Possible role of polyphosphatases in yeast sensitivity to DCS-1800 electromagnetic fields

The ability of living organisms to perceive electromagnetic radiation is one of the most intriguing issues that concern the fundamental problem of interaction of living matter with the factors of physical nature. Polyphosphates can be possible receptors. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the role of the polyphosphatases PPN1 and PPX1 in the cell response to exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) of 1871 MHz that were generated by DCS-1800 base stations. Six-week exposure at energy flux densities of 0.1–10 W/m² was used. The corresponding values of specific adsorption rate (SAR) were 0.0075–1.5 W/kg. Electromagnetic radiation was found to lead to the impairment of a number of physiological and metabolic functions of cells, change their resistance to antibiotics, and result in irreversible changes in their genome. Low doses of the EMF caused the strongest biological responses. It was demonstrated that the deficiency in the ppn1 and ppx1 genes made the strains less adaptive, which resulted in an increase in their sensitivity to EMF exposure. Both polyphosphatases PPN1 and PPX1 were shown to be necessary for the normal cell response to the nonionizing electromagnetic radiation of 1871 MHz.     

Bio-soliton model that predicts non-thermal electromagnetic frequency bands,that either stabilize or destabilize living cells

Solitons, as self-reinforcing solitary waves, interact with complex biological phenomena such as cellular self-organization. A soliton model is able to describe a spectrum of electromagnetism modalities that can be applied to understand the physical principles of biological effects in living cells, as caused by endogenous and exogenous electromagnetic fields and is compatible with quantum coherence. A bio-soliton model is proposed, that enables to predict which eigen-frequencies of non-thermal electromagnetic waves are life-sustaining and which are, in contrast, detrimental for living cells. The particular effects are exerted by a range of electromagnetic wave eigen-frequencies of one-tenth of a Hertz till Peta Hertz that show a pattern of 12 bands, and can be positioned on an acoustic reference frequency scale. The model was substantiated by a meta-analysis of 240 published articles of biological electromagnetic experiments, in which a spectrum of non-thermal electromagnetic waves were exposed to living cells and intact organisms. These data support the concept of coherent quantized electromagnetic states in living organisms and the theories of Fröhlich, Davydov and Pang. It is envisioned that a rational control of shape by soliton-waves and related to a morphogenetic field and parametric resonance provides positional information and cues to regulate organism-wide systems properties like anatomy, control of reproduction and repair.     

Influence of electromagnetic radiation on molecular solitons

The soliton model of charge and energy transport in biological macromolecules is used to suggest one of the possible mechanisms for electromagnetic radiation influence on biological systems. The influence of the electromagnetic field (EMF) on molecular solitons is studied both analytically and numerically. Numerical simulations prove the stability of solitons for fields of large amplitude, and allow the study of emission of phonons. It is shown that in the spectra of biological effects of radiation there are two characteristic frequencies of EMFs, one of which is connected with the most intensive energy absorption and emission of sound waves by the soliton, and the other of which is connected with the soliton photodissociation into a delocalized state.     

Electronic excitations in condensed biological matter

In living matter, electronic excitations may have a collective character which is reviewed here in simple physical terms. In liquids and ordered solids the collective excitations appear as plasmons or excitons. Plasmons are delocalized electronic perturbations of a huge number of oscillating electrons decaying very quickly into localized electronic perturbations, mainly low-energy ionizations. Excitons are very light, moving quantum quasi-particles carrying energy, charge and information in structured biological systems. In deformable soft structures collective excitations appear as solitons behaving as rather massive quasi-particles of combined quantum and classical character. Solitons are relatively stable micro-objects able to transfer energy, charge, mass, and biological information along such biological structures as (chains of) macromolecules, fibres, membranes and surfaces. Some photobiological and radiation biological consequences of collective electronic excitations are suggested.     

Biocomplexity: adaptive behavior in complex stochastic dynamical systems

Existing methods of complexity research are capable of describing certain specifics of bio systems over a given narrow range of parameters but often they cannot account for the initial emergence of complex biological systems, their evolution, state changes and sometimes-abrupt state transitions. Chaos tools have the potential of reaching to the essential driving mechanisms that organize matter into living substances. Our basic thesis is that while established chaos tools are useful in describing complexity in physical systems, they lack the power of grasping the essence of the complexity of life. This thesis illustrates sensory perception of vertebrates and the operation of the vertebrate brain. The study of complexity, at the level of biological systems, cannot be completed by the analytical tools, which have been developed for non-living systems. We propose a new approach to chaos research that has the potential of characterizing biological complexity. Our study is biologically motivated and solidly based in the biodynamics of higher brain function. Our biocomplexity model has the following features, (1) it is high-dimensional, but the dimensionality is not rigid, rather it changes dynamically; (2) it is not autonomous and continuously interacts and communicates with individual environments that are selected by the model from the infinitely complex world; (3) as a result, it is adaptive and modifies its internal organization in response to environmental factors by changing them to meet its own goals; (4) it is a distributed object that evolves both in space and time towards goals that is continually re-shaping in the light of cumulative experience stored in memory; (5) it is driven and stabilized by noise of internal origin through self-organizing dynamics. The resulting theory of stochastic dynamical systems is a mathematical field at the interface of dynamical system theory and stochastic differential equations. This paper outlines several possible avenues to analyze these systems. Of special interest are input-induced and noise-generated, or spontaneous state-transitions and related stability issues.     

