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.

Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies both block and enhance transmission of human Plasmodium vivax malaria.

Abstract: Antibodies against gametes of the malarial parasite inhibit the development of the parasite in the mosquito and curtail the transmission of malaria. We now report that a monoclonal antibody against gametes of the human malaria pathogen Plasmodium vivax and antibodies induced during natural infections of P. vivax in humans which suppress infectivity of the parasites to the vector at high concentrations can, at lower concentrations, have the opposite effect and enhance the level of malaria infection in the mosquitoes. Infectivity enhancing effects of up to 12-fold were demonstrated when a transmission blocking monoclonal antibody and immune human sera were diluted, in some undiluted immune human sera, and in the sera of vivax malaria patients during convalescence after drug cure.

Parallel infusion of hydrocortisone +/- chlorpheniramine bolus injection to prevent acute adverse reactions to antivenom for snakebites.

Abstract: Objective To investigate the efficacy of continuous infusion of hydrocortisone with or without chlorpheniramine bolus against early adverse reactions to polyspecific antivenom. Design and setting Prospective, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial at General Hospital, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Subjects 52 patients with snake envenoming were randomised to receive infusion of hydrocortisone (Group A), hydrocortisone with chlorpheniramine bolus (Group B) or placebo (Group C) during the administration of antivenom. Intervention Hydrocortisone 1000 mg in 300 mL of normal saline infusion was started 5 min before and continued for 30 min after antivenom. Chlorpheniramine 10 mg intravenous bolus dose was given 5 min after commencement of antivenom. Main outcome measures Occurrence and severity of adverse reactions to antivenom. Results Adverse reactions were observed in 80% (12/15) of Group A, 52% (11/21) of Group B, and 81% (13/16) of Group C. Reactions were mild or moderate except in two patients. A significant reduction in the number of adverse reactions was seen in Group B compared with the placebo group (difference, 29 percentage points; 95% CI, 0.2 to 58 percentage points). There was no significant difference between Group A and the placebo group. Conclusion Prophylaxis with a parallel hydrocortisone infusion alone is ineffective in reducing the occurrence of acute adverse reaction to antivenom serum, but combining it with chlorpheniramine seems efficacious.

Salt resistance is determined by osmotic adjustment and abscisic acid in newly developed maize hybrids in the first phase of salt stress.

Abstract: This study investigated the mechanisms of salt resistance of four maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids [cultivar (cv.) Pioneer 3906 and newly developed hybrids SR03, SR12 and SR13] during the first phase of salt stress. Plants were grown in aerated nutrient solutions at 1 mM Na+ (control) and 100 mM Na+ (salt stress). Stress was imposed in 25 mM steps and plants were harvested after 2 days at 100 mM Na+. At 100 mM Na+ the area of the fourth leaf, which developed under salt stress, did not change significantly in SR03 and SR12 whereas significant reductions were observed in cv. Pioneer 3906 and SR13. Concentrations of assimilates (i.e. glucose, fructose and sucrose) in the shoot sap were significantly greater under salt stress in SR03 and SR12. However, the greater assimilate supply was not responsible for their salt resistance as there were no significant reductions in assimilate concentrations even in the other two genotypes. Shoot turgor and growth were maintained in SR03 and SR12 at 100 mM Na+ through significant increases in osmolality of the shoot sap. Concentrations of free ABA and ABA-glucose esters (ABA-GE) in the growing region of the fourth leaf increased significantly under salt stress in all genotypes. Leaf area at 100 mM Na(+), expressed as a percentage of that at 1 mM, showed significant positive relationships with free ABA (R(2) = 0.62) and the sum of free ABA and ABA-GE (R(2) = 0.65). Results of this study indicate clearly that a combination of partial osmotic adjustment, a possible reduction of the sensitivity of leaf growth under salt stress to increased ABA concentrations and a growth-promoting function regulated by ABA is responsible for salt resistance in the first phase of salt stress. Genotypic variation in these mechanisms can be utilized to breed salt-resistant genotypes in maize.

Present and Future Prospects of Seaweeds in Developing Functional Foods

Abstract: There has been a combined effort among scientists to explore and utilize varying food sources to develop functional foods to cater the ever-increasing demand from the consumers, who seek health-promoting roles of dietary compounds. Considering the diversity of biochemicals in seaweeds that are capable of exerting bioactivities, a growing trend is developing across globe to employ seaweeds in functional food development. Proteins, peptides, amino acids, polysaccharides, phenolics, lipids, vitamins, and minerals in seaweeds and their functional properties provide insights into the success of potential functional food products that can be developed utilizing seaweeds. However, several factors need to be taken into consideration in designing seaweed-based functional foods to obtain the market success. This chapter elaborates on the prospects of seaweeds in developing seaweed-based functional food products.