Differential Effect of Atpenin A5 on ROS Production from Wild- Type Mitochondrial Complex II in Human Cancer Cells and Normal Cells

Human mitochondrial complex II is an intriguing enzyme, which has been the focus of medical research during the past few decades since it contributes to pathogenesis of mitochondrial diseases as well as a target for chemotherapy. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by this enzyme has been implicated in both these conditions. While ROS produced from mutated mitochondrial complex II has been implicated in pathogenesis of mitochondrial diseases, ROS produced from pharmacologically inhibited mitochondrial complex II has been implicated in cancer cell death. In this chapter, we show that inhibition of mitochondrial complex II in human cancer cells with atpenin A5 produces detectable levels of ROS while normal cells do not. Thus, this enzyme may be used as a potential target for developing new anticancer drugs to trigger ROS-mediated selective death of cancer cells

SURVEY OF THE BUTTERFLY FAUNA OF UDAWALAWA NATIONAL PARK

The surveyfound 136 species, which are listed by families with their Latin andEnglish names. They include 16 endemic, -15 threatened, 20 rare, and 3 veryrare species. Some of their habitat preferences are briefly discussed, and theimportance ofthe park butterfly fauna in relation to that of Sri Lanka as a wholeis made clear

Centralized Platform for Managing Activities in E-Commerce Store

This project is a web-based online shop management system for an existing store. This online shop management system mainly considers managing and automating the tasks in the online store. One of the main problems raised on existing systems was that there is no control with the admin user to manage items in the store. This system has users as Customers (Buyers), Admins, and Sellers.  This proposed system allows these three users to manage their activities in a central platform. This research paper mainly discusses the main functionalities available in this system, how these functionalities are performed by each user, and the way that these functionalities are implemented and tested.  An in-depth discussion of the tools and technology chosen to develop this system and the reason behind those choices are also included in this research paper

Comparative study on the intervention of ‘Spice’ Mixture (SM) prepared by Natural Food Additives (NFA) alone or intervention of SM with mind calming exercise in the management on female obesity

889-896Obesity has become huge health problem in the entire world. In Sri Lanka, the prevalence of obesity is estimated to be 20.3% in men and 36.5% in women in four provinces. Further, the highest prevalence rate in Western Province, especially in Colombo was estimated to be 32.2%, among adults. Obesity is associated with osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, gall stones, and hiatus hernia. In addition to this obesity is related to numerous other problems, such as menstrual and mental disorders and varicose vein etc. According to the concept of Unani four treatment modalities are there; they are known as Dieto therapy (Ilaj Bil Ghiza), Pharmaco therapy (Ilaj Bil Dawa), Regimental therapy (Ilaj Bit Tadbeer) and Surgery (Ilaj Bil Yad). Biomarkers such as Lipid profile (VLDL, LDL, HDL And Serum triglycerides), Haemoglobin percentage, SGPT and SC (Serum Creatinine) were considered. Blood sample analysis was performed at NATH (National Ayurvedic Teaching Hospital), Borella, National Diabetic Centre, Rajagiriya and Asiri Hospitals Ltd. According to Unani or Greco-Arabic medical concept, improper digestion may play a main role to cause obesity. Improper digestion was corrected by using a ‘spice’ mixture made by Natural Food Additives (NFA), which possesses the actions of carminative, digestive and strengthens the gastro-intestinal tract. The preparation of ‘spice’ mixture included Natural Food Additives (NFA). They are Cumin (Cuminum cyminum), Garlic (Allium sativum), Curry Leaves (Murraya koenigii), Ceylon Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and Black Pepper (Piper nigram). Studies revealed that waist circumferences (WC) is closely linked to CV disease risk factors. Also, WHO Expert Committee on Obesity in Asian and Pacific populations suggested that revised cutoff points for WC: 90 cm for men and 80 cm for women to identify patients with abdominal obesity. South Asians are more prone to insulin resistance and dyslipidaemic state of abdominal obesity. Study concluded that the intervention of ‘spice’ mixture reduces obesity and the effective mind calm exercises would give more beneficial effect in weight reduction

