1.MRI findings of spinal cord atrophy after spinal cord injury in children and their injury level
Yingxin ZHANG ; Genlin LIU ; Di CHEN ; Hongxia ZHANG ; Yifan TIAN ; Yiji WANG ; Yang JING ; Ruidong CHENG ; Shaomin ZHANG ; Jiafeng YAO ; Bo SUN ; Xiaomeng SUN
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(4):387-392
ObjectiveTo delineate imaging findings using an imaging platform and investigate the correlation between MRI characteristics of spinal cord atrophy and clinical diagnosis in children with spinal cord injury (SCI). MethodsImaging data of 150 children with SCI admitted to Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, from January, 2002 to March, 2024 were collected and imported into the imaging platform. The anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the middle part of the spinal cord at the cross-section with the most severe atrophy were measured, and the relevant indicators of the previous normal spinal cord segment were measured as controls; the radiomic features were extracted. Clinical data of the children including gender, age, cause of injury, sensory level, motor level, spinal cord injury level, injury severity and disease course were collected. ResultsSpinal cord atrophy was identified in 81 cases (54%), among which 78 cases (96%) were American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade A and 3 cases (4%) were AIS grade C. The upper boundary of the spinal cord atrophy site strongly correlated with the injury level, motor level and sensory level (r > 0.8, P < 0.001). ConclusionMore than half of children with SCI may develop secondary spinal cord atrophy, the vast majority of whom suffer from complete spinal cord injury; the upper boundary of spinal cord atrophy is correlated with the injury level.
2.Mechanisms of Renshentang in Treating AS via Regulation of Endothelial Cell Inflammation Based on TRPV1
Ce CHU ; Yulu YUAN ; Zhen YANG ; Xuguang TAO ; Xiangyun CHEN ; Zhanzhan HE ; Yuxin ZHANG ; Yongqi XU ; Wanping CHEN ; Peizhang ZHAO ; Wenlai WANG ; Hongxia ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):46-53
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Renshentang treats atherosclerosis (AS) in mice, focusing on the regulation of endothelial inflammatory responses mediated by transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1). MethodsAn AS model was established in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice fed a high-fat diet. The mice were randomly divided into a simvastatin group (0.02 g·kg-1·d-1) and low-, medium-, and high-dose Renshentang groups (1.77, 3.54, 7.08 g·kg-1·d-1), with 12 mice in each group. ApoE-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet and treated simultaneously. C57BL/6J mice fed a normal diet served as the normal group (n=9). After continuous administration for 12 weeks, mice were anesthetized and the aortas were collected. Oil Red O staining was used to observe lipid plaque formation in the aorta. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to examine pathological changes in the aortic root. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the levels of pro-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), as well as the expression of TRPV1, phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (p-PI3K), and phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt) in the aortic root. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA expression in the aorta, and Western blot was used to detect TRPV1 protein expression. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed a significant increase in aortic plaque formation (P<0.01) and significantly elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the aortic root (P<0.01). The expression levels of TRPV1, p-PI3K, and p-Akt were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and eNOS mRNA expression was reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all Renshentang groups significantly reduced aortic plaque formation (P<0.01), significantly decreased TNF-α and IL-1β levels (P<0.01), and markedly increased the expression levels of TRPV1, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and eNOS mRNA (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionRenshentang may inhibit endothelial inflammation and suppress the formation of AS by increasing TRPV1 protein expression and up-regulating the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway, which may be one of the molecular mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effect against AS.
