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.

Prediction of paraquat exposure and toxicity in clinically ill poisoned patients: a model based approach

Abstract: Aims Paraquat poisoning is a medical problem in many parts of Asia and the Pacific. The mortality rate is extremely high as there is no effective treatment. We analyzed data collected during an ongoing cohort study on self-poisoning and from a randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy in hospitalized paraquat-intoxicated patients. The aim of this analysis was to characterize the toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of paraquat in this population. Methods A non-linear mixed effects approach was used to perform a toxicokinetic/toxicodynamic population analysis in a cohort of 78 patients. Results The paraquat plasma concentrations were best fitted by a two compartment toxicokinetic structural model with first order absorption and first order elimination. Changes in renal function were used for the assessment of paraquat toxicodynamics. The estimates of toxicokinetic parameters for the apparent clearance, the apparent volume of distribution and elimination half-life were 1.17 l h−1, 2.4 l kg−1 and 87 h, respectively. Renal function, namely creatinine clearance, was the most significant covariate to explain between patient variability in paraquat clearance.This model suggested that a reduction in paraquat clearance occurred within 24 to 48 h after poison ingestion, and afterwards the clearance was constant over time. The model estimated that a paraquat concentration of 429 μg l−1 caused 50% of maximum renal toxicity. The immunosuppressive therapy tested during this study was associated with only 8% improvement of renal function. Conclusion The developed models may be useful as prognostic tools to predict patient outcome based on patient characteristics on admission and to assess drug effectiveness during antidote drug development.

Strategies to improve the cost effectiveness of broiler production.

Abstract: This study was done using 2550 day-old, sex separated chicks (1275 males & 1275 females) to determine the most profitable grow-out period for broilers using different cost related performance indices and to ascertain the cost-effectiveness of sex-separate feeding of broilers. Feed intake and body weight were measured weekly for both sexes separately. Mortality, if any, during the rearing period was recorded. Average weight gain and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) of birds were calculated on a weekly basis up to the age of 35 day. Records of the same parameters were taken daily from day 36 to 42. Cost-benefit analysis was done using FCR, Performance Efficiency Factor (PEF), Unit Profitability (UP) and Unit Return Index (URI). FCR increased with increasing age in both sexes from day 1 to 42. Males had a significantly higher (P Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 23 (4): 338-346 (2012) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tar.v23i4.4869

Evaluation of Endogenous Allergens for the Safety Evaluation of Genetically Engineered Food Crops: Review of Potential Risks, Test Methods, Examples and Relevance

Abstract: The safety of food produced from genetically engineered (GE) crops is assessed for potential risks of food allergy on the basis of an international consensus guideline outlined by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (2003). The assessment focuses on evaluation of the potential allergenicity of the newly expressed protein(s) as the primary potential risk using a process that markedly limits risks to allergic consumers. However, Codex also recommended evaluating a second concern, potential increases in endogenous allergens of commonly allergenic food crops that might occur due to insertion of the gene. Unfortunately, potential risks and natural variation of endogenous allergens in non-GE varieties are not understood, and risks from increases have not been demonstrated. Because regulatory approvals in some countries are delayed due to increasing demands for measuring endogenous allergens, we present a review of the potential risks of food allergy, risk management for food allergy, and test methods that may be ...