Kingston

Researchers are evaluating the clinical effectiveness and safety of a 20% Cassia alata extract cream for treating tinea versicolor, a common superficial fungal skin infection also known as pityriasis versicolor. The study aims to determine whether applying this traditional remedy helps clear the infection better than leaving the skin untreated and to assess any side effects from its use. This is a Phase 1 pilot trial conducted by The University of The West Indies. Participants will apply a thin layer of the Cassia alata cream twice daily to a designated treatment area on the skin, using 1-2 fingertip units to cover the affected site, leaving other areas untreated for comparison. The cream application is spaced at least 8 hours apart. The study involves a single-arm, no-treatment self-controlled design where treated areas are compared against untreated areas. Follow-up visits are scheduled every 4 weeks for a total of 12 weeks. During the study, participants will undergo clinical examinations, fungal scrapings, and Woods lamp evaluations at baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks to assess lesion clearance and fungal load. Researchers will monitor local skin reactions and document side effects and ease of use. Demographic data and clinical findings will be analyzed to evaluate the treatments effect and safety profile over the 12-week period.

Researchers are establishing the International Registry to Improve Outcomes in Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer IRONMAN as a prospective, global group of at least 5,000 men with advanced prostate cancer, including those with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer mHSPC and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer M0M1 CRPC. This study aims to better understand variations in care and treatment across different countries and medical settings by collecting detailed patient data over time. Participants will receive standard care drugs routinely used for metastatic prostate cancer based on local practices. Data collection begins at enrollment and continues for at least five years. Blood samples and tumor tissue, when possible, will be collected at enrollment, treatment changes, and follow-ups to study molecular markers linked to treatment response and resistance. Patient-reported outcome measures PROMs will be gathered every three months, and physicians will provide treatment and follow-up information regularly. During the study, participants will provide health and treatment information through questionnaires, with regular monitoring of survival, adverse events, and comorbidities. Blood samples will support future research to identify biomarkers. The main outcome is observing practice patterns over five years to help improve understanding of treatment sequences that optimize survival and quality of life for men with advanced prostate cancer.

This research aims to identify how common neck and low back pain are among medical students at the University of the West Indies, Mona. It also seeks to understand their knowledge, attitude, and practices related to maintaining good spine health. The study uses a prospective randomized control design to evaluate the effects of a standardized spine exercise program on students experiencing these types of pain. Participants found to have neck or low back pain will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group A, the clinical control group, will not receive any intervention during the eight-week period. Group B will follow a standardized spine exercise program that includes basic neck and low back exercises three times a week and brief stretching during prolonged sitting. Both groups will be reassessed after eight weeks using questionnaires and pain scales. All participants will complete surveys assessing musculoskeletal discomfort, pain intensity, and their understanding and practices about spine health. Data collection tools include the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire CMDQ, the Numeric Rating Scale NRS, and specific questionnaires on knowledge and behavior. Participants privacy is protected with assigned study numbers, and data will be securely managed. The main outcome measured is the change in CMDQ scores from enrollment to eight weeks. The total study period spans from October 2018 to December 2026.

Researchers are conducting a long-term observational study called the SAFE study to follow people with sickle cell anemia SCA over time. The main goal is to understand how the medicine hydroxyurea affects growth, puberty, and fertility in adolescents and young adults with SCA. The study also compares pregnancy outcomes between those who take hydroxyurea and those who do not. Participants with SCA will be monitored regularly with clinic visits every few months for health check-ups and blood tests. Girls who have started menstruating will have pregnancy tests every six months, and boys may be asked to provide semen samples if they agree. The study will collect information on growth, development, fertility, and reproductive outcomes while observing how hydroxyurea impacts these aspects. During the study, participants will answer questions about their health and fertility at regular intervals. Researchers will track clinical outcomes and reproductive potential for up to 10 years after enrollment. This long-term follow-up will help gather important information on how hydroxyurea influences health and reproductive outcomes in people living with SCA.

This research aims to collect tissue samples from adults with lymphoid cancers or precancerous conditions, including multiple myeloma, various lymphomas, and adult leukemialymphoma. The study seeks to better understand the biology of these diseases through laboratory investigations, potentially leading to new diagnostic methods and treatments. Participants include those with confirmed lymphoid malignancies as well as individuals without these diseases who are undergoing surgery where normal tissue can be collected. Participants will have samples collected such as blood, urine, bone marrow, tumor tissue, and skin tissue. Blood samples are taken initially and at various treatment points, while other fluids and tissue samples are collected as applicable. Treatment is not provided as part of this study, which is observational in nature and aims to support future research on therapeutic agents and diagnostic models. During the study, participants undergo a physical exam and medical history screening. The researchers will conduct various laboratory tests including genetic and genomic analyses on the collected samples. The primary outcome is ongoing acquisition of these samples, alongside secondary outcomes like establishing databanks for genomic sequencing and assessing molecular profiling for diagnosis and treatment response. Participation involves sample collection at baseline and other times as needed, with no treatment administered, and continues as long as samples are collected.