Abstract Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain receptors (NOD-like receptors, NLRs) have critical effects on interfaces of the immune and reproductive systems, and the spleen plays a key role in both innate and adaptive immune functions. It is hypothesized that NLR family participates in maternal splenic immune regulation during early pregnancy in sheep. In this study, maternal spleens were collected on day 16 of the estrous cycle, and days 13, 16 and 25 of gestation (n = 6 for each group) in ewes. Expression of NLR family, including NOD1, NOD2, class II transactivator (CIITA), NLR family apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, Leucine rich repeat and Pyrin domain containing 1 (NLRP1), NLRP3 and NLRP7, was analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis. The results revealed that expression levels of NOD1, NOD2, CIITA and NLRP3 were downregulated at days 13 and 16 of pregnancy, but expression of NLRP3 was increased at day 25 of pregnancy. In addition, expression values of NAIP and NLRP7 mRNA and proteins were improved at days 16 and 25 of pregnancy, and NLRP1 was peaked at days 13 and 16 of pregnancy in the maternal spleen. Furthermore, NOD2 and NLRP7 proteins were limited to the capsule, trabeculae and splenic cords. In summary, early pregnancy changes expression of NLR family in the maternal spleen, which may be related with the maternal splenic immunomodulation during early pregnancy in sheep.

Abstract Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are involved to the maternal immune tolerance. The spleen is essential for adaptive immune reactions. However, it is unclear that early pregnancy regulates TLR-mediated signalings in the maternal spleen. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of early pregnancy on expression of TLR signaling members in the ovine spleen. Ovine spleens were collected at day 16 of the estrous cycle, and at days 13, 16 and 25 of pregnancy (n = 6 for each group). Real-time quantitative PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis were used to detect TLR signaling members, including TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, TLR7, TLR9, myeloid differentiation primary-response protein 88 (MyD88), tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and interleukin-1-receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1). The results showed that expression levels of TLR2, TLR4 and IRAK1 were downregulated, but expression levels of TLR3, TLR5, TLR7, TLR9, TRAF6 and MyD88 were increased during early pregnancy. In addition, MyD88 protein was located in the capsule, trabeculae and splenic cords of the maternal spleen. This paper reports for the first time that early pregnancy has effects on TLR signaling pathways in the ovine spleen, which is beneficial for understanding the maternal immune tolerance during early pregnancy.

Abstract As the main signal for the maternal recognition in ruminants, interferon-tau (IFNT) stimulates expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) in uterus and many extrauterine tissues. However, it is unclear that early pregnancy induces expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), myxovirusresistance 1 (Mx1), interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) and ubiquitin activating enzyme E1-like protein (UBE1L) in maternal thymus. In this study, ovine thymuses were sampled on day 16 of the estrous cycle and on days 13, 16 and 25 of gestation, and the expression of STAT1, Mx1, IP-10 and UBE1L was detected by real-time quantitative PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. The results revealed that the expression of STAT1 and IP-10 reached peaks on day 16 of pregnancy, and expression of Mx1 was enhanced on day 25 of pregnancy, and STAT1 protein was located in the epithelial reticular cells, capillaries and thymic corpuscles. However, expression of UBE1L was declined during early pregnancy. In conclusion, early pregnancy influences expression of STAT1, Mx1, IP-10 and UBE1L in maternal thymus, which may participate in regulation of maternal immune tolerance during early pregnancy in sheep.

Abstract Liver plays important roles in the innate and adaptive immunity, and contributes to the maternal immune adjustments during pregnancy in mice and rats. T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokines are related to immune response. However, expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in maternal livers is unclear during early pregnancy in sheep. In this study, livers were collected on day 16 of the estrous cycle and on days 13, 16 and 25 of pregnancy (n = 6 for each group) in ewes, and qRT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze the expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in the livers. Our results showed that interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 were downregulated, and IL-5 was upregulated in the livers during early pregnancy. Furthermore, there was no effect for early pregnancy on expression of TNF-β in the livers, and the IFN-γ protein was limited to the endothelial cells of the proper hepatic arteries and portal veins. In conclusion, early pregnancy exerted its effect on the liver to regulate the Th cytokines expression, but there was no evident shift from Th1 to Th2 cytokines, which may be necessary for the maternal hepatic immune adjustments during early pregnancy in sheep.

