/library/oar/handle/123456789/3581 2025-11-11T15:05:23Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/56246 Title: Celiac disease in the Mediterranean area Authors: Tucci, Francesca; Astarita, Luca; Abkari, Abdelhak; Abu-Zekry, Mona; Attard, Thomas; Hariz, Mongi Ben; Bilbao, José Ramon; Boudraa, Ghazalia; Boukthir, Samir; Costa, Stefano; Djurisic, Veselinka; Hugot, Jean-Pierre; Irastorza, Iñaki; Kansu, Aydan; Kolaček, Sanja; Magazzù, Giuseppe; Mičetić-Turk, Dušanka; Misak, Zrinjka; Roma, Eleftheria; Rossi, Pasqualino; Terzic, Selma; Velmishi, Virtut; Arcidiaco, Carmela; Auricchio, Renata; Greco, Luigi Abstract: Background: The World Gastroenterology Organization recommends developing national guidelines for the diagnosis of Celiac Disease (CD): hence a profile of the diagnosis of CD in each country is required. We aim to describe a cross-sectional picture of the clinical features and diagnostic facilities in 16 countries of the Mediterranean basin. Since a new ESPGHAN diagnostic protocol was recently published, our secondary aim is to estimate how many cases in the same area could be identified without a small intestinal biopsy.Methods: By a stratified cross-sectional retrospective study design, we examined clinical, histological and laboratory data from 749 consecutive unselected CD children diagnosed by national referral centers.Results: The vast majority of cases were diagnosed before the age of 10 (median: 5 years), affected by diarrhea, weight loss and food refusal, as expected. Only 59 cases (7.8%) did not suffer of major complaints. Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) assay was available, but one-third of centers reported financial constraints in the regular purchase of the assay kits. 252 cases (33.6%) showed tTG values over 10 times the local normal limit. Endomysial antibodies and HLA typing were routinely available in only half of the centers. CD was mainly diagnosed from small intestinal biopsy, available in all centers. Based on these data, only 154/749 cases (20.5%) would have qualified for a diagnosis of CD without a small intestinal biopsy, according to the new ESPGHAN protocol.Conclusions: This cross-sectional study of CD in the Mediterranean referral centers offers a puzzling picture of the capacities to deal with the emerging epidemic of CD in the area, giving a substantive support to the World Gastroenterology Organization guidelines. 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/44324 Title: It-trobbija tat-tfal, jeu, Tuissijiet ghall ommijet Abstract: Mr. Albert Cesareo set up the ‘Pro-Infantia’ committee to investigate the reasons behind the increase in mortality rate of newborns and infants in Malta. From research the main reasons were related to poverty and the lack of knowledge in child rearing. For this reason this booklet was disseminated throughout Malta and Gozo with the aim of increasing awareness and to educate people. The main topics discussed are, marriage, pregnancy, childbirth, breast feeding, nutrition, clothing, social conditions, exercise, education and general health issues. Is-Sur Albertu Cesareo waqqaf il-kumitat 'Pro-Infantia' biex jinvestiga r-raġunijiet wara ż-żieda fir-rata ta’ mortalità ta' trabi tat-twelid u tfal zghar f'Malta. Mir-riċerka r-raġunijiet ewlenin kienu relatati mal-faqar u n-nuqqas ta 'għarfien fit-trobbija tat-tfal. Għal din ir-raġuni dan il-ktejjeb kien imxerred madwar Malta u Għawdex bil-għan li jiżdied l-għarfien u jiġu edukati n-nies. Is-suġġetti ewlenin diskussi huma, żwieġ, tqala, twelid, treddigħ, nutrizzjoni, ħwejjeġ, kundizzjonijiet soċjali, eżerċizzju, edukazzjoni u kwistjonijiet ta 'saħħa ġenerali. 1907-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/43768 Title: Undulant fever spondylitis Authors: Zammit, F. Abstract: The general clinical picture of undulant fever is described in this article. The historical and pathological aspects of this disease are briefly reviewed. The radiological picture of Brucellar spondylitis is based on the review of 62 cases of undulant fever, which showed radiographic evidence of spine involvement. The main changes are destructive lesions in the vertebral bodies, usually marginal, with characteristic sclerotic reactions around them and proliferative marginal new bone formations resembling calcifications of ligaments or osteophytic processes. The disc space is usually narrowed. Signs of cord compression were present in eight cases. The differential diagnosis is briefly discussed. Treatment is conservative and in most cases complete cure results. 1959-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/43438 Title: Medico-legal infant deaths in Malta (1956-1971) : with special reference to “cot deaths” Authors: Grech, Joseph L. Abstract: Medical practitioners in Malta are not legally authorised to complete the certification of death if this is sudden and unexpected, or if it is the result of violence or poisoning, or if poisoning is suspected. If there is any suspicion of foul play in any form the death also falls under the same legal provisions. There are no exceptions to this rule, and the age of the subject is no consideration. Such deaths are therefore reported to the police authorities who refer the case to the Magistrate. An inquiry into the death is held by the Magistrate, and a medico-legal autopsy forms an integral part of this investigation in all instances. During the last 16 years, 1956-1971, there were 148 deaths among infants, 2 years of age and under, that were the subject of medico-legal inquiry in Malta, with a population of about 33o,ooo, and an average population density of 2,700 per square mile. Of these deaths 35.8 per cent were unexpected, and the infants were found dead in their cot. They are here being referred to as “cot deaths”. This is the first study of infant deaths in Malta. It is based on a retrospective analysis of the causes of these deaths, to evaluate these causes, and to investigate the association of crime with infant destruction. This survey includes a study of the problem of “cot deaths” or the “sudden infant death syndrome” (S.I.D.S.) and to record the epidemiology of such deaths. 1973-01-01T00:00:00Z