3.Expert consensus on the application of artificial intelligence in lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment (2026 edition)
Wenzhao ZHONG ; Haibo WANG ; Yi HU ; Hao ZHANG ; Jigang DAI ; Junqiang FAN ; Guibin QIAO ; Fan YANG ; Jian HU ; Fengwei TAN ; Xuening YANG ; Qiang PU ; Zihao CHEN ; Hongxia TIAN ; Lunxu LIU ; Hecheng LI ; Xiaolong YAN ; Zongyang YU ; Zhenbin QIU ; Yihua SUN ; Jing HU ; Yuhang SHI ; Zhifei GUO ; Peng ZHANG ; Kezhong CHEN ; Shugeng GAO ; Yilong WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):848-856
With the continuous deepening of the concept of precision diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer, how to achieve higher efficiency and accuracy in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment pathways in clinical practice has become an important issue that urgently needs to be overcome. The current clinical difficulty lies in the fact that despite continuous advancements in imaging and molecular diagnostic technologies, there are still limitations in manual efficiency and subjective experience when it comes to massive data analysis and multi-scale feature extraction. Artificial intelligence (AI), especially algorithm systems based on deep learning, is an innovative technology capable of deeply empowering medical big data. This method utilizes algorithms such as convolutional neural networks, combined with radiomics, pathomics, and multi-modal data fusion analysis, demonstrating immense potential in early precise detection and benign-malignant differentiation of pulmonary nodules, digital pathological subtype recognition and non-invasive prediction of driver genes, precise 3D surgical planning and automatic delineation of radiotherapy target volumes, as well as dynamic risk warning during follow-up. This innovative technology provides a brand-new solution for realizing intelligent and individualized lung cancer diagnosis and treatment models. This consensus, based on the latest evidence from evidence-based medicine and combined with the development trends in the AI field and real-world clinical needs, was ultimately formed by gathering the consensus opinions of multidisciplinary experts in radiology, pathology, thoracic surgery, and other fields. The main content covers the application specifications of AI in the three core scenarios of lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment, the technical standards for data collection and algorithm validation, as well as the ethical and regulatory challenges faced at the current stage. It aims to clarify the applicable boundaries of AI as a clinical auxiliary decision support tool, providing scientific guidance and standardized exploration directions for peers currently engaged in or planning to carry out AI-assisted clinical diagnosis, treatment, and translation of lung cancer.
4.Obesity-driven oleoylcarnitine accumulation in tumor microenvironment promotes breast cancer metastasis-like phenotype.
Chao CHEN ; Hongxia ZHANG ; Lingling QI ; Haoqi LEI ; Xuefei FENG ; Yingjie CHEN ; Yuanyuan CHENG ; Defeng PANG ; Jufeng WAN ; Haiying XU ; Shifeng CAO ; Baofeng YANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Xin ZHAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(4):1974-1990
Obesity is a significant risk factor for cancer and is associated with breast cancer metastasis. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which alterations in systemic metabolism affect tumor microenvironment (TME) and consequently influence tumor metastasis remains inadequately understood. Herein, we found that perturbations in circulating metabolites induced by obesity promote metastasis-like phenotypes in breast cancer. Oleoylcarnitine (OLCarn) concentrations were elevated in the serum of obese mice and humans. Administration of exogenous OLCarn induces metastasis-like characteristics in breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, OLCarn directly interacts with the Arg176 site of adenylate cyclase 10 (ADCY10), leading to the activation of ADCY10 and enhancement of cAMP production. Mutations at Arg176 prevent OLCarn from binding to ADCY10, disrupting the ADCY10-mediated activation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway. This activation promotes transcription factor 4 (TCF4)-dependent kinesin family member C1 (KIFC1) transcription, thereby driving breast cancer metastasis. Conversely, the neutralization of both ADCY10 and KIFC1 through knockdown or pharmacological inhibition abrogates the oncogenic effects mediated by OLCarn. Hence, obesity-induced systemic environmental changes lead to the aberrant accumulation of OLCarn within the TME, making it a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for breast cancer.
5.A self-controlled study on endotracheal tube cuff pressure management modes.
Yanxin LIU ; Yanhong GAO ; Xingli ZHAO ; Hongxia LI ; Baojun SUN ; Xiangqun FANG ; Zhijian ZHANG
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(4):348-353
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the effects of different endotracheal tube cuff pressure management modes on cuff sealing and the pressure exerted on the tracheal wall.
