A synthesis of the echinoderm fauna of the Maltese Islands

A review of existing literature records of echinoderms from Malta and a study of a large collection of specimens was carried out between 2000 and 2004 so as to update and produce a validated checklist of echinoderms occurring in Maltese waters. Seventy different species of echinoderms are recorded, including a number of species for which only single records exist for the Maltese islands and five species that were not found in the present study. The Maltese echinoderm fauna includes 45% of the 153 recorded Mediterranean echinoderm species, and apart from two aliens, is typical of the central Mediterranean region.peer-reviewe

Clozapine treatment in patients living in the community

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess clozapine treatment in the local community with respect to patient monitoring during dispensing, patient compliance through prescription refills, presence of any other existing co-morbidities and presence of potential drug-drug interactions. METHOD: An audit on whether pharmacy personnel check patients’ white blood cell count and absolute neutrophil count prior to dispensing was performed. A total of 100 audits were carried out. A computer programme entitled ‘Pharmacy Dispensing System’ was used to assess patient compliance through prescription refills over a 3-month period. Another computer programme entitled ‘Schedule V’ was used to determine any other comorbidities. After determining the list of all the chronic medications, analysis of the presence of any potential drugdrug interactions was undertaken. The ‘Drug Interaction Checker’, a drug interaction database provided by RxList, was used. This database classified potential drug-drug interactions into 3 categories namely minor, significant and serious. KEY FINDINGS: The white blood cell count and absolute neutrophil count were checked in all instances (N=100), however this intervention was not documented. Over a 3-month period, 78 out of 90 patients were compliant. Diabetes was the most common co-morbidity (n=15) and 76 patients receiving clozapine may be exposed to a potential drug-drug interaction. A total of 363 possible drug interactions were present in this group of patients. The most common type of potential drug-drug interaction fell in the ‘significant drug-drug interactions’ category (n=289). CONCLUSION: Patient monitoring was carried out, however documentation processes need to be elaborated. Identification of drug interactions is of utmost importance since certain interactions can be dangerous. Apart from detecting drug interactions, discussion with other healthcare professionals should be undertaken to assess the possibility of replacing such interacting drugs with alternative options. This measure should be carried out to promote patient safety.peer-reviewe

The application of multivariate analytical techniques to the study of marine benthic assemblages : a review with special reference to the Maltese Islands

In recent years there have been numerous studies made on the marine benthic assemblages of Maltese coastal waters, either as elements of the seascape, or in order to gain an understanding of the nature of these assemblages and of the factors which structure them, or to assess the potential of such assemblages as indicators of environmental change, principally that due to anthropogenic activities. The massive data sets generated by such studies can realistically only be analysed objectively using an array of sophisticated statistical techniques that it has only been possible to apply now that powerful computers are readily available. Starting with the basics of data analysis, this paper reviews the statistical techniques currently used for the analysis of benthic assemblages, particularly those that have been found suitable for the type and character of data from the Mediterranean. Emphasis is placed on multivariate techniques, since benthic data are usually highly multivariate. A brief review of the development of these techniques and of their application to benthic ecological research is also given. The objective is to provide a guide to techniques and to the literature which local workers may find useful as a starting point when designing an experimental, data collection, or analytical protocol.peer-reviewe

Drug design of novel molecules using a bioisosteric and de novo techniques - a comparison

Rational drug design is an area of science that evolves continuously in order to answer contemporary demands for a decrease in novel drug discovery turnover time. Multiple drug design modalities exist which may be exploited in response to the parameters of specific drug design projects. Bioisosteric modification of existing molecules and de novo design are two such approaches, both of which were employed in parallel in this study which aimed to compare their scope and efficiency using Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibiting (SSRIs) molecules as case studies. Results indicated that bioisosterically modified structures did not have a higher affinity for their cognate receptor when compared to the template structure while the de novo design yielded molecules that were markedly different to the template from a structural perspective, and which also bound to the cognate receptor with an affinity superior to that of the template. This study showed therefore that bioisosteric modification is of utility when minor structural variations are considered sufficiently relative to a template molecule, and could consequently be of utility in the acquisition of new patents, in the reduction of toxicity, or in the attainment of improved biological profiles. It indicated furthermore, the role of the de novo approach in the successful exploration of novel pharmacophoric space and in the generation of molecular structures with an affinity significantly greater than that of lead molecules for a target receptor.peer-reviewe

