An allelic variation in the promoter of the LRR-RLK gene,qSS6.1,is associated with melon seed size

Seed size is an important agronomic trait in melons that directly affects seed germination and subsequent seedling growth.However,the genetic mechanism underlying seed size in melon remains unclear.In the present study,we employed Bulked-Segregant Analysis sequencing(BSA-seq)to identify a candidate region(~1.35 Mb)on chromosome 6 that corresponds to seed size.This interval was confirmed by QTL mapping of three seed size-related traits from an F2 population across three environments.This mapping region represented nine QTLs that shared an overlapping region on chromosome 6,collectively referred to as qSS6.1.New InDel markers were developed in the qSS6.1 region,narrowing it down to a 68.35 kb interval that contains eight annotated genes.Sequence variation analysis of the eight genes identified a SNP with a C to T transition mutation in the promoter region of MELO3C014002,a leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase(LRR-RLK)gene.This mutation affected the promoter activity of the MELO3C014002 gene and was successfully used to differentiate the large-seeded accessions(C-allele)from the small-seeded accessions(T-allele).qRT-PCR revealed differential expression of MELO3C014002 between the two parental lines.Its predicted protein has typical LRR-RLK family domains,and phylogenetic analyses reveled its similarity with the homologs in several plant species.Altogether,these findings suggest MELO3C014002 as the most likely candidate gene involved in melon seed size regulation.Our results will be helpful for better understanding the genetic mechanism regulating seed size in melons and for genetically improving this important trait through molecular breeding pathways.

Network Pharmacology and Experimental Study of MomordicineⅠand MomordicineⅡfrom Bitter Melon Saponins in Inhibiting Fat Accumulation

Bitter melon(Momordica Charania L.),a member of the Cucurbitaceae family,is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions.Saponin,an important functional component of bitter melon,has been proven to exert hypoglycemic effects similarly to insulin,and also possesses lipid-lowering properties inhibiting preadipocyte differentiation and fat synthesis^([1]).

The Study of Allelochemicals of the Melon Fly (Myiopardalis pardalina Bigot.)

This study describes the isolation, identification of allelochemicals of the melon fly (Myiopardalis pardalina Bigot.), using the GC-MS method. A food attractant has been identified and a method for the synthesis of its synthetic analogue has been developed. Also, a route for the synthesis of para pheromone, raspberry ketone, has been proposed.

Characterization and discrimination of fermented sweet melon juice by different microbial strains via GC-IMS-based volatile profiling and chemometrics

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different lactic acid bacteria and yeast strains on the volatile composition of fermented sweet melon juice.Headspace gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry(HS-GC-IMS)coupled with chemometrics was performed to identify the potential volatiles for the discrimination of different fermented sweet melon juice.In total,70 volatile compounds were found in the fermented sweet melon juices.Of them,45 compounds were annotated according to the GC-IMS database and classified into esters,alcohols,aldehydes,ketones and furans.Results from the multivariate analysis reveal that sweet melon juice fermented by different combinations of microbial strains could be distinctly separated from each other.A total of 15 volatiles with both variable importance in projection value>1 and P<0.05 were determined as potential markers for the discrimination of fermented sweet melon juice.This study confirms the effect of microorganisms on the flavor of the fermented sweet melon juice and shows the potential of HS-GC-IMS combined with chemometrics as a powerful strategy to obtain volatile fingerprints of different fermented sweet melon juice.

