/library/oar/handle/123456789/768 2025-11-11T06:32:04Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/868 Title: Outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis in Gozo in 1887 : manuscript report dated 31st May 1887 Authors: Mercieca, Bernice Abstract: Sir, In obedience to the verbal instructions of His Honor the Lieut: Governor to give a report on the disease which made its appearance in February last, amongst a family, in the Village " ta Sannat" in Gozo, I have the honor to submit what follows. 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/867 Title: Syndrome X Authors: Muscat, Jessica Abstract: JS, a 34-year-old contractor, presented with a two day history of a sore throat. He was noted to have become increasingly centrally obese since his last visit – which he blamed on having gotten married in the interim – and was known to be a smoker. JS’ sore throat was his priority. However, a family history of diabetes mellitus and his history of ‘borderline’ hypertension were of more concern to his doctor. Is this the metabolic syndrome? How should this patient be managed? With a name as elusive as Syndrome X, it is all too easy to dismiss the topic as a rather exotic phenomenon for the internists and researchers to deal with. Nevertheless, what was described as Syndrome X in 1988 by Gerald Reaven and is now referred to as metabolic syndrome, appears to be one of the commonest conditions encountered in general practice. The metabolic syndrome, being a syndrome should innately be a collection of signs and symptoms of a pathological process together constituting a picture of a particular clinical condition warranting particular management. The gist of it all can be seen to lie in different perspectives; the metabolic syndrome can be seen as: • ‘simply’ a clustering of cardiovascular risk factors – possibly preventable and treatable or, • a multiplex of metabolic risk conditions namely atherogenic dyslipidaemia, hypertension, glucose intolerance, a proinflammatory and a prothrombotic state. This offers, perhaps, a more pathophysiological description of the condition. When it comes to the young gentleman described above, dismissing his possible collection of risk factors or failing to give them their due importance can result in the loss of a precious opportunity at preventive care which is definitely neither exotic nor beyond the scope of the primary care physician. 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/866 Title: A resistant case of Kawasaki Disease Authors: Mulvaney, Shirley; Vella, Cecil; Grech, Victor E. Abstract: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile illness of childhood of unknown origin which may cause coronary arteritis and death. The Maltese incidence has been calculated at 3.2/100,000 population 4 years of age, similar to that reported in European communities and far lower than that reported in Asian countries. The use of steroids in this condition remains contentious. We report a resistant case of KD who required two doses of pulsed steroids in addition to standard treatment with aspirin and immunoglobulin. 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/865 Title: Reverse engineering applied to a lumbar vertebra Authors: Lupi, Andre; Sant, Zdenka Abstract: Bone studies can be made in vivo or in vitro. However, disadvantages of both traditional techniques call for a compromise between the two. Reverse engineering allows in vitro bone samples to be simulated and analysed in a virtual in vivo environment thus offering a middle ground solution and a sound foundation on which biomechanical studies of bone could develop. 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z