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A new alternative calculation procedure is developed to quantify the effect of yarn distortion characteristics on the mechanical properties of three-dimensional (3D) braided carbon/resin composites. Firstly, the multi-type yarn distortion characteristics factors including path, cross-section shape and cross-section torsion effects are described based on the stochastic theory. Then, the multiphase finite element method is employed to overcome the complex discretization in traditional numerical analysis, and the parametric studies including multi-type yarn distortion and different braided geometrical parameters on the resulting mechanical properties are performed. It is shown that the proposed procedure can simultaneously capture the yarn path and cross-section distortion characteristics caused by the mutual squeeze of component materials, which is difficult to characterize by experimental methods. In addition, it is found that even small distortions of yarn may significantly affect the mechanical properties for 3D braided composites, and the 3D braided composites with different braiding geometric parameters will show different sensitivity to the distortion characteristics factors of yarn. The procedure, which could be implemented into commercial finite element codes, is an efficient tool for the design and structural optimization analysis of a heterogeneous material with anisotropic properties or complex geometries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Chinese Holstein cows, crossbred cattle in China, have abundant genetic diversity due to the fact that Holstein cows were crossbred with various local breeds. Therefore, to reveal their genetic diversity, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop region of 501 Chinese Holstein cows and found abundant genetic resources (including 219 haplotypes, polymorphisms of 260 SNPs, and 32 indels) and two haplogroups in the study population. Meanwhile, the two haplogroups had different maternal origins and corresponding distinguished mutations. Furthermore, the association between haplogroups and antral follicle count was found, and the mtDNA haplogroup HG1 with Bos indicus maternal origin had more antral follicles (diameter ≥ 8 mm), implying that these individuals of HG1 had higher reproductive potential. Finally, these distinguished mutations between two haplogroups could be considered as important genetic markers for cattle breeding. Maternal origins based on the bovine mitochondrial D-loop region are proven to have two main origins: Bos taurus and Bos indicus. To examine the association between the maternal origins of bovine and reproductive traits, the complete mitochondrial D-loop region sequences from 501 Chinese Holstein cows and 94 individuals of other breeds were analyzed. Based on the results obtained from the haplotype analysis, 260 SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphism), 32 indels (insertion/deletion), and 219 haplotypes were identified. Moreover, the nucleotide diversity (π) and haplotype diversity (Hd) were 0.024 ± 0.001 and 0.9794 ± 0.003, respectively, indicating the abundance of genetic resources in Chinese Holstein cows. The results of the median-joining network analysis showed two haplogroups (HG, including HG1 and HG2) that diverged in genetic distance. Furthermore, the two haplogroups were significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with the antral follicle (diameter ≥ 8 mm) count, and HG1 individuals had more antral follicles than HG2 individuals, suggesting that these different genetic variants between HG1 and HG2 correlate with reproductive traits. The construction of a neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree and principal component analysis also revealed two main clades (HG1 and HG2) with different maternal origins: Bos indicus and Bos taurus, respectively. Therefore, HG1 originating from the maternal ancestors of Bos indicus may have a greater reproductive performance, and potential genetic variants discovered may promote the breeding process in the cattle industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been well-researched in the design and fabrication of advanced drug delivery systems (DDSs) due to their advantages such as good biocompatibility, large specific surface area and pore volume for drug loading, easily surface modification, adjusted size and good thermal/chemical stability. For MSN-based DDSs, gate materials are also necessary. And natural polysaccharides, one kind of the most abundant natural resource, have been widely applied as the "gatekeepers" in MSN-based DDSs. Polysaccharides are cheap and rich in sources with good biocompatibility, and some of them have important biological functions. In this review article, polysaccharides including chitosan, hyaluronic acid, sodium alginate and dextran, et al. are briefly introduced. And the preparation processes