OAR@UM Collection:

Osteogenic bioactivity and oestrogen growth factor response induced by extracts from Ceratonia siliqua

2024-04-15T13:48:55Z

Title: Osteogenic bioactivity and oestrogen growth factor response induced by extracts from Ceratonia siliqua Abstract: The main aim of the study was the production of an extract from a local indigenous plant that induces the differentiation of the osteoblast cell line MC3T3-El without inducing an estrogen growth factor response in the breast cancer cell line MCF-7, therefore being a suitable candidate for the substitution of the currently utilized hormone replacement therapy. A wide range of different methodologies have been used. Methanol extraction has been utilized for the extraction process. Titrations were performed so as to obtain the working concentrations for 17 β-oestradiol, the extracts, and a commercialized product (Lignan, Brevail®). To determine the cytotoxicity, XTT assays were performed. Alizarin Red staining measurements were utilized to directly measure the osteogenesis rate. Real time-PCR was utilized for expression studies of identified oestradiol response genes. The working concentrations of the test compounds have been identified and XTT assays indicated us that none of the test compounds tested (17β-oestradiol 10-4 M, lignan 5000 ppm, and carob pod extract 32750 ppm, carob flower extract 6000 ppm) was cytotoxic in the highest concentrations tested. The osteogenesis rate has been quantified and after 16 days, a 30-fold increase in osteogenesis has been obtained with lignan and a 20-fold increase in osteogenesis has been obtained with carob flower extract, when compared with osteogenesis induction medium. For the investigation of oestrogen growth factor response on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, 241 direct ERα target genes were selected utilizing a published dataset and utilizing another published dataset, 11 genes from the previous 241 were selected that contain estrogen response elements (EREs). Utilizing current literature and the involvement in breast cancer, a total of 3 out of 11 genes were selected; gene regulated by estrogen in breast cancer protein (GREBl), nuclear receptor interacting protein 1 (NRIPl), and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 4 (Igfbp4). Whilst ERα expression is downregulated in MCF-7 cells at both time points in all the test compounds utilized, expression of NRIPl and Igfbp4 is transient with the carob flower extract. Thus we concluded that the carob flower extract, is a potential candidate for the substitution of the currently utilized hormone replacement therapy. Description: M.SC.PATHOLOGY

Introduction of antimicrobial susceptibility testing to Campylobacter species and sub-species.

2020-11-11T14:07:29Z

Title: Introduction of antimicrobial susceptibility testing to Campylobacter species and sub-species. Abstract: Antibiotic resistance, particularly with the fluoroquinolones and macrolide antibiotics, has now emerged globally with thermophilic campylobacters, including mainly Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli, giving rise to concerns about how these organisms have acquired such resistance characteristics, as well as consequences for human and animal treatment. Currently, Campylobacter is the leading enteropathogenic organism worldwide. Generally, in animals this organism causes no harm, but in humans it causes campylobacteriosis with a number of side effects including the Guillian-Barre virus. It is contracted through many sources such as private reservoirs and unpasteurised milk but mainly through ingested food. Campylobacter is a zoonotic disease. Malta, having the smallest amount of broilers, when compared to the rest of Europe, sports one of the highest percentages of Campylobacter isolation from chicken carcasses. This organism and the resistance associated with the strain are both transferred to humans. Therefore, resistance acquired through the ingestion of animal feed with antibiotics (as growth promoters), is transferred to humans through the zoonotic cycle. In order to establish the Maltese setting when compared with Europe, a series of procedures were carried out. Through the period of June 2008-June 2010, all Campylobacter strains (156 isolates) were collected from human stool samples received in the Bacteriology Laboratory at Mater Dei Hospital which is the main Maltese General Hospital and also the only teaching hospital in Malta. Each Campylobacter strain was subjected to a series of five main antibiotics and the MICs of each was established. Through this, sensitive/resistance patterns of each antibiotic was achieved and was compared with the European status. Mean Inhibitory Concentration data was achieved using the E-strip method and identification was done through conventional methods. It was established that the Maltese picture is on the same baseline as that of Europe, comparatively. Through the results of the 156 isolates analyzed, evidence of the main predominance of groups affected by this organism was established. The most age group affected was the youngest group (0-10 years). In addition to this, the male sub-group showed a slightly higher incidence when compared to the female group. Although the summer season showed a peak of infectious incidence, a confluent incidence of infection was determined throughout all months of the two year period of this study. When analyzing the sensitiveresistant patterns, Erythromycin, Gentamicin and Meropenem showed quite a high sensitivity in all strains. Even when a breakdown of each sub-species was analyzed, Erythromycin remained one of the most sensitive antibiotics tested against. Although Campylobacter coli showed much more resistance than Campylobacter jejuni, Erythromycin, Gentamicin and Meropenem remained on the sensitive side, with Ciprofloxacin and Tetracycline showing quite a pattern of resistance. Further analysis was done to compare resistance between the two gender groups (male vs females) and also between two main age-groups (0-15 years in one group and 16-above in another group). Through this comparison, the younger age group (0-15 years) had the highest amount of resistant strains when compared to the older generation. On the other hand, females showed a lower sensitivity trend when compared to the male group. These results are of great importance due to the fact that on a larger scale study, there may actually be a definite trend of resistance between age groups and gender. This data further emphasizes the great importance that Malta must be involved wholeheartedly in surveys and any data collection studies that EFSA may request. The objective of this study was to establish the sensitivity pattern of the two mam antibiotics used for first line treatment which are mainly erythromycin and ciprofloxacin. Due to the level of ciprofloxacin resistance noted in this study, erythromycin remains the drug of choice in the suspicion of any Campylobacter infection. Erythromycin is still mainly sensitive when compared to tetracycline, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin. Although, erythromycin is still the ideal drug to use, one must keep in mind that Campylobacter infections are generally self-limiting, and so over-use of this antibiotic is discouraged in order to retain this sensitivity in erythromycin. Description: M.SC.PHARMACOLOGY

