Media education in church schools in Malta

During a discussion I had with a class of 15 year old girls about the use they make of t.v. I found that in spite of the fact that they were preparing for the G.C.E. examination they watch approximately an average of 2.5 hours a day. (This is a bit lower than the national average which according to a study made by GALLUP LTD. in 1984 is 2.64 hours daily.) This amounts to 38 days a year. We tried to compare this with the time students spend at school. They have 175 school days a year with 5 hours every day which gives a total of 36 days a year. Both the school administrators and the students were greatly surprised with the result. This little incident helped me a lot in my meetings with different heads of schools while discussing with them the need of introducing media education in their schools.peer-reviewe

Control of globin gene expression by Kruppel-like factors

Kruppel-like factors (KLFs) are a family of seventeen proteins designated KLF1 to KLF17. KLFs are transcriptional factors that bind GC-rich sequences such as CACCC elements. The DNA binds to KLFs via three carboxyl-terminal Cys-2/His-2 zinc fingers. KLFs control cell differentiation and embryonic development. They are also implicated in a number of cellular functions such as erythropoiesis, proliferation and tissue development. This review will focus primarily on KLFs that are involved in haemoglobin control. These include KLF1, KLF2, KLF3, KLF8 and KLF10. The connection between human KLF1 and elevated foetal haemoglobin was first identified in a study done by Borg et al (2010) on a large Maltese family with Hereditary Persistence of Foetal Haemoglobin (HPFH) where a nonsense mutation in the Erythroid Kruppel-Like Factor 1 gene (KLF1) was identified as the main cause of HPFH. KLF2 is a positive regulator of mouse and human embryonic beta-globin genes and it overlaps with KLF1 in embryonic erythropoiesis. KLF3 and KLF8 expression is driven by KLF1 while together KLF3 and KLF8 participate in the silencing of embyronic globin expression during development. KLF10 expression was also shown to be associated with high foetal haemoglobin levels in beta-thalassaemia patients undergoing hydroxyurea treatment.peer-reviewe

Determining the frequency of colton blood group antigens Coa and Cob in the Maltese population

This study aimed at identifying the frequency of two blood group antigens of interest within the Colton (Co) blood group system, Coa and Cob , the higher and lower prevalence antigens respectively. The antigenic frequency was determined using the polymerase chain reaction-allele specific primer extension (PCR-ASPE) technique on a sample size of 68 adult Maltese blood donor samples and 351 neonatal cord blood samples. The aforementioned methodology enabled the molecular typing of the missense variant in the aquaporin 1 (AQP1) gene (NM_198098:c.134C>T; rs28362692), responsible for the single amino acid change of Ala45Val (alanine for Coa and valine for Cob at position 45) (NP_932766:p.Ala45Val) within the AQP1 protein chain. As a result of the missense variant, the Colton phenotypes Co(a+b-), Co(a+b+) and Co(a-b+) could be identified through the stipulated PCR-ASPE technique, and the rare phenotype, Co(a-b+), if detected, would also be subjected to DNA sequencing. Analysis of raw data unveiled that the Co(a+b-) phenotype was the most prevalent in both the donor pool (88.23%) and the cord blood pool (86.04%), whilst the Co(a+b+) phenotype revealed a lower occurrence in the donor pool (5.88%) and the cord blood pool (6.98%). The Co(a-b+) was not encountered in the donor and cord blood samples tested, negating the need for DNA sequencing. The novelty of this study can be seen in the unprecedented determination of the frequency of the Coa and Cob antigens within the Maltese population. Outlining the Colton blood group antigen frequencies is a significant step to understand any susceptibilities to the development of the pertinent antibodies, thus aiding in the reduction of Haemolytic Transfusion Reactions (HTRs) and Haemolytic Disease of the Foetus and Newborn (HDFN). Moreover, research of this calibre would expand the local database of molecular typing of blood group antigens, improving transfusion.peer-reviewe

Validation of a Polymerase Chain Reaction technique for Kidd blood group genotyping

The Kidd blood group antigens, Jkª and Jkᵇ , are two of the main surface markers which are found on the membrane of red blood cells. The determination of whether a donor or a recipient has the Jkª and/or the Jkᵇ antigens is crucially important to have a successful transfusion without the development of adverse incompatibility-related reactions. In Malta, routine serological-based tests are applied with the purpose of differentiating between homozygous and heterozygous states for the Jk antigens respectively. Although these tests are highly specific and sensitive, there are particular clinical scenarios where haemagglutination assays are not suitable for determining the individual’s Kidd blood group status. Additionally, the alternative genotyping procedure has never been applied in Malta within the context of blood grouping. The current study was therefore carried out to determine whether a molecular-based technique such as Polymerase Chain Reaction – Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP) is a suitable alternative procedure for distinguishing amongst the three different Kidd phenotypes. After extracting deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from 50 blood samples obtained from serologically-tested healthy blood donors who expressed at least one of the Kidd antigens, PCR-RFLP analyses were carried out. The results of the latter were then compared with those previously obtained with haemagglutination and a complete match was observed between the two. Therefore, this PCR-RFLP method was confirmed as a suitable alternative laboratory technique that can be used to determine efficiently the Kidd blood group of both donors and recipients, in an accurate manner without subjectivity as encountered in the case of haemagglutination. This research further facilitates the introduction of molecular-based techniques in molecular blood transfusion.peer-reviewe

