Measuring Caribbean stress and resilient coping: Psychometric properties of the PSS-10 and BRCS in a multi-country study during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Caribbean health research has overwhelmingly employed measures developed elsewhere and rarely includes evaluation of psychometric properties. Established measures are important for research and practice. Particularly, measures of stress and coping are needed.

Early life adversity has sex-dependent effects on survival across the lifespan in rhesus macaques.

Exposure to early life adversity is linked to detrimental fitness outcomes across taxa. Owing to the challenges of collecting longitudinal data, direct evidence for long-term fitness effects of early life adversity from long-lived species remains relatively scarce. Here, we test the effects of early life adversity on male and female longevity in a free-ranging population of rhesus macaques () on Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico.

Social determinants of participation in genetic research among Puerto Ricans and in the Puerto Rican diaspora.

Puerto Ricans are underrepresented in genetic research. This underrepresentation denies Puerto Ricans the benefit from therapeutic developments that could mitigate health disparities arising from conditions for which genetically-derived treatments exist. The Puerto Rican diaspora, especially post-2017 due to economic and environmental crises, has expanded within the USA.

Full Genome Characterization of the First Oropouche Virus Isolate Imported in Europe from Cuba.

On 27 May 2024, the Cuban Ministry of Health reported the first outbreak of Oropouche fever on the island. The etiologic agent, Oropouche virus (OROV), is a poorly understood arbovirus that has been known since the 1960s and represents a public health burden in Latin America. We report the whole-genome characterization of the first European OROV isolate from a returning traveler from Cuba with Oropouche fever-like symptoms.

The Gross Anatomical and Histological Features of the Humerus in African Green Monkeys () from Saint Kitts and Nevis, West Indies.

This paper presents a detailed gross description of all anatomical elements of the humerus in the African green monkey and provides comparative and differential elements on monkey osteology. The osteometric investigation adds value to the gross morphological investigation, adjoining metric data to the gross descriptive data set. An in-depth investigation of the microstructural aspects of the humeral bone tissue is provided, with qualitative and quantitative details and potential for diagnostic applications.

Differences in COVID-19 Vaccination and Experiences among Patients with Hypertension in Colombia and Jamaica during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, hypertensive patients had increased infection and healthcare disruption in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with limited vaccine access. The objective of this report is to describe COVID-19 experiences and vaccination uptake among hypertensive patients in Colombia and Jamaica. A cross-sectional study of patients with hypertension was conducted in primary care clinics in both countries between 2021 and 2022.

Cancer Treatment Disruption by Residence Region in the Aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and María in Puerto Rico.

Since 2017, Puerto Rico has faced environmental, economic, and political crises, leading to the emigration of healthcare workers and weakening the healthcare system. These challenges have affected cancer treatment continuity, exacerbating healthcare access challenges island-wide. In this study, we estimate the effect of the residence region on cancer treatment disruption following Hurricanes Irma and María (2017).

The Association between Food Insecurity and Insomnia Symptoms among Young Adults in Puerto Rico and the Mediating Role of Psychological Distress Symptoms.

Residents of Puerto Rico face a high burden of food insecurity (FI), which has been associated with insomnia symptoms (IS). However, this association remains understudied in Puerto Rican young adults, a vulnerable group experiencing an elevated prevalence of FI and poor sleep. We evaluated the association between FI and IS and the mediating role of psychological distress symptoms among young adults in Puerto Rico.

Compound Crises: The Impact of Emergencies and Disasters on Mental Health Services in Puerto Rico.

Background: Mental health in Puerto Rico is a complex and multifaceted issue that has been shaped by the island's unique history, culture, and political status. Recent challenges, including disasters, economic hardships, and political turmoil, have significantly affected the mental well-being of the population, coupled with the limitations in the accessibility of mental health services. Thus, Puerto Rico has fewer mental health professionals per capita than any other state or territory in the United States.

Investigation of Psychometric Properties and Correlation with Psychological Distress after Hurricane Hazards in Puerto Rico.

Background: Puerto Rico (PR) is highly vulnerable to hurricanes, which severely impact cancer survivors by causing healthcare disruptions and increasing stress. This study investigates the reliability and factor structure of the Hurricane Hazards Inventory (HHI) and its relationship with psychological distress among cancer survivors and non-cancer controls in PR.

Methods: Using secondary data from a longitudinal study following Hurricane Maria (HM), the baseline assessment included sociodemographic data from participants, HHI, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7).

Xylazine abuse, the growing risk: A review of its effects, upsurge use and associated fatalities in the USA and Puerto Rico.

In the last decade, the opioid overdose epidemic has been exacerbated by the emerging drug of abuse, xylazine. This veterinary anesthetic, an alpha-2 agonist, not only potentiates the fatal effects of opioids but also causes toxic endothelial effects. This review aims to assess the impact of xylazine use and overdoses within the context of the opioid crisis as a public health issue.

