https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/403 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 16:21:21 GMT 2026-09-10T16:21:21Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148966 Title: Jellyfish bioactive compounds fueling marine biotechnology in blue economy and biomedicine Authors: La Spina, Enrico; Barbagallo, Ignazio A.; Giallongo, Cesarina; Longhitano, Lucia; Leotta, Paola; Conti, Giuseppe N.; Giallongo, Sebastiano; Lombardo, Sofia P.; Felici, Alberto; Bellia, Francesco; Tropea, Emanuela; Li Volti, Giovanni; Torrisi, Alfio; Marrone, Alessio; Deidun, Alan; Tiralongo, Francesco; Tibullo, Daniele Abstract: Jellyfish, often primarily perceived by the public as a marine nuisance, represent an increasingly valuable and sustainable source of diverse biomolecules with significant potential for the biomedical sciences, in addition to their crucial ecological role within marine ecosystems. This review explores the properties, extraction and applications of key jellyfish-derived compounds, including collagen, peptides, sulfated polysaccharides, glycoproteins and venom components. The relevance of jellyfish as a bioresource is underscored by episodic bloom events in the Mediterranean, where species such as Rhizostoma pulmo (Macri, 1778) have been reported in affected coastal areas. This review provides a critical synthesis of current advances in the extraction, characterization, and biotechnological exploitation of jellyfish-derived bioactive compounds, on ecologically and biotechnologically relevant Mediterranean species, which collectively represent accessible and high-impact targets for marine bioprospecting. Evidence from non-Mediterranean species is also discussed for comparative purposes to contextualize conserved biochemical features across different biogeographical regions. Among jellyfish-derived biomolecules, collagen emerges as the most technologically mature and translationally advanced compound, supported by reproducible extraction protocols, preserved triple-helical structure, cytocompatibility, and compatibility with pre-GMP manufacturing workflows. Recent studies further demonstrate that aquaculture-reared Cassiopea andromeda (Forsskål, 1775) may achieve collagen yields comparable to wild populations (~40–46%) while exhibiting enhanced antioxidant profiles, supporting the feasibility of controlled biofactory approaches. In contrast, peptides, sulfated polysaccharides, and venom components display promising biological activities but remain at earlier stages of technological readiness, requiring further standardization, structure–function elucidation, and regulatory development. Within circular and blue bioeconomy frameworks, jellyfish biomass—particularly from invasive or bloom-forming species such as C. andromeda—offers a concrete opportunity to unlock novel therapeutic solutions and advanced biomaterials, addressing critical unmet medical needs and offering a sustainable alternative to traditional biomedical resources. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148966 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148898 Title: Nuclear following associations between Caranx crysos and two rays, Dasyatis pastinaca and Aetomylaeus bovinus, observed in Malta, Central Mediterranean Authors: Falzon, Mark-Anthony; Schembri, Patrick J. Abstract: An association of Blue runner, Caranx crysos (Carangidae), with two species of rays, Common stingray Dasyatis pastinaca (Dasyatidae) and Bull ray Aetomylaeus bovinus (Myliobatidae), in which an individual C. crysos (the follower fish) follows a foraging ray (the nuclear species), is described, based on a sample of 61 video clips. Follower fish show three types of behaviour: swimming under the pectoral fin of the nuclear ray, swimming above the mid-dorsal line of the nuclear ray and very close to it, or swimming above the ray and darting from side to side. The first two of these behaviours seem to be species-specific as the first is only shown when the nuclear ray is A. bovinus and the second when the nuclear ray is D. pastinaca. Following fish do not allow conspecifics to approach the nuclear ray but are mostly indifferent to non-conspecifics doing so. The following fish benefit from the association by feeding on prey disturbed by the foraging activities of the nuclear ray but the nuclear ray is unreactive to the following fish, suggesting that this is a case of trophic commensalism. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148898 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148842 Title: The referral incidence of otitis media in Maltese children with the developmental difficulties Abstract: Introduction: Otitis media (OM) is a common condition of childhood characterised by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the middle ear cleft. Since the condition is not life-threatening it may not be given its due attention. Late and missed diagnosis of OM increases the risk of medical complications, hearing, speech and/or language acquisition difficulties, learning and behavioural challenges as well as social interaction issues. It is estimated that at least 2 out of 3 children will have at least one episode of OM by 3-years of age. There is evidence that children with developmental impairment such as craniofacial dysmorphias, are more at risk of having OM. This paper reports on the referral incidence of OM in children with a developmental condition.; Methods: Data was collected retroactively from a database of routine referrals of around 300 children to the Audiology Department at the State general Hospital, by the Child Development Assessment Unit in Malta. The age of the children ranged between 5 to 151 months (mean age 50.01).; Results: The referral incidence of OM in the children with developmental challenges was more than 50%. The condition was more present in younger than older children and the associated hearing acuity worse in the subgroup of children with OM.; Conclusion: The findings confirm the expected high incidence of OM in children with developmental difficulties as well as associated hearing difficulties. This calls for an awareness programme and a protocol for early detection of children suffering from OM, particularly those with co-morbidities, and to provide timely intervention. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148842 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148796 Title: “Could patient age and gender, along with mass size, be predictive factors for benign kidney tumors?” : A retrospective analysis of 307 consecutive single renal masses treated with partial or radical nephrectomy Authors: Baio, Raffaele; Molisso, Giovanni; Caruana, Christian; Di Mauro, Umberto; Intilla, Olivier; Pane, Umberto; D’Angelo, Costantino; Campitelli, Antonio; Pentimalli, Francesca; Sanseverino, Roberto Abstract: Due to the increased use of common and non-invasive abdominal imaging techniques over the last few decades, the diagnosis of about 60% of renal tumors is incidental. Contrast-enhancing renal nodules on computed tomography are diagnosed as malignant tumors, which are often removed surgically without first performing a biopsy. Most kidney nodules are renal cell carcinoma (RCC) after surgical treatment, but a non-negligible rate of these nodules may be benign on final pathology; as a result, patients undergo unnecessary surgery with an associated significant morbidity. Our study aimed to identify a subgroup of patients with higher odds of harboring benign tumors, who would hence benefit from further diagnostic examinations (such as renal biopsy) or active surveillance. We performed a retrospective review of the medical data, including pathology results, of patients undergoing surgery for solid renal masses that were suspected to be RCCs (for a total sample of 307 patients). Owing to the widespread use of common and non-invasive imaging techniques, the incidental diagnosis of kidney tumors has become increasingly common. Considering that a nonnegligible rate of these tumors is found to be benign after surgery at pathological examination, it is crucial to identify features that can correctly diagnose a mass as benign or not. According to our study results, female sex and tumor size ≤ 3 cm were independent predictors of benign disease. Contrary to that demonstrated by other authors, increasing patient age was also positively linked to a greater risk of malign pathology. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148796 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z