Hospital services in Gozo at the time of the Knights

In the main town of Gozo, then known as Rabat, Grand Master De Vilhena, who had built so much for the Order and for Malta, saw to the erection of the hospital at St. Francis's Square, providing it with its two main large entrances leading to the male and female sections. Grand Master De Vilhena donated about 1,000 "scudi" to have the works completed. The hospital began to be used for men patients in June 1728, but soon became fully operative for both sexes as from St. John's Day 1729. This Gozo hospital is now mostly referred to as "Victoria Hospital", while its Geriatric or so-called Incurable section situated at the lower-level apartments, is usually called “St. John the Baptist Hospital" in memory of the Order.peer-reviewe

Some Maltese pharmacists of the past

Some Maltese pharmacists of the past, dated from the 18th century are outlined. The first mentioned pharmacist is Stanislas Gatt (1744-1811) from Qormi, mostly remembered as the leader of the 5th Municipality (Qormi-Luqa) and the "Sindaco" for Qormi, during the uprising against the French in 1798. Another pharmacist at Zejtun, was Clemente Mifsud Bonnici who took part in the assault against Mdina on the 13th September 1798. The list of pharmacists and relative remarkable information is delineated with some significant details, in particular that of Dr. Philip Zammit (1719-1796), from Zurrieq who as a pharmacist he invented a health-giving salt and an antacidstomach powder which were in great demand in Malta and even in Sicily. The list is concluded with a famous name, Sir Themistocles Zammit (1864-1935) who started his highly varied and successful working life as a pharmacist. He was first employed in a private pharmacy and later at the Central Civil Hospital in Floriana during the cholera epidemic of 1887. He had also attended a special course at the '"Ecole Superieure de Pharmacie" in Paris.peer-reviewe

The holy infirmary of the Order of St. John

When the Knights came to Malta on the 26th October, 1530 and settled at Borgo, they erected there in 1531 a very large hospital with a small church adjoining dedicated to St. Anne. When they crossed over to the new City of Valletta in 1571 they also constructed between 1574 and 1575, during the rule of the French Grand Master Fra Jean Levesque de la Cassiere (1572- 1581), a very fine hospital "The Holy Infirmary", which was enlarged and improved by the Spanish Grand Master Fra Raphael Cotoner (1660-1663). On completion the "Sacra Infermeria" was one of the earliest organized hospitals in the world. Patients took their meals from silver dishes, drank from silver bowls and ate with silver spoons, forks and knives. The food of all the patients was better and more carefully cooked than that of the Knights who served them.peer-reviewe

Structural changes in a Posidonia oceanica meadow exposed to a pollution gradient from a marine fish-farm in Malta (Central Mediterranean)

Posidonia oceanica morphological parameters where measured at increasing distance from a marine fish-farm that has been operational for 7 years. Most parameters changed significantly with increasing distance from the cages, the greatest change occurring in the first 50 m.peer-reviewe

The effects of a marine fish-farm on the species richness and abundance of molluscs, decapods and echinoderms associated with a "Posidonia oceanica" meadow in Malta (Central Mediterranean)

The composition of the echinoderm, mollusc and decapod assemblages associated with a Posidonia oceanica meadow located close to a fish-farm varied with distance from the cages Three ecological zones were identified. The intermediate zone II (40-160m from the cages) had a higher species richness and abundance than either zones I (nearest the cages) and III (320m from the cages), probably due to the higher production resulting from a moderate level of nutrient enrichment at intermediate distances from the source of pollution.peer-reviewe

The Libyan civil conflict : selected case series of orthopaedic trauma managed in Malta in 2014

Aim: The purpose of this series of cases was to analyse our management of orthopaedic trauma casualties in the Libyan civil war crisis in the European summer of 2014. We looked at both damage control orthopaedics and for case variety of war trauma at a civilian hospital. Due to our geographical proximity to Libya, Malta was the closest European tertiary referral centre. Having only one Level 1 trauma care hospital in our country, our Trauma and Orthopaedics department played a pivotal role in the management of Libyan battlefield injuries. Our aims were to assess acute outcomes and short term mortality of surgery within the perspective of a damage control orthopaedic strategy whereby aggressive wound management, early fixation using relative stability principles, antibiotic cover with adequate soft tissue cover are paramount. We also aim to describe the variety of war injuries we came across, with a goal for future improvement in regards to service providing.Methods: Prospective collection of six interesting cases with severe limb and spinal injuries sustained in Libya during the Libyan civil war between June and November 2014.Conclusions: We applied current trends in the treatment of war injuries, specifically in damage control orthopaedic strategy and converting to definitive treatment where permissible. The majority of our cases were classified as most severe (Type IIIB/C) according to the Gustilo-Anderson classification of open fractures. The injuries treated reflected the type of standard and improved weaponry available in modern warfare affecting both militants and civilians alike with increasing severity and extent of damage. Due to this fact, multidisciplinary team approach to patient centred care was utilised with an ultimate aim of swift recovery and early mobilisation. It also highlighted the difficulties and complex issues required on a hospital management level as a neighbouring country to war zone countries in transforming care of civil trauma to military trauma.peer-reviewe