异源表达古菌TRAM基因增强水稻的耐旱性

干旱会直接影响水稻的生长发育,导致其产量和品质下降。在水稻中异源表达细菌RNA分子伴侣Csp能够显著提高水稻的耐旱能力,并且不影响水稻的正常生长。古菌中也发现具有类似细菌分子伴侣Csp功能的TRAM (TRM2 and MiaB)蛋白,且古菌的DNA复制、转录和翻译等过程与真核生物有着更为相似的调控方式,然而,古菌中RNA分子伴侣蛋白能否调控植物耐旱能力还未见报道。我们选取了嗜冷甲烷古菌Methanolobus psychrophilus R15中两个TRAM蛋白在水稻中进行研究,发现在水稻中过量表达Mpsy_3066和Mpsy_0643两个TRAM蛋白均能显著提高水稻苗期和成株期时对干旱胁迫的耐受能力。同时,我们在水稻原生质体中验证了TRAM蛋白可以发挥其分子伴侣的功能消除RNA的错误折叠对翻译的影响,这可能是TRAM转基因植物发挥其耐旱能力的作用机制。该工作初步展示了异源表达古菌TRAMs可以作为提高水稻耐旱能力的一种有效手段。     

TRAM flap versus nonautologous breast reconstruction: what do patients really think?

Although there have been many reports of aesthetic outcomes after breast reconstruction, there have been comparatively few studies examining patient satisfaction and related subjective issues. The variables affecting satisfaction are only beginning to be understood, and patient satisfaction issues were explored in a more homogeneous patient population. A questionnaire surveying overall and aesthetic satisfaction, postoperative recuperation time, and symptoms was used to elicit candid patient responses. Fifty-seven patients replied (86 percent response rate), of whom 38 had undergone transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap (pedicled, n = 29; free, n = 9) reconstruction and 19 had undergone nonautologous reconstruction. Although the median patient satisfaction score was higher for the TRAM flap group, this was not statistically significant (p = 0.92). Recuperation was significantly longer for the TRAM flap group, with only 47 percent of patients being able to resume full activities within 2 months after the surgical procedure, compared with 95 percent of the implant group (p = 0.002). Of the TRAM flap-treated patients, 50 percent described some postoperative abdominal weakness, but only 5 percent of all TRAM flap-treated patients said that abdominal weakness was actually a functional problem. Our results suggest that patients may derive equal satisfaction with the two methods of reconstruction. The postoperative recuperation time after TRAM flap reconstruction is significantly longer than that after nonautologous procedures, although the postoperative abdominal weakness after TRAM flap reconstruction is not as significant a clinical problem as previously thought. The patient-derived information on satisfaction should assist both surgeons and patients in matching reconstructive options with patients' expectations and lifestyle.     

TRAM,LAG1 and CLN8: members of a novel family of lipid-sensing domains?

A family of membrane-associated proteins related to yeast Lag1p and mammalian TRAM has been identified. The family includes the protein product of CLN8, a gene mutated in progressive epilepsy with mental retardation. Mouse CLN8 is also mutated in the mnd/mnd mouse, a model for neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses. The identification of these homologues has potential implications for our understanding of ceramide synthesis, lipid regulation and protein translocation in the endoplasmic reticulum.     

Breast reconstruction with the DIEP flap or the muscle-sparing (MS-2) free TRAM flap: is there a difference?

The advantages of breast reconstruction using the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap and the muscle-sparing free transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap (MS-2) are well recognized. Both techniques optimize abdominal function by maintaining the vascularity, innervation, and continuity of the rectus abdominis muscle. The purpose of this study was to compare these two methods of breast reconstruction and determine whether there is a difference in outcome. The study considered 177 women who have had breast reconstruction using muscle-sparing flaps over a 4-year period. This includes 89 women who had an MS-2 free TRAM flap procedure, of which 65 were unilateral and 24 were bilateral, and 88 women who had a DIEP flap procedure, of which 66 were unilateral and 22 were bilateral. The total number of flaps was 223. Mean follow-up was 23 months (range, 3 to 49 months). For all MS-2 free TRAM flaps (n = 113), outcome included fat necrosis in eight (7.1 percent), venous congestion in three (2.7 percent), and total necrosis in two (1.8 percent). For the women who had an MS-2 free TRAM flap, an abdominal bulge occurred in three women (4.6 percent) after unilateral reconstruction and in five women (21 percent) after bilateral reconstruction. The ability to perform sit-ups was noted in 63 women (97 percent) after unilateral reconstruction and 20 women (83 percent) after bilateral reconstruction. For all DIEP flaps (n = 110), outcome included fat necrosis in seven (6.4 percent), venous congestion in five (4.5 percent), and total necrosis in three (2.7 percent) patients. For the women who had DIEP flap reconstruction, an abdominal bulge occurred in one woman (1.5 percent) after unilateral reconstruction and in one woman (4.5 percent) after bilateral reconstruction. The ability to perform sit-ups was noted in all women after unilateral reconstruction and in 21 women (95 percent) after bilateral reconstruction. These results demonstrate that there are no significant differences in fat necrosis, venous congestion, or flap necrosis after DIEP or MS-2 free TRAM flap reconstruction. The percentage of women who are able to perform sit-ups and the percentage of women who did not develop a postoperative abdominal bulge is increased after DIEP flap reconstruction; however, this difference is not statistically significant.