Trends in Gestational Weight Gain and Prepregnancy Obesity in South Carolina, 2015-2021.

Introduction: We examined trends in prepregnancy obesity and gestational weight gain, with a focus on racial and ethnic differences, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Carolina.

Methods: Hospital and emergency department discharge codes were linked to birth certificates. Prepregnancy obesity was defined as a body mass index (kg/m) of 30 or higher.

Increasing Prevalence of Diagnosed Gestational Diabetes in South Carolina: 2015-2021.

To examine trends with a focus on racial and ethnic disparities in reported gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and related outcomes (macrosomia, large for gestational age infants) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Carolina (SC). A retrospective cohort study of pregnancies resulting in livebirths from 2015 through 2021 was conducted in SC. Statewide maternal hospital and emergency department discharge codes were linked to birth certificate data.

Increasing Preterm Delivery and Small for Gestational Age Trends in South Carolina during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Preterm delivery (PTD) complications are a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. We aimed to assess trends in PTD and small for gestational age (SGA) and whether trends varied between race-ethnic groups in South Carolina (SC). We utilized 2015-2021 SC vital records linked to hospitalization and emergency department records.

Case-control study of environmental toxins and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis involving the national ALS registry.

Objective: Neurotoxic chemicals are suggested in the etiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We examined the association of environmental and occupational risk factors including persistent organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and ALS risk among cases from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National ALS Registry and age, sex, and county-matched controls.

Methods: Participants completed a risk factor survey and provided a blood sample for OCP measurement.

The Association of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy with Infant Mortality, Preterm Delivery, and Small for Gestational Age.

Gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia, and chronic hypertension (CHTN) are associated with adverse infant outcomes and disproportionately affect minoritized race/ethnicity groups. We evaluated the relationships between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and/or CHTN with infant mortality, preterm delivery (PTD), and small for gestational age (SGA) in a statewide cohort with a diverse racial/ethnic population. All live, singleton deliveries in South Carolina (2004-2016) to mothers aged 12-49 were evaluated for adverse outcomes: infant mortality, PTD (20 to less than <37 weeks) and SGA (<10th birthweight-for-gestational-age percentile).

Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Pre-Pregnancy Hypertension with Subsequent Incident Venous Thromboembolic Events.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and pre-pregnancy hypertension contribute to maternal morbidity and mortality. We examined the association of HDP and pre-pregnancy hypertension with subsequent venous thromboembolic (VTE) events. The retrospective cohort study included 444,859 women with ≥1 live, singleton birth in South Carolina (2004-2016).

Exposure to ambient air toxicants and the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): A matched case control study.

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder with few risk factors identified and no known cure. Gene-environment interaction is hypothesized especially for sporadic ALS cases (90-95%) which are of unknown etiology. We aimed to investigate risk factors for ALS including exposure to ambient air toxics.

Narcissism Is Not Associated With Success in U.S. Army Soldier Training.

Introduction: Narcissism has been studied for its role in leadership using various versions of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI). Narcissism is described as having a "dark and negative" side as well as a "positive or bright" side. The bright side of narcissism, in particular, has been studied for its role in leadership.

Number of prior live births is associated with higher arterial stiffness but not its change in older women: the atherosclerosis risk in communities study.

Introduction: Although studies have demonstrated a J-shaped association between parity and cardiovascular disease (CVD), the association with arterial stiffness is not fully understood.

Methods: We examined the association between parity and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), a measure of central arterial stiffness. We conducted a longitudinal analysis of 1220 women (mean age 73.

Evaluation of the First-Year Data from an HPV Vaccination Van Program in South Carolina, U.S.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are linked to at least six different types of cancer. The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Hollings Cancer Center (HCC) and Department of Pediatrics leaders identified suboptimal rates of HPV vaccinations in rural and medically underserved communities in South Carolina (SC). To address this major public health problem in SC, they received funding from the HealthyMe/HealthySC (HMHSC) program and HCC to create a statewide community engagement-focused HPV Vaccination Van Program in October 2021.

Long-term air pollution and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mortality in the Women's Health Initiative cohort.

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder with no cure. Although the etiology of sporadic ALS is largely unknown, environmental exposures may affect ALS risk.

Objective: We investigated relationships between exposure to long-term ambient particulate matter (PM) and gaseous air pollution (AP) and ALS mortality.

Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy With and Without Prepregnancy Hypertension Are Associated With Incident Maternal Kidney Disease Subsequent to Delivery.

Background: Maternal morbidity and mortality are related to prepregnancy hypertensive disease and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) including preeclampsia (41.1% of HDP), eclampsia (1.3% of HDP), and gestational hypertension (39.

The National Conference on Health Disparities Student Research Forum.

The annual National Conference on Health Disparities (NCHD) was launched in 2000. It unites health professionals, researchers, community leaders, and government officials, and is a catalyzing force in developing policies, research interventions, and programs that address prevention, social determinants, health disparities, and health equity. The NCHD Student Research Forum (SRF) was established in 2011 at the Medical University of South Carolina to build high-quality biomedical research presentation capacity in primarily underrepresented undergraduate and graduate/professional students.

Incident Heart Failure Within the First and Fifth Year after Delivery Among Women With Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Prepregnancy Hypertension in a Diverse Population.

Background Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and pre-pregnancy hypertension are associated with increased morbidity and mortality for the mother. Our aim was to investigate the relationships between HDP and pre-pregnancy hypertension with maternal heart failure (HF) within 1 and 5 years of delivery and to examine racial/ethnic differences. Methods and Results We conducted a retrospective cohort study in South Carolina (2004-2016) involving 425 649 women aged 12 to 49 years (58.