The (Bi0.5Na0.5)0.94Ba0.06Ti1-x (Nd0.5Ta0.5) xO3 (0.01≤x≤0.05) lead-free ceramics (BNBT-xNT) used (Nd0.5Ta0.5)4+ complex-ions to modify its structure and electrical properties. The BNBT-xNT ceramics exhibit the coexistence of tetragonal and rhombohedral phase. The (Nd0.5Ta0.5)4+ complex-ions prohibit grain growth, and its average grain size decreases from 2.53 µm to 0.84 µm with increasing complex-ion content. The NT doping not only induces the transformation from ferroelectric phase to relaxor ferroelectric phase but also decreases the coercive field and remnant polarization. The permittivity curves are broadened at heavily doping content. The energy storage and strain properties are improved by complex-ions. The maximum energy storage density of 0.475 J/cm3 is obtained at x = 0.035 and 60 kV/cm, the energy storage efficiency achieves the maximum efficiency of 61.5% at x=0.05. As increasing complex-ion content, the typical butterfly-shaped strain curve develops into a sprout-shaped one, and the maximum strain of 0.199% is obtained at x=0.02.

Tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) tablets were used to deposit ITO films on p-GaN layer of light-emitting diodes. Needles and cracks in ITO tablets generated during electron beam evaporation process were deeply investigated. The formation of needles is predominantly resulted from the scanning trace, which is controlled by x and y axes scanning singles. The needles can be eliminated by controlling electron beam scanning trace. The loose microstructure with uniform grains and pores in the ITO tablets results in weak bonding strength, which leads to cracks under the thermal shock of high energy electron beam. A three-dimensional reticulated skeleton structure with strong bonding strength can restrain these cracks.

Um método empregando "bulk liquid membrane" (BLM) e o complexo ácido di(2-etilhexil) fosfórico (D2EHPA) e ácido O,O'-dibenzoil-(2R, 3R)-tartárico (L-(-)-DBTA) foi desenvolvido para a separação por extração do ácido mandélico racêmico (rac MA). Os efeitos de tempo de resolução, concentração de D2EHPA na fase orgânica, concentração de rac MA na fase doadora, velocidade de agitação e temperatura sobre a separação por extração foram estudados. Os resultados experimentais evidenciaram que o maior fator de separação (α) 2,74 e o valor do excesso enantiomérico (ee, %) 46,47% foram obtidos quando o tempo de resolução foi de aproximadamente 4 h, a razão de concentração molar de rac MA, D2EHPA e L-(-)-DBTA foi 0,05:0,2:0,3, a velocidade de agitação, 400 r min-1 e a temperatura, 35 ºC. O método desenvolvido é útil para a otimização do transporte de sistemas BLM e para a produção em grande escala de enantiômero puro.

A method of bulk liquid membrane (BLM) using complex of di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) and O,O'-dibenzoyl-(2R, 3R)-tartaric acid (L-(-)-DBTA) was developed for the extractive resolution of racemic mandelic acid (rac MA). The effects of resolution time, concentration of D2EHPA in the organic phase, concentration of rac MA in the feed phase, stirring speed and temperature on extractive resolution were studied. The experimental results have shown that the greatest separation factor (α) 2.74 and the enantiomeric excess value (ee, %) 46.47% were obtained when the resolution time was about 4 h, the molar concentration ratio of rac MA, D2EHPA and L-(-)-DBTA 0.05:0.2:0.3, the stirring speed 400 r min-1 and the temperature 35 ºC. The developed method is helpful for optimizing the transport of BLM systems and for large-scale production of pure enantiomer.

Um método de membrana líquida (BLM) usando O, O'-dibenzoil-(2S, 3S)-ácido tartárico foi desenvolvido para o transporte enantioseletivo do clenbuterol racêmico. A influência do pH tampão e da relação entre as concentrações do veículo quiral e do clenbuterol racêmico foi estudada. Verificou-se que as escolhas de pH 7 em solução aquosa e a relação entre as concentrações de 1:4 foram apropriadas. O modelo de transporte cinético estabelecido envolveu duas reações consecutivas irreversíveis de primeira ordem e foram determinadas as constantes de reação aparente de pseudo-primeira ordem. Esse modelo foi adequado para a otimização dos sistemas BLM de transporte visando à produção em larga escala do enantiômero puro.

A method of bulk liquid membrane (BLM) using O, O'-dibenzoyl-(2S, 3S)-tartaric acid was developed for the enantioselective transport of racemic clenbuterol. The influence of buffer pH, concentration ratio of chiral carrier to clenbuterol were studied. It was an appropriate choice of such as pH 7 in aqueous solution and concentration ratio of 1:4. The model of kinetic transport was established by means of a kinetic model involving two consecutive irreversible first order reactions. The pseudo-first order apparent rate constants were determined. It is helpful for optimizing the transport of BLM systems and realizing the large-scale production of pure enantiomer.