PKCμ promotes keratinocyte cell migration through Cx43 phosphorylation-mediated suppression of intercellular communication

Downregulation of intercellular communication through suppression of gap junctional conductance is necessary during wound healing. Connexin 43 (Cx43), a prominent gap junction protein in skin, is downregulated following wounding to restrict communication between keratinocytes. Previous studies found that PKCμ, a novel PKC isozyme, regulates efficient cutaneous wound healing. However, the molecular mechanism by which PKCμ regulates wound healing remains unknown. We have identified that PKCμ suppresses intercellular communication and enhances cell migration in an in vitro wound healing model by regulating Cx43 containing gap junctions. PKCμ can directly interact with and phosphorylate Cx43 at S368, which leads to Cx43 internalization and downregulation. Finally, utilizing phosphomimetic and non-phosphorylatable S368 substitutions and gap junction inhibitors, we confirmed that PKCμ regulates intercellular communication and in vitro wound healing by controlling Cx43-S368 phosphorylation. These results define PKCμ as a critical regulator of Cx43 phosphorylation to control cell migration and wound healing in keratinocytes.

P–738 Fertility Preservation: Comparative analysis about the knowledge of the topic between two female populations in Argentina and the United States

Study question

Is there any difference in the knowledge that women in Córdoba (Argentina) and South Carolina (United States) have about fertility preservation, according to their socioeconomic and educational level?

Summary answer

Scarce knowledge about fertility preservation in both populations was registered. Only sectors of higher socioeconomic and educational level responded correctly with values close to 60%.

What is known already

There are numerous factors that may motivate the need to preserve fertility in young individuals. These factors can be grouped into two causes: social (postponement of motherhood, gender change, etc.), or medical (oncological or surgical treatments). In these situations, it is important that society in general has access to information about fertility and the possibilities of preserving it, if necessary. On the other hand, in each country and region in particular the information on this topic is distributed in different ways, which could generate differences in the level of knowledge on these issues in different population groups.

Study design, size, duration

Descriptive quantitative study. A total of 3,041 answers were obtained, 88.8% from Argentina and 10.00% from the United States. An 83.72% (2,521) of the answers were made by women.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

A closed-ended questionnaire of 20 questions was designed (segmentation and aspects of knowledge about fertility and its preservation) and distributed to different sectors of society through social networks. The survey was answered by people from Córdoba (Argentina) and South Carolina (US), of both sexes and different age groups, educational levels (basic/higher) and socioeconomic levels (medium-low/high). All answers were collected through SurveyMonkey and were analyzed using calculation programs and statistical tools (Excel 2016, Statistica 8.0).

Main results and the role of chance

Data showed that the 47.98% of Argentine women and 42.68% of American women surveyed do not know the age at which fertility begins to decline. The group with the highest percentage of incorrect answers (61.11%) for this question was that of Argentine women who had no previous experience with assisted fertility and come from the lower-middle social class. When asked about the knowledge about the factors that affect fertility, only 55% of Argentine women answered correctly, compared to 64.85% of American women. For the Argentine group, the proportion of correct answers increased to 62.23% for higher education level and to 56.60% for higher socioeconomic level. Regarding whether they know what fertility preservation procedure consists of, only 47.98% of Argentine women and 42.68% of American women answered correctly. On the other hand, 69.37% of the former and 63.18% of the latter do not know which biological materials can be cryopreserved. Finally, only 25.68% of women in Argentina know about the extent of their medical coverage in terms of fertility preservation procedures, while this percentage is 7.95% for the US population.

Limitations, reasons for caution

The comparison between the two countries may be challenged by the inequality in the response rate to the survey. However, even the smaller number of responses obtained in the USA is sufficient to obtain valid conclusions.

Wider implications of the findings: The level of misinformation registered in this study could imply reduced chances of achieving pregnancy in the future, especially for older women, those who wish to postpone motherhood or those who must undergo cancer treatments. This work provides important information in the politics designing promoting information access on fertility preservation.

Trial registration number

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P–739 Fertility and its Preservation: Comparative Analysis about the Knowledge between Two Populations of Doctors and Health Professionals from Argentina and the United States

Study question

Is there any difference in the knowledge that doctors and health professionals from Córdoba (Argentina) and South Carolina (USA) have about fertility preservation or about when it should be applied?

