1.Effects and mechanisms of combined exposure to noise and microwave on hippocampal structure and function in mice
Chunxue LU ; Lei SHI ; Yue WANG ; Yanhui HAO ; Xuelong ZHAO ; Yang LI ; Hongyan ZUO ; Liqian ZHU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(4):419-426
Background Co-exposure to noise and microwave radiation occurs frequently. The central nervous system has been identified as a sensitive target organ for both noise and microwave exposure individually, and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. The specific biological effects resulting from co-exposure to these two factors have yet to be fully elucidated. Objective To clarify the effects of co-exposure to noise and microwave on neurobehavior and hippocampal tissue structure, and to explore the underlying mechanism through the assessment of serum cytokines. Methods C57BL/6N mice were selected and randomly assigned to a blank control group, a noise group, a microwave group, and a combined noise & microwave exposure group. To establish the exposure models, the noise group was subjected to broadband noise at 100 dB for 2 h, while the microwave group received radiation at a central frequency of 9.375 GHz with an average power density of 12 mW·cm−2 and a specific absorption rate of 2.58 W·kg−1 for 15 min. Open field and tail suspension tests assessed anxiety-like emotional behaviour; novel object recognition and Y-maze tests evaluated cognitive function. Histological changes in hippocampal tissue were examined using haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and Nissl staining under light microscopy. Serum cytokine levels were measured using radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results After 3 d of exposure, the noise, microwave, and combined exposure groups showed significant reductions in exploration frequency, duration, and distance within the central zone of the open field test compared to the control group (P < 0.01); the combined exposure group exhibited increased ratios of peripheral-to-central exploration time and distance (P < 0.05). After 7 d of exposure, compared with the control group, the noise group maintained a decrease in central zone exploration time (P < 0.01), while the combined exposure group showed persistent decline across all central zone metrics (P < 0.05) and elevated peripheral-to-central ratios (P < 0.05); compared to the microwave group, the combined exposure group showed significant less time in the central zone (P < 0.05) and higher peripheral-to-central ratios (P < 0.05). Regarding behaviour and cognition, compared with the control group, the combined exposure group showed increased immobility time in the tail suspension test after 3 d of exposure (P < 0.01). At this interval, all exposure groups demonstrated reduced frequency and duration of novel object recognition (P < 0.05), with the combined exposure group showing a marked decrease in novel arm exploration time (P < 0.01). After 7 d of exposure, compared with the control group, the noise group showed reduced novel object recognition frequency (P < 0.05), and both the noise and microwave groups exhibited decreased novel arm exploration time (P < 0.05). Pathological alterations including an increased number of hyperchromatic nuclei and depleted Nissl bodies were observed in the CA3 and DG regions across all exposure groups with the most severe lesions observed in the combined exposure group. Serum levels of central nervous system-specific protein β (S-100β), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and corticosterone (CORT) were significantly elevated in all exposure groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) levels increased in the combined exposure group (P < 0.05), while CXC chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) levels rose in both the noise and combined groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Specifically, S-100β and CXCL10 levels in the combined exposure group were higher than those in the microwave group (P < 0.05); moreover, levels of S-100β, GFAP, CORT, AQP4, and CXCL10 in the combined exposure group were significantly higher than those in the noise group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Combined exposure to noise and microwave radiation induces pathological changes in the hippocampus of mice, increases levels of serum stress hormones and neuro-specific biomarkers. These impairments are more severe than those observed following single-factor exposure. The underlaying mechanism may be related to systemic stress response, neuronal damage, astrocyte activation, and changes in blood-brain barrier permeability, leading to emotional behavioral abnormalities and cognitive decline.
