healing effect of bone marrow-derived stem cells in acute radiation syndrome

Objectives: To determine the effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells [BMSCs] on regeneration of bone marrow and intestinal tissue and survival rate in experimental mice with acute radiation syndrome [ARS]

Methods: Forty mice were randomly divided into two equal groups of A receiving no BMSC transplantation and B receiving BMSCs. BMSCs were isolated from the bone marrow and cultured in DMEM media. Both groups were irradiated with 10 Gy [dose rate 0.28 Gy/ min] 60CO during 35 minutes with a field size of 35×35 for all the body area. Twenty-four hours after gamma irradiation, 150×103 cells of passage 5 in 150 microl medium were injected intravenously into the tail. Animals were euthanized one and two weeks after cell transplantation. They were evaluated histologically for any changes in bone marrow and intestinal tissues. The survival rate in mice were also determined

Results: A significant increase for bone marrow cell count and survival rate were observed in group B in comparison to group A. Histological findings denoted to a healing in sample tissues

Conclusion: BMSCs could significantly reduce the side effects of ARS and increase the survival rate and healing in injured tissue. As such their transplantation may open a window in treatment of patients with ARS

Alterations of visual reaction time and short term memory in military radar personnel

Radar transmitters emit high-power radiofrequency radiation by creation of a high-voltage and high-frequency alternating electrical current. Health effects of occupational exposure to military radar were investigated. Visual reaction time was recorded with a simple blind computer-assisted-visual reaction time test. To assess the short-term memory, modified Wechsler Memory Scale test was performed. The mean +/- SD reaction time in radar works [N=100] and the control group [N=57] were 238.58 +/- 23.47 milliseconds and 291.86 +/- 28.26 milliseconds [P<0.0001], respectively. The scores of forward digit span in radar works and the control group were 3.56 +/- 0.77 and 4.29 +/- 1.06 [P<0.0001], while the scores of backward digit span in radar works and the control group were 2.70 +/- 0.69 and 3.62 +/- 0.95 [P<0.0001]. The scores of word recognition in radar works and the control group were 3.37 +/- 1.13 and 5.86 +/- 1.11 [P<0.0001]. Finally, the scores of paired words in radar works and the control group were 13.56 +/- 1.78 and 15.21 +/- 2.20 [P<0.0001]. It can be concluded that occupational exposures to radar radiations decreases reaction time, which may lead to a better response to different hazards. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show that occupational exposure to radar microwave radiation leads to decreased reaction time and the lower performance of short-term memory. Altogether, these results indicate that occupational exposure to radar microwave radiations may be linked to some non-detrimental and detrimental health effects

pattern of mobile phone use and prevalence of self-reported symptoms in elementary and junior high school students in Shiraz, Iran

The use of mobile phone by children is increasing drastically. Children are likely to accumulate many years of exposure during their lives. Furthermore, as nervous systems in children are developing, children may be at a greater risk compared to adults. In this light, some scientists have suggested that the use of mobile phones should be restricted in high-risk groups such as children. This study is an attempt to explore the pattern of mobile phone use and its health effects among students from the city of Shiraz, Iran. A total of 469 [235 males and 234 females; 250 elementary and 219 junior high school] healthy students participated in this study. The students were randomly selected from three different educational districts of the city. For each student, a questionnaire regarding the possible sources of exposure to electromagnetic fields or microwave radiation, specially the pattern of mobile phone use, medical history and life style was filled out by interviewers. Only 31.42% of the students used to use mobile phones. The average daily time of using mobile phones in talk mode was 7.08 +/- 21.42 minutes. Not only the relative frequency of mobile phone ownership in boys was significantly more than the girls, but also the boys used their mobile phones more frequently. Statistically significant associations were found between the time mobile phones were used in talk mode and some symptoms. Furthermore, a statistically significant association was found between the time mobile phones were used in talk mode and the number of headaches per month, number of vertigo per month, or number of sleeping problem per month. Results obtained in this study show that a large proportion of children in the city of Shiraz use mobile phones. A significant increase was found in some self-reported symptoms among users of mobile phones. These findings are in line with what is widely believed regarding the higher vulnerability of children to exhibit symptoms from using mobile phones. The findings and conclusion of the present study should be viewed in the light the nature of symptoms measurement [self-report] and the knowledge and understandings of the participants about the symptoms

