Review and prospects on the low-voltage Na_(2)Ti_(3)O_(7) anode materials for sodium-ion batteries

Due to its low cost and natural abundance of sodium,Na-ion batteries(NIBs)are promising candidates for large-scale energy storage systems.The development of ultralow voltage anode materials is of great significance in improving the energy density of NIBs.Low-voltage anode materials,however,are severely lacking in NIBs.Of all the reported insertion oxides anodes,the Na_(2)Ti_(3)O_(7) has the lowest operating voltage(an average potential of 0.3 V vs.Na^(+)/Na)and is less likely to deposit sodium,which has excellent potential for achieving NIBs with high energy densities and high safety.Although significant progress has been made,achieving Na_(2)Ti_(3)O_(7) electrodes with excellent performance remains a severe challenge.This paper systematically summarizes and discusses the physicochemical properties and synthesis methods of Na_(2)Ti_(3)O_(7).Then,the sodium storage mechanisms,key issues and challenges,and the optimization strategies for the electrochemical performance of Na_(2)Ti_(3)O_(7) are classified and further elaborated.Finally,remaining challenges and future research directions on the Na_(2)Ti_(3)O_(7) anode are highlighted.This review offers insights into the design of high-energy and high-safety NIBs.

原位相分离合成V2O5/Fe2V4O13纳米复合材料及其储钠性能

钠具有资源丰富、成本低廉等优势,因此钠离子电池被认为是未来替代锂离子电池的最佳候选者之一。然而,寻找合适的电极材料是当前制备高性能钠离子电池面临的难题之一。在众多候选材料中,钒酸盐材料通过引入阳离子增加钒的配位数,使得材料结构的稳定性得到提高,从而改善了钠离子电池的电化学性能。本文研究了一种原位相分离法合成V2O5/Fe2V4O13纳米复合材料。通过扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)等对电极材料形貌、组成和结构进行了表征。实验结果显示,V2O5/Fe2V4O13纳米复合材料相对于V2O5纳米线材料,结构更加稳定,在0.1 A·g^−1电流密度下,初始放电容量由295.4 mAh·g^−1提升到342 mAh·g^−1,循环100圈容量保持率由26.6%提高到65.8%,获得了更加优异的倍率性能(在1.0 A·g^−1电流密度下,容量由44 mAh·g^−1提高到160 mAh·g^−1)。因此,V2O5/Fe2V4O13纳米复合材料的研究为开拓新型高性能钠离子电池负极材料拓宽了思路。

超声内镜检查术在胃大部切除术后胆总管结石患者中的应用分析

目的探讨胃大部切除术后胆总管结石患者行超声内镜检查术(EUS)的价值和意义。方法回顾性分析2020年-2021年该院收治的83例远端胃大部切除术后因胆管总结石行内镜逆行胰胆管造影术(ERCP)的患者的临床资料。根据是否行EUS分为观察组(n=40)和对照组(n=43),观察组采用EUS+ERCP,对照组采用ERCP,分析观察组EUS诊断胆总管结石的准确率,对比两组患者ERCP成功率、插管次数、操作时间、不良事件发生率、透视时间和总辐射剂量,采用单因素和Logistic多因素分析影响入组患者ERCP手术成功率的因素。结果EUS诊断准确率(90.00%)高于磁共振胰胆管成像(MRCP)(79.52%),但差异无统计学意义(χ^(2)=2.10,P=0.203);观察组手术时间和透视时间明显短于对照组,插管次数和辐射剂量明显少于对照组,取石成功率高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(t=-14.64、t=-3.64、t=-4.33、t=-8.64和χ^(2)=4.60,P<0.05);单因素分析发现,EUS、腹腔镜手术和多发结石是影响ERCP取石成功率的因素(χ^(2)=16.32、χ^(2)=12.22和χ^(2)=7.47,P<0.05);Logistic多因素分析发现,EUS和腹腔镜手术是影响ERCP取石成功率的独立危险因素(95%CI:0.573~1.215,95%CI:0.958~1.969)。结论对于胃大部切除术后胆总管结石患者,ERCP取石前行EUS,可以减少手术时间,提高取石成功率,具有一定的临床意义。