SLAF marker based QTL mapping of fruit-related traits reveals a major-effect candidate locus ff2.1 for flesh firmness in melon

Flesh firmness(FF) is an important and complex trait for melon breeders and consumers. However, the genetic mechanism underlying FF is unclear. Here, a soft fruit melon(P5) and a hard fruit melon(P10) were crossed to generate F2, and the FF and fruit-related traits were recorded for two years. By performing quantitative trait locus(QTL) specificlocus amplified fragment(SLAF)(QTL-SLAF) sequencing and molecular marker-linkage analysis, 112 844 SLAF markers were identified, and 5 919 SNPs were used to construct a genetic linkage map with a total genetic distance of1 356.49 cM. Ten FF-and fruit-related QTLs were identified. Consistent QTLs were detected for fruit length(FL) and fruit diameter(FD) in both years, and QTLs for single fruit weight(SFW) were detected on two separate chromosomes in both years. For FF, the consistent major locus(ff2.1) was located in a 0.17-Mb candidate region on chromosome 2. Using 429 F2individuals derived from a cross between P5 and P10, we refined the ff2.1 locus to a 28.3-kb region harboring three functional genes. These results provide not only a new candidate QTL for melon FF breeding but also a theoretical foundation for research on the mechanism underlying melon gene function.

QTL Analysis of Traits Related to Melon Stigma and Ovary Size

The melon varieties MR-1 and M4-7 were used as the parent materials to produce hybrids.A total of 170 F2 individuals were used as the mapping population to construct a genetic linkage map.In this study,240 cleaved amplified polymorphism sequence(CAPS)molecular markers were developed,and 105 of which showed polymorphism between parents.The map contained 105 markers grouped into 12 linkage groups,spanning a total length of 1998.85 cM,with an average length of 19.04 cM between markers.The composite interval mapping(CIM)method was used to detect QTLs related with melon stigma and ovary traits:stigma longitudinal diameter(STLD),stigma transverse diameter(STTD),stigma weight(STW),ovary longitudinal diameter(OLD),and ovary transverse diameter(OTD).A total of nine QTLs were identified:six for stigma size and three for ovary size.A total of six loci were detected for stigma size,which included two loci for stigma longitudinal diameter,two loci for stigma transverse diameter,and two loci for stigma weight.The major effective locus regulating stigma transverse diameter was qSTTD-9-1.A total of three loci were identified for ovary size traits,including one locus for ovary longitudinal diameter and two loci for ovary transverse diameter.

Heterosis of Vine Decline Disease Resistance Caused by the Fungus Monosporascus cannonballus in Melons (Cucumis melo L)

Vine decline disease (VDD) constitutes a menace to melons worldwide. Especially, the one caused by the fungus Monosporascus cannonballus. Thus, resistant plant material must be released to help growers. Hence, our goal was to develop resistant plant material to VDD. More than 600 melon accessions are expected to be tested for disease resistance in M. cannonballus infested soil in Weslaco, Texas, USA, to identify resistance to VDD, and other important traits. So far, at most 7 lines were found to be resistant to VDD and some of them were used to develop elite, muskmelon inbred lines by pedigree breeding following single or double backcrosses. These elite parents were crossed to each other to develop the hybrids M3 and M4. They were also tested in the same infested field in Weslaco. The hybrids were grown using standard commercial practices followed by growers and when their fruits were ready, their roots were sampled as well as scored for disease severity to estimate high and mid-parent heterosis Our results indicate the existence of heterosis regarding resistance to VDD. Thus, resistant plant material can be developed and selection for resistance can be accomplished.

Effects of Meteorological Conditions on Yield and Quality of Facility Hami Melon

With different varieties of facility Hami melon(Cucumis melo var. sacchairinus) as test materials, the effects of meteorological conditions on the yield and quality of different varieties of facility Hami melon were analyzed. The results showed that among the yield and quality traits of melon, the variation degree of average single melon weight was the highest, and the coefficient of variation was 33.05%. The variation degree of leaf area index was the lowest, and the coefficient of variation was 11.00%. Through the correlation analysis of meteorological factors with the yield and quality of facility Hami melon, it was found that the quality traits of facility Hami melon were significantly positively correlated with maximum temperature and sunshine duration, and significantly negatively correlated with precipitation. The yield traits were positively correlated with maximum temperature, sunshine duration and precipitation.