Prevalence of obesity in Maltese children aged 5 and 9 years

2022-05-06T07:02:03Z

Title: Prevalence of obesity in Maltese children aged 5 and 9 years Abstract: Reason for research: The steady increase in body weight noted in many developed countries over the last decades has also been noted in the Maltese population. As a result of childhood obesity, an increased burden at all levels of the healthcare system will occur. This study aims to assess by means of an epidemiological investigation of a representative random sample of Maltese schoolchildren aged 5 and 9 years: • The current prevalence of obesity in Maltese children in a given sample and relate it to other developed countries. • The risk factors which may be associated with the development of childhood obesity. Methodology: This study was carried out on a random sample of a total of 431 children: 220 males (51.1 %) and 211 females (48.9%) representative of the target population. Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference were measured from the study population. On calculation of the BMI, the school children were divided into three groups: lean, overweight and obese using the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) classification (Cole T.J. et aI, 2000). A validated questionnaire was distributed to the children included in the sample population. The questionnaire was filled out by the parents and assessed child lifestyle characteristics including physical activity, nutrition, family general characteristics and birth weight. Both the anthropometric measurements and the variables assessed in the questionnaire were analysed to examine for any possible associations. Results: The prevalence of childhood overweight / obesity in the five year old children was 28.8% for boys and 32.7% for girls while the prevalence rates for the 9 year olds was 48.9% for boys and 45.1 % for girls. Inter-relationships were found between a history of metabolic disease in parents and obesity in the corresponding children. A statistically significant relationship was found between a history of a lack of breast feeding and obesity in the 5 year old children [p=0.04]. Statistically significant observations between birth weight [p=0.002], anthropomorphic measures [p=0.0l] and physical activity [p=0.002] were noted. Certain observations were also found between physical activity and corresponding obesity in both age groups, as were statistically significant relationships between diet and childhood obesity especially in the nine year olds. The overweight/obese nine year children consumed less fruit juice, milk whole fat and flavoured milk [p=0.03, p=0.004, p=0.03] respectively as compared to their lean counterparts. Discussion: The increase of prevalence of overweight and obese children especially in the nine year olds has reached alarming rates. The 'U' odds-risk pattern described in previous studies as the thrifty phenotype hypothesis of obesity was noted in this study. Here the nine year olds born in both the low [<2500g] and high birth weight [>4000g] groups showed to have higher anthropomorphic measures as compared to the children who were born of a normal birth weight [2500-3900g]. Obese children could be spending more time performing passive activities instead of sleeping. It was also noted that the obese nine year olds were deliberately restricting the consumption of energy dense food in order to control weight. Conclusion: The family physician is ideally placed to directly help reduce the impact of childhood obesity on the eventual health of the individual and indirectly reduce the demands placed on the health services. Childhood obesity has to be monitored more closely by the family physician especially with children exhibiting risk factors to becoming obese. These include children born of a low and high birth weights, lack of breast feeding, and a history of metabolic syndrome in the parents. Description: M.SC.FAMILY MEDICINE

Patterns and potentials of information technology use by Maltese family doctors.

2020-11-11T05:35:26Z

Title: Patterns and potentials of information technology use by Maltese family doctors. Abstract: The time and money invested in paper work in the general practice setting and in the healthcare system in general always imposes a question, i.e. why does family practice not fully benefit from what technology can offer, like many other medical fields, or non medical fields such as business? This study reviews existing literature about use of computers by family doctors. Although scarce in quantity and limited, the core contents were grouped and moulded to present what computers are used for in family medicine and how family doctors are using them in different areas of the world. An online questionnaire was distributed to Maltese family doctors who are already using computers in order to study their pattern of use and the potential to grow this use in order to support their development for a continuously improving medical practice. The data collected was grouped and analysed. The results are presented as a thorough description of the participants' pattern and potential of computer use. The results were considered indicative of the current situation in Malta, which was found to be promising. The results suggested that, although the majority of family doctors who own a computer either at home or at their clinic or both, make variable use of technology, they are in continuous search for means and solutions that technology could offer to help them with their professional challenges. An Information Technology acceleration programme for family doctors is proposed by the researcher; its main features were documented in this study as part of the discussion and recommendation. This study did not aim at exploring the number of Maltese Family doctors who are computer literate but rather to study the pattern of use by the existent IT users. Description: M.SC.FAMILY MEDICINE