Evaluation of Luffa (Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb) varieties under low country intermediate zone of Sri Lanka

Luffa (Luffa acutangulu) is a popular low country vegetable in Sri Lanka and it is one of the mosthighly utilized vegetable species in the fanning systems of dry and intermediate zones. The existingLuffa varieties in Sri Lanka, recommended by the Department of Agriculture, and the introducedhybrids are vulnerable to pests and diseases and the cost for pest control mainly accounts for thehigher production cost of Luffa. Makandura Selection (MK) is a Luffa variety selected from farmerfields and it shows tolerance to fruit fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillettj), which is the mostserious pest causing high level of economic losses. Therefore, an experiment was conducted at theRegional Agricultural Research and Development Centre, Makandura, to evaluate the performanceof Makandura Selection along with the two Department of Agricu Iture recommended Luffa varieties,Asiri and LA 33. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with fourreplicates. Evaluation was done based on reproductive, yield and fruit quality parameters. Though thevariety LA 33 recorded the significantly highest yield (9.08 t/ha), the higher fruit length (35.02 ern),higher fruit weight (280.5 g) and high fruit firmness (4.38 kg) were not desirable in the context ofconsumer preference. The variety Asiri recorded a significantly lower yield (7.05 t ha') and thelowest fruit firmness (3.89 kg) wh ich are not preferred by the farmers. The variety MakanduraSelection showed moderate yields (8.98 t ha') and better performance in fruit quality attributes suchas lower fru it length (21.7 ern), lower fru it weight (207.2 g) and moderate firmness (4.25 kg). Therefore,the fruit fly tolerant ability, along with these positive fruit characteristics makes Makandura Selectiona suitable variety to introduce to the Luffa growers in Sri Lanka after further testing

An unusually large myofibroblastoma in a male breast: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Myofibroblastoma of the breast is a rare benign stromal tumour seen predominantly in men. The gross appearance is that of a well-circumscribed nodule, characteristically small, seldom exceeding 3 cm. We present a case of an unusually large myofibroblastoma, which mimicked a malignant breast tumour.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 65-year-old man presented with a rapid enlargement of the right breast over 6 weeks. Examination revealed a firm 15 cm hemispherical lump occupying the whole of the right breast with peau d'orange appearance of the overlying skin and distortion of the nipple. The clinical and radiological features suggested the possibility of sarcoma of the breast. However, a guided Tru-Cut biopsy was inconclusive. A mastectomy was performed to remove the tumour, which weighed more than 2 kg. Histopathology and immunocytochemistry revealed a mixed classical and collagenised type of myofibroblastoma. The patient is well with no evidence of recurrence 5 years after the mastectomy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This unexpected presentation of an unusually large myofibroblastoma in a male breast is the largest reported to date. Myofibroblastomas can mimic malignant neoplasms and the clinical significance of this entity lies primarily in its recognition as a distinctive benign neoplasm.</p

Short term effects on liver and renal functions following chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer patients in oncology clinic, university hospital Kotelawala Defence University in Sri Lanka

Background: Breast cancer tops the global cancer incidence rates, having the highest rate of death among women. The primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of standard chemotherapy treatment dose adjusted for the Sri Lankan population, on hepatic and kidney function of breast cancer patients. Methods: The study conducted a cross-sectional, retrospective and prospective analysis of 75 breast cancer patients who received doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel chemotherapy regimen with normal liver and renal function at baseline at UHKDU oncology clinic. The study population had a mean age and BMI of 54.04±11.33 years and 26.7±3.89, respectively. Prior to starting the 16-cycle chemotherapy treatment, mean serum SGOT, SGPT, Creatinine, and eGFR values were 27.57 U/l, 31.32 U/l, 0.71 mg/dl, and 99.07 ml/minute/1.73 m2 respectively. Results: During the treatment, there was a statistically significant increase in the mean values of SGOT and SGPT (p&lt;0.05), whereas there was no significant variation in the mean values of creatinine and eGFR (p&gt;0.05) compared to the baseline results. The study identified a significant positive correlation in SGOT (r=0.793) and SGPT (r=0.872) values, while there was a noteworthy negative correlation (r=-0.757) between eGFR and chemotherapy cycle. Furthermore, there was a positive significant correlation between serum creatinine levels and chemotherapy cycle (r=0.579). Conclusions: The dosed adjusted chemotherapy regimen had a significant impact on hepatic function but had no statistically significant impact on renal function among the study population. Further research is recommended to evaluate the long-term effects of standard chemotherapy treatment on liver and kidney functions

