Development of a cell free system for analysis of the mechanisms of exocytosis using total internal reflectance microscopy

Regulated exocytosis occurs in a number of cell types and has been studied in many of these. There appears to be a commonality of function in the cells that exhibit regulated exocytosis. Many proteins have been implicated in the process of regulated exocytosis and a number of trigger signals have been identified. There are various means of investigating regulated exocytosis and these include capacitance measurements, amperometry and single-cell imaging. Reconstitution from defined components of the steps leading to exocytosis has not yet been achieved, whereas the investigation of the actual exocytotic event is well described. Access to the cytosolic components of the cell is a requirement of any assay that attempts to investigate the process leading to the final 'fusion event' of regulated exocytosis.The aim of this research was to develop an in-vitro assay that would allow investigation of the steps leading to regulated exocytosis on a plasma membrane. The method was based on the use of ‘unroofed’ bovine adrenal chromaffin cells, viewed by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. Development of the assay posed a number of challenges, not all of which were overcome during the study. The basic platform for the assay, a cell membrane patch with adhering secretory vesicles, was produced with some degree of success. However the imaging method had a number of limitations and this frustrated the method’s development.The results, although encouraging, were judged not to be robust enough to permit development of a reconstituted system and a more reliable imaging procedure is recommended for further stud

State hospitals, academic medicine and the decline of health care in South Africa: A cry of support from those who have left for those who stay.

Recently a group of concerned South African doctors published a comment on the occupational-specific dispensation negotiations that have failed to address their concerns. As a group of South African trained physicians working out of South Africa we would like to add our voice in support of these concerned doctors. In particular, the South African public and government needs to acknowledge that poor working conditions and inadequate compensation play a large role in the loss of medical skill from South Africa

L’influence des relations familiales et sociales sur la consommation de médicaments psychotropes chez les personnes âgées

Les psychotropes occupent le deuxième rang dans la consommation de médicaments chez les personnes âgées. L'objectif de cette étude est de vérifier un modèle explicatif de la consommation de psychotropes dans cette population. Notre principale hypothèse est que la qualité des relations qu'entretient une personne âgée avec autrui, et particulièrement avec ses enfants, a une influence directe sur son bien-être psychologique, lequel a une influence directe sur la non-consommation de psychotropes. Une enquête a été réalisée auprès d'un échantillon de 500 personnes âgées de 65 à 84 ans, vivant à domicile. Au cours des trois mois précédant l'entrevue, 31,8 % des répondants ont consommé des psychotropes. Les données empiriques n'ayant pas permis de vérifier le modèle théorique retenu, des analyses multivariées ont conduit à l'élaboration d'un modèle explicatif de la consommation qui met en évidence que le bien-être psychologique et la santé sont les meilleurs prédicteurs de cette consommation. Un bien-être psychologique élevé diminue la consommation alors qu'un mauvais état de santé l'augmente. Les relations sociales influencent directement le bien-être psychologique alors que les relations familiales ont un effet de moindre importance. Le modèle explicatif proposé explique 13 % du phénomène de la consommation de psychotropes chez les personnes âgées.Psychotropic drugs are the second most commonly used medication by Quebec's elderly. The objective of this study is to test a theoretical model of psychotropic drug use in the elderly. The principal hypothesis is that the quality of relationships the elderly person has with others, particularly with his or her children, has a direct influence on his or her psychological well-being, which, in turn, directly affects the consumption of psychotropic agents. A survey was conducted on a sample of 500 elderly people, aged 65-84 years, living at home. 31.8% of the respondents used psychotropic drugs during the three-month period preceding the interview. Path analysis led to the elaboration of a modified model for the consumption of psychotropic drugs by the elderly which indicates that the best predictors of consumption are both the psychological well-being and the state of health of the individual. More elevated is the psychological well-being, less is the consumption of psychotropic drugs, whereas poor health condition increases it. The quality of an individual's social relationships has a direct influence on his or her psychological well-being, whereas family relationships are of lesser importance. Our model accounts for 13% of the predictors of psychotropic consumption by the elderly