Mobile Phone Microwaves Research Articles

Fourier Self-Deconvolution Analysis of β-Sheet Contents in the Amide I Region of Hemoglobin Aqueous Solutions under Exposure to 900 MHz Microwaves and Bioprotective Effectiveness of Sugar and Salt Solutions

Spectroscopic Fourier self-deconvolution analysis was used to investigate β-sheet features in the secondary structure of hemoglobin under mobile phone microwaves at 900 MHz. To this end, four samples of hemoglobin in bidistilled water, sucrose, trehalose, and sodium chloride aqueous solutions were exposed for up to 4 hr to 900 MHz microwaves at an average H-field intensity of 42 mA/m. Quantitative spectral analyses highlighted significant increases in β-sheet contents in the Amide I region of hemoglobin samples in bidistilled water solution, but no appreciable change was observed in hemoglobin samples in sucrose, trehalose, and sodium chloride solutions. These results led us to conclude that mobile phone microwaves can denaturate hemoglobin in bidistilled water solution whereas sucrose, trehalose, and sodium chloride solutions produce a protective effect against microwaves, preserving the protein from unfolding.

Unfolding and Aggregation of Myoglobin Can Be Induced by Three Hours’ Exposure to Mobile Phone Microwaves: A FTIR Spectroscopy Study

ABSTRACT The effects of 3 hours’ exposure to mobile phone microwaves at 1765 MHz at the power density around 800 mW/m2 on the secondary structure of myoglobin in D2O solution were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. A significant shift to lower frequencies of the amide I vibration was observed after exposure. Furthermore, a significant increasing of the β-sheet components with respect to the α-helix content after exposure was highlighted after applying Fourier self-deconvolution analysis in the amide I region. These results led to the conclusion that mobile phone microwaves induce unfolding of myoglobin and formation of aggregates.

Measurement of Output Power Density from Mobile Phone as a Function of Input Sound Frequency

Measurements of power density emitted by a mobile phone were carried out as a function of the sound frequency transmitted by a sound generator, ranging from 250 to 14000 Hz.Output power density was monitored by means of the selective radiation meter Narda SRM 3000 in spectrum analysis mode, and the octave frequency analysis of each tone used for the experimental design was acquired by the sound level meter Larson Davis LxT Wind. Vodafone providers were used for mobile phone calls with respect to various local base station in Southern-Italy.A relationship between the mobile phone microwaves power density and the sound frequencies transmitted by the sound generator was observed. In particular, microwaves power density level decreases significantly at sound frequency values larger than 4500 Hz. This result can be explained assuming that discontinuous transmission mode of global system for mobile communications is powered not only in silence-mode, but also at frequencies larger than 4500 Hz.

Electromagnetic Fields Effects on the Secondary Structure of Lysozyme and Bioprotective Effectiveness of Trehalose

FTIR spectroscopy was used to investigate the effects of extremely low frequency (50 Hz) electromagnetic field and of microwaves at 900 MHz on the secondary structure of a typical protein, the lysozyme, evaluating the bioprotective effectiveness of trehalose. Lysozyme in D2O solution (60 mg/ml) was exposed to 50 Hz frequency electromagnetic field at 180 μT. The FTIR spectra indicated an increase of CH2 group at 1921 and 1853 cm−1 after 3 h of exposure. Such effect was not observed after the addition of trehalose (150 mg/mL) at the same exposure conditions. Lysozyme dissolved in D2O at the concentration of 100 mg/mL was exposed up to 4 h to 900 MHz mobile phone microwaves at 25 mA/m. A significant increase in intensity of the amide I vibration band in the secondary structure of the protein was observed after 4 h exposure to microwaves. This effect was inhibited by the presence of trehalose at the concentration of 150 mg/mL. Fourier self-deconvolution spectral analysis of lysozyme in D2O solution after exposure to microwaves revealed an increase in intensity of the conformational components of amide I mode, particularly of β-sheet and turn that can be attributed to disorder and unfolding processes of the protein.

Modulation of heat shock protein response in SH-SY5Y by mobile phone microwaves.

