PMID: 

Int J Cell Biol. 2012 ;2012:683897. Epub 2012 Sep 9. PMID: 22991514

Abstract Title: 

Electromagnetic fields, oxidative stress, and neurodegeneration.

Abstract: 

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) originating both from both natural and manmade sources permeate our environment. As people are continuously exposed to EMFs in everyday life, it is a matter of great debate whether they can be harmful to human health. On the basis of two decades of epidemiological studies, an increased risk for childhood leukemia associated with Extremely Low Frequency fields has been consistently assessed, inducing the International Agency for Research on Cancer to insert them in the 2B section of carcinogens in 2001. EMFs interaction with biological systems may cause oxidative stress under certain circumstances. Since free radicals are essential for brain physiological processes and pathological degeneration, research focusing on the possible influence of the EMFs-driven oxidative stress is still in progress, especially in the light of recent studies suggesting that EMFs may contribute to the etiology of neurodegenerative disorders. This review synthesizes the emerging evidences about this topic, highlighting the wide data uncertainty that still characterizes the EMFs effect on oxidative stress modulation, as both pro-oxidant and neuroprotective effects have been documented. Care should be taken to avoid methodological limitations and to determine the patho-physiological relevance of any alteration found in EMFs-exposed biological system.

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PMID: 

Front Public Health. 2019 ;7:76. Epub 2019 Apr 10. PMID: 31024877

Abstract Title: 

Impact of the Hydraulic Fracturing on Indoor Radon Concentrations in Ohio: A Multilevel Modeling Approach.

Abstract: 

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), exposure to radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Extant research that has reported that fracking activity increases the radon levels."Fracking"also known as hydraulic fracturing, which is a technology that is used to extract naturally occurring shale gas from the Marcellus and the Utica shales. Based on the data from the Ohio Radon Information System (ORIS) from 2007 to 2014 in Ohio, this research uses multilevel modeling (MLM) to examine the association between the incidences of hydraulic fracturing and elevated airborne radon levels. The ORIS data include information on 118,421 individual records of households geocoded to zip code areas. Individual records include radon concentrations, device types of the test, and seasons. Euclidean distances between zip code centroid to the 1,162 fracking wells are measured at the zip code level. Two additional zip code variables, namely the population density and urbanicity, are also included as control variables. Multilevel modeling results show that at the zip code level, distance to fracking wells and population density are significant and negative covariate of the radon concentration. By comparing with urban areas, urban clusters, and rural areas are significant which linked to higher radon concentrations. These findings lend support to the effect of hydraulic fracturing in influencing radon concentrations, and promote public policies that need to be geographically adaptable.

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PMID: 

Med Pr. 2014 ;65(3):343-9. PMID: 25230563

Abstract Title: 

[Effect of extremely low frequency magnetic field on glutathione in rat muscles].

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Free radicals (FR) are atoms, molecules or their fragments. Their excess leads to the development of oxidizing stress, the cause of many neoplastic, neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases, and aging of the organism. Industrial pollution, tobacco smoke, ionizing radiation, ultrasound and magnetic field are the major FR exogenous sources. The low frequency magnetic field is still more commonly applied in the physical therapy. The aim of the presented study was to evaluate the effect of extremely low frequency magnetic field used in the magnetotherapy on the level of total glutathione, oxidized and reduced, and the redox state of the skeletal muscle cells, depending on the duration of exposure to magnetic field.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The male rats, weight of 280-300 g, were randomly devided into 3 experimental groups: controls (group I) and treatment groups exposed to extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) (group II exposed to 40 Hz, 7 mT for 0.5 h/day for 14 days and group III exposed to 40 Hz, 7 mT for 1 h/day for 14 days). Control rats were kept in a separate room not exposed to extremely low frequency magnetic field. Immediately after the last exposure, part of muscles was taken under pentobarbital anesthesia. Total glutathione, oxidized and reduced, and the redox state in the muscle tissue of animals were determined after exposure to magnetic fields.RESULTS: Exposure to low magnetic field: 40 Hz, 7 mT for 30 min/day and 60 min/day for 2 weeks significantly increased the total glutathione levels in the skeletal muscle compared to the control group (p

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PMID: 

J Physiol Pharmacol. 2011 Dec ;62(6):657-61. PMID: 22314568

Abstract Title: 

Effects of extremely low frequency magnetic field on oxidative balance in brain of rats.

