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Globally, prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers to strike men. Diet and lifestyle appear to have a significant impact on PCa biology and carcinogenesis. PCa is the major reason of death by cancer in men. Anti-PCa qualities like growth of tumor inhibition, induction of cell death, and angiogenesis and metastasis inhibition have all been studied in depth. Phytochemicals have been demonstrated to target androgen receptor (AR) signaling as well as PCa stem cells in a selection of investigations. Marine compounds have shown potential in the treatment of PCa. It is discussed in this article, some of the most promising bioactive natural and marine compounds for PCa prevention and treatment, as well as their specific methods of action. An emphasis on specific medicine is one of the future directions in the revolutionization of bioactive natural ingredients for PCa research and therapy. Advances in nanotechnology can enhance the bioavailability and specificity of bioactive substances for cancer cells, maximizing their therapeutic potential and enhancing patient treatment. Bioactive natural compounds represent an innovative field in the study and treatment of PCa. Promising results point to their potential to block cancer pathways and improve on already effective therapeutic approaches. As we advance, modified medicine, nanotechnology, and genomics methods will be fundamental in maximizing the efficacy of these natural substances and ultimately changing the treatment of PCa. But in order to close the gap between exciting findings and therapeutic application, more study, clinical trials, and effective activities are essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Japanese brome (Bromus japonicus Thumb.) is one of the problematic annual weeds in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and is generally controlled by acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors. Repeated use of the ALS inhibitor propoxycarbazone‐Na resulted in the evolution of resistance to this herbicide in three B. japonicus populations, i.e., R1, R2, and R3 in Kansas (KS). However, the level of resistance and mechanism conferring resistance in these populations is unknown. The objectives of this research were to (i) evaluate the level of resistance to propoxycarbazone‐Na in R1, R2, and R3 in comparison with a known susceptible population (S1), (ii) investigate the mechanism of resistance involved in conferring ALS‐inhibitor resistance, and (iii) investigate the cross‐resistance to other ALS inhibitors. RESULTS: Dose–response (0 to 16x; x = 44 g ai ha−1 of propoxycarbazone‐Na) assay indicated 167, 125, and 667‐fold resistance in R1, R2 and R3 populations, respectively, compared to S1 population. ALS gene sequencing confirmed the mutations resulting in amino acid substitutions, i.e., Pro‐197‐Thr (R3, R1)/Ser (R2, R1) bestowing resistance to these ALS inhibitors. Such amino acid substitutions also showed differential cross‐resistance to sulfosulfuron, mesosulfuron‐methyl, pyroxsulam, and imazamox among resistant populations. Pretreatment with malathion (a cytochrome P450 enzyme‐inhibitor) followed by imazamox treatment suggested cross‐resistance to this herbicide possibly via metabolism only in R3 population. CONCLUSION: Overall, these results confirm the first case of target‐site based resistance to ALS inhibitors in B. japonicus in the US, highlighting the need for exploring herbicides with alternative modes of action to enhance weed control in winter wheat. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial that discusses the importance of understanding and protecting plants from both abiotic and biotic stressors in order to ensure global food security. It highlights advancements in genetic research, such as next-generation sequencing and marker-assisted selection, which have improved our understanding of plant tolerance to stress. The document also includes a compilation of 12 research articles that explore various aspects of plant tolerance to stress, including the role of specific genes and the impact of different stressors on different plant species. This research provides valuable insights into plant stress responses and offers potential strategies for improving crop resilience. [Extracted from the article]

Grain sorghum is a versatile crop, which can thrive under limited water and other inputs. However, crop loss from weed infestation continues to be a major constraint in grain sorghum production. Particularly, post‐emergence grass weed control is a great challenge in grain sorghum due to the lack of herbicide options. Unlike in other major crops, such as maize or soybean, herbicide‐resistant sorghum technology that can facilitate weed control throughout crop growing season is not available to growers yet. The development of herbicide‐resistant sorghum can have potential to improve weed management, including post‐emergence grass weed control. One of the major concerns in the development of such technology in sorghum is escape of resistance traits into weedy relatives of sorghum (e.g. shattercane and johnsongrass). This review focuses on sources of herbicide resistance in sorghum, the status of the development of herbicide‐resistant sorghum technologies, overview of breeding methods, and limitations in the development of such sorghum technology as well as economic benefits for sorghum growers. