Retired electric vehicle (EV) batteries are reused in second-life energy storage applications. However, the overall performance of repurposed energy storage systems (ESSs) is limited by the variability in the individual batteries used. Therefore, battery grading is required for the optimal performance of ESSs. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)-based evaluation of battery aging is a promising way to grade lithium-ion batteries. However, it is not practical to measure the impedance of mass-retired batteries due to their high complexity and slowness. In this paper, a broadband multi-sine binary signal (MSBS) perturbation integrated with a multichannel EIS system is presented to measure the impedance spectra for the high-speed aging evaluation of lithium-ion batteries or modules. The measurement speed is multiple times higher than that of the conventional EIS. The broadband MSBS is validated with a reference sinusoidal sweep perturbation, and the corresponding root-mean-square error (RMSE) analysis is performed. Moreover, the accuracy of the presented multichannel EIS system is validated by impedance spectra measurements of Samsung INR18650-29E batteries and compared with those measured using a commercial EIS instrument. A chi-squared error under 0.641% is obtained for all channels. The non-linearity of batteries has a significant impact on the quality of impedance spectra. Therefore, Kronig–Kramer (KK) transform validation is also performed. Full article

There are various methods to evaluate the forming limit of a sheet, and these criteria can be classified as position-dependent, time-dependent, and position-time dependent according to the basis of judgment. However, these criteria have a single function and can only find the forming limit of the sheet and cannot determine the strain distribution, strain change, or fracture location during the sheet forming process. This paper introduces a time–location-dependent method, i.e., the spatial strain rate method, which is used to detect the onset of necking of a sheet. The spatial strain rate is directly based on the strain and can not only find the forming limit of the sheet but also depict the strain distribution and strain variation during the two phases of the experimental process—distributed instability and concentrated instability—as well as predict the location of sheet fracture. The spatial strain rate of AA5083 aluminum alloy of different widths was analyzed and verified in detail via Nakazima experiments using digital image correlation techniques and compared with the guidelines published in the literature in recent years. Full article

Background: A new access technique was developed to reduce postoperative adverse events after the extraction of impacted maxillary wisdom teeth. Hence, this study aimed to assess the occurrence of adverse events after the extraction of maxillary impacted wisdom teeth using a traditional access (TA) or a new technique (NT). Methods: Two different surgical incision designs were used for bilateral wisdom tooth extractions in 30 patients. The traditional incision was performed distal to the second molar in the center of the tuberosity, followed by a buccal releasing incision. After the tooth extraction, the wound was secured by sutures. The new technique consists of an oblique incision from the distal palatal aspect of the tuberosity towards the buccal aspect of the second molar. After the tooth extraction, cyanoacrylate glue was used on the wound. Results: Lower pain was reported by patients at the site treated with the new technique (p < 0.01). Edema, postsurgical bleeding, and hematoma were similar in both groups. The surgical time was shorter for the new technique (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The new technique applied for the extraction of impacted maxillary wisdom teeth reduced postsurgical pain and the duration of surgery. Full article

In composite structures or complex concrete members, some concrete bears multiple forces, called core concrete. The properties of the core concrete are variable under complex stress conditions, which will influence the structure performance analysis. Therefore, it is necessary to establish an accurate and theoretical constitutive model of concrete under complex stress conditions. The elastic–plastic properties of concrete in complex stress conditions were analyzed first. Then, the failure criterion of concrete in complex stress conditions was discussed to identify the key parameters. And the relationship between the stress–strain curve and failure criterion was analyzed through mathematical derivation. Finally, the multi-dimensional iterative constitutive model of concrete under complex stress conditions was established and verified. Based on the analysis results, the concrete under multi-axial stress conditions shows a spindle-shape stress envelope diagram. The failure criterion should be established by the analysis of concrete under high multi-axial compression conditions, tension–compression conditions, and shear–compression conditions. The plastic modulus is the key to reflecting the plastic strain development trend and the stress–strain relationship. Full article