Summary answer

Both populations have enough knowledge about some aspects of fertility preservation, but its training must be improved so they can give adequate counseling

What is known already

During the last decades, it has been observed that more young individuals need/decide to preserve fertility, whether for social or medical reasons. This presents a new challenge for the medical community, since, faced with this situation, it is important that society in general has access to information about fertility and the possibilities of preserving it, if necessary. To this end, it is essential that doctors and other health professionals have valid knowledge of the subject and are able to communicate it to their patients.

Study design, size, duration

Descriptive quantitative study. A total of 721 answers were obtained, 88.7% from Argentina and 11.3% from the United States. 28.43% (205) were doctors and 71.57% (516) were other health professionals.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

A closed-ended questionnaire of 20 questions was designed (segmentation and aspects about fertility preservation) and distributed to society through social networks. The survey was answered by people from Córdoba (Argentina) and South Carolina (US), of both sexes and different age, educational and socioeconomic levels. Only those with a medical degree or involved in some medical-related activity were selected. All answers were collected through SurveyMonkey and analyzed using calculation programs and statistical tools (Excel–2016, Statistica 8.0).

Main results and the role of chance

Data showed percentages of correct answers greater than 70% in all groups for the questions that analyze what factors can affect fertility, what situations can determine the need to preserve it, and what is the appropriate age for a woman to cryopreserve her eggs. On average, 82.4% of doctors and 72.87% of other health professionals know when it is the right time for patients diagnosed with cancer to receive information about the possibility of preserving their fertility. However, on average between both countries, only 34.63% of doctors has information about the legal medical coverage of their patients, while the 39.51% is completely unaware of their country’s laws. Finally, the percentages of professionals who do not know what material can be cryopreserved in girls who need to undergo oncological treatments reach 46.34 and 64.33% (doctors and other health professionals respectively).

Limitations, reasons for caution

The comparison between the two countries may be challenged by the inequality in the response rate to the survey. However, even the smaller number of responses obtained in the USA is sufficient to obtain valid conclusions.

Wider implications of the findings: Both populations have sufficient information about factors which affect fertility and its preservation, especially in cancer situations. Misinformation in health personnel about these aspects directly affects possibilities of achieving future pregnancies for patients. Continuous updating and guidance should be a priority, as well as information dissemination and adequate medical counseling.

Trial registration number

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Site of the ischemic penumbra as a predictor of potential for recovery of functions

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Diffusion-perfusion mismatch has been used to estimate salvageable tissue and predict potential for recovery in acute stroke. Location of the salvageable tissue may be as important as volume or percentage in predicting potential for recovery of specific functions. Impaired naming, a common and disabling deficit after left hemisphere stroke, is often associated with tissue dysfunction of left Brodmann area (BA) 37, posterior inferior temporal cortex. We tested the hypothesis that the presence of diffusion-perfusion mismatch within left BA 37 predicts probability and extent of short-term improvement of naming.

METHODS

One hundred five patients with acute left hemisphere ischemic stroke had diffusion-weighted imaging, perfusion-weighted imaging, a test of picture naming, and other language tests at admission and 2 to 4 days later. Linear regression was used to determine whether diffusion-perfusion mismatch in any BA in language cortex, total volume of mismatch, or diffusion or perfusion abnormality predicted degree of improvement in naming by days 3 to 5.

RESULTS

The presence of >20% diffusion-perfusion mismatch in left BA 37 and total volumes of diffusion and perfusion abnormality at day 1 each independently predicted degree of improvement in naming. Mismatch in this area did not predict the degree of improvement in other language tests or the NIH Stroke Scale in this study.

CONCLUSIONS/RELEVANCE

Diffusion-perfusion mismatch in left Brodmann area 37 was strongly associated with acute improvement in naming, independently of volume or percentage of total mismatch or diffusion or perfusion abnormality. These data indicate that mismatch in a particular area is a marker of salvageable tissue and an important predictor of potential for recovery of functions that depend on that area. Location of mismatch before treatment may help to predict potential benefits of reperfusion.

Isolated posterior cerebral artery dissection: report of three cases

Isolated dissection of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) is a rare but important cause of stroke in younger patients, particularly women. We present 3 cases of dissection of the P2 segment of the PCA. In 2 patients, an association with minor axial head trauma was documented, suggesting shearing injury of the PCA as it crosses over the free edge of the tentorium. The clinical and imaging findings are discussed, and the therapeutic management is reviewed.