The distribution of candida species and their antibodies in pregnant women and their newborn : a clinical and experimental study

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Feasibility of using sailfin catfish meal as an alternative to commercial fishmeal in the diets of juvenile guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

A six weeks feeding trial was conducted to elucidate the effect of fishmeal produced from sailfin catfish (SCM) by replacing imported commercial fishmeal (FM) in the diet of Poecilia reticulata to reduce the cost of feed. Twenty one days old guppy fry (1.99±0.09 cm; 0.07±0.02 g) were fed four diets using different levels of SCM; control diet (CD; 0% SCM), 10SCM (10% SCM), 20SCM (20% SCM) and 30SCM (30% SCM). SCM contained higher protein content (69.5%) compared to FM (61%). Final body weight, %ADG, %SGR or FCR (1.77±0.16 – 2.21±0.26) and food consumption (9.3±0.1 – 9.45±0.5) did not influence by inclusion of SCM.  Survival (>80%) did not influence by the type and quantity of fishmeal inclusion. Moreover, significantly higher profit index for 30SCM (8.94±1.43) and 20SCM (7.88±4.23) was recorded than CD (5.17±4.43) which contained imported, expensive FM.  Overall, the present study revealed that commercial fishmeal can be fully replaced by SCM in the diets of juvenile guppy without any adverse effects on their growth. Therefore, producing fishmeal using sailfin catfish, which is an invasive species in reservoirs in Sri Lanka and an underutilized source, will be a feasible method to overcome the invasive problem

Dose de-escalation of intrapleural tissue plasminogen activator therapy for pleural infection. The alteplase dose assessment for Pleural infection Therapy project

Rationale: Intrapleural therapy with a combination of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) 10 mg and DNase 5 mg administered twice daily has been shown in randomized and open-label studies to successfully manage over 90% of patients with pleural infection without surgery. Potential bleeding risks associated with intrapleural tPA and its costs remain important concerns. The aim of the ongoing Alteplase Dose Assessment for Pleural infection Therapy (ADAPT) project is to investigate the efficacy and safety of dose de-escalation for intrapleural tPA. The first of several planned studies is presented here. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a reduced starting dose regimen of 5 mg of tPA with 5 mg of DNase administered intrapleurally for pleural infection. Methods: Consecutive patients with pleural infection at four participating centers in Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand were included in this observational, open-label study. Treatment was initiated with tPA 5 mg and DNase 5 mg twice daily. Subsequent dose escalation was permitted at the discretion of the attending physician. Data relating to treatment success, radiological and systemic inflammatory changes (blood C-reactive protein), volume of fluid drained, length of hospital stay, and treatment complications were extracted retrospectively from the medical records. Results: We evaluated 61 patients (41 males; age, 57 ± 16 yr). Most patients (n = 58 [93.4%]) were successfully treated without requiring surgery for pleural infection. Treatment success was corroborated by clearance of pleural opacities visualized by chest radiography (from 42% [interquartile range, 22–58] to 16% [8–31] of hemithorax; P < 0.001), increase in pleural fluid drainage (from 175 ml in the 24 h preceding treatment to 2,025 ml [interquartile range, 1,247–2,984] over 72 h of therapy; P <  0.05) and a reduction in blood C-reactive protein (P < 0.05). Seven patients (11.5%) had dose escalation of tPA to 10 mg. Three patients underwent surgery. Three patients (4.9%) received blood transfusions for gradual pleural blood loss; none were hemodynamically compromised. Pain requiring escalation of analgesia affected 36% of patients; none required cessation of therapy. Conclusions: These pilot data suggest that a starting dose of 5 mg of tPA administered intrapleurally twice daily in combination with 5 mg of DNase for the treatment of pl

Re-examining the Spatial Distribution of Fluoride in Groundwater of Sri Lanka: A Field Study at Nochchiyagama, Anuradhapura

Fluoride is well known for both beneficial and detrimental effects on human health. Fluorideimproves the dental health by preventing cavities. However, excessive amounts of fluoridelead to the development of dental and skeletal fluorosis. There is a narrow range betweenfluoride intake which is advantageous and those which begin to be damaging. Dentalfluorosis caused by fluoride rich drinking water is a common health issue in the dry climatezone of Sri Lanka. The spatial distribution of fluoride in groundwater in Sri Lanka has beenextensively studied and several fluoride distribution maps have been published to date.However, careful analysis of these maps reveal that the fluoride distribution presented insome geographical regions does not agree with each other. This study focused on examiningthe fluoride distribution in Nochchiyagama, Anuradhapura to re-evaluate its fluoridedistribution. During the study, approximately 200 water samples were collected from dug andtube wells, water reservoirs and canals. Fluoride concentration of the samples was determinedby the fluoride selective electrode method. Other physico-chemical properties of water suchas pH, conductivity, hardness etc. were determined by internationally accepted standardmethods. The average fluoride concentration in Nochchiyagama was 1.1±0.8 mg/l (n=202) inthe range 0.29 to 5.52 mg/l; however, many of the published maps state the fluoridedistribution in the Nochchiyagamaarea as 0.5 to 1.0 mg/l. A careful examination of thefluoride data reveals two distinct fluoride distribution patterns. The geographical areabetween the Puttlam-Anuradhapura highway (A12) and the Wilpaththu National Parkgenerally has a higher fluoride content with an average 1.2±1.0 mg/l (n=103) in the range0.31 to 5.52 mg/l. The area between Puttlam-Anuradhapura highway (A12) andThabuththegama-Anuradhapura highway (A28) has an average fluoride concentration of0.9±0.5 mg/l (n=99) in the range 0.29 to 2.53 mg/l. The first geographical area had abouteight fluoride hot spots (<2.5 mg/l) while other region had only two. One of the most visiblehydrological differences in these two regions is that the first region solely depends onrainwater for water requirements while the other one has a complex network of irrigationalcanals distributing water from the Kala Oya irrigational scheme

Preliminary study of variations-anomalies of umbilical cord of term placenta in a Sri Lankan population

Objectives: To assess the umbilical cord variations/anomalies of term placenta in a Sri Lankan population presenting to a selected centreMethods: Two hundred and fifty two (252) normally delivered term placentas, collected from Colombo South Teaching Hospital during years 2012/2013 were dissected and observed for placental attachment of umbilical cord and umbilical vessels.Results: Majority 81%(204/252) of the placenta had eccentric cord attachment and out of that, 63.2%(129/204) had non furcate blood vessel arrangement. Percentage 17.9(45/252) had central attachment while 53.3%(24/45) were furcate. Percentage 0.8(2/252) had marginal attachment with 100%(2/2) furcate and 0.4%(1/252) villamentous. Single umbilical artery was found in 0.8%(2/252) and both were eccentrically attached with single umbilical vein. Percentage 0.4(1/250) had two umbilical veins with two normal umbilical arteries. Majority had two umbilical arteries and non furcate 59.6%(149/250) while 1.3%(2/2) contained single umbilical artery and non furcateConclusions: Majority of umbilical cords had eccentric cord attachment with non furcate variety. Presence of single umbilical artery in Sri Lankan population is comparable with 0.5% -2.5 % of Indian studies. Villamentus attachment is rare [0.4%(1/252)] and low compared to western data(0.75%). As umbilical cord anomalies are known to be associated with other congenital anomalies early diagnosis of umbilical cord anomalies could give an insight to the former