and properties such as controlled drug release, cancer targeting and disease diagnosis of functional polysaccharide/MSN-based DDSs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, globalization has highlighted the importance of having machines that can truly provide customized communication for different languages. Majority of the research in the field focus on developing technologies for widely used languages such as English. In this study, we apply HMM-based speech synthesis (HTS) technology for Indonesian language. The proposed hybrid HTS-based framework, PFHTS-IDSS, uses phoneme and full-context lab to synthesize Indonesian with higher accuracy. First, we identify a list of Indonesian phonemes according to the initial-final structure of Chinese language. Based on this, we add zero-initials that match the Indonesian acoustic performance and HTS, which can make the synthesized speech natural and smooth. Second, we consider Indonesian phonemes as synthetic units to synthesize speech through the triphone and full-context lab. In addition, we design context properties of the full-context lab and the corresponding question set to train the acoustic model, which can eliminate machine sounds. Experimental results suggest that the accuracy of phoneme segmentation (PSA) and the naturalness of speech synthesis (SSN) are significantly improved via PFHTS-IDSS. Especially, the PSA of selecting phonemes as synthetic units reaches 88.3% and the corresponding SSN based on full-context lab is 4.1. The results demonstrated by PFHTS-IDSS presented in this paper may be used in multilingual free interactive system to promote better communication in terms of voice navigation, intelligent speaker and question-answering system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to establish isothermal multiple self-matching initiated amplification (IMSA) and cross-priming amplification (CPA) methods to detect heat-stable I enterotoxin (STa)-producing enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). To avoid cross-contamination of aerosols, a closed independent isothermal amplification tube (IAT) was used to perform the assays. Optimal amplification conditions for IMSA and CPA were selected for specificity and sensitivity, respectively, and for clinical relevance. Both IMSA and CPA assays could specifically recognize all 3-STa positive strains in which they fluoresced green under UV light, but not in the 11 non-STa strains. The results of the sensitivity analysis indicated that the detection limit of the IMSA assay was 1.5 ×102 CFU, comparable to real-time PCR, but 10-fold more sensitive than CPA and LAMP. Further evaluation of the detection methods of swine diarrhea samples demonstrated that both could successfully identify the DNA of STa-producing ETEC in clinical specimens, consistent with LAMP and qPCR methods. The results demonstrated that the IMSA and CPA methods had high specificity and sensitivity with rapid detection of ETEC, so having great potential in clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new multiscale method was developed for the thermo-mechanical performance analysis of three-dimensional (3D) braided composites. This method is the extended of multiscale asymptotic expansion homogenization (MAEH) method and multiphase finite element (MPFE) approach. The analysis was performed under a representative unit cell (RUC) scale and tow architecture scale. The effective thermo-physical properties of 3D braided composites were predicted. The bending mechanical response under thermal and mechanical loading was determined by the present multiscale finite element method. The effects of braiding angle and temperature difference on the thermo-mechanical behaviors were studied. The three-point bending tests were performed under thermal and mechanical loading and the measured results were compared to the predicted ones to illustrate that the new method is effective and valid for predicting the thermo-mechanical performance of 3D braided composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the elastic behavior and failure strength of three-dimensional braided composites by using a multi-scale finite element method. The analyses are performed under the representative unit cell scale and tow architecture scale. The heterogeneous material structure in a RUC is modeled by the multiphase finite element method. Three special element types, called yarn element, matrix element and mixed element, are derived. The correlation between different scales is derived based on the continuum mechanics and homogenization method. Effective modulus of 3D braided composites is predicted solely from the corresponding constituent properties and braided geometrical parameters. The bending strengths are determined by the failure criteria of the components. The predicted results compare favorably with available experimental data. Parametric studies are also performed to examine the effect of