https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/120657 2026-04-11T14:24:26Z 2026-04-11T14:24:26Z Attard Montalto, Simon Lenicker, Herbet M. https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/120851 2024-04-15T05:48:04Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Editorial : fatal aviation fuel exposure Authors: Attard Montalto, Simon; Lenicker, Herbet M. Abstract: The guest editorial relates to a remarkable disregard for health and safety (H&S) at work resulting in four fatalities at the height of world war two in Malta in 1942. The author, then a seven year old boy, witnessed the event and should be commended for doggedly researching the facts, until finally revealing the sequence of events that led to this tragedy. Eighty years later, and similar events with fatalities at work continue with depressing regularity – only now, the extenuating circumstances associated with a world war that, to a large extent, allowed this lapse in safety back in 1942, simply do not exist. In contrast, in 2023, there are no excuses that can ‘justify’ the general sloppiness and, in many cases, the total disregard of anything to do with H&S that prevails on a daily basis in numerous workplaces in Malta. Indeed, those in authority in 2023 should learn from the lesson presented by their counterparts in 1942 who took immediate and effective action to address their own H&S crisis almost a century ago!

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z Seguna, Desiree Fava, Stephen https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/120769 2024-04-12T08:48:05Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Emerging trends in diabetes : an update on the role of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors Authors: Seguna, Desiree; Fava, Stephen Abstract: The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus continues to rise world-wide, highlighting the need for better treatment of this condition. The last few decades have seen the emergence of several new anti-diabetic agents. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are novel oral hypoglycaemic agents that have only recently been added to the local government formulary list. We hereby discuss the mechanism of action of this oral class of agents and highlight their role and indications in clinical practice. This review provides a detailed summary of the available cardiovascular outcome trials and how these recommendations have been included in the most recent international guidelines. Finally we highlight the adverse events and contraindications of this class of agents and discuss possible future roles for SGLT-2 inhibitors.

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z Stans, Jelle Delanghe, Melina https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/120755 2024-04-12T08:23:51Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Recent population studies on the prevalence and bilaterality of the fabella Authors: Stans, Jelle; Delanghe, Melina Abstract: The fabella is a sesamoid bone found in the gastrocnemius muscle that is present in about 10-30% of all humans. There are however strong variations between different ethnics groups. The current review summarizes the literature regarding the prevalence and laterality of the fabella in recently published population studies. Six eligible population studies published in 2020 and 2021 were identified that investigated the prevalence of the fabella in Chinese, Korean, Nigerian, Omani and Turkish populations. The fabella prevalence rate in the included studies ranged from 11.1 to 57.2%. However, like in past research, there were significant variations between different populations in recent studies. Unfortunately, only a selected number of the recently published studies reported on the percentage of fabellae that present uni- or bilaterally. The percentage of cases that showed a bilateral fabella ranged from 27.1 to 78.8%.

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z Craus, Johann Savona-Ventura, Charles Vassallo, Josanne https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/120754 2024-04-12T08:09:15Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: GDM diagnostic criteria in use in the Mediterranean region Authors: Craus, Johann; Savona-Ventura, Charles; Vassallo, Josanne Abstract: PURPOSE: The diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes has been a controversial issue over the last decades but has in the last decade been standardized by the establishment of the IADPSG criteria. In spite of the new guidelines determining diagnostic criteria and management option for pregnant women with diabetes, practice still varies widely. This study aimed to identify the level of clinical practice differences in the Mediterranean region.; METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire study was carried out among a convenient sample of 2841 professionals working in the Mediterranean region. The volunteered responses were collected either in an online survey or as hard copy questionnaires that were eventually transcribed electronically in an excel database.; RESULTS: Only 28.5% of the respondents reported using the IADPSG criteria, the larger majority of these being obstetricians. The majority endocrinologists still preferred and relied on the ADA criteria. Only 22.4% of the respondents reported having adopted the use of oral hypoglycaemics during pregnancy. In contrast, 59.2% have adopted insulin analogues in their practice.

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z