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With 5 figures and 2 tables Use of resistance genes would be the most effective way to address Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis in melon. In this study, based on the BAC 31O16 sequence which contains the cluster of melon resistance gene homologue, we developed four new DNA markers linked to Fom‐1, a dominant resistance gene against F. oxysporum f.sp. melonis races 0 and 2. Linkage analysis using 125 F2 plants derived from the cross between P11 (fom‐1fom‐1) and MR‐1 (Fom‐1Fom‐1) indicated that Fom‐1 was located between CAPS markers C‐MRGH12 and 62‐CAPS at a distance of 0.4 and 1.2 cM, respectively. Map position of Fom‐1 was confirmed using another mapping population consisting of 104 recombinant inbred lines derived from the cross P11 × MR‐1. The analysis of 43 fixed lines and 27 commercial F1 hybrids showed that the developed DNA markers linked to Fom‐1 correctly predicted the genotype in relation to the variety, suggesting that the region around the Fom‐1 locus is very polymorphic or there is no linkage disequilibrium between the locus and the marker loci. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although anthropometric parameters have been extensively studied regarding their relationship to physical function status, the association between these parameters and the activity of daily living (ADL) function remains controversial. We investigated whether BMI or mid-upper arm circumference (AC) is an indication of variation in the physical functioning of the frail elderly. The present study was a prospective cohort analysis of 543 community-dwelling frail elderly. Data included the participants' demographic characteristics, basic ADL, comorbidity and anthropometric measurements at baseline and at 2-year follow-up. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between ADL status and anthropometric measurements during the study period. Among the 543 participants, 418 maintained or improved their ADL status, while 125 showed an ADL decline during the study period. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that BMI and AC levels or ADL status at baseline were not independent predictors of the loss of ADL function or the decline in these anthropometric measurements during the study period, respectively. However, the decline in BMI and AC levels and the loss of ADL function were associated with each other during the study period. There is an association between the negative changes in anthropometric measurements during the follow-up period and the decline in ADL function during a 2-year follow-up in community-dwelling frail elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND & AIMS: It remains controversial whether mid-arm anthropometric measurements (MAAMs) are reflected with physical impairment or useful predictors of mortality in the frail elderly. We examined the following hypotheses: (1) MAAMs in frail community-dwelling elderly are lower than those of independent elderly, (2) the lower MAAMs are associated with physical function impairment, and (3) are independent predictors of 2-year mortality. METHODS: This study was composed of cross-sectional and prospective cohort analyses of 957 community-dwelling elderly. Data included the clients' demographic characteristics, comorbidity, activities of daily living (ADL), and MAAMs at baseline. The mean scores of MAAMs of participants were compared with Japanese Anthropometric Reference Data. Survival analysis of 2-year mortality was conducted using multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Significantly lower arm muscle area (AMA) and higher triceps skinfold (TSF) levels were observed in most of the age groups of the study participants than those of the standard Japanese population. ADL function was correlated with AMA but not with TSF, both of which were independent risk factors for 2-year mortality in the participants (highest tertile versus lowest, AMA, HR:2.03, 95%CI:1.36-3.02; TSF, HR:1.89, 95%CI:1.30-2.75). CONCLUSIONS: AMA and TSF were independent risk factors for 2-year mortality in the community-dwelling frail elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A quantitative elemental analysis of ceramics was carried out with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. A Q-switched Nd:YAG laser was focused on ceramic targets in an argon atmosphere at reduced pressure, and the emission spectra from laser-induced plasma were measured using time-resolved spectroscopy. The experimental results showed that in argon at approximately 200 Torr, the spectral line intensity and the line-to-background ratio were maximized by observing the laser plasma with a time delay of 0.4 μs. Also, time-resolved measurement of a spectrum in the initial stage of plasma generation (∼1 μs) was effective for improving the slope of the calibration curve. Based on the results, standard ceramic samples were analyzed for magnesium, aluminum, calcium, iron and titanium, and linear calibration curves with a slope of unity were obtained by measuring spectra with a gate width of 0.4 μs at a delay time of 0.4 μs after the laser pulse in argon at 200 Torr. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Effects of the resistant cultivars of melon on the powdery mildew fungus, Sphaerotheca fuliginea, were investigated in a melon-growing area of Japan. Powdery mildew fungi were isolated from four melon cultivars ('HN21', 'Quincy', 'Earl's Knight Natsu 2' and 'Earl's Miyabi Natsu 2') which are resistant to different races of S. fidiginea. 'HN21' is resistant to races 1 and N1, 'Quincy' and 'Earl's Knight Natsu 2' are resistant to races 1 and N2, and 'Earl's Miyabi Natsu 2' is resistant to races 1, N1 and N2. All 155 strains isolated from 'HN21' were identified as race N2. Seventy out of 81 strains isolated from 'Quincy' and 'Earl's Knight Natsu 2' were identified as race N1, while other strains were identified as races 1, 2US, N2 and N3. Nineteen out of 29 strains isolated from 'Earl's Miyabi Natsu 2' were identified as race N3, while other strains were identified as races 1, 2US, N1 and N4. These results suggest that, although the resistant cultivars are extremely effective for protecting the plants from their respective races, a race succession rapidly takes place, even in a small area, and other minor races become predominant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]