High‑Energy and High‑Power Pseudocapacitor–Battery Hybrid Sodium‑Ion Capacitor with Na^(+) Intercalation Pseudocapacitance Anode

High-performance and low-cost sodium-ion capacitors(SICs)show tremendous potential applications in public transport and grid energy storage.However,conventional SICs are limited by the low specific capacity,poor rate capability,and low initial coulombic efficiency(ICE)of anode materials.Herein,we report layered iron vanadate(Fe5V15O39(OH)9·9H2O)ultrathin nanosheets with a thickness of~2.2 nm(FeVO UNSs)as a novel anode for rapid and reversible sodium-ion storage.According to in situ synchrotron X-ray diffractions and electrochemical analysis,the storage mechanism of FeVO UNSs anode is Na+intercalation pseudocapacitance under a safe potential window.The FeVO UNSs anode delivers high ICE(93.86%),high reversible capacity(292 mAh g^−1),excellent cycling stability,and remarkable rate capability.Furthermore,a pseudocapacitor–battery hybrid SIC(PBH-SIC)consisting of pseudocapacitor-type FeVO UNSs anode and battery-type Na3(VO)2(PO4)2F cathode is assembled with the elimination of presodiation treatments.The PBH-SIC involves faradaic reaction on both cathode and anode materials,delivering a high energy density of 126 Wh kg^−1 at 91 W kg^−1,a high power density of 7.6 kW kg^−1 with an energy density of 43 Wh kg−1,and 9000 stable cycles.The tunable vanadate materials with high-performance Na+intercalation pseudocapacitance provide a direction for developing next-generation highenergy capacitors.

Protective effects of curcumin against human immunodeficiency virus 1 gp120 V3 loop-induced neuronal injury in rats

Curcumin improves the learning and memory deficits in rats induced by the gp120 V3 loop. The present study cultured rat hippocampal neurons with 1 nM gp120 V3 loop and 1 μM curcumin for 24 hours. The results showed that curcumin inhibited the gp120 V3 loop-induced mitochondrial membrane potential decrease, reduced the mRNA expression of the pro-apoptotic gene caspase-3, and attenuated hippocampal neuronal injury.

Prognostic potential of an immune score based on the density of CD8＋ T cells, CD20＋ B cells, and CD33＋/p-STAT1＋ double-positive cells and HMGB1 expression within cancer nests in stage ⅢA gastric cancer patients

Objoctive： There is heterogeneity in the prognosis of gastric cancers staged according to the tumornodes-metastasis （TNM） system. This study evaluated the prognostic potential of an immune score system to supplement the TNM staging system. Mothodsg An immunohistochemical analysis was conducted to assess the density of T cells, B cells, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells （MDSCs） in cancer tissues from 100 stage IIIA gastric cancer patients; the expression of the high-mobility group protein B1 （HMGB1） was also evaluated in cancer cells. The relationship between the overall survival （OS）, disease-free survival （DFS）, and immunological parameters was analyzed.Results： An immune score system was compiled based on the prognostic role of the density ofT cells, B cells, MDSCs, and the expression of HMGB1 in cancer tissues. The median 5-year survival of this group of patient was 32%. However, the 5-year survival rates of 80.0%, 51.7%, 0%, 5.8%, and 0% varied among the patients with an immune score of 4 to those with an immune score of 0 based on the immune score system, respectively. Similarly, differences in DFS rates were observed among the immune score subgroups. Concluslons： An immune score system could effectively identify the prognostic heterogeneity within stage IliA gastric cancer patients, implying that this immune score system may potentially supplement the TNM staging system, and help in identifying a more homogeneous group of patients who on the basis of prognosis can undergo adjuvant therapy.

