Next generation brain health: transforming global research and public health to promote prevention of dementia and reduce its risk in young adult populations.

Efforts to prevent dementia can benefit from precision interventions delivered to the right population at the right time; that is, when the potential to reduce risk is the highest. Young adults (aged 18-39 years) are a neglected population in dementia research and policy making despite being highly exposed to several known modifiable risk factors. The risk and protective factors that have the biggest effect on dementia outcomes in young adulthood, and how these associations differ across regions and groups, still remain unclear.

Sustaining measles and rubella elimination through the Regional Monitoring and Re-Verification Commission in the Americas.

The elimination of endemic rubella and measles transmission in the Region of the Americas was verified by the Pan American Health Organization's (PAHO) Regional Verification Commission in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Upon achieving this success, this Commission was disbanded. Shortly afterwards, the Region faced challenges in the post-elimination era, notably responding to and stopping transmission of imported measles cases.

An Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor With a Novel ALK Mutation Leading to Acquired Resistance to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm that can locally recur and potentially metastasize. Approximately 50% of IMTs harbor rearrangements in the gene encoding anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), a receptor tyrosine kinase that can be therapeutically targeted with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). With successful application of TKI in ALK-positive nonsmall cell carcinoma (NSCLC), ALK inhibitors are often first-line treatments for patients with unresectable or metastatic IMTs.

Assessment of unintentional acute pesticide poisoning among smallholder vegetable farmers in Trinidad and Jamaica.

Poisoning caused by pesticides is widely recognized as a major public health problem among smallholder farmers and rural communities, including in the Caribbean. However, a lack of quality data impedes understanding of the problem and hampers the development of effective strategies for its management. To better understand the prevalence of unintentional acute pesticide poisoning (UAPP) in Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica and the pesticides and practices involved, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 197 and 330 vegetable farmers in Trinidad and Jamaica, respectively.

Histopathological spectrum of primordial odontogenic tumor with co-existing dentigerous cyst: 1 reported case of the world with a proposed 'updated diagnostic criteria'.

Background: POT is a relatively newly described benign odontogenic tumor with very few cases registered to date. We present the 1st case of Primordial odontogenic tumor (POT) from Sub-Saharan Africa with unique clinicopathological features; also, this is the first case to report POT's existence as a Hybrid Odontogenic lesion (HOL), with a pertinent review of the literature.

Case Presentation: This was a 17-year-old patient who presented with slow-growing, painless posterior mandibular swelling.

Enhancing intermediate temperature fracture resistance of stone matrix asphalt with untreated recycled concrete aggregate-Experimental dataset.

This data article presents details on the assessment of fracture parameters of laboratory asphalt mixtures produced using both natural and recycled concrete aggregates. The gap-graded stone matrix asphalt (SMA) is created by incorporating Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA) binder with carefully calibrated mixtures of recycled concrete aggregates (0 %, 10 %, 35 %, and 50 %) and natural aggregates (limestone and dust filler). The dataset variables were chosen based on the specifications of the single-edge notched beam (SENB) and semi-circular bending (SCB) tests, which are currently used for quality control and assurance (QC & QA) assessment of asphalt concrete mixtures.

Small field measurements using electronic portal imaging device.

. Small-field measurement poses challenges. Although many high-resolution detectors are commercially available, the EPID for small-field dosimetry remains underexplored.

On the performance of Sargassum-derived calcium alginate ion exchange resins for Pb adsorption: batch and packed bed applications.

Driven by climate change and human activity, Sargassum blooming rates have intensified, producing copious amount of the invasive, pelagic seaweed across the Caribbean and Latin America. Battery recycling and lead-smelter wastes have heavily polluted the environment and resulted in acute lead poisoning in children through widespread heavy metal contamination particular in East Trinidad. Our study details a comprehensive investigation into the use of Sargassum (S.

Dataset used to develop soft computing models that predict the stiffness modulus of bituminous mixtures.

This data article presents information on the measurement of Indirect Tensile Stiffness Modulus of laboratory and field asphalt mixtures. The asphalt mixes are composed of three distinct binders that were categorised by their penetration grade (40/55-TLA, 60/75-TLA, and 60/70-MB) and aggregates (limestone, sharp sand, and filler). The asphalt mixtures are called dense-graded hot mix asphalt (HMA) and gap-graded stone matrix asphalt (SMA).

Capacity for the management of kidney failure in the International Society of Nephrology North America and the Caribbean region: report from the 2023 ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA).

The International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas charts the availability and capacity of kidney care globally. In the North America and the Caribbean region, the Atlas can identify opportunities for kidney care improvement, particularly in Caribbean countries where structures for systematic data collection are lacking. In this third iteration, respondents from 12 of 18 countries from the region reported a 2-fold higher than global median prevalence of dialysis and transplantation, and a 3-fold higher than global median prevalence of dialysis centers.

