Browsing by Author "de Silva, M."

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A comparative study of patients with pancreatic calcification in Sri Lanka
(The College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka and SAARC Surgical Care Society, 2003) de Silva, M.; Selliah, S.; Thabrew, I.
INTRODUCTION: Although alcohol abuse is a common cause of pancreatic calcification in the west, a non-alcoholic form called Tropical caicific Pancreatitis (TCP) is recognized in Asian countries.OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical, biochemical, radiological and endoscopic profiles and success of endotherapy of TCP with Alcoholic Calcific Pancreatitis (ACP). METHODS:Biochemical assay. and ERCPs were performed on 50 patients with pancreatic calcification.There were 28 TCP and 22 ACP in the sample. Mean age of ACP (43.7y SD 8.9) was higher than TCP (37.7 SD 10 p<0/05). ACP was exclusively seen among males.Mean age of onset of pain was lower in the TCP. Nearly 80% of TCP had pain scores more or equal to 7 compared to 54.5% in ACP. Onset of diabetes mellitus in TCP occurred earlier than ACP (34y Vs 40y). Mean serum insulin and duodenal trypsin levels were higher in the TCP patients. On x-ray 85% of TCP had coarse calcium plaques and 71.4% of ACP had speckled plaques. ERCP was successful in nearly 70% of the total sample and 50% underwent stenting. Adequate pain relief was observed in 50% in TCP and 54% in ACP. CONCLUSION:Onset of pain and diabetes mellitus occurred at a younger age in TCP. Although more intraductal plaques were seen in TCP, no difference was observed in the response to endotherapy.
Comparison of gastric emptying of a solid meal with a semi-solid meal using real-time ultrasonography in a cohort of healthy individuals
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Amarasiri1, D.L.; Devanarayana, N.M.; de Silva, M.; Amaratunga, C.; Madushanka, K.B.G.; de Silva, H.J.
Aims Routine performance of solid gastric emptying (GE) to assess gastroparesis is not feasible due to prolonged test duration and cumbersome preparation of test meals. Substitution of a commercially prepared semisolid meal could increase feasibility. This study compared GE of a solid and semi-solid meal. Methods and materials used Thirty (30) healthy volunteers underwent gastric emptying by real-time ultrasonography after partaking a solid meal (Mung kiribath) and semi-solid meal (‗Nestum mung‘) on two separate days. The calorie content of each meal was 350 Kcal and consisted of approximately 60% carbohydrates, 30% fat and 10% proteins. The pyloric antral area, amplitude and frequency of contractions were measured at 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210 and 240 minutes after ingestion. GE parameters were compared and correlated by using Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test and Spearman Rank Correlation. A P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results The subjects were 17 males (mean (SD) age 29.4 (6.0) years, BMI 23.4 (2.94)) and 13 females (mean (SD) age 37.2 3 (11.9) years, BMI 22.9 (4.34)). Mean (SE) fasting antral area, antral areas, gastric emptying rates (GER) and gastric residual ratios at each time point did not differ significantly between the meals. At the end of 4 hours, the mean emptied percentage of the semisolid meal and solid meal was 81.1% and 70.6% respectively. GER of semisolid meal at 90min significantly correlated with GER at 240min. There was no correlation of the solid meal with the 90min and 240min GER. Conclusions A semisolid meal could be substituted in place of a solid test meal. A gastric emptying test can be performed in 90min when utilizing a semisolid meal as opposed to 4 hours when utilizing a solid meal. Ease in preparation of the semisolid meal and reduction in test time increases test feasibility.
Complete pancreatic transection in a child treated by drainage and sphincterotomy
(Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2010) Siriwardana, R.C.; Wijesuriya, S.R.E.; Marasinghe, A.; de Silva, M.; Deen, K.I.
Cultural problems in translating L'amant into Sinhalese
(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Mihirika, S.K.S.; Jayaweera, D.P.A.; de Silva, M.