Resonance Effects of Microwaves are Caused by their Interaction with Solitons in A-Helical Proteins

The frequency-dependent, resonance-type biological effects of electromagnetic radiation on a-helical protein macromolecules were treated in terms of Davydov soliton (DS) theory. We studied DS over the temperature range from 0 to 350 K. An important characteristic of the autolocalized state is the bond energy, which defines the soliton stability. As the DSs are stable, only a small probability exists of their energy dissipation into heat providing for the high efficiency of energy and charge transduction in bio-systems. However, under the influence of electromagnetic radiation (EMR), the DS decay (photodissociation) probability increases. This approach allows for the qualitative explanation of the resonant effects of low-intensity microwaves on living organisms found in a number of experiments. The dependence of resonance frequency on temperature was obtained this way. The direct charge transfer along the protein molecule may result from the capture of an extra electron by the moving acoustic soliton (electrosoliton). Decay of the electrosoliton under the influence of EMR (photodisintegration) is also examined.     

Protein and DNA reactions stimulated by electromagnetic fields

The stimulation of protein and DNA by electromagnetic fields (EMF) has been problematic because the fields do not appear to have sufficient energy to directly affect such large molecules. Studies with electric and magnetic fields in the extremely low-frequency range have shown that weak fields can cause charge movement. It has also been known for some time that redistribution of charges in large molecules can trigger conformational changes that are driven by large hydration energies. This review considers examples of direct effects of electric and magnetic fields on charge transfer, and structural changes driven by such changes. Conformational changes that arise from alterations in charge distribution play a key role in membrane transport proteins, including ion channels, and probably account for DNA stimulation to initiate protein synthesis. It appears likely that weak EMF can control and amplify biological processes through their effects on charge distribution.     

电磁场暴露海马神经元自由基和胞内Ca2+的变化

电磁场对健康影响的研究包括流行病调查、人体与动物、细胞、生化与分子生物、生物物理等5个层次,电磁生物效应最初是通过物理作用产生化学反应,继而产生后续生物反应.自由基、电磁能量和生物钙是分属于化学、物理学和生物学的3个概念,研究它们之间的关系对于认识电磁生物效应的原初作用具有意义.选择海马神经元,观察在0.1mT、0.5mT和1.0mT电磁场暴露48h,海马神经元ROS水平和胞内Ca2+浓度的变化.实验结果表明:暴露于0.1mT,0.5mT和1.0mT电磁场海马神经元的ROS水平和Ca2+浓度都比对照组有显著性提高(P<0.01).暴露于0.1mT和0.5mT电磁场的ROS水平和暴露于0.1mT电磁场的Ca2+浓度与自由基清除剂+电磁场(Trolox+EMF)组比较没有差异(P>0.05),暴露于1.0mT电磁场的ROS水平和暴露于0.5mT和1.0mT电磁场的Ca2+浓度比Trolox+EMF组有显著性提高(P<0.01).表明电磁场可以促进细胞自由基的产生,并且ROS水平与胞内Ca2+浓度有正相关性.     

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields as effectors of cellular responses in vitro: possible immune cell activation