METHODS:
A prospective self-controlled study was conducted. Eleven patients undergoing endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation with an automatic airway management system (AGs) admitted to the Second Medical Centre of the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from October 1, 2020, to April 1, 2022, were enrolled as the study subjects. Within 24 hours after the establishment of artificial airway and mechanical ventilation, four cuff pressure management modes were randomly applied to each patient for 24 hours in sequence: automatic cuff pressure management mode [modeI: the safe range of cuff pressure was set at 20-35 cmH2O (1 cmH2O≈0.098 kPa), and the CO2 pressure above the endotracheal tube cuff was automatically detected by AGs every 5 minutes to determine the cuff sealing status, and the cuff pressure was automatically adjusted], constant cuff pressure (25 cmH2O) management mode (mode II: the cuff pressure was monitored by AGs through a pressure sensor, and the cuff pressure was maintained at 25 cmH2O via a pressure pump), constant cuff pressure (30 cmH2O) management mode (mode III: the cuff pressure was monitored by AGs through a pressure sensor, and the cuff pressure was maintained at 30 cmH2O via a pressure pump), and manual cuff pressure management mode (mode IV: the cuff pressure was manually measured by nurses every 6-8 hours using a cuff pressure gauge to keep the cuff pressure at 25-30 cmH2O after inflation). The CO2 pressure above the endotracheal tube cuff (at 60-minute intervals) and the cuff pressure changes (at 50-ms intervals) were recorded to compare the differences in number of cuff leaks [no leak was defined as CO2 pressure = 0, small leak as 0 < CO2 pressure < 2 mmHg (1 mmHg≈0.133 kPa), and large leak as CO2 pressure ≥ 2 mmHg] and cuff pressure among modesI-IV.
RESULTS:
A total of 24 CO2 pressure measurements were taken per patient across the four modes, resulting in a total of 264 detections for each mode. Regarding the cuff leak, the total number of leak and large leak in modeIwas significantly lower than that in modes II-IV [total leak: 30 cases (11.36%) vs. 81 cases (30.68%), 70 cases (26.52%), 103 cases (39.02%); large leak: 15 cases (5.68%) vs. 50 cases (18.94%), 48 cases (18.18%), 66 cases (25.00%), all P < 0.05]. There was no significant difference in the number of cuff leak between modes II and III, and mode IV had the most severe cuff leak. In terms of cuff pressure, since mode IV required blocking the cuff tube from the AGs tube and the AGs cuff pressure management module did not actually work, real-time monitoring of cuff pressure was not possible. Therefore, cuff pressure changes were only analyzed in modes I-III. Each of the 11 patients underwent 24-hour cuff pressure monitoring under modes I-III, with 19 008 000 monitoring times for each mode. The cuff pressure in mode I was between that in modes II and III [cmH2O: 27.09 (26.10, 28.14) vs. 26.60 (25.92, 27.47), 31.01 (30.33, 31.88), both P < 0.01]. Moreover, the number of extreme values of cuff pressure > 50 cmH2O in mode I was significantly lower than that in modes II and III [19 900 cases (0.105%) vs. 22 297 cases (0.117%), 27 618 cases (0.145%), both P < 0.05].
CONCLUSION
Dynamically monitoring the CO2 pressure above the cuff to guide the adjustment of endotracheal tube cuff pressure can achieve better cuff sealing with a relatively lower cuff pressure load.
Humans
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Intubation, Intratracheal/instrumentation*
;
Pressure
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Prospective Studies
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Respiration, Artificial
;
Male
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Airway Management/methods*
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Female
;
Middle Aged
6.Emd-D inhibited ovarian cancer progression via PFKFB4-dependent glycolysis and apoptosis.
Xin ZHAO ; Chao CHEN ; Xuefei FENG ; Haoqi LEI ; Lingling QI ; Hongxia ZHANG ; Haiying XU ; Jufeng WAN ; Yan ZHANG ; Baofeng YANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(4):431-442
Ovarian cancer poses a significant threat to women's health, necessitating effective therapeutic strategies. Emd-D, an emodin derivative, demonstrates enhanced pharmaceutical properties and bioavailability. In this study, Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK8) assays and Ki-67 staining revealed dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation by Emd-D. Migration and invasion experiments confirmed its inhibitory effects on OVHM cells, while flow cytometry analysis demonstrated Emd-D-induced apoptosis. Mechanistic investigations elucidated that Emd-D functions as an inhibitor by directly binding to the glycolysis-related enzyme PFKFB4. This was corroborated by alterations in intracellular lactate and pyruvate levels, as well as glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and hexokinase 2 (HK2) expression. PFKFB4 overexpression experiments further supported the dependence of Emd-D on PFKFB4-mediated glycolysis and SRC3/mTORC1 pathway-associated apoptosis. In vivo experiments exhibited reduced xenograft tumor sizes upon Emd-D treatment, accompanied by suppressed glycolysis and increased expression of Bax/Bcl-2 apoptotic proteins within the tumors. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate Emd-D's potential as an anti-ovarian cancer agent through inhibition of the PFKFB4-dependent glycolysis pathway and induction of apoptosis. These results provide a foundation for further exploration of Emd-D as a promising drug candidate for ovarian cancer treatment.