2.Study on the mechanism of Naozhenning granules in improving learning and memory impairment in multiple cerebral concussion model rats
Xinru WANG ; Yaozhou YAN ; Chunxue ZHANG ; Le ZHAO ; Li GAO ; Yonghui WANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(11):1416-1421
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism by which Naozhenning granules (NZN) improve learning and memory impairment in a rat model of multiple cerebral concussion (MCC). METHODS The MCC rat model was established using the closed controlled cortical impact method. The experiment was set up with a blank group (normal saline), a model group (normal saline), a piracetam group (positive control group, 0.324 g/kg), and high-, medium-, and low-dose NZN groups (5.4, 2.7, 1.35 g/kg), with 11 rats in each group. Drugs or normal saline were administered by gavage once daily for 28 consecutive days. General condition and body weight were monitored throughout the experiment. The sucrose preference rate and novel object recognition index were measured; Evans blue (EB) extravasation in the cerebral cortex was detected; pathological changes of cortical neurons were observed; the levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the cerebral cortex were determined; and the phosphorylation levels of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), and Tau protein were detected. RESULTS Compared with the blank group, the model group showed poor mental state, sluggish response to external stimuli, reduced food and water intake, decreased limb flexibility, and disheveled fur. Body weight, sucrose preference rate, and novel object recognition index were significantly decreased ( P <0.05); EB extravasation in the cerebral cortex was significantly increased ( P <0.05), with severe neuronal damage. The positive area ratio of Bax protein, IL-6 and TNF-α levels, and Tau protein phosphorylation level were all significantly increased ( P <0.05), whereas the positive area ratio of Bcl-2 protein, IL-10 level, and AMPK and GSK3β protein phosphorylation levels were significantly decreased ( P <0.05). Compared with the model group, all NZN dose groups showed improvements in general condition and pathological damage, with quantitative indices partially restored, and the differences in quantitative indices in high-dose NZN group were statistically significant ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS NZN can effectively improve learning and memory impairment in MCC model rats. The mechanism may be related to activating the AMPK/GSK3β pathway, inhibiting inflammatory response, reducing Tau protein phosphorylation level, and then repairing the neuronal injury.
3.Montelukast sodium inhibits airway inflammation through PHD2/HIF-1α pathway in asthmatic mice
Chunxue KONG ; Qiqi LIU ; Liwei ZHANG ; Chuansha WU ; Longzhu XIONG ; Guowei ZHANG ; Minyue CAO ; Ping LI ; Ting ZHOU
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(5):664-669
Objective The study aimed to investigate whether montelukast sodium could alleviate airway inflammatory responses in asthmatic mice by affecting the PHD2/HIF-1α pathway.Methods An allergic asthma model was established by ovalbumin(OVA)induction,and 18 female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a control group(Con group),an asthma group(OVA group),and an asthma group with montelukast sodium intervention(30 mg/kg montelukast sodium by oral administration 1 h before OVA challenge,Mon group).HE staining was used to analyze the pathological changes in the lungs of mice.Blood cell analyzer and kits were used to determine the number of inflammatory cells and the levels of cytokines,the content of lactic acid and pyruvic acid in the lungs,respectively.RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α,PHD2,E-cad and p120 in the lungs of mice.Results Compared with the Con group,there was a significant increase in the number of eosinophils,lymphocytes,neutrophils and monocytes,the levels of IL-5,IL-13,complement factor D(CFD)and contents of lactate and pyruvate in the lungs of mice in the OVA group.Lung HIF-1α,PHD2,p120 and E-cad mRNA levels were reduced,meanwhile HIF-1α and PHD2 protein expression were upregulated but E-cad and p120 protein expression were downregulated(all with P<0.05).After montelukast sodium intervention,the number of eosinophils and monocytes and CFD expression were significantly decreased in the lungs of Mon group,the contents of lactate and pyruvate were basically restored to normal,and the mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α,PHD2,p120 and E-cad were effectively improved.Conclusion Montelukast sodium could alleviate the airway inflammatory responses in the lungs of asthmatic mice by regulating the PHD2/HIF-1α signaling pathway.