Coping Mechanisms of Previously Diagnosed and New HIV-Discordant, Heterosexual Couples Enrolled in a Pilot HIV Self-Testing Intervention Trial in Central Uganda.

Learning that a couple has HIV-discordant results can create tensions in the relationship including separation. We explored the coping mechanisms of HIV-discordant, heterosexual couples enrolled in an HIV self-testing (HIVST) intervention trial in Central Uganda. This qualitative study was nested within a pilot HIVST intervention trial targeting pregnant women and their male partners in central Uganda.

Impact of Fatty Acid Supplementation on Cognitive Performance among United States (US) Military Officers: The Ranger Resilience and Improved Performance on Phospholipid-Bound Omega-3's (RRIPP-3) Study.

Studies have assessed omega-3 fatty acids and cognitive decline among older adults and cognitive development among children, although less is known about cognitive or neurological effects among young adults. We examined whether omega-3 supplementation from krill oil could improve cognition and resilience among young military officers compared to a control. This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 555 officers (mean age 23.

Recruitment of population-based controls for ALS cases from the National ALS Registry.

In 2010, the United States Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) created the National ALS Registry (Registry) to examine the epidemiology of ALS and potential risk factors. We are currently recruiting population-based controls for an epidemiologic case-control study to examine ALS environmental risk factors using this Registry. To date, we have recruited 181 non-diseased, population-based controls for comparison to Registry cases ( = 280).

Maternal Coronary Heart Disease, Stroke, and Mortality Within 1, 3, and 5 Years of Delivery Among Women With Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Pre-Pregnancy Hypertension.

Background Pre-pregnancy hypertension and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP; preeclampsia, eclampsia, gestational hypertension) are major health risks for maternal morbidity and mortality. However, it is unknown if racial/ethnic differences exist. We aimed to determine the impact of HDP and pre-pregnancy hypertension on maternal coronary heart disease, stroke, and mortality risk ≤1, 3, and 5 years post-delivery and by race/ethnicity ≤5 years.

Ease of understanding and performing HIV self-tests by pregnant women and their male partners in Uganda: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Understanding and following HIV self-testing (HIVST) instructions is a critical step in the use of HIVST kits. We analyzed data on pregnant women and their partners' self-assessment on the usability of kits delivered by their pregnant women.

Methods: Quantitative data were collected on 399 pregnant women and 238 male partners enrolled in the intervention arm of a large cluster-randomized HIVST trial.

Daily Eating Frequency in US Adults: Associations with Low-Calorie Sweeteners, Body Mass Index, and Nutrient Intake (NHANES 2007-2016).

Studies of relationships between eating frequency and/or timing and energy intake have not examined associations with low-calorie sweeteners (LCS). We assessed the frequency of eating behavior related to LCS consumption emphasizing timing, calorie intake, and body mass index (BMI) among United States (US) adults aged ≥19 years. Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2016, we defined eating episodes as food and/or beverage intake within 15 min of one another over the first 24-h dietary recall.

BMI, physical activity, and breast cancer subtype in white, black, and Sea Island breast cancer survivors.

Higher BMI, lower rates of physical activity (PA), and hormone receptor-negative breast cancer (BC) subtype are associated with poorer BC treatment outcomes. We evaluated the prevalence of high BMI, low PA level, and BC subtype among survivors with white/European American (EA) and African American (AA) ancestry, as well as a distinct subset of AAs with Sea Island/Gullah ancestry (SI). We used the South Carolina Central Cancer Registry to identify 137 (42 EAs, 66 AAs, and 29 SIs) women diagnosed with BC and who were within 6-21 months of diagnosis.

Assessing an intervention to increase knowledge related to cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the primary risk factor for cervical cancer. While the HPV vaccine significantly reduces the risk of HPV infection and subsequent cervical cancer diagnosis, underuse is linked to lack of knowledge of its effectiveness in preventing cervical cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a cancer educational intervention (titled "MOVENUP") to improve knowledge of cervical cancer, HPV, and the HPV vaccine among predominantly African American communities in South Carolina.

HIV Oral Self-Testing for Male Partners of Women Attending Antenatal Care in Central Uganda: Uptake of Testing and Linkage to Care in a Randomized Trial.

Background: In Uganda, HIV testing rates are approximately 90% among women in antenatal care, with male rates much lower. The World Health Organization has recommended HIV self-testing (HIVST), and one promising model is for women in antenatal care to deliver HIVST kits to their male partners. We investigated the impact of this model on male partner testing rates.

Modeling Possible Outcomes of Updated Daily Values on Nutrient Intakes of the United States Adult Population.

The United States (US) Food and Drug Administration has updated the Daily Values (DVs) for the Nutrition Facts Label on packaged foods. We used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2012 data with the International Life Sciences Institute, North America Fortification Database, which identifies intrinsic, mandatory enriched, and fortified sources of nutrients in foods and beverages, to model the new DVs' potential impact on adult (≥19 years of age) intake. We assumed that manufacturers will adjust voluntary fortification to maintain percent DV claims.

HIV testing preferences among pregnant women attending antenatal care and their male partners: a discrete choice experiment in Uganda.

HIV testing rates remain stubbornly low among men - a crucial target population for reaching the ambitious global and regional goals of the HIV programme. In an era of declining donor funding, identifying cost-effective strategies to increase testing rates amongst men remains paramount. Antenatal care is an effective entry-point for the delivery of HIV testing services for women, and partner testing presents an important opportunity to reach their male partners.