Impacts of Meteorological Parameters on the Abundance of Malaria Vector in Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka

Malaria is one of the most widespread Vector-BorneDiseases (VBDs) in the world causing serious losses to the health and economy. Out of many factors, meteorological parameters effects on malaria distribution significantly. Conditions including higher temperature, lower relative humidity and higher wind velocity are found to be affecting on mosquito oviposition, propagation and survival. In Sri Lanka, Batticaloawas considered as one of the malaria endemicdistrictsduring recentpast. Control and effective management in these areas had been difficult due to the lack of reliable data, human resource and the deterioration of the infrastructure caused by years of armed conflict. This study was carried out to identify the relationships exist between different malaria vectors and meteorological parameters in the district of Batticaloa.Entomological surveillance was carried out in three potential malaria sensitive areas (Vakarai, Vakaneri and Mandur) with a radius of 20km in the district of Batticaloa from April 2013 to July 2014. Adult mosquito samples were collected monthly by WHO standard method; Cattle Baited Net Collection (CBNT). Monthly meteorological parameters (T: mean temperature, RF: total rainfall, WS: wind speed and RH: Relative humidity) during the study period were also collected from the Department of Meteorology. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 15.0. Pearson’s correlation coefficients (r) at 0.05 probability were used to investigate the relationships among meteorological variables of the current month along with lag time period of two months and vector densities. The most dominant mosquito species in the area was An. subpictuswith a relative abundance of 31.56% while An. nigerrimuswas the second highest (21.22%). Significant relationships were only observed with RH and WS where, An. nigerrimus showed a negative moderate relationship (r=0.372; p=0.03) while An. subpictus showed a positive relationship (r= 0.375; p=0.029) with RH. In addition, An. subpictusalsoshowed a negative relationship with one month lagged time of WS. The findings of the study reveal that the relationships that exist between the vector and the meteorological parameters are complicated and unpredictable. Neither patterns nor consistencies were observed in these relationships. The adaptation of vector and the influence of other environmental and anthropological factors on the vector mosquito could be the reason for this behaviour.Keywords:Malaria, Vector, Abundance, Relative humidity, Wind spee

CONSTRUCTION OF A PRECISE GROWTH MODEL TO PREDICT THE NDIVIDUAL STEM VOLUME OF Alstonia macrophylla WALL. EX G. DON

In order to reduce the pressure on existing Natural Forests in Sri Lanka,Forest Department promoted growing timber species as plantations and inhome gardens. Among the suggested species Alstonia macrophylla(Hawarinuga) has recently become popular due to its fast growth rate, ease ofestablishment and timber value. There are about 1913 ha extent of Alstoniamacrophylla plantations at the end of the year 1998 maintained by the ForestDepartment of Sri Lanka. However, this figure must be higher than thatbecause many other private organizations are establishing Alstoniamacrophylla plantations in the wet zone in large scale. This species is alsogrown in home gardens, alleys and borders as non-blocks (non-plantations).However, at present there is no method at present for estimating the stemvolume of this species, which is considered as the most important variable incommercial forestry. Therefore a mathematical model was constructed in thisstudy to predict the individual stem volume of Alstonia macrophylla treesgrown in plantations.Since Alstonia macrophylla is widely found in wet zone of Sri Lanka, studysites were selected from Galle (two even-aged plantations from Pituwala andWattehena Beats) districts. The ages of these plantations were 19 and 16respectively. Ten 0.02 ha circular plots with slope correction were randomlylaid out for each plantation, in order to measure the necessary parametersfrom the individual trees. Diameter at breast height (dbh), total height andheight to the crown base of all the trees inside the plots were measured.Newton's formula was used in this research because it is the most accuratemethod. In order to calculate the volume using the Newton's formula, thestem of each tree was hypothetically divided into 4 -5 sections. Then thebottom, mid and top diameters and section lengths were measured usingSpeigal Relascope and Blume Leiss Altimeter respectively. The final sectionof the tree was assumed as a cone and only the bottom diameter and heightwere used in that particular section. The total volume of each section wasestimated by adding the section volumes calculated using Newton's formulato the volume of the final section.First a theoretical model structure was developed using the relationship ofform factor with volume, height and area at the base. Regression analysis wasused to fit the data into the model. Untransformed as well as transformedcombinations of all variables were tested. In this procedure the combinedvariable (basal area * tree height) was always kept as the first explanatoryvariable. After trying with many combinations of selected variables withvolume, final model was selected using its compatibility with the real world,R2 values, and residual distributions, model bias value and modelingefficiency. The selected models at the preliminary stage indicated very highperformance and insignificant bias. In order to select a final one, the abovemodels were validated with a new set of data. The final selected model in thisstudy to predict the individual stem volume with insignificant bias ofAlstonia macrophylla is; --.jv= 0.659 log BA *Ht + 0.00404 ...fer h

SEED GERMINATION OF MASBEDDA (Gymnema sylvestre), A RARE MEDICINAL PLANT AS AFFECTED BY pH AND ORGANIC SOLVENTS

The use of plants in treating diseases can be traced to the remote past. However due tolack of organized and scientific cultivation, proper management and awareness of socialfactors, the number of these medicinal plants is decreasing at an alarming rate. Gymnemasylvestre is one of rare medicinal plant species, which has high demand in the market.Since, little information is available on germination dynamics of Gymnema seeds, thepresent investigation was carried out to study the effect of pH and organic solvents ongermination of Gymnema sylvestre seedsFresh seeds taken from the plant were used for the experiment. Five pH solutions (i.e.4,6,7,8 andlO) were used to moist the filter papers in petri dishes, which contained seeds.A separate experiment was carried out to study the effect of organic solvents (i.e.Ethanol, Ether, Xylene, and Acetone) on germination following same procedure withusing distilled water as a control. eRD was used in both experiments with 20 replicateseach containing lO seedsResults showed that significantly (p<0.05) higher germination of seeds (56% and 52%) atpH 4 and 6 respectively, whereas the lowest germination (36%) showed at pH 10. Thehighest germination (62%) was recorded from the seeds treated with distilled water,followed by Xylene (42%) and Ether (39%). A significantly (p<O.05) lower germinationwas showed in Acetone (10%) and Ethanol (6%). According to the findings of theexperiment it can be concluded that slightly acidic media would be the best pH for thegermination of Gymnema sylvestre seeds, whereas the organic solutions showed negativeeffects.

