Fatality percentages of Sri Lankan leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya) killed in human activities in Sri Lanka

леопард, смертность, причины, самки, самцы, деятельность людей, среда обитания, агрокультура, Шри ЛанкаПриведены данные по наблюдению за жизнью диких леопардов для уточнения наиболее распространенных причин их гибели. Рассматривались и оценивались случаи гибели леопардов в течение 2010-2016 годов, показывающие, что основной и наиболее частой причиной гибели леопардов явился человеческий фактор. Среди всех половозрастных групп наблюдалась эта же тенденция, то есть человеческий фактор также являлся основной причиной гибели животных. Этот процент гибели может быть снижен за счет понимания особенностей жизни и обитания леопардов. В дополнение к этому необходимо применять меры по защите окружающей среды, особенно в тех местах, где сосредоточенa большая популяция этих животных, необходимо контролировать развитие сельского хозяйства в данных областях, привлекать внимание людей к данной проблеме за счет информации в виде вывесок, ограничивать скорость движения транспорта, чтобы снизить процент гибели животных

Мониторинг воспроизводства и влияния фекального прогестерона на репродуктивную цикличность циклов самбарского оленя Шри-Ланки (Rusa unicolor unicolor)

Sambar deer hinds, estrus, progesterone, estrous cycle, Sri LankaThis study examines the length of the estrous cycle in 16 Sambar deer hinds in National zoological gardens in Dehiwala and Kegalle, Sri Lanka (NZGDK) assessed with the use of changes in progesterone concentrations, along with the changes in the profile of this hormone and by the visual estrus manifestations. The objectives of the present study were to characterize ovarian activity throughout the estrous cycle and the non-pregnant luteal phase of captive sambar deer in Sri Lanka. These objectives were achieved with the use of radioimmunoassay (RIA) to measure fecal concentrations of progesterone and visual estrus manifestation. Fecal samples were collected from non-pregnant sambar deer hinds (aged 2–4 years)over the period of six months on daily basis, both during breeding and non-breeding seasons. Estrous cycles were recorded in non-pregnant females, based on fecal progesterone concentrations. The average estrous cycle length was 26.1±2.08 days (mean ± SEM) and 2.10 ± 0.51 days in the inter-luteal phase.The average fecal progesterone concentrations attained the peak mid-luteal values of 2.74 ng mL–1. There appeared to be variation in fecal progesterone amplitude between animals and between dates, but the low frequency of sampling prohibited confirmation of trends. Behavioral estrus was detected only when the average progesterone concentrations were less than 0.07 ng mL–1. However, not all periods of depressed progesterone secretion were associated with the observed estrus. Behavioral estrus was detected in hinds when progesterone concentrations were less than 0.07 ng mL–1; a subsequent rise in progesterone indicated ovulation taking place at this time

Comparison of fermentation properties in raw and boiled legumes after simulated digestion

This study compared the fermentation properties of selected raw and boiled legumes after simulated digestion. Raw and boiled; mung bean, two cowpea cultivars (Waruni and Dhawala), horse gram, and chickpea were subjected to simulated digestion and fermentation using swine gastric and intestinal juices and cecal bacteria. Simulated digestion significantly (p &lt;0.05) reduced prebiotic potential of some legume substrates except boiled; mung bean, Waruni, chickpea, Dhawala, and raw; Dhawala and horse gram. Digested residues of boiled chickpea, horse gram, and Waruni showed significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher Bifidobacterium proliferation ability when compared to digested residues of boiled mung bean and Dhawala. Even after simulated digestion, chickpea showed the highest (p&lt;0.05) prebiotic potential compared to other legumes. Findings displayed that simulated digestion differently modulated the fermentation properties of both raw and boiled legumes. In conclusion, boiled legumes are more suitable than their raw powders for preparing prebiotic foods.</p

Lifestyle factors associated with obesity in a cohort of males in the central province of Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional descriptive study

Abstract Background Obesity has become a global epidemic. The prevalence of obesity has also increased in the South Asian region in the last decade. However, dietary and lifestyle factors associated with obesity in Sri Lankan adults are unclear. The objective of the current study was to investigate the association of dietary and lifestyle patterns with overweight and obesity in a cohort of males from the Central Province of Sri Lanka. Methods A total of 2469 males aged between 16 and 72 years ( x ¯ = 31 $$\overline{x}=31$$ ) were included in the study. The sample comprised individuals who presented for a routine medical examination at the National Transport Medical Institute, Kandy, Sri Lanka. The Body Mass Index (BMI) cutoff values for Asians were used to categorize the participants into four groups as underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese. The data on dietary and lifestyle patterns such as level of physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, sleeping hours and other socio demographic data were obtained using validated self-administered questionnaires. Multinomial logistic regression model was fitted to assess the associations of individual lifestyle patterns with overweight and obesity. Results The mean BMI of the study group was 22.7 kg m−2 and prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were 31.8 and 12.3%, respectively. Mean waist circumference of the participants was 78.6 cm with 17.1% of them being centrally obese. After adjusting for potential confounders, weight status was associated with older age (P < 0.0001), ethnicity (P = 0.0033) and higher income (P = 0.0006). While higher physical activity showed a trend for being associated with lower odds of being obese (odds ratio: 0.898 – confidence interval: 0.744–1.084), alcohol intake, consumption of fruits, level of education, sleeping hours, smoking, consumption of fish, meat, dairy, sweets or fried snacks were not significantly associated with the weight status. Conclusion The high prevalence rates of overweight and obesity in working-age males is a threatening sign for Sri Lanka. Since the prevalence rate is higher in certain ethnic groups and higher-income groups, targeted interventions for these groups may be necessary