Betel Nut Use in Vanuatu: Investigating Opportunities to Reduce Harms to Health.
Conclusion: Betel nut use may be growing in popularity in Vanuatu, where there are potential policy options to minimize harm. The MPOWER model for tobacco control may be a useful framework to help the Vanuatu government to deliver a comprehensive approach to reducing harm from betel nut use.
PMID: 32569537 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Substance Use and Misuse)
Source: Substance Use and Misuse - June 24, 2020 Category: Addiction Tags: Subst Use Misuse Source Type: research
CYP2D6 genotyping analysis and functional characterization of novel allelic variants in a Ni-Vanuatu and Kenyan population by assessing dextromethorphan O-demethylation activity.
Authors: Gutiérrez Rico EM, Kikuchi A, Saito T, Kumondai M, Hishinuma E, Kaneko A, Chan CW, Gitaka J, Nakayoshi T, Oda A, Saito S, Hirasawa N, Hiratsuka M
Abstract
While CYP2D6 allele and phenotype frequencies have been extensively studied, currently, very little ethnically specific data is available regarding the East African and South Pacific region, including Kenya and Vanuatu. The absence of information regarding gene polymorphisms and their resulting clinical effects in these populations may hinder treatment strategies and patient outcome. Given the scarceness of CYP2D6 related data in these populati...
Source: Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics - February 11, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Drug Metab Pharmacokinet Source Type: research
Ocular Chlamydia trachomatis infection, anti-Pgp3 antibodies and conjunctival scarring in Vanuatu and Tarawa, Kiribati before antibiotic treatment for trachoma.
Trachoma is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). It is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide and the target of global elimination efforts1,2. Trachoma is treated with surgery for those with trachomatous trichiasis (TT), mass drug administration (MDA) of antibiotics, promotion of facial cleanliness and environmental improvement, collectively termed the SAFE strategy. The aim of the A, F and E components of the SAFE strategy is to reduce prevalence and transmission of ocular Ct infection. (Source: Journal of Infection)
Source: Journal of Infection - January 31, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Robert Butcher, Becca Handley, Mackline Garae, Raebwebwe Taoaba, Harry Pickering, Annie Bong, Oliver Sokana, Matthew J Burton, Nuno Sep úlveda, Ana Cama, Richard Le Mesurier, Anthony W. Solomon, David Mabey, Fasihah Taleo, Rabebe Tekeraoi, Chrissy h Robe Source Type: research
Vanuatu Psychiatry Mentorship Programme: a case illustrating cultural and clinical considerations.
CONCLUSION: A structured mentoring programme to foster mental health capacity development in Vanuatu can support psychiatric decision-making in complex cases, reflection on the role of culture in formulation and family engagement, and mutual learning.
PMID: 31889449 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Australasian Psychiatry)
Source: Australasian Psychiatry - December 30, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Obed J, Bush A, Stathis S, Hunter E Tags: Australas Psychiatry Source Type: research
Crellastatin A, a PARP-1 Inhibitor Discovered by Complementary Proteomic Approaches.
Abstract
Crellastatin A, a cytotoxic sulfated bis-steroid isolated from the Vanuatu Island marine sponge Crella sp., has been selected as an interesting probe for a comprehensive proteomic analysis, directed to the characterization of its protein interactors. Since its peculiar structural features, crellastatin A has been submitted to a mass spectrometry-based DARTS (Drug Affinity Responsive Target Stability) approach combined with t-LiP MRM (targeted-Limited Proteolysis-Multiple Reaction Monitoring), rather than a classical Affinity Purification strategy. PARP-1 (Poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase-1) emerged as t...
Source: ChemMedChem - December 11, 2019 Category: Chemistry Authors: Morretta E, Tosco A, Festa C, Mozzicafreddo M, Monti MC, Casapullo A Tags: ChemMedChem Source Type: research
Estimates of incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in 2018: a worldwide analysis
Publication date: Available online 4 December 2019Source: The Lancet Global HealthAuthor(s): Marc Arbyn, Elisabete Weiderpass, Laia Bruni, Silvia de Sanjosé, Mona Saraiya, Jacques Ferlay, Freddie BraySummaryBackgroundThe knowledge that persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the main cause of cervical cancer has resulted in the development of prophylactic vaccines to prevent HPV infection and HPV assays that detect nucleic acids of the virus. WHO has launched a Global Initiative to scale up preventive, screening, and treatment interventions to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem during the 21st...
