https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/4987 2026-04-09T11:42:52Z 2026-04-09T11:42:52Z Spiteri, Georgette Gatt, Daniela Lungaro-Mifsud, Stephen Scerri, Josianne Couto, Jose Guilherme Formosa, Melissa Marie Trapani, Josef Pavli, Foteini https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/142315 2026-02-02T08:25:46Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Malta Journal of Health Sciences : volume 12 : issue 2 Authors: Spiteri, Georgette; Gatt, Daniela; Lungaro-Mifsud, Stephen; Scerri, Josianne; Couto, Jose Guilherme; Formosa, Melissa Marie; Trapani, Josef; Pavli, Foteini Abstract: Table of contents:; 1/ Petra Jones & Melania Spiteri - Editorial : culinary nutrition : bridging the gap between knowledge and practice; 2/ Melissa M. Formosa, Stephen Decelis, Arianne Muscat, Jeanelle Bugeja, Luigi A. Galea, Jessica M. Vella, Claire Marantidis Cordina, Rodianne Abela, Christopher Barbara, Stefan Laspina, & Dawn M. Caruana - Trichophyton benhamiae as the Causal Agent of Tinea Faciei: The First Case Report in Malta; 3/ Melanie Axiak, Anabel Sciriha, & Tonio. P. Agius - The Effects of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Bone Mineral Density in Patients with known Pulmonary Conditions: A Narrative Review; 4/ Clara Francesca Aquilina, Gerrit Albertus van Dijk, Kristina Caruana, Kristin Caruso Michela Mallia & Liberato Camilleri - The Effect of External Beam Radiotherapy on the Quality of Life of Head and Neck Cancer Patients in Malta; 5/ Andrea Bellizzi & Francis Zarb - An introduction to Dark Field CT (DFCT): A game changer for the future of CT?; 6/ Cynthia Formosa - Postgraduate graduation ceremony oration

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Jones, Petra Spiteri, Melania https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/142303 2026-02-02T08:43:37Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Editorial : culinary nutrition : bridging the gap between knowledge and practice Authors: Jones, Petra; Spiteri, Melania Abstract: Non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease continue to strain health systems worldwide (World Health Organisation, 2025). Despite decades of public health campaigns and a growing body of evidence supporting healthy eating patterns for disease prevention and management, poor diet quality remains one of the leading contributors to premature mortality and disability (Zhu et al., 2025). There remains a significant disconnect between what people know and what they practice; clearly knowledge alone does not change behaviour. The persistent gap between dietary advice and dietary practice highlights an urgent need for education that connects knowing with doing.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Formosa, Melissa M. Decelis, Stephen Muscat, Arianne Bugeja, Jeanelle Galea, Luigi A. Vella, Jessica M. Marantidis Cordina, Claire Abela, Rodianne Barbara, Christopher Laspina, Stefan Caruana, Dawn M. https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/142290 2026-02-02T08:42:04Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Trichophyton benhamiae as the causal agent of tinea faciei : the first case report in Malta Authors: Formosa, Melissa M.; Decelis, Stephen; Muscat, Arianne; Bugeja, Jeanelle; Galea, Luigi A.; Vella, Jessica M.; Marantidis Cordina, Claire; Abela, Rodianne; Barbara, Christopher; Laspina, Stefan; Caruana, Dawn M. Abstract: Trichophyton benhamiae is an emerging zoonotic dermatophyte increasingly recognised as a cause of inflammatory mycosis in humans, particularly following contact with infected animals. We report the first documented case of T. benhamiae infection in Malta in an 8-year-old girl who presented with a single itchy annular patch on her right cheek. The patient had a recent history of close interaction with a symptomatic pet guinea pig, a known reservoir of this pathogen. Laboratory examination in the form of mycological culture and proteomic analysis by mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of T. benhamiae. The patient responded well to topical antifungal therapy. A few months later, three other cases of T. benhamiae infection were also identified in Malta highlighting the presence of an emerging dermatophyte causing inflammatory mycosis. This case underscores the diagnostic challenges associated with T. benhamiae, as its presentation often mimics that of more common dermatophytes, potentially leading to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. Futhermore, increased awareness is essential to prevent the spread of zoonotic mycosis.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Axiak, Melanie Sciriha, Anabel Agius, Tonio P. https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/142289 2026-02-02T08:40:19Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on bone mineral density in patients with known pulmonary conditions : a narrative review Authors: Axiak, Melanie; Sciriha, Anabel; Agius, Tonio P. Abstract: Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is a standard treatment for patients diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) with exercise training being a key component of this intervention. COPD patients have a high prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis, primarily due to corticosteroid use, which significantly increases their risks of falls and fractures. Given the substantial impact of fractures on COPD patients, preventative measures are essential to mitigate bone mineral density loss and reduce fracture risk and associated adverse consequences. Research on the effects of exercise on BMD in COPD patients is notably limited. This review aims to examine the effects of PR on BMD, fall and fracture risks, and functional exercise capacity in patients with COPD. A systematic search was conducted using MEDLINE Complete (via EBSCOhost), AgeLine (via EBSCOhost), Google Scholar and HyDi (Hybrid Discovery) for articles published between 2003 and 2021. The PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes) framework was used to formulate the research question, define inclusion criteria and report the study characteristics: (P) subjects with stable COPD, (I) PR, (C) no PR during the duration of the study and (O) BMD, risks of falls and fractures, and functional exercise capacity. Critical evaluation, data abstraction and synthesis were conducted by the authors. Evidence suggests that exercise training positively influences BMD outcomes. However, the evidence regarding the effects of PR on BMD in COPD patients, along with its impact on fall and fracture risks, and functional exercise capacity remains insufficient. This highlights the need for further research. Implementing PR may help COPD patients prevent additional BMD loss, reduce fall and fracture risks, and minimise related complications, ultimately improving their health-related quality of life and long term prognosis.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z