To investigate putative biological damage caused by GSM mobile phone frequencies by assessing electromagnetic fields during mobile phone working. Neuron-like cells, obtained by retinoic-acid-induced differentiation of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, were exposed for 2 h and 4 h to microwaves at 1800 MHz frequency bands. Cell stress response was evaluated by MTT assay as well as changes in the heat shock protein expression (Hsp20, Hsp27 and Hsp70) and caspase-3 activity levels, as biomarkers of apoptotic pathway. Under our experimental conditions, neither cell viability nor Hsp27 expression nor caspase-3 activity was significantly changed. Interestingly, a significant decrease in Hsp20 expression was observed at both times of exposure, whereas Hsp70 levels were significantly increased only after 4 h exposure. The modulation of the expression of Hsps in neuronal cells can be an early response to radiofrequency microwaves.

Inspections of Mobile Phone Microwaves Effects on Proteins Secondary Structure by Means of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

In this study the effects of microwaves on the secondary structure of three typical proteins have been investigated. A set of samples of lysozyme, bovine serum albumin and myoglobin in D2O solutions were exposed for 8 hours to mobile phone microwaves at 900 MHz at a magnetic field intensity around 16 mA/m. The relative effects on the secondary structure of the proteins were studied by means of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. An increase of the amide I band intensity in the secondary structure of the proteins was observed after the microwaves exposure. Furthermore, a weak shift of the amide I mode of bovine serum albumin and a heavier shift of the amide I of myoglobin occurred after the exposure. In addition, a clear increasing of the β-sheet components with respect to the α-helix content was observed in the spectra of bovine serum albumin and myoglobin after the exposure, suggesting the hypothesis of the formation of aggregates.

Do Microwaves of Mobile Phone Affect the Testicular Tissue Structure? (A histopathological and ultrastructural study)

Background: Some studies have reported that microwave radiation have adverse effects on reproduction. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the possible effects of mobile phone microwaves on the histological structure and ultrastructure of mice testis. Material: five adult male mice were subjected to the mobile phone microwaves (900- 1800 MHz) for 30 days, one hour / day. Their exposure resulted in many histopathological and ultrastructural changes. Results: The light microscopic examination of testis of irradiated animals revealed: disorganization of the germinal epithelia, the seminiferous tubules taking elliptical aspects with intratubular vacuolization, abnormal morphology of early and late spermatids, rupture of the boundary membrane of the seminiferous tubules, pyknotic germ cells, damaged and ill- defined interstitial cells. The semithin sections demonstrated an increased incidence of Sertoli cells but they are detached from the basal membrane, the pachytene spermatocytes appeared with abnormal faint heterochromatin and abnormal shapes of rounded and elongated spermatids and spermatozoa. The ultrastructural examination illustrated Sertoli cells with lobulated nuclei, ill-defined nucleoli and ruptured cell boundary. Pachytene spermatocytes appeared with low integrity and faint and dispersed chromatin material. Some of them were necrotic and others were apoptotic. Early (rounded) and late (elongated) spermatids appeared with vacuolated cytoplasm and deformed morphology. The interstitial cells of Leydig appeared smaller in size with more electron dense components, vacuolated cytoplasm, ruptured mitochondria and fragmented nuclei. Their neighbouring blood capillaries appeared congested with damaged lateral pericytes . Conclusion: The results of this study showed that 1h / day (30 consecutive days) exposure of 900-1800 MHz microwaves affected the histological structure of mice testis particularly the Leydig cells and recorded an apoptosis-inducing effect on the spermatogenic cells. Further investigations are required to confirm these findings and to clarify the mechanism of action of the applied microwave exposure on male reproductive organs, as well as to establish the biological significance of these observations.

