Multi-frequency electromagnetic radiation induces anxiety in mice via inflammation in the cerebral cortex.

Modern life is filled with radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) in various frequency bands, while the health risks are not clear. In this study, mice were whole-body exposed to 0.9/1.5/2.65 GHz radiofrequency radiation at 4 W/kg for 2 h per day for 4 weeks to investigate the emotional effects. It was found that the mice showed anxiety but no severe depression. The ELISA results showed a significant decrease in amino acid neurotransmitters (GABA, DA, 5-HT), although acetylcholine (ACH) levels were not significantly altered. Furthermore, Western blot results showed that BDNF, TrkB, and CREB levels were increased in the cerebral cortex, while NF-κB levels were decreased. In addition, pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α) were significantly elevated, and anti-inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-10) tended to decrease. In conclusion, multi-frequency electromagnetic radiation induces an inflammatory response through the CREB-BDNF-TrkB and NF-κB pathways in the cerebral cortex and causes a decrease in excitatory neurotransmitters, which ultimately causes anxiety in mice.

Plate form three-dimensional gradient coils for L-band ESR imaging experiment.

A set of plate form three-dimensional magnetic gradient coils was developed and used in electron spin resonance imaging (ESRI) experiment. The coils were processed with whole copper plates instead of wound with copper wires, which made its structure so compact that it was much thinner and smaller comparing to those traditionally used in ESRI. The coil set had a pie-like appearance of which the total thickness was only 14 mm and the outer diameter was 250 mm. The efficiency of the coils could be greater than 10 mT/m/A when distance between the two side-pieces was 63 mm. A maximum gradient strength of more than 200 mT/m could be obtained with driving current of about 20 A in each dimension coil. The spatial linearity was better than 5% in all three dimensions within the available spatial linearity area of larger than a sphere of 40 mm in diameter. The stability of the gradients strength could reach the level of 10(-5). An imaging resolution of better than 1 mm could be achieved with the coil set. Some preliminary practical imaging results show that the developed gradient coil set is suitable for L-band ESRI experiment of biological samples or even in vivo small animals.

Novel high pressure extraction technology.

This note describes a novel application of the food processing technology, known as high pressure processing (HPP), to the extraction of essential components of herbs. Herbal extracts may be used as drugs, as well as ingredients in food and cosmetics. We have run some pilot studies in our laboratories to demonstrate the applicability of high pressure extraction.