An exploratory case study of food sharing practices in Caribbean countries through a transition lens using intergenerational dyad interviews.

Background: Caribbean populations face complex health issues related to diet and food security as they undergo a rapid nutrition transition, resulting in some of the world's highest number of premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Despite policy efforts to promote local and regional food consumption, reliance on food imports remains high with many Caribbean countries importing more than 80% of their food from larger economies. Previous regional research revealed the importance of food sharing practices in the Caribbean, with implications for the consumption of local foods, food security, and community resilience against climate change.

Influence of lipid bilayer on the structure of the muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

The muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is a transmitter-gated ion channel residing in the plasma membrane of electrocytes and striated muscle cells. It is present predominantly at synaptic junctions, where it effects rapid depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane in response to acetylcholine released into the synaptic cleft. Previously, cryo-EM of intact membrane from revealed that the lipid bilayer surrounding the junctional receptor has a uniquely asymmetric and ordered structure, due to a high concentration of cholesterol.

Gestational diabetes mellitus in Cameroon: prevalence, risk factors and screening strategies.

Background: The burden of gestational diabetes (GDM) and the optimal screening strategies in African populations are yet to be determined. We assessed the prevalence of GDM and the performance of various screening tests in a Cameroonian population.

Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study involving the screening of 983 women at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy for GDM using serial tests, including fasting plasma (FPG), random blood glucose (RBG), a 1-hour 50g glucose challenge test (GCT), and standard 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Understanding the links between human health, ecosystem health, and food systems in Small Island Developing States using stakeholder-informed causal loop diagrams.

Globalized food systems are a major driver of climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, and the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in society. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are particularly sensitive to the negative effects of rapid environmental change, with many also exhibiting a heavy reliance on food imports and high burdens of nutrition-related disease, resulting in calls to (re)localize their food systems. Such a transition represents a complex challenge, with adaptation interventions in one part of the food system contingent on the success of interventions in other parts.