Differences in knowledge of and risk factors for AIDS between Hispanic and non-Hispanic women attending an urban family planning clinic

Risk factors for AIDS, contraceptive use, seroprevalence of HIV, and level of knowledge before and after an AIDS education session were assessed for 657 clients attending a family planning clinic in Los Angeles, USA. History of a partner who was bisexual, an intravenous drug user, or a blood transfusion recipient were the most common risk factors. Spanish speakers reported fewer traditional risk factors than English speakers. They were also less likely to report a history of drug or alcohol use or sexually transmitted diseases, and to have had fewer sexual partners. Less than one-third of the women identified as being at risk of exposure were using condoms. None of 351 consecutive patients tested for HIV antibodies was positive. English speakers scored higher on both pre- and post-tests of knowledge about AIDS. Cultural factors may lower the personal risk of HIV exposure for Spanish-speaking women, but lack of knowledge about AIDS and partner behavior may increase risk.     

Heart evaluation by cine CT: use of two new oblique views

Two new oblique views on cine computed tomography for examination of the left ventricle of the heart are described. A short-axis view sections the left ventricle transversely, demonstrating all the ventricular walls; a long-axis view sections the left ventricle longitudinally, demonstrating the mitral valve, proximal aortic root, aortic outflow tract, and ventricular apex. These views are produced by a combination of table slew and patient positioning. Reproducible short-axis views were obtained in 16 healthy volunteers and 11 patients. Long-axis views were obtained in 11 patients. Patient studies in the long-and short-axis views were compared with results from angiocardiography, with nearly identical findings.     

Tumors and arteriovenous malformations of the spinal cord: assessment using MR

Thirty-three patients with either primary spinal cord tumors (n = 18), intradural tumors excavating into the cord (n = 9), or spinal arteriovenous malformations (AVM) (n = 6) were studied with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. In 25 of 38 examinations (66%) (five patients were studied twice), MR provided more information than that provided by other neuroradiologic procedures. In several cases, MR affected patient management decisions. Advantages of MR, in addition to the absence of ionizing radiation and its noninvasive nature, include good spinal cord-CSF-theca contrast, lack of bone-derived artifacts, ease of multiplanar imaging, improved discrimination between intra- and extramedullary lesions, better definition of tumoral cavities and possible distinction from true syringes, ability to help one recognize thrombus formation within an AVM, and ease of follow-up of cord lesions for possible size changes. Apart from factors precluding the study in several patients (life support systems, pacemakers, claustrophobia, neurovascular clips), disadvantages of MR imaging include motion artifacts (prevalent in thoracolumbar area), poor capability of typing and grading of tumors, potential of false-positive results, poor detection of calcification, and poor delineation of feeders and drainers of AVM.     

Gallbladder contraction: effects of fatty meals and cholecystokinin

Gallbladder contraction and hormone release were measured in six healthy volunteers after their ingestion of two commercially available fatty meals (Biloptin Fatty Meal and Sorbitract) and intravenous bolus injection of 1 Ivy Dog Unit/kg body weight cholecystokinin (CCK) to compare the effectiveness of fatty meals to CCK. Differences in gallbladder volumes, rate constants of emptying, and times of maximal contractions, as measured by real-time sonography, were not statistically significant. Peak levels of CCK, a potent stimulant of gallbladder contraction, and of pancreatic polypeptide, an inhibitor of gallbladder contraction, were significantly higher (P less than .05-P less than .005) after administration of CCK than after ingestion of each fatty meal, but this did not significantly affect emptying rate or maximal contraction. We conclude that the use of intravenous CCK does not offer any advantage over the ingestion of fatty meals in radiographic studies of gallbladder involving induced contractions.     

Menstrual patterns in women with congenital heart disease

To examine the extent to which congenital heart disease (CHD) influences ovarian function, 98 women (mean age 32.7 years) were asked to complete a mailed questionnaire regarding their menstrual patterns. Patients were divided into acyanotic (60%) and cyanotic (38.8%) groups. Cycle lengths, duration of menstrual cycle, regularity of menses, amount of flow, and breakthrough bleeding were compared in these two groups and against agematched controls. The mean age of menarche for the sample (13.4 years) was significantly different (p<0.004) when compared to their controls (12.5 years). With the exception of breakthrough bleeding, statistical differences were not found between the study population and the controls. When the menstrual histories of cyanotic women were compared with those of acyanotic women, differences were found for all categories of menstrual patterns with the exception of the amount of menstrual flow. Menstrual patterns of cyanotic women compared to controls were found to be significantly different for all categories with the exception of amount of flow. In general, women with CHD have menstrual patterns similar to those in the general population.     

Hyaline membrane disease and intraventricular haemorrhage in small for gestational age infants

19 small for gestational age (SGA) infants with gestational ages less than or equal to 32 weeks were matched with 19 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) preterm neonates with similar risk factors for intraventricular haemorrhage and hyaline membrane disease. Gestational age, 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores, type of delivery, survival rate, use of corticosteroids before delivery, sex, twinning, presence of premature rupture of membranes, and birth date were comparable in the two groups. Gestational age of both groups was 30 (+/- 1.8) weeks, and birthweights were 919 (+/- 202) g (SGA group) and 1268 (+/- 212) g (AGA group). The incidences of hyaline membrane disease and intraventricular haemorrhage were different: 74 and 42% respectively for AGA neonates, 5 and 11% respectively for SGA infants. We suggest that a stressful environment in utero may enhance maturation and prevent hyaline membrane disease and intraventricular haemorrhage.     

Pseudohypoparathyroidism. Variable manifestations within a family

A wide variety of clinical and biochemical manifestations have been reported in association with pseudohypoparathyroidism and associated disorders. This is illustrated by a family study in which the affected members show widely differing characteristics.