Effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by GSM 900 and WCDMA mobile phones on cognitive function in young male subjects

2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cornelia Sauter ◽  
Hans Dorn ◽  
Achim Bahr ◽  
Marie-Luise Hansen ◽  
Anita Peter ◽  
...  
Author(s):  
Shirley Siew ◽  
Philip Troen ◽  
Howard R. Nankin

Testicular biopsies were obtained from six young male subjects (age range 24-33) who complained of infertility and who had clinical evidence of oligospermia. This was confirmed on histological examination which showed a broad spectrum from profound hypospermatogenesis to relatively normal appearing germinal epithelium. Thickening of the tubular walls was noted in half of the cases and slight peritubular fibrosis in one. The Leydig cells were reported as normal or unremarkable.Transmission electron microscopy showed that the thickening of the supporting tissue of the germinal epithelium was caused more by an increase in the thickness of the layers of the lamina propria than of the tubular wall itself. The changes in the basement membrane of the tubular wall consisted mostly of a greater degree of infolding into the tubule and some reduplication which gave rise to a multilayered appearance.


1998 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 200-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Jakobi ◽  
E. Cafarelli

Jakobi, J. M., and E. Cafarelli. Neuromuscular drive and force production are not altered during bilateral contractions. J. Appl. Physiol. 84(1): 200–206, 1998.—Several investigators have studied the deficit in maximal voluntary force that is said to occur when bilateral muscle groups contract simultaneously. A true bilateral deficit (BLD) would suggest a significant limitation of neuromuscular control; however, some of the data from studies in the literature are equivocal. Our purpose was to determine whether there is a BLD in the knee extensors of untrained young male subjects during isometric contractions and whether this deficit is associated with a decreased activation of the quadriceps, increased activation of the antagonist muscle, or an alteration in motor unit firing rates. Twenty subjects performed unilateral (UL) and bilateral (BL) isometric knee extensions at 25, 50, 75, and 100% maximal voluntary contraction. Total UL and BL force (Δ3%) and maximal rate of force generation (Δ2.5%) were not significantly different. Total UL and BL maximal vastus lateralis electromyographic activity (EMG; 2.7 ± 0.28 vs. 2.6 ± 0.24 mV) and coactivation (0.17 ± 0.02 vs. 0.20 ± 0.02 mV) were also not different. Similarly, the ratio of force to EMG during submaximal UL and BL contractions was not different. Analysis of force production by each leg in UL and BL conditions showed no differences in force, rate of force generation, EMG, motor unit firing rates, and coactivation. Finally, assessment of quadriceps activity with the twitch interpolation technique indicated no differences in the degree of voluntary muscle activation (UL: 93.6 ± 2.51 Hz, BL: 90.1 ± 2.43 Hz). These results provide no evidence of a significant limitation in neuromuscular control between BL and UL isometric contractions of the knee extensor muscles in young male subjects.


2012 ◽  
Vol 45 (06) ◽  
pp. 223-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Kopf ◽  
M. Gilles ◽  
G. Paslakis ◽  
F. Medlin ◽  
F. Lederbogen ◽  
...  

2007 ◽  
Vol 405 (3) ◽  
pp. 559-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Friedman ◽  
Sarah Kraus ◽  
Yirmi Hauptman ◽  
Yoni Schiff ◽  
Rony Seger

The exposure to non-thermal microwave electromagnetic fields generated by mobile phones affects the expression of many proteins. This effect on transcription and protein stability can be mediated by the MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) cascades, which serve as central signalling pathways and govern essentially all stimulated cellular processes. Indeed, long-term exposure of cells to mobile phone irradiation results in the activation of p38 as well as the ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) MAPKs. In the present study, we have studied the immediate effect of irradiation on the MAPK cascades, and found that ERKs, but not stress-related MAPKs, are rapidly activated in response to various frequencies and intensities. Using signalling inhibitors, we delineated the mechanism that is involved in this activation. We found that the first step is mediated in the plasma membrane by NADH oxidase, which rapidly generates ROS (reactive oxygen species). These ROS then directly stimulate MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases) and allow them to cleave and release Hb-EGF [heparin-binding EGF (epidermal growth factor)]. This secreted factor activates the EGF receptor, which in turn further activates the ERK cascade. Thus this study demonstrates for the first time a detailed molecular mechanism by which electromagnetic irradiation from mobile phones induces the activation of the ERK cascade and thereby induces transcription and other cellular processes.


Author(s):  
Elia Valentini ◽  
Giuseppe Curcio

Nowadays nearly more than half of human beings on the planet are directly or indirectly exposed to an “evolutionary” novel physical agent: the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by cellular phones, base stations, as well as other types of wireless communication technologies. More than 10 years ago several studies reported that cognitive functions of human beings may have been altered while exposed to radiofrequency (RF) EMFs. Yet, the genuine effect of these non-ionizing radiations on human behaviour was not replicated by several other recent and more methodologically robust studies. Latest reviews and metanalyses confirmed the paucity of evidence in favour of psychomotor and cognitive effects of acute RF EMF exposure on human volunteers in well controlled laboratory settings. Thus, despite persisting concerns on potential biologic effects of acute RF EMFs irradiation, there is substantial lack of evidence that RF radiation can affect cognitive functions in humans.


Author(s):  
Giuseppe Curcio

The first studies on humans addressing cognitive functioning changes as a consequence of radiofrequency (RF) EMFs exposure date back to almost 20 years ago. The effects on human behavior showed in those pioneering works indicated an improvement of performance under the exposure to the signal, compared with sham exposure. These first and striking results were not fully replicated by subsequent studies that were characterized by a more methodological robustness and attention to exposure aspects. In accordance with this view, latest reviews and metanalyses have confirmed the paucity of evidence and the lack of reliability of psychomotor and cognitive effects of acute RF EMF exposure on human volunteers, particularly when assessed in well controlled laboratory settings. Thus, despite the public opinion about potential biologic effects of acute RF EMFs irradiation, it can be concluded that to date there is substantial lack of evidence about a negative influence of non-ionizing radiations on cognitive functioning in humans.


2003 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiromi YAMAMOTO ◽  
Kui-Cheng ZHENG ◽  
Makoto ARIIZUMI

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