Objective:To investigate the effect of radiofrequency radiation (RF) from 5G mobile phone communication frequency bands (3.5 GHz and 4.9 GHz) on the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in mice.Methods:A total of 24 healthy adult male C57BL/6 mice (6-8 weeks old) were randomly divided into Sham, 3.5 GHz RF and 4.9 GHz RF groups, and 8 mice in each group. Mice in the RF groups were systemically exposed to 5G cell phone radiation for consecutive 35 d(1 h/d) with 50 W/m 2 power density. The BBB permeability of mice was detected by Evans Blue (EB) fluorescence experiment. The expression levels of the BBB tight junction-related proteins (ZO-1, occludin and claudin-11) and the gap junction-related protein Connexin 43 were determined by Western blot. Results:The number of spots, fluorescence intensity and comprehensive score of EB were significantly increased in 3.5 GHz RF group and 4.9 GHz RF group compared with the Sham group ( t=12.98, 17.82, P<0.001). Compared with the Sham group, the content of S100B in mouse serum was significantly increased in 3.5 GHz RF group and 4.9 GHz RF group ( t=19.34, 14.68, P<0.001). The BBB permeability was increased in the RF group. The expression level of occludin protein was significantly reduced in the 3.5 GHz RF group ( t=-3.13, P<0.05), and this decrease was much profound in the 4.9 GHz RF group ( t=-6.55, P<0.01). But the protein levels of ZO-1, Claudin-11 and Connexin 43 in the cerebral cortex of the RF groups had no significantly difference in comparison with the Sham group( P>0.05). Conclusions:The continuous exposure of mobile phone RF at 3.5 GHz or 4.9 GHz for 35 d (1 h/d) induces an increase of BBB permeability in the mouse cerebral cortex, perhaps by reducing the expression of occludin protein.

Cryptococcal meningitis is a common and refractory central nervous system infection,with high rates of mortality and disability.The experts of the Society of Infectious Diseases of Chinese Medical Association have reached this consensus after a thorough discussion.Based on the current situation of cryptococcal meningitis in China,the management of cryptococcal meningitis includes 6 aspects:introduction,microorganism identification,clinical manifestations and diagnosis,principles of antifungal therapy,treatment of refractory and recurrent meningitis,treatment of intracranial hypertension.There is not a separate consensus on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in patients with cryptococcal meningitis.This article focuses on different antifungal regimens and reducing intracranial pressure by reference to Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) guidelines.The importance of early diagnosis,combined long-term antifungal therapy,control of intracranial hypertension are emphasized.

Objective:To investigate the effect of thoracic X-ray irradiation on the spermatogenesis of adult male mice.Methods:A total of 24 healthy adult male C57BL/6 mice (6-8 weeks old) were randomly divided into radiation group (Radiation) and sham-radiation group (Sham), 12 mice in each group. The area of thoracic irradiation was 1.5 cm× 2 cm, and the dose rate was 3.04 Gy/min, 8 Gy/d for 3 consecutive days, 24 Gy in total. At 7 d and 21 d after thoracic irradiation, the bilateral testes and epididymal tails were stripped and the testicular index was calculated. The morphology of testis was examined by haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, then the diameter of seminiferous tubules and the thickness of seminiferous epithelium were measured. The sperms were collected from the bilateral epididymal tails for sperm counting. The level of apoptosis in testis and levels of apoptosis-related proteins were detected by TUNEL and Western blot, respectively.Results:Compared with Sham group, the morphology of testis and epididymis was seriously damaged, the diameter of seminiferous tubules significantly decreased at 21 d after irradiation ( t = 8.93, P < 0.05), and the seminiferous epithelium significantly decreased at 7 d and 21 d after irradiation ( t = 4.24, 12.77, P < 0.05). In addition, the number of sperms significantly decreased ( t = 4.30, 2.98, P < 0.05). The number of TUNEL positive cells in the seminiferous epithelium significantly increased at 7 d and 21 d after irradiation ( t = -2.73, -3.74, P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the level of cleaved Caspase-3 protein significantly increased at 7 d and 21 d after irradiation ( t = -2.96, -2.46, P < 0.05). The concentrations of SCF and GDNF did not change at 7 d after irradiation, but were significantly increased at 21 d after irradiation ( t = -10.46, -5.42, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The thoracic X-ray irradiation could lead to spermatogenesis disorder in male adult mice, and the induction of spermatogenic cell apoptosis and the secretory dysfunction of sertoli cells may be involved.

