Recurrence of rectal cancer : a study on patients with rectal cancer referred to Sir Paul Boffa Hospital during 2001-2003

Surgery is the mainstay of treatment of rectal cancer. One third of all treatment failures are secondary to local recurrence usually leading to a painful and distressing death. Radiotherapy has been shown to decrease local recurrence rates and overall survival. The results of a local retrospective study are discussed, identifying and describing the recurrence rates in rectal cancer. Our management pathways are also reviewed and compared to current evidence-based medicine and published clinical trials.peer-reviewe

Measuring human capital : a comparative study with emphasis on Malta

The main aim of this paper was to produce an estimate for human capital stock for Malta over the period 2005 to 2013 and to compare Malta’s performance with that of other countries, wherever possible. The paper attempts to answer two main questions, the first, is how can one give a value to the amount of capital embodied in humans, and the second is what was the human capital dynamics in Malta over the years, particularly when compared with other countries. This research is primarily motivated by the fact that human resources are Malta’s only resource, in the absence of any natural endowments. The conclusions of this paper are as follows: First, the lifetime income approach was found to be a more reliable monetary metric. Second, the human capital stock of Malta grew by 70% in nominal terms from 2005 to 2013 whereas the nominal average annual growth rate was approximately equal to 7%. The real human capital stock grew by 32% over the same period. The real change in human capital was attributed to a 2% increase in the labour force population and a 1% increase in real lifetime income per capita. Third, human capital stock were estimated to be on average twice the value of physical capital stock and four times the value of Malta’s GDP. Fourth, the level of human capital stock estimates was found to be sensitive to the choice of the expected future income growth and the rate used to discount the future income.peer-reviewe

Competencies for the position of the responsible person in good distribution practice

Defined competencies are not currently established for technical personnel working in the pharmaceutical wholesale distribution setting who must adhere to Good Distribution Practice (GDP). Educational development for the Responsible Person (RP) position is topic-driven and not competency based. This research aimed to establish a validated tool to identify competencies relevant for the role of the Responsible Person (COMP-RP tool). There were 62 criteria based on competencies, knowledge, and skills across six domains which were included in the draft COMP-RP tool developed. The tool was based on a Likert scale ranking. Two Delphi rounds by a panel of experts were applied for validation. Data were statistically analysed and passed through cut-off points to reach final version of the COMP-RP Tool. The selection of wholesale distribution, quality and leadership skills, knowledge and competencies were consistently rated both Delphi rounds. The final validated COMP-RP Tool consisted of 58 criteria across the six domains.peer-reviewe

Sectoral impact : an insight into how the Maltese dairy sector adapted to EU membership

Following an explanation of the natural and structural disadvantages or major limitations of the Maltese dairy sector, this paper traces the challenges faced and the investment and changes that have taken place in the dairy sector as a result of EU membership; the sector’s performance as a result of this investment and upgrading in the first ten years of EU membership; and finally the future challenges facing the sector. This paper, therefore, shows the impact that EU membership has had on one particular sector and how, by adopting the EU acquis, usually referred to as ´Europeanisation’, the sector was able to modernise and maintain its buoyancy in the face of fierce competition which followed in the wake of the liberalisation of the domestic market.peer-reviewe

Development of a validated tool to identify competences relevant for responsible person position in good distribution practice

Pharmaceutical wholesale distribution forms an integral part of pharmaceutical supply chain and bears a strong socio-economic impact on multi-faceted healthcare systems. Defined competences or educational frameworks are not established within the EU to define educational development for the Responsible Person (RP) position in wholesale distribution of pharmaceuticals. The educational approach for current educational development for the accession to the RP position is topic-driven and not competency-based.peer-reviewe

A comparative analysis of professional background and experience for the responsible person position in pharmaceutical wholesale distribution

According to the ‘Guideline on Good Distribution Practice of Medicinal Products for Human Use’ (European Directive 2001/83/EC), the role of the Responsible Person (RP) is vital to uphold principles of Good Distribution Practice (GDP) requirements. This guideline requires a technical person, the RP, who is responsible for the overall implementation of GDP. GDP guidelines globally define the legally binding responsibilities to ensure that medicinal products maintain safety, quality and efficacy in wholesale distribution. Structured educational programmes for the accession to the RP position are not established globally for personnel working in the pharmaceutical wholesale distribution setting.peer-reviewe

GYNOCARE Update: Modern Strategies to Improve Diagnosis and Treatment of Rare Gynecologic Tumors—Current Challenges and Future Directions

More than 50% of all gynecologic tumors can be classified as rare (defined as an incidence of ≤6 per 100, 000 women) and usually have a poor prognosis owing to delayed diagnosis and treatment. In contrast to almost all other common solid tumors, the treatment of rare gynecologic tumors (RGT) is often based on retrospective studies, expert opinion, or extrapolation from other tumor sites with similar histology, leading to difficulty in developing guidelines for clinical practice. Currently, gynecologic cancer research, due to distinct scientific and technological challenges, is lagging behind. Moreover, the overall efforts for addressing these challenges are fragmented across different European countries and indeed, worldwide. The GYNOCARE, COST Action CA18117 (European Network for Gynecological Rare Cancer Research) programme aims to address these challenges by creating a unique network between key stakeholders covering distinct domains from concept to cure: basic research on RGT, biobanking, bridging with industry, and setting up the legal and regulatory requirements for international innovative clinical trials. On this basis, members of this COST Action, (Working Group 1, “Basic and Translational Research on Rare Gynecological Cancer”) have decided to focus their future efforts on the development of new approaches to improve the diagnosis and treatment of RGT. Here, we provide a brief overview of the current state of-the-art and describe the goals of this COST Action and its future challenges with the aim to stimulate discussion and promote synergy across scientists engaged in the fight against this rare cancer worldwide

GYNOCARE Update: Modern Strategies to Improve Diagnosis and Treatment of Rare Gynecologic Tumors—Current Challenges and Future Directions

More than 50% of all gynecologic tumors can be classified as rare (defined as an incidence of ≤6 per 100,000 women) and usually have a poor prognosis owing to delayed diagnosis and treatment. In contrast to almost all other common solid tumors, the treatment of rare gynecologic tumors (RGT) is often based on expert opinion, retrospective studies, or extrapolation from other tumor sites with similar histology, leading to difficulty in developing guidelines for clinical practice. Currently, gynecologic cancer research, due to distinct scientific and technological challenges, is lagging behind. Moreover, the overall efforts for addressing these challenges are fragmented across different European countries and indeed, worldwide. The GYNOCARE, COST Action CA18117 (European Network for Gynecological Rare Cancer Research) programme aims to address these challenges through the creation of a unique network between key stakeholders covering distinct domains from concept to cure: basic research on RGT, biobanking, bridging with industry, and setting up the legal and regulatory requirements for international innovative clinical trials. On this basis, members of this COST Action, (Working Group 1, “Basic and Translational Research on Rare Gynecological Cancer”) have decided to focus their future efforts on the development of new approaches to improve the diagnosis and treatment of RGT. Here, we provide a brief overview of the current state-of-the-art and describe the goals of this COST Action and its future challenges with the aim to stimulate discussion and promote synergy across scientists engaged in the fight against this rare cancer worldwide