https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/81318 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:43:17 GMT 2026-04-10T00:43:17Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/141621 Title: The genetic landscape of the Maltese and the characterisation of mitochondrial disease Abstract: N/A Description: Ph.D.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/141621 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/119707 Title: Overexpression of PP2A inhibitory subunits promotes expression and activation of oncogenic signatures Abstract: The phosphatase enzyme PP2A regulates various signalling pathways, including the mTOR pathway, and is responsible for control of cell growth, proliferation, and apoptosis. In this investigation, the effect of overexpressing the PP2A inhibitory subunits CIP2A, SET and IGBP1 was studied in selected breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-453. Polysome bound RNA studies revealed that recruitment of c-MYC transcript to the polysomes increases significantly upon overexpression of CIP2A, SET and IGBP1 in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-453. DigiWest technology was then used to measure total protein and phospho-proteins using lysates from MDA-MB-453 cells overexpressing the PP2A inhibitory subunits and compared to the originator cells. A list of proteins that are upregulated upon overexpression (protein signature) as well as a phospho-profile was generated. The protein signature showed upregulation of beta-catenin, MCL1, c-MYC and RICTOR. The shift towards expression of ERK2 upon overexpression of CIP2A, SET and IGBP1 offers an opportunity to further investigate the role of the PP2A inhibitory subunits in Epithelial and Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)-induction. The phospho-profile showed an upregulation of p4E-BP1(phosphoThr37/Thr46) suggesting the release and activation of eIF4E; upregulation of PKC alpha (phosphoThr497/Thr638/Thr641); and dephosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase (phosphoThr389). Correlation of the protein signature with the expression of the PP2A inhibitory subunits was performed using the publicly available patient dataset, namely the Breast Invasive Carcinoma (TCGA), generating an oncogenic signature, also including c-MYC and beta catenin. The results show that the expression of beta-catenin protein is regulated via various components of the PP2A complex and confirm AURKA as the surrogate marker of low PP2A activity. Description: Ph.D.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/119707 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/106331 Title: Characterisation of patient advice in community pharmacy Abstract: Community pharmacists are in an ideal position to provide advice to patients due to easy accessibility within the community. The advice community pharmacists provide aims to enhance the rational use of medicines, thereby promoting safety, efficacy and optimising health outcomes. The aim of this study was to describe the type and frequency of patient advice requests provided in community pharmacy practice. In this observational prospective study 1000 patient encounters with the community pharmacist for advice/counselling over a twelve-week period were observed and recorded in a data collection form developed for the purpose of the study. The data collection form characterises patient advice as follows: responding to symptoms, lifestyle advice, medicine information medical devices, product recommendation, self-medication advice, waste disposal, signposting and medical referral. The time taken to address each encounter was recorded. Descriptive statistics are carried out to assess the type and frequency of patient advice encounters. The four most prominent pharmacist-patient advice were: Medicine information (n=903), responding to symptoms (n=595), lifestyle advice (n=585), and product recommendation (n=532). Other types of pharmacist patient advice were advice on medical devices (n=201), on waste disposal (n=47) and advice relating to signposting and medical referral (n= 86). The time taken to address patient’s advice needs during the pharmacist patients’ contacts of the most prominent advice groups had medicine information with 300 encounters between 3 and 7 minutes consisting of 50 encounters at 3minutes, 150 at 4minutes, 70 at 6minutes and 30 at 7minutes. Responding to symptoms had 212 encounters between 3 and 7 minutes with 20 encounters at 3 minutes, 132 at 4 minutes, 30 at 5 minutes and 30 at 7 minutes. Lifestyle advice had 162 encounters between 2 and 7 minutes with 30 encounters at 2 minutes, 70 at 3 minutes, 40 at 5 minutes and 22 at 7 minutes. Product recommendation which was least of the four had 170 encounters between 3 and 4 minutes with 50 encounters at 3 minutes and 120 encounters at 4 minutes. Characterisation of the provided advice to patients in this research study contributes to highlight the value of community pharmacist interventions in patient care in contributing to enhanced medication effectiveness, adherence and patient safety. Description: M.Pharm.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/106331 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/106330 Title: Patient knowledge and medication compliance in osteoporosis Abstract: Knowledge relating to osteoporosis and compliance to medication is important at preventing osteoporotic fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients’ knowledge regarding risk factors leading to osteoporosis, such as smoking, alcohol abuse and calcium supplementation. Medication compliance in osteoporotic women and reasons for non-compliance were evaluated. This was achieved through the use of two questionnaires. Questionnaire on Knowledge of Osteoporosis was distributed to all patients prior to undergoing a Bone Mineral Density Test at the Gynaecology Outpatient Department at Mater Dei Hospital. Questionnaire on Compliance with Medication was distributed only to those patients diagnosed with osteoporosis and taking osteoporotic medication. Data collected was analysed using Microsoft Excel® and IBM SPSS® Version 27. Out of 215 participants, 94% (n=203) were female and 6% (n=12) were male. One hundred and twenty-one patients (56%) were 66 years or over. One hundred and forty-eight patients (69%) do not drink alcohol, 73% (n=158) were non-smokers and 62% (n=133) practice a sport. The majority of the patients (n=154) take calcium as part of their diet and as supplements. Fifty-seven out of 215 (27%) participants suffer from osteoporosis. Thirty-three out of 57 (58%) participants that suffer from osteoporosis are not compliant to treatment. The main reason for non-compliance was the unavailability of osteoporotic medication from the Government Formulary (24%). Other reasons include side-effects and/or the patient is forgetful or unbothered. In this study, it was shown that Maltese patients are knowledgeable regarding the risk factors that can lead to osteoporosis. Participants are aware regarding the importance of exercise, calcium intake and regular Bone Density screening. An association was found between family history of osteoporosis, chronic back pain and calcium intake with the incidence of osteoporosis respectively. Introducing osteoporotic medication in the National Formulary may help improve compliance and reduce the incidence of osteoporotic fractures. Description: M.Pharm.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/106330 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z