Browsing by Author "Samaraweera, S."

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Challenges faced by University Students in Foreign Language Acquisition
(English Language Teaching Unit, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Randhuli, I.; Jayasinghe, M.; Samaraweera, S.; Kaushalya, K.
University students encounter various challenges in learning a second or a foreign language. The research intends to figure out those challenges in making headway with the new target language from conversational to mastery. In fact, we separately plan to pinpoint the undergoing challenges with respect to skills of speaking and writing in accordance with the levels of language fluency at the moment. For this purpose, the methodology of this cohort and retrospective study is comprised of a structured questionnaire to be answered by “Beginner” and “Intermediate” students of foreign languages. The respondents are chosen effectively focusing on both Sri Lankan and Foreign students of university in order to acquire high accuracy in conclusions. The initial portion of the questionnaire focuses on identifying the student relative to the foreign language they learn, determining the level of fluency. The rest of the questionnaire is substantially directed upon the challenges they have confronted in writing and speaking the target language and their subjective solutions. The methodology, strategies of overcoming these challenges they face in beginner and intermediate levels in order to advance the language are the vital concerns of the research. How the resemblances of a known language can help to proceed for the comprehension of the new, whether it be the learner’s first language or another, is to be examined. Therefore the collection of obtained data is to be analyzed to determine the challenges at certain points of learning and to provide solutions to ease the process.
Delayed gastric emptying rates and impaired antral motility in children fulfilling ROME III criteria for functional abdominal pain
(Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2011) Devanarayana, N.M.; Rajindrajith, S.; Rathnamalala, N.; Samaraweera, S.; Benninga, M.A.
BACKGROUND: Abdominal pain is a common paediatric disorder affecting approximately 10% of children worldwide. The majority of affected children has no identifiable organic cause for their symptoms and considered to have functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGD). Gastric sensory motor dysfunctions have been implicated in the pathophysiology of FGD such as functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome. However, very little is known regarding gastric motility in children with functional abdominal pain (FAP), whose predominant symptom is abdominal pain. AIM: We hypothesized that abnormal gastric emptying and impaired antral motility are possible underlying mechanisms of symptoms in children with FAP. METHODS: All children referred to the Gastroenterology Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya from 1st January 2006 to 31st December 2010 were screened and those fulfilling Rome III criteria for FAP were recruited. All patients were screened for organic disorders using history, examination and basic investigations (urine microscopy and culture, stool microscopy, C-reactive protein, full blood count and liver and renal function tests). An age and sex compatible group of healthy children were selected as controls. Liquid gastric emptying rate (GER) and antral motility (frequency of antral contractions, amplitude of antral contractions and antral motility index) were assessed using a previously reported ultrasound method. Results: A total of 102 children with FAP [37 (36.3%) males, 4–14 years, mean 7.8 years, SD 2.7 years] and 20 healthy controls [8 (40%) males, 4–14 years, mean 8.4 years, SD 3.0 years] were recruited. Average GER (42.1% vs. 66.2% in controls), amplitude of antral contractions (56.5% vs. 89%), frequency of contractions per 3 min (8.5 vs. 9.3) and antral motility index (4.9 vs. 8.3) were significantly lower in patients with FAP compared to controls ( p<0.01). Fasting antral area was higher in patients (1.4 vs. 0.6, p<0.0001). GER negatively correlated with the scores obtained for severity of abdominal pain (r= -0.29, p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Gastric emptying and antral motility parameters were significantly impaired in patients with FAP and GER negatively correlated with symptom severity. These findings highlight the possible role of gastrointestinal motility abnormalities in the pathophysiology of childhood FAP
Delayed gastric emptying rates and impaired antral motility in children fulfilling Rome III criteria for functional abdominal pain
(Wiley-Blackwell, 2012) Devanarayana, N.M.; Rajindrajith, S.; Rathnamalala, N.; Samaraweera, S.; Benninga, M.A.
Background Gastric sensorymotor dysfunctions have been implicated in the pathophysiology of some functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome. Therefore, we hypothesized that abnormal gastric emptying and impaired antral motility are possible underlying mechanisms of symptoms in children with Hundred and two children [37 functional abdominal pain (FAP). Methods years] fulfilling Rome years, SD 2.7 years, mean 7.8 (36.3%) males, 4-14 III criteria for FAP were recruited for this study. An age and sex 20) were selected as controls = compatible group of healthy children (n years]. Liquid years, SD 3.0 years, mean 8.4 [8 (40%) males, 4-14 gastric emptying rate (GER) and antral motility parameters (amplitude of antral contractions, frequency of antral contractions and antral motility index) were assessed using a previously reported ultrasound Average GER (42.1% vs 66.2% in controls), amplitude method. Key Results of antral contractions (56.5% vs 89%), frequency of contractions per min (8.5 vs 9.3), and antral motility index (4.9 vs 8.3) were 3 significantly lower in patients with FAP compared with controls (P<0.01). Fasting antral area was higher in patients (1.4 vs 0.6, P<0.0001). GER negatively correlated with the scores obtained for 0.004). Conclusions = -0.29, P = severity of abdominal pain (r & Gastric emptying rate and antral motility parameters were Inferences significantly impaired in patients with FAP and GER negatively correlated with symptom severity. These findings highlight the possible role of gastrointestinal motility abnormalities in the pathophysiology of childhood FAP.
Prevalence of latex allergy among healthcare workers
(Versita co-published with Springer, 2010) Amarasekera, M.; Rathnamalala, N.; Samaraweera, S.; Jinadasa, M.
OBJECTIVES: The use of latex gloves has increased by several folds in the recent past due to concerns about blood-borne infections. Data from Asian countries with regard to latex allergy is scarce. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of latex allergy among healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Sri Lanka. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among different categories of employees in the hospital. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data related to latex allergy. RESULTS: A total of 524 employees was recruited and 62% responded to the questionnaire. Among them 49.2% wore gloves for more than 1 hour a day. Symptoms suggestive of latex allergy were reported by 53 (16.3%) subjects. A considerable proportion (11.4%) of workers had been suffering from latex allergy for more than 5 years. Nurses accounted for the highest prevalence for any job category, while the unit with the highest rate was the surgical ward. Duration in the service (OR = 1.006, P = 0.048) and wearing gloves for more than one hour a day (OR = 3.292, P = 0.004) were significant risk factors for latex allergy, but not atopy or family history of atopy. Seven employees noticed that they developed food allergy after assuming duties as healthcare personnel. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of latex allergy is high among healthcare workers in this study population. Environmental factors rather than genetic predisposition play the major role in the development of this condition.
A rare case of abrupt onset vascular lump in the newborn; neonatal kaposiform haemangioendothelioma
(Batticaloa Medical Association, 2023) Dayasiri, K.; de Abrew, G.; Samaraweera, S.; Thadchanamoorthy, V.