/library/oar/handle/123456789/144 2025-12-20T20:22:47Z 2025-12-20T20:22:47Z Gauci, Jonathan Gauci Pullicino, Stephanie Caruana, Emma Petroni Magri, Vanessa Formosa, Melissa Marie Fenech, Anthony G. Fava, Stephen Montefort, Stephen Fsadni, Peter /library/oar/handle/123456789/142326 2025-12-18T13:10:46Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and metabolic syndrome : a Maltese study on biomarkers and clinical implications Authors: Gauci, Jonathan; Gauci Pullicino, Stephanie; Caruana, Emma; Petroni Magri, Vanessa; Formosa, Melissa Marie; Fenech, Anthony G.; Fava, Stephen; Montefort, Stephen; Fsadni, Peter Abstract: Purpose: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) are both characterized by inflammation and appear to be linked. The study aims to characterize COPD in Maltese individuals with diabetes and MetS for the first time. The research project also aims to identify biomarkers that are significantly associated with COPD endpoints in the study population having both COPD and MetS.; Patients and Methods: The study was carried out at Mater Dei Hospital, which is Malta’s main general hospital and is government managed. Research subjects were recruited from the Diabetes Clinic. A respiratory questionnaire was administered, followed by the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) testing, spirometry and phlebotomy. The American Heart Association (AHA) and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) criteria were used to diagnose MetS. A postbronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio of less than 0.7 was necessary to diagnose COPD, as recommended by Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines; Results: The study group consisted of 24 subjects diagnosed with both MetS and COPD. The group showed heterogenous results with a mean St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire for COPD total score of 41.7, mean distance on 6MWT of 359m, mean FeNO of 12.2ppb, and mean Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second of 64.6%. While 62.5% had a modified Medical Research Council score of ≥2, 95.8% had a COPD Assessment Test score of ≥10. One-fourth of the group were at risk for clinical depression, and 20.8% showed severe fatigue. Blood lymphocyte count, ferritin, triglycerides and glucose were significantly associated with multiple respiratory parameters in diabetic MetS subjects with COPD.; Conclusion: The local diabetic MetS study population with COPD is heterogenous, with high levels of depression and fatigue. The emergence of biomarkers in this population has clinical and therapeutic implications.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/142219 2025-12-15T14:33:10Z 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The hidden health benefits of Christmas festive foods Abstract: As the festive season approaches, kitchens around the world begin to fill with the nostalgic aromas of roasting chestnuts, citrus zest, cinnamon, mulled wine, and freshly baked treats. Christmas may be known for indulgence, but many of the foods traditionally enjoyed during the season offer remarkable nutritional value. Behind the sparkle of celebration lies a rich tapestry of ingredients that support immunity, digestion, heart health, and overall wellbeing - benefits we often overlook in the rush of December festivities. [excerpt]

2025-12-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/142169 2025-12-12T13:05:16Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Artificial intelligence in pharmacy Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technology within the pharmaceutical sciences, offering innovative solutions across drug discovery, personalised medicine, clinical trials, and pharmacy operations. The increasing complexity of healthcare demands more efficient, accurate, and patient-centred approaches, and AI provides tools capable of analysing vast datasets, predicting therapeutic outcomes, and optimizing decision-making processes. This thesis explores the application of AI in pharmacy, with a specific focus on its roles in drug discovery and development, personalised medicine predictive analytics, patient centred care, pharmaceutical operations and pharmacy practice. It also examines the challenges surrounding AI adoption, including regulatory, ethical, and data-related concerns. This research used a literature review to gather relevant studies on AI application in pharmacy. The search included articles published between 2015 and 2024, sourced from databases such as PubMed, Scopus and Google scholar. Keywords included Artificial intelligence in pharmacy, AI in drug discovery, personalised medicine. AI has shown measurable benefits in accelerating drug target identification, optimizing clinical trials, and tailoring therapies using genomic data. Notable tools such as DeepMind’s AlphaFold and IBM Watson for Oncology exemplify AI’s potential in reducing development time and supporting personalized treatment. In pharmacy practice, AI-enabled clinical decision support systems (CDSS), chatbots, and computerized prescriber order entry (CPOE) have reduced medication errors and improved patient counselling. Nevertheless, concerns persist around data privacy, algorithmic bias, model interpretability, and cost of implementation. AI presents substantial opportunities for enhancing efficiency, safety, and innovation within pharmacy practice. By addressing current challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration and regulatory advancements, AI can further revolutionize pharmaceutical research, development, and patient care, ultimately improving health outcomes and operational efficiency across the sector. Description: M.Pharm.(Melit.)

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/142168 2025-12-12T13:01:49Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Opportunities for telepharmacy Abstract: Telepharmacy, the provision of pharmaceutical care through telecommunications to patients in locations where they may not have direct contact with a pharmacist, is gaining momentum globally. This dissertation investigates the opportunities, challenges, and policy implications of telepharmacy implementation across five countries India, China, Spain, Germany, and Sweden representing diverse healthcare systems, income levels, and digital readiness. Through a literature review of over 36 peer reviewed studies, government policy documents, and global health reports, this research examines key themes including access to pharmaceutical care, medication safety, cost-effectiveness, digital infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks. The findings indicate that telepharmacy enhances medication access and continuity of care, particularly in underserved rural regions, and contributes significantly to improving medication adherence and safety. Spain, Germany, and Sweden demonstrate mature telepharmacy systems integrated within national e-health strategies, while India and China exhibit innovative yet fragmented adoption patterns, with rural infrastructure and policy gaps acting as major barriers. A thematic analysis reveals that regulatory clarity, digital infrastructure, pharmacist training, and patient digital literacy are central to successful implementation. The study also finds that telepharmacy aligns well with global health targets such as Universal Health Coverage and the WHO's digital health strategies. It underscores the need for formal policy development, public-private collaboration, and national training frameworks to ensure sustainable integration. By presenting a comparative analysis supported by country specific data and international best practices, this dissertation provides strategic insights for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and academic stakeholders. It advocates for mainstreaming telepharmacy as a core health service delivery model to bridge access gaps, improve pharmaceutical care, and build resilient healthcare systems in a digitally transforming world. Description: M.Pharm.(Melit.)

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z