2,2'-(Ethane-1,2-diyl)bis(4-chlorophenol)

The X-ray structure of the title compound, obtained as a byproduct in a natural product synthesis, has been determined and shows an unusual pattern featuring chains of molecules with both intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding of the OH groups.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Addressing ethical challenges in the Genetics Substudy of the National Eye Survey of Trinidad and Tobago (GSNESTT).

BACKGROUND: The conduct of international collaborative genomics research raises distinct ethical challenges that require special consideration, especially if conducted in settings that are research-naïve or resource-limited. Although there is considerable literature on these issues, there is a dearth of literature chronicling approaches taken to address these issues in the field. Additionally no previous ethical guidelines have been developed to support similar research in Trinidad and Tobago. METHODS: A literature review was undertaken to identify strategies used to address common ethical issues relevant to human genetics and genomics research in research-naïve or resource-limited settings. Strategies identified were combined with novel approaches to develop a culturally appropriate, multifaceted strategy to address potential challenges in the Genetics Substudy of the National Eye Survey of Trinidad and Tobago (GSNESTT). RESULTS: Regarding the protection of study participants, we report a decision to exclude children as participants; the use of a Community Engagement and Sensitization Strategy to increase the genetic literacy of the target population; the involvement of local expertise to ensure cultural sensitivity and to address potential comprehension barriers in informed consent; and an audit of the informed consent process to ensure valid consent. Concerning the regulation of the research, we report on ethics approvals from relevant authorities; a Materials Transfer Agreement to guide sample ownership and export; and a Sample Governance Committee to oversee data use and data access. Finally regarding the protection of the interests of scientists from the host country, we report on capacity building efforts to ensure that local scientists have access to data collected through the project and appropriate recognition of their contributions in future publications. CONCLUSION: This paper outlines an ethical framework for the conduct of population-based genetics and genomics research in Trinidad and Tobago; highlights common issues arising in the field and strategies to address these

Health risk behaviours among adolescents in the English-speaking Caribbean: a review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this paper was to review and summarize research on prevalence of health risk behaviours, their outcomes as well as risk and protective factors among adolescents in the English-speaking Caribbean.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Searching of online databases and the World Wide Web as well as hand searching of the <it>West Indian Medical Journal </it>were conducted. Papers on research done on adolescents aged 10 – 19 years old and published during the period 1980 – 2005 were included.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Ninety-five relevant papers were located. Five papers were published in the 1980s, 47 in the 1990s, and from 2000–2005, 43 papers. Health risk behaviours and outcomes were divided into seven themes. Prevalence data obtained for these, included lifetime prevalence of <b>substance use</b>: cigarettes-24% and marijuana-17%; <b>high risk sexual behaviour</b>: initiation of sexual activity ≤ 10 years old-19% and those having more than six partners-19%; <b>teenage pregnancy</b>: teens account for 15–20% of all pregnancies and one-fifth of these teens were in their second pregnancy; <b>Sexually-Transmitted Infections (STIs)</b>: population prevalence of gonorrhoea and/or chlamydia in 18–21 year-olds was 26%; <b>mental health</b>: severe depression in the adolescent age group was 9%, and attempted suicide-12%; <b>violence and juvenile delinquency</b>: carrying a weapon to school in the last 30 days-10% and almost always wanting to kill or injure someone-5%; <b>eating disorders and obesity</b>: overweight-11%, and obesity-7%. Many of the risk behaviours in adolescents were shown to be related to the adolescent's family of origin, home environment and parent-child relationships. Also, the protective effects of family and school connectedness as well as increased religiosity noted in studies from the United States were also applicable in the Caribbean.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There is a substantial body of literature on Caribbean adolescents documenting prevalence and correlates of health risk behaviours. Future research should emphasize the designing and testing of interventions to alleviate this burden.</p

The X-ray Structure of 5-Chlorosalicylaldehyde

5-Chlorosalicylaldehyde [monoclinic, a = 3.800(2), b = 5.595(4), c = 15.174(11) Å, β = 93.221(17)°, space group P21] exhibits an unusual crystal structure with both intramolecular and intermolecular OH to CH=O hydrogen bonding, the latter leading to chains of molecules aligned along the b axis. A survey of previous substituted salicylaldehyde structures shows three main hydrogen bonding patterns: intramolecular only (14), intramolecular and intermolecular dimeric (5), and intramolecular and intermolecular polymeric (3)

CCDC 2128951: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: R. Alan Aitken, Anna L. G. Gidlow, Russel S. Ramsewak Alexandra M. Z. Slawin|2022|Molbank|2022|M1318|doi:10.3390/M131

Impact of vision loss on health-related quality of life in Trinidad and Tobago

Purpose: To determine whether distance vision impairment (VI) (Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (LogMAR) >0.30), or near VI (NVI) (LogMAR 0.32 to 1.30 at 40cm with <0.30 at 3m) independently predict health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and to estimate societal impact. Design: The National Eye Survey of Trinidad and Tobago was a population-based, cross-sectional eye survey using multi-stage, cluster random sampling with probability-proportionate-to-size methods. Participants: Adults aged > 40 years. Methods: Responders rated general health level in the five dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression) of the EQ-5D 5-level instrument. Multivariable regression analysis with robust standard error estimation explored the relationship between utility score and presenting vision. Main Outcome Measures: Utility value and Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) loss by vision category. Results: 62.4% (2658/4263) adults completed the EQ-5D-5L. Mean age was 58.4 (SD 11.8, range 40 to 103) years and 56.3% were female. Blindness had the largest independent effect on utility coefficient, at -0.140 (95% CI -0.092 to -0.192), with mean utility value 0.727 (95% CI 0.671-0.784) and mean EQ-VAS score 69.9 (95% CI 62.0-77.8). Near VI was also independently associated with utility loss of -0.012 (95% CI -0.004 to -0.021). Independent predictors of utility<1.000 included female sex, older age, being uninsured, lower educational attainment, ethnicity, and multiple medical co-morbidities. A hypothetical person, experiencing onset of a stable vision state at 40 years, would be expected to accrue lifetime loss of 0.45 QALYs for near VI, 0.72 QALYs for mild VI, 1.64 QALYs for moderate VI, 3.30 QALYs for severe VI and 5.13 QALYs for blindness. VI caused 762.3 QALYs lost per 100,000 population per year, of which 36.5% were attributed to near VI, exceeding the equivalent QALY loss from stroke (307 QALYs), depression (284 QALYs), and arthritis (522 QALYs). 91% (694.9/762.3) of the VI-related QALY loss was potentially avoidable. Conclusions: This is the first population-based survey to identify that both distance and near VI independently reduce HRQoL. The estimated QALY loss highlights the societal importance of efforts to address all degrees of avoidable VI

Isolation, structure determination and synthesis of a trichlorodihydroxybibenzyl from a terrestrial plant

A new natural product isolated from the leaves of the plant Anthurium aripoense found in Trinidad is shown by spectroscopic analysis and total synthesis to be 2',5,6'-trichloro-2,3'-dihydroxybibenzyl, a structure unprecedented in a higher plant