Source: The Lancet Global Health - December 6, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research
Rapid differentiation of Piper methysticum (kava) plant parts using single point and imaging vibrational spectroscopy
This study was initiated to develop rapid, robust and alternative spectroscopic methods for quality control that can be implemented at the point of export, to authenticate the use of kava roots as legislated by the Vanuatu Amended Kava Act no. 6 (2015). Roots, peeled stems, and stump peelings samples (n = 47) were sourced from Fiji, Hawaii, Samoa, the Solomon Islands and Tonga. The sample extracts were analysed using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to a photodiode array detector and mass spectrometer (UHPLC-PDA/MS), while powdered material was analysed using spectroscopic techniques. These included sing...
Source: Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants - November 28, 2019 Category: Complementary Medicine Source Type: research
Faecal contamination of groundwater in rural Vanuatu: prevalence and predictors.
This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of faecal contamination in groundwater sources across 11 islands in Vanuatu. Escherichia coli was detected in 49% of sources and E. coli concentration exceeded 10 MPN (most probable number)/100 mL for 23% of sources. When adjusting for other variables, the detection of E. coli was significantly associated with severe pump stand corrosion, suggestive of contaminated run-off directly entering boreholes. E. coli concentration >10 MPN/100 mL was also significantly associated with: (i) hand-dug wells (as compared to drilled boreholes); (ii) severe pump stand corrosion; (iii) ...
Source: Journal of Water and Health - October 24, 2019 Category: Environmental Health Tags: J Water Health Source Type: research
A missed opportunity: birth registration coverage is lagging behind Bacillus Calmette-Gu érin (BCG) immunization coverage and maternal health services utilization in low- and lower middle-income countries.
CONCLUSION: The gap between birth registration and immunization coverage in low- and lower middle-income countries suggests the potential for leveraging immunization programs to increase birth registration rates. Engaging health providers during the antenatal, delivery, and postpartum periods to increase birth registration may be a useful strategy in countries with access to skilled providers.
PMID: 31627761 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition)
Source: Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition - October 17, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Rahman MH, Cox AB, Mills SL Tags: J Health Popul Nutr Source Type: research
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry International Relations (CAPIR): building bridges for psychiatry workforce capacity with Pacific Island nations.
CONCLUSIONS: Planned and staged implementation of initiatives can harness RANZCP (and its faculties and interest groups) goodwill to effectively contribute to psychiatry and mental health capacity building in partnerships with Pacific Island nations to address mental health needs over the life-span.
PMID: 31526185 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Australasian Psychiatry)
Source: Australasian Psychiatry - September 16, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Kowalenko N, Chang O, Hagali M, Allen M, Obed J, Bush A, Robertson P Tags: Australas Psychiatry Source Type: research
The Vanuatu Psychiatry Mentorship Programme: supporting the development of a fledgling mental health service in the Pacific.
CONCLUSIONS: Structured mentoring programmes can play a role in supporting the development of mental health capacity in low-resourced Pacific nations. Such programmes are likely to be more useful for Pacific participants if they are flexible, ongoing, sustained by support from the College and reviewed regularly.
PMID: 31475568 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Australasian Psychiatry)
Source: Australasian Psychiatry - September 1, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Obed J, Bush A, Stathis S, Hunter E Tags: Australas Psychiatry Source Type: research
The Principles and Ethics of Including Children with Disability in Child Research
This paper provides a set of principles and ethics, developed in collaboration between Pacific ‐ and Australian‐based researchers, to guide research practice in a project enabling the self‐reporting of children with disability in Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea (PNG). The paper presents both a summary of academic literature relating to these principles and ethics, as well as their succinct ‘translation’ into a set of action statements for researchers working with children with disability. The paper offers a base for further development by others to guide research practice and foster the autonomous participation of c...
Source: Children and Society - August 1, 2019 Category: Child Development Authors: Elena Jenkin,
Erin Wilson,
Robert Campain,
Matthew Clarke Tags: Original Manuscript Source Type: research
Metapopulation Vicariance, Age of Island Taxa and Dispersal: A Case Study Using the Pacific Plant Genus Planchonella (Sapotaceae)
AbstractOceanic islands originate from volcanism or tectonic activity without connections to continental landmasses, are colonized by organisms, and eventually vanish due to erosion and subsidence. Colonization of oceanic islands occurs through long-distance dispersals (LDDs) or metapopulation vicariance, the latter resulting in lineages being older than the islands they inhabit. If metapopulation vicariance is valid, island ages cannot be reliably used to provide maximum age constraints for molecular dating. We explore the relationships between the ages of members of a widespread plant genus (Planchonella, Sapotaceae) and...
Source: Systematic Biology - April 23, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