Comperative Study on the Intervention of ‘Spice ‘ Mixture (SM) Prepared by Natural Food Additives (NFA) Alone or Intervention of SM with Mind Calming Exercise in the Management on Female Obesity

Obesity has become huge health problem in the entire world. In Sri Lanka, the prevalence of obesity is estimated to be 20.3% in men and 36.5% in women in four provinces. Further, the highest prevalence rate in Western Province, especially in Colombo was estimated to be 32.2%, among adults. Obesity is associated with osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, gall stones, and hiatus hernia. In addition to this obesity is related to numerous other problems, such as menstrual and mental disorders and varicose vein etc. According to the concept of Unani four treatment modalities are there; they are known as Dieto therapy (Ilaj Bil Ghiza), Pharmaco therapy (Ilaj Bil Dawa), Regimental therapy (Ilaj Bit Tadbeer) and Surgery (Ilaj Bil Yad). Biomarkers such as Lipid profile (VLDL, LDL, HDL And Serum triglycerides), Haemoglobin percentage, SGPT and SC (Serum Creatinine) were considered. Blood sample analysis was performed at NATH (National Ayurvedic Teaching Hospital), Borella, National Diabetic Centre, Rajagiriya and Asiri Hospitals Ltd. According to Unani or Greco-Arabic medical concept, improper digestion may play a main role to cause obesity. Improper digestion was corrected by using a ‘spice’ mixture made by Natural Food Additives (NFA), which possesses the actions of carminative, digestive and strengthens the gastro-intestinal tract. The preparation of ‘spice’ mixture included Natural Food Additives (NFA). They are Cumin (Cuminum cyminum), Garlic (Allium sativum), Curry Leaves (Murraya koenigii), Ceylon Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and Black Pepper (Piper nigram). Studies revealed that waist circumferences (WC) is closely linked to CV disease risk factors. Also, WHO Expert Committee on Obesity in Asian and Pacific populations suggested that revised cutoff points for WC: 90 cm for men and 80 cm for women to identify patients with abdominal obesity. South Asians are more prone to insulin resistance and dyslipidaemic state of abdominal obesity. Study concluded that the intervention of ‘spice’ mixture reduces obesity and the effective mind calm exercises would give more beneficial effect in weight reduction

Efficacy of intravenous hydrocortisone administered 2e4 h prior to antivenom as prophylaxis against adverse drug reactions to snake antivenom in Sri Lanka: An open labelled randomized controlled trial

The prevention of adverse drug reactions to antivenom serum poses a formidable challenge in the management of snakebite. Hydrocortisone is being used concurrently with antivenom in order to prevent these adverse drug reactions without a proven benefit. However, all previous studies seemed to ignore the testing of effectiveness of hydrocortisone therapy during its pharmacological effects, which come hours later. On this principle, we aimed to test the effectiveness of intravenous hydrocortisone given 2 h or more prior to the commencement of antivenom therapy to reduce adverse drug reactions to antivenom. In an open-labelled randomized controlled trial, patients with a history of snakebite were randomly assigned to receive either 500 mg intravenous hydrocortisone bolus given 2 h or more prior to antivenom therapy (Group A) or at the time of antivenom therapy (Group B). The primary endpoint was the reduction of adverse drug reactions to antivenom of any grade of severity within the first 48 h. This trial has been registered with the "Sri Lanka Clinical Trials Registry", number SLCTR/2010/005. A total of 236 patients were randomized to group A or Group B. In the group A, 38 participants received hydrocortisone 2 h before administration of antivenom whilst 33 received hydrocortisone less than 2 h before administration of antivenom. In the Group B, 84 participants received hydrocortisone at the time of antivenom therapy. In Group A (n, 38), and Group B (n, 84), 15 patients (39%) and 29 patients (35%) developed reactions respectively and the difference is not significant (p ¼ 0.598). Moreover, hydrocortisone therapy did not significantly reduce the occurrence of antievnom reactions of any grade of severity. Further, it didn't delay the occurrence of antivenom reactions in patients who received hydrocortisone either more than 2 h or less than 2 h before the antivenom as opposed to the control group (group B). Intravenous hydrocortisone shows no difference in the timing, rate or severity of adverse drug reactions to antivenom when administered simultaneously and up to 4 h prior to antivenom