Proteomics of Buccal Cavity Mucus in Female Tilapia Fish (Oreochromis spp.): A Comparison between Parental and Non-Parental Fish

Mouthbrooding is an elaborate form of parental care displayed by many teleost species. While the direct benefits of mouthbrooding such as protection and transportation of offsprings are known, it is unclear if mouthbrooding offers additional benefits to embryos during incubation. In addition, mouthbrooding could incur negative costs on parental fish, due to limited feeding opportunities. Parental tilapia fish (Oreochromis spp.) display an elaborated form of parental care by incubating newly hatched embryos in oral buccal cavity until the complete adsorption of yolk sac. In order to understand the functional aspects of mouthbrooding, we undertake a proteomics approach to compare oral mucus sampled from mouthbrooders and non-mouthbrooders, respectively. Majority of the identified proteins have also been previously identified in other biological fluids or mucus-rich organs in different organisms. We also showed the upregulation of 22 proteins and down regulation of 3 proteins in mucus collected from mouthbrooders. Anterior gradient protein, hemoglobin beta-A chain and alpha-2 globin levels were lower in mouthbrooder samples. Mouthbrooder oral mucus collectively showed increase levels of proteins related to cytoskeletal properties, glycolytic pathway and mediation of oxidative stress. Overall the findings suggest cellular stress response, probably to support production of mucus during mouthbrooding phase

Therapeutic compounds

This invention relates to novel structural analogues and derivatives of compounds with general analgesic or related pharmacological activity. In particular the invention relates to derivatives of opioid compounds, particularly morphine and related compounds, in which an opioid compound is linked via the nitrogen at position 17 to a space group, which in turn is linked to a charged group, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In particularly preferred embodiments the opioid compound is morphine, codeine, or buprenorphine

Characterisation and variation of agarwood resins from Gyrinops walla

The genera Aquilaria and Gyrinops of Thymalaeaceae family produce agarwood as a response to damage to their xylem tissues. Agarwood is used for perfumery, incense and traditional medicine. Gyrinops walla is the only agarwood producing species naturally growing in Sri Lanka and it is often harvested illegally from the wild. Research on characteristics of the G. walla resin is limited and insufficient to support its development as an agroforestry crop. The present study sampled a total of 90 G. walla trees from nine natural populations distributed in four agro-ecological zones in Sri Lanka. Resinous tissues were collected and resin contents were solvent extracted. Yields varied from 0.1 to 9.8% with no significant difference between the populations. GC-MS analysis of the G. walla resin identified 21 constituents; agarospirol, d-selinene, alloaromadendrene oxide, spathulenol, and two unidentified 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivatives were found to be common for all tested populations. The chemical composition of G. walla resins was comparable with commercially available agarwood resin of Aquilaria species. The average amount of agarospirol varied from 1.13 to 7.16%. Significant correlations were not found between resin contents and tree diameter or height. Resin characteristics showed no significant difference between the populations. However, variations were observed among trees of the same population

A Nonfunctioning Pituitary Macroadenoma Presenting as Cyclical Vomiting and Severe Hyponatremia in a Young Female

Introduction. Recurrent vomiting is a commonly overlooked debilitating symptom which causes significant impact on the quality of life. There are several causes for vomiting, ranging from commonly known causes to rare causes. Nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas generally present with visual disturbances, headache, and symptoms due to anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies. This case report is about an atypical presentation of a nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenoma in which the patient presented with cyclical vomiting with severe hyponatremia. Case Report. A 23-year-old girl presented with four to five episodes of vomiting per day for two days duration. She had a history of similar episodes of vomiting since 2016, with each episode generally lasting for 4-5 days and occurring in every four to six months. All episodes exhibited similar symptomatology and she was free of symptoms in-between. Generalized body weakness, postural dizziness, reduced appetite, and secondary amenorrhea were other symptoms she has had since 2016. Examination findings showed a low body mass index (BMI) (16 kg/m2) with normal system examination. Investigations showed severe hyponatremia (110 mmol/L) with hypokalemia (3.2 mmol/L) and hypochloremia (74 mmol/L). Her urinary excretion of potassium, sodium, and serum osmolality was low. Urine osmolality was mildly elevated compared to serum osmolality. Blood urea was normal. Severe hyponatremia with minimal hyponatremic symptoms was suggestive of chronic hyponatremia, which was accentuated by ongoing vomiting and possible reduced intake of salt. Further investigations showed evidence of secondary hypoadrenalism, central hypothyroidism, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and mild hyperprolactinemia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a pituitary macroadenoma with mass effect on the optic chiasma. Hydrocortisone and levothyroxine were started, and she underwent transsphenoidal resection of the pituitary tumor. She recovered from cyclical vomiting. Conclusion. There can be multiple overlapping aetiologies for every observed symptom, sign, and abnormal investigation finding. Therefore, aetiological diagnosis is challenging, especially in the presence of an atypical clinical presentation. Cyclical vomiting and severe hyponatremia are atypical presentations of nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas