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A study on incidence and related characteristics of PPGLs in a well-defined population
Get PDFPhaeochromocytoma/paragangliomas (PPGLs) are relatively rare tumours and
the health burden of such tumours is not very well known.Aim:
This population-based study aims to characterise all the phaeochromocytomas,
paragangliomas and adrenal medullary hyperplasia diagnosed between 2010 and
2023 in Malta; looking into presentation, hormonal analysis, imaging
characteristics and histology findings.peer-reviewe
The efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 booster dose on SARS-CoV-2 inpatient epidemiology : an overview on disease severity and mortality
Get PDFBACKGROUND: The world is moving into the 3rd year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. There is no doubt that vaccination has been crucial in significantly reducing the impact of the pandemic. Given the novelty of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and the waning immunity over time, data is required to determine the efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 booster doses.METHODS: The comparative observational study included 451 eligible inpatients at Mater Dei Hospital, Malta. Hospital software and bed management databases were used to extract cases of confirmed infection in patients aged 17 years and older. Patients were stratified into two study arms: boosted and non-boosted cohorts. Disease severity was calculated based on clinical criteria and the Modified Chest X-Ray Score. A Pearson-Chi square test of independence was then used to analyse the data to acquire and compare rates of disease severity and mortality between the two groups.RESULTS: 5.6% of non-boosted patients required intensive care unit admission compared to 0% of the boosted population. 8.8% of non-boosted patients developed severe illness compared to 5.5% of the boosted group. The study also found higher rates of ARDS and mortality in non-boosted inpatients, with a higher male predominance.CONCLUSION: This study underpins the superior protection offered by a booster dose of SARS-CoV-2. It also points to a time-dependent waning in immunity, highlighting the importance of robust vaccination programmes.peer-reviewe
The frequency of paroxysmal tonic spasm in multiple sclerosis
Get PDFBACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most important neurological diseases with autoimmune pathogenesis characterized by demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS) with various spectrum of neurological manifestations. The most common form which is the relapsing-remitting type can be presented with visual, sensory, motor, cerebellar, and sphincteric disturbances lasting for days or even months.OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of paroxysmal tonic spasms in a group of Iraqi multiple sclerosis patients and to determine possible disease characteristics associated with increased risk of paroxysmal tonic spasms.METHOD: A cross-sectional study included 110 patients that have been diagnosed with MS based on 2017 McDonald criteria and visited regularly the MS clinic at Ibn-Sina specialized hospital (period, 01.09.2022-01.02.2023). These patients were diagnosed with TS clinically and evaluated radiologically and by electroencephalography to exclude conditions other than Tonic spasm.RESULTS: A total of 16 MS patients (14.5%) had paroxysmal TS. Older age patients and those with long disease courses and high EDSS scores were found to be correlated with the occurrence of tonic spasms. Moreover, pyramidal and sensory system impairments were significant risk factors for paroxysmal Tonic spasms.CONCLUSIONS: Tonic spasm is significantly associated with Multiple sclerosis with a frequency of 14.5%. Motor system impairment and higher EDSS score were the most remarkable predictor risk factors to have a tonic spasm.peer-reviewe
Wellbeing and policy : evidence for action
Get PDFThis chapter reviews developments in wellbeing in recent years, spanning international and national policy efforts and academic research. It briefly reviews the state of play on wellbeing definition and measurement, the determinants of wellbeing, and insights on the design of policy and interventions for wellbeing, noting the need for a survey of policy interventions to elicit the lessons learned. The chapter provides an overview of the key insights on income, work, health, family, altruism and empathy, age, gender, and education (included in Part I of the book); on housing, environment, crime, democracy, migration, religion, digital technology and art, culture and creativity (included in Part II); and on the experiences of Bhutan, New Zealand, Finland, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Malta (included in Part III of the book). Together, these chapters offer evidence of the diverse factors that impact human wellbeing, of how public policy can influence these factors, as well as a diverse range of wellbeing policy experiences on a country-by-country basis. It concludes with an appeal to consider the actionable points resulting from the volume. The chapter is supported by an Appendix of cheat-sheets for policy-makers.peer-reviewe
Culturally appropriate? A review of the literature concerning the interaction between climate change and heritage in islands
Get PDFSmall islands are recognised as particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, and how they build climate resilience is increasingly important. Yet, the role that cultural heritages and local knowledge systems can play to foster adaptation have not yet been sufficiently mapped and considered by mainstream climate change research. In this article, we discuss the results of a systematic review of the literature set out to ascertain how climate change is impacting both tangible and intangible cultural heritage in the context of small islands, and to examine how cultural heritages and local knowledge systems foster responses that promote successful adaptation. We find that 1,970 studies fulfilled the criterion of jointly assessing cultural heritages and climate change; but only 54 of these mentioned small islands. When adding more screening criteria, a final set of 39 studies was considered. Research concerning climate change and heritage in island territories is growing; but it already presents a relevant scope of case studies and themes that sustain further research and actions.peer-reviewe
