Plasmodesmata callose binding protein 2 contributes to the regulation of cambium/phloem formation and auxin response during the tissue reunion process in incised Arabidopsis stem.

Plants are exposed to a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses, including wounding at the stem. The healing process (tissue reunion) begins immediately after stem wounding. The plant hormone auxin plays an important role during tissue reunion. In decapitated stems, auxin transport from the shoot apex is reduced and tissue reunion does not occur but is restored by application of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). In this study, we found that plasmodesmata callose binding protein 2 (PDCB2) affects the expansion of the cambium/phloem region via changes in auxin response during the process of tissue reunion. PDCB2 was expressed in the cortex and endodermis on the incised side of stems 1-3 days after incision. PDCB2-knockout plants showed reduced callose deposition at plasmodesmata and DR5::GUS activity in the endodermis/cortex in the upper region of the incision accompanied by an increase in size of the cambium/phloem region during tissue reunion. In addition, PIN(PIN-FORMED)3, which is involved in lateral auxin transport, was induced by auxin in the cambium/phloem and endodermis/cortex in the upper part of the incision in wild type, but its expression of PIN3 was decreased in pdcb2 mutant. Our results suggest that PDCB2 contributes to the regulation of cambium/phloem development via auxin response.

Mothball ingestion as a manifestation of pica, leading to paradichlorobenzene CNS toxicity.

BACKGROUND: Pica is a poorly understood psychiatric disorder that presents with the ingestion of non-nutritious substances for unclear reasons. A high index of suspicion for unusual toxin exposure aids in the diagnosis of pica patients presenting with unexplained neurodegenerative features. METHODS: We present a 47-year-old female with worsening gait over the past year. Prior to this, she was fully independent with activities of daily living, but is now mostly housebound due to frequent falls. Past medical history is significant for menorrhagia, iron deficiency anemia and pica. CBC and iron studies revealed iron deficiency with microcytic hypochromic anemia. MRI brain demonstrated symmetrical T2 hyperintensities within the middle cerebellar peduncles. RESULTS: Differential diagnoses for her clinical deficits and imaging, including Spinocerebellar Ataxia, Multiple System Atrophy and Fragile X Tremor-Ataxia Syndrome, were excluded based on neurological assessment, family history and genetic PCR testing. Collateral history revealed a regular habit of mothball ingestion and serum paradichlorobenzene levels were elevated to 15mcg/mL. The patient was treated with iron replacement therapy and her symptoms gradually improved over several months. CONCLUSION: Iron deficiency anemia is commonly associated with pica, which can lead to toxin ingestion. A high index of suspicion for toxin ingestion in pica patients can immensely aid in the diagnosis. Mothball abuse secondary to pica may affect the CNS and can present with nonspecific neurodegenerative changes. To our knowledge, there have been no reported cases in the literature with paradichlorobenzene neurotoxicity predominantly affecting the middle cerebellar peduncles.

Validating the Parkinson's disease caregiver burden questionnaire (PDCB) in German caregivers of advanced Parkinson's disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) may place a high burden on patients and their caregivers. Understanding the determinants of caregiver burden is of critical importance. This understanding requires the availability of adequate assessment tools. Recently, the Parkinson's disease caregiver burden questionnaire (PDCB) has been developed as a PD-specific measure of caregiver burden. However, the PDCB has only been evaluated in a sample of Australian caregivers of patients at a less advanced stage of the disease. OBJECTIVE: We tested whether a German translation of the PDCB qualifies as an adequate measure of caregiver burden in a German sample of caregivers of advanced patients with PD. METHODS: We collected PDCB data from 65 caregivers of advanced patients with PD. Reliability of the scale was assessed and compared against the original version. To validate the German version of the PDCB, we examined the correlations with the caregiver burden inventory (CBI), the short form 36 health survey (SF-36), the Parkinson's disease quality of life questionnaire 39 (PDQ-39), disease duration, and the amount of caregiving time. RESULTS: The total PDCB score proved to be reliable and to be significantly related to CBI and SF-36 scores. PDCB scores also increased with increasing amounts of caregiving time. CONCLUSIONS: The German version of the PDCB appears to be an adequate measure of caregiver burden in caregivers of advanced PD patients.

