Evidence of oxidative stress after continuous exposure to Wi-Fi radiation in rat model.

Exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is rapidly increasing in everyday environment, consequently conferring potential health effects. Oxidative stress is emerging as a mechanism implicated in pathophysiology and progression of various diseases. To our knowledge, no report has been made on the status of antioxidant redox systems after continuous exposure to radiofrequency radiation emitted from a Wi-Fi access point in animal model so far. Therefore, we aimed to continuously subject rats in the experimental group to radiofrequency (RF) radiation emitted from a commercially available Wi-Fi device. Male Wister rats were exposed to 2.45 GHz RF radiation emitted from a Wi-Fi for 24 h/day for 10 consecutive weeks. In order to assess the change in antioxidant redox system of plasma after continuous exposure to a Wi-Fi device, the total antioxidant capacity of plasma, level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH), and activity of different enzymatic antioxidants, e.g., superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px], and glutathione S-transferase [GST], were measured. In the Wi-Fi exposed group, a significant decrease was detected in total antioxidant capacity of plasma and the activities of several antioxidant enzymes, including CAT, GSH-Px, and SOD (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the GST activity was significantly increased in this group (P < 0.05). However, no significant changes were found in GSH and TBARS levels following exposure to RF radiation. According to the results, oxidative defense system in rats exposed to Wi-Fi signal was significantly affected compared to the control group. Further studies are needed to better understand the possible biological mechanisms of EMR emitted from Wi-Fi device and relevant outcomes.

Biosorption of Cd(II) and Cs(I) from aqueous solution by live and dead cells of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis PTCC 5051.

The biosorption characteristics of Cd(II) and Cs(I) using live and dead cells of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis PTCC 5051 as biosorbents have been investigated in the present research. The influence of different experimental parameters such as initial pH (pHi), shaking rate, sorption time and initial metal concentration was evaluated. The optimum pH was obtained as 4 for Cd(II) and 7 for Cs(I). The experimental adsorption data were fitted to the Langmuir linear equation adsorption model. The highest metal uptake values of 0.593 and 0.473 mmol g-1 were calculated for Cd(II) and Cs(I), respectively. The results of Fourier transform infrared analysis suggested the involvement of amine, carboxyl and hydroxyl groups during the biosorption process and also indicated that more functional groups were involved in the biosorption process of live adsorbents, compared with those linked to dead biomass. The results showed that the biomass of S. carlsbergensis PTCC 5051 is a suitable biosorbent for the removal of Cd(II) and Cs(I) from the aqueous solutions.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase Gene Polymorphism (Val158Met) and Development of Pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVES: Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a key enzyme in degradation pathways of estrogens and catecholamines. The present meta-analysis was done to elucidate the association of COMT Val158Met polymorphism with pre-eclampsia among pregnant women. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Elsevier, Springer and Google Scholar to find eligible studies. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated under dominant, recessive, co-dominant, and allelic models. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 6 eligible studies consisting 2596 cases and 4223 controls. The ORs for the COMT G472A polymorphism and pre-eclampsia were indicative of positive association under several genetic models. The results indicated that COMT Val158Met polymorphism was significantly associated with the increased risk of pre-eclampsia in recessive model (AA vs. AG + GG: OR = 1.522 [95% CI: 1.089-2.127]; p = 0.014), co-dominant model (AA vs. GG: OR = 1.605 [95% CI: 1.102-2.336]; p = 0.014), and allelic model (A vs. T: OR = 1.200 [95% CI: 1.021-1.402]; p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, COMT Val158Met polymorphism is positively associated with the increased risk of pre-eclampsia among pregnant women, especially the homozygous carriers. It could be of value to investigate its association with pre-eclampsia in combination with additional risk factors. However, very large studies with different ethnic population are required to accurately demonstrate the role of this candidate gene in development of pre-eclampsia.