Exposure assessment and cytogenetic biomonitoring study of workers occupationally exposed to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields.

Human cytogenetic biomonitoring (HCB) has long been used to evaluate the potential effects of work environments on the DNA integrity of workers. However, HCB studies on the genotoxic effects of occupational exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-MFs) were limited by the quality of the exposure assessment. More specifically, concerns were raised regarding the method of exposure assessment, the selection of exposure metrics, and the definition of exposure group.

Effects of long-term exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields on cell viability, genetic damage, and sensitivity to mutagen-induced damage.

Until today, it remains controversial whether long-term exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) below the legislative exposure limits could result in adverse human health effects. In the present study, the effects of long-term MF exposure on three different study endpoints (cell viability, genetic damage, and sensitivity to damage induced by known mutagens) were investigated in the human B lymphoblastoid (TK6) cell line. Cells were exposed to 50 Hz MF at three selected magnetic flux densities (i.

50 Hz magnetic field long-term exposure: Cytogenetic tests on human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells and validation of the test environment.

Potential health effects of extremely low-frequency (electro)magnetic fields (ELF-(E)MFs) have long been investigated, but the results are still inconclusive. With respect to genotoxicity, sound data related to the effects of long-term exposure to ELF-(E)MFs on the genetic material and the impact of long-term pre-exposure to ELF-(E)MFs on the sensitivity of cells to the damage induced by known mutagens are needed. In this manuscript, an optimized protocol for a combined comet/micronucleus study to investigate these effects in a human lymphoblastoid cell line (TK6) is provided including the description of a well-validated exposure system.

Cellular processes involved in human epidermal cells exposed to extremely low frequency electric fields.

We observed on different tissues and organisms a biological response after exposure to pulsed low frequency and low amplitude electric or electromagnetic fields but the precise mechanism of cell response remains unknown. The aim of this publication is to understand, using bioinformatics, the biological relevance of processes involved in the modification of gene expression. The list of genes analyzed was obtained after microarray protocol realized on cultures of human epidermal explants growing on deepidermized human skin exposed to a pulsed low frequency electric field.

Growth factors in orthopaedic surgery: demineralized bone matrix versus recombinant bone morphogenetic proteins.

During recent decades the utilisation of growth factors, especially BMPs, has received an increasing interest in orthopaedic surgery. For clinical implantation the two main options are demineralised bone matrix (DBM) and recombinant bone morphogenetic proteins (rhBMP). Many clinical studies agree on an equivalent osteoinductive effect between DBM, BMPs and autologous bone graft; however, the different origins and processing of DBM and rhBMP may introduce some fluctuations.

Statistical validation of the acceleration of the differentiation at the expense of the proliferation in human epidermal cells exposed to extremely low frequency electric fields.

An acceleration of differentiation at the expense of proliferation is observed in our previous publications and in the literature after exposure of various biological models to low frequency and low-amplitude electric and electromagnetic fields. This observation is related with a significant modification of genes expression. We observed and compared over time this modification.

Adverse reactions and events related to musculoskeletal allografts: reviewed by the World Health Organisation Project NOTIFY.

Purpose: The use of bone and connective tissue allografts has grown rapidly and surpassed the use of autografts in many countries. Being of human origin, bone and tendon allografts carry the risk of disease transmission and complications have been reported. As part of the Project NOTIFY led by the World Health Organisation, an effort to improve recognition, reporting, tracking and investigation of adverse outcomes of allografts was initiated, achieving a comprehensive review of associated disease transmission and failures.

Bone Morphogenic Protein--mRNA upregulation after exposure to low frequency electric field.

Purpose: For many years, our laboratory has been investigating different biological substrates for the effects of electromagnetic stimulation proposed in orthopaedic treatments. The results show an acceleration of differentiation at the expense of proliferation. This study using microarray analysis is focused on the cellular mechanisms involved.

[Effects of electric and electromagnetic fields on cell differentiation and application in orthopedic and trauma surgery].

The discovery of the dynamic electrical properties of bone is at the origin of the therapeutical application of the electromagnetic fields in Orthopaedics and Traumatology. The first empirical treatment of non-union, fresh fractures and osteonecroses allowed the observation of several effects which, without justifying a systematic clinical application, encouraged further fundamental research. The results of this work realized during 35 years are summarized in the present article.

[The Tissue Bank of the University Hospital Erasme].

The evolution of the Tissue Bank belonging to the University Hospital Erasme is summarized during its 13 years of experience. In parallel with this evolution, the important modifications of the legislation, the selection criteria and the bone graft processing are reported. The significant improvement of the safety of the allograft related to the risk of infection is also mentioned.

[Evolution of the biomechanical principle of osteosynthesis].

Through the technological evolution of the medical devices used for the treatment of bone fractures, two main concepts are in opposition: the internal rigid and the external elastic fixations. For forty years, the limitation due to the mechanical resistance of the materials have determined the various methods of treatment of fractures and influenced the comprehension of the physiopathology of bone healing. Two main figures of the Belgian orthopaedics and traumatology, Robert Danis and Franz Burny, had a determinant impact in this evolution.

[Historical review of the treatment of fractures. Contribution of the Belgian surgery to the origin and development of osteosynthesis].

The word osteosynthesis was proposed by A. Lambotte in 1904. His definition, given in 1908, is still valid today: "Osteo-synthesis is the artificial contention of the bone fragments of fractures, by special devices acting directly on bones, exposed or not, with the aim to strongly fix them in their original position".

[The Orthopaedic and Traumatology Research Laboratory].

The history of the Orthopaedics and Traumatology Research Laboratory (LROT) is summarized during the last thirty years. The approach, initially focused on bone biomechanics and strength of materials, underwent a rapid diversification as expressed by the list of research topics: monitoring of bone healing; bone strains measurements for different level of activities including microgravity and prevention of disuse osteoporosis; biological effects of electromagnetic fields; evolution of the viscoelastic properties of the callus during bone healing; improvement of the osteoinductive properties of bone substitutes produced by the Tissues Bank of the University Hospital Erasme; Kashin-Beck disease; SICOT telediagnostic, and biomechanics of threaded implants. Those topics, event the most fundamental ones, have immediate significant clinical applications allowing a decrease of the morbidity and an acceleration of the rehabilitation of the patients.

[The Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of the University Clinics of Brussels, Erasme Hospital].

On the occasion of the thirty years since its inauguration, the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of the University Hospital Erasme reviews the milestones of its development. Various original new techniques have been implemented: monitoring of implants using strain gauges, external fixation of the limbs, external minifixation, miniinvasive anterior approach in hip arthroplasty, knee ligamentoplasties, orthopaedic microsurgery and composite tissue allotransplantation. The care of aged patients takes place in close collaboration with the Department of Geriatrics.