Expression of the water channel protein, aquaporin-4, in mouse brains exposed to mobile telephone radiofrequency fields

To determine whether exposure to mobile telephone radiofrequency (RF) fields, either acutely or long-term, produces up-regulation of the water channel protein, aquaporin-4 (AQP-4). Using a purpose-designed exposure system at 900 MHz, mice were given a single, far-field whole body exposure at a specific absorption rate of 4 W/kg for 60 minutes or a similar exposure on 5 successive days/week for 104 weeks. Control mice were sham-exposed or freely mobile in a cage to control for any stress caused by restraint in the exposure module. A positive control group was given a clostridial toxin known to cause microvascular endothelial injury, severe vasogenic oedema and upregulation of AQP-4. Brains were perfusion fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde, coronal sections cut from six levels, and immunostained for the principal water channel protein in brain, AQP-4. There was no increase in AQP-4 expression in brains exposed to mobile phone microwaves compared to control (sham exposed and freely moving caged mice) brains after short or protracted exposure, while AQP-4 was substantially upregulated in the brains of mice given the clostridial toxin. Brains exposed to mobile telephone RF fields for a short (60 minutes) or long (2 years) duration did not show any immunohistochemically detectable up-regulation of the water channel protein, AQP-4, suggesting that there was no significant increase in blood-brain barrier permeability

Effect of Mobile Phone Microwaves on Fetal Period of BALB/c Mice in Histological Characteristics of Hippocampus and Learning Behaviors

Objective(s) The possible risks of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) for the living organisms and human body are a growing concern for our society. In this study, we examined the possibility of changes in working memory and hippocampal histological characteristics effects in mice brain following whole body exposure to microwave radiation. Materials and Methods During gestation period, we exposed mice for 4 hr to Global system for mobile communications (GSM), Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of 200 mW/kg. Pregnant control mice were sham-exposed or free in a cage without further restraining. Three month after exposure, animals were prepared for behavioral (Radial Arm Maze (RAM) and Morris Water Maze (MWM)) and histological studies. Results The results showed that microwave exposed mice were slower than sham, and control in finding the platform. Analyses of error rates in RAM and MWM performance revealed significant differences which emphasize the effect of acute exposure to pulsed microwaves in deficit of spatial reference memory in the mice. However in this study exposed group didn’t show any statistically significant loss of hippocampal CA1, CA3 neurons versus controls or sham. Conclusion We conclude that there is evidence from the current study that exposure to MW radiation under parameters examined caused decrements in the ability of mice to learn the spatial memory task.

Effect of Nonionizing Radiation onThe Cerebellum of Neonatal Mice • Morphological, Histochemical And Ultrastructural Study

Introduction: Although the use of mobile telephones is common, increasing and beneficial, it is still considered as an environmental pollutant nowaday. This is because these devices require to be held close to the head and the exposure effects on the brain remain controversial. Being so, we designed this study. Aim: The present study was done in an attempt to investigate the morphological, histochemical and ultrastructural changes produced in the cerebellum of neonatal mice as a result of exposure to the nonionizing radiation of the mobile phone. Material and Methods: Eleven neonatal mice were used in this study. Five of them were exposed (as experimental group) to mobile phone microwaves (900- 1800 MHz, SAR: 0.92 w/kg) during their late prenatal and early postnatal life (1 hour/day for 30 consecutive days). While the other six served as control animals. Comparable parts of cerebella were removed from all animals and processed for the examination by the light and the transmission electron microscopes. Results: The whole body exposure of the neonatal mice to this type of nonionizing radiation resulted in several morphological, histochemical and ultrastructural changes. These changes included a statistically significant decrease in the mean cell distribution, DNA content and total protein content of Purkinje cells and other cerebellar elements of exposed animals. On the other hand an increase in the Purkinje cell volume was recorded. In addition, the ultrastructural observations were corrugated plasma and nuclear membranes, ruptured mitochondria, destruction of Golgi apparatus , dilatation and disintegration of RER, scarcity of ribosomes and Nissl bodies in Purkinje cells. Damage in the cell membranes, chromatin clumping and increase in electron density of the cells of granular layer also observed. In the molecular layer; degeneration of axons and dendrites, increased electron density and damage of neurons occurred. Conclusion: The whole-body exposure of neonatal mice to the nonionizing radiation produced many pathological lesions in their cerebella at the cellular and subcellular levels.

