The participation of Hispanics in US schools of Public Health, 1975-79.

Hispanic student and faculty representation at US Schools of Public Health from 1975-1979 was investigated. Findings indicate a substantial underrepresentation of Hispanic students and faculty members at these schools. Hispanic public health graduates were found to be less likely than other graduates to receive an MPH degree or a doctorate. It appears that the University of Puerto Rico graduates one-half of all Hispanic graduates and employs two-thirds of all Hispanic public health faculty.     

Emphysema in the renal allograft

Two diabetic patients in whom emphysematous pyelonephritis developed after renal transplantation are described. Clinical recognition of this unusual and serious infection is masked by the effects of immunosuppression. Abdominal radiographic, ultrasound, and computed tomography findings are discussed. The clinical presentation includes urinary tract infection, sepsis, and acute tubular malfunction of the allograft in insulin-dependent diabetics.     

Race and Ethnic Disparities in Cervical Cancer Screening in a Safety-Net System

Objectives: The three objectives of this research were: 1) to examine the use of Pap smear tests among low-income women, including minority and immigrant women who were patients in a safety-net healthcare system; 2) to identify policy relevant variables that could lead to changes in use of Pap smear screening services for these women; and 3) to contribute to the literature on use of Pap smear screening, especially among minorities and immigrants. The Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations was used as the theoretical framework. Methods: Pap smear screening predictors were examined using telephone interviews with a random sample of women aged 18–60, including 465 Non-Hispanic Whites, 285 African Americans, 164 Hispanic Americans, and 256 Hispanic immigrants, enrolled in a safety-net healthcare system in Texas in Fall 2000. Binary logistic regression analysis was used. Results: The research revealed that Non-Hispanic Whites were most likely to have been screened ever and in the past 3 years, followed by African Americans, Hispanic immigrants, and Hispanic Americans. Among Hispanics, immigrants were most likely to have had Pap smear screening, supporting the “healthy immigrant hypothesis.” Older women were most likely to have ever been screened, with younger women, most likely in the past year. Having a usual source of healthcare and a checkup for current pregnancy increased screening, while competing needs (food, clothing, housing) affected screening negatively. Conclusions: Culturally competent, community-based care for women is needed to increase Pap smear screening among minority groups, especially Hispanic immigrant and Hispanic American women.     

Influence of caloric restriction on the development of atherosclerosis in nonhuman primates: progress to date

Caloric restriction (CR) has been observed to retard aging processes and extend the maximum life span in rodents. In an effort to evaluate the effect of this nutritional intervention on physiologic variables in higher species, several nonhuman primate trials are ongoing. In particular, a study evaluating the independent effect of CR on the extent of atherosclerosis was initiated in 1993 in 32 adult cynomolgus monkeys. Therefore, the trial was designed to achieve identical cholesterol intake after animals were randomized to a control group or a calorie-restricted group (30% reduction from baseline caloric intake). The animals were routinely evaluated for glycated proteins, plasma insulin and glucose levels, insulin sensitivity, and specific measures for abdominal fat distribution by CT scans over a 4-year interval. The results from 4 years of intervention demonstrate that CR improves cardiovascular risk factors (such as visceral fat accumulation) and improves insulin sensitivity. In contrast to other primate studies with normolipidemic animals, CR had no independent effects on plasma lipid levels and composition in the presence of equivalent amounts of dietary cholesterol intake. Preliminary analysis of atherosclerotic lesion extent in the abdominal aorta has failed to demonstrate differences between control animals and CR animals. Follow- up studies are being conducted to determine the effect of CR on atherosclerosis extent in coronary and carotid arteries.