Exploring the mechanism of action bitter melon in the treatment ofbreast cancer by network pharmacology

BACKGROUND Bitter melon has been used to stop the growth of breast cancer(BRCA)cells.However,the underlying mechanism is still unclear.AIM To predict the therapeutic effect of bitter melon against BRCA using network pharmacology and to explore the underlying pharmacological mechanisms.METHODS The active ingredients of bitter melon and the related protein targets were taken from the Indian Medicinal Plants,Phytochemistry and Therapeutics and SuperPred databases,respectively.The GeneCards database has been searched for BRCA-related targets.Through an intersection of the drug’s targets and the disease’s objectives,prospective bitter melon anti-BRCA targets were discovered.Gene ontology and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analyses were carried out to comprehend the biological roles of the target proteins.The binding relationship between bitter melon’s active ingredients and the suggested target proteins was verified using molecular docking techniques.RESULTS Three key substances,momordicoside K,kaempferol,and quercetin,were identified as being important in mediating the putative anti-BRCA effects of bitter melon through the active ingredient-anti-BRCA target network study.Heat shock protein 90 AA,proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase,and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 were found to be the top three proteins in the proteinprotein interaction network study.The several pathways implicated in the anti-BRCA strategy for an active component include phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling,transcriptional dysregulation,axon guidance,calcium signaling,focal adhesion,janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling,cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling,mammalian CONCLUSION Overall,the integration of network pharmacology,molecular docking,and functional enrichment analyses shed light on potential mechanisms underlying bitter melon’s ability to fight BRCA,implicating active ingredients and protein targets,as well as highlighting the major signaling pathways that may be altered by this natural product for therapeutic benefit.

Intellectual Property Protection and High-Quality Development of Xinjiang Melons under the Big Food Concept

The development of diversified foods such as melons under the big food concept can reduce the pressure on staple food grain.Xinjiang has the advantages of building a new development pattern of dual circulation of diversified food industry and establishing a national diversified food safety and high-quality assurance center.The construction of an agricultural power needs the strategic support of an intellectual property power.This paper introduced and studied Xinjiang s melon industry and its agricultural intellectual property resources,analyzed the six main problems,including many idle land resources have not been developed into melon fields and the role of melons in diversified food supply systems not well played.Finally,it proposed to vigorously develop diversified food industries such as melons in Xinjiang and establish an eight-point strategy such as national diversified food safety and high-quality assurance center.

CT三维重建在桡骨远端骨折Melone分型及术后效果评估中的价值研究

目的 探讨分析在桡骨远端骨折Melone分型及其术后效果评估中CT三维重建的应用价值研究。方法 选取2020年6月至2022年6月收治的58例桡骨远端骨折患者作为研究对象,所有患者治疗前均进行X线及CT检查,以术中探查诊断结果为“金标准”。比较两种检查方式在桡骨远端骨折Melone分型中的诊断阳性率,不同分型中的解剖复位、内固定置入质量及治疗后3个月时的腕关节功能评分。结果 CT三维重建在桡骨远端骨折Melon分型中的诊断阳性率为91.38%显著高于X线检查的72.41%(P<0.05)。术后效果评估通过观察解剖复位及内固定置入质量的检出率,CT三维重建在各分型的检出率均显著高于X线(P<0.05)。术后3个月时,CT三维重建在腕关节功能评分优、良的检出率高于X线(P<0.05),而在可、差检出率比较无差异(P>0.05)。结论 CT三维重建在桡骨远端骨折Melone分型、术后解剖复位质量及内固定置入质量中具有较高的诊断准确率,同时,桡骨远端骨折患者术后腕关节功能与影像学的评估中,CT三维重建对腕关节功能的敏感性更强,更加能够准确的评估。

Spatial Characteristic Analysis of the Comparative Advantage of Watermelon and Melon Production in Hainan Province