Curcumin ameliorates hippocampal neuron damage induced by human immunodeficiency virus-1

Our previous studies have shown that infection with the gp120 V3 loop can cause human immunodeficiency virus-1 associated neurocognitive disorders. Curcumin has been shown to improve these effects to some degree, but the precise mechanisms remain unknown. The present study analyzed the neuroprotective effect and mechanism of curcumin in relation to hippocampal neurons. Results showed that 1 nmol/L gp120 V3 loop suppressed the growth of synapses. After administration of 1 !umol/L curcumin, synaptic growth improved. Curcumin is neuroprotective against gp120 V3 loop-induced neuronal damage by inhibiting the activation of L-type calcium currents, relieving intracellular Ca^2＋ overload, promoting Bcl-2 expression, and inhibiting Bax activation. The effect of curcumin was identical to nimodipine, suggesting that curcumin has the same neuroprotective effects against gp120 V3 loop-induced neuronal damage.

CDIO Based Optimization of Urban Planning Personnel Training Courses in Forestry Universities

On the basis of analyzing existing course system of urban planning discipline,this paper came up with a framework for optimization of urban planning personnel training mode and course system,oriented towards training practical engineering personnel and based on CDIO engineering education and teaching platform. Then it made empirical study on setting of the urban planning discipline in Northeast Forestry University. It proposed changing the original "3 + 2" course system,exploring and optimizing the course system,improving teaching effect of urban planning personnel training courses,and raising planning and design ability of students.

Surface pseudocapacitance of mesoporous Mo_(3)N_(2) nanowire anode toward reversible high-rate sodium-ion storage

Sodium-ion storage devices are highly desirable for large-scale energy storage applications owing to the wide availability of sodium resources and low cost.Transition metal nitrides(TMNs)are promising anode materials for sodium-ion storage,while their detailed reaction mechanism remains unexplored.Herein,we synthesize the mesoporous Mo3N2 nanowires(Meso-Mo_(3)N_(2)-NWs).The sodium-ion storage mechanism of Mo3N2 is systematically investigated through in-situ XRD,ex-situ experimental characterizations and detailed kinetics analysis.Briefly,the Mo_(3)N_(2) undergoes a surface pseudocapacitive redox charge storage process.Benefiting from the rapid surface redox reaction,the Meso-Mo_(3)N_(2)-NWs anode delivers high specific capacity(282 m Ah g^(-1) at 0.1 A g^(-1)),excellent rate capability(87 m Ah g^(-1) at 16 A g^(-1))and long cycling stability(a capacity retention of 78.6%after 800 cycles at 1 A g^(-1)).The present work highlights that the surface pseudocapacitive sodium-ion storage mechanism enables to overcome the sluggish sodium-ion diffusion process,which opens a new direction to design and synthesize high-rate sodiumion storage materials.

Research on human glioma stem cells in China

Research on human glioma stem cells began early in the 21st century and since then has become a rapidly growing research field with the number of publications increasing year by year. The research conducted by our diverse group of investigators focused primarily on cell culture techniques, molecular regulation, signaling pathways, cancer treatment, the stem cell microenvironment and the cellular origin and function of glioma stem cells. In particular, we put forward our view that there are inverse or forward transformations among neural stem cells, glial cells and glioma stem cells in glioma tissues under certain conditions. Based on the background of the progress of international research on human glioma stem cells, we aim to share our progress and current findings of human glioma stem cell research in China with colleagues around the world.

