Syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) and posterior cerebral artery ischaemic event : two uncommon complications following posterior fossa decompression

Neurosurgical procedures in cases of Type 1 Arnold Chiari Malformation (ACM) may result in a wide spectrum of complications. We report a case of a sixty-four year lady who underwent an elective posterior fossa decompression for Type 1 ACM. The procedure was complicated by syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) and an ischaemic cerebrovascular event affecting the posterior cerebral artery. The association of these complications with the procedure is rarely described in the literature. In spite of the poor prognosis associated with such complications, the patient made a relatively quick and uneventful recovery.peer-reviewe

A large pericardial effusion and bilateral pleural effusions as the initial manifestations of Familial Mediterranean Fever

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a condition characterized by recurrent febrile poly-serositis. Typical presentations of the disease include episodes of fever, abdominal pain and joint pains. Chest pain is a less common presentation. We report a case of FMF which presented with a large pericardial effusion and bilateral pleural effusions in a lady who had no positive family history and negative genetic testing.peer-reviewe

A rare case of congenital pulmonary airway malformation presenting with chest pain and dyspnoea in an adult

A healthy 19-year-old man, who was a non-smoker, presented with a first episode of sudden onset, unprovoked dyspnoea and pleuritic chest pain. Chest X-ray showed a cystic abnormality in the right lung (Figure 1). Subsequently, a computed tomography scan of the thorax revealed large cysts in the right lower lobe (Figure 2), in keeping with a diagnosis of congenital pulmonary airway malformation (Stocker, 1994, 2002). The patient underwent a right lower lobectomy.peer-reviewe

Awareness and knowledge of cyberethics: A study of pre-service teachers in Malta, Norway, and Spain

This paper explores the awareness and knowledge of cyberethics held by pre-service teachers across three European countries. The study was conducted via an online survey and yielded 1,131 responses from pre-service teachers in Malta, Norway, and Spain. The facets of cyberethics included in this study focused on behaving responsibly online, safeguarding privacy, respecting copyright, seeking consent of friends before posting images or videos on social media platforms, and considering their professional identity as future teachers when posting online. The findings indicate that pre-service teachers reported relatively similar levels of competence in applying copyright and respecting privacy rules with pre-service teachers in Malta and Norway reporting higher degrees of knowledge and awareness than their counterparts in Spain. Malta had the most participants who reported that they always considered the potential impact that posting media online may have on their professional teaching career, followed by Norway. Spain had the largest number of pre-service teachers who stated that they rarely or never thought about this impact on their teaching career. This indicates a lack of awareness of behaving in an exemplary manner online in a more public and professional capacity. Our findings highlight the need for pre-service teachers' knowledge of cyberethics to be prioritised during Initial Teacher Education (ITE), especially at such a time when their professional identity is being shaped. A clear tension was noted between the perceived knowledge or competence and the declared practices of some pre-service teachers concerning the cyberethics items featured in the study. In light of our findings, we recommend that all ITE programmes include digital competence and cyberethics components in their curricula. This would enable pre-service teachers to develop an emerging professional and digital identity to face the challenges of becoming teachers in the 21st century

Investigative study on the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibiting properties of the terpenoid extract of Crataegus monogyna using in silico models

Crataegus monogyna is mainly used in the treatment of cardiac and circulatory system disorders. In vitro and clinical studies are indicative of the fact that the hydroethanolic extract of C. monogyna has angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. This study sought to support these claims through the use of in silico modelling techniques. Possible binding conformations for β-amyrin, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid were generated using captopril, as well as enalaprilat and lisinopril, as template ligands. The ligand binding affinity (LBA) of each was calculated and the best binding conformation of each triterpene was established. Results indicate that these naturally occuring terpenes possess in silico predicted ligand binding affinities that are superior to both the small molecule captopril and the larger molecules enalaprilat and lisinopril.peer-reviewe

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a progressive metabolic disorder. Marked hyperglycaemia leads to serious vascular complications. Hence, addressing this modifiable risk factor is of paramount importance. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors represent a relatively new class of antidiabetic agents. They offer an intermediate glucose-lowering effect and through other pleiotropic effects provide cardiac and renal benefits. This review focuses on the mechanism of action, benefits and adverse effects of SGLT2 inhibitors. The authors also delineate the ideal type 2 diabetic candidate to receive SGLT2 inhibitors. This is critical as SGLT2 inhibitors should not be used in a ‘one-size-fits-all approach’ but their use should be individualized based on certain patient characteristics. This patient-centred approach aims at maximizing the benefits and reduce the risks associated with SGLT2 inhibitors.peer-reviewe

Interprofessional education in practice.