[Objective] This study investigated the spatial characteristics of counties （cities） with comparative advantages in watermelon and melon production to provide reference bases in formulating strategies for the development of watermelon and melon industries in Hainan Province. [Method] By using the sowing area, total yield, and yield per unit area of watermelon and melon in Hainan Province as research u- nits, the yield comparative advantage （YCA）, efficiency comparative advantage （E- CA）, scale comparative advantage （SCA）, concentration ratio comparative advantage （CRCA）, comprehensive comparative advantage （CCA）, ratio of yield per unit area （RYPA）, sowing area ratio （SAR）, and distribution characteristics of watermelon and melon were systematically analyzed. By referring to the agricultural statistic data of 18 counties （cities） in Hainan Province, indexes for each research unit （i.e., the YCA index, ECA index, SCA index, CRCA index, CCA index, RYPA index, and SAR index） were established and calculated to determine the comparative advantage of watermelon and melon production in Hainan Province. A spatial expression of the research result on a map was conducted by using GIS software. [Result] Seven counties （cities） exhibited comparative advantages in watermelon production, namely, Lingshui, Wanning, Wenchang, Dongfang, Sanya, Ledong, and Changjiang. The Eastern and Southern Hainan Provinces had CCAs, and the Western and Northern Hainan Provinces could be reserved for future development. For melon production, four counties （cities） exhibited comparative advantages, namely, Ledong, Lingshui, Sanya, and Dongfang. The Southern Hainan Province had CCA, whereas the West- ern Hainan Province could be reserved for later development. [Conclusion] The result has showed that establishing watermelon and melon as dominant agricultural prod- ucts is necessary for the future development of the industry and for the formulation of a layout of regions with advantages, where key support and construction should be provided preferentially with the aim to raise the yield, quality, and market com- petitiveness of products.

Inhibitory Effects of Original Nano-Cu_2O Drug and Nano-Cu_2O Suspension on Snake Melon Botrytis cinerea

The drug-containing culture medium method for the test of toxicity was adopted to compare inhibitive effects of original nano-Cu2O drug and nano-Cu2O suspension, and nano-Cu2O drug has better inhibitive effects on snake melon Botry- tis cinerea than original nano-Cu2O drug with the same mass concentration, and inhibitory effects are positively correlated with concentration. Correlation coefficients of the toxicity regression equation are 0.892 2 and 0.996 1, effective concentration EC50 of original nano-Cu2O drug and that of nano-Cu2O suspension are 3 948.9 and 167.9 mg/kg. Original nano-Cu2O drug has an inhibitive effect on snake melon Botrytis cinerea, but the inhibition of nano-Cu2O suspension is more obvious.

Assessment of EST-SSR Markers for Evaluating Genetic Diversity in Watermelon Accessions from Zimbabwe

Fifteen expressed sequence tag (EST)-derived simple sequence repeats (EST-SSRs) were used to investigate genetic diversity in 139 plants obtained from seeds of 35 watermelon accessions collected from all the geographical provinces of Zimbabwe. In addition, 15 plants representing three commercial varieties developed in the United States (USA) were analyzed for comparison. A total of 65 alleles were detected among all the watermelon accessions. For the 13 polymorphic EST-SSR loci, number of alleles per locus varied from 2 to 13, with an average of 5 alleles per locus. Values for the polymorphic information content increased as the number of alleles increased, and varied from 0.15 to 0.77 with an average of 0.54 suggesting sufficient discriminatory power. Both cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis (PCA) produced two major clusters;one with the 22 cow-melon accessions and the other with the 16 sweet watermelon accessions. Within the sweet watermelon group, two distinct sub-clusters formed, one of which contained only two of the commercial varieties from USA. Partitioning of genetic variation in the Zimbabwean material using analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA) revealed that 64% of the total variation resides between the two major forms, i.e. sweet watermelons and cow-melons, 28% between accessions within forms and 8% within accessions. The EST-SSR markers revealed a somewhat higher diversity in sweet watermelon accessions compared to that of cow-melons. This finding is contrary to previous reports using other markers (genomic SSR loci or RAPD) and/or a plant material that is likely to have experienced more stringent selection procedures compared to the landraces analyzed in our study.