Protective effect of curcumin on tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced neuronal damage in the rat hippocampus A relationship to the inhibition of neuronal Ca^(2+) influx

BACKGROUND： Previous studies of curcumin have focused mainly on its cytotoxic properties for antitumor therapy. There are few studies addressing the application of curcumin in the prevention and treatment of nervous system diseases. OBJECTIVE： To observe the protective effect of curcumin against tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）-induced neuronal damage in the rat hippocampus and to explore the intervention effect of curcumin on Ca^2＋ influx following neuronal damage. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A cell morphological and physiological study was performed at the Institute of Brain Research, Medical College of Jinan University, China, from December 2006 to June 2007. MATERIALS： Curcumin （Sigma, USA） and TNF-α （Sigma, USA） were used in this study. METHODS： Hippocampal neurons were isolated from one-day neonatal rats and primarily cultured for 5 days. Following this they received 1 pmol/L curcumin and 100 ng/mL TNF-a pre-treatment. Dynamic morphological changes were observed for 1 hour by inverted microscopy. At 48 hours post-treatment, static morphological characteristics of the neurons were observed using inverted microscopy. Subsequently, hippocampal neurons were primarily cultured for 7 days, after receiving 1 pmol/L curcumJn and 4.5 ng/mL TNF-a pre-treatment. Intracellular free Ca^2＋ was measured using Fluo 3/acetoxymethyl ester. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Effects of curcumin on TNF-a-induced neuronal damage and Ca^2＋ influx in the rat hippocampus were measured. RESULTS： Following curcumin treatment, TNF-a-induced neurons grew as normal. TNF-a induced a rapid Ca^2＋ influx into the neuronal cytoplasm; however, Ca2＋ fluorescence intensity only slightly increased when neurons were co-perfused with curcumin and TNF-α. CONCLUSION： Curcumin has a protective effect on rat hippocampal neurons possibly by reducing the TNF-α-induced rapid Ca^2＋ influx into neuronal cytoplasm and by maintaining the Ca^2＋ homeostasis.

Long non-coding RNA DPP10-AS1 represses the proliferation and invasiveness of glioblastoma by regulating miR-24-3p/CHD5 signaling pathway

This investigation aimed to unveil new prospective diagnosis-related biomarkers together with treatment targets against glioblastoma.Methods:The expression levels of long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)DPP10-AS1 were assessed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)within both the patient tissue specimens and glioblastoma cell lines.The relationship between lncRNA DPP10-AS1 expression in glioblastoma and patient prognosis was investigated.Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8),transwell,and clonogenic experiments were utilized to assess tumor cells’proliferation,invasiveness,and migratory potentials after lncRNA DPP10-AS1 expression was up or down-regulated.Using an online bioinformatics prediction tool,the intracellular localization of lncRNA DPP10-AS1 and its target miRNA were predicted,and RNA-FISH verified results.A dual-luciferase reporter experiment validated the relationship across miR-24-3p together with lncRNA DPP10-AS1.MiR-24-3p expression within glioblastoma was identified through RT-qPCR,and potential link across miR-24-3p and lncRNA DPP10-AS1 was assessed using Pearson correlation analysis.Moreover,influence from lncRNA DPP10-AS1/miR-24-3p axis upon glioblastoma cell progression was assessed in vivo via a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model.Results:The expression of lncRNA DPP10-AS1 was notably reduced in both surgical specimens of glioblastoma and the equivalent cell lines.Low level of lncRNA DPP10-AS1 in glioblastoma is following poor prognosis.The downregulation of lncRNA DPP10-AS1 in glioblastoma cells resulted in enhanced cellular proliferation,migration,and invasion capabilities,accompanied by downregulated E-cadherin and upregulated vimentin and N-cadherin.Additionally,the observed upregulation of lncRNA DPP10-AS1 demonstrated a substantial inhibitory function upon proliferation,invasion,and migratory capabilities of LN229 cells.Subcellular localization disclosed that lncRNA DPP10-AS1 had a binding site that interacted with miR-24-3p.Upregulated miR-24-3p was detected in glioblastomas,displaying an inverse correlation with lncRNA DPP10-AS1 expression.MiR-24-3p downstream target has been determined as chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 5(CHD5).LncRNA DPP10-AS1 affected the invasion and proliferation of glioblastoma by controlling the miR-24-3p/CHD5 axis.Conclusion:The present study demonstrated that lncRNA DPP10-AS1 can inhibit the invasive,migratory,and proliferative properties of glioblastoma by regulating the miR-24-3p/CHD5 signaling pathway.Consequently,lncRNA DPP10-AS1 has potential as a tumor suppressor and might be utilized for accurate diagnosis and targeted treatments of glioblastomas.

