[Effects of balanced fertilization on growth and fruit quality of 'Huang-guan' pear on desert area.].

A field experiment was carried out to study the effects of balanced fertilization on growth and development, yield, fruit quality and mineral content in 'Huang-guan' pear to provide a theoretical basis for the reasonable level of fertilization in pear orchards. Four treatments were arranged with 12-year old 'Huang-guan' pear trees from the same orchard: conventional fertilization (CK), low levels of N, PO and high level of S (T), medium levels of N, PO and S (T), high levels of N, PO and low level of S (T). The results showed that different treatments had little effect on the growth and development of current-year branch and leaves in the first year.

Histopathology combined with transcriptome analyses reveals the mechanism of resistance to Meloidogyne incognita in Cucumis metuliferus.

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) cause serious threat to cucumber production. Cucumis metuliferus, a relative of cucumber, is reported to be resistant to Meloidogyne incognita, yet the underlying resistance mechanism remains unclear.

Inhibition of highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus replication by recombinant pseudorabies virus-mediated RNA interference in piglets.

Highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (HP-PRRSV) is a variant of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) which, in recent years, has caused heavy economic losses to swine-producing areas. Although current vaccines are somewhat prophylactic, they provide only limited protection. Furthermore, there are currently no effective anti-HP-PRRSV drugs.

Cloning, in vitro expression and bioactivity of duck interleukin-18.

The encoding sequence for duck IL-18 was obtained, using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, from mRNA harvested from Con A-stimulated Gushi (GS) duck splenic mononuclear cells. Recombinant duck IL-18 (rduIL-18) was produced in a prokaryotic expression system. In vitro bioactivity of rduIL-18 was determined in a lymphocyte proliferation assay and in vivo bioactivity of rduIL-18 was assessed by addition to a vaccine.