Drought-Tolerant Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Associated with Foxtail Millet in a Semi-arid Agroecosystem and Their Potential in Alleviating Drought Stress

The application of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to agro-ecosystems is considered to have the potential for improving plant growth in extreme environments featured by water shortage. Herein, we isolated bacterial strains from foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.), a drought-tolerant crop cultivated in semiarid regions in the northeast of China. Four isolates were initially selected for their ability to produce ACC deaminase as well as drought tolerance. The isolates were identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens, Enterobacter hormaechei, and Pseudomonas migulae on the basis of 16S rRNA sequence analysis. All of these drought-tolerant isolates were able to produce EPS (exopolysaccharide). Inoculation with these strains stimulated seed germination and seedling growth under drought stress. Pseudomonas fluorescens DR7 showed the highest level of ACC deaminase and EPS-producing activity. DR7 could efficiently colonize the root adhering soil, increased soil moisture, and enhance the root adhering soil/root tissue ratio. These results suggest drought tolerant PGPR from foxtail millet could enhance plant growth under drought stress conditions and serve as effective bioinoculants to sustain agricultural production in arid regions

Pure Conventional Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy with Level II Vena Cava Tumor Thrombectomy

The surgical management with laparoscopic technique for renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus (IVTT) remains challenging and technically demanding in urological oncology. We present two patients with level II IVTT that were managed with pure conventional laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy. Two patients were diagnosed with a renal tumor with level II IVTT from December 2011 to January 2012. They both underwent pure conventional laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with thrombectomy. During these operations, intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasonography was used to detect the thrombus and ensure complete removal. Two patients were operated through retroperitoneal approach for right renal tumor and transperitoneal approach for left renal tumor respectively. The demographics, perioperative and follow-up data were recorded for the study. Both operations were successfully performed without conversion. They both had no radiographic evidence of recurrence during follow-up. It is concluded that it is feasible to manage renal cell carcinoma with level II IVTT through pure conventional laparoscopic approach in carefully selected patients, which might expand the indication for laparoscopic surgery. The pure laparoscopic approach in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma with level II vena cava tumor thrombus is challenging and requires advanced laparoscopic skills. Multicenter prospective randomized control trials are needed to prove the benefits of this approach

Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Nephroureterectomy for Tuberculous Nonfunctioning Kidneys: a single-center experience

Purpose To present our surgical techniques and experiences of retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for the treatment of tuberculous nonfunctioning kidneys. Materials and Methods From March 2005 to March 2013, a total of 51 patients with tuberculous nonfunctioning kidney underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy at our medical center. The techniques included early control of renal vessels and dissection of the diseased kidney along the underlying layer outside the Gerato’s fascia. The distal ureter was dissected through a Gibson incision and the entire specimen was removed en bloc from the incision. Patient demographics, perioperative characteristics and laboratory parameters as well as postoperative outcome were retrospectively reviewed. Results Retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy was successfully performed in 50 patients, whereas one case required conversion to open surgery due to non-progression of dissection. The mean operating time was 123.0 minutes (107-160 minutes) and the mean estimated blood loss was 134 mL (80-650 mL).The mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.6 days (3-5days) and the mean return to normal activity was 11.6 days (10-14days). Most intra-operative and post-operative complications were minor complications and can be managed conservatively. After 68 months (12-96 months) follow-up, the outcome was satisfactory, and ureteral stump syndrome did not occur. Conclusions Retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy as a minimally invasive treatment option is feasible for treatment of tuberculous nonfunctioning kidneys

Surgical techniques for facilitating laparoscopic intracorporeal orthotopic neobladder: initial experience

ABSTRACT Purpose: To describe our technique and outcomes for laparoscopic intracorporeal ileal neobladder (ICNB) reconstruction. Materials and Methods: From April 2014 to November 2016, 21 patients underwent laparoscopic ICNB at our tertiary referral centre. ICNB with bilateral isoperistaltic afferent limbs and several technique improvements were introduced. Demographics, clinical, and pathological data were collected. Perioperative, 1-year oncologic, 1-year Quality of life and 1-year functional outcomes were reported. Results: ICNB was successfully performed in all 21 patients without open conversion and transfusion. Mean operative time was 345.6±66.9 min, including 106±22 min for LRC and PLND and 204±46.4 min for ICNB, respectively. Mean established blood loss was 192±146 mL. The overall incidence of 90-d complication was 33.3%, while major complication occurred in 4.8%. One-year daytime and night-time continence rates were 85.7% and 57.1%, respectively. One patient died from myocardial infarction six months postoperatively, and two patients had lung metastasis five months and six months respectively. Conclusions: We described our experience of 3D LRC with a novel intracorporeal orthotopic ileal neobladder, and the technique improvements facilitate the procedure. However, further studies are required to evaluate long-term outcomes of the intracorporeal neobladder with bilateral isoperistaltic afferent limbs

Comparison of Radical Nephroureterectomy and Partial Ureterectomy for the Treatment of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma

This study aimed to compare the oncological and renal outcomes of partial ureterectomy (PU) versus radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). UTUC patients’ clinical information was reviewed, and progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and kidney function were collected. The mean follow-up period was 59 (6–135) months in the RNU group and 34.5 (5–135) months in the PU group. The mean operation time in the PU group was 141 (64–340) min, which is significantly shorter than the RNU group (P0.05). Multifactor Cox regression analysis indicated that age and the preoperative CKD stages were independent risk factors for poor kidney functions of UTUC patients. Compared to patients in RNU group, patients in PU have no significant difference in survival time but have shorter operation time, shorter hospital stay, and improved kidney functions

Anti-proliferative activities of finasteride in benign prostate epithelial cells require stromal fibroblasts and c-Jun gene.

This study aimed to identify the role of mouse fibroblast-mediated c-Jun and IGF-1 signaling in the therapeutic effect of finasteride on benign prostatic epithelial cells. BPH-1 cells, alone or with fibroblasts (c-Jun+/+ or c-Jun-/-), were implanted subcutaneously in male nude mice who were then treated with finasteride. The degrees of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and sizes of the xenografts were determined. BPH-1 cells were grown alone or co-cultured with mouse fibroblasts in the presence of finasteride and the level of IGF-1 secreted into the medium by the fibroblasts was determined. The proliferation-associated signaling pathway in BPH-1 cells was also evaluated. Fibroblasts and c-Jun promoted xenograft growth, stimulated Ki-67 expression, and inhibited BPH-1 apoptosis. Finasteride did not induce the shrinkage of xenografts in the combined-grafted groups despite repressing Ki-67 expression and inducing cell apoptosis. The addition of c-Jun-/- fibroblasts did not promote xenograft growth. In the absence of c-Jun and fibroblasts, finasteride did not alter xenograft growth, Ki-67 expression, or cell apoptosis. The in vitro results demonstrated that when BPH-1 cells were grown in monoculture, treatment with finasteride did not induce cell death and stimulated the expression of pro-proliferative signaling molecules, while in the presence of fibroblasts containing c-Jun, finasteride treatment repressed epithelial cell proliferation, the level of IGF-1 in the medium, and the activation of downstream pro-proliferative signaling pathways. Taken together, our results suggest that fibroblasts, c-Jun, and IGF-1 play key roles in mediating stromal-epithelial interactions that are required for the therapeutic effects of finasteride in benign prostate epithelial cells