The spore wall of Nosema bombycis plays an important role in microsporidian pathogenesis. Protein fractions from germinated spore coats were analysed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. Three protein spots were identified as the hypothetical spore wall protein NbHSWP12. A BAR-2 domain (e-value: 1.35e-03) was identified in the protein, and an N-terminal protein-heparin interaction motif, a potential N-glycosylation site, and 16 phosphorylation sites primarily activated by protein kinase C were also predicted. The sequence analysis suggested that Nbhswp12 and its homologous genes are widely distributed among microsporidia. Additionally, Nbhswp12 gene homologues share similar sequence features. An indirect immunofluorescence analysis showed that NbHSWP12 localized to the spore wall, and thus we renamed it spore wall protein 12 (NbSWP12). Moreover, NbSWP12 could adhere to deproteinized N. bombycis chitin coats that were obtained by hot alkaline treatment. This novel N. bombycis spore wall protein may function in a structural capacity to facilitate microsporidial spore maintenance.

Porous TiO2–P2O5 oxide was synthesized by the sol-gel method in the presence of tri-block copolymer (EO)20(PO)70(EO)20 (Pluronic123) in queous solution. The TiO2 nanocrystals with anatase structure precipitated in the as-synthesized TiO2–P2O5 materials at 80°C, considerably lower than that for traditional heat treatment in the solid state, which maintained a stable size of 3.6–4 nm upon calcinations below 500°C. It is believed that P2O5 glass phase prevents the coarsening of TiO2 nanocrystals below 500°C. The mixed oxide exhibited a specific surface area of 170–200 m2/g after calcining in the temperature range of 300–500°C.

Single crystals of 67Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–33PbTiO3 (PMN-PT, PMNT) relaxor-based complex perovskite solid solution grown by Bridgman method have pseudo-cubic symmetry under ambient conditions. Examination by means of polarized light microscopy showed that the microstructure of the crystals was dominated by a large number of coarse twin domains. It was confirmed that the most common composition planes were {110} in addition, {112} planes were also observed. These twins may be associated with the transformation of PMNT complex perovskite from the cubic to tetragonal upon a decrease in temperatures. The morphology of the domain structure may be explained from the theory of martensitic transformation.