Nucleotide Sequence and Secondary Structure Variations in ITS2-rDNA Region of the Members of Anopheles culicifacies (Diptera: Culicidae) Species Complex

Anopheles culicifacies, major vector of malaria in Sri Lanka is a five member species complex. Differences of the vector competence of siblings, is still poorly delineated. Therefore, the current study was carried out to observe any relationship of the variations in vector competence to ITS2 nucleotide sequences and secondary structure characteristics of the species complex. DNA was extracted from sibling species B and E, the ITS2 region was amplified and sequenced. Sequences for A, C and D siblings were retrieved from NCBI GenBank. The complex divided into two groups, AD and BCE based on primary and secondary structure of the ITS2 sequences. Secondary structures of all species had three helices where pyrimidine-pyrimidine mismatch in Helix II and a UUUGG motif at 5‘ of Helix III were displayed only for B, C and E. Among five types of loops, interior and exterior loops were more conserved than other loop types. Results showed the major vector sibling E and poor or non vector sibling B shares identical nucleotide sequence and secondary structure. Therefore, ITS2 secondary structure is independent of the vector competence of the sibling species

The blending effect of natural polysaccharides with nano-zirconia towards the removal of fluoride and arsenate from water

Nano-zirconia (ZO) was synthesized using a microwave-assisted one-pot precipitation route. Two biopolymers, chitosan (CTS) and carboxymethyl cellulose were blended with ZO at different w/w ratios. The formulation with 30% w/w chitosan (ZO-CTS) was found to give enhanced uptake of F− and As(V). ZO and the most effective ZO-CTS system were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These confirmed the formation of a composite system containing nanoparticles of 50 nm in size, in which ZO was present in the amorphous form. It was observed that the combination of ZO with CTS improved the F− and As(V) adsorption capacity most notably at pH 5.5. Fluoride adsorption by ZO-CTS followed the Freundlich isotherm model, with an adsorption capacity of 120 mg g−1. Adsorption of As(V) by ZO-CTS could be fitted with both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models and was found to have a capacity of 14.8 mg g−1. Gravity filtration studies conducted for groundwater levels indicated the effectiveness of ZO-CTS in adsorbing As(V) and F− at a pH of 5.5. The ability of the ZO-CTS in removing Cd(II) and Pb(II) was also investigated, and no such enhancement was observed, and found the neat ZO was the most potent sorbent here

Impact of a ward based clinical pharmacy service on drug-related hospital re-admissions - Evidence from a controlled clinical trial in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka

Objective: To determine the impact of a ward-based clinical pharmacy service on drug related hospital re-admissions.Methods: This was a part of a controlled trial conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka to evaluate the clinical pharmacy service. The control group received the standard care whereas the intervention group received a ward-based pharmacist’s service in addition to the standard care. The pharmacist performed a prospective medications review of patients with chronic non-communicable diseases during their hospital stay and made recommendations to the health care team when appropriate. At discharge reconciliation of discharge prescription was done. Patients were educated about discharge medicines to improve knowledge and compliance. Both groups were followed up monthly for six months to identify drug-related hospital re-admissions.Results: Of 137 drug-related re-admissions, 93 (involving 87/356 patients) were from the control group, and 44 (involving 42/361 patients) were from the intervention group (P < 0.001). Non-compliance was the main reason for re-admissions in the control group and it was significantly higher in the control group (control vs. intervention: 53.8% vs. 34.1%; P = 0.013). Adverse drug reactions were the most common reason for re-admission in the intervention group (23/44; 52.3%). There was a significantly larger percentage of re-admissions in the control group due to unintentional omission of drugs on discharge prescription (control vs. intervention: 17.2% vs. 2.3%; P = 0.012).Conclusion: Ward based clinical pharmacy service was useful to reduce drug related hospital re-admissions in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases. Establishing a ward based clinical pharmacy service is recommended

HLA-DQA1*05 carriage associated with development of anti-drug antibodies to infliximab and adalimumab in patients with Crohn's Disease

Anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapies are the most widely used biologic drugs for treating immune-mediated diseases, but repeated administration can induce the formation of anti-drug antibodies. The ability to identify patients at increased risk for development of anti-drug antibodies would facilitate selection of therapy and use of preventative strategies.This article is freely available via Open Access. Click on Publisher URL to access the full-text