The effects of microwave emitted by cellular phones on ovarian follicles in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate whether there were any toxic effects of microwaves of cellular phones on ovaries in rats. In this study, 82 female pups of rats, aged 21 days (43 in the study group and 39 in the control group) were used. Pregnant rats in the study group were exposed to mobile phones that were placed beneath the polypropylene cages during the whole period of pregnancy. The cage was free from all kinds of materials, which could affect electromagnetic fields. A mobile phone in a standby position for 11 h and 45 min was turned on to speech position for 15 min every 12 h and the battery was charged continuously. On the 21st day after the delivery, the female rat pups were killed and the right ovaries were removed. The volumes of the ovaries were measured and the number of follicles in every tenth section was counted. The analysis revealed that in the study group, the number of follicles was lower than that in the control group. The decreased number of follicles in pups exposed to mobile phone microwaves suggest that intrauterine exposure has toxic effects on ovaries. We suggest that the microwaves of mobile phones might decrease the number of follicles in rats by several known and, no doubt, countless unknown mechanisms.

Changes produced in cerebellum and kidney of kidney of rabiits after chronic exposure to mobile phone microwaves. A histopathological study

changes produced in cerebellum and kidney of kidney of rabiits after chronic exposure to mobile phone microwaves. A histopathological study

Microwaves from UMTS/GSM mobile phones induce long‐lasting inhibition of 53BP1/γ‐H2AX DNA repair foci in human lymphocytes

We have recently described frequency-dependent effects of mobile phone microwaves (MWs) of global system for mobile communication (GSM) on human lymphocytes from persons reporting hypersensitivity to electromagnetic fields and healthy persons. Contrary to GSM, universal global telecommunications system (UMTS) mobile phones emit wide-band MW signals. Hypothetically, UMTS MWs may result in higher biological effects compared to GSM signal because of eventual "effective" frequencies within the wideband. Here, we report for the first time that UMTS MWs affect chromatin and inhibit formation of DNA double-strand breaks co-localizing 53BP1/gamma-H2AX DNA repair foci in human lymphocytes from hypersensitive and healthy persons and confirm that effects of GSM MWs depend on carrier frequency. Remarkably, the effects of MWs on 53BP1/gamma-H2AX foci persisted up to 72 h following exposure of cells, even longer than the stress response following heat shock. The data are in line with the hypothesis that the type of signal, UMTS MWs, may have higher biological efficiency and possibly larger health risk effects compared to GSM radiation emissions. No significant differences in effects between groups of healthy and hypersensitive subjects were observed, except for the effects of UMTS MWs and GSM-915 MHz MWs on the formation of the DNA repair foci, which were different for hypersensitive (P < 0.02[53BP1]//0.01[gamma-H2AX]) but not for control subjects (P > 0.05). The non-parametric statistics used here did not indicate specificity of the differences revealed between the effects of GSM and UMTS MWs on cells from hypersensitive subjects and more data are needed to study the nature of these differences.

Telefones celulares: influência nos sistemas auditivo e vestibular

Os sistemas de telecomunicações emitem radiofreqüência, uma radiação eletromagnética invisível. Telefones celulares transmitem microondas (450900 MHz no sistema analógico e 1,82,2 GHz no sistema digital), muito próximo à orelha do usuário. Esta energia é absorvida pela pele, orelha interna, nervo vestibulococlear e superfície do lobo temporal. OBJETIVO: Revisar a literatura sobre influência dos telefones celulares na audição e equilíbrio. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Revisão sistemática. METODOLOGIA: Foram pesquisados artigos nas bases Lilacs e Medline sobre a influência dos telefones celulares nos sistemas auditivo e vestibular, publicados de 2000 a 2005, e também materiais veiculados na Internet. RESULTADOS: Os estudos sobre radiação do telefone celular e risco de neurinoma do acústico apresentam resultados contraditórios. Alguns autores não encontram maior probabilidade de aparecimento do tumor nos usuários de celulares, enquanto outros relatam que a utilização de telefones analógicos por 10 anos ou mais aumenta o risco para o tumor. A exposição aguda às microondas emitidas pelo celular não influencia a atividade das células ciliadas externas da cóclea, in vivo e in vitro, a condução elétrica no nervo coclear, nem a fisiologia do sistema vestibular em humanos. As próteses auditivas analógicas são mais suscetíveis à interferência eletromagnética dos telefones celulares digitais. CONCLUSÃO: Não há comprovação de lesão cocleovestibular pelos telefones celulares.