Molecular Characterisation Reveals the Existence of a Hybridogenous Intermediary Form between Sweet Watermelon and Cow Melon Forms of Watermelon

Watermelon research in Southern Africa, has predominantly observed the clear existence of the sweet watermelon and cow melon forms of watermelon, cultivated on farm and even some occurring in the wild. Molecular characterization of 48 watermelon accessions collected from National Genebank of Zimbabwe using 9 SSR markers generated a total of 49 putative alleles. The average number of alleles detected by each primer was 5.4. Analysis of molecular variance within and among accessions of watermelons revealed that only 39% of the total variation resides between these two groups (cow-melons and sweet watermelons), 24% between accession within groups and 37% within accessions. Multivariate analyses employed provide evidence of the existence of introgression between sweet water melons and cow melons, as reflected by some accessions of cow melons, clustering into a hybridogenous group. Most of watermelon accessions within the hybridogenous group [A (II)] were collected from drier communal areas, while those accessions within the cow melon group [A (I)] are mostly from research centers. The separation of cow melons into distinct groups could be indicative of a possible formation of an isolated evolutionary unit.

Co-Treatment of EFF and 1-MCP for Enhancing the Shelf-Life and Aroma Volatile Compounds of Oriental Sweet Melons(Cucumis melo var.makuwa Makino)

Compared to other melon types, oriental sweet melon （Cucumis melo var. makuwa Makino） is quite a different species with a shorter shelf-life due to its typical climacteric behavior and thin pericarp. The purpose of this experiment is to explore the effects of co- treatment of enhanced freshness formulation （EFF） and 1-methylcyclopropene （1-MCP） on physiological changes and the content of aroma volatile compounds introduced by them of two oriental sweet melon cultivars （Yumeiren and Tianbao） during storage. The melons were stored in incubators with temperature of 15~C and a relative humidity of 85% for 24 d during which fruit quality and related physiological index were measured. Compared to the control, both treatments delayed fruit weight loss rate and kept the fruit firmness, water content and soluble solids content. Ascorbate peroxidase （APX） and phenylalanine ammonia lyase （PAL） activities showed fluctuations in treated melons, while lipoxygenase （LOX） activity （P〈0.01） and malondialdehyde （MDA） content （P〈0.05） decreased compared to control. During the early stage of storage, alcohols and aldehydes were the main volatile compounds, and esters gradually increased during storage. Of all the esters, acetic esters were the main components, followed by oxalic acid esters and other esters. The total content of aroma volatile compounds, esters, alcohols and aldehydes of co-treated melons were all higher than those of 1-MCP treated and control melons. In addition, the aroma volatile peak of co-treated melons occurred later than that of 1-MCP treated and control melons. In summary, co-treatment of EFF and 1-MCP was more beneficial than 1-MCP treatment to delay ripening and senescence, maintain fruit quality, enhance shelf-life and improve levels of aroma volatile compounds.

Firmness evaluation of melon using its vibration characteristic and finite element analysis

The “Huang gua” melons were measured for their physical properties including firmness and static elastic modulus. The vibrational characteristics of fruits and vegetables are governed by their elastic modulus (firmness), mass, and geometry. Therefore, it is possible to evaluate firmness of fruits and vegetables based on their vibrational characteristics. Analysis of the vibration responses of a fruit is suggested for measuring elastic properties (Firmness) non-destructively. The impulse response method is often used to measure firmness of fruits. The fruit was excited using three types of balls (wooden, steel and rubber) and the vibration is detected by an accelerometer. The Instron device was used to measure the static elastic modulus of the inner, middle and outer portions of melon flesh. Finite element (FE) technique was used to determine the optimum excitation location of the chosen measurement sensor and to analyze the mode shape fruits. Four types of mode shapes (torsional or flexural mode shape, first-type, second-type spherical mode and breathing mode shape) were found. Finite element simulation results agreed well with experimental results. Correlation between the firmness and resonant frequency (r2=0.91) and between the resonant frequency and stiffness factor (r2=0.74) existed. The optimum location and suitable direction for excitation and response measurement on the fruit were suggested.