This paper presents a comprehensive study of the impact of quenching roll speed on enhancing the low-temperature toughness of a low-carbon copper-containing steel. The microstructure characteristics, such as the prior austenite grains, and the distribution and volume fraction of precipitates, are observed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and small-angle scattering X-ray. The results show that a decrease in the quenching roller speed (2 m/min) contributes to the achievement of more excellent low-temperature toughness (the average value is 232 J), although the prior austenite grains exhibit a relatively larger size in this case. The tempering treatment results in the precipitation of a large amount of 9R-type Cu-rich particles, regardless of the quenching roller speed. Reducing the quenching roller speed contributes to the increase in the volume fraction of Cu-rich particles, which is considered to be the main factor contributing to the achievement of excellent low-temperature toughness. Full article

Background/Objectives: Evidence supports the efficacy of Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) interventions such as Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for treating child behavior problems; however, treatment engagement and outcomes vary across ethnic groups. Risk for poor treatment engagement and outcomes may be attributed in part to misalignment between parent explanatory model components (PEMs) and the traditional BPT model, including treatment expectations, etiological explanations, parenting styles, and family support for treatment. The present study aims to examine whether personalized treatment adaptations addressing these PEM–BPT misalignments reduce risk for poor treatment engagement and outcomes. Methods: The authors previously utilized the PersIn framework to develop a personalized version of PCIT (MY PCIT) that assesses these PEMs in order to identify families at risk for poor treatment engagement and outcomes. Families were identified as high risk (due to PEM–BPT misalignment) and low risk (meaning those without identified PEM–BPT misalignment) for specific PEMs. Families at elevated risk then received tailored treatment materials designed to improve alignment between the parental explanatory model and the PCIT treatment explanatory model. A recent pilot trial of MY PCIT demonstrated positive treatment outcomes; however, the extent to which adaptations were successful in reducing the underlying risk factors has not yet been examined. Results: Findings demonstrate that the personalization approach was effective in reducing indicators of risk, and that families who were initially at high and low risk during pre-treatment reported similar levels of treatment engagement and outcomes by post-treatment. Conclusions: The findings suggest that this personalized approach has the potential to reduce risk associated with poor treatment engagement and outcomes for culturally diverse families. Full article

Atenolol (ATE) and propranolol (PRO) inclusion complexes with β-cyclodextrin have been investigated in aqueous solution. The aqueous solution was examined and characterized using UV–vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and ¹H NMR. The physical mixture was characterized using FTIR. The existence of inclusion complexes is confirmed by observing changes in spectroscopic properties. The ATE complex with β-CD exhibited an interaction as host and (β-CD) as a guest in a 1:1 ratio, with an inclusion constant K of 2.09 × 10⁻³ µM⁻¹, as determined by the typical double-reciprocal graphs. Similarly, the PRO complex with β-CD exhibited an interaction as host and (β-CD) guest in 1:1 and 1:2 stoichiometry at the same time; the inclusion constants were K1 = 5.80 × 10⁻⁵ µM⁻¹ and K2 = 4.67 × 10⁻⁸ µM⁻¹, as determined by typical double-reciprocal graphs. The variables influencing the formation of the inclusion complexes were investigated and optimized. Based on the enhancement in fluorescence intensity due to the formation of inclusion complexes, spectrofluorometric methods were developed and validated for determination of each drug’s pharmaceutical formulation. The quantification of the fluorescence intensity for ATE and PRO was conducted at λ_ex/λ_em 226/302 nm and λ_ex/λ_em 231/338 nm, respectively. Under the optimal reaction circumstances, linear relationships with good correlation coefficients of 0.9918 and 0.99 were found in the concentration ranges of 0.3–1.7 μM, and 0.1–1.1 μM for ATE and PRO, respectively. The limits of detection (LODs) were found to be 0.13 and 0.01 μM for ATE and PRO, respectively. The suggested approach was effectively applied to the analysis of both drugs’ pharmaceutical formulations. Full article

This paper presents a compact wideband circularly polarized cross-dipole antenna with a low-pass filter response. It consists of two pairs of folded cross-dipole arms printed separately on both sides of the top substrate, and the two dipole arms on the same surface are connected by an annular phase-shifting delay line to generate circular polarization. A bent metal square ring and four small metal square rings around the cross-dipoles are employed to introduce new resonant frequencies, effectively extending the impedance and axial-ratio bandwidth. Four square patches printed on the middle substrate are connected to the ground plane by the vertical metal plates in order to reduce the antenna height. Thus, a compact wideband circularly polarized antenna is realized. In addition, a transmission zero can be introduced at the upper frequency stopband by the bent metal square rings, without using extra filter circuits. For verification, the proposed model is implemented and tested. The overall size of the model is $90\mathrm{mm}\times 90\mathrm{mm}\times 33\mathrm{mm}$ ($0.37{\lambda }_0\times 0.37{\lambda }_0\times 0.14{\lambda }_0$; ${\lambda }_0$ denotes the center operating frequency). The measured impedance bandwidth and 3 dB axial-ratio (AR) bandwidth are 53.3% and 41%, respectively. An upper-band radiation suppression level greater than 15 dB is realized, indicating a good low-pass filter response. Full article

