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Original Articles

Acute Paralysis and Neuro-inflammation in Jamaican Children during Zika virus and Dengue Epidemics of 2016

Issue: 
DOI: 
10.7727/wimjopen.2016.526
Pages: 
12-7
Synopsis: 
This case series suggests a unique clinical pattern of neuro-inflammation in Jamaican adolescents occurring during the ZIKV epidemic and questions the role of the three circulating arbo-viruses in the pathogenesis.

Dengue, Chikungunya fever (CHIKV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) are all transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and are currently circulating in Jamaica. Jamaica has been experiencing a ZIKV epidemic since February 2016. At the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), Kingston, Jamaica, a cluster of five cases of paralysis attributed to neuro-inflammation was noted amongst adolescents admitted to the Institution. Three were diagnosed with acute myelitis and one each with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS).

Accepted: 
October 24, 2016
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Emergence of Zika Virus Epidemic and the National Response in Jamaica

Issue: 
DOI: 
10.7727/wimjopen.2016.488
Pages: 
5-11
Synopsis: 
The Zika virus epidemic in Jamaica is evolving and includes cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome and reports in pregnant women. Zika may become endemic in Jamaica, similar to dengue and Chikungunya. Safe and effective Dengue, Chikungunya fever and ZIKV vaccines are needed to mitigate the devastating effects of these three diseases.

Background: Jamaica, along with the Americas, experienced major epidemics of arboviral diseases transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito in recent years. These include: Dengue fever in 2012, Chikungunya fever in 2014 and Zika virus infection (ZIKV) in 2016. We present the emergence of the ZIKV epidemic in Jamaica and outline the national response.

Accepted: 
September 28, 2016
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Unravelling the Paediatric and Perinatal Zika Virus Epidemic through Population-based Research

Issue: 
DOI: 
10.7727/wimjopen.2016.454
Pages: 
1-4
Synopsis: 
Zika virus causes Guillain-Barre Syndrome and microcephaly. Clinical and laboratory diagnosis is complicated. Population-based research can elucidate ZIKV epidemiology, vertical transmission, fetal risks of maternal ZIKV infection and natural history of congenital and non-congenital ZIKV infection provided by the activities in “ZIKAction” research consortium, recently funded by the European Commission.

Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic now involves 72 countries, worldwide. Transmission is multimodal through mosquito bites and blood and body fluids. Zika virus causes Guillain-Barre Syndrome and pregnancy complications including perinatal microcephaly. Diagnosis is complicated by subclinical infection in 80%, co-circulation with dengue and chikungunya fevers with similar presentations and cross-reactivity in serological tests. There is no cure, or preventive vaccine.

Accepted: 
August 23, 2016
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Does Intra-operative Dexmedetomidine Attenuate Postoperative Inflammatory Response in the Adult Surgical Patients with General Anaesthesia? A Meta-analysis of Randomized Control Trials Studies

Issue: 
DOI: 
10.7727/wimjopen.2017.002
Synopsis: 
We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to determine the postoperative anti-inflammatory effects of dexmedetomidine on surgical patients' outcome. The results showed that intra-operative dexmedetomidine reduced postoperative concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α at the end of surgery and on the first day after surgery.

ABSTRACT

Accepted: 
November 22, 2017
Provisional PDF: 
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Characterization of Neuropathic Pain in Sickle Cell Disease

Issue: 
DOI: 
10.7727/wimjopen.2017.164
Pages: 
17-23
Synopsis: 
This study sought to identify the amount of nociceptive, affective and neuropathic pain components in sickle cell disease (SCD) in Grenada, West Indies. Characterization of pain in SCD will contribute to increased awareness and promote the development of adequate and effective pain management guidelines.

ABSTRACT

Accepted: 
October 9, 2017
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An Utstein-style Investigation into the Association between Prognoses and the Conditions of Patients with Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest

Issue: 
DOI: 
10.7727/wimjopen.2016.449
Pages: 
12-6
Synopsis: 
At the time of the emergency call (119), the subsequent survival rate is high, particularly in conscious cases with chest pain/back pain/respiratory distress or in cases in which the caller cannot confirm respiratory arrest.

ABSTRACT

Accepted: 
February 13, 2017
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The Thickness of Epicardial Adipose Tissue Adjacent to Right Coronary Artery Predicts Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation After Cryoballoon Ablation: A Simpler Method

Issue: 
DOI: 
10.7727/wimjopen.2017.070
Pages: 
7-11
Synopsis: 
This study investigated the importance of epicardial fat-tissue round the right coronary artery (RCA), highly sensitive C-reaction protein (Hs-CRP) and left atrial (LA) volume index on recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after cryoballoon ablation (CBA).

ABSTRACT

Accepted: 
June 9, 2017
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Health and Gender: What is the Situation with Older Persons and How Do We Address Healthcare Needs?

Issue: 
DOI: 
10.7727/wimjopen.2017.001
Pages: 
1-6
Synopsis: 
Older women in Jamaica have a disproportionately higher burden of chronic non communicable diseases. Gender sensitive approaches to health promotion and disease prevention are needed.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To examine the influence of gender on the health status of older Jamaicans and to identify key health-related determinants.

Methods: Nationally representative data were used to quantify gender differences for 10 chronic diseases and key determinants of health (ie lifestyle, social, financial, biological, healthcare utilization).

Accepted: 
March 8, 2017
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Pleomorphic Carcinoma of the Lung: Clinicopathological Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of 20 Cases

Issue: 
DOI: 
10.7727/wimjopen.2016.183
Pages: 
7-11
Synopsis: 
Pleomorphic carcinoma is a rare tumour of the lung. Despite complete surgical resection, pleomorphic carcinoma is associated with poor prognosis due to frequent distant metastasis.

ABSTRACT

Background and Aims: Pleomorphic carcinoma is a rare tumour of the lung. The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinicopathological characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with pleomorphic pulmonary carcinoma.

Methods: The records of the pathology department from January 2005 to December 2013 were evaluated. Twenty cases of pleomorphic pulmonary carcinoma were identified and studied.

Accepted: 
August 24, 2016
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Epidemiology of Acute Myocardial Infarction in South Trinidad

Issue: 
DOI: 
10.7727/wimjopen.2013.215
Pages: 
1-6
Synopsis: 
The incidence rate (IR) of acute myocardial infarction was 90.6 per 100 000 population (1:1.9) Afro-Trinidadian to Indo-Trinidadian. The IR was highest among male indo-Trinidadians, St elevation myocardial infarction cases were greater than three times as prevalent among Indo-Trinidadians as Afro-Trinidadians.

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study was carried out to determine the incidence rate (IR) and selected demographic and other epidemiologic characteristics of first-time acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients admitted to the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) in South Trinidad, a predominantly Indo-Trinidadian (280 428) and Afro-Trinidadian (127 837) population.

Revised: 
May 16, 2016
Accepted: 
May 26, 2016
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