https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/417 Wed, 19 Aug 2026 13:13:48 GMT 2026-08-19T13:13:48Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148423 Title: Development, behaviour, productivity, and health status of the native honey bee Apis mellifera ruttneri vs. the introduced A. m. ligustica in Malta Authors: Uzunov, Aleksandar; Mifsud, David; Galea, Thomas; Cutajar, Simone; Zammit-Mangion, Marion; Meixner, Marina D. Abstract: The tiny population of the endemic Maltese honey bee (A. m. ruttneri) is threatened by anthropogenic influences, such as urbanisation, habitat loss, and unsustainable agricultural practices, but most prominently by the importation of commercially important non-native stock. To obtain data on the colony life cycle parameters of A. m. ruttneri and to measure its apicultural performance in relation to imported A. m. ligustica under Maltese conditions, we conducted a comparative study between mid-2017 and early 2020. Over one full season, colonies of both subspecies (A. m. ruttneri (n = 15) vs. A. m. ligustica (n = 18)) were regularly assessed for survival, colony size, behaviour, and presence of diseases. The comparative assessments were completed in September 2018, but monitoring and sampling of the surviving colonies of A. m. ruttneri continued until March 2020. Our results clearly indicate that the tested group of sister queens of A. m. ruttneri is well adapted to the prevailing environmental conditions in Malta. The colonies survived significantly longer compared to the tested group of sister queens of A. m. ligustica and performed better in several parameters measured, their colony development, and health being well in tune with the environment. A. m. ruttneri received acceptable scores for behavioural traits (gentleness and calmness on the comb), showing potential for improvement by breeding. The results from this pioneering study clearly indicate that A. m. ruttneri, with its superior adaptation to Maltese conditions and the potential to improve by breeding, represents a prime option towards economically sound beekeeping on the Maltese archipelago. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148423 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146782 Title: Canary Broom (Cytisus canariensis (L.) Kuntze Fabaceae) Authors: Attard, Tamara; Attard, Everaldo Abstract: Cytisus canariensis (L.) Kuntze, commonly known as Canary Island Bloom (Figure 21.1), is known for its characteristically yellow flowers. It is a coastal plant and an endemic of the Canary Islands. This archipelago is com posed of seven islands, namely, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro, close to West Coast of Morocco (Chaachouay et al., 2019). Though being autonomous communities of Spain, the plant has been introduced to continental Europe and beyond. It is a member of the pea family, also known as legumes. In spite of its long- standing history as a hallucinogen, it is currently being investigated as a viable alternative to tobacco or as a supplementary component to mitigate the inhalation of tobacco by individuals who smoke. When consumed in the form of cigarettes, G. canariensis exhibits effects that are comparable to, or somewhat less intense than, those of tobacco cigarettes. The observed aftertaste of electronic cigarettes is characterized by its sweetness, in contrast to the mildly bitter aftertaste com monly associated with traditional tobacco cigarettes (Fadiman, 1965). Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146782 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146781 Title: Hepatotoxic reactions and pharmacological interactions related to Hypericum perforatum medical use : a disproportionality analysis of EudraVigilance data Authors: Ammendolia, Ilaria; Attard, Everaldo; Esposito, Emanuela; Calapai, Gioacchino; Currò, Mariaconcetta; Midiri, Paola; Attard, Tamara; Cancellieri, Antonino; Cardia, Luigi; Calapai, Fabrizio Abstract: Hypericum perforatum is a very popular traditional herbal medicine used for antidepressant effects. Hypericum perforatum herbal preparations can be the cause for pharmacokinetic interactions due to the possibility that components of the plant induce the activity of CYP3A4, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and P-glycoprotein. The aim of this study is to update the safety profile related with the use of Hypericum perforatum in European countries. An analysis was conducted on spontaneous reports of suspected adverse reactions (SARs) recorded in the EudraVigilance database. In addition, a disproportionality analysis was performed to compare SARs related to hepatobiliary disorders in patients exposed to Hypericum perforatum with those reported for the synthetic antidepressants fluoxetine and citalopram. Both drug interactions and hepatobiliary disorders were specifically assessed as adverse reactions associated with Hypericum perforatum in comparison to the reference drugs. Pharmacological interactions were the most frequent cause of SARs caused by Hypericum perforatum, while analysis of disproportionality showed that Hypericum perforatumwas associated with a higher reporting probability of “Hepatobiliary disorders” and, although to a lesser extent, also “Drug interactions”, in comparison to fluoxetine and citalopram. Data from this research draws attention to the potential hepatotoxicity of Hypericum perforatum and suggests a deeper study of the causes, which appear to be only partially linked with the mechanisms that produce pharmacological interactions. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146781 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146780 Title: Bioactive compounds and biological activities of Arum L. Authors: Kozuharova, Ekaterina; Pasdaran, Ardalan; Hamedi, Azadeh; Batovska, Daniela; Georgiev, Milen; Marchev, Andrey; Attard, Everaldo; Gibernau, Marc Abstract: The genus Arum L. consists of 29 species of tuberous plants occurring in the temperate and Mediterranean parts of the Old World. The range of distribution of the genus expands from the Azores to western China and from Sweden to North Africa. It is a challenge sometimes to distinguish the species. From vegetative characters, arums are in general rather similar in appearance and exhibit a high plasticity. While conforming to the same inflorescence architecture, they display a wide range of discriminant floral characters (type of florets, size, shape, or color). This chapter summarizes the traditional use of Arum species for both food and medicinal purposes, as well as biologically active compounds and pharmacological activities. According to ethnobotanical data, the most frequent traditional medicinal use of several Arum species is to cure hemorrhoids. The storage organs contain carbohydrates, proteins, lectins (carbohydrate-binding proteins), fatty acids, etc., but in general, the genus Arum is poorly studied regarding phytochemicals. Biologically active compounds identified in various parts of Arum species include phenolic compounds, terpenoids, alkaloids, etc. Various extracts from these plants have analgesic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti inflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, and anticancer properties, cardiovascular protective effects, and immune-modulating activity. But Arum species contain raphides of non-soluble calcium oxalate and other toxic compounds and should be used with caution. These plants possess high medicinal potential and deserve further scientific research attention. At the same time, appropriate cultivation techniques need to be developed. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146780 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z