Submited on: 15 Sep 2010 01:17:27 PM GMT
Published on: 15 Sep 2010 05:42:14 PM GMT
 

1 Is the subject of the article within the scope of the subject category? Yes
2 Are the interpretations / conclusions sound and justified by the data? Yes
3 Is this a new and original contribution? Yes
4 Does this paper exemplify an awareness of other research on the topic? Yes
5 Are structure and length satisfactory? Yes
6 Can you suggest brief additions or amendments or an introductory statement that will increase the value of this paper for an international audience? Yes
7 Can you suggest any reductions in the paper, or deletions of parts? No
8 Is the quality of the diction satisfactory? Yes
9 Are the illustrations and tables necessary and acceptable? Yes
10 Are the references adequate and are they all necessary? Yes
11 Are the keywords and abstract or summary informative? Yes
  • Other Comments:

    The paper describes an interesting study on the possible effects of electromagnetic fields on melatonin and cortisol levels. Authors show a deep analysis of the data. A larger number of subjects would increase the strength of the result. However, it remains a valid study, deserving publications, since it provides support for biological plausibility to safety evaluations. The action of EMF on melatonin and cortisol represents indeed a relevant issue due to the more general implications of possible (hypothesized, but not fully demonstrated effects) in the general population (e.g. reported individual reactions on sleep, stress, inflammation, etc.). For this reasons even if the authors report a negative result, it can be of interest in the field.

    It would be interesting to validate data in younger populations, or consider the possible implications in the discussion. The volunteers, indeed, are between 23 and 51 years old; and in the last few years teenagers have been described as the larger group of mobile phone users. Moreover, is the physiology (in respect of melatonin and cortisol) of young, prepuberal subjects comparable to that one of older subjects? Considering that probably all the volunteers are daily users of mobile phone, is their baseline of cortisol and melatonin comparable to the values reported in previous population studies performed in the pre- mobile era (eg in 80s)? I would like to suggest the extension of the discussion on this topics, and in conclusion I strongly support the publication of this paper.

  • Competing interests:
    no
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    Yes
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    Yes
  • References:
    1: Romano-Spica V, Mucci N. Biological effects of EMF exposure on Ets genes. Radiats Biol Radioecol. 2003 Sep-Oct;43(5):528-30. 2: Mucci N, Ianni A, Ursini CL, Arzani D, Bhat NK, Navarra P, Romano-Spica V. In vivo modulation of ETS genes induced by electromagnetic fields. In Vivo. 2001 Nov-Dec;15(6):489-94. 3: Romano-Spica V, Mucci N, Ursini CL, Ianni A, Bhat NK. Ets1 oncogene induction by ELF-modulated 50 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field. Bioelectromagnetics. 2000 Jan;21(1):8-18.
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    Studies on biological effects of EMF in vitro, in vivo, population epidemiological studies, public health issues related to governament reccomendations.

  • How to cite:  Romano Spica V .Measures Of Melatonin And Cortisol Variations In Volunteers Exposed To GSM Cellular Phones In A Double Blind Experiment. [Review of the article 'Measures of melatonin and cortisol variations in volunteers exposed to GSM cellular phones in a double blind experiment ' by Sisto R].WebmedCentral 2010;1(11):WMCRW00149
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  • Other Comments: In the MS the Authors evaluate the effect of exposure to the EMF generated by 30 minutes use of GSM cellular phones on the secretion of melatonin and cortisol. Effects of mobile phones magnetic fields and radiofrequencies on many biological functions are controversial and debated in literature. This is mainly due to relevant technical and methodological differences among the studies performed until now, and lack of standardization of experimental designs. International guidelines have been recently suggested in this field of research, according to which the study reported in this MS has been carefully designed by the Authors. In this framework the use of commonly available commercial models of mobile phones, and the use of sham exposure in combination with study blinding are relevant methodological points. Furthermore, the statistical analysis of the results has been performed in the framework of a very complete experimental design, with two dependent variables (melatonin and cortisol) studied as function of four groups of experimental factors. As a consequence the negative result of the study is quite consistent, so that it can be considered very useful for comparison with other past and future studies.
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    Yes
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    Yes
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:
    None
  • How to cite:  Federici A .Review of the paper: "Measures Of Melatonin And Cortisol Variations In Volunteers Exposed To GSM Cellular Phones In A Double Blind Experiment", by Tranfo G et al[Review of the article 'Measures of melatonin and cortisol variations in volunteers exposed to GSM cellular phones in a double blind experiment ' by Sisto R].WebmedCentral 2010;1(10):WMCRW0094
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  • Other Comments: In the MS the Authors evaluate the effect of exposure to the EMF generated by 30 minutes use of GSM cellular phones on the secretion of melatonin and cortisol. The results do not evidence any significant effect induced by GSM use on both hormones. The hypothesis of the study is interesting. The study in general is well performed, and method applied are rigorous ("real" GSM exposure, sham exposure, randomization of the sequence, melatonin secretion evaluated using both 6-sulphatoxymelatonin (6-OHMS) and saliva melatonin concentration, blind analysis of samples, etc.). The evaluation of the results is rigorous, and statistical analysis appears appropriate. No difference on the secretion of melatonin and cortisol was found, and the Authors correctly conclude that EMF exposure induced by GSM have no significant effect to these hormones. My conclusion is that the results are interesting and add new knowledge in the field, and, even if "non positive", deserve to be published. Major Observations: I have no major observations Minor Observations: I suggest to the Authors to correct some minor misspelling within the MS, e.g., pag 4, line 5, there are 2 full stops after " diluition..", same page, para "Melatonin", line 10, there is a colon after " low: that a supression....)
  • Competing interests:
    no
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    Yes
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    Yes
  • References:
    GOBBA F, BRAVO G, SCARINGI M, ROCCATTO L. ?No association between occupational exposure to elf magnetic field and urinary 6 ? Sulfatoximelatonin in workers? Bioelectromagnetics 2006; 27: 667-673 F. Gobba, A. Bargellini, G. Bravo, M. Scaringi, L. Cauteruccio and P. Borella. Natural killer cell activity decrease in workers occupationally exposed to Extremely Low Frequency-Magnetic Fields (ELF-MF) exceeding 1 ?T Int J immunopathol Pharmacol, 2009; 22:1059-66
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:
    None
  • How to cite:  Gobba F .Review to the MS: Measures of melatonin and cortisol variations in volunteers exposed to GSM cellular phones in a double blind experiment.[Review of the article 'Measures of melatonin and cortisol variations in volunteers exposed to GSM cellular phones in a double blind experiment ' by Sisto R].WebmedCentral 2010;1(10):WMCRW0072
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