Implementation of Antigen-Based Diagnostic Assays for Detection of Histoplasmosis and Cryptococcosis among Patients with Advanced HIV in Trinidad and Tobago: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The Caribbean continues to have high HIV prevalence globally with concurrently high mortality rates due to opportunistic Infections. This study addresses the prevalence of histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis among patients living with advanced HIV disease (AHD) in Trinidad and Tobago, focusing on the implementation of antigen-based diagnostic assays. Conducted as a cross-sectional survey across five HIV treatment sites, 199 participants with advanced HIV disease were enrolled between July 2022 and September 2023.

GIS-Enhanced Survey of Potential and Artificial Oviposition Containers Distributed across Communities in Trinidad, West Indies.

Dengue and other arboviruses remain a global threat, and enhanced efforts to control the mosquitoes that transmit them are urgently needed. A survey of potential manmade (L.) and (Skuse) oviposition containers was performed in four communities near the end of the typical dry season in 2018 in Trinidad, West Indies.

Work stress and burnout among active correctional officers in Puerto Rico: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Correctional officers (COs) are exposed to emotional and physical harm by the nature of their work. Operational stress can lead to burnout and influence absences and COs work performance.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the association between work-related stress and burnout adjusted by potential confounding variables (age, sex, correctional facility, type of correctional facility, distance to work, and absenteeism).

Forging the West Indian Nation: Federation and Caribbean Activism in Post-war Britain, 1945-60.

This article explores how Caribbean activists living in Britain after 1945 engaged with the movement for the West Indies Federation. By considering overlooked organizations such as the Caribbean Labour Congress, London Branch (CLC) and the West Indian Workers and Students Association (WIWSA), it shows that, first, Britain became a hub for Caribbean nationalism and support for Federation in the post-war years. Secondly, it argues that the West Indies Federation of 1958-62 significantly influenced the formation of important British Caribbean institutions, such as the West Indian Gazette and the Caribbean Carnival.

The Knowledge and Perceptions of Patient Safety and Patient Safety Culture During Dental Training: A Caribbean Perspective.

Introduction: Patient safety and the culture of keeping patients safe are not well-researched concepts in dentistry. Research is lacking on patient safety culture in dental teaching hospitals.

Objective: This study examined the knowledge and perceptions of patient safety and patient safety culture in a Caribbean dental school among clinical faculty, dental surgery assistants and recent graduates.

Latent profiles of home behaviour problems in Trinidad and Tobago.

Caregivers who interact with children at home can provide a critical, complementary perspective on a child's behaviour functioning. This research used a parent-administered measure of problem behaviours to study perceptions of child behaviours across home situations. We applied latent profile analysis to identify subgroups of children with common behavioural tendencies in a nationally representative sample (N = 709) of 4- to 13-year-old children in Trinidad and Tobago.

The potential cutaneous benefits of bentonites and montmorillonites.

Bentonites and montmorillonites, natural clay minerals originating from volcanic ash, possess unique properties that have traditionally been utilized in industrial applications. Recently, their potential biomedical applications, particularly in dermatology, have garnered significant interest. This review explores the cutaneous benefits of bentonites and montmorillonites, highlighting their anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, oil-absorbing, drug delivery, photoprotective, and anti-aging effects.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of non-traditional therapies for infectious endometritis in mares.

Background: Endometritis is the leading cause of subfertility in horses, and it is a clinical problem where historically antibiotics have not always been used with prudent justification. Because of this, alternative therapies to treat endometritis are necessary for the rational use of antibiotics.

Objectives: To assess the in vitro antimicrobial activity of non-traditional therapies commonly used in clinical practice against microorganisms causing infectious endometritis in mares.

Surgical treatment of coexisting intra and extralobar sequestration in an infant.

Pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital malformation in which a nonfunctional segment of lung tissue has no communication with the tracheobronchial tree and does not participate in gas exchange. We present a rare case of a 20-month old female with extralobar pulmonary sequestration that was diagnosed at birth. The patient was also found to have a coexisting intralobar sequestration, found during surgery.

Texting while driving is a visual problem influenced by phone viewing angle and working distance in young individuals.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of smartphone viewing distance and angle on reaction times.

Design: A prospective, self-controlled, single-center study.

Methods: Participants engaged in a driving simulation facing a large screen with a simulated brake pedal.

What are future doctors learning about sex? An assessment of sexual health curricula across medical schools in the Northeastern United States.

Background: Sexual health is an imperative area of study in medical school education, yet many medical schools do not offer a comprehensive curriculum nor is it standardized across the United States (US).

Aim: This study aims to assess written curriculum materials from sexual health curricula in medical schools across the northeast region of the US and compare the current teachings to suggested standards.

Methods: A compilation of academic resources including lecture materials and syllabi were systematically reviewed utilizing a standardized and validated rubric with variables assessed including: biological and psychological aspects of human sexual development, anatomy and physiology of the human sexual response cycle, sexual health in relation to human reproduction, and contraceptive options.