PMID: 

Bioelectromagnetics. 2016 Jan ;37(1):14-24. Epub 2015 Sep 15. PMID: 26369906

Abstract Title: 

Does electromagnetic hypersensitivity originate from nocebo responses? Indications from a qualitative study.

Abstract: 

Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance attributed to Electromagnetic Fields (IEI-EMF) is a condition in which symptoms are attributed to electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure. As electro-hypersensitive (EHS) people have repeatedly been observed, during provocation trials, to report symptoms following perceived rather than actual exposure, the hypothesis has been put forward that IEI-EMF originates from psychological mechanisms, especially nocebo responses. This paper examines this hypothesis, using data from a qualitative study aimed at understanding how EHS people come to regard themselves as such. Forty self-diagnosed EHS people were interviewed. A typified model of their attribution process was then elaborated, inductively, from their narratives. This model is linear and composed of seven stages: (1) onset of symptoms; (2) failure to find a solution; (3) discovery of EHS; (4) gathering of information about EHS; (5) implicit appearance of conviction; (6) experimentation; (7) conscious acceptance of conviction. Overall, symptoms appear before subjects start questioning effects of EMF on their health, which is not consistent with the hypothesis that IEI-EMF originates from nocebo responses to perceived EMF exposure. However, such responses might occur at the sixth stage of the process, potentially reinforcing the attribution. It remains possible that some cases of IEI-EMF originate from other psychological mechanisms.

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PMID: 

Clin Interv Aging. 2019 ;14:1331-1342. Epub 2019 Jul 22. PMID: 31413554

Abstract Title: 

Habitual sugar intake and cognitive impairment among multi-ethnic Malaysian older adults.

Abstract: 

Sugar is widely consumed in Malaysia, and the excessive intake of sugar has been associated with cognitive functions. However, the association between sugar intake and cognitive impairment among Malaysian older adults is yet to be determined.The objective of this study was to evaluate the associations between types and sources of sugar intake and cognitive functions and to identify their risk in predicting cognitive impairment (MMSE score

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PMID: 

Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing Za Zhi. 2004 Aug ;22(4):267-9. PMID: 15355705

Abstract Title: 

[Effect of low intensity and very high frequency electromagnetic radiation on occupationally exposed personnel].

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of low intensity and very high frequency (VHF) electromagnetic radiation (170 MHz) on nervous system function and serum enzymes and immune function in human subjects with occupational exposure to VHF.METHODS: To measure the intensity of VHF and other environmental factors on the spot, to hold the questionnaire about chief complaints, to examine the rheoencephalography and the neurobehavior function, to analyze ALT, AST, ALP and LDH, and IgA, IgM and IgG in experimental group and control group.RESULTS: The intensity of VHF (direction of antenna: 0 degrees, 10 m and 135 degrees, 20 m) was higher than that of national standard on-the-spot. The incidences of symptoms such as headache, insomnia and amnesia etc. was significantly higher in experimental group (P

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PMID: 

Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2019 Jun 7. Epub 2019 Jun 7. PMID: 31170808

Abstract Title: 

Electronic Cigarette Vapor with Nicotine Causes Airway Mucociliary Dysfunction Preferentially via TRPA1 Receptors.

Abstract: 

RATIONALE: Electronic cigarette (e-cig) use has been widely adopted under the perception of safety. However, possibly adverse effects of e-cig vapor in never-smokers are not well understood.OBJECTIVES: Effects of nicotine-containing e-cig vapors on airway mucociliary function were tested in differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) isolated from never-smokers and in the airways of a novel, ovine large animal model.METHODS: Mucociliary parameters were measured in HBECs and in sheep. Systemic nicotine delivery to sheep was quantified using plasma cotinine levels, measured by ELISA.MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In vitro, exposure to e-cig vapor reduced airway surface liquid hydration and increased mucus viscosity of HBECs in a nicotine-dependent manner. Acute nicotine exposure increased intracellular calcium levels, an effect primarily dependent on transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1). TRPA1 inhibition with A967079 restored nicotine-mediated impairment of mucociliary parameters including mucus transport in vitro. Sheep tracheal mucus velocity (TMV), an in vivo measure of mucociliary clearance, was also reduced by e-cig vapor. Nebulized e-cig liquid containing nicotine also reduced TMV in a dose-dependent manner and elevated plasma cotinine levels. Importantly, nebulized A967079 reversed the effects of e-cig liquid on sheep TMV.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that inhalation of e-cig vapor causes airway mucociliary dysfunction in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, they suggest that the main nicotine effect on mucociliary function is mediated by TRPA1 and not nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

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PMID: 

Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2019 Aug 1 ;317(2):H445-H459. Epub 2019 Jun 7. PMID: 31172811

Abstract Title: 

Chronic intermittent electronic cigarette exposure induces cardiac dysfunction and atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein-E knockout mice.

