Dataset Information

Powerline bioactivity - more than magnetism.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Previous work on the possible public health impact of electricity utilization has mostly considered low frequency electromagnetic fields, particularly those associated with high voltage overhead powerlines, but no generally accepted biological mechanism has been proposed. The present study seeks to expand the area of debate to include airborne electroactivity.

Findings

From a literature survey it is concluded that there is statistically significant published evidence consistent with the involvement of airborne electroactive agents in the powerline proximity modulation of some cytokine activity. Attention is drawn to overhead line fault associated corona discharge action as a source of potentially bioactive agents deserving careful study in view of the widespread close residential proximity to overhead power distribution lines in many countries. Particular attention is given to the role of electricity access associated faults as a possible explanation for the high childhood leukaemia rates in certain districts of Mexico City.

Conclusions

Despite more than 30 years research worldwide there is no generally accepted biological mechanism to explain the adverse health impact of overhead powerline residential proximity. Expanding the area of consideration to include airborne electroactivity may provide the basis for a plausible outline model of such a mechanism. More attention should be given to this research area.

SUBMITTER: Sidaway GH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3777017 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Powerline bioactivity - more than magnetism.

Sidaway G Hugh GH

SpringerPlus 20130911

<h4>Background</h4>Previous work on the possible public health impact of electricity utilization has mostly considered low frequency electromagnetic fields, particularly those associated with high voltage overhead powerlines, but no generally accepted biological mechanism has been proposed. The present study seeks to expand the area of debate to include airborne electroactivity.<h4>Findings</h4>From a literature survey it is concluded that there is statistically significant published evidence co ...[more]

PMID: 24058895

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Project description:A poly(oxanorbornene)-based polyzwitterion with primary ammonium and carboxylate groups (PZI) has been reported previously as the first simultaneously antimicrobial and protein-repellent polyzwitterion. Here, additional physical and biological properties of three poly(oxanorbornene)-based polyzwitterions with different functional groups (PZI, the polycarboxybetaine PCB, and the polysulfobetaine PSB) are compared to understand the molecular origins of this unusual bioactivity. Additionally, the three polyzwitterions and the antimicrobial, polycationic SMAMP are exposed to proteins, bacteria suspensions, human plasma and serum. These interactions are investigated by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. In protein adhesion studies, neither fibrinogen nor lysozyme adhere irreversibly to PZI, yet reversible interaction with lysozyme is observed at pH 7 and 8. In the presence of bivalent cations, reversible fibrinogen adhesion on PZI and PSB is observed, but not on PCB. This might explain why mammalian cells grow on PZI and PSB, but not on PCB. PZI does not show human plasma adhesion, while PCB and PSB have 0.27 and 0.48 ng mm-2 adhered plasma, and SMAMP even 6.3 ng mm-2. Both PZI and SMAMP show strong serum adhesion, while no serum adhered to PCB, and only little to PSB. This could be related to the pH difference between serum and plasma, to which the pH-responsive primary ammonium groups are susceptible, while the permanently charged NR4 + groups are unaffected. Both PZI and PCB showed none or only little bacterial adhesion. PCB is also intrinsically antimicrobial against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria and thus is also simultaneously protein-repellent and antimicrobially active. Thus, while the carboxylate groups of PZI and PCB seems to be a prerequisite for the dual antimicrobial activity and protein-repellency, the pH-responsiveness of the primary ammonium group seems to make the PZI molecule vulnerable for protein adhesion in fluids that are slightly out of the physiological range.

Dataset Information

Powerline bioactivity - more than magnetism.

Background

Findings

Conclusions

Publications

Powerline bioactivity - more than magnetism.

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