Curcumin improves synaptic plasticity impairment induced by HIV-1gp120 V3 loop

Curcumin has been shown to significantly improve spatial memory impairment induced by HIV-1 gp 120 V3 in rats, but the electrophysiological mechanism remains unknown. Using extracellular microelectrode recording techniques, this study confirmed that the gp120 V3 loop could suppress long-term potentiation in the rat hippocampal CA1 region and synaptic plasticity, and that curcumin could antagonize these inhibitory effects. Using a Fura-2/AM calcium ion probe, we found that curcumin resisted the effects of the gp120 V3 loop on hippocampal synaptosomes and decreased Ca2＋ concentration in synaptosomes. This effect of curcumin was identical to nimodipine, suggesting that curcumin improved the inhibitory effects of gpl20 on synaptic plasticity, ameliorated damage caused to the central nervous system, and might be a potential neuroprotective drug.

Genome-wide identification of droughtresponsive microRNAs in two sets of Malus from interspecific hybrid progenies

Drought stress can negatively impact apple fruit quality and yield.Apple microRNAs(miRNAs)participate in apple tree and fruit development,as well as in biotic stress tolerance;however,it is largely unknown whether these molecules are involved in the drought response.To identify drought-responsive miRNAs in Malus,we first examined the drought stress tolerance of ten F1 progenies of R3(M.×domestica)×M.sieversii.We performed Illumina sequencing on pooled total RNA from both drought-tolerant and drought-sensitive plants.The sequencing results identified a total of 206 known miRNAs and 253 candidate novel miRNAs from drought-tolerant plants and drought-sensitive plants under control or drought conditions.We identified 67 miRNAs that were differentially expressed in drought-tolerant plants compared with drought-sensitive plants under drought conditions.Under drought stress,61 and 35 miRNAs were differentially expressed in drought-tolerant and drought-sensitive plants,respectively.We determined the expression levels of seven out of eight miRNAs by stem-loop qPCR analysis.We also predicted the target genes of all differentially expressed miRNAs and identified the expression of some genes.Gene Ontology analyses indicated that the target genes were mainly involved in stimulus response and cellular and metabolic processes.Finally,we confirmed roles of two miRNAs in apple response to mannitol.Our results reveal candidate miRNAs and their associated mRNAs that could be targeted for improving drought tolerance in Malus species,thus providing a foundation for understanding the molecular networks involved in the response of apple trees to drought stress.

Curcumin protects against interleukin-6-induced rapid Ca～(2+) influx in rat hippocampal neurons

The current study sought to investigate the potential protective action of curcumin against interleukin-6-induced injury in rat hippocampal neurons. The results revealed that interleukin-6 induced typical cellular injury, such as the swelling of cell bodies and increased Ca^2＋ concentration. After administration of curcumin, interleukin-6-induced neurons recovered to a normal state, and the fluorescence intensity of Ca^2＋ gradually returned to normal. These findings suggest that curcumin exerts a protective effect on hippocampal neurons of rats. In addition, our results suggest that the protective effect of curcumin involves prevention of the rapid Ca^2＋ influx induced by interleukin-6, which maintains Ca^2＋ homeostasis.