Association between lung function and dyspnoea and its variation in the multinational Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study.

Background: Dyspnoea is a common symptom of respiratory disease. However, data on its prevalence in general populations and its association with lung function are limited and are mainly from high-income countries. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of dyspnoea across several world regions, and to investigate the association of dyspnoea with lung function.

Cardiovascular Disease in the Caribbean: Risk Factor Trends, Care and Outcomes Still Far From Expectations.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a major public health concern in the Caribbean. Cardiovascular care in the Caribbean revealed encouraging improvements but still less than expectations. This study aims to gain insight into CVD and identify gaps in cardiovascular care in the Caribbean compared to high-income countries.

Prevalence of chronic cough, its risk factors and population attributable risk in the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study: a multinational cross-sectional study.

Background: Chronic cough is a common respiratory symptom with an impact on daily activities and quality of life. Global prevalence data are scarce and derive mainly from European and Asian countries and studies with outcomes other than chronic cough. In this study, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of chronic cough across a large number of study sites as well as to identify its main risk factors using a standardised protocol and definition.

Data exploration on the factors associated with cost overrun on social housing projects in Trinidad and Tobago.

This data article explores the factors that contribute to cost overrun on public sector projects within Trinidad and Tobago. The data was obtained through literature research, and structured questionnaires, designed using open-ended questions and the Likert scale. The responses were gathered from project actors and decision-makers within the public and private construction industry, mainly, project managers, contractors, engineers, architects, and consultants.

Innovative spectral characterisation of beached pelagic sargassum towards remote estimation of biochemical and phenotypic properties.

In recent years, pelagic sargassum (S. fluitans and S. natans - henceforth sargassum) macroalgal blooms have become more frequent and larger with higher biomass in the Tropical Atlantic region.

Flexible, humidity- and contamination-resistant superhydrophobic MXene-based electrospun triboelectric nanogenerators for distributed energy harvesting applications.

The low surface-charge density, poor stability and irreparable surface of triboelectric materials under harsh environments are still some obstacles for developing high-performance triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). In particular, a two-dimensional MXene material's surface is likely to be corroded by water molecules under high humidity conditions owing to its hydrophilic nature, limiting the output performance and stability of TENGs. Herein, an approach for fabricating a humidity- and contamination-resistant MXene-based TENG is established using the electrospinning technique.

Epiphytic CAM bromeliads indicate vulnerability of tropical forest communities to climate change.

Background And Scope: Vascular epiphytes have a variety of mechanisms to trap and retain water, including crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). Niche segregation was investigated for epiphytic bromeliads on the tropical Caribbean island of Trinidad, where habitats range from lowland deciduous forests to high-rainfall montane tropical forests, ~1000 m in elevation.

Methods: Four tank-impounding bromeliad epiphytes in the genus Aechmea (Ae.

Emerging Nanotechnological Applications in Preserving and Improving the Shelf Life of Food.

The ever-growing demand for safe and nutritious food has activated the scrutinization of innovative approaches to enhance food preservation and extended shelf life. Nanotechnology has progressed by making a significant contribution to the food industry at the nanoscale level and appeared as a promising avenue for these challenges. Various nanomaterials have been employed to preserve and extend the shelf life of a variety of food products.

Fingerprint patterns in neuropsychological disorder depression among south Indian population.

Depression is a pervasive mental health disorder characterized by persistent sadness and an inability to enjoy activities that were once enjoyable. This study compares the dermatoglyphic patterns of depressed patients with those of healthy, normal individuals in order to determine if dermatoglyphic patterns can be used as biomarkers for early diagnosis and prompt intervention of depression. A total of 100 depressive disorder patients of both sexes between the ages of 18 and 60 were selected for the study.

The Protective Effect of Oxitard on Sperm Function and Antioxidant Status in Rats Exposed to Swimming Stress.

Background: Infertility is a significant public health issue, but its impact on quality of life and treatment efficacy is limited. Modern medicine lacks safe and effective drugs for male infertility, while traditional medicine has explored herbal extracts like Oxitard, which contains multiple extracts and oils. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Oxitard on male rats exposed to swimming (SW) stress.

Molecular Characterization of Species Detected in the Kidneys of Slaughtered Livestock in Abattoirs in Gauteng Province, South Africa.

was investigated in kidneys ( = 305) from slaughtered livestock in the Gauteng Province abattoirs, South Africa, using a culture medium to isolate , followed by the qPCR to detect DNA. The gene region was amplified, sequenced, and analyzed for qPCR-positive samples or isolates. The overall frequency of isolation of spp.