Why have so many African leaders died of COVID-19?

This paper provides evidence that the COVID-19-related mortality rate of national government ministers and heads of state has been substantially higher than that of people with a similar sex and age profile in the general population, a trend that is driven by African cases (17 out of 24 reported deaths worldwide, as of 6 February 2021). Ministers' work frequently puts them in close contact with diverse groups, and therefore at higher risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2, but this is not specific to Africa. This paper discusses five non-mutually exclusive hypotheses for the Africa-specific trend, involving comorbidity, poorly resourced healthcare and possible restrictions in accessing out-of-country health facilities, the underreporting of cases, and, later, the disproportionate impact of the so-called 'South African' variant (501Y.

Clobetasol's Influence on the Management and Cost of Skin Overgrowth Associated with the Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid.

Background: Management of the skin/abutment interface in patients with bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHAs) can occasionally be a challenge. Even with the most compliant patients and the most intensive home/office treatment regimens, painful triamcinolone injections and revision surgery can become necessary. Such treatments can be associated with an inordinate cost burden.

Nucleus N5 CI500 series implant recall: hard failure rate at a major Cochlear implantation center.

Objectives/hypothesis: To compare the cumulative failure percentage of the Cochlear Nucleus N5 CI500 series implant observed, both before and after the voluntary recall of unimplanted devices, to that of the Cochlear Nucleus Freedom CI24RE series implant.

Study Design: Retrospective review of 411 patients implanted with either the Nucleus Freedom or the Nucleus N5 device.

Methods: Cochlear implantation was performed in standard fashion.

Hurricane Katrina and its effects on a regional cochlear implant program.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects Hurricane Katrina had on the demographics and outcomes of patients receiving cochlear implantation at our institution.

Design: This was a retrospective chart review of 179 patients (190 ears) receiving cochlear implantation from January 2003 to December 2007.

Methods: Paper records and an outcome database were reviewed for analysis.

Device fixation in cochlear implantation: is bone anchoring necessary?

Objectives/hypothesis: To compare complication rates between patients whose cochlear implants were secured by a bony tie-down technique versus those secured by a periosteal tie-down technique.

Study Design: A retrospective review of 302 consecutive patients undergoing cochlear implantation (327 implants), including both adults and children, at a single institution by a single surgeon.

Methods: Cochlear implantation was performed in the standard fashion with bony securement of the device in the first subset of patients.