Objective To clarify the effects of 5G mobile phone radiofrequency radiation exposure on male mouse fertility and to preliminarily explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods Healthy male C57BL/6 mice aged 7-8 weeks were randomly assigned to Sham group, 3.5 GHz radiofrequency radiation group, and 4.9 GHz radiofrequency radiation group, with 16 mice in each group. The mice were exposed to 3.5 GHz or 4.9 GHz mobile phone radiofrequency radiation for 42 consecutive days (1 h per day). The sperm quality was evaluated using sperm count, deformity rate, and motility. H&E staining was performed to assess testicular tissue structure by observing the morphology of spermatogenic cells at various development stages, the diameter of seminiferous tubules, and the thickness of seminiferous epithelium. The sperm mitochondrial function was assessed using sperm mitochondrial membrane potential and testicular ATP content. The fertility of mice was evaluated through fertility rate, litter size, and survival rate of offspring. The underlying mechanisms were explored by detecting the methylation of LRGUK gene and its mRNA and protein levels. Results Compared with the Sham group, there were no significant changes in sperm count in the 3.5 GHz and 4.9 GHz groups; however, the sperm abnormality rate significantly increased (P < 0.05) and sperm motility significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The structure of testicular tissue, the function of sperm mitochondria, and fertility of mice showed no significant changes as compared with the Sham group. The methylation level of LRGUK gene in the testes significantly increased, while the mRNA and protein expression levels significantly decreased. Conclusion Exposure to 3.5 GHz and 4.9 GHz mobile phone radiofrequency radiation for 42 consecutive days can lead to an increase in sperm deformity rate and a decrease in sperm motility in mice, but has no significant effect on fertility, which may be related to an increase in methylation level of the LRGUK gene in the testes.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (OBV/PTV/r) 25/150/100 mg once daily and dasabuvir (DSV) 250 mg twice daily combined with ribavirin in adult patients of Mainland China with chronic HCV genotype 1b infection and compensated cirrhosis. Methods: An open-label, multicenter, phase 3 clinical trial study was conducted in mainland China, Taiwan, and South Korea. Adult patients with compensated cirrhosis (Metavir score =F4) who were newly diagnosed and treated for hepatitis C virus genotype 1b infection with ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir combined with ribavirin for 12 weeks were included. Assessed SVR rate of patients obtained at 12 and 24 weeks after drug withdrawal. Efficacy and safety were evaluated in patients who received at least one time study drugs. Results: A total of 63 patients from mainland China were enrolled, 62 of whom (98.4%) had a baseline Child-Pugh score of 5 points. The overall rate of SVR12 and SVR24 in patients was 100% (95% CI: 94.3% to 100.0%). Most of the adverse events that occurred were mild. The incidence of common (≥10%) adverse events and laboratory abnormalities included elevated total bilirubin (36.5%), weakness (19.0%), elevated unconjugated bilirubin (19.0%) and conjugated bilirubin (17.5%), and anemia (14.3%). Three cases (4.8%) of patients experienced Grade ≥ 3 adverse events that were considered by the investigators to be unrelated to the study drug. None patients had adverse events leading to premature drug withdrawal. Conclusion Mainland Chinese patients with chronic HCV genotype 1b infection and compensated cirrhosis who were treated with OBV/PTV/r plus DSV combined with RBV for 12 weeks achieved 100 % SVR at 12 and 24 weeks after drug withdrawal. Tolerability and safety were good, and majority of adverse events were mild.