Pancreatectomy for metastasis to the pancreas from colorectal cancer and reconstruction of superior mesenteric vein: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Tumors of the pancreatic head can infiltrate the superior mesenteric vein. In such cases, the deep veins of the lower limbs can serve as suitable autologous conduits for superior mesenteric vein reconstruction after its resection. Few data exist, however, describing the technique and the immediate patency of such reconstruction.</p> <p>Case report</p> <p>We present the case of a 70-year-old Caucasian man with a metachronous metastasis of colon cancer and infiltration of the uncinate pancreatic process, on the anterior surface of which the tumor was located. <it>En bloc </it>resection of the tumor was performed with resection of the superior mesenteric vein and reconstruction. A 10 cm segment of the superficial femoral vein was harvested for the reconstruction. The superficial femoral vein segment was inter-positioned in an end-to-end fashion. The post-operative conduit patency was documented ultrasonographically immediately post-operatively and after a six-month period. The vein donor limb presented subtle signs of post-operative venous hypertension with edema, which was managed with compression stockings and led to significant improvement after six months.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In cases of exploratory laparotomies with high clinical suspicion of pancreatic involvement, the potential need for vascular reconstruction dictates the preparation for leg vein harvest in advance. The superficial femoral vein provides a suitable conduit for the reconstruction of the superior mesenteric vein. This report supports the uncomplicated nature of this technique, since few data exist about this type of reconstruction.</p

NUCLEAR FACTOR Y Transcription Factors Have Both Opposing and Additive Roles in ABA-Mediated Seed Germination

The authors thank Bing Zhang and Taylor Fore for use of the Zeiss AxioImager microscope and technical assistance. We additionally thank Krishna Suthar and Ashley Robbins for technical support in the lab.Conceived and designed the experiments: BFH RWK. Performed the experiments: RWK CLS KKG JRR NS. Analyzed the data: RWK BFH. Wrote the paper: RWK BFH.In the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana the heterotrimeric transcription factor NUCLEAR FACTOR Y (NF-Y) has been shown to play multiple roles in facilitating plant growth and development. Although NF-Y itself represents a multi-protein transcriptional complex, recent studies have shown important interactions with other transcription factors, especially those in the bZIP family. Here we add to the growing evidence that NF-Y and bZIP form common complexes to affect many processes. We carried out transcriptional profiling on nf-yc mutants and through subsequent analyses found an enrichment of bZIP binding sites in the promoter elements of misregulated genes. Using NF-Y as bait, yeast two hybrid assays yielded interactions with bZIP proteins that are known to control ABA signaling. Accordingly, we find that plants mutant for several NF-Y subunits show characteristic phenotypes associated with the disruption of ABA signaling. While previous reports have shown additive roles for NF-YC family members in photoperiodic flowering, we found that they can have opposing roles in ABA signaling. Collectively, these results demonstrated the importance and complexity of NF-Y in the integration of environmental and hormone signals.Yeshttp://www.plosone.org/static/editorial#pee

Literature review and a preliminary study on leishmaniasis to inform community awareness campaigns in Sri Lanka

Background: Accurate knowledge about transmission and potential risk factors of leishmaniasis among residents in endemic areas is imperative. This paper presents a review of the existing literature on leishmaniasis risk factors in Sri Lanka and a preliminary study of the disease related awareness, attitudes and practices in an endemic area.Methods: Publications on epidemiology of leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka were reviewed. Data were collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire from 120 inhabitants in Dickwella Divisional Secretariat in the District of Matara by a multistage cluster sampling method.Results: Around 20 publications were reviewed, and potential risk factors identified. In the field survey, 21.7% (n=26/120) were aware of the name “leishmaniasis”. Disease vector was identified by 68.1% (n=64/94) through the shown picture and description. Acne form was known as a type of early leishmanial skin lesion by 81.1% (n=73/90). Potential risk factors such as cracks of house walls (55.8%, n=67/120), damp areas in houses (60.0%, n=72/120), animal burrows (45%, n=54/120) and livestock pens (12.5%, n=15/120) were abundant in this area. Western medical treatment was preferred by 78.9% (n=71/90) as the treatment option. Around 58.9% (n=53/90) of respondents felt that disease prevention is a combined responsibility of community and the government.Conclusions: Even though, potential environmental risk factors were abundant, this study found poor awareness regarding the salient aspects of leishmaniasis among the participants. They possessed positive attitudes towards curability of the disease, obtaining proper treatment and disease control.</p

