Effects of temperature and size class on the gut digesta microbiota of the sea urchin .

Background: Understanding the dynamics of the gut microbiota in sea urchins is crucial for comprehending the ecological balance in marine ecosystems. The gut microbiota plays a vital role in nutrient metabolism, immune system modulation, and pathogen protection. The microbial composition and dynamics of naturally occurring sea urchin have yet to be thoroughly investigated.

Panniculitis in dermatomyositis: A systematic review of the clinicopathologic features.

Background: Panniculitis in patients with dermatomyositis (PDMS) is rare.

Objectives: Assess the clinicopathologic features described for PDMS.

Methods: A systematic review of the PubMed/MEDLINE database was performed.

Conventional and Nonconventional Therapies for COVID-19 Management in Trinidad.

This cross-sectional study investigated nonconventional therapies for COVID-19 in Trinidad, emphasizing the need for documentation supporting future pharmaceutical research. The survey, conducted from June 20 to July 19, 2022, garnered responses from 57 participants aged 18 and above, with 82.46% vaccinated.

Inferring the proportion of undetected cholera infections from serological and clinical surveillance in an immunologically naive population.

Most infections with pandemic are thought to result in subclinical disease and are not captured by surveillance. Previous estimates of the ratio of infections to clinical cases have varied widely (2 to 100 infections per case). Understanding cholera epidemiology and immunity relies on the ability to translate between numbers of clinical cases and the underlying number of infections in the population.

Effectiveness of virtual peer-led medical Spanish course enhancing healthcare communication skills.

As of July 1st, 2021, the US Hispanic/Latinx community is estimated at 62.6 million, making up 18.9% of the population.

Atypical Clinical Presentation of Hypothermia Induced by Intrathecal Morphine in a Patient Who Underwent Total Knee Arthroplasty Under Spinal Anesthesia: A Case Report.

This case report describes a 62-year-old male who experienced paradoxical hypothermia following an elective total knee replacement (TKR) performed under spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine administration. The patient presented with significant hypothermia, defined as a body temperature below 35°C, approximately 45 minutes following the administration of anesthesia. The condition demonstrated resistance to conventional rewarming techniques.

EQ-5D-5L population norms and health inequality for Trinidad and Tobago in 2022-2023 and comparison with 2012.

Background: The use of EQ-5D instruments in clinical, policy and economic applications continues to grow internationally. Population norms studies provide baseline values against which demographic and patient groups are compared and inequality is assessed. This study presents updated EQ-5D-5L population norms for 2022-2023, evaluates inequality and compares the results with those of 2012.

[More Doctors Program: characterizing the quality of primary care by the type of medical provision].

This study characterized the quality of primary care based on the responses of professionals and users, focusing on the type of physician - whether or not they were included in the More Doctors Program (PMM, acronym in Portuguese). A cross-sectional study was conducted applying the Quality and Strengthening of Primary Care Questionnaire to 149 physicians and 795 users in basic health units in Pernambuco State, Brazil, from February to November 2018. The present study used the concept of PMM provision which foresees the allocation of medical professionals to an areas of social vulnerability.

Perceptions on pesticides: Knowledge, attitudes and practices of residents in Trinidad and Tobago.

Extensive pesticide use in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) raises concerns for human and environmental health. Therefore, this study sought to assess the general knowledge, attitudes and practices of T&T residents on pesticides and related topics. Using convenience (non-probability) sampling, a questionnaire was administered to residents of Trinidad ( = 572) and Tobago ( = 68).

Effects of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) Inhibitors on Health-Related Quality of Life and Exercise Capacity in Heart Failure Patients With a Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review examines the effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and exercise capacity in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Five randomized controlled trials were analyzed, revealing consistent improvements in HRQoL metrics, such as the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) scores and exercise capacity, measured by the six-minute walk distance (6MWD). The findings suggest that SGLT-2 inhibitors significantly enhance physical functioning and overall well-being in HFpEF patients.

Antitubercular Activity of 7-Methyljuglone-Loaded Poly-(Lactide Co-Glycolide) Nanoparticles.

Background/objectives: Loading of natural products into poly-(lactide-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles as drug delivery systems for the treatment of diseases, such as tuberculosis (TB), has been widely explored. The current study investigated the use of PLGA nanoparticles with 7-methyljuglone (7-MJ), an active pure compound, isolated from the roots of A. DC.

Chikungunya Outbreak Risks after the 2014 Outbreak, Dominican Republic.

The 2014 chikungunya outbreak in the Dominican Republic resulted in intense local transmission, with high postoutbreak seroprevalence. The resulting population immunity will likely minimize risk for another large outbreak through 2035, but changes in population behavior or environmental conditions or emergence of different virus strains could lead to increased transmission.

Usual On-therapy Ranges of Drug Concentrations in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Treated with Direct Oral Anticoagulants: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background:  Although most patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) receiving a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) do not require drug concentration measurements, there are situations where such information could be useful. Existing guidance documents provide usual on-therapy ranges for drug concentrations, but these have important limitations.

Methods:  This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting trough and peak levels of DOAC regimens approved for stroke prevention in AF.

Clustering of diet and physical activity behaviours in adolescents across home and school area-level deprivation in Cameroon, South Africa, and Jamaica.

Background: Adolescence is a crucial period for establishing healthy behaviours that can reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases. However, limited data exist on the clustering of health-related behaviours, in adolescents from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study examined how diet and physical activity behaviours cluster and how they are influenced by home and school area-level deprivation.

Integration of a social network strategy into index testing to increase HIV case finding among Haitian migrants and their descendants in the Dominican Republic.

Introduction: Increasing effectiveness, efficiency, and reach of HIV case-finding strategies among priority populations is essential for epidemic control. Index testing is effective but presents potential risks, including stigma, violence, abandonment, and challenges such as fear of disclosure and reluctance to list contacts. We integrated the enhanced peer outreach approach (EPOA) social network strategy into index testing to increase case finding among Haitian migrants and individuals of Haitian descent in Dominican Republic.

A cross-sectional study of physiologic volar melanotic macules: Demographic, historical, clinical, and dermatoscopic features of a common yet neglected pigmentary variant in individuals with skin of color.

Background: Physiologic volar melanotic macules (P-VMM) are understudied. Trauma has been suggested as a predisposing factor. Little has been published over the last several decades.

Bills to Restrict Access to and Harm From Indoor Tanning Facilities in US State Legislatures, 1992‒2023.

To describe progression, content, and stringency of state legislation regulating indoor tanning and association with state government political party leadership. Trained research assistants used legal mapping methods to code legislative bills on indoor tanning introduced in US states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. We calculated composite scores on the stringency of age restrictions and of warnings, operator requirements, and enforcement.

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.

The effect of a poly-herbal plant extract on the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans to tooth enamel.

Background: Dental caries, also known as tooth decay or cavity formation, is one of the world's most widespread dental conditions. It is a plaque-related infection caused mainly by Streptococcus mutans. People have relied on several plant species to treat oral infections; Heteropyxis natalensis, for example, has been used to treat toothache and gum infections.

Population records reveal expanded habitat preference for the endemic, predaceous Jamaican fungus gnat Neoditomyia farri (Diptera, Keroplatidae).

The predaceous fly Neoditomyia farri Coher is currently regarded as having an unknown population distribution in Jamaica. The larvae are known for their production of sticky "fishing lines" that are covered in adhesive droplets for prey capture and hang down from cave walls and ceilings. Published research beyond early observational records of the species is limited to one site-Dromilly Cave in the parish of Trelawny.