braiding angle on the resulting mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resin matrix composites (RCs) have better thermal and chemical stability, so they are widely used in engineering fields. In this study, the aging process and mechanism of two different types of resin-based three-dimensional four-way braided composites (H15 and S15) under different hygrothermal aging conditions were studied. The effect of aging behavior on the mechanical properties of RCs was also studied. Three different aging conditions were studied: Case I, 40 °C Soak; Case II, 70 °C Soak; and Case III, 70 °C-85% relative humidity (RH). It was found that the hygroscopic behavior of RCs in the process of moisture-heat aging conforms to Fick's second law. Higher temperatures and humidity lead to higher water absorption. The equilibrium hygroscopic content of H15 was 1.46% (Case II), and that of S15 was 2.51% (Case II). FT-IR revealed the different hygroscopic mechanisms of H15 and S15 in terms of aging behavior. On the whole, the infiltration behavior of water molecules is mainly exhibited in the process of wet and thermal aging. At the same time, the effect of the aging process on resin matrices was observed using SEM. It was found that the aging process led to the formation of microchannels on the substrate surface of S15, and the formation of these channels was the main reason for the better moisture absorption and lower mechanical strength of S15. At the same time, this study further found that temperature and oxygen content are the core influences on post-aging strength. The LVI experiment also showed that the structural changes and deterioration effects occurring after aging reduced the strength of the studied material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the mechanical properties for two types of solder alloy: Sn-0.7Ag-0.5Cu-3.5Bi-0.05Ni (SAC0705BiNi) vs. Sn-0.7Ag-0.5Cu (SAC0705) by using nano-indentation. Two kinds of solder alloy balls with a diameter of 400 μm are soldered to Cu pads on FR-4 substrates, and then formed the ball grid array (BGA) micro solder joints of Cu/SAC0705BiNi/Cu and Cu/SAC0705/Cu. Meanwhile, the combined effect of Bi and Ni elements on the mechanical properties of the bulk of low-Ag Cu/SAC0705/Cu was discussed. Experimental results revealed that the indentation depth and area of the bulk of Cu/SAC0705BiNi/Cu solder joints were smaller than that of Cu/SAC0705/Cu under the same load and strain rate. It was observed that the indentation morphologies of the two kinds of the bulk of micro solder joints have piling-up phenomenon at lower strain rate. Under the maximum load of 20 mN and the strain rate of 2.5 × 10−1 s−1, the indentation hardness of the bulk of Cu/SAC0705BiNi/Cu and Cu/SAC0705/Cu solder joints was 0.449 GPa and 0.200 GPa, respectively. And the strain hardening exponent was 0.302 and 0.159, respectively. Additionally, the stress-strain relationship was developed for the bulk of Cu/SAC0705BiNi/Cu and Cu/SAC0705/Cu micro solder joints. Compare with the bulk of the low-Ag Cu/SAC0705/Cu micro solder joints, the indentation hardness, indentation modulus and strain hardening exponent of the bulk of Cu/SAC0705BiNi/Cu achieve an improved by adding Bi and Ni elements. • The mechanical properties of Cu/SAC0705/Cu micro solder joints were improved by the common addition of Bi and Ni elements. • The indentation hardness, modulus, yield stress and stress hardening exponent were determined by nano-indentation method. • The stress-strain relationship of Cu/SAC0705BiNi/Cu and Cu/SAC0705/Cu micro solder joints was established, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine rotavirus is the primary pathogen causing diarrhea in cattle and can be transmitted vertically through the placenta. It mainly presents with clinical signs such as depression, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to assess the prevalence of BRV infection in mainland China. We conducted a literature search on the prevalence of BRV infection in pigs between Jan 1, 1979 and Dec 31, 2021 in English and Chinese databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane library, Clinical Trials, VIP, CNKI, and WanFang database. Selections were made based on the title and the abstract of the paper, Search strings included if they reported the cattle samples of more than 15 cattle and provided information that allowed us to establish the prevalence of BRV. Moreover, we excluded repeated studies, reviews, other hosts. Finally, we extracted the number of cattle with BRV infection from the obtained studies and provided information that permitted us to estimate the prevalence of BRV infection in cattle in mainland China. The data of 29 articles (including data on 10677 cattle) are compliant with the standards. The pooled prevalence of BRV in cattle in China was 46%（6635/10677）, the pooled prevalence of BRV in cattle from Northeast China (40%) was significantly lower than those