Recent Submissions
Item type: Item , Palatal mucormycosis in an immuno-competent infant following dengue haemorrhagic fever(Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, 2025-09) Pathiraja, H.; Munasinghe, R.; Gunapala, R.; Fernando, J.; Gunaratne, S.; Pemasiri, C.; Jayasekara, P.No abstract availableItem type: Item , Severe envenomation by Hottentotta tamulus (white scorpion) presenting with cardiogenic shock(Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, 2025-09) Suraweera, N.; Thurairaja, R.; Geerthana, G.; Navodanie, M.R.U.N; Dayasiri, K.No abstract availableItem type: Item , Global, regional, and national burden of headache disorders, 1990-2021, with forecasts to 2050: A Global Burden of Disease study 2021(Cell Press, 2025-09) GBD 2021 Headache Collaborators includeing Mettananda, S.Headache disorders, especially migraines and tension-type headaches (TTHs), are major global public health concerns, as shown by the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021. We provide updated global estimates of prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) from 1990 to 2021 across 204 countries and territories and forecasts through 2050. In 2021, there are 2.0 billion people with TTH and 1.2 billion with migraine. Although TTH is more prevalent, migraine causes higher disability. While crude prevalence and YLDs increased, age-standardized rates remained stable and are projected to continue this trend due to population growth. There is a disproportionately higher burden in women aged 30-44 and countries with higher Socio-demographic Index and Healthcare Access and Quality Index. Despite this, migraines remain underrecognized in health policies and funding. This study emphasizes the urgent need to prioritize headache disorders in global health agendas.Item type: Item , Herbal treatments for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials(Elsevier Ltd., 2025-09) Rathnayake, D.W.; Sooriyaarachchi, P.; Niriella, M.A .; Ediriweera, D .; Perera, J.BACKGROUND With the rising prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), there is a growing need to explore alternative therapeutic interventions. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the available evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for the use of herbal medications in NAFLD. METHODS A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases using appropriate keywords for studies published before the 6th of July 2023. RCTs involving humans, with confirmed NAFLD, the intervention group (IG) receiving herbal treatment, the control group (CG) given a placebo, participants aged ≥18 years, published in English, and a Jadad score ≥6 were included. Coffee and green tea as interventions were excluded. A meta-analysis of studies examining the effects of herbal supplementation on clinical and biochemical parameters in patients with NAFLD was performed. Analysis was done with the “meta” package in R programming language version 4.3. RESULTS In this analysis encompassing 48 articles, study durations varied from 6 weeks to 12 months, with sample sizes ranging between 36 and 226 patients. The study included a total of 3741 patients, (IG=2013, CG=1728). Predominant single herbal medicines identified were Phyllanthus niruri, Beta vulgaris, Allium sativum L., Silymarin (Silybum marianum), Portulaca oleracea L., Nigella sativa, and Cynara cardunculus L. Meanwhile, Cynara cardunculus and curcumin were the most common ingredients in polyherbal compounds. Meta-analysis outcomes revealed a higher reduction in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), liver stiffness, waist circumference (WC), weight, body mass index (BMI), triglycerides (TG), and fasting blood glucose (FBG) in the IG compared to the CG. Notably, the reductions in ALT and weight were more pronounced in single herb compounds compared to polyherbal compounds. No differences were observed between the two groups regarding HbA1c levels. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the potential benefits of herbal interventions with regard to improvements in anthropometry, metabolic profiles, and liver enzymes in study participants.Item type: Item , Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The Role of Digital Health Technologies(Cluj-Napoca, Romania : Editura Medicală Universitară "Iuliu Haţieganu", 2025-09) De Silva, A.P.; Prabagar, K.; Niriella, M.A.; De Silva, H.J.Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDs), including conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia, affect millions worldwide, significantly impairing quality of life and increasing healthcare utilization. These disorders are multifactorial and complex, with several subtypes, making diagnosis and management challenging. This review explores the emerging role of digital health technologies and artificial intelligence(AI) in transforming FGID diagnosis and treatment. We focus on wearable devices, capsule-based diagnostics, mobile health applications, and AI-powered virtual assistants, highlighting how these innovations address the limitations of traditional investigative and management approaches. Additionally, we assess the impact of these digital advancements on patient outcomes, healthcare efficiency, and real-time symptom monitoring. Finally, we examine the challenges associated with data privacy, accuracy, and reliability in digital health solutions and propose future directions for technological advancements in FGID management.