Abstract: 

Extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) may result in oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation with an ultimate effect on a number of systemic disturbances and cell death. The aim of the study is to assess the effect of ELF-MF parameters most frequently used in magnetotherapy on reactive oxygen species generation (ROS) in brain tissue of experimental animals depending on the time of exposure to this field. The research material included adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 3-4 months. The animals were divided into 3 groups: I – control (shame) group; II – exposed to the following parameters of the magnetic field: 7 mT, 40 Hz, 30 min/day, 10 days; III – exposed to the ELF-MF parameters of 7 mT, 40 Hz, 60 min/day, 10 days. The selected parameters of oxidative stress: thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), total free sulphydryl groups (-SH groups) and protein in brain homogenates were measured after the exposure of rats to the magnetic field. ELF-MF parameters of 7 mT, 40 Hz, 30 min/day for 10 days caused a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and insignificant increase in H(2)O(2) and free -SH groups. The same ELF-MF parameters but applied for 60 min/day caused a significant increase in free -SH groups and protein concentration in the brain homogenates indicating the adaptive mechanism. The study has shown that ELF-MF applied for 30 min/day for 10 days can affect free radical generation in the brain. Prolongation of the exposure to ELF-MF (60/min/day) caused adaptation to this field. The effect of ELF-MF irradiation on oxidative stress parameters depends on the time of animal exposure to magnetic field.

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PMID: 

Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2010 Dec ;29(174):361-4. PMID: 21298985

Abstract Title: 

[Influence of low frequency magnetic field on chosen parameters of oxidative stress in rat's muscles].

Abstract: 

UNLABELLED: Free radicals are atoms, molecules or their fragments, which excess leads to the development of the oxidative stress, which is caused of many neoplasmic, neurodegenerative, inflammatory diseases and aging the organism. The main of exogenous sources of free radicals are among others: industrial pollution, tobacco smoke, ionizing radiation, ultrasound and magnetic field. The low magnetic field is applied in the physician therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of low magnetic field on the parameters of oxidative stress in rat's muscles.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty male rats, weight of 280-300 g were randomly divided into three experimental groups: control I and treatment II and III (ELFMF-exposed), each containing seven animals. Animals in treat group II were exposed to 40 Hz, 7 mT for 0.5 h/day for 14 days (this kind of the ELFMF is mostly use in magnetotherapy) while, group III was exposed to 40 Hz, 7 mT for 1 h/day for 14 days. Control rats were in separate room without exposing to ELFMF. Immediately after the last exposure, the part of muscles was taken under pentobarbital anaesthesia. The effects of exposure to ELFMF on oxidative states were assessed on the measurements of concentration of -SH group, H2O2, and the concentration of proteins in muscles homogenates.RESULTS: Exposure to ELFMF: 40 Hz, 7 mT, 30 and 60 min/day used for 2 weeks caused significant increase in -SH group concentration and decrease of the protein concentration in the muscles homogenates.CONCLUSION: Low magnetic field used in magnetotherapy causes the significant changes of the generating the reactive forms of oxygen in the muscles which depend on the parameters of low magnetic field.

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PMID: 

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2019 Oct 11. Epub 2019 Oct 11. PMID: 31605359

Abstract Title: 

Fracking and infant mortality: fresh evidence from Oklahoma.

Abstract: 

This paper explores the impact of shale gas and oil fracking wells on infants' health at birth across Oklahoma counties. The empirical analysis makes use of the Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality test, as well as the (long-run) Pooled Mean Group method. The results clearly document that there is a unidirectional relationship between fracking activities and three alternative indexes of infants' health at birth, as well as a significant impact of fracking on infants' health indicators. In addition, the results illustrate the substantial role of fracking through the drinking water quality channel.

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PMID: 

Microorganisms. 2019 Mar 2 ;7(3). Epub 2019 Mar 2. PMID: 30832381

Abstract Title: 

Probiotics and Prebiotics for the Amelioration of Type 1 Diabetes: Present and Future Perspectives.

Abstract: 

Type 1-diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease characterized by immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic beta (β)-cells. Genetic and environmental interactions play an important role in immune system malfunction by priming an aggressive adaptive immune response against β-cells. The microbes inhabiting the human intestine closely interact with the enteric mucosal immune system. Gut microbiota colonization and immune system maturation occur in parallel during early years of life; hence, perturbations in the gut microbiota can impair the functions of immune cells and vice-versa. Abnormal gut microbiota perturbations (dysbiosis) are often detected in T1D subjects, particularly those diagnosed as multiple-autoantibody-positive as a result of an aggressive and adverse immunoresponse. The pathogenesis of T1D involves activation of self-reactive T-cells, resulting in the destruction of β-cells by CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes. It is also becoming clear that gut microbes interact closely with T-cells. The amelioration of gut dysbiosis using specific probiotics and prebiotics has been found to be associated with decline in the autoimmune response (with diminished inflammation) and gut integrity (through increased expression of tight-junction proteins in the intestinal epithelium). This review discusses thepotential interactions between gut microbiota and immune mechanisms that are involved in the progression of T1D and contemplates the potential effects and prospects of gut microbiota modulators, including probiotic and prebiotic interventions, in the amelioration of T1D pathology, in both human andanimal models.

