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.

Japanese encephalitis in Sri Lanka—the study of an epidemic: vector incrimination, porcine infection and human disease

Abstract: A prospective study of mosquito vectors, porcine infection and human disease was carried out during a Japanese encephalitis (JE) epidemic in the North Central province of Sri Lanka (November-December 1987) and a subsequent non-epidemic year (1988). The epidemic involved 361 cases of human encephalitis, virologically confirmed by immunoglobulin M enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and was preceded 2-3 weeks earlier by sentinel porcine seroconversion. Virus isolation and viral antigen detection (ELISA) in field-caught mosquitoes incriminated Culex tritaeniorhynchus (Giles) and Cx gelidus Theobald as the major vectors of virus transmission during the porcine amplification and human 'spill-over' phases of the epidemic. Virus was also demonstrated in Cx fuscocephala Theobald, Cx whitmorei (Giles) and Mansonia uniformis (Theobald) during the epidemic. The major difference between the epidemic (1987) and non-epidemic (1988) years was a lower vector biomass and lower rates of virus carriage in the mosquito population.

Extracellular matrix remodeling in oral submucous fibrosis: its stage‐specific modes revealed by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization

Abstract: Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chewing habit-related pre-cancerous condition of the oral mucosa affecting predominantly south Asians. It is histopathologically characterized by epithelial atrophy and fibrosis of the subepithelial connective tissue. Fibrosis extends all the way into the muscle layer, leading to difficulty in mouth opening. However, the dynamics of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling with OSF progression is largely unknown. Methods: Forty biopsy specimens of OSF and 10 of normal buccal mucosa were examined for expression/deposition modes of eight ECM molecules by histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization. Results: In the early stage of OSF, tenascin, perlecan, fibronectin, collagen type III were characteristically enhanced in the lamina propria and the submucosal layer. In the intermediate stage, the ECM molecules mentioned above and elastin were extensively and irregularly deposited around muscle fibers. In the advanced stage, such ECM depositions decreased and were entirely replaced with collagen type I only. Their gene expression levels varied with progression of fibrosis, but the mRNA signals were confirmed in fibroblasts in the submucosal fibrotic areas. Conclusions: The results indicate that the ECM remodeling steps in OSF are similar to each phase of usual granulation tissue formation. Restricted mouth opening may be a result of loss of variety of ECM molecules including elastin into the homogeneity of collagen type I replacing muscle fibers.

Malathion resistance and prevalence of the malathion carboxylesterase mechanism in populations of mosquito vectors of disease in Sri Lanka

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To determine the levels of malathion resistance and prevalence of the malathion carboxylesterase mechanism among mosquitoes in Sri Lanka. METHODS: Bioassays were carried out using WHO-recommended methods on samples of the following Sri Lankan mosquito vectors: Culex quinquefasciatus, C. tritaeniorhynchus, C. gelidus; Anopheles culicifacies B, A. subpictus; Aedes aegypti and A. albopictus. FINDINGS: Malathion-specific carboxylesterase mechanisms were found in A. culicifacies and A. subpictus, both giving high rates of insecticide metabolism. In contrast, malathion resistance in C. quinquefasciatus and C. tritaeniorhynchus is linked to broad-spectrum resistance to organophosphorus compounds due to elevated levels of esterases that sequester malaoxon, but are unable to metabolize malathion. CONCLUSIONS: Resistance among the Anopheles spp. must have occurred as a direct result of antimalarial activities, since malathion use in Sri Lanka is limited to public health treatments. In contrast, resistance among Culex spp. has resulted from large-scale use of the organophosphorus insecticide group as larvicides for filariasis control and on rice paddy, where C. tritaeniorhynchus predominantly breeds, for agricultural purposes.

Relative safety of hyperinsulinaemia/euglycaemia therapy in the management of calcium channel blocker overdose: a prospective observational study.

Abstract: To examine the clinical safety of hyperinsulinaemia/euglycaemia therapy (HIET) in calcium channel blocker (CCB) poisoning. A prospective observational study examining biochemical and clinical outcomes of a HIET protocol administered under local poisons centre guidance. Critical care settings. Seven patients with significant CCB toxicity [systolic blood pressure (BP) 10 mmHg) during the first hour of HIET. Systolic BP did not increase significantly in four patients who did not receive insulin loading. Single episodes of non-clinically significant biochemical hypoglycaemia and hypokalaemia were recorded in one and two patients respectively. Hypoglycaemia was not recorded in any patient administered HIET during the 24 h following CCB ingestion. HIET used to treat CCB-induced cardiovascular toxicity is a safe intervention when administered in a critical care setting. Maximal HIET efficacy may be obtained when HIET is administered in conjunction with conventional therapy relatively early in the course of severe CCB poisoning when insulin resistance is high.