Aim:The aim of the present study was to show the prevalence and associated factors of sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia in rural community-dwelling older Taiwanese. Methods:Using the whole community sampling method, a total of 285 men and 264 women aged over 65 years were randomly sampled (response rate = 50%) from Tianliao District, southern Taiwan, in 2012. Participants were interviewed by trained investigators to complete a validated structural questionnaire. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and skeletal muscle mass was estimated by Janssen's equation. The MiniNutritional Assessment (MNA) score, Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire, grip strength, gait speed and short physical performance battery (SPPB) were obtained by the standard procedures. Sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia were defined according to the 2010 consensus of the Report of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Results:Of the 549 study participants, 39 (7.1%) were classified as having sarcopenia and 31 (5.6%) participants were classified as having severe sarcopenia. Using multiple logistic regression models, the age, sex, working status, waist circumference, body mass index, hypertensive history, MNA and SPPB score were independently associated with different stages of sarcopenia. Conclusions:Approximately one-fifth of community-dwelling older adults were facing the threat of sarcopenia in southern Taiwan. The older age, female sex, lower body mass index, higher waist circumference, a history of hypertension, lower MNA or SPPB score and not working regularly were associated factors for either sarcopenia or severe sarcopenia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2014; 14 (Suppl. 1): 69-75.

Natural population of black locust maintains very high levels of genetic diversity wIthin populations without any noticeable geographic patterns. In order to assess the species' potential for manipulation through breeding programs, more detailed spatial pattern analyses of fine-scale population structure was attempted in the two study sites

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The endangered herb Kirengeshoma palmata, from eastern Asia, has had its population severely reduced in number through habitat loss and fragmentation. All of the individuals within five subgroups at Mt. Baek-un-san, in the southern part of Korea, were genetically surveyed by allozyme analysis. Genetic diversity levels within subgroups were relatively high, and a consistently high outcrossing rate as well as a negligible biparental mating rate were confirmed by this study. Several groups of visibly connected ramets were observed in a clustered distribution which suggested cloning. Absence of mating partner rather than pollinators decreased seed production in small mating groups. The present genetic structure of the five subgroups was probably the result of local extinction of intervening populations. Because K. palmata may be a self-incompatible species, populations with few genets face lowered seed set due to mate scarcity. Thus, this type of population may be at an increased risk of extinction as a result of inbreeding depression, loss of genetic variability, and reduced sexual reproduction. The small, genetically depauperate subgroups may need an input of seeds or plants from other populations in China or Japan in order to regenerate, but the possibility of outcrossing depression leads us to recommend outbreeding among the local subgroups of Mt. Baek-un-san to restore genetic variability.

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Genetic variability of the endangered plant, Abe/iophy//urn distichurn, was assessed using starch gel electrophoresis. Although A. distichurn maintained relatively high genetic diversity probably due to floral heteromorphism and preferred outcrossing, their genetic variation, where small effective size of population and genetic drift are of utmost importance ¶ was lower than the other outbreeding plants. The calculated GST indicated a hqh level of genetic differentiation among populations, suggesting that gene flow was limited. The dendrogram based on Nei's genetic distance showed that the Pu-an and the Koe-san populations fell into two distinct groups, which were consistent with geographic distance and distribution. It was probable that in the populations of A. distichurn sexually reproduced individuals rarely become established within the populations. From observations, Lassiog/ossurn bee was found to be the most effective pollinator of A. distichurn. Artificial crossing experiment indicated that pollinators contributed considerably to natural population and that pollinator limitation could potentially reduce fitness of A. distichurn in wild populations. The management of rare plant species should include improvement of genetic exchanges among populations by artificial gene flow. From each of the four subpopulations, fresh twigs from 20 trees should be collected and propagated as the cutting for ex situ conservation.