Abstract: 

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), also known as electronic nicotine delivery systems, are a popular alternative to conventional nicotine cigarettes, both among smokers and those who have never smoked. In spite of the widespread use of e-cigarettes and the proposed detrimental cardiac and atherosclerotic effects of nicotine, the effects of e-cigarettes on these systems are not known. In this study, we investigated the cardiovascular and cardiac effects of e-cigarettes with and without nicotine in apolipoprotein-E knockout (ApoE) mice. We developed an e-cigarette exposure model that delivers nicotine in a manner similar to that of human e-cigarettes users. Using commercially available e-cigarettes, bluCig PLUS, ApoEmice were exposed to saline, e-cigarette without nicotine [e-cigarette (0%)], and e-cigarette with 2.4% nicotine [e-cigarette (2.4%)] aerosol for 12 wk. Echocardiographic data show that mice treated with e-cigarette (2.4%) had decreased left ventricular fractional shortening and ejection fraction compared with e-cigarette (0%) and saline. Ventricular transcriptomic analysis revealed changes in genes associated with metabolism, circadian rhythm, and inflammation in e-cigarette (2.4%)-treated ApoEmice. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that cardiomyocytes of mice treated with e-cigarette (2.4%) exhibited ultrastructural abnormalities indicative of cardiomyopathy. Additionally, we observed increased oxidative stress and mitochondrial DNA mutations in mice treated with e-cigarette (2.4%). ApoEmice on e-cigarette (2.4%) had also increased atherosclerotic lesions compared with saline aerosol-treated mice. These results demonstrate adverse effects of e-cigarettes on cardiac function in mice.The present study is the first to show that mice exposed to nicotine electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have decreased cardiac fractional shortening and ejection fraction in comparison with controls. RNA-seq analysis reveals a proinflammatory phenotype induced by e-cigarettes with nicotine. We also found increased atherosclerosis in the aortic root of mice treated with e-cigarettes with nicotine. Our results show that e-cigarettes with nicotine lead to detrimental effects on the heart that should serve as a warning to e-cigarette users and agencies that regulate them.

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PMID: 

Genet Couns. 2010 ;21(2):243-51. PMID: 20681227

Abstract Title: 

Effect of mobile phone station on micronucleus frequency and chromosomal aberrations in human blood cells.

Abstract: 

The use of mobile telephones has rapidly increased worldwide as well as the number of mobile phone base stations that lead to rise low level radiofrequency emissions which may in turn have possible harm for human health. The national radiation protection board has published the known effects of radio waves exposure on humans living close to mobile phone base stations. However, several studies have claimed that the base station has detrimental effects on different tissues. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of mobile phone base stations on the micronucleus (MN) frequency and chromosomal aberrations on blood in people who were living around mobile phone base stations and healthy controls. Frequency of MN and chromosomal aberrations in study and control groups was 8.96 +/- 3.51 and 6.97 +/- 1.52 (p: 0.16); 0.36 +/- 0.31 and 0.75 +/- 0.61 (p: 0.07), respectively. Our results show that there was not a significant difference of MN frequency and chromosomal aberrations between the two study groups. The results claim that cellular phones and their base stations do not produce important carcinogenic changes.

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PMID: 

Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue. 2007 Sep ;13(9):801-3. PMID: 17929556

Abstract Title: 

[Radar radiation damages sperm quality].

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of radar radiation on sperm quality.METHODS: A total of 348 infertile seamen were divided into 4 experimental groups according to their different lengths of exposure to radar radiation: Group 1 (n = 128) exposed for 12-36 months, Group 2 (n = 58) 37-72 m, Group 3 (n = 47) 73-108 m, Group 4 (n = 19) 109 m or more and Group 5 (n = 96) 48 m or more but free from the exposure for 6 months by then. Another 35 non-marine normal males were recruited as Control Group 1, and the first four experimental groups (n = 252) were taken as Control Group 2. Semen samples were collected from the subjects and analyzed statistically.RESULTS: Compared with the normal control, sperm concentration, sperm motility and the percentage of grade a sperm were significantly lower (P

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PMID: 

Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue. 2007 Apr ;13(4):306-8. PMID: 17491260

Abstract Title: 

[Long-term exposure to low intensity microwave radiation affects male reproductivity].

