CRISPR for Crop Improvement: An Update Review

The availability of genome sequences for several crops and advances in genome editing approaches has opened up possibilities to breed for almost any given desirable trait. Advancements in genome editing technologies such as zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) has made it possible for molecular biologists to more precisely target any gene of interest. However, these methodologies are expensive and time-consuming as they involve complicated steps that require protein engineering. Unlike first-generation genome editing tools, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing involves simple designing and cloning methods, with the same Cas9 being potentially available for use with different guide RNAs targeting multiple sites in the genome. After proof-of-concept demonstrations in crop plants involving the primary CRISPR-Cas9 module, several modified Cas9 cassettes have been utilized in crop plants for improving target specificity and reducing off-target cleavage (e.g., Nmcas9, Sacas9, and Stcas9). Further, the availability of Cas9 enzymes from additional bacterial species has made available options to enhance specificity and efficiency of gene editing methodologies. This review summarizes the options available to plant biotechnologists to bring about crop improvement using CRISPR/Cas9 based genome editing tools and also presents studies where CRISPR/Cas9 has been used for enhancing biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Application of these techniques will result in the development of non-genetically modified (Non-GMO) crops with the desired trait that can contribute to increased yield potential under biotic and abiotic stress conditions

VATER/VACTERL syndrome (vertebra/anus/cardiac/trachea/esophogus/radius/renal/limb anomalies) with a noncommunicating functioning uterine horn and a unicornuate uterus: a case report.

OBJECTIVE To describe the presentation and outcome of a patient with an unusual association of VATER/VACTERL syndrome (vertebra/anus/cardiac/trachea/esophogus/radius/renal/limb) and noncommunicating functioning uterine horn and a unicornuate uterus. DESIGN Descriptive case report. SETTING A foundation trust in the United Kingdom. MATERIALS AND METHOD(S): A patient known to have VATER/VACTERL syndrome was diagnosed with a hematometra of a noncommunicating uterine horn and hematosalpinx. She underwent multidisciplinary surgery to remove the functioning uterine horn, after which she had a full recovery. CONCLUSION(S) This case documents the association of VATER/VACTERL syndrome with a unicornuate uterus and noncommunicating horn

Assessment of land use transformations and its impact on fluctuations in groundwater quality in Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu

This study examines land use transformations and their impact on groundwater quality fluctuations in Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu. Chengalpattu is a rapidly urbanizing coastal region in South India. Landsat 5 and 9 satellite imagery were utilized to create land use land cover (LULC) maps for 2011 and 2021, with overall accuracies of 82.20% and 85.71%, respectively. The analysis showed significant growth in built-up and fallow lands due to urbanization, which has altered LULC. Groundwater Quality Index (GQI) was generated using seven groundwater quality parameters, adhering to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The mean GQI showed slight fluctuations during pre- and post-monsoon periods, with a declining trend in pre-monsoon seasons. The study area predominantly experiences moderate groundwater quality, with fewer areas of low and high quality. The findings indicate that land use transformation significantly impacts groundwater quality, emphasizing the need for sustainable urban planning and water resource management in the region

Guideline for herbal medicine research

Herbal medicine is widely used in Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) practices. With its increasing use within the Malaysian community, there needs to be more specific guidance on the requirements for herbal medicine research to produce evidence-based herbal medicine products with therapeutic claims. Therefore, the pathway of herbal product development involving preclinical and clinical research must be well outlined in tandem with the ‘Guideline on Natural Products with Therapeutic Claim’ from the regulators. The primary purpose of this guideline is to provide structured guidance to be utilised by researchers, academicians, clinicians, T&CM practitioners, and relevant stakeholders of the herbal industry. This guideline outlines a concise yet informative description of the prerequisites and processes involved in planning and conducting herbal medicine-related research in the Malaysian context. This guideline will bridge the gap often associated with the population's demand for other treatment options besides conventional medicine. This effort will also help accommodate the growing interest in herbal medicine research and spur the discovery of herbal products with therapeutic claims in Malaysia

Timing of radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy (RADICALS-RT): a randomised, controlled phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND The optimal timing of radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer is uncertain. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of adjuvant radiotherapy versus an observation policy with salvage radiotherapy for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) biochemical progression. METHODS We did a randomised controlled trial enrolling patients with at least one risk factor (pathological T-stage 3 or 4, Gleason score of 7-10, positive margins, or preoperative PSA ≥10 ng/mL) for biochemical progression after radical prostatectomy (RADICALS-RT). The study took place in trial-accredited centres in Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to adjuvant radiotherapy or an observation policy with salvage radiotherapy for PSA biochemical progression (PSA ≥0·1 ng/mL or three consecutive rises). Masking was not deemed feasible. Stratification factors were Gleason score, margin status, planned radiotherapy schedule (52·5 Gy in 20 fractions or 66 Gy in 33 fractions), and centre. The primary outcome measure was freedom from distant metastases, designed with 80% power to detect an improvement from 90% with salvage radiotherapy (control) to 95% at 10 years with adjuvant radiotherapy. We report on biochemical progression-free survival, freedom from non-protocol hormone therapy, safety, and patient-reported outcomes. Standard survival analysis methods were used. A hazard ratio (HR) of less than 1 favoured adjuvant radiotherapy. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00541047. FINDINGS Between Nov 22, 2007, and Dec 30, 2016, 1396 patients were randomly assigned, 699 (50%) to salvage radiotherapy and 697 (50%) to adjuvant radiotherapy. Allocated groups were balanced with a median age of 65 years (IQR 60-68). Median follow-up was 4·9 years (IQR 3·0-6·1). 649 (93%) of 697 participants in the adjuvant radiotherapy group reported radiotherapy within 6 months; 228 (33%) of 699 in the salvage radiotherapy group reported radiotherapy within 8 years after randomisation. With 169 events, 5-year biochemical progression-free survival was 85% for those in the adjuvant radiotherapy group and 88% for those in the salvage radiotherapy group (HR 1·10, 95% CI 0·81-1·49; p=0·56). Freedom from non-protocol hormone therapy at 5 years was 93% for those in the adjuvant radiotherapy group versus 92% for those in the salvage radiotherapy group (HR 0·88, 95% CI 0·58-1·33; p=0·53). Self-reported urinary incontinence was worse at 1 year for those in the adjuvant radiotherapy group (mean score 4·8 vs 4·0; p=0·0023). Grade 3-4 urethral stricture within 2 years was reported in 6% of individuals in the adjuvant radiotherapy group versus 4% in the salvage radiotherapy group (p=0·020). INTERPRETATION These initial results do not support routine administration of adjuvant radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy. Adjuvant radiotherapy increases the risk of urinary morbidity. An observation policy with salvage radiotherapy for PSA biochemical progression should be the current standard after radical prostatectomy. FUNDING Cancer Research UK, MRC Clinical Trials Unit, and Canadian Cancer Society