The symbiotic relationship between corals and their associated microorganisms is crucial for the health of coral reef eco-environmental systems. Recently, there has been a growing interest in unraveling how the manipulation of symbiont nutrient cycling affects the stress tolerance in the holobiont of coral reefs. However, most studies have primarily focused on coral–Symbiodiniaceae–bacterial interactions as a whole, neglecting the interactions between Symbiodiniaceae and bacteria, which remain largely unexplored. In this study, we proposed a hypothesis that there exists an inner symbiotic loop of Symbiodiniaceae and bacteria within the coral symbiotic loop. We conducted experiments to demonstrate how metabolic exchanges between Symbiodiniaceae and bacteria facilitate the nutritional supply necessary for cellular growth. It was seen that the beneficial bacterium, Ruegeria sp., supplied a nitrogen source to the Symbiodiniaceae strain Durusdinium sp., allowing this dinoflagellate to thrive in a nitrogen-free medium. The Ruegeria sp.–Durusdinium sp. interaction was confirmed through ¹⁵N-stable isotope probing–single cell Raman spectroscopy, in which ¹⁵N infiltrated into the bacterial cells for intracellular metabolism, and eventually the labeled nitrogen source was traced within the macromolecules of Symbiodiniaceae cells. The investigation into Symbiodiniaceae loop interactions validates our hypothesis and contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the intricate coral holobiont. These findings have the potential to enhance the health of coral reefs in the face of global climate change. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for a rapid, convenient, and scalable diagnostic method for detecting a novel pathogen amidst a global pandemic. While command-line interface tools offer automation for SARS-CoV-2 Oxford Nanopore Technology sequencing data analysis, they are inapplicable to users with limited programming skills. A solution is to establish such automated workflows within a graphical user interface software. We developed two workflows in the software Geneious Prime 2022.1.1, adapted for data obtained from the Midnight and Artic’s nCoV-2019 sequencing protocols. Both workflows perform trimming, read mapping, consensus generation, and annotation on SARS-CoV-2 Nanopore sequencing data. Additionally, one workflow includes phylogenetic assignment using the bioinformatic tools pangolin and Nextclade as plugins. The basic workflow was validated in 2020, adhering to the requirements of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control for SARS-CoV-2 sequencing and analysis. The enhanced workflow, providing phylogenetic assignment, underwent validation at Uppsala University Hospital by analysing 96 clinical samples. It provided accurate diagnoses matching the original results of the basic workflow while also reducing manual clicks and analysis time. These bioinformatic workflows streamline SARS-CoV-2 Nanopore data analysis in Geneious Prime, saving time and manual work for operators lacking programming knowledge. Full article

Reservoir impoundment induces a large amount of cumulative deformation of landslide body, leading to damage to the geological environment. Due to many yearly cycles of reservoir water fluctuation, the cumulative deformation of landslides tends to be stable, showing a self-adaptive deformation phenomenon. The study of the self-adaptive deformation mechanism is very important for evaluating landslide stability and achieving the safe operation of hydropower stations. To study the mechanism of self-adaptive deformation, two sets of physical models were used to monitor the groundwater, earth pressure, and cumulative deformation of landslide under periodic fluctuations of the reservoir water level. The results showed that the soil consolidation compaction, release of sliding stress, and increase in permeability are the three main factors of the self-adaptive deformation of landslide accumulation. The overall permeability decreased first and then increased, the front permeability increased greatly, and the middle and rear permeability decreased. The main factors that affected the permeability change were deformation and seepage force. Full article