Gene expression changes in human cells after exposure to mobile phone microwaves

Possible biological effects of mobile phone microwaves were investigated in vitro. In this study, which was part of the 5FP EU project REFLEX (Risk Evaluation of Potential Environmental Hazards From Low-Energy Electromagnetic Field Exposure Using Sensitive in vitro Methods), six human cell types, immortalized cell lines and primary cells, were exposed to 900 and 1800 MHz. RNA was isolated from exposed and sham-exposed cells and labeled for transcriptome analysis on whole-genome cDNA arrays. The results were evaluated statistically using bioinformatics techniques and examined for biological relevance with the help of different databases. NB69 neuroblastoma cells, T lymphocytes, and CHME5 microglial cells did not show significant changes in gene expression. In EA.hy926 endothelial cells, U937 lymphoblastoma cells, and HL-60 leukemia cells we found between 12 and 34 up- or down-regulated genes. Analysis of the affected gene families does not point towards a stress response. However, following microwave exposure, some but not all human cells might react with an increase in expression of genes encoding ribosomal proteins and therefore up-regulating the cellular metabolism.

Structural and kinetic effects of mobile phone microwaves on acetylcholinesterase activity

The present study provides evidence that “in vitro” simple exposure of an aqueous solution of electric eel acetylcholinesterase (EeAChE; EC 3.1.1.7.) to cellular phone emission alters its enzymatic activity. This paper demonstrates, by combining different experimental techniques, that radio frequency (RF) radiations irreversibly affect the structural and biochemical characteristics of an important CNS enzyme. These results were obtained by using a commercial cellular phone to reproduce the reality of the human exposition. This experimental procedure provided surprising effects collected practically without experimental errors because they were obtained comparing native and irradiated sample of the same enzyme solution. Although these results cannot be used to conclude whether exposure to RF during the use of cellular phone can lead to any hazardous health effect, they may be a significant first step towards further verification of these effects on other “ex vivo” or “in vivo” biological systems.

Effects of exposure of the ear to GSM microwaves: in vivo and in vitro experimental studies

The effects of mobile phone (GSM) microwaves on the ears of guinea pigs were investigated in two in vivo experiments and one in vitro experiment. In the first experiment, three groups of eight guinea pigs had their left ear exposed for 1 h/day, 5 days/week, for 2 months, to GSM microwaves (900 MHz, GSM modulated) at specific absorption rates (SARs) of 1, 2 and 4 W/kg respectively, and a fourth group was sham-exposed. Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were measured for each ear before exposure, at the end of the 2-month exposure period, and 2 months later. In the second experiment, the same protocol was applied to eight sham-exposed and 16 exposed guinea pigs at 4 W/kg, but the auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds were monitored. Repeated-measures ANOVA showed no difference in DPOAE amplitudes or in ABR thresholds between the exposed and non-exposed ears and between the sham-exposed and exposed groups. In the course of the second experiment, acute effects were also investigated by measuring once, in all animals, ABR thresholds just before and just after the 1-h exposure: no statistically significant difference was observed. In vitro, the two organs of Corti (OCs) of newborn rats (n = 15) were isolated and placed in culture. For each animal, one OC was exposed for 24–48 h to 1 W/kg GSM microwaves, and the other was sham-exposed. After 2–3 days of culture, all OCs were observed under light microscopy. They all appeared normal to naive observers at this stage of development. These results provided no evidence that microwave radiation, at the levels produced by mobile phones, caused damage to the inner ear or the auditory pathways in our experimental animals.