Comparison of Microbial Communities Associated with Halophyte (Salsola stocksii) and Non-Halophyte (Triticum aestivum) Using Culture-Independent Approaches.

Halophyte microbiome contributes significantly to plant performance and can provide information regarding complex ecological processes involved in osmoregulation of these plants. The objective of this study is to investigate the microbiomes associated with belowground (rhizosphere), internal (endosphere) and aboveground (phyllosphere) tissues of halophyte (Salsola stocksii) through metagenomics approach. Plant samples were collected from Khewra Salt Mines. The metagenomic DNA from soil, root and shoot samples was isolated with the help of FastDNA spin kit. Through PCR, the 16S rRNA gene from four different Salsola plants and wheat plants was amplified and cloned in InsTAclone PCR cloning kit. Metagenomic analyses from rhizosphere, endosphere and phyllosphere of Salsola showed that approximately 29% bacteria were uncultured and unclassified. Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were the most abundant phyla in Salsola and wheat. However, Firmicutes, Acidobacteria, Bacteriodetes, Planctomycetes, Cyanobacteria, Thermotogae, Verrucomicrobia, Choroflexi and Euryarchaeota were predominant groups from halophyte whereas Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Cyanobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteriodetes, Planctomycetes and Verrucomicrobia were predominant phyla of wheat samples. Diversity and differences of microbial flora of Salsola and wheat suggested that functional interactions between plants and microorganisms contribute to salt stress tolerance.

Rectal fistulae after salvage high-intensity focused ultrasound for recurrent prostate cancer after combined brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To report on the high rectal fistula rate associated with salvage high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) after the failure of combined brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for prostate cancer; salvage ablative therapy for prostate cancer is indicated when there is local recurrence after RT, brachytherapy or their combination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all men with prostate cancer treated with HIFU between 1 March 2005 and 31 May 2007, and identified five men treated after the failure of both brachytherapy and EBRT for localized prostate cancer. RESULTS: Three of the five men had iodine-seed implantation brachytherapy combined with EBRT as primary treatment, one had high-dose rate brachytherapy combined with EBRT and one had salvage iodine-seed brachytherapy for failed EBRT. Three of the five patients developed a recto-urethral fistula after HIFU. CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of recto-urethral fistula formation in this group might reflect an impaired blood supply or HIFU-associated near-field heating of the rectal wall. Tissue viability and healing might affect this group regardless of the salvage method. Careful patient selection and avoidance of rectal diagnostic biopsies might minimize the risk. Emerging ablative therapies regarded as less invasive than traditional therapies must be used with caution.

The feasibility and safety of high-intensity focused ultrasound as salvage therapy for recurrent prostate cancer following external beam radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the use of minimally invasive high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as a salvage therapy in men with localized prostate cancer recurrence following external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A review of 31 cases treated using the Sonablate 500 HIFU device, between 1 February 2005 and 15 May 2007, was carried out. All men had presumed organ-confined, histologically confirmed recurrent prostate adenocarcinoma following EBRT. RESULTS: The mean (range) age was 65 (57-80) years with a mean preoperative PSA level of 7.73 (0.20-20) ng/mL. The patients were followed for a mean (range) of 7.4 (3-24) months. Side-effects included stricture or intervention for necrotic tissue in 11 of the 31 patients (36%), urinary tract infection or dysuria syndrome in eight (26%), and urinary incontinence in two (7%). Recto-urethral fistula occurred in two men, although one was due to patient movement due to inadequate anaesthesia, so the 'true' rate is 3%. Half of the patients had PSA levels of <0.2 ng/mL at the last follow-up. Three patients had metastatic disease whilst another two had only local, histologically confirmed, failure. A further four patients had evidence of biochemical failure only. Overall, 71% had no evidence of disease following salvage HIFU. CONCLUSIONS: Salvage HIFU is a minimally invasive daycase procedure that can achieve low PSA nadirs and good cancer control in the short term, with comparable morbidity to other forms of salvage treatment. The issue of accurate staging at the time of recurrence is still problematic, as a proportion of these men will harbour microscopic metastases undetected by conventional staging investigations.