NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE VARIATION IN LEPTIN GENE OF MURRAH BUFFALO (BUBALUS BUBALIS)

Leptin is a 16 kD protein, synthesized by adipose tissue and is involved in regulation of feed intake, energy balance, fertility and immune functions. Present study was undertaken with the objectives of sequence characterization and studying the nucleotide variation in leptin gene in Murrah buffalo. The leptin gene consists of three exons and two introns which spans about 18.9kb, of which the first exon is not transcribed into protein. In buffaloes, the leptin gene is located on chromosome eight and maps to BBU 8q32. The leptin gene was amplified by PCR using oligonucleotide primers to obtain 289 bp fragment comprising of exon 2 and 405 bp fragment containing exon 3 of leptin gene. The amplicons were sequenced to identify variation at nucleotide level. Sequence comparison of buffalo with cattle reveals variation at five nucleotide sequences at positions 983, 1083, 1147, 1152, 1221 and all the SNPs are synonymous resulting no in change in amino acids. Three of these eight nucleotide variations have been reported for the first time in buffalo. The results indicate conservation of DNA sequence between cattle and buffalo. Nucleotide sequence variations observed at leptin gene between Bubalus bubalis and Bos taurus species revealed 97% nucleotide identity

Common mental disorders among adult members of 'left-behind' international migrant worker families in Sri Lanka

BACKGROUND: Nearly one-in-ten Sri Lankans are employed abroad as International migrant workers (IMW). Very little is known about the mental health of adult members in families left-behind. This study aimed to explore the impact of economic migration on mental health (common mental disorders) of left-behind families in Sri Lanka. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey using multistage sampling was conducted in six districts (representing 62% of outbound IMW population) of Sri Lanka. Spouses and non-spouse caregivers (those providing substantial care for children) from families of economic migrants were recruited. Adult mental health was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire. Demographic, socio-economic, migration-specific and health utilization information were gathered. RESULTS: A total of 410 IMW families were recruited (response rate: 95.1%). Both spouse and a non-spouse caregiver were recruited for 55 families with a total of 277 spouses and 188 caregivers included. Poor general health, current diagnosed illness and healthcare visit frequency was higher in the non-spouse caregiver group. Overall prevalence of common mental disorder (CMD; Depression, somatoform disorder, anxiety) was 20.7% (95%CI 16.9-24.3) with 14.4% (95%CI 10.3-18.6) among spouses and 29.8% (95%CI 23.2-36.4) among non-spouse caregivers. Prevalence of depression (25.5%; 95%CI 19.2-31.8) and somatoform disorder 11.7% (95%CI 7.0-16.3) was higher in non-spouse caregiver group. When adjusted for age and gender, non-returning IMW in family, primary education and low in-bound remittance frequency was associated with CMD for spouses while no education, poor general health and increased healthcare visits was significantly associated in the non-spouse caregiver group. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies to explore specific mental health outcomes among adult left-behind family members of IMW through standardized diagnostic instruments in Sri Lanka and in South Asian region. Negative impact of economic migration is highlighted by the considerably high prevalence of CMD among adults in left-behind families. A policy framework that enables health protection whilst promoting migration for development remains a key challenge for labour-sending nations

Feminization of Sri Lankan Doctors and Key Specialties: 2000 to 2020

The study focused on the feminization of Sri Lankan generalist doctors in all major and selected minor specialties between 2000 and 2020. The study analyzed all relevant documents by exploring Sri Lanka's male-to-female doctor and specialist ratio over 20 years. This was determined by analyzing state medical faculty records from 1990 to 2020. For better clarity, the researchers analyzed the gender ratio changes in every five-year block from 1990 to 2020. Focus groups filled PGIM's gender data fields. Five-year medical students surged from 43% to 63% between 1990 and 2020. Linear trend analysis predicts 68% of female medical students by 2025 and 72% by 2030. This study simulated generalist doctors with medical students. Until recently, men dominated medicine, surgery, obstetrics, and pediatrics. Female specialists have increased in all fields over the past 20 years. The feminization of medical doctors challenges national human resource policies and health sector reforms. They emphasize gender-sensitive health workforce planning that considers a country's economic development and healthcare system. Sri Lankan health policymakers should consider gender dynamics in national health HR planning for the next decade

