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The changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ]) following laser-induced cell injury in nearby cells were studied in primary mouse astrocytes selectively expressing the Ca 2+ sensitive GFAP-Cre Salsa6f fluorescent tandem protein, in an Ast1 astrocyte cell line, and in primary mouse astrocytes loaded with Fluo4. Astrocytes in these three systems exhibit distinct changes in [Ca 2+ ] following induced death of nearby cells. Changes in [Ca 2+ ] appear to result from release of Ca 2+ from intracellular organelles, as opposed to influx from the external medium. Salsa6f expressing astrocytes displayed dynamic Ca 2+ changes throughout the phagocytic response, including lamellae protrusion, cytosolic signaling during vesicle formation, vesicle maturation, and vesicle tract formation. Our results demonstrate local changes in [Ca 2+ ] are involved in the process of phagocytosis in astrocytes responding to cell corpses and/or debris.

Objective To examine healthcare-related correlates of recent HIV-testing among New York City (NYC) residents, controlling for socio-demographic and HIV-related risk factors. Methods Using the NYC 2007 Community Health Survey (population-based telephone survey, n=8,911), recent HIV-testing was examined for its association with healthcare-related variables, including medical screening for other conditions, controlling for other HIV-testing correlates using multiple logistic regression. Results Factors associated with a recent HIV test included: provider recommend for an HIV test (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]:10.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]:7.6–13.5), Medicaid versus private insurance (AOR:1.6, 95%CI:1.2–2.1), and having a personal doctor (AOR:1.6, 95%CI:1.3–2.1). The proportion of HIV tests attributed to each factor (attributable fraction [AF] was 49% for provider recommendation, 33% for having a personal doctor, and 8.3% for Medicaid insurance. Among those recommended for other medical screening, factors associated with recent HIV-testing included recent receipt of blood lipid testing (AOR:2.2, 95%CI:1.6–3.0; AF:45%), and Pap smear (AOR:2.7, 95%CI:2.1–3.5; AF:52%). Recent receipt of mammography and colonoscopy were not associated with recent HIV-testing. Conclusions A substantial proportion of recent HIV-testing coverage among New Yorkers may be attributable to healthcare-related factors. Joint medical screening may provide opportunities to increase population HIV-testing coverage.