Translation is a method of communication which creates a bridge between multiple communities in different countries where various languages are spoken. Literary translation can be defined as an artistic method of translating literary texts such as poems, novels, dramatic texts and short stories into a target language while being faithful to the content of the source text. In the process of translating above mentioned literary texts into a target language, translators mainly encounter problematic situations which arise because of cultural, linguistic differences which collide with the freedom given to the translators. Hence our objective is to analyze those problems and find solutions to face the challenges in literary translation. This research focuses on the cultural problems faced in translating L'Amant into Sinhalese. This discussion includes the practical problems faced by undergraduates during the two years of learning translation methods. The cultural boundaries are the basic issues faced by translators in translating literary texts from source language to target language. This challenge cannot be avoided or neglected in the process of literary translation.
Descriptive study of chronic calcific pancreatitis in Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2005) de Silva, M.; Selliah, S.; Thabrew, I.
OBJECTIVES: To describe the potential risk factors, clinical features, biochemical and radiological features, and management of chronic calcific pancreatitis. DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive study. SETTING: Tertiary care general hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty patients with pancreatic calcification referred to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital, and 50 age-matched controls from healthy relatives or friends of the patients. MEASUREMENT: Height and weight measurements, immunoreactive insulin levels and trypsin levels of duodenal aspirates were estimated. Plain abdominal xray and ultrasonography were performed. INTERVENTION: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) was attempted on all patients during which duodenal aspirates were collected. Success rates of ERCP and response to endotherapeutic procedures were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty two of the 50 chronic calcific pancreatitis (CP) patients were diagnosed to have chronic alcoholic calcific pancreatitis(CACP). Mean age of the CACP patients was significantly higher than that of the chronic calcific pancreatitis of the tropics (CCPT) patients. Severe malnutrition (BMI < 20), frequent consumption of Manihot esculenta (manioc, cassava) and a high consumption of chilli or pepper were identified as possible risk factors for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic CP. Onset of diabetes occurred at a much younger age in the CCPT group than in the CACP group. Mean serum insulin was significantly higher in the CCPT group than in the CACP group and duodenal trypsin level was significantly lower in the CCPT than in CACP group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the existence of both alcoholic (CACP) and non-alcoholic (CCPT) types of chronic calcific pancreatitis in Sri Lanka. A larger study is required to confirm the associated risk factors such as Manihot esculenta and foods with a high content of chilli or pepper
Influence of temperatureand soil type on the toxicity of three pesticides to Eiseniaandrei
(Chemosphere, 2009) de Silva, M.; Pathiratne, A.; Van Gestal, C.A.M.
Expansion of agriculture in the tropics has increased the use of pesticides that may affect the soil ecosystems. Few studies so far determined the effects of pesticides in the tropics and tropical risk assessment therefore often relies on data from temperate conditions. Hence we compared the toxicity of chlorpyrifos, carbofuran and carbendazim to the earthworm Eisenia andrei at two different temperatures reflecting temperate and tropical conditions. The toxicity of the three pesticides in both conditions decreased in the order carbendazim > carbofuran > chlorpyrifos. For chlorpyrifos and carbofuran, but not for carbendazim, survival was more sensitive at the higher temperature, probably due to increased earthworm activity. Sub-lethal effects (reproduction and growth) however, varied inconsistently with temperature and soil types. We conclude that toxicity of pesticides in tropics may not be predicted from data generated under temperate conditions, even within the same species.
Is being barefoot, wearing shoes and physical activity associated with knee osteoarthritis pain flares? Data from a usually barefoot Sri Lankan cohort
(Oxford, 2021) Atukorala, I.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Batuwita, N.; Rajapaksha, N.; Ratnasiri, V.; Wijayaratne, L.; de Silva, M.; Chang, T.; Zhang, Y.; Hunter, D.J.
AIM: To identify the association between hours of being barefoot/wearing footwear, physical activity (PA) and knee osteoarthritis pain flares (KOAF). METHODS: Persons with a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis, who reported previous KOAF, were followed up in a 3 months long telephone-based case-crossover study. Exposures to risk factors were assessed every 10 days and whenever the participants experienced a KOAF. Conditional logistic regression examined associations of KOAF with following: hours of being barefoot/using footwear and PA performed (P < .05). RESULTS: There were 260 persons recruited, of whom 183 continued longitudinal follow up. Of them, 120 persons had at least one valid KOAF and control period. Participants were female (90%) with mean (SD) age and body mass index of 59.9 (7.0) years, 28.0 (5.0) kg/m2 respectively. Participants were barefoot for a mean duration of 12.7 hours (SD 4.6) and used footwear for 5.1 (SD 4.7) hours daily; 99% wore heel heights <2.5 cm. Duration of being barefoot, 1 and 2 days before, demonstrated reduced multivariate odds of KOAF (odds ratio [OR] = 0.85; 95% CI 0.80-0.90). Moderate PA performed 1, 2 days prior was associated with a significantly increased risk of KOAF (multivariate OR 4.29; 2.52-7.30 and OR 3.36; 2.01-5.61). Similarly, hours of using footwear 1 and 2 days before flare demonstrated increased odds of KOAF (OR 1.15; 1.07-1.23 and 1.10; 1.03-1.18). CONCLUSIONS: Increased duration of being barefoot 1 to 2 days before is associated with reduced risk of KOAF. Performing moderate PA 1 to 2 days before was associated with an increased risk of KOAF. KEYWORDS: knee osteoarthritis pain.
Is cassava consumption related to tropical calcific pancreatitis in Sri Lanka
(The College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka and SAARC Surgical Care Society, 2003) Siva, S.; de Silva, M.; Thabrew, I.
INTRODUCTION: Presence of calcification in the pancreas confirms the diagnosis of Chronic Pancreatitis. In the developing countries, a non alcoholic form referred to as Tropical Calcific Pancreatitis (TCP) is been increasingly recognized. An association has been suggested to malnutrition and cassava consumption. OBJECTIVES: To assess the aetiological factors and BMI of TCP patients. METHODS: On 28 TCP patients a detailed questionnaire was administered to collect the aetiological factors. Height and weight measurements were taken. The results were compared with 50 healthy controls and 22 Alcoholic Calcific Pancreatitis (ACP). RESULTS: The mean age of TCP patients and ACP was 34. 7 (SD 10) yrs and 43.7 (SD 8.9) yrs respectively. The percentage with monthly income less than Rs: 5000.00 was high in ACP (70%) compared to TCP (60%) which was similar to control group (58%). TI1e proportion of severe malnutrition {BM! <20) was comparable in TCP and ACP (72%) and was significantly higher (p<0.05) than control group (35%). Regularity of consumption of cassava for last 5 years was significantly (p<0.05) higher in ACP (35%) compared to 19% in TCP, and 4% in the control group. There was no difference in the consumption of red, green chilli, pepper, tea and coffee in the 3 groups. CONCLUSION: The above data indicate higher consumption of manioc by ACP than TCP. A long term study will assist in establishing the association of cassava consumption and malnutrition in Chronic Calcific Pancreatitis.
Translation as a Method of Teaching and Learning a Foreign Language
(Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Kankanange, S.; de Silva, M.; Jayaweera, A.
Translation is considered as a traditional methodology of teaching and learning a foreign language as a second language. It encourages the L2 learner to think in one language and transform into another by acting as a mediator. This fundamental process of teaching and learning a foreign language (L2) which enables the L2 learner to understand similarities and differences between two languages was initiated to learn classical languages such as Latin and Greek. This research focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of using Translation as a method of learning & teaching a foreign language (L2). Translation has been traditionally used to teach grammar. It allows the teacher to depict equivalent and non-equivalent structures between the first language (L1) and the foreign language (L2). Many practical benefits could be gained through the process of translation that improves the new language (L2) ability. Through this method, L2 learner's language skills could be developed by applying the classroom gained knowledge such as grammar, composition, and interpretation of texts in a practical manner. This is one of the most prevalent beliefs among language learners (L2 learners) and language teachers as well. However as any other method, there are positive aspects as well as negative aspects of using translation in language teaching and learning (L2) since it's a process that handles two different languages (Ll and L2) which represent two different socio-cultural identities. In conclusion, this research proves that translation is an accepted, widely used, successful method in teaching and learning a foreign language (L2).