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Genetic transformation of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) holds promise for increasing yields and disease resistance. However, the tissue culture and transformation process may produce undesirable field characteristics in transgenic sugarcane. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate variability in agronomic characteristics and field disease resistance of sugarcane transformed for resistance to Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) strain E. One hundred plants derived from cultivars CP 84-1198 (n = 82) and CP 80-1827 (n = 18), consisting of independent virus resistant lines VR 1 (n = 14), VR 4 (n = 24), VR 14 (n = 4), and VR 18 (n = 58) were evaluated in Exp. 1. Transgenics derived from CP 84-1198 had significantly greater tonnes of sucrose per hectare (TSH) and significantly lower SCMV disease incidence than those from CP 80-1827 in the plant-cane (PC), first-ratoon (1R), and second-ratoon (2R) crops. Plants from the VR 18 line had significantly greater economic indices and lower SCMV disease incidence than the VR 4 line in all three crops. Phenotypic variation was high in Exp. 1, with tonnes of cane per hectare (TCH) ranging from 26 to 211 and TSH from 3.2 to 28.9 in the PC crop. Agronomic trait variation decreased with increased selection pressure in Exp. 2, evaluating 30 VR 18 lines, with TCH ranging from 70 to 149 and TSH from 8.5 to 19.0 in PC. The large variability in yield characteristics and disease resistance encountered in this study demonstrates the necessity of thorough field evaluation of transgenic sugarcane while selecting genetically stable and agronomically acceptable material for commercial use. Abbreviations: 1R, first ratoon; 2R, second ratoon; CP, Canal Point; DSI, disease severity index; EREC, Everglades Research and Education Center; KST, kilograms sucrose [tonne.sup.-1]; PC, plant cane; SCMV, Sugarcane mosaic virus; TCH, tonnes cane [ha.sup.-1]; TSH, tonnes sucrose [ha.sup.-1]; VR, virus resistant., SUGARCANE MOSAIC VIRUS has recently been increasing in frequency and extent in the Everglades Agricultural Area of Florida (Comstock et al., 2000). Sugarcane mosaic virus had devastating effects on the [...]

Climate change due to increased [C[O.sub.2]] and elevated temperature may impact the composition of crop seed. This study was conducted to determine the potential effects of climate change on composition and gene expression of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. 'Bragg'] seed. Soybean plants were grown in sunlit, controlled environment chambers under diel, sinusoidal temperatures of 28/18, 32/22, 36/26, 40/30, and 44/34°C (day/night, maximum/minimum), and two levels of [C[O.sub.2]], 350 and 700 µmol [mol.sup.-], imposed during the entire life cycle. The effect of temperature on mature seed composition and transcripts in developing seed was pronounced, but there was no effect of [C[O.sub.2]]. Total oil concentration was highest at 32/22°C and decreased with further increase in temperature. Oleic acid concentration increased with increasing temperature whereas linolenic acid decreased. Concentrations of N and P increased with temperature to 40/30°C, then decreased. Total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) decreased as temperatures increased, and the proportion of soluble sugars to starch decreased. Transcripts of a gene that is downregulated by auxin (ADR12) were dramatically downregulated by elevated temperature, possibly reflecting the altered course of seed development under environmental stress. Transcripts of β-glucosidase, a gene expressed during normal soybean seed development, were detected in seed grown at 28/18°C but not in seed grown at 40/30°C, which also suggests that normal programs affecting seed composition were perturbed by elevated temperature. These results confirm previous studies indicating that high temperature alters soybean seed composition, and suggest possible mechanisms by which climate change may affect soybean seed development and composition., THE [C[O.sub.2]] IN OUR ATMOSPHERE has risen sharply during the last 50 yr, as shown by records obtained at Mauna Loa, HI (Keeling et al., 1995). Elevated temperatures are expected [...]

Margaret F Meagher,1 Amirali Salmasi,1 Tyler F Stewart2 1Department of Urology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; 2Division of Hematology-Oncology and BMT, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USACorrespondence: Tyler F Stewart, Tel +1 (866) 773-2703, Email tstewart@health.ucsd.eduAbstract: With the advent of new therapeutic modalities, management of metastatic castrate-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) has been in flux. From androgen-deprivation therapy to docetaxel to androgen receptor–signaling inhibitors, each agent has heralded a new treatment paradigm. As such, the optimal first-line therapy for mCSPC remains incompletely defined. This review provides a narrative of recent advances to systemic therapy within the mCSPC treatment space, particularly with regard to expansion to triplet therapy.Keywords: metastatic, castrate-sensitive prostate cancer, darolutamide

Sohail Dhanji, Luke Wang, Franklin Liu, Margaret F Meagher, Ava Saidian, Ithaar H Derweesh Department of Urology, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USACorrespondence: Ithaar H Derweesh, Department of Urology, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, Mail Code: 0987, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA, Tel +1 (858) 249-0900, Fax +1 (858) 822-6188, Email iderweesh@gmail.comPurpose: To review the current status of surgical and procedural treatments for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), focusing on oncological and functional outcomes, and the use of techniques for advanced disease over the last 10 years.Findings: Partial nephrectomy (PN) has become the reference standard for most T1 and T2 masses. In cT2 RCC, PN exhibits oncological equivalence and improved functional outcomes compared to radical nephrectomy (RN). Additionally, emerging data suggest that PN may be used to treat cT3a RCC. The robot-assisted platform is increasingly used to treat locally advanced RCC. Studies suggest safety and feasibility of robotic RN and robotic inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy. Additionally, single-port robot-assisted laparoscopic approaches are comparable to multiport approaches in select patients. Long-term data show that cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation, and microwave ablation are equipotent in management of small renal masses. Emerging data suggest that microwave may effectively treat cT1b masses.Keywords: renal cell carcinoma, cryoablation, nephrectomy, microwave ablation, partial nephrectomy, radiofrequency ablation

Linkage of loci controlling nodulation and testa variegation was examined for cultivated peanut. The main objective of this study was to determine whether the gene controlling testa variegation was linked to a gene or genes controlling nodulation.