Molecular cloning and differential expression of three GnRH genes during ovarian maturation of spotted halibut, Verasper variegatus.

In this study, the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) genes in spotted halibut were cloned and sequenced by isolating their cDNAs. The species expressed three molecular forms of GnRH in the brain: chicken-type GnRH-II (cGnRH-II), seabream-type GnRH (sbGnRH), and salmon-type GnRH (sGnRH). Phylogenetic analysis divided the molecular forms of GnRHs into three branches: cGnRH-II branch, sGnRH branch, and fish-specific GnRH branch. The spatial expression showed that they had the highest expression levels in the brain. cGnRH-II was exclusively detected in the brain, while sbGnRH had a global expression pattern in all examined organs. sGnRH was detected in the brain, pituitary, and ovary. The temporal changes of brain GnRH mRNA expression levels were examined during ovarian maturation and postspawning, and the serum steroid hormones and gonadosomatic index (GSI) were recorded. Amounts of sbGnRH mRNA substantially elevated (P < 0.05) during ovarian maturation, which concomitant with considerable elevation of GSI and serum steroids levels. On the contrary, neither sGnRH nor cGnRH-II mRNA levels showed significant changes during ovarian maturation in this study. These results suggested that these three GnRH genes are the important regulators for the differential expression of GnRH in spotted halibut, and would help us better understand the reproductive endocrine mechanism of spotted halibut.

[Study on effects of fertilizer on polysaccharide and flavonoids of Radix Hedysari in different growth stage].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of fertilizer on polysaccharide content, flavonoids content and output of Radix Hedysari in different growth stage. METHODS: The content of polysaccharide and flavonoids in different part of Radix Hedysari was examined in different growth stage by using spectrophotometric method. RESULTS: Fertilizer could improve polysaccharide content of Radix Hedysari aerial part and total flavonoids content of root, increase polysaccharide accumulation amount of Radix Hedysari root in middle and late growth stage. The output of Radix Hedysari in the fertilizer group was 1430 kg/hm2 higher than that of no treatment group. CONCLUSION: Fertilizer can improve output and quality at harvest time in Radix Hedysari cultivation.

[Response of applying palygorskite and fertilization on growth rules of Radix Hedysari].

OBJECTIVE: Study on the growth development and fertilizer requirement regularity of Radix Hedysari. METHODS: Adopted the field experiment, investigate the influence of Radix Hedysari by applying different amount of palygorskite and fertilization. RESULTS: The growth process of plant height and branch height of Radix Hedysari were divided into two stages, the stage from emergence to late July was fast growth phase, and the stage from late July was slow growth stage. The dry matter accumulation center of Radix Hedysari transferred from aerial part to underground part in late July. Single application of palygorskite (1500 kg/hm2) and single application of palygorskite (2250 kg/hm2) increased plant height, promoted dry matter accumulation in aerial part and root of Radix Hedysari. Combined application of palygorskite (1500 kg/hm2) and NPK fertilizer and combined application of palygorskite (2250 kg/hm2) and NPK fertilizer improved growth indexes of Radix Hedysari compared with single application of NPK fertilize. CONCLUSION: The yield of Radix Hedysari was improved by applying palygorskite and fertilization.

[Effects of palygorskite application on volatilization and leaching losses of urea nitrogen in loess soil].

By the methods of adsorption and soil column leaching, a laboratory simulation test was conducted to study the effects of palygorskite application on the volatilization and leaching losses of urea nitrogen in loess soil. Comparing with applying urea fertilizer alone, the addition of palygorskite could decrease the volatilization rate of soil urea N at peak time, with the ammonia volatilization loss decreased by 13.6%-15.0%. When the palygorskite application rate was 0.3 and 0.6 g x kg(-1), the leaching rate of soil NH4(+) -N and NO3(-) -N decreased, with the leaching loss of soil mineral N decreased by 13.7% and 13.6%, respectively. Applying 0.9 g x kg(-1) of palygorskite application increased the leaching rate of soil NH4(+) -N and NO3(-) -N, with the leaching loss of soil mineral N increased by 6.1%. Applying 0.3 g x kg(-1) of palygorskite increased soil NH4(+) -N content by 0.20 mg x kg(-1), while applying 0.9 g x kg(-1) of palygorskite decreased soil NH4(+) -N content by 0.42 mg x kg(-1). Palygorskite application increased soil NO3(-) -N content by 1.24-2.52 mg x kg(-1). It was concluded that the application of palygorskite could decrease the volatilization rate of urea N, and applying appropriate amounts of palygorskite could decrease the leaching loss of soil mineral N and increase the contents of soil NH4(+) -N and NO3(-) -N.

[Malaria situation and evaluation on the control effect in Henan Province during 1990-2005].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze malaria situation and evaluate the effect of control program in Henan Province during 1990-2005. METHODS: Data were collected and analyzed on the measures and effects of malaria control, vector surveillance, blood examination for cases with fever and serological surveillance in the province during 1990-2005. RESULTS: In the 16 years, a total of 802,700 people were given pre-transmission season treatment with chloroquine and primaquine for a radical cure of vivax malaria, chemoprophylaxis was given to 764,300 people at high risk during the transmission season, treatment or presumptive treatment was given to 43,891 cases. 11,216,100 cases with fever were tested and 11,213 (0.10%) were found positive accounting for 29.01% (11 213/338 654) of all malaria cases. A total of 1 332 800 bed nets were treated with insecticide and 1,999 300 people were protected in 1990-1992 and 1996-1999. 34,846 residents including pupils were tested with IFAT in 1990-2000 and 1149 (3.30%) were positive. The parasite rate amongst 71,234 local residents including pupils was 0.40% (286/71,234). The principal transmitting vectors were Anopheles sinensis and An. anthropophagus. The man-biting habit for An. sinensis and An. anthropophagus was 0.0608 and 0.3143 respectively, and the vectorial capacity of An. anthropophagus was 22.4 times higher than that of An. sinensis. In this period, 38,654 malaria cases were reported in the province and the annual malaria incidence was 2.62 per hundred thousand, the lowest annual incidence was in 1992 (0.37 per hundred thousand). 70.05% (27,076/38,654) of these malaria cases were from areas where An. anthropophagus was present. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the malaria control activities have been effective and the epidemiological situation kept stable in Henan Province, although in some areas the situation is unstable and outbreak spots or focal epidemics occur.

[Treatment of AIDS patients with Chinese medicinal herbs qudu zengning capsule].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of QuDu ZengNing Capsule on AIDS. METHODS: QuDu ZengNing Capsule is a capsule containing extract from 4 Chinese medicinal herbs. Totally 1,000 AIDS patients were treated, among them 60 patients were clinically observed weekly. Blood routine tests, liver, heart and kidney function, X-ray, CD4, CD8 cells were examined before and after treatment at 1, 3, 6 month. The patients were treated with 4 capsules t.i.d for 6 months. RESULTS: The symptoms were improved in most of the patients, the CD4 cells increased from 115.0 to 295.2/ul and the viral load (RNA copies/ml) in most patients reduced markedly or maintained at the same level. CONCLUSION: These data indicated that QuDu ZengNing Capsule was effective for treatment of AIDS patients.