Female
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Humans
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Ovarian Neoplasms/physiopathology*
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Phosphofructokinase-2/genetics*
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Glycolysis/drug effects*
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Animals
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Cell Line, Tumor
;
Mice
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Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
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Emodin/administration & dosage*
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Mice, Nude
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Hexokinase/metabolism*
;
Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
7.Expert Consensus on Perioperative Nursing Care for Follicular Unit Extraction(2025)
Chunhua ZHANG ; Weiwei BIAN ; Congmin WANG ; Lin SHEN ; Yong MIAO ; Na LIU ; Shan JIA ; Junhong AN ; Hongxia WANG ; Dongmei ZHANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(6):1606-1613
To promote the standardization and normalization of perioperative care for follicular unit extraction(FUE) hair transplantation, ensure treatment efficacy, and align with advancements in the specialty, the Nursing Branch of the Chinese Association of Plastic and Aesthetics organized a panel of domestic experts. By integrating evidence-based medicine with clinical practice experience, and following thorough discussions, these experts developed the Clinical Practice
8.lncRNA GAS5 targets miR-21 to inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transformation and autophagy in lung cancer cells through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway
Qian ZHANG ; Jie LIU ; Hongxia MA
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(5):568-574
Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)GAS5 on mi-croRNA-21(miR-21)in lung cancer cells through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)signaling pathway on epithalium-mesenchymal transforma-tion and autophagy.Methods Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)was used to detect the expression of lncRNA GAS5 in 5 patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)and adjacent groups.Dual luciferase reporter gene assay was used to detect the targeting effect of lncRNA GAS5 on miR-21.A549 cells were divided into 5 groups,including pcDNA-null group,pcDNA-GAS5 group,pcDNA-GAS5+mimic group,pcDNA-GAS5+mimic group and pcDNA-GAS5+mimic+BEZ235 group.lncRNA GAS5 and miR-21 expression were detected by qPCR.PI3K,phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt),phosphorylated mTOR(p-mTOR),Beclin1,microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3)-Ⅱ,LC3-Ⅰ,E-cadherin,N-cadherin,Vimentin,Twist1,proliferation associated nuclear antigen(Ki67)and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)expres-sion.The cell proliferation activity was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method.Results lncRNA GAS5 expression in NSCLC group was significantly higher than that in ad-jacent group,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Dual luciferase reporter gene assay determined that ln-cRNA GAS5 in A549 cells had a direct targeting effect on miR-21.Compared with pcDNA-null group,cell pro-liferation activity decreased in pcDNA-GAS5 group.lncRNA GAS5,PI3K,p-Akt,p-mTOR,Beclin1,LC3-Ⅱ,N-cadherin,Vimentin,Twist1,Ki67 and PCNA were down-regulated,while miR-21,LC3-Ⅰ and E-cadherin were up-regulated,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Compared with pcDNA-GAS5+mimic group,the cell proliferation activity of pcDNA-GAS5+mimic group was up-regulated.The expressions of PI3K,p-Akt,p-mTOR,Beclin1,LC3-Ⅱ,N-cadherin,Vimentin,Twist1,Ki67,and PCNA were up-regulated,while the expressions of miR-21,LC3-Ⅰ,and E-cadherin were down-regulated,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Compared with pcDNA-GAS5+mimic group,the cell proliferation activity of pcDNA-GAS5+mimic+BEZ235 group was down-regulated.The expressions of PI3K,p-Akt,p-mTOR,Beclin1,LC3-Ⅱ,N-cadherin,Vimentin,Twist1,Ki67 and PCNA were down-regulated,while the expressions of LC3-Ⅰ and E-cad-herin were up-regulated,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion lncRNA GAS5 inhibits PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway through miR-21,thereby inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transformation and autophagy of lung cancer cells,and reducing cell proliferation activity.