Angular deformities of the lower limb in children

Angular deformities of the lower limbs are common during childhood. In most cases this represents a variation in the normal growth pattern and is an entirely benign condition. Presence of symmetrical deformities and absence of symptoms, joint stiffness, systemic disorders or syndromes indicates a benign condition with excellent long-term outcome. In contrast, deformities which are asymmetrical and associated with pain, joint stiffness, systemic disorders or syndromes may indicate a serious underlying cause and require treatment. Little is known about the relationship between sport participation and body adaptations during growth. Intense soccer participation increases the degree of genu varum in males from the age of 16. Since, according to some investigation, genu varum predisposes individuals to more injuries, efforts to reduce the development of genu varum in soccer players are warranted. In this article major topics of angular deformities of the knees in pediatric population are particularly reviewed

Injury profile of a professional soccer team in the premier league of Iran

Despite numerous studies which have been done regarding soccer injuries worldwide, there is lack of available data considering the epidemiology of injuries in the Iranian soccer premier league, although it is the most popular sport in the country. The main goal of this research was to determine the incidence of physical injuries in the studied population, considering other characteristics such as site, type and mechanism as well. Twenty one adult male professional soccer players [age 24 +/- 3], members of a team [Tehran-Pas] participating in Iranian premier league, were followed during a 4-month period. The injury characteristics and exposure times were recorded by the team physician during all the matches and training sessions. The total exposure time was 2610 playing hours [2352 h of training versus 258 h of competition]. Eighty six percent of the injuries were acute. Incidence of acute injuries was 16.5 [95% CI: 12-22] per 1000 hours of playing [11.5 per 1000 hrs of training and 62 per 1000 hrs of competition]. The most common types of injuries were strains followed by contusions, each of which constituted 30% of acute injuries. More than 80% of injuries occurred in lower limbs, especially in thigh and groin regions. Nearly 60% of acute injuries occurred in dominant side of the body, and collision was the reason of about half of the acute injuries. Severity of more than 70% of the injuries was minor. On average each injury had led the player being off the field for about 10 days. The incidence of injury in this research is in range of numbers obtained in important international tournaments but the rate of injuries during training sessions is higher than comparable studies

[Effects of laptop computers' electromagnetic field on sperm quality]

Laptop computers are known sources of electromagnetic field and as the name implies a number of people use these computers frequently on their laps. To date, there seems to be only reports on the thermal effects of these devices on spermatogenesis in a laptop position. This study aimed to investigate the bioeffects of electromagnetic fields induced by laptop computers on rat spermatogenesis after blocking its thermal effects. Thirty inbred Wistar rats [200-250 g] were randomly divided into a control and three experiment groups. The magnetic field strength of the lap-side of a computer was measured [in an upside down position] at different areas by using a TES 1390 EMF tester and marked it with an appropriate marker. The maximum magnetic field strength was 1.15 microT. Animals in the test groups [21] were kept on the marked area on a thermal shield 7 hours a day for one week. The controls [9] were kept on a switched-off laptop for the same period. Subsequently, the animals were sacrificed and sperm parameters such as count, motility and morphology were analyzed. Non-parametric tests such as Mann Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare the results between the experimental groups and the controls. A significant and correlated decrease was seen in sperm motility parallel to the increase in the magnetic field. Sperm motility was divided into four groups [A to D], A exhibiting the highest and D the lowest motility. The relative frequency of group D sperms [immotile sperms] exposed to background, moderate, high and very high magnetic fields were 17%, 31%, 29%, and 68% and the relative frequency of sperm in class C sperms [non-progressive sperms] exposed to background, moderate, high and very high magnetic fields were 52%, 43%, 51% and 16%, respectively. After merging sperms in classes C and D, the relative frequencies of sperms in animals exposed to the background, moderate, high and very high magnetic fields were 69%, 74%, 80% and 84%, respectively. Although, the lowest sperm count was observed in animals exposed to the highest magnetic field but this difference was not significant. There seems that sperm count and motility decrease as the magnetic field strength increases. In this light, magnetic fields induced by laptop computers may decrease sperm count and sperm motility, ultimately affecting male reproductive capabilities. It is advisable to limit the time these devices are used in a laptop position