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the management of diffuse gliomas, the identification and removal of tumor at the infiltrative margin remains a central challenge. Prior work has demonstrated that fluorescence labeling tools and radiographic imaging are useful surgical adjuvants with macroscopic resolution. However, they lose sensitivity at the tumor margin and have limited clinical utility for lower grade histologies. Fiber-laser based stimulated Raman histology (SRH) is an optical imaging technique that provides microscopic tissue characterization of unprocessed tissues. It remains unknown whether SRH of tissues taken from the infiltrative glioma margin will identify microscopic residual disease. Here we acquired glioma margin specimens for SRH, histology, and tumor specific tissue characterization. Generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate agreement. We find that SRH identified residual tumor in 82 of 167 margin specimens (49%), compared to IHC confirming residual tumor in 72 of 128 samples (56%), and H&E confirming residual tumor in 82 of 169 samples (49%). Intraobserver agreements between all 3 modalities were confirmed. These data demonstrate that SRH detects residual microscopic tumor at the infiltrative glioma margin and may be a promising tool to enhance extent of resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: This study confirms a high level of metabolic resistance to the herbicide chlorsulfuron, inherited by a single dominant gene in a sorghum genotype (GL-1). Chlorsulfuron, an acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibitor, effectively controls post-emergence grass and broadleaf weeds but is not registered for use in sorghum because of crop injury. The objectives of this study were to characterize the inheritance and mechanism of chlorsulfuron resistance in the sorghum genotype GL-1. Chlorsulfuron dose–response experiments were conducted using GL-1 along with BTx623 (susceptible check), and Pioneer 84G62 (commercial sorghum hybrid). The F1 and F2 progeny were generated by crossing GL-1 with BTx623. To assess if the target site alterations bestow resistance, the ALS gene, the molecular target of chlorsulfuron, was sequenced from GL-1. The role of cytochrome P450 (CYP) in metabolizing chlorsulfuron, using malathion, a CYP-inhibitor was tested. The chlorsulfuron dose–response assay indicated that GL-1 and F1 progeny were ~ 20-fold more resistant to chlorsulfuron relative to BTx623. The F2 progenies segregated 3:1 (resistance: susceptibility) suggesting that chlorsulfuron resistance in GL-1 is a single dominant trait. No mutations in the ALS gene were detected in the GL-1; however, a significant reduction in biomass accumulation was found in plants pre-treated with malathion indicating that metabolism of chlorsulfuron contributes to resistance in GL-1. Also, GL-1 is highly susceptible to other herbicides (e.g., mesotrione and tembotrione) compared to Pioneer 84G62, suggesting the existence of a negative cross-resistance in GL-1. Overall, these results confirm a high level of metabolic resistance to chlorsulfuron inherited by a single dominant gene in GL-1 sorghum. These results have potential for developing chlorsulfuron-tolerant sorghum hybrids, with the ability to improve post-emergence weed control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postemergence grass weed control continues to be a major challenge in grain sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], primarily due to lack of herbicide options registered for use in this crop. The development of herbicide-resistant sorghum technology to facilitate broad-spectrum postemergence weed control can be an economical and viable solution. The 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase-inhibitor herbicides (e.g., mesotrione or tembotrione) can control a broad spectrum of weeds including grasses, which, however, are not registered for postemergence application in sorghum due to crop injury. In this study, we identified two tembotrione-resistant sorghum genotypes (G-200, G-350) and one susceptible genotype (S-1) by screening 317 sorghum lines from a sorghum association panel (SAP). These tembotrione-resistant and tembotrione-susceptible genotypes were evaluated in a tembotrione dose–response [0, 5.75, 11.5, 23, 46, 92 (label recommended dose), 184, 368, and 736 g ai ha–1] assay. Compared with S-1, the genotypes G-200 and G-350 exhibited 10- and seven fold more resistance to tembotrione, respectively. To understand the inheritance of tembotrione-resistant trait, crosses were performed using S-1 and G-200 or G-350 to generate F1 and F2 progeny. The F1 and F2 progeny were assessed for their response to tembotrione treatment. Genetic analyses of the F1 and F2 progeny demonstrated that the tembotrione resistance in G-200 and G-350 is a partially dominant polygenic trait. Furthermore, cytochrome P450 (CYP)-inhibitor assay using malathion and piperonyl butoxide suggested possible CYP-mediated metabolism of tembotrione in G-200 and G-350. Genotype-by-sequencing based quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping revealed QTLs associated with tembotrione resistance in G-200 and G-350 genotypes. Overall, the genotypes G-200 and G-350 confer a high level of metabolic resistance to tembotrione and controlled by a polygenic trait. There is an enormous potential to introgress the tembotrione resistance into breeding lines to develop agronomically desirable sorghum hybrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice blast caused by fungal pathogen Pyricularia oryzae has a major impact on reducing yield potential of rice. In this study, homozygous plants were selected using microsatellite markers from the BC3F2 population pyramided with four major genes in elite rice variety ADT 43. Background and selected lines with various blast resistance gene combinations were screened under natural conditions to study the effects of various gene combinations. Upon inspection of lines with different gene combinations, the three-gene pyramided line Pi54+Pi33+Pi1 was found to be highly resistant with the score of 3.3 followed by other three-gene pyramided lines Pi54+Pi2+Pi1 and Pi33+Pi2+Pi1, with the scores of 3.9 and 3.8, respectively. Two-gene pyramided lines Pi54+Pi1, Pi33+Pi1 and Pi2+Pi1 were found to be moderately resistant with a mean score of 4.0 each. In the case of monogenic lines, positive plants for Pi54 performed almost equal to three-gene pyramided lines with a mean score of 3.6. Lines with Pi2 and Pi1 were found to be moderately resistant and moderately susceptible with the mean scores of 4.1 and 4.5, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nine rice genotypes were evaluated for this present study. Genetic variability parameters, correlation and path coefficient analysis were estimated for eleven agronomic and quality traits. Among all the genotypes, ASD 16 recorded highest significant grain yield per plant. In this present study, the PCV was higher than GCV for all the characters studied. The grain yield per plant recorded highest GCV, high heritability coupled with high genetic