Sugarcane (Saccharum X officinarum): A Reference Study for the Regulation of Genetically Modified Cultivars in Brazil

Global interest in sugarcane has increased significantly in recent years due to its economic impact on sustainable energy production. Sugarcane breeding and better agronomic practices have contributed to a huge increase in sugarcane yield in the last 30 years. Additional increases in sugarcane yield are expected to result from the use of biotechnology tools in the near future. Genetically modified (GM) sugarcane that incorporates genes to increase resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses could play a major role in achieving this goal. However, to bring GM sugarcane to the market, it is necessary to follow a regulatory process that will evaluate the environmental and health impacts of this crop. The regulatory review process is usually accomplished through a comparison of the biology and composition of the GM cultivar and a non-GM counterpart. This review intends to provide information on non-GM sugarcane biology, genetics, breeding, agronomic management, processing, products and byproducts, as well as the current technologies used to develop GM sugarcane, with the aim of assisting regulators in the decision-making process regarding the commercial release of GM sugarcane cultivars

Determination of fingertip lacticemy before and after cold stimulus in patients with primary Raynauds phenomenon and systemic sclerosis

Objective. Establishing a cold stimulus test based on the measurement of finger tip lacticemy (FTL) in Raynaud's phenomenon (RP).Methods. Twenty-seven controls and 79 patients with RP [30 systemic sclerosis (SSc) and 49 isolated RP] were studied. The latter were further classified into probable primary RP (PPRP) and probable secondary RP (PSRP). FTL was determined before (pre-CS) and after (post-CS) a cold stimulus and the percentage difference was designated DeltaCS-FTL.Results. Pre-CS-FTL was marginally higher in SSc patients than in isolated RP and controls. Post-CS-FTL was significantly higher in SSc and PSRP than in PPRP and controls. SSc and PSRP patients had higher post-CS-FTL than pre-CS-FTL (positive DeltaCS-FTL) while controls presented a negative DeltaCS-FTL. Post-CS-FTL had a heterogeneous behavior in patients with PPRP.Conclusion. CS-FTL test was shown to be an easy method for evaluation of fingertip effective perfusion before and after a cold stimulus. Further studies are warranted to test its possible clinical application in discriminating between patients with SSc and controls, as well as between patients with PPRP and PSRP.Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Div Rheumatol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Div Rheumatol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Cold stimulus-fingertip lacticemy: Standardization of the test in normal volunteers and diagnostic application for systemic sclerosis

Objectives: To standardize the cold stimulus-fingertip lacticemy test (CS-FTL) in normal individuals and to establish reference levels for discrimination of normal individuals and patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).Methods: FTL was determined before (pre-CS) and 3, 8, and 13 min after cold stimulus (post-CS) in 94 normal controls according to gender and age. Diagnostic performance of Delta CS-FTL (percentage difference between post- and pre-CS-FTL) was tested comparing 25 SSc patients and the 94 normal individuals by ROC curve analysis.Results: Successive FTL determinations in the same fingertip yielded consistent results and the whole CS-FTL test proved to be reproducible. Pre-CS-FTL in SSc patients was higher than in normal controls (P < 0.001). FTL decreased after cold stimulus (negative Delta CS-FTL) in normal controls while SSc patients presented positive ACS-FTL. Gender did not influence pre-CS-FTL and post-CS-FTL in normal controls. the decrease in FTL after cold stimulus was more prominent for normal individuals between 25 and 34 years old in comparison to other age subgroups, with statistical significance for females at 3 min post-CS (P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed better diagnostic performance with post-CS-FTL at 8 and 13 min.Conclusion: CS-FTL test provides a reproducible quantitative biochemical parameter that reflects fingertip microcirculation status and was able to discriminate patients with SSc and normal controls, with optimal performance with post-CS-FTL at 8 to 13 min. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Rheumatol, Escola Paulista Med, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Rheumatol, Escola Paulista Med, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc