The effect of low-frequency electromagnetic fields on the neuroendocrine system

This paper presents literature data about effects of low-intensity variable electromagnetic fields on the neuroendocrine system of experimental animals. We mostly paid attention to electromagnetic fields frequently found in our environment, in technological processes, even in our everyday life. This study shows that the regulatory systems (nervous and endocrine) are extremely sensitive to effects of electromagnetic fields. In regard to structures of the central nervous system hypothalamus shows particularly high sensitivity whereas we can consider a hypothesis that effects of this physical factor may be expected in other systems too. It has been emphasized that the effects of electromagnetic fields on regulatory mechanisms may be connected with primary disturbances on the cellular and subcellular (mitochondrial) level.     

Male proportion in offspring of parents exposed to strong static and extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields in Norway

Synchronized chemoradiation, where 5-FU and CDDP were synchronously administered in the same schedule with radiation therapy, was applied for advanced esophageal cancer in neoadjuvant fashion. Ten patients with advanced esophageal cancer were enrolled for this regimen consisting of 5-FU; 500 mg/day x 5/w x 4, CDDP; 10 mg/day x 5/w x 4 and radiation; 2 Gy x 5/w x 4. Tumor regression was achieved in all cases. In terms of toxicity, bone marrow suppression of more than grade 3 was observed in 60% of the cases, though it was safely controlled. Radical operation was performed on 8 cases. Histological responses in the resected specimen were as following: grade 3, 3 cases; grade 2b, 4 cases; grade 2a, 1 case; and 6 node-negative cases were found. As a postoperative complication, minor leakage occurred in 62.5%, while no major complications such as pneumonia were encountered. This neoadjuvant synchronized chemoradiation improved curability of the salvage operation and permitted reduction surgery for high-risk patients.     

Biological effects of electromagnetic fields

Since several epidemiological studies have indicated an elevated risk for certain types of cancer in both living and working environments where exposure to an extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF) occurs, public concern about ELF has been increasing because it is impossible to imagine life today without electricity. We reviewed studies on biological effects of ELF with respect to their cytological and biochemical effects, including mutagenicity, clastogenicity and carcinogenicity. The studies can be summarized as follow: 1) There is evidence that outer surface of the cell membrane is the primary locus for ELF-induced cellular alterations. 2) ELF modulate the proliferation of normal as well as transformed cells in vivo and in vitro. The magnitude of the proliferative effects depends on ELF intensity, exposure duration and other cellular factors. 3) No studies clearly demonstrate deleterious effects of ELF exposure on mammalian reproduction and development, but several suggest such effects. 4) Reported evidence does not demonstrate that the ELF acts as a cancer initiator. However, it might act as a promoter or affect tumor progression. Further observations and epidemiological studies of ELF must be accompanied by laboratory experiments to evaluate biological and health effects.     

Reproductive and teratologic effects of electromagnetic fields

The reproductive risks of electromagnetic fields (EMF) were evaluated based on an extensive review of the scientific literature pertaining to human epidemiologic studies, secular trend data, in vivo animal studies and in vitro studies, and biologic plausibility. The epidemiologic studies involving the reproductive effects of EMF exposures to human populations have included populations exposed to: (1) video display terminals (VDTs), and (2) power lines and household appliances. The clinical use of diagnostic MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) has been increasing, but there are few reports or studies of pregnant women or individuals of reproductive age who have been exposed to MRI, and whose reproductive performance has been evaluated. The population that has been studied most frequently are women exposed to VDTs, but their EMF exposures are extremely low and frequently are at the level of the ambient EMF in a house or office. The results of epidemiologic studies involving VDTs are generally negative for the reproductive effects that have been studied. Based on the number of studies, the exposure levels, and the fairly consistent results, it can be argued that VDT epidemiologic studies should no longer be given priority. There have been fewer studies concerned with the reproductive risks of power lines, electric substations, and home appliances. In some publications, positive findings for reproductive risks were reported, but the more consistent findings indicate that EMF, even at these higher exposures, do not generate a measurable increase in reproductive failures in the human population. When compared to other fields of human epidemiology, it is obvious that these studies have many difficulties. Exposures are rarely determined. Studies frequently involve small sample sizes and the investigators rarely have a combined expertise in EMF physics, engineering, and reproductive biology. Because of the allegation that there may be particular windows of frequency, wave shape, and intensity that may be deleterious, it is impossible to disregard low frequency EMF exposures as having no deleterious reproductive effects. Yet the epidemiologic data that are available would point in that direction. Secular trend data analysis of birth defect incidence data indicate that increasing generation of electric power during this century is not associated with a concomitant rise in the incidence of birth defects. There are over 70 EMF research projects dealing with animal and in vitro studies that are concerned with some aspect of reproduction and growth. Unfortunately, a large proportion of the embryology studies utilized the chick embryo and evaluated the presence or absence of teratogenesis after 48 to 52 hours of development.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

