Effect of bio control agent Trichoderma (T. viride and T. konnigiil on basal rot of Cloropytum comosum 'Iaxum' caused by Sclerotium rolfsii

At present, the biological control of soil borne fungal diseases is becoming popular in foliage industryof Sri Lanka, which is a nature-friendly ecological approach to overcome the problems caused bystandard chemical methods of plant protection. With a suitable bio control agent pathogen can besuppressed and reduced the disease incidence could be reduced effectively. This experiment wasconducted over a period of six months in poly tunnel to identify a potential bio control agent for basalrot of Cloropytum comosum 'Iaxum' caused by Sclerotium rolfsii with five treatments of Trichodermaviride, Trichoderma konnigii and combination of Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma konnigii,Porrnarsol forte 80% wp and control. The mean disease incidences of above treatments were! .75,2.75, J .5, 1.75 and 10.75 respectively. It was revealed that Trichoderma viride and combination ofTricodernia spp. are suitable for the highly effective control of plant diseases caused by Sclerotiumrolfsi i

Phagocytosis as an immunological biomarker to detect aquatic heavy metal pollution in Euphlyctis hexadactylus (Ranidae): an in depth in vitro study

In a previous, pilot study conducted  in  vitro  for the first time in Sri Lanka, we observed immunomodulation of the frog species,  Euphlyctis haxadactylus (Indian Green Frog),  stimulated by selected heavy metals, where ability to use phagocytosis as a biomarker in Ecoimmunotoxicology was apparent  to detect aquatic heavy metal pollution.  The present study, aimed to further substantiate our previous findings by carrying out an in depth study using a wider range of concentrations of the selected heavy metals, using the functional test,  in vitro  phagocytic assay, based on Nitro Blue Tetrazolium dye reduction.In the present study too,  Euphlyctis hexadactylus  (N=6) were collected from the    Bolgoda South wetland (reference site) where negligible amounts of heavy metals,   Copper (Cu:0 ppm), Zinc (Zn: 0.05 ppm), Lead (Pb: 0 ppm) and Cadmium (Cd: 0 ppm), were previously detected by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) as compared to the polluted test site, Bellanwila Attidiya Sanctuary (Zn  –  2.71 ppm, Pb  –  0.955 ppm, Cu  –  0.04 ppm, Cd  –  0.019 ppm). Assuming these frogs had minimal aquatic heavy metal exposure, their  blood leukocytes, splenocytes and peritoneal macrophages  after  in vitroexposure to selected heavy metals, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd were used to measure the phagocytic capacity by the NBT assay,  by calculating the stimulation index (SI). The four heavy metals were used at concentrations ranging from 10-2to 10-10M, increasing in two fold dilutions.The assays resulted in similar shaped dose-response curves; at low concentrations all metals were observed to have the potential to stimulate phagocytosis, and as metal concentrations increased the trend was towards immunosuppression. Dose related responses, resulted in a significant linear trend (p<0.05) for all cell types with the exception of blood leukocytes for Cadmium.The concentration for each metal which induced 50% suppression of phagocytosis (IC 50) was calculated, for all different cell type used. Accordingly, Cadmium was the most potent inhibitor of phagocytosis followed by Zinc and Copper, while Lead was the least immunotoxic. In conclusion, this  in vitro  study unequivocally reiterated that phagocytosis may be considered as a sensitive immunological biomarker for aquatic heavy metal pollution due to its capability of demonstrating immunomodulation of all selected cell types of the frog species, E. haxadactylus.Key words: Aquatic pollution,  heavy metals,  i mmunotoxicity,  Euphlyctis hexadactylus  , phagocytosis, immunological biomarke

Investigation of Optimum pH and Temperature for In-Vitro Crystallization of Urinary Cystine