from other regions. In addition, the prevalence of BRV was associated with publication time of paper, detection methods, age of cattle, and clinical symptoms（diarrhea, etc.). Our findings suggest that BRV infection is common among cattle in China. It is, therefore, necessary to carry out further research and monitor the prevalence of BRV infection. Furthermore, powerful and effective regulatory measures should be taken to prevent the transmission and spread of BRV among cattle populations. • The data of 29 articles met the selection criteria, and the prevalence of BRV was 46% in China. • Cattle's age was a risk factor associated with the prevalence rate of BRV. • This study may help to control treatment costs and overuse of antibiotics to improve food safety and public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With abundant renewable resources and good biodegradability, bio-based aerogels are considered as promising insulating materials for replacing the conventional petroleum-based foam. In this study, konjac glucomannan (KGM)-based aerogels were prepared as thermal insulation materials via a convenient sol–gel and freeze-drying progress with different content of plant polysaccharides, proteins, and wheat straw. The morphology, thermal conductivity, and flame retardancy of KGM-based aerogels were determined. The KGM-based aerogels showed a uniform three-dimensional porous microstructure. The addition of wheat straw could significantly reduce the pore size of aerogels due to its special multi-cavity structure. KGM-based aerogels showed low densities (0.0234–0.0559 g/cm−3), low thermal conductivities (0.04573–0.05127 W/mK), low peak heat release rate (PHRR, 46.7–165.5 W/g), and low total heat release (THR, 5.7–16.2 kJ/g). Compared to the conventional expanded polystyrene (EPS) and polyurethane (PU) foam, the maximum limiting oxygen index (LOI) of KGM-based aerogels increased by 24.09% and 47.59%, the lowest PHRR decreased by 79.37% and 94.26%, and the lowest THR decreased by 76.54% and 89.25%, respectively. The results demonstrated that the KGM-based aerogels had better performance on flame retardancy than PU and EPS, indicating high potential applications as heat insulation in the green advanced engineering field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), which belongs to the coronaviruses (CoVs), causes diarrhea and high mortality rates in piglets and poses a huge threat and loss to the pig industry in China. We estimated the prevalence of TGEV in Chinese pig animals from 1983 to 2022 by screening 36 papers on TGEV investigations in China from databases such as China Knowledge Network (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Science and Technology Journal Repository (VIP), PubMed, and ScienceDirect, excluding duplicate literature and other host studies according to the exclusion criteria we developed, and excluding literature with incomplete data to extract information from studies that could estimate the prevalence of TGEV infection in pigs in mainland China. A total of 36 studies (including data from 50,403 pigs) met our evaluation criteria. The overall estimated prevalence of TGEV infection in pigs in China is 10% (3887/50403), and the prevalence of TGEV in northeast China is 38% (2582/3078700) is significantly higher than the rest of China. The prevalence of TGEV infection was related to the sampling season and region. The results of the study show that the prevalence of TGEV is clearly seasonal and regional. Therefore, further research and monitoring of the prevalence of TGEV infection and the development of control programs based on different conditions are essential. In addition, effective and robust regulatory measures should be taken in colder regions to prevent the spread and transmission of TGEV in pigs. • This is the first meta-analysis of the nationwide prevalence of Transmissible Gastroenteritis (TGEV) among swine in China. • The prevalence of TGEV was 10% in China. • Season and region were a risk factor associated with the prevalence rate of TGEV. • Through meta-analysis can provide adequate measures to control TGEV, reduce economic losses, and prevent the spread and transmission of TGEV in Chinese pig herds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal infectious disease of wild and domestic cats, and the occurrence of FIP is frequently reported in China. To trace the evolution of type I and II feline coronavirus in China, 115 samples of ascetic fluid from FIP‐suspected cats and 54 fecal samples from clinically healthy cats were collected from veterinary hospitals in China. The presence of FCoV in the samples was detected by RT‐PCR targeting the 6b gene. The results revealed that a total of 126 (74.6%, 126/169) samples were positive for FCoV: 75.7% (87/115) of the FIP‐suspected samples were positive for FCoV, and 72.2% (39/54) of the clinically healthy samples were positive for FCoV. Of the 126 FCoV‐positive samples, 