A new and automated risk prediction of coronary artery disease using clinical endpoints and medical imaging-derived patient-specific insights: protocol for the retrospective GeoCAD cohort study

INTRODUCTION: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. More than a quarter of cardiovascular events are unexplained by current absolute cardiovascular disease risk calculators, and individuals without clinical risk factors have been shown to have worse outcomes. The 'anatomy of risk' hypothesis recognises that adverse anatomical features of coronary arteries enhance atherogenic haemodynamics, which in turn mediate the localisation and progression of plaques. We propose a new risk prediction method predicated on CT coronary angiography (CTCA) data and state-of-the-art machine learning methods based on a better understanding of anatomical risk for CAD. This may open new pathways in the early implementation of personalised preventive therapies in susceptible individuals as a potential key in addressing the growing burden of CAD. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: GeoCAD is a retrospective cohort study in 1000 adult patients who have undergone CTCA for investigation of suspected CAD. It is a proof-of-concept study to test the hypothesis that advanced image-derived patient-specific data can accurately predict long-term cardiovascular events. The objectives are to (1) profile CTCA images with respect to variations in anatomical shape and associated haemodynamic risk expressing, at least in part, an individual's CAD risk, (2) develop a machine-learning algorithm for the rapid assessment of anatomical risk directly from unprocessed CTCA images and (3) to build a novel CAD risk model combining traditional risk factors with these novel anatomical biomarkers to provide a higher accuracy CAD risk prediction tool. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol has been approved by the St Vincent's Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee, Sydney-2020/ETH02127 and the NSW Population and Health Service Research Ethics Committee-2021/ETH00990. The project outcomes will be published in peer-reviewed and biomedical journals, scientific conferences and as a higher degree research thesis

Fast Multiple Point Multiplication on Elliptic Curves over Prime and Binary Fields using the Double-Base Number System

Multiple-point multiplication on elliptic curves is the highest computational complex operation in the elliptic curve cyptographic based digital signature schemes. We describe three algorithms for multiple-point multiplication on elliptic curves over prime and binary fields, based on the representations of two scalars, as sums of mixed powers of 2 and 3. Our approaches include sliding window mechanism and some precomputed values of points on the curve. A proof for formulae to calculate the number of double-based elements, doublings and triplings below 2^n is listed. Affine coordinates and Jacobian coordinates are considered in both prime fields and binary fields. We have achieved upto 24% of improvements in new algorithms for multiple-point multiplication

The Evaluation of Living Stature in Purana Inhabitants at the Foot of Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

The human stature is determined by combination of genetic and environmentfactors such as nutrition and socioeconomic states. The human stature can vary amongpopulations. The present study evaluates the living stature of present purana inhabitantsat the foot of the Sigiriya. The stature of present purana population was taken from 300male and female purana inhabitants representing Pidurangala, Thalkote, Diyakepilla andNagalaweva purana villages of Sigiriya. The selection of purana individual was basedon oral pedigree analysis and pedigree was traced back to at least three generations. Thestature was measured using a temporary stadiometer prepared by us with the accuracyof 0.1cm. The mean stature of purana females and males were 152.90cm ± 7.05 and165.70cm ± 7.58 respectively. The obtained male and female mean stature of the studywas higher than reported average stature of Sri Lankan present male being163.6cm ±6.9 and female being 151.4cm ±6.4 reported by Ranasinghe 2011. The obtained meanstature male being 165.70cm ± 7.58 was higher than the reported mean height of veddabeing 156.62cm ± 5.59 reported by Wikramanayake 1992. The obtained mean stature ofpurana male was higher than the Indian male being 165.2cm reported by Deaton 2008,Malaysian male being 164.7cm reported by Lim et al 2000 and Indonesian male being158cm reported by Tunonggir 2009 while the mean stature of male was lower than theChinese male being 166.3cm reported by Yang et al 2005. The obtained mean stature ofpurana female was higher than the Indian female being 152.1cm reported by Deaton2008, Indonesian female being 147cm reported by Tunonggir 2009 while the meanstature was lower than the Chinese female being 157cm reported by Yang et al 2005and Malaysian female being 153.3cm reported by Lim et al. 2000.The higher stature ofpurana inhabitants of Sigiriya may be due to having agricultural live hood and peoplemaintaining better nutrition and another contributed factor by being a geneticallyisolated group.Key words: Purana inhabitants, living height, Human diversit