Changes in Metabolite Contents in Melon Seedling Leaves under Low Temperature Stress

In this study, Zaotian No.l, a major melon cultivar in Anhui Province, was used as the test material. At the three-leaf stage, the seedlings of Zaotian No.1 were transferred into a light incubator at day/night temperature of 5 ℃（3/5 ℃. The photoperiod was 12 L：12 D, and the light intensity was 100 iJmoV（rn=.s）. The incu- bation lasted for 8 d. After the incubation, the changes in metabolite contents in melon seedling leaves were studied. The results showed that with the proceeding of low temperature stress, the H~ content was increased first and then decreased; the MDA content was increased in overall; the soluble sugar content and soluble protein content were also increased compared with those in the control group. It was speculated that low temperature stress affected activities of enzymes in melon seedling leaves, and long-term low temperature stress caused cold damage to melon seedlings, leading changes in metabolite contents in melon seedling leaves. Under low temperature stress, the physiological characteristics of plant can be studied by investigating changes in contents of main metabolites. This will provide a theo- retical basis for breeding of cold resistant cultivars, as well as facility cultivation.

Melon/偶氮二苯胺聚合物光催化制氢性能研究

氢气具有无污染、能量密度高等优点,是理想的能源载体。光催化分解水制氢是最理想的氢能获取方式之一。针对传统g-C3N4光催化制氢催化剂可见光吸收较窄的问题,通过逐步合成法将类似g-C3N4结构中构筑了偶氮基团,提高了材料的可见光利用效率,其光催化制氢性能得到明显提高。以三聚氰胺为原料制备Melon,进一步用KOH制备成盐,用PCl5氯代,最后与偶氮二苯胺反应得到Melon/偶氮二苯胺聚合物。研究了实验中温度、KOH溶液浓度和PCl5用量等因素对制备的影响,确定出最佳的实验条件。利用IR、XRD、SEM、TGA、EIS对最终产物进行了表征,对其光催化性能进行了测试。

Molecular and biological characterization of melon-infecting squash leaf curl China virus in China

It has been reported that squash leaf curl China virus(SLCCNV)infects some Cucurbitaceae crops except for melon(Cucumis melo L.).A new disease of melon exhibiting severe leaf curl and dwarfing was observed in Hainan Province of China.In this study,the pathogen was identified as SLCCNV through biological and molecular characterization.The isolate(SLCCNV-HN)possess a bipartite genome,DNA-A(HM566112.1)with the highest nucleotide identity(99%)to SLCCNV-Hn(MF062251.1)pumpkin and SLCCNV-Hn61(AM260205.1)squash isolates from China,whereas DNA-B(HM566113.1)with the highest nucleotide identity(99%)to SLCCNV-Hn(MF062252.1).Phylogenetic analyses based on the full-length SLCCNV-HN DNA-A and-B sequences indicated that SLCCNV-HN melon isolate is clustered with SLCCNV-Hn pumpkin,SLCCNV-Hn61 and SLCCNV-SY squash isolates from southern China,forming an independent cluster.Infectious clone of SLCCNV-HN was constructed and the melon plants were inoculated and the infection rate is 100%,the systemic symptoms in melon showed identical to those of melon plants infected in fields.Additionally,melon plants transmission of this virus by Bemisia tabaci with a transmission rate of 95%(19/20)showed leaf curl and dwarf symptoms 15 days post transmission,thereby fulfilling Koch’s postulates.Analysis of genomic organization and phylogenetic trees indicated that SLCCNV-HN melon isolate belongs to the Begomovirus genus.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first characterization of meloninfecting SLCCNV through its genome,infectious clone and transmission.