Prevalence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and chronic hypertension increased throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in South Carolina (2015-2021).

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and chronic hypertension (CHTN) are related to maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. We aimed to assess HDP and CHTN prevalence changes before (January 2015-February 2020) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020-December 2021) in South Carolina (SC). SC live births (2015-2021) were included (194,841 non-Hispanic White [NHW]); 108,195 non-Hispanic Black [NHB]; 25,560 Hispanic; 16,346 other race/ethnicity).

A simple model for the analysis of epidemics based on hospitalization data.

An epidemiological model with a minimal number of parameters is introduced and its structural and practical identifiabity is investigated both analytically and numerically. The model is useful when a high percentage of unreported cases is suspected, hence only hospitalization data are used to fit the model parameters and calculate the basic reproductive number R and the effective reproductive number R. As a case study, the model is used to study the initial surge and the Omicron wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Belgium.

Yaws in Africa: Past, Present and Future.

Yaws is an infectious, neglected tropical disease that affects the skin of many children and adolescents who live in poor, rural, low-income communities in humid, tropical areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Yaws is currently endemic in at least 15 countries, but adequate surveillance data are lacking. In line with the WHO's effort to improve early detection, diagnosis, and proper management leading to the eventual eradication of yaws, this article reviews the existing literature on yaws in Africa to highlight the epidemiological pattern, genetic variability, diagnosis modalities, treatment, and control strategies, the challenges and prospects for yaws eradication.

Insulin resistance, cognition, and functional brain network topology in older adults with obesity.

Objective: Cross-sectional data from a sample of older adults with obesity was used to determine how peripheral and neuronal insulin resistance (IR) relate to executive function and functional brain network topology.

Methods: Older adults (n=71) with obesity but without type 2 diabetes were included. Peripheral IR was quantified by HOMA2-IR.

Protocol to perform ex vivo electroretinography on adult zebrafish.

Ex vivo electroretinography (ERG) provides insight into the health and functionality of retinal cells, the integrity of phototransduction, and the visual cycle and allows for the direct application of pharmaceuticals to the retinal tissues. Here, we present a protocol for performing ex vivo ERG on adult zebrafish. We describe steps for zebrafish tissue dissection, mounting tissues, and assembling and connecting cassettes.