This presentation focused on the implementation of interprofessional education (IPE) in practice-based settings for health and social care students. Building from recommendations and evidence accumulated during a classroom-based IPE programme at two universities from 2003-2008, "IPE in Practice" was piloted in two placement areas - operating theatre and primary care - using smaller groups and replicating the methodology from the previous, classroom-based study. This approach led to IPE in Practice being implemented in other areas, with IPE scenarios specific to those placement areas

Final report in connection with MED-ERMIS (Mediterranean Environmental Reporting Monitoring and Information System) MALTA

This report outlines the work that has been carried so far as part of the MED-ERMIS (Malta) project between November 2000 and November 2002. The Sustainability Indicators – Malta Observatory (SI-MO) was established in November 2000 to meet the requirements of the MED-ERMIS (Malta) project. The Observatory’s main remit was to conduct research and development work, and to disseminate information on Sustainability Indicators for Malta. SI-MO engaged research assistants, consultants and secretarial staff in order to assist in the execution of this project.peer-reviewe

MESMA : a European project for the evaluation of spatially managed areas. The Strait of Sicily case study

The EU-funded MESMA project aims at developing tools for the monitoring and evaluation of spatially managed areas (SMAs). The Strait of Sicily (central Mediterranean), which is one of the selected case studies, is an area characterized by several human activities impacting on the ecosystem and generating conflicts. The main output of MESMA will be a generic framework for the evaluation of SMAs coupled to a governance analysis carried out in each case study.Il progetto MESMA è finanziato dalla Commissione Europea, 7° Programma Quadro, bando FP7-ENV-2008-1, grant agreement n° 226661.peer-reviewe

HLA-A*11:01-restricted CD8+ T cell immunity against influenza A and influenza B viruses in Indigenous and non-Indigenous people

HLA-A*11:01 is one of the most prevalent human leukocyte antigens (HLAs), especially in East Asian and Oceanian populations. It is also highly expressed in Indigenous people who are at high risk of severe influenza disease. As CD8+ T cells can provide broadly cross-reactive immunity to distinct influenza strains and subtypes, including influenza A, B and C viruses, understanding CD8+ T cell immunity to influenza viruses across prominent HLA types is needed to rationally design a universal influenza vaccine and generate protective immunity especially for high-risk populations. As only a handful of HLA-A*11:01-restricted CD8+ T cell epitopes have been described for influenza A viruses (IAVs) and epitopes for influenza B viruses (IBVs) were still unknown, we embarked on an epitope discovery study to define a CD8+ T cell landscape for HLA-A*11:01-expressing Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian people. Using mass-spectrometry, we identified IAV- and IBV-derived peptides presented by HLA-A*11:01 during infection. 79 IAV and 57 IBV peptides were subsequently screened for immunogenicity in vitro with peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HLA-A*11:01-expressing Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian donors. CD8+ T cell immunogenicity screening revealed two immunogenic IAV epitopes (A11/PB2320-331 and A11/PB2323-331) and the first HLA-A*11:01-restricted IBV epitopes (A11/M41-49, A11/NS1186-195 and A11/NP511-520). The immunogenic IAV- and IBV-derived peptides were >90% conserved among their respective influenza viruses. Identification of novel immunogenic HLA-A*11:01-restricted CD8+ T cell epitopes has implications for understanding how CD8+ T cell immunity is generated towards IAVs and IBVs. These findings can inform the development of rationally designed, broadly cross-reactive influenza vaccines to ensure protection from severe influenza disease in HLA-A*11:01-expressing individuals