PMID: 

Neurotoxicology. 2019 Aug 24 ;75:30-40. Epub 2019 Aug 24. PMID: 31454514

Abstract Title: 

The role of the gut microbiome in mediating neurotoxic outcomes to PCB exposure.

Abstract: 

A series of complex physiological processes underlie the development of the microbiota, gut, and brain in early life, which together communicate via the microbiota-gut-brain axis to maintain health and homeostasis. Disruption of these processes can lead to dysbiosis of the microbiota, pathophysiology of the gut and behavioral deficits including depression, anxiety and cognitive deficits. Environmental exposures, particularly in early life, can interfere with development and impact these pathways. This review will focus on the role of the microbiome and the gut in neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration as well as the impacts of environmental exposures, particularly to the neurotoxicant polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), given that the gut serves as the primary exposure route. There exists extensive research on the importance of the microbiome in the developing brain and connections with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and increasing links being established between the microbiome and development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the elderly. Finally, we will speculate on the mechanisms through which PCBs can induce dysbiosis and dysregulate physiology of the gut and brain.

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PMID: 

Iran J Microbiol. 2019 Apr ;11(2):145-150. PMID: 31341569

Abstract Title: 

Effect of the probioticIS-10506 on BDNF and 5HT stimulation: role of intestinal microbiota on the gut-brain axis.

Abstract: 

Background and Objectives: Microbial communities residing in the gut play a major role in the communication between the gut and the brain through neural, immune, and hormonal routes. Changes in abundance of beneficial intestinal bacteria can affect health of individuals. Conversely, drugs, disease, diet and other factors can alter the gut microbiome. However, there is limited information on the effect of exogenous factors on gut microbiota. In this study, we investigated whether a beneficial bacterium, the probioticIS-10506, can stimulate the gut-brain axis using Wistar rats.Materials and Methods: The animals were divided into two groups: one receivedIS strain 10506 supplementation, while the control group received no treatment. Activation of the gut-brain axis was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis of intestinal and brain serotonin (5-HT) and brain neurotrophin (NT), serotonin transporter (5-HTT), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels.Results: The results showed that BDNF (

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PMID: 

Radiats Biol Radioecol. 2009 May-Jun;49(3):365-71. PMID: 19637747

Abstract Title: 

[Structural changes in spinal cord neurons after low-intensity SHF-irradiation].

Abstract: 

On anaesthetized cats carried out local irradiation by super high frequence waves (SHF) on spinal cord (SC) at a level L6-S1 of segments (lambda = 3 sm, power from 1 up to 3 mWt/sm2, time of an exposition–20 or 30 minutes). The sections of a brain painted with application of hematoxylin-eosin. The received images was studied on light microscope and were analyzed on the computer. On motho- and interneurones SC it is revealed, that such parameters as nucleus–cytoplasm relation and relation of volume of cytoplasm to surface of a nucleus are subject to the greatest influence. The effect of application are maximal during the small period after an irradiation (1-2 hours). Received results can testify on change of character of processes of a metabolism between a nucleus and cytoplasm, infringement of creation of neurotransmitter and decreasing of membrane potential of nervous cells and axons.

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PMID: 

Bull Exp Biol Med. 2000 Sep ;130(9):835-7. PMID: 11177257

Abstract Title: 

Effects of microwave radiation and strychnine on cerebral biopotentials in narcotized rats.

Abstract: 

Strychnine and microwave radiation produced changes in spectral parameters of electrocorticogram, correlation dimension, and Kolmogorov entropy, parameters calculated by the methods of nonlinear dynamics opposite to those induced by urethane. The modulatory effect of microwaves on bioelectric cerebral activity in narcotized animals was similar to the effect of strychnine and probably related to enhanced excitability of brain structures and complication of bioelectric processes.

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PMID: 

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2012 Jun ;80:140-4. Epub 2012 Mar 9. PMID: 22405939

Abstract Title: 

Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of high-frequency electromagnetic fields (GSM 1800 MHz) on immature and mature rats.