Cephalic Index in Purana Inhabitants at the Foot of Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Racial and ethnic differences in cranial morphology are documented. Geneticand non genetic factors such as climate and nutritional status are known to influence thecranial variation observed between human populations. The Cephalic index is importantwhen comparing the cranial morphology of the different ethnic groups in populations.The purana populations in Sigiriya facing imminent threat of extinction trace theirancestry to the times of the Sinhalese King of the 5th Century A.D. This study wascarried out to determine the cranial index of purana inhabitants of Thalkote,Diyakepilla, Nagalawewa and Pidurangala purana villages at the foot of Sigiriya. Onehundred and six male and 206 female purana inhabitants belonging to purana pedigreewith apparently healthy and without any craniofacial deformity, were recruited for thisstudy. The individual selection was based on verbal pedigree analysis and pedigree wastraced back to at least three generations. The maximum cranial length and breadth wastaken according to the standard anthropometry procedure described in Harrison et al in1990 by using spreading caliper. The horizontal cephalic index of each individual wascalculated by using measured maximum cranial length and maximum cranial breadth ofeach individual. The calculated mean horizontal cephalic index of male was 78.33 ±5.29 (mesocephalic) and female was 80.79 ± 5.86 (mesocephalic). The mean horizontalcephalic index for male and female was 80.04 ± 5.80 (mesocephalic). The meanhorizontal cephalic indices of male (78.33) and female (80.79) in this study was higherthan the mean value of Sri Lankan population reported by Illeperuma 2011, male as78.04 and female as 79.32. The obtained mean horizontal cephalic index in this studybeing 80.04 was higher than the mean value of Sri Lankan population (78.54) reportedby Illeperuma 2011 and Iranians : 75 (Farahani) and it is lower than the Indians : 80.42(del sol), Europeans in Mediterranean region : 81.19, Japanese : 87, (Nakahani 1986).These finding reinforce the racial diversity in the cephalic index between the puranainhabitants and modern Sri Lankans.Key words: Purana inhabitants, Cephalic index, Human diversit

Impact of Covid-19 on Stock Market Indices: Evidence from Colombo Stock Exchange

Purpose: The study intends to address the question, “What is the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on stock market indices in the Colombo Stock Exchange”. This would support potential and existing investors to understand the behaviour of the stock market during the pandemic to make effective long-term decisions since there are only a few studies currently available in Sri Lankan context. Design/Methodology/Approach: A log-linear multiple regression model was executed whereby the dependent variables, All Share Price Index and S&P SL 20 index, were regressed against independent variables, daily new cases and deaths reported, fiscal and monetary policy measures implemented, and island-wide travel restrictions imposed during the period to analyze the impact of Covid-19 on the financial market over 270 days, from 27th January 2020 to 30th April 2021, covering two waves of the pandemic. Findings: The regression analysis revealed a positive relationship between the stock indices and the number of daily cases and deaths and a negative relationship with the travel restrictions imposed during the period. The policy measures implemented by the Government of Sri Lanka were insignificant in the index movements. Based on the results of this study, a positive impact on the stock indices was discovered during the pandemic; hence investors should refrain from panic withdrawals from the market. Originality: This is among the few studies to analyze the stock market performance during the Covid-19 pandemic adapted to the Sri Lankan context. The variables taken in the study can cover various aspects of the pandemic situation