Satellite data have been widely utilized for flood detection and mapping tasks, and in recent years, there has been a growing interest in using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data due to the increased availability of recent missions with enhanced temporal resolution. This capability, when combined with the inherent advantages of SAR technology over optical sensors, such as spatial resolution and independence from weather conditions, allows for timely and accurate information on flood event dynamics. In this study, we present an innovative automated approach, SAR-RST-FLOOD, for mapping flooded areas using SAR data. Based on a multi-temporal analysis of Sentinel 1 data, such an approach would allow for robust and automatic identification of flooded areas. To assess its reliability and accuracy, we analyzed five case studies in areas where floods caused significant damage. Performance metrics, such as overall (OA), user (UA), and producer (PA) accuracy, as well as the Kappa index (K), were used to evaluate the methodology by considering several reference flood maps. The results demonstrate a user accuracy exceeding 0.78 for each test map when compared to the observed flood data. Additionally, the overall accuracy values surpassed 0.96, and the kappa index values exceeded 0.78 when compared to the mapping processes from observed data or other reference datasets from the Copernicus Emergency Management System. Considering these results and the fact that the proposed approach has been implemented within the Google Earth Engine framework, its potential for global-scale applications is evident. Full article

In the context of glaucoma, intraocular pressure (IOP) and age are recognized as the primary factors contributing to its onset and progression. However, significant reductions in IOP fail to completely halt its advancement. An emerging body of literature highlights the role of neuroinflammation in glaucoma. This study aimed to explore Bromfenac’s anti-inflammatory properties in mitigating neuroinflammation associated with glaucoma using an ischemia–reperfusion (IR) glaucoma model. Bromfenac’s impact on microglia and astrocytes under pressure was assessed via Western blotting and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunohistochemical staining was used to evaluate glial activation and changes in inflammatory marker expression in the IR model. Bromfenac led to the downregulation of inflammatory markers, which were elevated in the conditions of elevated pressure, and necroptosis markers were downregulated in astrocytes. In the IR model, elevated levels of GFAP and Iba-1 indicated glial activation. Following Bromfenac administration, levels of iNOS, COX-2, and PGE2-R were reduced, suggesting a decrease in neuroinflammation. Furthermore, Bromfenac administration in the IR model resulted in the improved survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and preservation of retinal function, as demonstrated by immunohistochemical staining and electroretinography. In summary, Bromfenac proved effective in diminishing neuroinflammation and resulted in enhanced RGC survival. Full article

Bone/fracture healing is a complex process with different steps and four basic tissue layers being affected: cortical bone, periosteum, fascial tissue surrounding the fracture, and bone marrow. Stem cells and their derivatives, including embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, skeletal stem cells, and multipotent stem cells, can function to artificially introduce highly regenerative cells into decrepit biological tissues and augment the healing process at the tissue level. Stem cells are molecularly and functionally indistinguishable from standard human tissues. The widespread appeal of stem cell therapy lies in its potential benefits as a therapeutic technology that, if harnessed, can be applied in clinical settings. This review aims to establish the molecular pathophysiology of bone healing and the current stem cell interventions that disrupt or augment the bone healing process and, finally, considers the future direction/therapeutic options related to stem cells and bone healing. Full article

Nano silica (NS) has been found to have a positive impact on enhancing the microporous structure of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC). However, there is a lack of effective methods to accurately characterize the regulatory improvement mechanism of NS on the pore structure of UHPC. In this study, our objective is to investigate the influence of NS on various characteristic parameters of the pore structure in UHPC, including porosity, average pore size, box fractal dimension, and multifractal spectral parameters. To analyze these effects, we employ a combination of X- CT image processing techniques and fractal theory. Furthermore, we conducted regression analysis using linear functions to explore the correlation between these parameters and the 28d compressive strength of UHPC. The experimental results demonstrate that NS promotes the refinement of matrix pore size, leading to a denser microstructure of the matrix. Fractal analysis revealed that the pore structure of NS-modified UHPC exhibited favorable fractal characteristics. The fractal dimension and multiple fractal parameters provided complementary insights into the pore structure of NS-modified UHPC from different perspectives. The fractal dimension described the global information, indicating that NS improved matrix defects and reduced the complexity of the pore structure. On the other hand, the multiple fractal parameters supplemented local information, highlighting how the increase in micropores contributed to the heterogeneity of the pore structure. The results of the correlation analysis indicate that the developed mathematical model has a good fit with the 28d compressive strength of UHPC. Full article

