Publications by authors named "Christian Zammit"

Background: The identification of specific circulating miRNAs has been proposed as a valuable tool for elucidating the pathophysiology of brain damage or injury and predicting patient outcomes.

Objective: This study aims to apply several bioinformatic tools in order to clarify miRNA interactions with potential genes involved in brain injury, emphasizing the need of using a computational approach to determine the most likely correlations between miRNAs and target genes. Specifically, this study centers on elucidating the roles of miR-34b, miR-34c, miR-135a, miR-200c, and miR-451a.

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Introduction: With the widespread use of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), post-radiation treatment effects (PTREs) are increasing in prevalence. Radiation necrosis (RN) is a serious PTRE which carries a poor prognosis. Since 2012, laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) has been used to treat RN.

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Climate change is being felt across all human and natural systems in Aotearoa New Zealand and is projected to worsen this decade as impacts compound and cascade through natural system and sectoral dependencies. The effectiveness of adaptation is constrained by how fast greenhouse gas emissions are reduced globally, the pace of change, the frequency and progression of impacts, and the capacity of our natural, societal and political systems to respond. We explore how these systems and sectors interact with existing and projected climate change stressors by categorising climate change impacts (Trends and Events) and consequential thresholds (Thresholds), and by grouping systems and sectors by types (Typologies).

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Background: At the turn of the 21st century, closed-loop deep brain stimulation (CL-DBS) systems have emerged as promising neuromodulatory treatment strategies, that integrate real-time feedback based on the brain's condition to fine-tune the stimulation being applied. CL-DBS promises numerous advantages over open-loop deep brain stimulation (OL-DBS) systems. However, no up-to-date review articles are available which characterise the clinical outcomes of CL-DBS therapy.

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The identification of a reliable and accurate post-mortem interval (PMI) is a major challenge in the field of forensic sciences and criminal investigation. Several laboratory techniques have recently been developed that offer a better contribution to the estimation of PMI, in addition to the traditional physical or physico-chemical (body cooling, lividity, radiocarbon dating, rigor mortis), chemical (autolysis), microbiological (putrefaction), entomological, as well as botanical parameters. Molecular biology (degradation pattern of macromolecules such as proteins, DNA, RNA), biochemical analysis of biological fluids (such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and vitreous humor), and immunohistochemistry are some of the most recent technological innovations.

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Successive waves of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic lockdowns resulted in significant reduction in face-to-face teaching, with an adverse effect especially on sectors requiring direct skill acquisition. Despite the fact that augmented reality (AR) presents an equitable, cost-effective solution which reduces crowding in the confined spaces of the dissection theater, the benefits of AR-supported undergraduate medical education have been poorly investigated. We conducted a validated survey to explore the value of AR in the dissection theater and assess its impact from the learner's perspective.

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Article Synopsis
  • A study looked into something called Sella turcica bridging (STB), which affects brain surgery and how people’s skulls are shaped.
  • They found that about 26.54% of people around the world have this condition, especially common in Europe.
  • STB is more likely to happen in people who have other health issues and is often found more in scans than in healthy people.
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Climate change is one of the biggest challenges humanity is facing in the 21st century. Two recognized sequelae of climate change are global warming and air pollution. The gradual increase in ambient temperature, coupled with elevated pollution levels have a devastating effect on our health, potentially contributing to the increased rate and severity of numerous neurological disorders.

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Functional non-retentive fecal incontinence (FNRFI) is a common problem in pediatric age. FNRFI is defined as unintended loss of stool in a 4-year-old or older child after organic causes have been excluded. FNRFI tends to affects up to 3% of children older than 4 years, with males being affected more frequently than females.

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Brain mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in the development of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondria specifically located at synapses play a key role in providing energy to support synaptic functions and plasticity, thus their defects may lead to synaptic failure, which is a common hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases. High-Fat Diet (HFD) consumption increases brain oxidative stress and impairs brain mitochondrial functions, although the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood.