4.Dynamic detection of NE and 5-HT levels in the serum of acute reserpine-induced depression-like mice by UPLC-MS coupling
Fuyao LUO ; Zijia JIN ; Chunxue GAO ; Rui XU ; Youzhi ZHANG ; Changwei LI ; Shuaiming ZHU
Military Medical Sciences 2025;49(9):681-686
Objective To develop an ultra high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS)method for quantifying serum levels of norepinephrine(NE)and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),and to monitor the dynamic changes in these neurotransmitters during the process of establishing a model of acute reserpine-induced depression-like mice.Methods By evaluating matrix effect,recovery,precision,and accuracy efficiency,an UPLC-MS method for determining the concentrations of NE and 5-HT in serum was established.Forty-eight C57 mice were randomly divided into normal control and model groups,which were intraperitoneally injected with physiological saline(10 mL/kg)and reserpine(2.5 mg/kg),respectively.At various time points after intraperitoneal injection,the degree of ptosis and decreases in body temperature of the mice were observed before orbital blood was sample for the determination of NE and 5-HT levels.Results The concentrations of NE and 5-HT showed good linearity within the range of 15.63 to 2000.00 ng/mL,with R2 values greater than 0.999.The results of methodological validation met the requirements for the analysis of biological samples,with a lower limit of quantification of 15.63 ng/mg.After intraperitoneal injection of reserpine,the model mice exhibited varying body temperature decreases and ptosis.At 1 and 2 h post-administration,the depression-like symptoms in the model group were significantly different from those of the normal control group(P<0.01).The body temperature of mice in the model group was significantly lower than that of mice in the normal control group(P<0.01),while the score of the eyelid ptosis was significantly higher(P<0.001).The levels of NE and 5-HT in the serum of model mice were also significantly depleted,and were significantly different from those of the normal control group at 0.5,1 and 2 h(P<0.05).Conclusion The study process of established a rapid and accurate method for dynamically observing the changes in NE and 5-HT levels during the process of establishing a model of acute reserpine-induced depression-like mice,which might contribute to the study of the pathogenesis of depression and the development of new antidepressant drugs.
5.Correlation between poor sleep status in late pregnancy and postpartum depression and anxiety
Jiali ZHANG ; Yuezhen LI ; Xiaoxin SHI ; Tao LI ; Chunxue WANG ; Ning ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2025;19(10):809-814
Objective:To analyze the correlation between poor sleep status in late pregnancy and postpartum depression and anxiety.Methods:In this prospective cohort study, a total of 401 women in early pregnancy were consecutively enrolled at Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from December 2020 to April 2021. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were used to assess the sleep status in late pregnancy. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) were used to assess the emotional status in late pregnancy and 6 weeks after delivery. During the follow-up, 123 subjects did not complete the sleep and emotional assessment in late pregnancy, 77 subjects did not complete the postpartum emotional assessment, and 201 cases were finally included in the study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between poor sleep status in late pregnancy and postpartum depression and anxiety.Results:Among 201 women in early pregnancy included in the analysis, the detection rate of postpartum depression and anxiety was 15.4% (31/201) and 27.4% (55/201), respectively. Poor sleep quality ( OR=2.49, 95% CI: 1.02-6.07), difficulty falling asleep ( OR=6.74, 95% CI: 2.31-19.70), and excessive daytime sleepiness ( OR=6.34, 95% CI: 2.08-19.32) in late pregnancy were positively correlated with postpartum depression (all P0.05). Poor sleep quality ( OR=3.89, 95% CI: 1.81-8.40), difficulty falling asleep ( OR=6.75, 95% CI: 2.43-18.77), short-time sleep ( OR=2.89, 95% CI: 1.36-6.11), fragmented sleep ( OR=5.69, 95% CI: 2.27-14.28) and excessive daytime sleepiness ( OR=3.07, 95% CI: 1.07-8.78) in late pregnancy were positive correlation factors for postpartum anxiety (all P0.05). Conclusions:Poor sleep status in late pregnancy is associated with postpartum depression and anxiety. Strengthening screening and management of poor sleep status in late pregnancy may help maintain healthy postpartum emotion.