The utilisation of medicinal plants has gained importance due to emerging drug resistance in diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Vaccinium myrtillus (VM) and Vaccinium vitis-idaea (VV) are particularly noteworthy as their leaves and aerial parts (no flowering leaves with stems) are rich in polyphenols and antioxidants with potential positive impacts on blood sugar levels. The aim of this study was to compare the chemical composition, antiradical, and α-amylase inhibitory activities of the leaves and aerial parts of the Latvian VM and VV. Two samples of VM and two samples of VV were collected from two different locations. Dried plants were used to prepare 70% ethanol extracts and freeze-dried samples. The total tannin and phenolic contents were determined, and the phytochemical compounds were characterised by LC-MS. The α-amylase inhibition activity and the antiradical activity in the extracts were measured. The VV ethanol extracts had the highest polyphenol content at 632.80 mg/100 g, followed by the freeze-dried extracts at 968.52 mg/100 g. The highest polyphenol content in the VV ethanol extracts was 632.80 mg/100 g and 968.52 mg/100 g in the freeze-dried extracts. The ethanol extracts of VM (1.34%) and VV (2.85%) had the highest content of tannin, whereas the freeze-dried extracts showed significantly lower tannin content in VM (0.21%) and VV (0.18%). A high correlation was observed between DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and α-amylase inhibition activity (R = 0.86, p = 0.015). This information can be used for additional control of sugar levels in T2DM patients. Comparing both plants with each other and different types of samples (ethanol extracts, freeze-dried samples), it was concluded that the difference exists in both variants. The VM samples showed higher results (α-amylase inhibition activity, DPPH radical scavenging activity) than the VV samples, and the freeze-dried samples had higher results than the ethanol extracts. Full article

While studies have examined predictors of study performance in various student groups, cluster analytic studies identify groups of students with similar characteristics. The purpose of this study was to explore relevant clusters of occupational therapy students and examine profile differences between participants in different clusters. A total of 177 first-year students from six occupational therapy programs in Norway participated in this study. Data on age, gender, study approaches, study effort, and study performance were collected. A two-step cluster analysis was conducted. Three clusters were identified. Cluster 1, the high-strategic high-performing students, comprised the successful students, mostly females, who invested much effort and used productive approaches to studying. Cluster 2, the high-surface average-performing students, consisted of less successful female students, who used poor study strategies and made little effort. Cluster 3, the low-strategic low-performing students, comprised the least successful students, who were all male, with study efforts and study strategies in the middle range. Overall, this study suggests that occupational therapy students can be classified into clusters based on a combination of measures. To enhance student learning and performance, educators should pay particular attention to male students and to students investing little effort and using poor study strategies. Full article

Silicon carbide, known for its distinct chemical and physical properties, is increasingly recognized as a critical material in sectors such as energy, space, and defense. Traditional production methods like the Acheson process are energy-intensive and costly, both in terms of investment and maintenance. Additionally, the concentrated nature of its manufacturing can lead to supply bottlenecks, hindering technological progress in key areas. To address these issues, this paper proposes a circular economy approach to silicon carbide production, leveraging the ecological challenge of rice waste disposal to create a new source of silica materials. It includes an evaluation of the economic and technological feasibility of this method and introduces a multidimensional composite index to identify potential early adopters for large-scale implementation. This innovative approach not only reduces reliance on critical minerals but also offers a solution to managing agricultural waste. Full article

The prevalence of allergic diseases has dramatically increased among children in recent decades. These conditions significantly impact the quality of life of allergic children and their families. Lactoferrin, a multifunctional glycoprotein found in various biological fluids, is emerging as a promising immunomodulatory agent that can potentially alleviate allergic diseases in children. Lactoferrin’s multifaceted properties make it a compelling candidate for managing these conditions. Firstly, lactoferrin exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, which can mitigate the chronic inflammation characteristic of allergic diseases. Secondly, its iron-binding capabilities may help regulate the iron balance in allergic children, potentially influencing the severity of their symptoms. Lactoferrin also demonstrates antimicrobial properties, making it beneficial in preventing secondary infections often associated with respiratory allergies. Furthermore, its ability to modulate the immune response and regulate inflammatory pathways suggests its potential as an immune-balancing agent. This review of the current literature emphasises the need for further research to elucidate the precise roles of lactoferrin in allergic diseases. Harnessing the immunomodulatory potential of lactoferrin could provide a novel add-on approach to managing allergic diseases in children, offering hope for improved outcomes and an enhanced quality of life for paediatric patients and their families. As lactoferrin continues to capture the attention of researchers, its properties and diverse applications make it an intriguing subject of study with a rich history and a promising future. Full article