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Article Synopsis
  • Modafinil (Mo) is being increasingly used as a performance-enhancing drug instead of just for treating medical conditions like attention deficit disorders and depression.
  • The drug promotes wakefulness by interacting with the orexinergic system and the sympathetic nervous system, aiding in concentration and reducing fatigue.
  • There are concerns about its use in sports performance due to its stimulant effects, necessitating further research on its long-term impacts on users and potential abuse.
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Adipose tissue (AT) is strongly associated with development and progression of immune disorders through adipokines secretion, such as adiponectin. This protein has beneficial energetic properties and is involved in inflammation and immunity processes. Three oligomers of circulating adiponectin with different molecular weight are described: High (HMW), Medium (MMW), and Low (LMW).

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The hypothalamus is a key brain region involved in the control of feeding and energy expenditure. Hypothalamic inflammation and oxidative stress are landmarks of both obesity and aging processes, although the molecular mechanisms are still unknown. Therefore, with the aim to understand the neurobiological mechanisms of energy homeostasis during aging, we evaluate the effects of long feeding high-fat diet (HFD) in rats, at different age, on modulation of hypothalamic molecular pathway, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

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Introduction: Sleep and migraine share a common pathophysiological substrate, although the underlying mechanisms are unknown. The serotonergic and orexinergic systems are both involved in the regulation of sleep/wake cycle, and numerous studies show that both are involved in the migraine etiopathogenesis. These two systems are anatomically and functionally interconnected.

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After long-term intensive training, considerable morphological and functional heart changes occur in professional athletes. Such changes arise progressively and regress upon interruption of the physical activity. Morphological and functional alterations on heart are known as "Athlete's heart" condition.

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The axon myelin sheath is prone to injury associated with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptor activation but the source of glutamate in this context is unknown. Myelin damage results in permanent action potential loss and severe functional deficit in the white matter of the CNS, for example in ischemic stroke. Here, we show that in rats and mice, ischemic conditions trigger activation of myelinic NMDA receptors incorporating GluN2C/D subunits following release of axonal vesicular glutamate into the peri-axonal space under the myelin sheath.

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It is becoming increasingly apparent the importance of the central nervous system (CNS) as the major contributor to the regulation of systemic metabolism. Antipsychotic drugs are used often to treat several psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder However, antipsychotic drugs prescription, particularly the second-generation ones (SGAs), such as clozapine and olanzapine, is related to a considerable weight gain which usually leads to obesity. The aim of this paper is to assess the influence of orexin A on sympathetic and hyperthermic reactions to several neuroleptic drugs.

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During the last decade, global interest in the multiple benefits of formal peer teaching has increased. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of first-year medical students towards the use of peer teaching to learn anatomy using cadaveric specimens. A descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective survey was carried out.

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In women's life, menopause is characterized by significant physiological changes often associated with an increase in body mass and obesity-associated sicknesses. Numerous researches described interdependencies of estrogen deficiency, aging, and resting energy expenditure (REE) downfall in the obesity correlated with the menopause. The aim of this study was to determining whether healthy, obese menopausal women underwent HRT treatment, showed changes in their REE, autonomic asset, and assessment of oxidative stress in comparison with obese pre- and post-menopausal women.

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The mechanisms involved in the coordination of muscle activity are not completely known: to investigate adaptive changes in human motor cortex Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was often used. The sport models are frequently used to study how the training may affect the corticospinal system excitability: Karate represents a valuable sport model for this kind of investigations for its high levels of coordination required to athletes. This study was aimed at examining possible changes in the resting motor threshold (rMT) and in the corticospinal response in karate athletes, and at determining whether athletes are characterized by a specific value of rMT.

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Liver cancer is the second leading worldwide cause of cancer‑associated mortalities. Hepatocellular carcinoma, which accounts for the majority of liver tumors, ranks fifth among types of human cancer. Well‑established risk factors for liver cancer include the hepatitis B and C viruses, aflatoxins, alcohol consumption, and oral contraceptives.

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Stroke is a complex and devastating neurological condition with limited treatment options. Brain edema is a serious complication of stroke. Early edema formation can significantly contribute to infarct formation and thus represents a promising target.

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Recent advances in medical care have significantly improved the survival rate of neonates who suffer a hypoxic/ ischemic event, before, during, or after birth. These infants are extremely vulnerable to brain injury and are at high risk of developing motor and cognitive abnormalities later on in life. The regional distribution of perinatal brain injury varies, and depends primarily on; the severity, pattern and type of insult, the metabolic status, and on the gestational age.

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