University of Peradeniya

About: University of Peradeniya is a education organization based out in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 5970 authors who have published 7388 publications receiving 197002 citations.

Characterization of knockdown resistance in DDT- and pyrethroid-resistant Culex quinquefasciatus populations from Sri Lanka

Abstract: DDT and pyrethroid resistance in Culex quinquefasciatus have been previously reported in Sri Lanka, but the mechanisms involved have yet to be characterized. We report the presence of two mutant alleles of the sodium channel gene, the target site for both DDT and pyrethroid insecticides. Both mutations resulted in classic knockdown resistance (kdr) L1014F mutation because of either an A-to-T substitution or an A-to-C substitution. We developed two alternative assays to distinguish between the two mutations and used these to screen 214 individuals from nine geographic locations throughout Sri Lanka. Very high levels of kdr mutations were found throughout the country. A predominance of the A-to-C mutation was observed over the A-to-T with an average allele frequency of 50% and 2%, respectively. In addition to these non-synonymous kdr substitutions, we also found an indel (TCACA) in the intron downstream of the kdr mutation. After genotyping this indel in 136 individuals, we found no evident correlation between kdr genotypes and intronic indel. The presence of two alternative kdr mutations has implications for the reliance on single molecular diagnostics for detection of resistance in field populations. Furthermore, the high levels of these kdr mutations in C. quinquefasciatus populations throughout Sri Lanka are of concern for the future of pyrethroid-based control programmes on this island.

Health-beneficial properties of potato and compounds of interest

Abstract: Potatoes have shown promising health-promoting properties in human cell culture, experimental animal and human clinical studies, including antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, anticancer and antidiabetic effects. Compounds present such as phenolics, fiber, starch and proteins as well as compounds considered antinutritional such as glycoalkaloids, lectins and proteinase inhibitors are believed to contribute to the health benefits of potatoes. However, epidemiological studies exploring the role of potatoes in human health have been inconclusive. Some studies support a protective effect of potato consumption in weight management and diabetes, while other studies demonstrate no effect and a few suggest a negative effect. As there are many biological activities attributed to the compounds present in potato, some of which could be beneficial or detrimental depending on specific circumstances, a long-term study investigating the association between potato consumption and diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and cancer while controlling for fat intake is needed. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Human Parechovirus Infection in Children Hospitalized with Acute Gastroenteritis in Sri Lanka

Abstract: Of 362 fecal specimens collected from infants and children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Sri Lanka from September 2005 to August 2006, 30 (8.3%) were positive for human parechovirus (HPeV). Six different HPeV genotypes, including HPeV1, -3, -4, -5, -10, and -11, were identified, of these, HPeV11 was reported for the first time.

Physicochemical Properties of Starches from Sri Lankan Rice Varieties

Abstract: Physico-chemical properties; amylose content, swelling power, pasting properties by Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA), thermal properties by Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), and enzymatic digestibility of starches isolated from 19 different Sri Lankan rice varieties were analyzed. Significant variation was shown in all the tested properties among tested varieties in which the amylose content varied from 16.0% to 34.7%. Amylose content appears to be the major factor controlling almost all physico-chemical properties of rice starch, as it showed significant correlations to all other properties tested. It correlated negatively to the peak and breakdown viscosities by RVA and enzyme digestibility but positively to all other tested properties. The peak and onset gelatinization temperatures and enzyme digestibility correlated to all properties except enthalpy for starch gelatinization. The peak and onset gelatinization temperatures, as well as the blue value, showed negative correlations to the peak and breakdown viscosities, indicating the importance of low amylose for easy starch pasting. According to our results, low amylose starches started to gelatinize at lower temperatures. During heating and cooling, such starch slurry showed higher peak and breakdown viscosities, but resulted in a softer gel. Low amylose starch was also easily digestible by enzymes. These properties are probably associated with the reduced compactness in the amorphous area of starch granules. Due to lower amylose in the amorphous area, loosely packed starch granules result in higher swelling power and disorganization with heating.

Carrier status of leptospirosis among cattle in Sri Lanka: a zoonotic threat to public health.

Abstract: Summary Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of global importance and one of the notifiable diseases in Sri Lanka. Recent studies on human leptospirosis have suggested that the cattle could be one of the important reservoirs for human infection in the country. However, there is a dearth of local information on bovine leptospirosis, including its implications for human transmission. Thus, this study attempted to determine the carrier status of pathogenic Leptospira spp in cattle in Sri Lanka. A total of 164 cattle kidney samples were collected from the meat inspection hall in Colombo city during routine inspection procedures conducted by the municipal veterinary surgeons. The DNA was extracted and subjected to nested PCR for the detection of leptospiral flaB gene. Amplicons were sequenced, and phylogenic distances were calculated. Of 164 samples, 20 (12.2%) were positive for flaB-PCR. Sequenced amplicons revealed that Leptospira species were deduced to L. borgpetersenii (10/20, 50%), L. kirschneri (7/20, 35%) and L. interrogans (3/20, 15%). The results indicate that a high proportion of the sampled cattle harbour a variety of pathogenic Leptospira spp, which can serve as important reservoirs for human disease.