The story of Futijinhu 浮提金壺 (“Golden Pot of Futi”) in Shiyiji 拾遺記 (Record of Gleanings), whose authorship is traditionally attributed to Wang Jia (王嘉) from the Eastern Jin Dynasty, appears to be a Daoist rendition at first glance, reimagining the legend of Laozi’s Daodejing. However, upon closer examination of the depiction of “Golden Pot of Futi”, the characters with “Shentong Shanshu” (神通善書, supranormal cognition and exceptional writing ability) and the narrative of writing and its outcomes, it becomes evident that this tale harbors a multifaceted Buddhist essence. In the tale, one can observe the changes and diversity in the early methods of translating Buddhist scriptures into Chinese, the references and adaptations of Buddhist imagery and narratives by Daoists, the understanding and imagination of materials used for writing Buddhist scriptures and early iconographic forms, and even the author’s insights and responses to the evolving religious landscape of their era. When placed in a broader historical context, exploring the Buddhist elements in this tale further aids in understanding the dynamic interactions between Buddhism and Daoism during the Wei and Jin periods. Full article

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) production is highly susceptible to temperature fluctuations, which can significantly reduce plant growth and development at different developmental stages, resulting in a dramatic loss of grain yield. Over the past century, substantial efforts have been undertaken to investigate the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of cold stress tolerance in rice. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent developments and trends in this field. We summarized the previous advancements and methodologies used for identifying cold-responsive genes and the molecular mechanisms of cold tolerance in rice. Integration of new technologies has significantly improved studies in this era, facilitating the identification of essential genes, QTLs, and molecular modules in rice. These findings have accelerated the molecular breeding of cold-resistant rice varieties. In addition, functional genomics, including the investigation of natural variations in alleles and artificially developed mutants, is emerging as an exciting new approach to investigating cold tolerance. Looking ahead, it is imperative for scientists to evaluate the collective impacts of these novel genes to develop rice cultivars resilient to global climate change. Full article

When postmenopausal women are under stress conditions, this exacerbates mood disorders and issues with neuroimmune systems. The porcine placenta is known to relieve menopausal depression in clinical trials, but its underlying mechanisms for depression and anti-inflammatory functions remain poorly defined. The present study was designed to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of enzymatic porcine placenta hydrolysate (EPPH) on LPS-induced levels of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), corticosterone (CORT), and pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. In addition, the neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells was evaluated to examine the effects of EPPH on neurite growth. To mimic the symptoms of women with menopause-related depression, a stressed ovariectomized (OVX) female mouse model was used to evaluate the antidepressant effects of EPPH. The female mice were randomly divided into five groups: (1) the sham-operated (Sham) group, (2) the OVX + repeated stress + saline-treated (OVX + ST) group, (3) the OVX + repeated stress + estradiol (0.2 mg/kg)-treated (positive control) group, (4) the OVX + repeated stress + EPPH (300 mg/kg)-treated (300) group, and (5) the OVX + repeated stress + EPPH (1500 mg/kg)-treated (1500) group. Female mice were OVX and repeatedly immobilization-stressed for 2 weeks (2 h/day). A tail suspension test was conducted on the 13th day, followed by the forced swimming test on the 14th day to assess the antidepressant effects of EPPH. After the behavioral tests, the levels of CORT, PGE2, and IL-1β were evaluated. In addition, c-Fos expression in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. The concentrations of NO, PGE2, and IL-1β stimulated by LPS were significantly reduced via the addition of EPPH to RAW 264.7 cells. EPPH significantly promoted neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells compared to that of the controls. In the tail suspension test, the duration of immobility was reduced in mice treated with EPPH 1500 compared to the OVX + ST group. The EPPH 1500 group had significantly decreased levels of c-Fos-positive neurons in the PVN and reduced levels of CORT and IL-1β in the serum of the Sham group. These results suggested that the high dose of EPPH administration induced the antidepressant-like effect in the ovariectomized mice with repeated stress via downregulating the levels of CORT, IL-1β, and PGE2 in the serum through reducing the expression of c-Fos in the PVN regions. Full article