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The rapid development of 5G network technology has gained much popularity as well as concerns about its adverse effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of 4.9 GHz (one of working frequencies of 5G communication) radiofrequency (RF) field on emotional behaviours and spatial memory in adult male mice. Open field test (OFT), tail suspension test (TST) and Y maze were used to evaluate anxiety, depression-like behaviour and spatial memory ability, respectively. It was found that the anxiety-like behaviour and spatial memory ability of mice did not change, but the depression-like behaviour was induced in mice after 4.9 GHz RF exposure. In addition, the number of neurons significantly reduced and the level of pyroptosis obviously increased in amygdala rather than hippocampus. These results suggested that 4.9 GHz RF exposure could induce depression-like behaviour, which might be associated with the neuronal pyroptosis in amygdala. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

5.8 GHz spectrum is gaining more attention in wireless technology. To explore the potential hazards, we investigated the effect of exposure to 5.8 GHz microwave on learning and memory ability of rats. Methods: Morris Water maze (MWM), Novel object recognition (NOR) and Fear conditioning test (FCT) were used to evaluate the ability of spatial and non-spatial memory of rats. The hippocampal morphology, the level of brain injury factors in serum and the mitochondrial membrane potential of hippocampal neurons was examined to evaluate the damage of hippocampal neurons. The density of dendritic spines, the ultrastructure of synapses and the level of PSD95, Synaptophysin, p-CREB and CREB were detected to evaluate the hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Compared with Sham group, there was no significant difference in the performance of ethology (in MWM, NOR, FCT) in Microwave 2 h group or Microwave 4 h group. The hippocampal morphology, the serum level of brain injury factors and the content of mitochondrial JC-1 monomer in Microwave 2 h group or Microwave 4 h group did not change obviously, compared with Sham group. The density of dendritic spines, the ultrastructure of synapse and the level of PSD95, Synaptophysin, p-CREB and CREB in hippocampus in Microwave 2 h group or Microwave 4 h group did not significantly change, compared with Sham group. Under this experimental condition, exposure to 5.8 GHz microwave could not affect the hippocampal synaptic plasticity of rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has been reported as a novel potential way to promote skin wound healing. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of an atmospheric‐pressure plasma generated in helium gas through dielectric barrier discharge on skin wound healing in rats and its mechanism. A total of 44 adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into the CAP group and the control group after a full‐thickness skin wound model was established. The animals in the CAP group received CAP treatment (driving frequency 17 kHz, root‐mean‐square [rms] values of the discharge voltage 1.33 kV, rms values of the discharge current 10.7 mA, helium flow rate 11 slpm [standard litres per minute]) for 1 min. After that, the size of the healed area of the wound, morphological changes in the wound, wound neovascularization, collagen deposition, and the level of inflammatory factors were recorded. The results showed that compared to that of the control group, the size of the wound area in the CAP group significantly decreased, the contraction and re‐epithelialization of the wounds were obviously speeded up, and the protein level of smooth muscle actin markedly increased. However, the levels of collagen type I A2, collagen type III, and the deposition of collagen bundles did not change. In addition, it was found that the level of inflammatory factors (such as tumour necrosis factor and interleukin‐1β) significantly increased at 24 hr after the creation of the wound. These results suggest that CAP treatment in this condition could promote skin wound healing by accelerating the contraction, re‐epithelialization, neovascularization, and inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]