9-11 years. DESIGN: We evaluated 300 children from the original cohort, which comprised 668 eligible mother-son pairs recruited at birth from 2000 to 2002 in Granada (Spain). METHODS: FT4 and TSH concentrations were measured, and cognitive development was assessed using neuropsychological tests (n=187). Children with chronic disease related to thyroid function and/or cognitive development were excluded. RESULTS: Median TSH and FT4 levels were 3.1 µIU/ml and 1.2 ng/dl respectively. In multivariable regression analyses adjusted for maternal and child characteristics, children with TSH levels in the top tertile had worse verbal comprehension and immediate and long-term recall. Children with FT4 levels in the top tertile had better attention and lower impulsivity and were at a lower risk of scoring below the 20th percentile in intelligence quotient (OR=0.24; 95% CI=0.08-0.74; P=0.013) and in abstract reasoning ability (OR=0.28; 95% CI=0.09-0.88; P=0.029). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that circulating THs and TSH may in the top tertile have an impact on cognitive functions; thus, higher TSH slightly but significantly increased the risk of a lower score in certain neuropsychological tests.

Matrix metalloproteinases: potential therapy to prevent the development of second malignancies after breast radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy is widely used in the treatment of patients with breast cancer, but ionizing radiation-induced carcinogenesis has been described in several studies. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a wide family of proteases secreted by tumour and microenvironmental cells that are directly linked with invasion and metastasis through complete extracellular matrix (ECM) breakage. In the past decade, MMPs have been associated with other carcinogenesis steps, including tumour growth and angiogenesis promotion. Moreover, in vitro studies have demonstrated an enhanced migration, invasiveness, and angiogenic ability of cancer cells after radiation exposure through an increase in MMP activity. These findings are consistent with clinical observations of breast cancer metastases raised in bone, lung and brain tissues after radiotherapy. The aim of this review was to analyse the current state of research on MMPs and report new insights into the potential of MMP-targeted therapy in combination with radiotherapy to decrease the risk of radiation-induced second malignancies and to improve the overall survival of breast cancer patients.

Exposición humana a compuestos con actividad disruptora endocrina en la población española / Human Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals in the Spanish population

Introducción: En el concepto de disruptor endocrino se incluye un amplio grupo de compuestos químicos, con diversas estructuras moleculares, que comparten su capacidad de interferir sobre elsistema hormonal. Los disruptores endocrinos están presentes en útiles y elementos de uso cotidiano, desde plásticos, papel reciclado a plaguicidas y cosméticos. Numerosos estudios han demostrado efectos adversos sobre la salud humana derivados de la exposición a disruptores endocrinos, como alteraciones reproductivas y aumento de ciertos tipos de cáncer. Objetivo: Recopilar información acerca del grado de exposición de la población general española a disruptores endocrinos. Metodología: Revisión sistemática de todas las publicaciones científicas de los últimos 5 años acerca de exposición humana a disruptores endocrinos, en muestras de población general española. Discusión: De la revisión realizada se deduce que la población española está expuesta de forma frecuente a disruptores endocrinos, ya que se encuentran niveles detectables de estos compuestos en diferentes matrices biológicas de diversos grupos de población. La progresiva incorporación de nuevas sustancias en el mercado, así como la falta de estudios científicos que evalúen la incertidumbre entorno al efecto combinado de múltiples residuos, hacen que la exposición humana a estos compuestos continúe siendo un problema para la salud pública(AU)

Introduction: Endocrine disruptors are a wide group of chemicals, with diverse structures, capable of interfering with the endocrine system. These chemicals are present in several items, such as plastics, recycled paper, pesticides and cosmetics. Several studies have reported adverse health effects derived from the exposure to endocrine disruptors, e.g. reproductive disorders and higher rate of certain types of cancer. Objective: To gather information concerning the exposure of the Spanish general population to endocrine disruptors. Methodology: Systematic review of the publications indexed in the last 5 years concerning human exposure to endocrine disruptors in samples of general population from Spain. Discussion/Conclusions: From this review, we concluded that the Spanish population is frequently exposed to endocrine disruptors, due to the presence of detectable levels of these chemicals indifferent samples of population. The introduction of new substances in the market, as well as the lack of scientific studies that explore the combined effect of multiple chemicals, make the exposure aproblem for Public Health(AU)

Exposure to electromagnetic fields (non-ionizing radiation) and its relationship with childhood leukemia: a systematic review.

Childhood exposure to physical contamination, including non-ionizing radiation, has been implicated in numerous diseases, raising concerns about the widespread and increasing sources of exposure to this type of radiation. The primary objective of this review was to analyze the current state of knowledge on the association between environmental exposure to non-ionizing radiation and the risk of childhood leukemia. Scientific publications between 1979 and 2008 that include examination of this association have been reviewed using the MEDLINE/PubMed database. Studies to date have not convincingly confirmed or ruled out an association between non-ionizing radiation and the risk of childhood leukemia. Discrepancies among the conclusions of the studies may also be influenced by confounding factors, selection bias, and misclassification. Childhood defects can result from genetic or epigenetic damage and from effects on the embryo or fetus, which may both be related to environmental exposure of the parent before conception or during the pregnancy. It is therefore critical for researchers to define a priori the type and "window" of exposure to be assessed. Methodological problems to be solved include the proper diagnostic classification of individuals and the estimated exposure to non-ionizing radiation, which may act through various mechanisms of action. There appears to be an urgent need to reconsider exposure limits for low frequency and static magnetic fields, based on combined experimental and epidemiological research into the relationship between exposure to non-ionizing radiation and adverse human health effects.