/library/oar/handle/123456789/9593 2025-12-23T20:57:40Z 2025-12-23T20:57:40Z Gatt, Miriam Muscat Baron, Yves Lautier, Elaine Claire Calleja, Neville /library/oar/handle/123456789/15447 2018-02-16T09:31:26Z 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Folic acid : prevention of birth defects Authors: Gatt, Miriam; Muscat Baron, Yves; Lautier, Elaine Claire; Calleja, Neville Abstract: Folate is essential for normal cell division and as intrauterine fetal growth involves a process of rapidly dividing cells, there is a consequent increased requirement for folate at this time. Folate, and the synthetic form folic acid, is thus vital for the early development process of a healthy fetus and there is indisputable evidence that it can significantly reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). Further ongoing research suggests that folic acid supplementation in pregnancy is also associated with a decreased risk of other birth defects. This review gives an overview of the current literature related to the use of folic acid in the peri-conceptional period and prevention of birth defects, in particular NTDs.

2016-01-01T00:00:00Z Busuttil, Gerald Bonello, Fabian Matocks, Stephen /library/oar/handle/123456789/15446 2018-03-06T09:24:33Z 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Leiomyosarcoma of the distal ureter : a case report Authors: Busuttil, Gerald; Bonello, Fabian; Matocks, Stephen Abstract: Leiomyosarcoma of the genitourinary tract is a rare malignancy generally having a poor prognosis, with scarce literature having been published. This case report outlines the clinical progression of a 43year old that presented with macroscopic haematuria and was subsequently diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma of the distal ureter.

2016-01-01T00:00:00Z Fenech, Matthew T. Fenech, Thomas Diamond, James G. /library/oar/handle/123456789/15148 2018-03-23T07:11:31Z 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A retrospective study on the Maltese population of the outcome of retinal detachment repair after the removal of silicone oil Authors: Fenech, Matthew T.; Fenech, Thomas; Diamond, James G. Abstract: Background: Silicone oils of different viscosities are used in the treatment of retinal detachments of varying pathology. Method: Seventy-two cases of retinal detachments managed with silicone oil were reviewed in a retrospective chart analyses. Eighty nine patients were reviewed from which data on primary pathology, type of silicone oil, duration of oil “in situ” and complications (including emulsification, increased intraocular pressure (IOP), re-detachment, cataract and presence of CME) were compiled. Of this number, 72 patients with post- operative follow-up of two years or more and documentation of the above parameters were included. The data was carefully analysed in an effort to determine the primary factor or factors of the varying silicone oil substitutes utilized responsible for the successful or non-successful re- attachment of the retina. Results: Retinal re-detachment rate is greater when Silicone Oil (SO) is removed before 12 months. Complex vs non-complex retinal re- detachments in sub-group analysis indicates superiority of retention of SO for greater than 12 months. Emulsification is greater in low viscosity SO (1300cts). Conclusion: The complication rates witnessed in this retrospective study are comparable to the findings of published studies present in the ophthalmic literature on an international scale. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that it is the duration of the SO “in situ” as opposed to the viscosity or other SO attributes which ultimately influences the re-detachment rate.

2016-01-01T00:00:00Z Caruana, Ruth Patterson, Michael /library/oar/handle/123456789/15145 2018-07-10T08:09:23Z 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The nutritional habits of patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Malta : have they changed since the 1980s? Authors: Caruana, Ruth; Patterson, Michael Abstract: The main aim of this study was to define the contemporary dietary habits of both patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and nondiabetics in Malta and to compare the results with the findings of a similar study performed in 1983 by Katona et al. The study was a cross sectional study of representative subsets of the Maltese population. A questionnaire was used to collect the data and record baseline characteristics, information about diet and exercise levels. Results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the diets of the T2DM and nondiabetic cohorts. Compared to the 1983 data, the Maltese are eating more carbohydrates, less fat and fibre. Diabetics appear not to be changing their lifestyle habits once they are given their diagnosis. The results suggest that continuous education is needed on all aspects of a healthy lifestyle including dietary advice and should include both diabetics and non-diabetics.

2016-01-01T00:00:00Z