Ultrastructure of human neural stem/progenitor cells and neurospheres

BACKGROUND： Biological and morphological characteristics of neural stem/progenitor cells （NSPCs） have been widely investigated. OBJECTIVE： To explore the ultrastructure of human embryo-derived NSPCs and neurospheres cultivated in vitro using electron microscopy. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A cell biology experiment was performed at the Brain Tumor Laboratory of Soochow University, and Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University between August 2007 and April 2008. MATERIALS： Human fetal brain tissue was obtained from an 8-week-old aborted fetus; serum-free Dulbecco＇s modified Eagle＇s medium/F12 culture medium was provided by Gibco, USA; scanning electron microscope was provided by Hitachi Instruments, Japan; transmission electron microscope was provided by JEOL, Japan. METHODS： NSPCs were isolated from human fetal brain tissue and cultivated in serum-free Dulbecco＇s modified Eagle＇s medium/F12 culture medium. Cells were passaged every 5-7 days. After three passages, NSPCs were harvested and used for ultrastructural examination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Ultrastructural examination of human NSPCs and adjacent cells in neurospheres. RESULTS： Individual NSPCs were visible as spherical morphologies with rough surfaces under scanning electron microscope. Generally, they had large nuclei and little cytoplasm. Nuclei were frequently globular with large amounts of euchromatin and a small quantity of heterochromatin, and most NSPCs had only one nucleolus. The Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum were underdeveloped; however, autophagosomes were clearly visible. The neurospheres were made up of NSPCs and non-fixiform material inside. Between adjacent cells and at the cytoplasmic surface of apposed plasma membranes, there were vesicle-like structures. Some membrane boundaries with high permeabilities were observed between some contiguous NSPCs in neurospheres, possibly attributable to plasmalemmal fusion between adjacent cells. CONCLUSION： A large number of autophagosomes were observed in NSPCs and gap junctions were visible between adjacent NSPCs.

Seismic responses of a hemispherical alluvial valley to SV waves: a three-dimensional analytical approximation

Abstract An analytical solution to the three-dimen-sional scattering and diffraction of plane SV-waves by a saturated hemispherical alluvial valley in elastic half-space is obtained by using Fourier-Bessel series expan-sion technique. The hemispherical alluvial valley with saturated soil deposits is simulated with Biot＇s dynamic theory for saturated porous media. The following conclusions based on numerical results can be drawn： （1） there are a significant differences in the seismic response simulation between the previous single-phase models and the present two-phase model; （2） the nor-malized displacements on the free surface of the alluvial valley depend mainly on the incident wave angles, the dimensionless frequency of the incident SV waves and the porosity of sediments; （3） with the increase of the incident angle, the displacement distributions become more complicated; and the displacements on the free surface of the alluvial valley increase as the porosity of sediments increases.

Possibility to break through limitation of measurement range in dual-wavelength digital holography

By using the beat frequency technique,the dual-wavelength digital holography(DWDH)can greatly increase the measurement range of the system.However,the beat frequency technique has a limitation in measurement range.The measurement range is not larger than a synthetic wavelength.Here,to break through this limitation,we propose a novel DWDH method based on the constrained underdetermined equations,which consists of three parts:(i)prove that the constrained underdetermined equation has a unique integer solution,(ii)design an algorithm to search for the unique integer solution,(iii)introduce a third wavelength into the DWDH system,and design a corresponding algorithm to enhance the anti-noise performance of DWDH.As far as we know,it is the first time that we have discovered that the problem of DWDH can belong in a problem of contained underdetermined equations,and it is also the first time that we have given the mathematical proof for breaking through the limitation of the measurement range.A series of results is shown to test the theory and the corresponding algorithms.More importantly,since the principle of proposed DWDH is based on basic mathematical principles,it can be further extended to various fields,such as dual-wavelength microwave imaging and dual-wavelength coherent diffraction imaging.

