Drosophila Ptp4E regulates vesicular packaging for monoamine-neuropeptide co-transmission.

Many neurons influence their targets through co-release of neuropeptides and small-molecule transmitters. Neuropeptides are packaged into dense-core vesicles (DCVs) in the soma and then transported to synapses, while small-molecule transmitters such as monoamines are packaged by vesicular transporters that function at synapses. These separate packaging mechanisms point to activity, by inducing co-release as the sole scaler of co-transmission. Based on screening in Drosophila for increased presynaptic neuropeptides, the receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase (Rptp) Ptp4E was found to post-transcriptionally regulate neuropeptide content in single DCVs at octopamine synapses. This occurs without changing neuropeptide release efficiency, transport and DCV size measured by both stimulated emission depletion super-resolution and transmission electron microscopy. Ptp4E also controls the presynaptic abundance and activity of the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT), which packages monoamine transmitters for synaptic release. Thus, rather than rely on altering electrical activity, the Rptp regulates packaging underlying monoamine-neuropeptide co-transmission by controlling vesicular membrane transporter and luminal neuropeptide content.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

Lowest safe hematocrit level on cardiopulmonary bypass in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

UNLABELLED: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most common cardiothoracic surgical procedure performed in the United States. The majority of patients undergoing CABG are placed on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to support the circulation. CPB hemodilutes the patient imposing extremes in the hemostatic system, requiring careful assessment of pre-surgical hematologic values. Recent clinical data suggests that patients who receive blood transfusions while hospitalized for CABG have an increased morbidity and mortality. Women have a greater risk of transfusions than men with CABG and are thus at greater postoperative risk. The purpose of the present study was to determine the lowest safe hematocrit level achievable on CPB during CABG surgery where no transfusion and no post-operative complications were identified. METHODS: Inpatient record review evaluation including socio-demographic data, hematocrit values (pre-pump and on pump), red blood cell transfusion administration and Surgery, postoperative complications. RESULTS: Collected data from 136 first-time, single CABG patients demonstrated 68% had no postoperative complications. Of this non-complicated group 60% were transfused while only 40% were non-transfused. The non-complicated, non-transrusea group nematocrit vaiues averagea 25.1% +/- 2.8 with a minimum of 19%. (P = 0.003). 68% of the patients had no postoperative complication. Transient acute renal insufficiency was the most common complication observed. CONCLUSION: The lowest safe hematocrit level on CABG in non-complicated and non-transfused patients was 19% corresponding to an average of 25.1% +/- 2.8. A preoperative patient profile has been identified where age, weight, height, BSA, BMI, and pre-pump and on pump hematocrit values can aid medical staff about transfusion decision making.

Preferences, use of and satisfaction with mental health services among a sample of Puerto Rican cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the preferences, the use, satisfaction of mental health services (MHS) among a sample of Puerto Rican patients with cancer undergoing oncology treatment. METHODS: A convenience sample of 120 patients diagnosed with cancer was recruited. Self-report questionnaires assessed socio-demographic and background questions, and the Mental Health Service Preference, Utilization and Satisfaction Questionnaire (MHSPUS). The Socio-demographic and Background Questionnaire inquired about participants' demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, and included questions such as history of psychiatric diagnosis and spiritual practices. Univariate and Chi square analyses were used for descriptive purposes. Logistic regressions were used to explore associations between sociodemographic factors and MHS preferences and use. RESULTS: The majority of the sample were females (53.8%), 61 and older (53.8%), and married or living with partner (57.1%), and reported an income equal to or less than $12,000 per year (44.4%), which places them under the US federal poverty line. Most of the participants (66.7%) reported being receptive to seeking services. Findings showed a significant association between living situation and past (p < .05) and lifetime use (p < .05) of MHS and past use of MHS. Participants living alone were more like to have used MHS in the past and during their lifetime. Adjusted logistic regression analyses revealed that living with someone was a protective factor for not using MHS in their lifetime (OR = 0.28; C1 = 0.08-0.95). Participants preferred to receive MHS at the oncology clinic, preferably on the date of their oncology appointments and during morning hours. CONCLUSION: Findings support the integration of mental health services within the oncology practice setting.

High blood pressure risk factors in a community of students in the south area of Puerto Rico.