9.Risk factor and prognosis of critically ill patients infected with Acinetobacter baumanni
Naobei YE ; Pan ZHANG ; Jian REN ; Hongxia WANG ; Xingyu QIN ; Haonan SUN ; Shuhan XU ; Ruiqin ZHANG
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(10):1173-1179,1184
Objective To analyze the risk factors of critically ill patients infected with Acinetobacter bau-mannii(AB)and carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CRAB).Methods From January 2022 to June 2023,the data of Intensive Care Unit(ICU)patients admitted to Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical Uni-versity in Shanxi Province were collected.According to whether they were infected with AB,the patients were divided into an observation group and a control group(98 cases each).The observation group was further di-vided into a carbapenem sensitive Acinetobacter baumannii(CSAB)group(72 cases)and a CRAB group(26 cases).Mann-Whitney U test,chi-square test and other univariate and multivariate binary Logistic regression were used to analyze the risk factors of AB and CRAB infection for critically ill patients.The prognosis was analyzed by Kaplan Meier survival analysis.Results Long stay in ICU,previous use of carbapenem drugs and high Acute Physiology and Health Evaluation(APACHE Ⅱ)score were independent risk factors for AB sus-ceptibility(P<0.05),while the independent risk factors for CRAB susceptibility were invasive ventilation and delayed surgery(P<0.01).In addition,CRAB infection,COVID-19 and shock was risk factors for death in critically ill patients,and invasive ventilation,indwelling drainage tube and operation could reduce the risk of death in critically ill patients(P<0.05).Conclusion ICU stay time,APACHE Ⅱ score,previous use of car-bapenem drugs and invasive ventilation increase the risk of AB and CRAB infection in critically ill patients.In-vasive ventilation,indwelling drainage and early surgery could reduce the risk of death from AB and CRAB in-fection in critically ill patients.
10.Effect of 40 Hz pulsed magnetic field on mitochondrial dynamics and heart rate variability in dementia mice.
Lifan ZHANG ; Duyan GENG ; Guizhi XU ; Hongxia AN
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;42(4):707-715
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common degenerative disease of the nervous system. Studies have found that the 40 Hz pulsed magnetic field has the effect of improving cognitive ability in AD, but the mechanism of action is not clear. In this study, APP/PS1 double transgenic AD model mice were used as the research object, the water maze was used to group dementia, and 40 Hz/10 mT pulsed magnetic field stimulation was applied to AD model mice with different degrees of dementia. The behavioral indicators, mitochondrial samples of hippocampal CA1 region and electrocardiogram signals were collected from each group, and the effects of 40 Hz pulsed magnetic field on mouse behavior, mitochondrial kinetic indexes and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters were analyzed. The results showed that compared with the AD group, the loss of mitochondrial crest structure was alleviated and the mitochondrial dynamics related indexes were significantly improved in the AD + stimulated group ( P < 0.001), sympathetic nerve excitation and parasympathetic nerve inhibition were improved, and the spatial cognitive memory ability of mice was significantly improved ( P < 0.05). The preliminary results of this study show that 40 Hz pulsed magnetic field stimulation can improve the mitochondrial structure and mitochondrial kinetic homeostasis imbalance of AD mice, and significantly improve the autonomic neuromodulation ability and spatial cognition ability of AD mice, which lays a foundation for further exploring the mechanism of ultra-low frequency magnetic field in delaying the course of AD disease and realizing personalized neurofeedback therapy for AD.
Animals
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Heart Rate/physiology*
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Mice
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Alzheimer Disease/therapy*
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Mice, Transgenic
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Mitochondrial Dynamics/radiation effects*
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Magnetic Field Therapy/methods*
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Magnetic Fields
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Disease Models, Animal
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Mitochondria
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Male
;
Maze Learning
;
Cognition
;
Dementia/therapy*

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