6.Applications and Advances of Thermal Ablation in Hepa-tocellular Carcinoma
Quanwei CHEN ; Yuandong SUN ; Xiaolong GONG ; Na LI ; Chunxue WU ; Hao ZHANG ; Jianjun HAN
China Cancer 2025;34(7):574-581
Liver cancer imposes a substantial global disease burden.Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),as the primary pathological type of primary liver cancer,accounts for approximately 90%of all cases.As a minimally invasive treatment,thermal ablation causes minimal impact on liver function and trauma,serving as the first-line treatment option for early-stage HCC patients unsuit-able for surgical resection.However,clinical data indicate that 5-year recurrence rate of HCC pa-tients after thermal ablation treatment is as high as 50%~70%,and incomplete ablation remains a core factor leading to recurrence.Therefore,exploring and optimizing complete ablation strategies has become a critical direction for improving the efficacy of thermal ablation in HCC and enhanc-ing long-term survival rates of patients.This paper systematically reviews the current applications of thermal ablation in HCC treatment and focuses on discussing key technologies and strategies for achieving complete ablation,with the aim of providing theoretical foundations and technical refer-ences for improving the complete ablation rate of thermal ablation in clinical practice and formu-lating personalized diagnosis and treatment plans.
7.Predictive value of cardiac MR feature tracking for adverse left ventricular remodeling in patients with acute anterior wall ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Junlei MA ; Chunxue ZHOU ; Cheng LI ; Chaofan WANG ; Tongda XU ; Dongye LI ; Junhong CHEN
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(9):1482-1486
Objective To investigate the predicting value of cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking(CMR-FT)for adverse left ventricular remodeling(ALVR)in patients with acute anterior wall ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI).Methods The clinical data and cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR)images of 161 acute anterior wall STEMI patients within 1 week and 6 months after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)were retrospectively analyzed.ALVR was defined as an increase of left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV)over 20%at the second CMR examination compared to the baseline.The CMR parame-ters were analyzed by CVI42 post-processing software.The logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent predictors of ALVR,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the predictive efficiency of ALVR.Results The incidence of ALVR at 6 months was 21.7%(35/161).The logistic regression analysis showed that the left ventricular global circumferential strain(LVGCS)and right ventricular global longitudinal strain(RVGLS)at baseline were independent predictors for ALVR(P<0.001).When LVGCS was-13.89%and RVGLS was-15.07%at baseline,the sensitivity of predicting ALVR was 0.714 and 0.743,the specificity was 0.833 and 0.810,and the area under the curve(AUC)was 0.806 and 0.835,respectively.The sensitivity of LVGCS combined with RVGLS in predicting ALVR was 0.802,the specificity was 0.952,and the AUC was 0.888.The DeLong test showed that the AUC of LVGCS com-bined with RVGLS in predicting ALVR was significantly higher than that of individuals,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion The LVGCS and RVGLS at baseline are independent predictors for ALVR in patients with acute anterior wall STEMI,their combination can significantly improve the pre-dictive efficiency of ALVR in these patients.
8.Angioarchitectural characteristics of epilepsy associated with cerebral arteriovenous malformations
Xiaoqian LI ; Chunxue WU ; Jie LU
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(9):1463-1467
Objective To explore the angioarchitectural characteristics of brain arteriovenous malformations(AVM)associated with epilepsy.Methods Data of conventional MRI,whole brain time of flight MR angiography(TOF MRA)and digital subtraction angiography(DSA)of 70 cases of AVM were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into epilepsy group(n=22)and non-epilepsy group(n=48)based on presence or absence of epileptic seizures,and clinical data,conventional imaging findings and angioarchitectural characteristics of AVM were compared between groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify independent risk factors of seizures associated with AVM.Results Significant differences of lesion's location,located in functional area or not,as well as of the length of draining vein were found between groups(allP<0.05).Lesion located in functional area(OR[95%CI]=16.409[2.142,125.733],P=0.007)and longer draining vein length(OR[95%CI]=1.350[1.143,1.594],P<0.001)were both independent risk factors of AVM related seizures.Conclusion Lesion located in functional area and longer draining vein length were both independent risk factors of AVM related seizures.The length of drainage vein was a simple and repeatable quantitative indicator for identifying AVM at high risk of epilepsy.
