Effects of exogenous electromagnetic fields on a simplified ion channel model.

In this paper, we calculate the effect of an exogenous perturbation (an electromagnetic field [EMF] oscillating in the range of microwave frequencies in the range of 1 GHz) on the flux of two ion species through a cylindrical ion channel, implementing a continuous model, the Poisson-Smoluchowski system of equations, to study the dynamics of charged particle density inside the channel. The method was validated through comparison with Brownian dynamics simulations, supposed to be more accurate but computationally more demanding, obtaining a very good agreement. No EMF effects were observed for low field intensities below the level for thermal effects, as the highly viscous regime and the simplicity of the channel do not exhibit resonance phenomena. For high intensities of the external field (>10(5) V/m), we observed slightly different behavior of ion concentration oscillations and ion currents as a function of EMF orientation with respect to the channel axis.

1800 MHz radiofrequency (mobile phones, different Global System for Mobile communication modulations) does not affect apoptosis and heat shock protein 70 level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from young and old donors.

PURPOSE: To study if prolonged in vitro exposure to 1800MHz radiofrequency (RF) could exert an effect on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from young and elderly donors by affecting apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential and heat shock protein (HSP) 70 levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endpoints were analysed in the presence or absence of the apoptosis-inducing agent 2-deoxy-D-ribose. Three different signal modulations typical of the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) system were applied. The modulations are widely used in mobile telephony (GSM Basic, discontinuous transmission [DTX] and Talk) at specific absorption rates of 1.4 and 2.0 W kg(-1). RESULTS: In all conditions and for all endpoints tested, there was no significant difference between RF- and sham-exposed cells. CONCLUSION: 1800MHz RF could not induce apoptosis by itself or affect the apoptotic phenomenon when induced by an apoptotic agent. Moreover, RF did not modify the mitochondrial functionality and the expression of HSP 70.

Various effects on transposition activity and survival of Escherichia coli cells due to different ELF-MF signals.

Previous assays with weak sinusoidal magnetic fields (SMF) have shown that bacteria that had been exposed to a 50 Hz magnetic field (0.1-1 mT) gave colonies with significantly lower transposition activity as compared to sham-exposed bacteria. These experiments have now been extended by using a pulsed-square wave magnetic field (PMF) and, unexpectedly, it was found that bacteria exposed to PMF showed a higher transposition activity compared to the controls. The increase of the transposition activity was positively correlated with the intensity of the magnetic fields (linear dose-effect relation). This phenomenon was not affected by any bacterial cell proliferation, since no significant difference was observed in number and size of PMF-exposed and sham-exposed colonies. In addition, the cell viability of E. coli was significantly higher than that of the controls when exposed to SMF, and lower than that of the controls when exposed to PMF. Under our experimental conditions it was shown that exposure to PMF stimulates the transposition activity and reduces cell viability of bacteria, whereas exposure to SMF reduces the transposition mobility and enhances cell viability. These results suggest that the biological effects of magnetic fields may critically depend on the physical characteristics of the magnetic signal, in particular the wave shape.

Extremely low frequency magnetic fields affect transposition activity in Escherichia coli.

The aim of this study was to verify whether extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields (MF) could affect transposition activity like some environmental stress factors such as heat shock or UV irradiation. Using an Escherichia coli Lac Z(-) strain transformed with a plasmid containing a Tn 10 derivative element expressing beta-galactosidase only after transposition, it was possible to determine the events of transposition evaluating the rate at which the colonies developed dark coloured papillae (Lac Z(+)). We found that those bacteria that had been exposed for a long time (58 h) to a 50 Hz low intensity MF (0.1-1 mT) gave colonies with significantly lower transposition activity compared to sham-exposed bacteria. Such reduction in transposition activity was positively correlated to the intensity of the MF, in a dose-effect manner. This phenomenon was not affected by bacterial cell proliferation, since no significant differences were observed in number, diameter and perimeter between sham-exposed and MF-exposed colonies.

A four coil exposure system (tetracoil) producing a highly uniform magnetic field.

We propose a magnetic field exposure system (tetracoil) for in vitro and in vivo experiments, composed of two couples of circular coils satisfying a spherical constraint, whose characteristics are chosen in order to maximize the uniformity region of the magnetic field. Analytical calculations and computer simulations show that our system, as compared to the other most largely used magnetic field exposure systems, represents an optimal compromise in terms of field uniformity, accessibility for biological experiments, and ratio between overall dimension and uniformity region.

[Results of specific neonatal screening for congenital dysplasia of the hip at the Vicenza Hospital. A prospective study of subjects at risk]. / Risultati di uno screening mirato per displasia congenita dell'anca, in neonati presso l'ospedale civile di Vincenza. Studio prospettico in soggetti a rischio.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of pathological neonatal hips in the community served by the central Vicenza local health authority and to establish a protocol to minimize demands on available equipment, staff and the family. From May 1992 to May 1993 all neonates at San Bortolo Hospital in Vicenza were subjected to specific clinical examination of the hip by staff experienced in neonatal care. Neonates then underwent ultrasound examination--catalogued according to Graf--if they presented risk factors (dynamic ultrasound test was omitted). The orthopaedic examination was carried out in all cases. The total number of neonates involved was 1939 (994 m., 945 f.). Of these, 142 (7.3%) underwent ultrasonography (60 m., 82 f.). Family history and breech delivery were the most frequent anamnestic risk factors justifying ultrasound examination while among objective risk factors the most frequent being a clicking sound. Considering the clinical and ultrasound findings the resulting overall incidence of pathological hips is 0.25%. So far, there have been no late cases of c.d.h. A screening protocol such as ours cannot realistically aim to identify all pathological hips, however the great majority can be diagnosed at this early stage. Resources comparable to those used for our study are available to many other local health authorities. Higher diagnostic standard depend closely on local health policy.

Sodium cromoglycate and carbachol-induced bronchoprovocation in asthmatic children.

Ten children with mild bronchial asthma underwent bronchial challenge with carbachol on three consecutive days; using a double-blind technique, they were given inhaled saline placebo on the first day and placebo or sodium cromoglycate (SCG) on the second and third days 15 min prior to the bronchial provocation test with carbachol. We did not find any significant difference between the baseline and placebo values, but we did obtain a statistically significant difference when comparing baseline with post-SCG and placebo with post-SCG values. These results demonstrate a protective effect of SCG on carbachol-induced bronchospasm in asthmatic children.

Influence of aeroallergens on bronchial reactivity in children sensitized to grass pollens.

Nine children, sensitized to grass pollens, with seasonal rhinitis and mild asthma underwent bronchial challenge with carbachol and EIA test repeatedly either during a pre-seasonal or in seasonal period. We failed to find any significant difference between pre-seasonal and seasonal values in both tests. We believe that atmospheric conditions are an important determinant of our results. It is our hypothesis that a threshold concentration in atmospheric pollen may exist which must be reached before an allergic reaction is evident.

[Biofeedback in asthmatic children]. / Il biofeedback nel bambino asmatico.

This paper reports the results of the treatment of continuous bronchial asthma in children, 7-14 years old, by means of biofeedback and the counter-conditioning. We observed the remission of the symptomatology in all the cases, with a statistical significance.