Lessons for sustaining the elimination of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome in the Caribbean.

This study searched grey literature and PubMed for strategies to sustain the elimination of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome and prevent their reintroduction in the Caribbean. Strategies were categorized at the macro, meso, and micro health levels. Macro strategies include: strong, clear, unified political and technical leadership and support; country ownership and subregional coordination of resources, policies, and programs; government investment in national immunization programs; and timely payment to the Pan American Health Organization Revolving Fund for affordable, good-quality vaccines.

interspecific hybrid 'KX4-Hawaii' as a source of agricultural biomass in a water-scarce small island developing state.

Background: is a useful multipurpose tree species for agroforestry systems, but traditional seeded cultivars often become weedy and invasive. A seedless hybrid cultivar, 'KX4-Hawaii', offers a potential solution to this problem. However, relevant agronomic information and information on the performance of 'KX4-Hawaii' under varying growth conditions is required.

Uterine fibroids and Black people of African descent globally: a scoping review protocol.

Introduction: Evidence suggests that when adjusted for age and other factors such as Body Mass Index, age of first pregnancy, years since last pregnancy and alcohol consumption, Black women are three times more likely to suffer from fibroids compared with the general population. When compared with the general population, Black women experience larger uterine fibroids with an earlier onset and more frequent and severe symptoms debilitating symptoms. Reported symptoms include pelvic pain, bladder issues, and heavy and/or abnormal menstrual bleeding.

Evaluation of a multigenomic liquid biopsy (PROSTest) for prostate cancer detection and follow-up in a Caribbean population.

Introduction: The PROSTest is a novel machine learning-based liquid biopsy assay that functions as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in prostate cancer (PCa). The algorithm outcome (scored 0-100) has a cutoff of >50 to indicate PCa. In this study, we evaluated the screening utility of the test in comparison with the commonly used PSA test.

Cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis: A case report and review of the literature.

The present study describes a case of cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis. The clinical and radiological findings of the patient were consistent with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis. Cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis is a rare subtype of mastitis with a distinct histological pattern that is associated with the species.

Revising primary and secondary school curricula in the Caribbean to enhance education on the risks for noncommunicable diseases.

In the English-speaking Caribbean, an estimated 46% of men and 61% of women are currently overweight or obese, and 8% of children younger than 5 years are also overweight. To combat this worsening epidemic, driven by unhealthy dietary patterns, the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) issued the 2007 Port-of-Spain Declaration, which included mandates on the provision of healthy school meals, promotion of healthy dietary patterns, and reintroduction of physical education in schools. These mandates are aligned with evidence-based approaches used in childhood obesity prevention programs.

An idea to explore: Augmented reality and LEGO® brick modeling in the biochemistry and cell biology classroom-two tactile ways to teach biomolecular structure-Function.

We present here two accessible ways for enhanced understanding of complex biological structures and their function in undergraduate Biology and Biochemistry classrooms. These methods can be applied for in-class instruction as well as for remote lessons, as they are cheap, easily available and easy to implement. LEGO® bricks and MERGE CUBE based augmented reality can be applied to make three-dimensional representation for any structure available on PDB.

Improving household nutrition security and public health in the CARICOM, 2018-2022.

The Caribbean is experiencing a worsening epidemic of obesity and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and it has the worst rates of premature mortality from cardiovascular diseases in the region of the Americas. Creating enabling environments to improve dietary diversity would help reduce obesity and diet-related NCDs. The Improving Household Nutrition Security and Public Health in the CARICOM project aimed to increase dietary diversity in the Caribbean, and to determine and implement effective, gender-sensitive interventions to improve food sovereignty, household food security, and nutrition in CARICOM states.

Interventions and policies aimed at improving nutrition in Small Island Developing States: a rapid review.

Objective: To describe features of nutritional interventions implemented in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the past 20 years.

Methods: A rapid scoping review was conducted by searching PubMed and Web of Science databases for interventions conducted in SIDS that sought to improve the nutrition of their populations between 2000 and 2019 inclusive. The was also examined to assess nutritional policies in SIDS.