95 partial S genes were successfully sequenced. The partial S gene‐based genotyping indicated that type I FCoV and type II FCoV accounted for 95.8% (91/95) and 4.2% (4/95), respectively. The partial S gene‐based phylogenetic analyses showed that the 91 type I FCoV strains exhibited genetic diversity; the four type II FCoV strains exhibited a close relationship with type II FCoV strains from Taiwan. Three type I FCoV strains, HLJ/HRB/2016/10, HLJ/HRB/2016/11 and HLJ/HRB/2016/13, formed one potential new clade in the nearly complete genome‐based phylogenetic trees. Further analysis revealed that FCoV infection appeared to be significantly correlated with a multi‐cat environment (p < 0.01) and with age (p < 0.01). The S gene of the three type I FCoV strains identified in China, BJ/2017/27, BJ/2018/22 and XM/2018/04, exhibited a six nucleotide deletion (C4035AGCTC4040). Our data provide evidence that type I and type II FCoV strains co‐circulate in the FIP‐affected cats in China. Type I FCoV strains exhibited high prevalence and genetic diversity in both FIP‐affected cats and clinically healthy cats, and a multi‐cat environment and age (<6 months) were significantly associated with FCoV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • This article is the first systematic review and meta-analysis of nationwide BVDV seroprevalence in dairy cattle in China. • The pooled prevalence of BVDV in cattle in China was approximate 53% in dairy herds. • Continuous monitoring the prevalence of BVDV in cattle is recommended. • The BVDV prevalence in cattle varied considerably in different regions. Abstract Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection causes significantly economic losses to cattle industry worldwide, also including China. The epidemiological prevalence of infection associated with BVDV in dairy cattle has not been systematically assessed in China. Therefore, we undertook this study to evaluate prevalent of BVDV infection. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of data from papers on the BVDV incidence and prevalence in dairy cattle in China by searching China Science and Technology Journal Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang Database and PubMed for publication from March 2003 to March 2018. The 41 studies reporting the prevalence of BVDV in cattle in China were selected upon our inclusion criterion. The pooled BVDV prevalence in dairy cattle in China was estimated to 53.0% (95% CI 40.2–65.7) based on the data obtained from the 27,530 cows tested using serological or virological assay in the qualified papers published during the periods (χ² = 51,861.0, I2 = 99.9%). The highest BVDV positive rate in dairy flocks reached 90.0% in Fujian province of China, followed by Shaanxi (88.9%) and Shandong (83.3%). The prevalence in the six administrative districts of China was validated to be highly variable (25.7%–72.2%) and reached 72.2% in dairy cattle flocks of Northern China. Besides, the BVDV-RNA positive rate was estimated 27.1% (95% CI 17.3–37.0) based on 6 studies, comparatively, the pooled BVDV seroprevalence based on 35 studies was about 57.0% (95% CI 44.4–69.5) in China. This systematic review and meta-analysis firstly established an estimated prevalence of BVDV in dairy herds in China, indicating that the BVDV infection is escalating, though there is a bias in the number of studies between 2003–2009 and 2010–2018 timescales. This study may help understand the status of BVDV infection in dairy herds in China. Further extensive and comprehensive investigation is recommended, and effective intervention measures for preventing and controlling BVDV spread in dairy herds should be deployed, especially herds that have been exposed to BVDV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Enterotoxignenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)-associated colibacillosis causes high levels of morbidity and mortality in neonatal piglets. Vaccination is among effective strategy to fight against ETEC-related diseases. Bacterial ghosts (BGs) are empty bacterial envelopes, which substain subtle antigenic comformation in bacterial outer membrane. In this study, a BG vaccine was generated using porcine ETEC isolated strain DQ061 and evaluated its safety and immunogenicity in a mouse model. The recombinant bacteria were constructed by transformation of lysis plasmid pHH43 and generation of BGs was conducted in a lysis rate of 99.93% by incubation of the recombinant bacteria at 42 °C for 2 h. Mice were immunized subcutaneously twice in 2-week intervals with BGs, BGs emulsified with ISA 206 adjuvant, or formalin-inactivated ETEC vaccine after safety test. Mice with either of two BG vaccines developed higher titer of antibodies, secreted higher titer of interleukin 4, gamma interferon and alpha tumor necrosis factor after 2 doses than those with formalin-inactivated ETEC vaccine or those with adjuvant placebo (P < 0.01). The quantity