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Long-term exposure to low intensity microwave radiation on male reproductivity.METHODS: A total of 289 married male radar operators were included in the radar group and 148 married men unexposed to microwave radiation were enrolled as controls. Questionnaires were used and the intensity of microwave radiation in different working areas was detected.RESULTS: The rate of sexual dysfunction was 43.6% in the radar group and 24.4% in the control group (P

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PMID: 

Mutat Res. 2008 Feb 29 ;650(2):175-80. Epub 2007 Nov 29. PMID: 18248768

Abstract Title: 

Increased frequency of micronucleated exfoliated cells among humans exposed in vivo to mobile telephone radiations.

Abstract: 

The health concerns have been raised following the enormous increase in the use of wireless mobile telephones throughout the world. This investigation had been taken, with the motive to find out whether mobile phone radiations cause any in vivo effects on the frequency of micronucleated exfoliated cells in the exposed subjects. A total of 109 subjects including 85 regular mobile phone users (exposed) and 24 non-users (controls) had participated in this study. Exfoliated cells were obtained by swabbing the buccal-mucosa from exposed as well as sex-age-matched controls. One thousand exfoliated cells were screened from each individual for nuclear anomalies including micronuclei (MN), karyolysis (KL), karyorrhexis (KH), broken egg (BE) and binucleated (BN) cells. The average daily duration of exposure to mobile phone radiations is 61.26 min with an overall average duration of exposure in term of years is 2.35 years in exposed subjects along with the 9.84+/-0.745 micronucleated cells (MNCs) and 10.72+/-0.889 total micronuclei (TMN) as compared to zero duration of exposure along with average 3.75+/-0.774 MNC and 4.00+/-0.808 TMN in controls. The means are significantly different in case of MNC and TMN at 0.01% level of significance. The mean of KL in controls is 13.17+/-2.750 and in exposed subjects is 13.06+/-1.793. The value of means of KH in exposed subjects (1.84+/-0.432) is slightly higher than in controls (1.42+/-0.737). Mean frequency of broken egg is found to be more in exposed subjects (0.65+/-0.276) as compared to controls (0.50+/-0.217). Frequency of presence of more than one nucleus in a cell (binucleated) is also higher in exposed (2.72+/-0.374) in comparison to controls (0.67+/-0.231). Although there is a slight increase in mean frequency of KH, BE and BN in exposed subjects but the difference is not found statistically significant. Correlation between 0-1, 1-2, 2-3 and 3-4 years of exposure and the frequency of MNC and TMN has been calculated and found to be positively correlated.

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PMID: 

Bioelectromagnetics. 2004 Jan ;25(1):5-15. PMID: 14696048

Abstract Title: 

Electromagnetic field exposure and health among RF plastic sealer operators.

Abstract: 

Operators of RF plastic sealers (RF operators) are an occupational category highly exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. The aim of the present study was to make an appropriate exposure assessment of RF welding and examine the health status of the operators. In total, 35 RF operators and 37 controls were included. The leakage fields (electric and magnetic field strength) were measured, as well as induced and contact current. Information about welding time and productivity was used to calculate time integrated exposure. A neurophysiological examination and 24 h ECG were also carried out. The participants also had to answer a questionnaire about subjective symptoms. The measurements showed that RF operators were exposed to rather intense electric and magnetic fields. The mean values of the calculated 6 min, spatially averaged E and H field strengths, in line with ICNIRP reference levels, are 107 V/m and 0.24 A/m, respectively. The maximum measured field strengths were 2 kV/m and 1.5 A/m, respectively. The induced current in ankles and wrists varied, depending on the work situation, with a mean value of 101 mA and a maximum measured value of 1 A. In total, 11 out of 46 measured RF plastic sealers exceeded the ICNIRP reference levels. RF operators, especially the ready made clothing workers had a slightly disturbed two-point discrimination ability compared to a control group. A nonsignificant difference between RF operators and controls was found in the prevalence of subjective symptoms, but the time integrated exposure parameters seem to be of importance to the prevalence of some subjective symptoms: fatigue, headaches, and warmth sensations in the hands. Further, RF operators had a significantly lower heart rate (24 h registration) and more episodes of bradycardia compared to controls.

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