Anthropometric cut-offs to identify hyperglycemia in an Afro-Caribbean population: a cross-sectional population-based study from Barbados.

Introduction: Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) cut-offs associated with hyperglycemia may differ by ethnicity. We investigated the optimal BMI and WC cut-offs for identifying hyperglycemia in the predominantly Afro-Caribbean population of Barbados.

Research Design And Methods: A cross-sectional study of 865 individuals aged ≥25 years without known diabetes or cardiovascular disease was conducted.

Remote HRI: a Methodology for Maintaining COVID-19 Physical Distancing and Human Interaction Requirements in HRI Studies.

Observing how humans and robots interact is an integral part of understanding how they can effectively coexist. This ability to undertake these observations was taken for granted before the COVID-19 pandemic restricted the possibilities of performing HRI study-based interactions. We explore the problem of how HRI research can occur in a setting where physical separation is the most reliable way of preventing disease transmission.

Depression in Barbadian adults with type 2 diabetes.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the frequency and distribution of depression in Barbadian adults with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Adults aged 20-80 years with type 2 diabetes, completed a cross-sectional survey comprised of, a profile section, and the standardized questionnaire; the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Additionally, biological (HbA1c and blood pressure) measurements were collected.

Cost of hospital treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) compared to the non-diabetes population: a detailed economic evaluation.

Objectives: Other than age, diabetes is the largest contributor to overall healthcare costs and reduced life expectancy in Europe. This paper aims to more exactly quantify the net impact of diabetes on different aspects of healthcare provision in hospitals in England, building on previous work that looked at the determinants of outcome in type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Setting: NHS Digital Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) in England was combined with the National Diabetes Audit (NDA) to provide the total number in practice of people with T1DM/T2DM.

May measurement month 2017: Latin America.

Objectives: To raise awareness of blood pressure, measured by number of countries involved, number of people screened, and number of people who have untreated or inadequately treated hypertension.

Methods: An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged at least 18 years was carried out in May 2017. Blood pressure measurement, the definition of hypertension and statistical analysis followed the standard May measurement month protocol.

Egocentric Health Networks and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in the ECHORN Cohort Study.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Caribbean region.

Objective: This study explored the concept of a health network, relationships focused on health-related matters, and examined associations with CVD risk factors in the Eastern Caribbean.

Design: The Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network Cohort Study is an ongoing longitudinal cohort being conducted in the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados.

Incense Burning is Associated with Human Oral Microbiota Composition.

Incense burning is common worldwide and produces environmental toxicants that may influence health; however, biologic effects have been little studied. In 303 Emirati adults, we tested the hypothesis that incense use is linked to compositional changes in the oral microbiota that can be potentially significant for health. The oral microbiota was assessed by amplification of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene from mouthwash samples.

Haplotypes of CYP1B1 and CCDC57 genes in an Afro-Caribbean female population with uterine leiomyoma.

Uterine leiomyomas (UL) are prevalent benign tumors, especially among women of African ancestry. The disease also has genetic liability and is influenced by risk factors such as hormones and obesity. This study investigates the haplotypes of the Cytochrome P450 1B1 gene (CYP1B1) related to hormones and coiled-coil domain containing 57 gene (CCDC57) related to obesity in Afro-Caribbean females.

Does peak expiratory flow measured sitting differ from that measured standing? A cross-over study in primary care in Barbados.

Background: Several authorities recommend measuring peak expiratory flow (PEF) standing. Limited evidence suggests that PEF obtained sitting is similar in magnitude but there are no studies in African populations.

Aim: To determine in adults aged 18-60 years if PEF measured sitting differs from that measured standing.

Obesity and weight misperception among adults in the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network (ECHORN) Cohort Study.

Objective: Prior studies have suggested that weight misperception - underestimating one's actual weight - may be associated with reduced engagement in weight loss programmes, decreasing the success of initiatives to address obesity and obesity-related diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors associated with weight misperception among Eastern Caribbean adults and its influence on engagement in weight control behaviour.

Methods: Data from the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network (ECHORN) Cohort Study were analysed (adults aged 40 and older, residing in the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Barbados and Trinidad).