Comportamiento del Programa de Detección Precoz del Cáncer Bucal en la Clínica Artemio Mastrapa. Holguín, 2015 / Behavior of the Early Detection Program of Oral Cancer at Artemio Mastrapa Clinic. Holguín, 2015

Introducción: el Programa de Detección del Cáncer Bucal, plantea que se le realice el examen del complejo bucal, cadenas y grupos ganglionares de cabeza y cuello a todo paciente que acuda a consulta de atención primaria y en caso de detectarse cualquier alteración el paciente debe ser remitido al segundo nivel de atención. Objetivo: describir el comportamiento del Programa de Detección Precoz del Cáncer Bucal en la Clínica Estomatológica Artemio Mastrapa. Método: se realizó un estudio transversal en la Clínica Estomatológica Artemio Mastrapa de Holguín, de enero a diciembre de 2015. El universo estuvo constituido por los 46 pacientes que fueron remitidos por Programa de Detección Precoz del Cáncer Bucal durante el año 2015. Los datos fueron obtenidos de las historias clínicas de atención primaria. Resultados: el grupo de edad más afectado fue el de 19 a 59 años con el 58,6% y el sexo masculino con 56,5%. La leucoplasia fue la lesión que se remitió con mayor frecuencia con 39,1%. El sitio de localización con mayor porcentaje fue el labio inferior con el 25,6%. El factor de riesgo de mayor prevalencia fue el tabaquismo con el 26,0%. Conclusiones: se determinó que la leucoplasia es la lesión más común remitida por Programa de Detección Precoz del Cáncer Bucal. Las lesiones se presentaron con mayor frecuencia en adultos del sexo masculino, localizadas principalmente en el labio inferior y asociadas al hábito de fumar como principal factor de riesgo.

Introduction: the program of the detection the oral cancer (DPOC), demands for oral, chains and ganglionic groups of head and neck, to every patient that is attended at primary health care, and in case of detecting any alteration the patient should be referred to the specialist. Objective: to describe the prevalence of the program of the detection the oral cancer (DPOC), at Artemio Mastrapa Dental Clinic. Methods: a descriptive and cross-sectional study, from January to December 2015 at Artemio Mastrapa Dental Clinic, Holguín was carried out. The universe comprised 46 patients referred for the oral cancer detection program in 2015. Data were collected in clinical history. Results: the age group from 19 to 59 was the most affected one with 58.6% as well as the male sex (56.5%). The leukoplakia was the most frequent lesion with 39.1%. The most frequent lesions were in the lower lips with 25.6%. The prevalent risk factor was cigarette smoking with 26.0%. Conclusions: leukoplakia was the most frequent lesion referred by DPOC. Adults and male sex was most affected by the lesion. Smoking habit was the main risk factor and the most common site to developed lesions was the lower lip.

Pacientes remitidos por el Programa de Detección de Cáncer Bucal: Facultad de Estomatología de La Habana: 1999-2006 / Patients referred by the Program for Detection of buccal cancer: Stomatology Faculty of La Habana, 1999-2006

Nos propusimos caracterizar los pacientes remitidos por el Programa de Detección de Cáncer Bucal (PDCB) a la Clínica de Patología Bucal de la Facultad de Estomatología de febrero de 1999 a julio de 2006. Se realizó un estudio transversal, descriptivo, observacional de los pacientes inscritos en el registro de remitidos por el PDCB a la Clínica de Patología de la Facultad de Estomatología de La Habana. Se estudiaron 1 008 pacientes, el diagnóstico presuntivo y definitivomás mayormente representado fue el de otra lesión, con 33,7 por ciento de presentación, seguido por la leucoplasia con 33,7 por ciento. La coincidencia entre el diagnóstico presuntivo y el definitivo fue de 69,0 por ciento, el carrillo estaba afectado en un 25,8 por ciento. El carcinoma epidermoide representó un 85,0 por ciento de las neoplasias malignas diagnosticadas. No hubo diferencias entre los sexos de los pacientes remitidos y el rango de edades más afectado fue el de 34 a 59 años de edad. La mitad de los pacientes remitidos tenían hábito de fumar, mucho más elevado en los pacientes con leucoplasia y neoplasias malignas. Las localizaciones anatómicas más afectadas por las lesiones motivo de remisión fueron carrillo, encía y paladar. El carcinoma epidermoide grado I y la etapa clínica I mostraron los mayores porcentajes(AU)

The aim of present paper was to characterize the patients referred by the Program for Detection of Buccal Cancer (PDBC) to Clinic of Buccal Pathology of the Stomatology Faculty from February, 1999 to July, 2006. An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in patients inscribed in Referred Registry by PDBC to Clinic of Pathology from the Stomatology Faculty of La Habana. A total of 1 008 patients were studied, the more numerous presumptive diagnosis and the definitive diagnosis of other lesion with 33,7 percent followed by leucopenia with 33,7 percent, coincidence between the presumptive diagnosis and the definitive one was of 69,0 percent, the cheek was involved in the 25,9 percent. Epidermoid carcinoma accounted for the 85,0 percent and the diagnosed malignant neoplasm. There were not differences among sexes of referred patients and the more involved age rank was that from 34 to 59 years. The half of referred patients had smoking being higher in patients presenting with leukoplakia and malignant neoplasms. The anatomical locations more involved by the lesions were cheeks, gingiva and palate. The Grade I epidermoid carcinoma and the grade I clinical stage showed the higher percentages. Are needed further studies allowing to emphasize the success of PDBC and to correct the deficiencies preventing to fulfill appropriately the objectives(AU)