Book review : Planet aqua : rethinking our home in the universe
No full textMy first reaction upon starting to read Jeremy Rifkin’s (2024) new book, Planet Aqua,
was that its ‘big picture’ arguments have no bearing or relevance to small (mainly island)
states and territories. Nothing less than the future of the planet is at stake. The text is strewn
with references to large civilisations – deemed ‘hydraulic’, because of how they mastered and
controlled water resources – and large problems surely call for large solutions. And yet, upon
second thought, I remembered how small jurisdictions may have been pioneers of water
catastrophe – whether via flood or drought, hurricane, or tsunami – and would therefore have
had long years to ponder and plan for how to deal with the climate threat. With that thought,
reading Rifkin assumed a new urgency and interest.peer-reviewe
Atmospheric radon in the Central Mediterranean : seasonal and diurnal variations measured in Gozo, Malta
Get PDFThis paper presents the findings of a 12-year study on radon conducted from January 2011 to December 2022 at the Giordan Lighthouse station on the island of Gozo, Malta. Located in the Central Mediterranean, Gozo’s strategic position enables effective monitoring of air mass movements between Africa and Europe (from south to north) and between Europe and Central Asia (from west to east). Our research involves an analysis of seasonal and diurnal variations in radon levels, alongside analysis of relevant meteorological variables, clustering of air mass back trajectories, and assessment of local and remote radon production. The findings provide critical insights into the dynamics of atmospheric radon, which are significant not only for the Maltese islands, but also for enhancing our understanding of transcontinental radon transport in the Central Mediterranean, a region that has remained largely unexplored.peer-reviewe
Marketing activities caused by the Covid-19 pandemic : analysis and perspectives
Get PDFPURPOSE: The article aims to present changes in the marketing activities of enterprises as a
result of the covid-19 pandemic in 2020 in the global economy. An analysis of reports
already prepared on the development of new forms of marketing, or the improvement and
reorientation of the existing ones, is presented here. How the covid-19 pandemic influenced
marketing activities and customer access channels was presented.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Therefore, it was necessary to verify the marketing
activities during the pandemic and adjust them to the market situation. Due to this fact, it
was necessary to look for new ways to reach the customer, there was a sharp increase in
interest in the possibilities of the Internet and reaching the customer through this medium.FINDINGS: The analysis in this article shows that the changes in companies' marketing
strategies brought about by the pandemic are long-lasting and will have an impact on
companies' future activities. Companies that have successfully adapted to the new conditions
and invested in digital technologies and AI have gained a competitive advantage. In turn, the
growing popularity of e-commerce and influencer marketing points to the need for to
continue to adapt to changing consumer behaviour.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Marketing activities are aimed at promoting the widely understood
brand of the company and strengthening the sales of the offered products or services. It is an
extremely difficult process in times of numerous and predatory competition, which makes it
difficult to acquire new customers for individual companies as much as possible.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: During a stable market situation, marketing activities require enormous
creativity and ingenuity of enterprises, but the time of the covid-19 pandemic has shown that
it is not enough.peer-reviewe
Early Maltese migration to Corfu (1815-1830)
Get PDFThe origins of Maltese migration to Corfu go back to the first half of the 19th century, when
Sir Thomas Maitland was appointed Governor of Malta on July 23, 1813. A couple of years later, in
1815, the Greek Ionian Islands were declared a British protectorate, and consequently, Maitland was
appointed Lord High Commissioner for the Ionian Islands, which included Corfu, Paxos, Cephalonia,
Lefkas, Ithaca, Zakynthos, and Cythera. Maitland continued to serve as Governor of Malta until
January 17, 1824. Corfu, on the other hand, remained under the protection of the British Crown until
1864. Since Corfu was quite poorly developed, Maitland encouraged Maltese inhabitants to migrate to
Ionian Islands and help build the infrastructure there. The scope of this paper is to identify, through the
documentation contained in the Corfu Archives, the first Maltese people whose presence was recorded
on the Greek island, how they got there from Malta, and other relevant information. According to the
certificates of clean bill of health in possession of the Historical Archive of Corfu, in the 1816-1830
period, the number of people leaving Malta for Corfu included 81 men, 18 women, 23 boys under the
age of 14, 5 girls under the age of 14, and 9 infants, whose age was not specified. The paper will also
show that, unlike in Sicily or Tunisia, where Maltese typically normally married amongst themselves
in the first years of migration, in Corfu, it was much more common for Maltese to marry foreigners.peer-reviewe
Tnaqqis fir-rata tal-kriminalita, sena 2024
No full textIr-rapport akkademiku maghruf bhala Crimemalta Observatory, ikkonferma fil-pubblikazzjoni
annwali tieghu ghall-2024 li Malta baqghet pajjizi sigura bir-rata ta’ reati kriminali hija ta’ 30 reat
ghal kull elf persuna li tghix fil-pajjiz. Dan jirrifletti tnaqqis meta mqabbel mas-sena 2023 u
tnaqqis sostanzjali meta mqabbel mal-45 kaz irrapportat ghal kull elf persuna li Malta kienet
tesperjenza fl-2004.
Dan jibni wkoll fuq ir-rizultat eccellenti li inghatat Malta f’rapport internazzjonali fosthom dawk li
poggew l-ordni u s-sigurtà f'pajjizna mal-ewwel ghaxra fis-sena 2023, minn 142 pajjiz fl-indici
globali tas-Saltna tad-Dritt. Indici tal-World Justice Project Global Rule of Law Index li jinkludi
pajjizi membri tal-Unjoni Ewropea, tal-Assocjazzjoni Ewropea tal-Kummerc Hieles u l-Amerka
ta' Fuq.peer-reviewe