MMPI studies of counselors: A review.

Presents a current, systematic review of published MMPI research on counselor characteristics and effectiveness and discussed the importance of continuing research in this area. Counselors appear different from the general norms on the L, K, Hy, Pd, Mf, Ma, Si, Es, Do, Re, St, and Pr scales but only the L, K, Ma, and Si scales distinguish between counselors and persons in other professions. Only the Ma and Sc scales show promise of discriminating between effective and ineffective counselors in training. Weaknesses of the existing research are indicated and 2 basic questions are raised regarding inventory research on counselor effectiveness. (22 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Outcome studies in mental hospitals: A review.

Reviews outcome studies from mental hospital treatment programs, focusing on problems associated with interpreting results and establishing adequate criteria. Findings show that (a) shorter hospital stays have resulted from a variety of factors, but whether length-of-stay statistics are still meaningful is open to question; (b) a variety of programs improve inhospital behavior, but this may be the consequence of nonspecific factors; (c) at follow-up many patients are restored to a premorbid, but marginal, level of functioning; and (d) adequate follow-up is important in maintaining or improving status. Unprogrammed "special placements" are merely back wards. Problems confronting the clinician-researcher are summarized and suggestions made about possible ways of improving treatment and resolving research problems. (5 p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Biologic effects of low-level electromagnetic fields: current issues and controversies

There is uncertainty and controversy about the extent to which low level electromagnetic fields may cause deleterious effects, but even experts who are skeptical about many supposed hazards are willing to agree that electromagnetic fields even weaker than those in the MR environment can have effects under certain conditions. In order that readers can familiarize themselves enough with the subject to make an informed independent assessment, discuss it knowledgeably in public, and have the means with which to evaluate new developments and avoid experimental pitfalls if planning their own research in the area, they are provided with some of the most recent finding of in vitro and in vivo research from outside the MR literature as well as some of the results and controversies coming from recent epidemiological studies.     

Hematological changes in rats exposed to weak electromagnetic fields

A number of experimental studies report that biological systems can be affected by in vivo exposure to low frequency and extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields. However, attempts to independently replicate some of these studies have shown the reported effects to be elusive. The difficulty in replicating results could be due to unidentified physical and/or biological parameters which may affect the response of a sample to electromagnetic fields. The present paper reports a failure to independently replicate a study showing that in vivo exposure to a pulsed magnetic field of 1.5 mT caused significant changes on plasma proteins in rats. Although the possibility has to be considered that the results from the seminal work were artifactual, substantial differences in levels of plasma proteins were observed between the control groups of the two studies indicating that the animals in the first study had an infectious illness. This observation supports the hypothesis that the state of physiological equilibrium of a biological system is crucial to its response to a potentially effective electromagnetic field.     

Regulation of c-fos is affected by electromagnetic fields

The goal of the present study was to determine if regulatory regions of the c-fos gene were responsive to electromagnetic field exposure. The research design used transfected cells to increase the sensitivity of assays designed to identify changes following exposure. HeLa cells were transiently transfected with plasmids containing upstream regulating regions of c-fos up to -700 base pairs, coupled with the prokaryotic reporter gene CAT. Cells were exposed to an environmentally relevant EMF of 60 Hz at 60 mGrms. CAT expression above control levels in transfected cells (region +42 to -700 bp) was observed following 5 min exposure to the electromagnetic field, with a peak at 20 min. The expression was at basal levels following 40 min exposure. Deletion analysis of upstream DNA narrowed the responsive region to 138 base pairs from -363 to -225, which contains the SRE/AP-1 sites.