(Press-News.org) The interest in the biological effects of non-ionizing Electro Magnetic Fields (EMFs) and Static Magnetic Fields (SMFs) on the whole organism, as well on cellular systems, has noticeably increased in recent years in consideration of their increased production (from the generation and transmission of electricity, to domestic appliances and industrial equipment, to telecommunications and broadcasting) and the possible health risk for humans. About one century ago, associated with the wide use of electricity, artificial electric and magnetic fields became a part of our living environment. The use of technology in communication, entertainment, industry and science enhanced our quality of life. On the other hand, the biological effects of the electric and magnetic fields associated with this technology are not well understood.
In the work published in the December issue of Experimental Biology and Medicine, Dini and coworkers have incorporated nanotechnology, material science, and the clinical imaging modality MRI, to create a nanosized probe capable of noninvasively visualizing and quantifying the blood vessel growth in tumors in a preclinical model. The work was carried out by Elisa Panzarini, as part of his Post Doctoral research, working together with Luciana Dini and other colleagues, at the University of Salento, Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology, Lecce, Italy.
Dr. Dini stated "Taking into account that innate immunity is based on macrophage phagocytosis of non-self microrganisms and particles, the exposure to SMF could interfere with a correct immune response. Indeed, phagocytosis of apoptotic cells represents the end point of apoptosis, allowing the fast removal of dead cells by neighbours and macrophages. For phagocytosis of apoptotic cells to proceed correctly requires the action of a number of genes greater than those involved in the induction of the apoptosis itself. Impaired phagocytosis of apoptotic cells is the cause of several diseases."
The research team studied the effects of 6 mT SMF on the phagocytosis process of differentiating macrophages by using human Kupffer cells, Raw 264,7 macrophages and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate [TPA]-differentiated THP-1 monocytes and U937 promonocytes. Indeed, macrophage phagocytosis is the basis of innate immunity and the exposure to Static Magnetic Fields could interfere with a correct immunoresponse. In particular, with this study, the researchers aimed to verify the effect of 6 mT SMF on the phagocytosis mechanism and to compare these effects with those on other internalization processes, like endocytosis.
For many years this research team has focused its interest on the study of the biological effects of SMFs, in particular, moderate intensity (ranging from1 mT to 1 T) SMF that represents the lowest intensity able to interfere with the apoptotic process in relation to apoptotic cell death. Results obtained indicating that [1] SMF significantly influences the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and latex beads, and to a lesser extent, fluid phase endocytosis and that [2] the effect of SMF is dependent on the degree of macrophage differentiation, validate that the primary site of action of SMF is at the plasma membrane. Indeed, the plasma membrane has a pivotal role in the recognition of apoptotic cells and for their engulfment through connection with the cytoskeleton. 6 mT SMF is able to modify cell surface morphology, distribution of plasma membrane proteins, receptors and sugar residues, and disarrange the cytoskeleton.
Dr Dini said "On the basis of the results obtained in this study in human primary macrophages, even if it is not yet possible to foresee application in medicine, it follows that it is better to avoid exposure of patients bearing a wound, inflammatory foci or abnormal production of apoptotic cells to machinery (including medical equipment) producing moderate intensity SMF. The reason being that recruitment of monocytes from the blood could be delayed and thus the rescue of the tissue from inflammation postponed, or a chronic condition could be favored."
Several studies have suggested a potential cause-effect relationship between removal of dead cells and the onset of human pathologies. Indeed, diseases such as LSE, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), atherosclerosis, encephalomyelitis autoimmune and multiple sclerosis are correlated to the delayed or inefficient removal of apoptotic cells which can cause persistency of inflammation and tissue damage leading to the onset of immune response. The results obtained in the current study suggest that the exposure to 6 mT SMF affects fluid-phase endocytosis and phagocytosis in monocyte/macrophages in a differentiation degree dependent manner. Thus, even if the underlying biological mechanisms are still for the most part unclear, this work could help to explain the effects of exposure in support of a possible causal relationship between SMF and differentiation degree.
Steven R. Goodman, Editor-in-Chief of Experimental Biology and Medicine, said "This interesting study by Dini and colleagues suggests the need of thoughtful consideration of the level of Static Magnetic Field exposure that is appropriate for patients bearing a wound and resulting inflammation".
