Browsing by Author "Weerawardhana, A."

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    Antibiotic sensitivity pattern for non-beta lactam antibiotics and carbapenems in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing uropathogens versus non-ESBL producing uropathogens
    (Sri Lankan Society for Microbiology, 2017) Wijesooriya, W.R.P.L.I.; Herath, Y.B.; Sugandhi, R.A.I.; Weerawardhana, A.; Ediriweera, D.S.
    INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are frequent and predominantly caused by coliforms. ESBL producers are increasing in number limiting therapeutic options. It is therefore vital to institute precise, empiric antibiotic guidelines in order to prevent life-threatening urosepsis. The objective of this study was to compare antibiotic sensitivity (ABST) pattern of ESBL producers and non-ESBL producers against selected non-beta lactams and carbapenem antibiotics. METHODOLOGY: Retrospective analysis of ABST of significant urinary coliform isolates was done. STUDY SETTING: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya and Base Hospital, Wathupitiwala, Sri Lanka. STUDY PERIOD: 01.01.2012 - 01.01.2016. STUDY GROUPS: ESBL producers and non-ESBL producers, 63 in each group. Sensitivity profiles of amikacin, gentamicin, netilmicin, nitrofurantoin, nalidixic acid, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, imipenem and meropenem were analyzed. Statistical analysis: R programming language. Level of significance P<0.05. RESULTS: ESBL producers were present in 63 patients, 36 (57.1%) of whom were females and 39 were inpatients (61.9%). Non-ESBL producers were isolated from urine of 63 patients, of whom 49 (77.8%) were females and 17 (26.9%) inpatients. Antibiotic sensitivity of ESBL producers ranged from 82.2% to 100% for netilmicin, amikacin, meropenem and imipenem, 65% for nitrofurantoin and from 14.8% to 32.1% for nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and gentamicin. Antibiotic sensitivity of the non-ESBL producers ranged from 56.7% for nalidixic acid and from 76.8% to 85.1% for ciprofloxacin, nitrofurantoin, norfloxacin and gentamicin. CONCLUSION: A female predominance was noted in both non ESBL and ESBL producers but there was a significant dominance of ESBL producers in male patients. ESBL producers were significantly common amongst inpatients than outpatients. ESBL-producers had significantly high resistance against nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and gentamicin compared to non-ESBL producers. However, more than 2/3rd of isolates in both groups were sensitive to nitrofurantoin.
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    Future Perspectives of Chemistry Education Five Hundred Years after Western Colonization in Sri Lanka
    (University of Kelaniya, 2005) Weerawardhana, A.; Ferry, B.; Brown, C.A.
    During five hundred years of western colonization, education systems in Sri Lanka evolved to mirror the traditional education systems of Britain. The teaching strategies employed by teachers and the structure of schools in Sri Lanka, reflected such a traditional, Anglo Saxon approach to pedagogy. In post-colonial Sri Lanka we believe that it’s time to move towards a different approach to pedagogy that more closely aligns with modern society in Sri Lanka and with the interconnected world in which we now live. This paper reports on the outcomes of a study that focuses on teaching in chemistry - in particular, the topic of chemical equilibrium. It discusses the influence of modern information and communication technology (ICT), how ICT allows teachers and students to work in different ways and the implications for teaching chemistry in Sri Lankan schools. Two studies were designed and conducted within New South Wales (NSW), Australia as models that might transfer to Sri Lanka. Study One involved five experienced chemistry teachers and forty five chemistry students in HSC classes. Study Two involved eight preservice science teachers and sixty year-eleven chemistry students. The initial trial of the commercial product SMV: CHEM® by experienced teachers in Study One revealed that they spent little preparation time on lessons as they were busy with timetables, syllabus content, and did not feel comfortable with computer-based technology. As a result, they relied on teacher demonstration to present the software. In Study Two, pre-service science teachers had the opportunity to unpack the resource elements within SMV:CHEM® and VisChem® software and consider the design of lessons that would engage a wider range of teaching strategies, including the use of familiar analogies, simulations, hands-on observation coupled with computer-based multiple representations. Pre-service teachers attempted to extend students’ understanding about chemical equilibrium (obtained from different representations) by applying the concept to a wide variety of everyday situations involving environmental systems that are in equilibrium.