/library/oar/handle/123456789/1074 2025-11-10T11:52:38Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/1186 Title: The use of salt in restaurants Authors: Mallia, Petra; Gauci, Charmaine Abstract: A high intake of salt is detrimental to health as it causes high blood pressure thus increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and renal disease. Such conditions, mostly hypertension, are common in Malta. A framework for a National Salt Initiative was proposed by the European Union (EU) to establish a common vision for a general European approach towards salt reduction. Since the initiative partly targets reformulation actions with industry and catering, a study done in collaboration with the World Action on Salt and Health (WASH) exploring the use and perceptions of salt amongst chefs and caterers was carried out. A validated questionnaire developed by WASH was sent via email to 66 restaurants together with a covering letter. These included first, second and third class restaurants registered with the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA). 31 restaurants responded to the questionnaire to give a response rate of 47%. The main outcome of the study showed that 90% of the participants added salt to dishes to enhance flavour and improve taste. Although 99% of the respondents were aware which foods are low or high in salt, salt in dishes was replaced by soy sauce and stock cubes. 58% of the respondents were ready to consider reducing salt in their dishes as long as taste was not compromised. Due to the poor response rate, the study cannot be generalised to the Maltese population thus repeating the study with the aim of increasing the response rate so that further recommendations for salt reduction can be made within the population as well as for the catering industry. 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/1185 Title: Child anthropomorphy in the mid-20th century in the Maltese Islands Authors: Savona-Ventura, Charles; Scerri, Christopher Abstract: Background: Childhood obesity is has over the last decades become a major health issue in the Maltese population. A review of the mid-20th century child health concerns in Malta would help elucidate the pathophysiology of this current epidemic and determine whether the rise is genetic or a consequence of changes in nutritional and activity habits. Methods: The present study compares the body weight data of Maltese children aged 5-14 years measured in 1949 and compares these with corresponding published standards for English children published in 1965, and to data for Maltese children aged 5 and 9 years with anthropomorphic data of comparable cohort of children measured in 2009. Results: The data suggests that in the mid-20th century, Maltese children were markedly under-nourished when compared to their British counterparts. Maltese children today are shown to be particularly overweight-obese. Conclusion: The problems related to body weight in childhood have come a full circle from concerns with under-nutrition in the mid-20th century to concerns with over-nutrition in the later part of the century. Both extremes are associated with metabolic consequences that increase the likelihood of adult-onset metabolic disease, unless controlled and catered for during childhood. 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/1184 Title: Traumatic rupture of the aorta : a case report and discussion of clinical features Authors: Manche, Alexander; Casha, Aaron R.; Tomic, Vladimir; Zerafa, Mario Abstract: A young female patient was involved in a head-on collision and sustained a rupture of the aortic isthmus. She underwent emergency surgical repair of an aortic pseudo-aneurysm with an interposition graft. She made a good post-operative recovery and represents the first such case in Malta. 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/1183 Title: Hypomagnesemia and vitamin D deficiency complicating bisphosphonate induced hypocalcaemia Authors: Bigeni, Josephine; Vella, Antoine Abstract: Zolendronic acid is a potent bisphosphonate that is used to treat patients with metastatic cancer by reducing bone pain and preventing skeletal complications of bone metastasis. We reported the case of a lady suffering from metastatic breast cancer who developed seizures secondary to severe hypocalcaemia after being treated with Zolendronic acid. Hypocalcaemia was unresponsive to treatment until vitamin D and magnesium deficiencies were corrected. This case highlights the importance of taking serum magnesium and vitamin D levels in patients presenting with resistant hypocalcaemia following bisphosphonate administration, especially in those with underlying bone malignancy. 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z