Role of Portal Vein Embolization in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Management and Its Effect on Recurrence: A Case-control Study

Background Liver regeneration that occurs after portal vein embolization (PVE) may have adverse effects on the microscopic tumor foci in the residual liver mass in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Fifty-four HCC patients with inadequate functional residual liver volume were offered PVE during a seven-year period. Among them, 34 (63%) patients underwent curative resection. They were compared with a matched control group (n = 102) who underwent surgery without PVE. Postoperative complications, pattern of recurrence, and survival were compared between groups. Results In the PVE group, a pre-embolization functional residual liver volume of 23% (12-33.5%) improved to 34% (20-54%) (p = 0.005) at the time of surgery. When the two groups were compared, minor (PVE, 24%; control, 29%; p = 0.651) and major (PVE, 18%; control, 15%; p = 0.784) complications were similar. After a follow-up period of 35 months (standard deviation 25 months), extrahepatic recurrences were detected in 10 PVE patients (29%) and 41 control patients (40%) (p = 0.310). Intrahepatic recurrences were seen in 10 (29%) and 47 (46%) cases (p = 0.109) in the PVE and control groups, respectively. In the PVE group, 41% (n = 14) of the recurrences were detected before one year, compared with 42% (n = 43) in the control group (p = 1). Disease-free survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 57, 29, and 26% in the control group and 60, 42, and 42% in the PVE group (log-rank, p = 0.335). On multivariate analysis, PVE was not a factor affecting survival (p = 0.821). Conclusions Portal vein embolization increases the resectability of initially unresectable HCC due to inadequate functional residual liver volume, and it has no deleterious oncological effect after major resection of HCC. © The Author(s) 2012.published_or_final_versionSpringer Open Choice, 28 May 201

Surgical strategies for treatment of malignant pancreatic tumors: extended, standard or local surgery?

Tumor related pancreatic surgery has progressed significantly during recent years. Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) with lymphadenectomy, including vascular resection, still presents the optimal surgical procedure for carcinomas in the head of pancreas. For patients with small or low-grade malignant neoplasms, as well as small pancreatic metastases located in the mid-portion of pancreas, central pancreatectomy (CP) is emerging as a safe and effective option with a low risk of developing de-novo exocrine and/or endocrine insufficiency. Total pancreatectomy (TP) is not as risky as it was years ago and can nowadays safely be performed, but its indication is limited to locally extended tumors that cannot be removed by PD or distal pancreatectomy (DP) with tumor free surgical margins. Consequently, TP has not been adopted as a routine procedure by most surgeons. On the other hand, an aggressive attitude is required in case of advanced distal pancreatic tumors, provided that safe and experienced surgery is available. Due to the development of modern instruments, laparoscopic operations became more and more successful, even in malignant pancreatic diseases. This review summarizes the recent literature on the abovementioned topics

Evidence for Regulation of Hemoglobin Metabolism and Intracellular Ionic Flux by the Plasmodium falciparum Chloroquine Resistance Transporter

Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance constitutes a major obstacle to the global malaria elimination campaign. Specific mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (PfCRT) mediate resistance to the 4-aminoquinoline drug chloroquine and impact parasite susceptibility to several partner agents used in current artemisinin-based combination therapies, including amodiaquine. By examining gene-edited parasites, we report that the ability of the wide-spread Dd2 PfCRT isoform to mediate chloroquine and amodiaquine resistance is substantially reduced by the addition of the PfCRT L272F mutation, which arose under blasticidin selection. We also provide evidence that L272F confers a significant fitness cost to asexual blood stage parasites. Studies with amino acid-restricted media identify this mutant as a methionine auxotroph. Metabolomic analysis also reveals an accumulation of short, hemoglobin-derived peptides in the Dd2 + L272F and Dd2 isoforms, compared with parasites expressing wild-type PfCRT. Physiologic studies with the ionophores monensin and nigericin support an impact of PfCRT isoforms on Ca2+ release, with substantially reduced Ca2+ levels observed in Dd2 + L272F parasites. Our data reveal a central role for PfCRT in regulating hemoglobin catabolism, amino acid availability, and ionic balance in P. falciparum, in addition to its role in determining parasite susceptibility to heme-binding 4-aminoquinoline drugs