INTRODUCTION: The south area of Puerto Rico has a high density of a college student population. This population is exposed to a series of hypertension risk factors, for instance: they are exposed to the stress associated with their studies, they are the target of publicitary promotion of fast foods, alcoholic drinks, smoking, and they share with the rest of the Puertorican population predisposition to diabetes mellitus. We collected data about the risk factors for High Blood Pressure (HBP) to which this specific population was exposed. METHODS: This is an observational-descriptive, cross-sectional study with a data collection period from February to March 2004. SUBJECTS: students of a health science institution of the south area of Puerto Rico (N = 310). Sample availability (155). The Prediagnostic History of Francisco Fragachán (2002), High Blood Pressure Unit, questionaire Universitary Hospital, Central University of Venezuela was utilized. We also performed the questionnaire of Vulnerability Stress Test of Beech and Scheffield (adapted for a Hispanic community). The blood pressure was measured with an electronic calibrated Omrom 4M equipment. Measured anthropometric variables: Weight and height with a calibrated scale; Hip and waist circumference under the anatomical references of Siegell et al. RESULTS: Age Average: 25.4 +/- 3.19. Ninety three percent (93%) of the population had at least one risk factor for HBP. Of our population, 90% consider themselves vulnerable to stress at least in one of the items proposed. 45% of our subjects were overweight and 17% were obese. 94.8% of the study population had an adequate W/H ratio. Mean values for BP: 112/71; Pulse Presure: 41; Mean Blood Presure: 85,4; Heart Rate: 79,5. We found seven subjects with hypertension. CONCLUSION: In our study population the presence of risk factors (modifiable and non-modifiable) in an early stage of life (25.4 +/- 3.19 years) increases the possibility to develop hypertension.

Salt taste threshold and salt good taste sensitivity in a community of students of the southern area of Puerto Rico.

Sodium appetite reflects the importance of sodium homeostasis. The sodium ion is one of the most important risk factors in the development of hypertension. Humans, for various reasons, seem to have a specific preference for salt which is consumed in excess of need and this has been characterized as an important contributor to hypertension. Salt intake is related to the salt taste sensitivity threshold and the salt good taste level. Gustatory sensibility responds to various physiological mechanisms and salt taste is directly modified by cultural and socio-economical factors. We measured the salt taste sensitivity threshold and salt good taste level of a young student population. Air popped popcorn sprayed with different Molar concentrations of salt where given to students to taste and a questionnaire to evaluate diet salt intake preferences. Both salt taste sensitivity threshold and salt good taste level graph patterns are different from each other. Salt taste sensitivity threshold has a bell shape distribution with different molar salt concentrations. The major tendency of the salt umbral sensitivity of our population was the 0.5 M concentration. Salt good taste level has an exponential shape distribution with different molar salt concentrations. The tendency for the good taste level of our population was 3 M. Smoking does not seem to modify the salt taste sensitivity thresholds or the salt good taste level graphs. Also, salt shaker use does not seem to modify salt taste sensitivity thresholds or salt good taste level graphs in our population. Salt taste sensitivity threshold is probably associated to morpho-physiological factors. Salt good taste level is mainly associated with the cultural environment. The majority of subjects have a tendency to prefer foods with higher concentrations of salt increasing the possibility of exposure to the salt intake risk factor.

Building a long distance training program to enhance clinical cancer research capacity in Puerto Rico.

Barriers persist in the development and delivery of effective cancer therapies to under-represented minority populations. In Puerto Rico, cancer is the second leading cause of death, yet cancer research awareness and training opportunities remain somewhat limited on the island. These limitations hinder progress toward decreasing the cancer health disparities that exist within the Puerto Rican population. The predominantly Hispanic population of Puerto Rico is the focus of a partnership between the Ponce Health Sciences University-Medical School and Ponce Research Institute (PHSU) in Ponce, Puerto Rico and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. The Partnership goals are to reduce these barriers through an integrated, multipronged approach of training and education alongside outreach and research components. This report describes the approaches, successes and challenges of enhancing clinical cancer research capacity on the island and the unique challenges of a partnership between two institutes physically separated by long distances. Once fully developed this model may be exportable to other Latin American countries where the need is even greater.