Abstract: 

We investigated the cytogenotoxic effects of high frequency electromagnetic fields (HF-EMF) for 45 day and the effect of a recovery period of 15 day after exposure to EMF on bone marrow cells of immature and mature rats. The animals in treatment groups were exposed to 1800 MHz EMF at SAR of 0.37 W/kg and 0.49 W/kg for 2h/day for 45 day. Two recovery groups were kept for a recovery period of 15 day without EMF after exposure to HF-EMF. Two control groups for both immature and mature rats were also included. Significant differences were also observed in chromosome aberrations (CA), micronucleus (MN) frequency, mitotic index (MI) and ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs) in all treatment groups. The cytogenotoxic damage was more remarkable in immature rats and, the recovery period did not improve this damage in immature rats. Because much higher and irreversible cytogenotoxic damage was observed in immature rats than in mature rats, further studies are needed to understand effects of EMF on DNA damage and DNA repair, and to determine safe limits for environment and human, especially for children.

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PMID: 

Int J Radiat Biol. 2010 Jul ;86(7):548-54. PMID: 20545571

Abstract Title: 

The effect of mobile phone on the number of Purkinje cells: a stereological study.

Abstract: 

PURPOSE: The World Health Organisation proposed an investigation concerning the exposure of animals to radiofrequency fields because of the possible risk factor for health. At power frequencies there is evidence to associate both childhood leukaemia and brain tumours with magnetic field exposures. There is also evidence of the effect of mobile phone exposure on both cognitive functions and the cerebellum. Purkinje cells of the cerebellum are also sensitive to high dose microwave exposure in rats. The present study investigated the effect of exposure to mobile phone on the number of Purkinje and granule neurons in the developing cerebellum.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Male and female Swiss albino mice were housed as control and mobile phone-exposed groups. Pregnant animals in the experimental group were exposed to Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) mobile phone radiation at 890-915 MHz at 0.95 W/Kg specific absorption rate (SAR). The cerebella were processed by frozen microtome. The sections obtained were stained with Haematoxylin-eosin and cresyl violet. For cell counting by the optical fractionator method, a pilot study was firstly performed. Cerebellar areas were analysed by using Axiovision software running on a personal computer. The optical dissectors were systematically spaced at random, and focused to the widest profile of the neuron cell nucleus.RESULTS: A significant decrease in the number of Purkinje cells and a tendency for granule cells to increase in cerebellum was found.CONCLUSION: Further studies in this area are needed due to the popular use of mobile telephones and relatively high exposure on developing brain.

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PMID: 

Bioelectromagnetics. 2004 Apr ;25(3):216-27. PMID: 15042631

Abstract Title: 

Bone morphogenetic protein expression in newborn rat kidneys after prenatal exposure to radiofrequency radiation.

Abstract: 

Effects of nonthermal radiofrequency radiation (RFR) of the global system of mobile communication (GSM) cellular phones have been as yet mostly studied at the molecular level in the context of cellular stress and proliferation, as well as neurotransmitter production and localization. In this study, a simulation model was designed for the exposure of pregnant rats to pulsed GSM-like RFR (9.4 GHz), based on the different resonant frequencies of man and rat. The power density applied was 5 microW/cm2, in order to avoid thermal electromagnetic effects as much as possible. Pregnant rats were exposed to RFR during days 1-3 postcoitum (p.c.) (embryogenesis, pre-implantation) and days 4-7 p.c. (early organogenesis, peri-implantation). Relative expression and localization of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) and their receptors (BMPR), members of a molecular family currently considered as major endocrine and autocrine morphogens and known to be involved in renal development, were investigated in newborn kidneys from RFR exposed and sham irradiated (control) rats. Semi-quantitative duplex RT-PCR for BMP-4, -7, BMPR-IA, -IB, and -II showed increased BMP-4 and BMPR-IA, and decreased BMPR-II relative expression in newborn kidneys. These changes were statistically significant for BMP-4, BMPR-IA, and -II after exposure on days 1-3 p.c. (P

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PMID: 

Electromagn Biol Med. 2015 Sep ;34(3):262-4. PMID: 26444203

Abstract Title: 

Subjective symptoms and their evolution in a small group of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) operators recently engaged.