advance which indicates that the trait were governed by epistasis and dominant gene action. Number of productive tillers per plant and thousand grain weight showed positive significant correlation and direct effects on grain yield per plant. The purpose of this study is to estimate the amount of variability present in this material, which in turn helps to select these material for further breeding programme to develop high yield hybrids combine with blast and leaf folder resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Genetic diversity is the main source of variability in any crop improvement program. It serves as a reservoir for identifying superior alleles controlling key agronomic and quality traits through allele mining/association mapping. Association mapping based on LD (Linkage dis-equilibrium), non-random associations between causative loci and phenotype in natural population is highly useful in dissecting out genetic basis of complex traits. For any successful association mapping program, understanding the population structure and assessing the kinship relatedness is essential before making correlation between superior alleles and traits. The present study was aimed at evaluating the genetic variation and population structure in a collection of 192 rice germplasm lines including local landraces, improved varieties and exotic lines from diverse origin. Results: A set of 192 diverse rice germplasm lines were genotyped using 61 genome wide SSR markers to assess the molecular genetic diversity and genetic relatedness. Genotyping of 192 rice lines using 61 SSRs produced a total of 205 alleles with the PIC value of 0.756. Population structure analysis using model based and distance based approaches revealed that the germplasm lines were grouped into two distinct subgroups. AMOVA analysis has explained that 14 % of variation was due to difference between with the remaining 86 % variation may be attributed by difference within groups. Conclusions: Based on these above analysis viz., population structure and genetic relatedness, a core collection of 150 rice germplasm lines were assembled as an association mapping panel for establishing marker trait associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A complete understanding of the relationship between the amino acid sequence and resulting protein function remains an open problem in the biophysical sciences. Current approaches often rely on diagnosing functionally relevant mutations by determining whether an amino acid frequently occurs at a specific position within the protein family. However, these methods do not account for the biophysical properties and the 3D structure of the protein. We have developed an interactive visualization technique, Mu-8, that provides researchers with a holistic view of the differences of a selected protein with respect to a family of homologous proteins. Mu-8 helps to identify areas of the protein that exhibit: (1) significantly different bio-chemical characteristics, (2) relative conservation in the family, and (3) proximity to other regions that have suspect behavior in the folded protein. Methods: Our approach quantifies and communicates the difference between a reference protein and its family based on amino acid indices or principal components of amino acid index classes, while accounting for conservation, proximity amongst residues, and overall 3D structure. Results: We demonstrate Mu-8 in a case study with data provided by the 2013 BioVis contest. When comparing the sequence of a dysfunctional protein to its functional family, Mu-8 reveals several candidate regions that may cause function to break down. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild buckwheat (Polygonum convolvulus L.) is a problem weed and ALS-inhibitors (e.g., chlorsulfuron) are commonly used for its management. Recently, a population of wild buckwheat (KSW-R) uncontrolled with ALS-inhibitors was found in a wheat field in Kansas, USA. The objectives of this research were to determine the level and mechanism of resistance to chlorsulfuron and cross resistance to other ALS-inhibitors in the KSW-R population. In response to chlorsulfuron rates ranging from 0 to 16x (x = 18 g ai/ha), the KSW-R wild buckwheat was found >100-fold more resistant compared to a known ALS-inhibitor susceptible (KSW-S) wild buckwheat. Also, >90% of KSW-R plants survived field recommended rates of sulfonylurea but not imidazolinone family of ALS-inhibitors. A portion of the ALS gene covering all previously reported mutations known to bestow resistance to ALS-inhibitors was sequenced from both KSW-R and KSW-S plants. The Pro-197-Ser substitution that confers resistance to the sulfonylurea herbicides was found in KSW-R plants. Our results support the evolution of high level of chlorsulfuron resistance as a result of a mutation in the ALS-gene in KSW-R buckwheat. This is the first case of resistance to any herbicides in wild buckwheat in the US. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytochrome P450s (CYPs) are the largest enzyme family involved in NADPH- and/or O2-dependent hydroxylation reactions across all the domains of life. In plants and animals, CYPs play a central role in the detoxification of xenobiotics. In addition to this function, CYPs act as versatile catalysts and play a crucial role in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, antioxidants, and phytohormones in higher plants. The molecular and biochemical processes catalyzed by CYPs have been well characterized, however, the relationship between the biochemical process catalyzed by CYPs and its effect on several plant functions was not well established. The advent of next-generation sequencing opened new avenues to unravel the involvement of CYPs in several plant functions such as plant stress response. The expression of several CYP genes are regulated in response to environmental stresses, and they also play a prominent role in the crosstalk between abiotic and biotic stress responses. CYPs have an enormous potential to be used as a candidate for engineering crop species resilient to biotic and abiotic stresses. The objective of this review is to summarize the latest research on the role of CYPs in plant stress response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]