of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte in spleen was higher in both BG groups than that in the inactivated vaccine group or adjuvant group 2 weeks post boost immunization (P < 0.05). The vaccinated mice were challenged intraperitoneally with 10 × LD 50 dose of DQ061. Mice with the BGs plus adjuvant were completely protected against challenge, compared to 60% protection of mice with the inactivated vaccine. Mice exhibited decreased tissue lesion and reduced bacterial loads in the BGs groups by comparison with those with the inactivated vaccine or adjuvant only. Our results validated that the ETEC BGs bear high safety and immunogenicity in a mouse model, suggesting a potential of further evaluation in a pig model. Highlights • A porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) ghost vaccine was prepared, suggesting good safety. • Vaccination of mice with ETEC ghost vaccine plus adjuvant can provide complete protection against virulent challenge. • ETEC ghost vaccine showed high immunogenicity in a mouse model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to evaluate the specificity of a polyclonal antibody against the F protein from Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV). A pET30a/F prokaryotic expression vector was successfully constructed and its recombinant protein was expressed. The result of Western blot analysis showed that the fusion protein pET30a/F possessed good immunoreactivity and the purified recombinant protein was then used as the antigen to raise anti-pET30a/F polyclonal antibody in rabbits. The polyclonal antibody titer against the recombinant F protein was confirmed by indirect ELISA, and the protein's specificity against pET30/F polyclonal antibody was confirmed by both Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence assay in transfected cells. In short, we obtained the high-level expression of recombinant F protein as well as high titers of rabbit polyclonal antibody specificity against F protein in pCAGGS/F transfected cells. This special polyclonal antibody offers a valuable and useful tool for further study of the pathogenesis of PPRV early infection and the structural and functional characterization of PPRV F protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A tapeworm, Taenia solium, remains a great threat to human health, particularly in developing countries. The life cycle of T. solium is thought to be terminated via vaccination of intermediate hosts. In this study, we constructed a recombinant attenuated Salmonella typhimurium live vaccine strain χ4558 expressing a TSOL18 antigen. SDS-PAGE and Western blot confirmed the expression of the interest protein and its antigenic property. The recombinant strain stably propagated in vitro, of which the growth was not reversely influenced by TSOL18 protein expressed. It was also shown that mice survived 1012 CFU of S. typhimurium χ4558, while all mice infected with 107 CFU of the wild-type died within five days. The mouse experiment indicated that vaccine strain χ4558 induced a high titer of specific antibody for a long time. In contrast to the controls, the vaccinated mice had an obvious augment of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and the percentage of helper CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocytes was significantly increased (p <0.01). After oral administration, S. typhimurium χ4558 was first colonized mainly in the Peyer''s patches and then predominantly in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleens in the vaccinated mice. In addition, the high levels of specific anti-TSOL18 antibodies were also observed in pigs administrated with S. typhimurium χ4558. Collectively, these results demonstrate the possibility of use of an attenuated S. typhimurium strain as a vector to deliver protective antigens of T. solium. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ovine β2 subunit of the interleukin (IL)-12 receptor (IL-12Rβ2) was cloned from mRNA preparation of mitogen-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The complete coding sequence for ovine IL-12 Rβ2 was found to be 2586 nucleotides in length encoding 862-amino-acid residue protein. It showed 96.4% homology at the nucleotide level and 94.1% homology at the amino acid level with bovine IL-12 Rβ2. The ovine IL-12 Rβ2 subunit shares common structural and functional elements with their counterparts from the other species. Phylogenetic tree showed that ovine IL-12Rβ2 was clustered into the Artiodactyla group, together with those of cattle and pig, which was distinct from the other groups. Real-time RT-PCR was used to investigate expression of the IL-12Rβ2 in different tissues of sheep in order to determine the characterization of this receptor in tissue. Expression analysis showed that IL-12Rβ2 mRNA expression was detected at all the detected tissues with the exception of thymus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]