Effects of Exposure to GSM Mobile Phone Cortisol,Alpha-Amylase,and Base Station Signals on Salivary Immunoglobulin A

Objective The present study aimed to test whether exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields （RF-EMF） emitted by mobile phone base stations may have effects on salivary alpha-amylase, immunoglobulin A （IgA）, and cortisol levels. Methods Fifty seven participants were randomly allocated to one of three different experimental scenarios （22 participants to scenario 1, 26 to scenario 2, and 9 to scenario 3）. Each participant went through five 50-minute exposure sessions. The main RF-EMF source was a GSM-900-MHz antenna located at the outer wall of the building. In scenarios 1 and 2, the first, third, and fifth sessions were ＂low＂ （median power flux density 5.2 μW/m^2） exposure. The second session was ＂high＂ （2126.8 μW/m^2）, and the fourth session was ＂medium＂ （153.6 μW/m^2） in scenario 1, and vice versa in scenario 2. Scenario 3 had four ＂low＂ exposure conditions, followed by a ＂high＂ exposure condition. Biomedical parameters were collected by saliva samples three times a session. Exposure levels were created by shielding curtains. Results In scenario 3 from session 4 to session 5 （from ＂low＂ to ＂high＂ exposure）, an increase of cortisol was detected, while in scenarios 1 and 2, a higher concentration of alpha-amylase related to the baseline was identified as compared to that in scenario 3. IgA concentration was not significantly related to the exposure. Conclusions RF-EMF in considerably lower field densities than ICNIRP-gnidelines may influence certain psychobiological stress markers.     

Cell Proliferation in the Lichen Planus Infiltrate

In seven patients suffering from lichen planus (LP) light- and electron-microscopic 3H-thymidine (3HT) labeling studies were performed and the following results were obtained. 1. Using the light-microscope, a large number of 3HT labeled cells can be observed in the dermal infiltrate of LP. Most of the labeled nuclei belong to mononuclear, 'round cells' while isolated endothelial cells, fibroblasts, histiocytes and mast cells could be found labeled. 2. The mean labeling index of 'round cells' in our patients was 4.27 +/- 1.57%. 3. The evaluation of the electron microscopic autoradiographs showed that, as far as 'round' cells were concerned, exclusively nuclei of cells showing the morphological criteria of stimulated lymphocytes were labeled. These findings support the view that in LP, as in allergic contact dermatitis, a high proliferative activity of lymphocytes takes place.     

Demonstration That Milk Cells Invade the Suckling Neonatal Mouse*

ABSTRACT: Mouse milk cells were stained with rhodamine or fluorescein isothiocyanate and fed to young suckling mice. By visual examination of serial sections and by flow cytofluorometry, we were able to demonstrate directly the presence of these cells in peripheral tissues. It was estimated that at least 0.1% of the fed cells might infiltrate the young mouse, which is initially immunologically defenseless. This is in accordance with evidence from many sources for activity of maternally-derived lymphoid cells in young rodents.     

Incidence and Pattern of Ventricular Late Potentials in the First Ten Days Following Acute Myocardial Infarction

In contrast to studies of late potentials (LP) during the chronic stage of myocardial infarction (MI), little has been published about signal averaged LP during the acute phase of MI. We therefore investigated the occurrence of LP during the first 10 days following acute MI in daily measurements of the signal averaged ECG. Thirty-three patients with acute MI defined by clinical, history, diagnostic electrocardiographic changes, and enzymatic evaluation were prospectively included in the study. Thirty-three percent suffered from anterior MI, 43% from inferior MI, and 24% had MI in both regions. Using the method of Simson, an LP was defined as a mean voltage of < 25 ±V in the last 40 msec of the filtered QRS complex. The incidence of LP ranged between 24% on the first day and 39% on day 6. There was no significant difference comparing the incidence of LP between consecutive days. Looking at the individual patient, only 3 patients exhibited a constant LP, 15 patients remained without LP, and 15 patients showed a variable incidence over the course of 10 days. There was no correlation between the incidence of LP and the localization of MI or the maximum level of the CK-MB isoenzyme.     

Effects of High Energy Shocks on Pacing Impedance During Transvenous ICD Implantation

The purpose of the current study was to characterize the effects of transvenous ICD shocks on myocardial impedance. Rather than recording impedance during shocks, it was measured during continuous pacing in order to minimize confounding effects such as electrode polarization. Pacing impedance (reflecting the combined impedances of the electrode-tissue interface, myocardium, and blood pool) was measured every 5 seconds before and after 58 single shocks in 22 patients undergoing ICD implantation with a Transvene (n = 14) or Endotak (n = 8) lead. There was a progressive and long-lasting decrease in impedance after shocks. The magnitude of this change was similar for 0.6-J test shocks and shocks ≥ 5 J (28 ± 32 Ω vs 23 ± 16 Ω P = 0.8). However, the drop in impedance was more abrupt after high energy shocks. Because impedance continued to decline throughout the 5-minute interval between shocks, successive shocks had a cumulative effect, with a decrease of 46 ± 42 Ω after four discharges. In conclusion, a progressive decline in pacing impedance is a characteristic response to transvenous ICD discharges.