9.Correlation between poor sleep status in late pregnancy and postpartum depression and anxiety
Jiali ZHANG ; Yuezhen LI ; Xiaoxin SHI ; Tao LI ; Chunxue WANG ; Ning ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2025;19(10):809-814
Objective:To analyze the correlation between poor sleep status in late pregnancy and postpartum depression and anxiety.Methods:In this prospective cohort study, a total of 401 women in early pregnancy were consecutively enrolled at Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from December 2020 to April 2021. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were used to assess the sleep status in late pregnancy. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) were used to assess the emotional status in late pregnancy and 6 weeks after delivery. During the follow-up, 123 subjects did not complete the sleep and emotional assessment in late pregnancy, 77 subjects did not complete the postpartum emotional assessment, and 201 cases were finally included in the study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between poor sleep status in late pregnancy and postpartum depression and anxiety.Results:Among 201 women in early pregnancy included in the analysis, the detection rate of postpartum depression and anxiety was 15.4% (31/201) and 27.4% (55/201), respectively. Poor sleep quality ( OR=2.49, 95% CI: 1.02-6.07), difficulty falling asleep ( OR=6.74, 95% CI: 2.31-19.70), and excessive daytime sleepiness ( OR=6.34, 95% CI: 2.08-19.32) in late pregnancy were positively correlated with postpartum depression (all P0.05). Poor sleep quality ( OR=3.89, 95% CI: 1.81-8.40), difficulty falling asleep ( OR=6.75, 95% CI: 2.43-18.77), short-time sleep ( OR=2.89, 95% CI: 1.36-6.11), fragmented sleep ( OR=5.69, 95% CI: 2.27-14.28) and excessive daytime sleepiness ( OR=3.07, 95% CI: 1.07-8.78) in late pregnancy were positive correlation factors for postpartum anxiety (all P0.05). Conclusions:Poor sleep status in late pregnancy is associated with postpartum depression and anxiety. Strengthening screening and management of poor sleep status in late pregnancy may help maintain healthy postpartum emotion.
10.Predictive value of cardiac MR feature tracking for adverse left ventricular remodeling in patients with acute anterior wall ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Junlei MA ; Chunxue ZHOU ; Cheng LI ; Chaofan WANG ; Tongda XU ; Dongye LI ; Junhong CHEN
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(9):1482-1486
Objective To investigate the predicting value of cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking(CMR-FT)for adverse left ventricular remodeling(ALVR)in patients with acute anterior wall ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI).Methods The clinical data and cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR)images of 161 acute anterior wall STEMI patients within 1 week and 6 months after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)were retrospectively analyzed.ALVR was defined as an increase of left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV)over 20%at the second CMR examination compared to the baseline.The CMR parame-ters were analyzed by CVI42 post-processing software.The logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent predictors of ALVR,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the predictive efficiency of ALVR.Results The incidence of ALVR at 6 months was 21.7%(35/161).The logistic regression analysis showed that the left ventricular global circumferential strain(LVGCS)and right ventricular global longitudinal strain(RVGLS)at baseline were independent predictors for ALVR(P<0.001).When LVGCS was-13.89%and RVGLS was-15.07%at baseline,the sensitivity of predicting ALVR was 0.714 and 0.743,the specificity was 0.833 and 0.810,and the area under the curve(AUC)was 0.806 and 0.835,respectively.The sensitivity of LVGCS combined with RVGLS in predicting ALVR was 0.802,the specificity was 0.952,and the AUC was 0.888.The DeLong test showed that the AUC of LVGCS com-bined with RVGLS in predicting ALVR was significantly higher than that of individuals,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion The LVGCS and RVGLS at baseline are independent predictors for ALVR in patients with acute anterior wall STEMI,their combination can significantly improve the pre-dictive efficiency of ALVR in these patients.

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