Immigrant obesity and unhealthy assimilation: alternative estimates of convergence or divergence, 1995-2005.

We re-examine the pace of rising obesity among Hispanic immigrants and the effects associated with longer duration in the US, or what is referred to as unhealthy assimilation, the convergence of immigrant health to a less healthy native-born standard. Consistent with previous research, we find that across all race-ethnic groups, immigrants tend to be less obese than native-born persons. Second, obesity is clearly on the rise, with obesity rates increasing for both immigrant and native-born populations between 1995 and 2005.

Occupational status and health insurance among immigrants: effects by generation, length of residence in U.S., and race.

Background: The occupational mobility of immigrants may be an important link between length of US residence/generation and health insurance status.

Methods: 2003 and 2005 Current Population Survey data are analyzed to assess the relationship between occupation and length of residence/generation and their association with health insurance for immigrant workers. Using a decomposition method, we measure how much of the differences in coverage are due to length of residence/generation versus occupation.

Transforming growth factor-beta levels in human aqueous humor of glaucomatous, diabetic and uveitic eyes.

Purpose: Transforming growth factor-beta2 is known to be present at elevated levels in the aqueous humor of patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and diabetes but not in uveitis-related secondary glaucoma. We investigated total TGF-beta2 levels and levels of the active form of TGF-beta2 in the aqueous humor of eyes with different types of glaucoma.

Methods: The concentration of the total and active form of TGF-beta2 was measured in 63 patients with primary open angle glaucoma, neovascular glaucoma complicated with diabetes (NVG), and secondary open angle glaucoma complicated with uveitis (SOAG) using a double antibody 'sandwich-indirect' ELISA method.

Bilateral spontaneous dislocation of intraocular lenses within the capsular bag in a retinitis pigmentosa patient.

A 45-year-old man with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), who had undergone uneventful extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) in his right eye eight years previously, and phacoemulsification in his left eye six years previously, had spontaneously dislocated intraocular lenses (IOL) within the capsular bag in both eyes one month apart. We removed the dislocated IOLs, and performed anterior vitrectomy and scleral fixation of the new IOLs. Mild contraction of the capsular bags and uneven distribution of the zonular remnants' clumps along the equator of the capsules were found by scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examination.