Abstract: 

Using a specific questionnaire, we examined subjective symptoms in a group of 17 physicians (9 males and 8 females, mean age 32.9± 3.71), attending a Postgraduate Medical School in Radiology and engaged in MRI for less than 1 year. Sixteen subjects (94%) reported the presence of at least one of the investigated symptoms during the period of MRI activity. The main symptoms were: unusual drowsiness/tiredness (88%), concentration problems (82%), headaches (76%), sleep disorders (47%), nausea (47%), illusion of movement (47%) and dizziness/vertigo (35%); the former two were subjectively related to MRI by the majority of the operators. These symptoms appeared (or worsened) in more than 15 min and, in the vast majority disappeared 30 min, or more, after the end of exposure. In 13 subjects (81%), the symptom (or some symptoms) appeared at least weekly. In this small group of health care workers recently exposed to MRI, the prevalence of subjective symptoms was higher than reported in other similar studies but, notably,the majority of subjects (77%) reported a regression within 4-8 weeks, suggesting some form of adaptation.

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PMID: 

Neurosci Behav Physiol. 2005 Feb ;35(2):165-70. PMID: 15779329

Abstract Title: 

Actions of pulsed ultra-broadband electromagnetic irradiation on the EEG and sleep in laboratory animals.

Abstract: 

Irradiation of animals with ultrashort impulses of ultra-broadband magnetic irradiation with an impulse repetition frequency of 6 Hz for 1 h induced changes in the spectral composition of cerebral cortex electrical activity in rats, measured over the 5 min immediately after irradiation, as compared with controls. In particular, there was suppression of frequencies close to the impulse sequence frequency, along with a decrease in interhemisphere coherence. Continuous recording of polygrams for 22 h from rabbits after irradiation revealed a"delayed"effect–a significant increase in paradoxical sleep, starting 16 h after the end of irradiation and persisting to the end of the recording period. It is suggested that irradiation has a direct action both on the mechanisms of generation of the theta rhythm (septohippocampal) and on the system controlling circadian rhythms (the suprachiasmatic nucleus-epiphysis system).

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PMID: 

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2013 May ;20(5):2735-46. Epub 2012 Nov 10. PMID: 23143821

Abstract Title: 

Effects of chronic exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on energy balance in developing rats.

Abstract: 

The effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on the control of body energy balance in developing organisms have not been studied, despite the involvement of energy status in vital physiological functions. We examined the effects of chronic RF-EMF exposure (900 MHz, 1 V m(-1)) on the main functions involved in body energy homeostasis (feeding behaviour, sleep and thermoregulatory processes). Thirteen juvenile male Wistar rats were exposed to continuous RF-EMF for 5 weeks at 24 °C of air temperature (T a) and compared with 11 non-exposed animals. Hence, at the beginning of the 6th week of exposure, the functions were recorded at T a of 24 °C and then at 31 °C. We showed that the frequency of rapid eye movement sleep episodes was greater in the RF-EMF-exposed group, independently of T a (+42.1 % at 24 °C and +31.6 % at 31 °C). The other effects of RF-EMF exposure on several sleep parameters were dependent on T a. At 31 °C, RF-EMF-exposed animals had a significantly lower subcutaneous tail temperature (-1.21 °C) than controls at all sleep stages; this suggested peripheral vasoconstriction, which was confirmed in an experiment with the vasodilatator prazosin. Exposure to RF-EMF also increased daytime food intake (+0.22 g h(-1)). Most of the observed effects of RF-EMF exposure were dependent on T a. Exposure to RF-EMF appears to modify the functioning of vasomotor tone by acting peripherally through α-adrenoceptors. The elicited vasoconstriction may restrict body cooling, whereas energy intake increases. Our results show that RF-EMF exposure can induce energy-saving processes without strongly disturbing the overall sleep pattern.

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