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Objective. To compare the adequacy, agreement, and acceptability of Papanicolaou testing (cytology) for cervical cancer screening using self-collected samples compared to physician-collected samples in Grenada in the Caribbean. Furthermore, the study identifies the human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes present among asymptomatic women testing positive for HPV, the etiologic cause of cervical cancer. Methods. Participants were divided into two groups and two cervical samples were collected from the women in each group: a self-collected sample and a physician-collected sample. Cervical specimens were tested for cytology and HPV. HPV genotyping was performed on positive specimens. Results. Self-collected samples were adequate and in agreement with physician-collected samples, showing no difference between the two sampling methods. Oncogenic high-risk HPV genotypes were identified in cervical samples which were positive for atypical squamous cells and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. The high-risk HPV genotypes found, notably HPV 45 and 53, differed from those most commonly reported. Although the commonly reported high-risk genotypes HPV 16 and 18 were found, so were 31, 33, 35, 52, 66, 68, and 82. Conclusions. Using self-collection facilitated the discovery of unexpected HPV genotypes among asymptomatic women in Grenada. These findings add new information to the literature regarding cervical cancer and neoplasia screening and HPV genotypes in the Caribbean. This genotype information may impact surveillance of women with low-grade lesions, HPV vaccine selection, and possibly further vaccine research. Research regarding HPV in Caribbean pathology samples of cervical neoplasia and cancer is needed.

With the growing popularity of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as a competitive sport, questions regarding the dynamic response and properties of MMA gloves arise. High-energy impacts from punches are very similar to boxing yet MMA competition requires the use of 4 oz fingerless glove, compared to the larger full enclosure boxing glove. This work assessed the kinetic properties and strike dynamics of MMA gloves and compared findings with traditional boxing gloves. Gloves mounted on a molded fist were impacted repetitively on an instrumental anvil designed for impact, over a 5 hour period resulting in 10,000 continuous and consistent strikes. Kinetic data from impacts were sampled at the beginning of the data collection and subsequently every 30 minutes (every 1,000 strikes). MMA gloves produced 4-5 times greater peak force and 5 times faster load rate compared to the boxing glove. However, MMA gloves also showed signs of material fatigue, with peak force increasing by 35% and rate of loading increasing by 60% over the duration of the test. Boxing glove characteristics did deteriorate but to a lesser extent. In summary, the kinetic properties of MMA glove differed substantially from the boxing glove resulting in impacts characterized by higher peak forces and more rapid development of force. Material properties including stiffness and thickness play a role in the kinetic characteristics upon impact, and can be inferred to alter injury mechanisms of blunt force trauma.