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PMID: 

Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2019 ;9:243. Epub 2019 Jul 5. PMID: 31334136

Abstract Title: 

Dose Effects of Orally AdministeredSuspension on Colonic Microbiota in Healthy Mice.

Abstract: 

Oral supplemented nutraceuticals derived from food sources are surmised to improve the human health through interaction with the gastrointestinal bacteria. However, the lack of fundamental quality control and authoritative consensus (e.g., formulation, route of administration, dose, and dosage regimen) of these non-medical yet bioactive compounds are one of the main practical issues resulting in inconsistent individual responsiveness and confounded clinical outcomes of consuming nutraceuticals. Herein, we studied the dose effects of widely used food supplement, microalgae(), on the colonic microbiota and physiological responses in healthy malemice. Based on the analysis of 16s rDNA sequencing, compared to the saline-treated group, oral administration ofonce daily for 24 consecutive days altered the diversity, structure, and composition of colonic microbial community at the genus level. More importantly, the abundance of microbial taxa was markedly differentiated at the low (1.5 g/kg) and high (3.0 g/kg) dose of, among which the relative abundance of, andwere modulated at various degrees. Evaluation of serum biomarkers in mice at the end ofintervention showed reduced the oxidative stress and the blood lipid levels and increased the level of appetite controlling hormone leptin in a dose-response manner, which exhibited the significant correlation with differentially abundant microbiota taxa in the cecum. These findings provide direct evidences of dose-related modulation of gut microbiota and physiological states by, engendering its future mechanistic investigation ofas potential sources of prebiotics for beneficial health effectsthe interaction with gut microbiota.

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PMID: 

Brain Behav Immun. 2019 Aug 16. Epub 2019 Aug 16. PMID: 31425827

Abstract Title: 

Amelioration of neurobehavioral and cognitive abilities of F1 progeny following dietary supplementation with Spirulina to protein malnourished mothers.

Abstract: 

Early life adversities (stress, infection and mal/undernutrition) can affect neurocognitive, hippocampal and immunological functioning of the brain throughout life. Substantial evidence suggests that maternal protein malnutrition contributes to the progression of neurocognitive abnormalities and psychopathologies in adolescence and adulthood in offspring. Maternal malnutrition is prevalent in low and middle resource populations. The present study was therefore undertaken to evaluate the effects of dietary Spirulina supplementation of protein malnourished mothers during pregnancy and lactation on their offspring's reflex, neurobehavioral and cognitive development. Spirulina is a Cyanobacterium and a major source of protein and is being used extensively as a dynamic nutraceutical against aging and neurodegeneration. Sprague Dawley rats were switched to low protein (8% protein) or normal protein (20% protein) diet for 15 days before conception. Spirulina was orally administered (400 mg/kg/b.wt.) to subgroups of pregnant females from the day of conception throughout the lactational period. We examined several parameters including reproductive performance of dams, physical development, postnatal reflex ontogeny,locomotor behavior, neuromuscular strength, anxiety, anhedonic behavior, cognitive abilities and microglia populations in the F1 progeny. The study showed improved reproductive performance of Spirulina supplemented protein malnourished dams, accelerated acquisition of neurological reflexes, better physical appearance, enhanced neuromuscular strength, improved spatial learning and memory and partly normalized PMN induced hyperactivity, anxiolytic and anhedonic behavior in offspring. These beneficial effects of Spirulina consumption were also accompanied by reduced microglial activation which might assist in restoring the behavioral and cognitive skills in protein malnourished F1 rats. Maternal Spirulina supplementation is therefore proposed as an economical nutraceutical/supplement to combat malnutrition associated behavioral and cognitive deficits.

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PMID: 

Nutrients. 2019 Sep 29 ;11(10). Epub 2019 Sep 29. PMID: 31569451

Abstract Title: 

Protective Effect ofExtract against Dextran-Sulfate-Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats.

Abstract: 

Inflammatory bowel disease is a multifactorial inflammatory condition. This study aimed to test the protective effects ofagainst ulcerative colitis (UC). UC was induced in thirty-six male Wistar rats by adding dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to their drinking water, while a control group received only drinking water. UC rats were equally-divided into six groups that received a single oral daily dose of vehicle (DSS), sulfasalazine (SSZ, 50 mg/kg/day), chloroform or the hydroalcoholic extracts of(100 or 200 mg/kg/day) for 15 days, and then blood and colon samples were harvested for determination of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and histopathology. At the end of the study, compared to time-matched controls, UC rats showed increased TNF-α (1.64-fold), IL-6 (5.73-fold), ESR (3.18-fold), and MPO (1.61-fold), along with loss of bodyweight (24.73%) and disease activity index (1.767 ± 0.216 vs. 0 ± 0),

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