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Richmond, Va. (Dec. 3, 2010) – Research at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center led by Charles E. Chalfant, Ph.D., associate professor of biochemistry and molecular Biology, discovered a previously unknown mechanism in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells that contributes to their ability to maintain and grow tumors. Narrowing in on this mechanism could provide a breakthrough for the development of effective therapies for NSCLC and other cancers.
The findings, recently published in Journal of Clinical Investigation, provide the first example of a ...
It's nice to have success—but it can also make you worry that the jealous people will try to bring you down. New research in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, has found that the fear of being the target of malicious envy makes people act more helpfully toward people who they think might be jealous of them.
In previous research, Niels van de Ven of Tilburg University and his colleagues Marcel Zeelenberg and Rik Pieters had figured out that envy actually comes in two flavors: benign envy and malicious envy. They studied people ...
DALLAS – Dec. 3, 2010 – Thanks to findings by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers, individuals with a potentially life-threatening condition predisposing them to blood clots, or thrombosis, might someday receive therapy to prevent the condition.
The findings, available online and in a future issue of The Journal of Clinical Investigation, offer new clues into the mechanisms underlying antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).
"Patients with APS have circulating antibodies that cause exaggerated thrombosis. The longstanding mystery has been how these antibodies initiate ...
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Exposure to nicotine during pregnancy leads to a decrease in adult stem cells and a change in synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus of the offspring, according to new research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham presented at Neuroscience 2010, the annual Society for Neuroscience meeting in San Diego in November. Researchers say this could be a possible cause for behavioral problems such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) seen in children whose mothers smoked.
Adult stem cells in the hippocampus, the area of the brain most connected ...
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Electronic cigarettes (or e-cigarettes), also called "electronic nicotine delivery systems," are increasingly used worldwide even though only sparse information is available on their health effects. In the United States, e-cigarettes are readily available in shopping malls in most states and on the Internet. But how safe are e-cigarettes?
To address this question, researchers at the University of California, Riverside evaluated five e-cigarette brands and found design flaws, lack of adequate labeling, and several concerns about quality control and ...
Earth observation scientists at the University of Leicester have recorded stunning images of the UK's winter landscape by orbiting satellites.
European Space Agency satellite instruments have been observing the icy blast in the UK from their vantage points in space.
Leicester scientists have used two instruments, MERIS and AATSR, which have returned stunning images of a snow-bound UK from observations on November 29th and December 1st.
In the MERIS images, the colour scale runs from white snow and clouds to green vegetation. In the AATSR images, the non-snow areas ...
They might just be the smallest Christmas tree decorations ever. Tiny spherical particles of gold and silver that are more than 100 million times smaller than the gold and silver baubles used to decorate seasonal fir trees have been synthesized by researchers in Mexico and the US.
Writing in the December issue of the International Journal of Nanoparticles, materials engineer Xavier E. Guerrero-Dib, of the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León and colleagues there and at The University of Texas at Austin, describe the formation of gold, silver and alloyed, bimetallic nanoparticles ...
The following highlights summarize research papers that have been recently published in Geophysical Research Letters (GRL).
In this release:
Population trends, not climate, causing increased flood fatalities in Africa
Earth's lakes warming in response to climate change
Ozone hole affects upper-atmosphere temperature and circulation
Solar wind contains more oxygen than previously thought
Predicting variability in radiation belt dynamics
Iron oxide observed in Earth's airglow
Anyone may read the scientific abstract for any already-published paper by clicking ...
Estybon® (ON 01910.Na) is a small molecule, targeted therapeutic with a broad spectrum of activity. It has been tested in patients with solid tumors, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at major centers in the U.S. and abroad. MDS and AML are blood disorders widely recognized as difficult to manage, with limited therapeutic options for patients, especially those with drug-resistant disease. The presentations will describe the latest results on activity and safety of Estybon® (ON 01910.Na) in MDS and AML patients treated in on-going Phase ...
Astronomers have traced the waxing and waning light of exploding stars more closely than ever before and seen patterns that aren't yet accounted for in our current understanding of how these eruptions occur.
Using data from a sensitive instrument aboard a satellite that images the entire sky every 102 minutes, they studied four of these stars, or novae, that exploded so violently their light would have been visible without a telescope and measured their brightness over the course of the outburst.
Three of the novae stalled before reaching a peak, and all flickered or ...