There is presently an intense discussion if electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure has consequences for human health. This include exposure to structures and appliances that emit in the extremely low frequency (ELF) range of the electromagnetic spectrum, as well as emission coming from communication devices using the radiofrequency part of the spectrum. Biological effects of such exposures have been noted frequently, although the implication for specific health effects is not that clear. The basic interaction mechanism(s) between such fields and living matter is unknown. Numerous hypotheses have been suggested, although none is convincingly supported by experimental data. Various cellular components, processes, and systems can be affected by EMF exposure. Since it is unlikely that EMF can induce DNA damage directly, most studies have examined EMF effects on the cell membrane level, general and specific gene expression, and signal transduction pathways. In addition, a large number of studies have been performed regarding cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation, cell differentiation, metabolism, and various physiological characteristics of cells. Although 50/60 Hz EMF do not directly lead to genotoxic effects, it is possible that certain cellular processes altered by exposure to EMF indirectly affect the structure of DNA causing strand breaks and other chromosomal aberrations. The aim of this article is to present a hypothesis of a possible initial cellular event affected by exposure to ELF EMF, an event which is compatible with the multitude of effects observed after exposure. Based on an extensive literature review, we suggest that ELF EMF exposure is able to perform such activation by means of increasing levels of free radicals. Such a general activation is compatible with the diverse nature of observed effects. Free radicals are intermediates in natural processes like mitochondrial metabolism and are also a key feature of phagocytosis. Free radical release is inducible by ionizing radiation or phorbol ester treatment, both leading to genomic instability. EMF might be a stimulus to induce an "activated state" of the cell such as phagocytosis, which then enhances the release of free radicals, in turn leading to genotoxic events. We envisage that EMF exposure can cause both acute and chronic effects that are mediated by increased free radical levels: (1) Direct activation of, for example macrophages (or other cells) by short-term exposure to EMF leads to phagocytosis (or other cell specific responses) and consequently, free radical production. This pathway may be utilized to positively influence certain aspects of the immune response, and could be useful for specific therapeutic applications. (2) EMF-induced macrophage (cell) activation includes direct stimulation of free radical production. (3) An increase in the lifetime of free radicals by EMF leads to persistently elevated free radical concentrations. In general, reactions in which radicals are involved become more frequent, increasing the possibility of DNA damage. (4) Long-term EMF exposure leads to a chronically increased level of free radicals, subsequently causing an inhibition of the effects of the pineal gland hormone melatonin. Taken together, these EMF induced reactions could lead to a higher incidence of DNA damage and therefore, to an increased risk of tumour development. While the effects on melatonin and the extension of the lifetime of radicals can explain the link between EMF exposure and the incidence of for example leukaemia, the two additional mechanisms described here specifically for mouse macrophages, can explain the possible correlation between immune cell system stimulation and EMF exposure.     

PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF A DONOR'S ENDOGENOUS ELECTRIC FIELDS ON HUMAN PERIPHERAL BLOOD LYMPHOCYTE VIABILITY

Recent studies of interactions between the brain and immune system cells, as well as reports of bioeffects from artificial electromagnetic sources too weak to exert thermal effects, suggest that biophysical communication may exist between them not explained by electrochemical action. We report here that a human donor's endogenous electric fields protect his lymphocyte viability in vitro. The endogenous fields of a healthy male donor were introduced into a cell culture via a gold wire for 7 h overnight and the cells' viability compared by trypan blue exclusion, with nonexposed cells cultured similarly. Cells exposed to their donor's endogenous fields remained significantly more viable compared with unexposed cells. However, when cells were exposed to the endogenous fields of a nondonor, viability was no different from that of unexposed controls. We conclude that endogenous electric fields, observed in all living organisms, perform a previously unsuspected but important role in cellular immune system surveillance.     

Systemic effects of the interaction of an organism and microwaves

A study was made of the dynamics of neurophysiological processes, the autonomic nervous system reactions, and the behaviour of cats during long-term electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure (500 mu W/cm2, 2375 MHz). Revealed were the synchronization of the brain bioelectrical activity at 6-10 Hz and 12-16 Hz, different EMF sensitivity of the brain structures, the heart rate decrease, and the increase in the mobility and aggression of the animals. A complex of interrelated changes occurring virtually in all functional systems of the organism should be considered as a specific EMF effect.     

The Origin of Mind: The Mind-matter Continuity Thesis

Living things are autonomous agents distinguished from nonliving things in having the purpose to actively maintain their existence. All living things, including single-celled organisms, have certain degrees of freedom from physical causality to choose their actions with intentions to fulfill their purpose. This circumstance is analogous to that of human intention-actions guided by mind, and points to the ubiquitous presence of the dimension of mind in the living world. The primordial form of mind in single-celled organisms eventually evolved into the human mind by virtue of the adaptive value of mind for survival. Life seems to have originated from nonliving matter in processes that are continuous. Thus the dimension of mind must extend to the nonliving world, and the origin of mind should be taken to relate to the origin of matter. Inasmuch as matter exists in a hierarchy of levels of complexity extending from quarks up to the whole universe, mind must also be presumed to exist in a hierarchy of levels of complexity associated with matter.     

Information storing by biomagnetites

Since the discovery of the presence of biogenic magnetites in living organisms, there have been speculations on the role that these biomagnetites play in cellular processes. It seems that the formation of biomagnetite crystals is a universal phenomenon and not an exception in living cells. Many experimental facts show that features of organic and inorganic processes could be indistinguishable at nanoscale levels. Living cells are quantum “devices” rather than simple electronic devices utilizing only the charge of conduction electrons. In our opinion, due to their unusual biophysical properties, special biomagnetites must have a biological function in living cells in general and in the brain in particular. In this paper, we advance a hypothesis that while biomagnetites are developed jointly with organic molecules and cellular electromagnetic fields in cells, they can record information about the Earth’s magnetic vector potential of the entire flight in migratory birds.     