Reduction in urinary organophosphate pesticide metabolites in adults after a week-long organic diet

Background Conventional food production commonly uses organophosphate (OP) pesticides, which can have negative health effects, while organic food is deemed healthier because it is produced without these pesticides. Studies suggest that organic food consumption may significantly reduce OP pesticide exposure in children who have relatively higher pesticide exposure than adults due to their different diets, body weight, behaviour and less efficient metabolism. Objectives A prospective, randomised, crossover study was conducted to determine if an organic food diet reduces organophosphate exposure in adults. Methods Thirteen participants were randomly allocated to consume a diet of at least 80% organic or conventional food for 7 days and then crossed over to the alternate diet. Urinary levels of six dialkylphosphate metabolites were analysed in first-morning voids collected on day 8 of each phase using GC-MS/MS with detection limits of 0.11-0.51 ug/L. Results The mean total DAP results in the organic phase were 89% lower than in the conventional phase (M=0.032 [SD=0.038] and 0.294 [SD=0.435] respectively, p=0.013). For total dimethyl DAPs there was a 96% reduction (M=0.011 [SD=0.023] and 0.252 [SD=0.403] respectively, p=0.005). Mean total diethyl DAP levels in the organic phase were half those of the conventional phase (M=0.021 [SD=0.020] and 0.042 [SD=0.038] respectively), yet the wide variability and small sample size meant the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions The consumption of an organic diet for one week significantly reduced OP pesticide exposure in adults. Larger scale studies in different populations are required to confirm these findings and investigate their clinical relevance

Detection of the United States Neisseria meningitidis urethritis clade in the United Kingdom, August and December 2019 - emergence of multiple antibiotic resistance calls for vigilance.

Since 2015 in the United States (US), the US Neisseria meningitidis urethritis clade (US_NmUC) has caused a large multistate outbreak of urethritis among heterosexual males. Its 'parent' strain caused numerous outbreaks of invasive meningococcal disease among men who have sex with men in Europe and North America. We highlight the arrival and dissemination of US_NmUC in the United Kingdom and the emergence of multiple antibiotic resistance. Surveillance systems should be developed that include anogenital meningococci

Diversity of group B streptococcus serotypes causing urinary tract infection in adults

Serotypes of group B streptococcus (GBS) that cause urinary tract infection (UTI) are poorly characterized. We conducted a prospective study of GBS UTI in adults to define the clinical and microbiological characteristics of these infections, including which serotypes cause disease. Patients who had GBS cultured from urine over a 1-year period were grouped according to symptoms, bacteriuria, and urinalysis. Demographic data were obtained by reviewing medical records. Isolates were serotyped by latex agglutination and multiplex PCRreverse line blotting (mPCR/RLB). Antibiotic susceptibilities were determined by disc diffusion. GBS was cultured from 387/34,367 consecutive urine samples (1.1%): 62 patients had bacteriuria of >10 7 CFU/liter and at least one UTI symptom; of these patients, 31 had urinary leukocyte esterase and pyuria (others not tested), 50 (81%) had symptoms consistent with cystitis, and 12 (19%) had symptoms of pyelonephritis. Compared with controls (who had GBS isolated without symptoms), a prior history of UTI was an independent risk factor for disease. Increased age was also significantly associated with acute infection. Serotyping results were consistent between latex agglutination and mPCR/RLB for 331/387 (85.5%) isolates; 22 (5.7%) and 7 (1.8%) isolates were nontypeable with antisera and by mPCR/RLB, respectively; and 45/56 (80.4%) isolates with discrepant results were typed by mPCR/RLB as belonging to serotype V. Serotypes V, Ia, and III caused the most UTIs; serotypes II, Ib, and IV were less common. Nontypeable GBS was not associated with UTI. Erythromycin (39.5%) and clindamycin (26.4%) resistance was common. We conclude that a more diverse spectrum of GBS serotypes causes UTI than previously recognized, with the exception of nontypeable GBS