A review of diabetic patients’ knowledge in a high prevalent European country : Malta

Education is the first milestone in the care pathway of all diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to assess the educational knowledge and awareness among a diabetic patient cohort and compare this knowledge to a previously conducted study. Acquiring information on diabetes knowledge is essential for both clinicians and policy makers. Interviews using validated questionnaires covering various aspects of diabetes knowledge were conducted among a diabetic cohort between August and September of 2014 at the state hospital in Malta. The majority exhibited correct knowledge on diabetes and related complications. Knowledge levels appeared to have improved and were influenced by gender, type of diabetes and length of diabetes awareness. We conclude that educational approaches should be targeted towards every diabetic individual and should start immediately after diagnosis. This would lead to improved self-care, with a reduction in diabetic complications and a decrease in health-care expenditure.peer-reviewe

The body as an alternative : space for utopia

This paper questions whether the body can be seen as a sacred space, and if so, whether the body as a sacred space can be considered as an alternative space for utopia. Throughout this essay, I approach phenomenology in order to conceptualise the spatiality of the body. I then move on to discuss whether this spatiality can take on the sacred: firstly, by identifying what is meant by “sacred”, and, secondly, through the work of the religious historian Mircea Eliade, wherein he discusses religious phenomena, the believer’s experience, and the sacred. I explore the work of Mary Douglas, who provides insight on the body as a symbol as well as on the rituals surrounding the corporeal body. Once the body’s spatiality is established as being able to take on the dimension of the sacred, I then shift attention towards the idea of utopia, examining this through Vincent Geoghenhan’s work, arguing that if the body’s spatiality may take on the sacred, then it will also have utopian traces rooted in ideology. I conclude by answering my initial question of whether the body, or bodily symbolism, can manifest or mirror utopian ideals.peer-reviewe

The use of cannabinoids in Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a very common neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly for which there is no current cure. The neuropathological hallmark is the loss of dopaminergic cells in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Current treatments use L-DOPA and dopamine agonists to replace the lack of dopamine, however such treatments have significant limitations and side effects, thus, the need for more effective therapeutics is critical. Cannabinoids (CBs), which include 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol and 9-tetrahydrocannabivarin, target the endocannabinoid (ECB) system, which is highly involved in dopaminergic functions. The endocannabinoid system undergoes extensive changes in PD such as upregulation of the ECB anandamide, in addition to variations in the concentration of CB receptors. These changes can be modified and corrected using CB1 and CB2 receptor ligands and by modulating the levels of the ECB catabolic enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), in order to increase endogenous anandamide (AEA) levels. Therefore, CBs may represent a valid therapeutic alternative to treat PD. CB drugs may not only treat the symptoms of the disease, but may also help slow down disease progression. Nevertheless, with regards to motor symptoms of PD such as rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability, resting tremors and levodopa-induced dyskinesia, evidence of the therapeutic effect of CBs is somewhat inconsistent. Although only evidence in the preclinical phase, more promising results have been seen in general regarding the neuroprotective effect of CBs, as well as in relation to sleep, depression and pain.peer-reviewe

Briefing Note : Workshop on Developing a Model Anti-SLAPP Law for Scotland

Workshop reportPublisher PD

A Breath of Fresh Air: An impact assessment study of the health and economic costs of pollution in South West Detroit 48127

This project was an impact study of the health and economic costs of pollution in Southwest Detroit. The main objective of the study was to apply existing knowledge and evidence about health impacts in Southwest Detroit to specific social and community contexts

Quality of care in a paediatric emergency department

Background: Measuring quality of care in a paediatric emergency department is challenging and there is lack of specific set measures to do so. The primary objective of this study was to determine the quality of care in our local paediatric emergency department by applying a set of quality indicators. The secondary objectives were to determine lacunae in quality of care and thus make suggestions for improvement.Methods: A retrospective study was carried out using data collected from records of children presenting to the paediatric emergency department with a medical complaint between August and December 2019, during the first two weeks of each month. The Institute of Medicine Quality Domains were used to assess the quality indicators measured.Results: Specific quality indicators require improvement including weight documentation, time to triage, and safety netting practices. A lack of quality indicators measuring patient-centeredness, staff experience, and equity was noted.Conclusion: Suggestions, both for improving quality of care and its measurement, are made, in light of the new challenges faced by paediatric emergency departments.peer-reviewe

The Lack of Systemic and Subclinical Side Effects of Botulinum Neurotoxin Type-A in Patients Affected by Post-Stroke Spasticity: A Longitudinal Cohort Study

Botulinum Neurotoxin type-A (BoNT-A) is the treatment of choice for focal post-stroke spasticity (PSS). Due to its mechanism of action and the administration method, some authors raised concern about its possible systemic diffusion leading to contralateral muscle weakness and autonomic nervous system (ANS) alterations. Stroke itself is a cause of motor disability and ANS impairment; therefore, it is mandatory to prevent any source of additional loss of strength and adjunctive ANS disturbance. We enrolled 15 hemiparetic stroke survivors affected by PSS already addressed to BoNT-A treatment. Contralateral handgrip strength and ANS parameters, such as heart rate variability, impedance cardiography values, and respiratory sinus arrythmia, were measured 24 h before (T0) and 10 days after (T1) the ultrasound (US)-guided BoNT-A injection. At T1, neither strength loss nor modification of the basal ANS patterns were found. These findings support recent literature about the safety profile of BoNT-A, endorsing the importance of the US guide for a precise targeting and the sparing of "critical" structures as vessels and nerves

PyArg for solving and explaining rgumentation in python

We introduce PyArg, a Python-based solver and explainer for both abstract argumentation and ASPIC+. A large variety of extension-based semantics allows for flexible evaluation and several explanation functions are available

Exploring irrigation and water supply technologies for smallholder farmers in the Mediterranean region

Water security is a hot topic all over the world, due to global warming, climate change, natural calamities such as droughts and floods, overuse of water, and other factors. Water issues have been scientifically investigated from several perspectives, namely institutional, economic, social, environmental, managerial, and technological. However, the technological aspects of irrigation and water supply for smallholder farmers in the Mediterranean region have not been adequately addressed. This paper explores irrigation and water supply technologies for smallholder farmers in the selected Mediterranean countries (Egypt, Malta, Morocco, and Portugal). The methods of analysis are literature review, fieldwork, and observation. The literature survey reveals that Mediterranean countries share many common features in terms of climate, water and land resources, and development issues. Nevertheless, the selected countries in the Mediterranean region (Egypt, Malta, Morocco, and Portugal) differ in terms of type of crops, water management regulations, labor force availability, financial sustainability, and economic approaches. These remarks signal the need for applying a specific approach in selecting a technology for irrigation and water supply according to the regional context. Additionally, the financial and economic perspectives of the three key technologies (i.e., SLECI, desalination technology, and engineering constructed wetlands) require further analysis.This research carried out within the project MED-WET “Improving MEDiterranean irrigation and Water supply for smallholder farmers by providing Efficient, low-cost and nature-based Technologies and practices” (Project ID 1646) funded by Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) program.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio