Medicine
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This repository contains the published and unpublished research of the Faculty of Medicine by the staff members of the faculty
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Item Biocontrol potential of six locally available fish species as predators of Aedes aegypti in Sri Lanka(Elsevier Ltd, 2021) Ranathunge, T.; Kusumawathie, P.H.D.; Abeyewickreme, W.; Udayanga, L.; Fernando, T.; Hapugoda, M.ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of six locally abundant fish species to control Aedes mosquito larvae and thereby manage dengue epidemics in a sustainable, cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner. The biocontrol efficacy of six larvivorous fish species, namely, Poecilia reticulata, Rasbora daniconius, Aplocheilus dayi, Oriochromis mossambicus, O. niloticus and Puntius bimaculatus, was evaluated under laboratory and field conditions. Five size-matched fish (of the same species) were introduced into separate tanks (replicates) containing 2 L of dechlorinated water and 200 third instar larvae of Aedes aegypti (L.). The number of larvae consumed by each fish species was recorded at three-hour intervals for 24 h. Acclimatized fish were introduced into a total of eighteen artificial breeding habitats located in the Gampola Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area at the species level with three replications. In addition, three breeding sites without fish were monitored as controls. Aedes larvae were monitored by dipping and siphoning methods in each breeding habitat at weekly intervals for three months and the number of fish surviving in each habitat was tallied. Over 24 h under laboratory conditions, O. mossambicus showed the highest predation rate, consuming 320.2 ± 14.5 larvae per day, with a predatory efficiency of 87.5 ± 3.5%. In comparison, O. niloticus consumed 264.6 ± 12.2 larvae per day with consumption efficiciency of 78.1 ± 3.7%, whereas R. daniconius had the lowest larval consumption (33.2 ± 2.7 larvae per day) and predatory efficiency (33.2 ± 3.2%). Over 12 weeks of observation under field conditions, breeding sites with Ap. dayi had the lowest Aedes larval counts, followed by Po. reticulata. Considering predation efficiency and survival under field conditions, Ap. dayi and Po. reticulata were considered to be the best potential candidates for biological control of Ae. aegypti. Further studies under field settings are warranted to evaluate the survival and predatory potential of the selected candidates under more varied environmental conditions.Item High levels of serum angiopoietin 2 and angiopoietin 2/1 ratio at the critical stage of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever in patients and association with clinical and biochemical parameters(American Society for Microbiology., 2020) Mapalagamage, M.; Handunnetti, S.M.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; Premawansa, G.; Thillainathan, S.; Fernando, T.; Kanapathippillai, K.; de Silva, A.D.; Premawansa, S.ABSTRACT:Longitudinal changes of serum angiopoietin 1 (Ang-1) and angiopoietin 2 (Ang-2) associated with endothelial stability in dengue patients with different disease stages were studied. Serum Ang-1 and Ang-2 levels were measured in confirmed dengue fever (DF) patients on admission (DFA, n = 40) and discharge (DFD, n = 20); in dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) patients on admission (DHFA, n = 40), at critical stage (DHFC, n = 36), and on discharge (DHFD, n = 20); and in healthy controls (HC, n = 25). DHFC had the highest serum Ang-2 and lowest Ang-1 levels compared to DFA, DHFA, and HC (P < 0.050). The ratio of serum Ang-2/Ang-1 in DHFC was the highest among all study categories tested (P < 0.001). Significant positive correlations were observed between serum Ang-1 and platelet count in DHFA (Pearson r = 0.653, P < 0.001) and between Ang-1 and pulse pressure in DHFC (r = 0.636, P = 0.001). Using a cutoff value of 1.01 for the Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio for DHFC, a sensitivity of 83.2% and a specificity of 81.2% discerning DF from DHF were obtained. Therefore, serum Ang-2/Ang-1 could be used as a biomarker for endothelial dysfunction in severe dengue at the critical stage. KEYWORDS: angiopoietin; biomarker; dengue fever; dengue hemorrhagic fever; endothelial dysfunction.Item Dietary goitrogens and prevalence of goitre in Sri Lanka(The College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka, 2011) Pinto, M. D. P.; Fernando, R.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Premathilake, M.; Fernando, T.; Edirisinghe, D.; Bandara, D.; Athulugama, N.; Abeysinghe, S.OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between dietary goitrogens and the prevalence of goiter. METHODS:A descriptive cross-sectional study on the prevalence of goitre was conducted involving all areas of the country, except North and Batticaloa district from December 2006 to June 2007. A pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire was used on all participants as a screening tool. Consumption of 6 possible dietary goitrogens was assessed. Sufficient frequency of consumption was taken as consumption >3 times a week. Pearson's chi-square test was used to analyze the significance of dietary goitrogens to the prevalence of goiter. RESULTS: 5200 participants were assessed (n=5200) island wide and 426 were detected with goitre. Mean age for occurrence of goitre was 36.3(+_17.3) years. Frequency of consumption of these food items was low, none being higher than 10% among the 5200 participants. Consumption of each goitrogen was as follows; Cabbage "[2.9%], Lima beans [9.9%], Kurakkan (Millet) [4%], Turnip [2.9%], Manioc(Cassava) [2.2%] and Peanuts [5.5%]. All six dietary goitrogens showed no significant association with the occurrence of goitre (p<0 05).CONCLUSION:Dietary goitrogens do not appear to have an association with prevalence of goitre in this cohort. As this cohort is a representative sample, dietary goitrogens are unlikely to be associated with prevalence of goitre in Sri Lanka.