Anthropogenic EMF effects on the condition and function of natural ecosystems

A review of Russian and foreign studies of EMF effects on living environment was made. Vast range of EMF frequencies and intensities affect on functions and condition of ecosystems. Even non-thermal EMF levels could cause reversible changes in physiological process regulation. Some changes were observed in animal behavior such as motive activity, spatial orientation, reduction of ability to form a conditioned response. Some animal species (some insects, birds, reptiles) use electromagnetic fields for spatial orientation during migration. Biological communities are very sensitive to EMF effects and could become the biological indicators of electromagnetic pollution.     

Relation between complexity and stability in food webs with adaptive behavior

We investigate the influence of functional responses (Lotka-Volterra or Holling type), initial topological web structure (randomly connected or niche model), adaptive behavior (adaptive foraging and predator avoidance) and the type of constraints on the adaptive behavior (linear or nonlinear) on the stability and structure of food webs. Two kinds of stability are considered: one is the network robustness (i.e., the proportion of species surviving after population dynamics) and the other is the species deletion stability. When evaluating the network structure, we consider link density as well as the trophic level structure. We show that the types of functional responses and initial web structure do not have a large effect on the stability of food webs, but foraging behavior has a large stabilizing effect. It leads to a positive complexity-stability relationship whenever higher "complexity" implies more potential prey per species. The other type of adaptive behavior, predator avoidance behavior, makes food webs only slightly more stable. The observed link density after population dynamics depends strongly on the presence or absence of adaptive foraging, and on the type of constraints used. We also show that the trophic level structure is preserved under population dynamics with adaptive foraging.     

Modular approaches to expanding the functions of living matter

The synthesis of increasingly complex unnatural networks embedded in living matter is an emerging theme in synthetic biology. Synthetic networks have allowed the creation of organisms endowed with toggle switches, logic gates, pattern-forming systems, oscillators, cellular sensors, new modes of gene regulation and expanded genetic codes. A common challenge of this work is the addition of specific new functions to complex living organisms. This requires spatial and temporal control of molecular interactions and fluxes to achieve the desired outcomes. Here we review recent successes in this emerging field and discuss strategies for addressing the challenges of increasing network complexity.     

Bats avoid radar installations: could electromagnetic fields deter bats from colliding with wind turbines?

Large numbers of bats are killed by collisions with wind turbines, and there is at present no direct method of reducing or preventing this mortality. We therefore determine whether the electromagnetic radiation associated with radar installations can elicit an aversive behavioural response in foraging bats. Four civil air traffic control (ATC) radar stations, three military ATC radars and three weather radars were selected, each surrounded by heterogeneous habitat. Three sampling points matched for habitat type and structure, dominant vegetation species, altitude and surrounding land class were located at increasing distances from each station. A portable electromagnetic field meter measured the field strength of the radar at three distances from the source: in close proximity (<200 m) with a high electromagnetic field (EMF) strength >2 volts/metre, an intermediate point within line of sight of the radar (200-400 m) and with an EMF strength <2 v/m, and a control site out of sight of the radar (>400 m) and registering an EMF of zero v/m. At each radar station bat activity was recorded three times with three independent sampling points monitored on each occasion, resulting in a total of 90 samples, 30 of which were obtained within each field strength category. At these sampling points, bat activity was recorded using an automatic bat recording station, operated from sunset to sunrise. Bat activity was significantly reduced in habitats exposed to an EMF strength of greater than 2 v/m when compared to matched sites registering EMF levels of zero. The reduction in bat activity was not significantly different at lower levels of EMF strength within 400 m of the radar. We predict that the reduction in bat activity within habitats exposed to electromagnetic radiation may be a result of thermal induction and an increased risk of hyperthermia.     

Anti-predator defence and the complexity-stability relationship of food webs

The mechanism for maintaining complex food webs has been a central issue in ecology because theory often predicts that complexity (higher the species richness, more the interactions) destabilizes food webs. Although it has been proposed that prey anti-predator defence may affect the stability of prey-predator dynamics, such studies assumed a limited and relatively simpler variation in the food-web structure. Here, using mathematical models, I report that food-web flexibility arising from prey anti-predator defence enhances community-level stability (community persistence and robustness) in more complex systems and even changes the complexity-stability relationship. The model analysis shows that adaptive predator-specific defence enhances community-level stability under a wide range of food-web complexity levels and topologies, while generalized defence does not. Furthermore, while increasing food-web complexity has minor or negative effects on community-level stability in the absence of defence adaptation, or in the presence of generalized defence, in the presence of predator-specific defence, the connectance-stability relationship may become unimodal. Increasing species richness, in contrast, always lowers community-level stability. The emergence of a positive connectance-stability relationship however necessitates food-web compartmentalization, high defence efficiency and low defence cost, suggesting that it only occurs under a restricted condition.