Laboratory Research into Permeable Reactive Barriers for Groundwater Remediation

Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRB) is a new technology for groundwater pollution remediation. Contaminants are converted into harmless by products in situ as the polluted water passes through a reactive wall. Experimental results demonstrate how reactive media can be used to remove contaminants from polluted water by laying the reactive wall across the flow direction of the water. The most comprehensively studied and applied reactive barrier type uses granulat-ed Zero Valent Iron (ZVI) particles. In this process elemental iron provides a reducing environment which makes reduc-tive dechlorination of chlorinated organic compounds feasible or changes redox sensitive metals, so that they are immobi-lized by a precipitation reaction. A reactive wall column which is made up of ZVI, sand and zeolite has shown the high-est contaminant removal capacity compared to the other two which have different components. The potentials of ZVI, ze-olite and Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) to remove contaminants are due to their different physico-chemical proper-ties which make them to "sorb"metal contaminants. The results of this experiment show that PRB technology is an effi-cient method for the treatment of leachate-contaminated groundwater.

Lonicera japonica-induced inhibition of interleukin-1 beta thermogenesis and E-type prostaglandin receptor-3 expression in the preoptic area of rabbits

BACKGROUND： It has been shown that interleukin-1β（IL-1β） can induce fever by activating vascular endothelial cells and macrophages of the supraoptic crest to generate prostaglandin E2, which binds with receptors of the thermo-sensitive hypothalamic neurons. Lonicera japonica is one of the medicinal plants used widely in Asia for its antipyretic properties. However, these mechanisms have not yet been intensively studied. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the antipyretic effect and mechanisms of Lonicera japonica on IL-1β- induced febrile New Zealand rabbits by observing expression changes of E-type prostaglandin receptor-3 （EP3） mRNA in the preoptic anterior hypothalamus （POAH）. DESIGN： A randomized controlled study. SETTING： Electrophysiological Laboratory at the Department of Pathophysiology, Medical College of Jinan University; Department of Orthopaedics, First Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Jinan University. MATERIALS： The experiment was performed from April to December 2005, using a total of 32 New Zealand white rabbits of both sexes, weighing 1.5 2.0 kg. All the animal experiments were performed according to the internationally accepted ethical guidelines. Lonicera japonica injection was purchased from Huanghe pharmaceutical factory of Xi＇an, China. IL-1βwas purchased from Sigma, USA. METHODS： A total of 32 rabbits were divided randomly into four groups： ① Normal saline （NS） control group;② Lonicerajaponica treatment group; ③ IL-1βtreatment group; and ④Lonicerajaponica plus IL-1βtreatment group. In the first 3 groups, the rabbits were given separate intravenous （i.v.） injections of l mL NS, l mL Lonicera japonica, and 100 ng IL-l β （dissolved in 0.9% NS without pyrogen）. In the Lonicerajaponica plus IL-1βgroup each rabbit was given i.v. injections of l mL NS and, 30 minutes later, 100 ng IL-1 β. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Colonic temperature of each rabbit was measured at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 minutes after injection and the maximum temperature rise （ A T） and the temperature response index after l hour （TRII） was calculated. Subsequently, in situ hybridization （ISH） was done with an ISH kit, EP3 mRNA expression in the POAH of all groups was measured （number of positive cells and average gray scale value）. RESULTS： A total of 32 rabbits were included in the result analysis, without any loss, （i） A T and TRII： there was no significant difference between the Lonicera japonica group and NS group （P 〉 0.05）. The IL-1β group was significantly greater compared to NS group （P 〈 0.01）. The Lonicera japonica plus IL-1β group was significantly less than the IL-1β group （P 〈 0.05）. ② In the NS and Lonicera japonica groups, the EP3 mRNA expression was negative （no coloration） or only weakly positive （only a few brown yellow particles in the cytoplasm cells could not be identified）. The number of positive cells and the average gray scale value were not significantly different between the two groups （P 〉 0.05）. In the IL-1β group, the number of positive cells was remarkably higher and the average gray scale value was lower than the NS group （P 〈 0.0 l）. In the Lonicera japonica plus IL-1β group, the number of positive cells was significantly less than the IL-1β group （P 〈 0.05）. However, the average gray scale value was greater than the IL-1β group （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Lonicera japonica has obvious antipyretic effects on IL-1β-induced febrile rabbits and acts by inhibiting expression of EP3 mRNA in the POAH.