Cystinuria contributes in formation of urinary stones. But, it has been reported that cystinuria is diagnosed when someone experiences with cystine stones. Therefore, early diagnosis of this condition is important. Thus, the objective of the study was to determine the optimum pH and temperature for crystallization of urine cystine in-vitro. Cystinuria solutions were prepared with the concentrations of 40, 60, 70, 75, 80, 90, 100 and 120 mg/dL. The pH of each solution was changed with the addition of acetic acid. Then solutions were exposed to temperature +4°C and 37°C, for 15, 30 and 45min. The sediments were observed microscopically for cystine crystals formation. Then acetone was added to cystinuria with the ratio of cystinuria:acetone, 8:1, 4:1, 2:1 and 1.1 and pH was altered with acetic acid and were subjected to +4 °C and 37 °C, for 15, 30 and 45 minutes and sediment was observed for cystine crystals under the microscope. Cystine crystallization had been occurred in the cystinuria of ≥100 mg/dL at pH 5 at 37 ° C and +4 °C, 30min after the addition of acetic acid whereas with the addition of acetone at cystinuria of ≥75mg/dL at pH 5 in both 37°C and at +4°C, 30min after the addition of acetic acid. The number of cystine crystals per High Power Field (HPF) was highest where cystinuria:acetone was 8:1.  The optimum conditions for cystine crystallization is at pH 5, 37 °C and +4 °C, 30min after acidifying with acetic acid at the minimum concentration of 100 mg/dL  of cystinuria. With the addition of acetone, at the ratio of cystinuria:acetone 8:1 with minimum concentration of cystinuria of 75 mg/dL.   KEYWORDS: Cystine, Crystallization, Acetic acid, Acetone, Temperature, p

Occurrence of Urinary Crystals among Urinary Tract Infections Suspected Paediatric Patients, Sri Lanka

Crystalluria has become one of the most vital biomarkers in urinalysis in detecting several disease conditions. It has been reported that urinary tract infections (UTI) may be the presenting sign of Urolithiasis in children. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify and estimate the different types of crystals in the urine samples collected from UTI suspected children who admitted to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for children, Sri Lanka. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using 400 children belong to age<12 years suspected with UTI. The participants included 242 males and 158 females. The urine samples were collected prior to start antibiotics. Each sample was examined macroscopically and centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 5 minutes. The urine sediment was examined under the light microscope and different crystal types were identified and counted at x40 magnification. Out of 400 samples 82 samples (82/400) were positive for crystalluria. The crystal types present were uric acid, calcium oxalate, triple phosphate, ammonium biuate and ammonium urate. None of the samples showed abnormal crystal types. The distribution of each crystal type was as follow; uric acid 25/82, calcium oxalate 34/82, triple phosphate 12/82, ammonium biuate 7/82 and ammonium urate 4/82. The quantity of crystals per mL of urine was ranged as follow; uric acid 850-130,000, calcium oxalate 350- >250,000, triple phosphate 650-6,000, ammonium biurate and ammonium urate were presented in clumps. KEYWORDS: Crystalluria, Uric Acid, Calcium Oxalate, Triple Phosphate, Ammonium Biurate, Ammonium Urate, Urolithiasis, Urinary Tract Infections

Media properties of different vermicompost and coir dust mixtures

In recent years, the demand for coir dust has increased as it is widely used as a growth medium in soilless culture. Since it is low in nutrients, when mixed with vermicompost, will provide a better growthmedium for plant establishment. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the properties ofdifferent verrnicornpost and coir dust mixtures. Tomato was used as the test plant and four differentmedia compositions were tested with and without nutrient supplement. Media properties includingchemical (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg levels, pH and Electrical conductivity [ECl) and physical properties(Bulk density, Field capacity and drying pattern) were measured in the time period.Nutrient levels, pH, EC, bulk density, and drying rates were found to be decreased and only fieldcapacity increased with increasing the proportion of coir dust. According to the result obtained,vermicompost alone can be used as a plant growth medium. But poor porosity and aeration ofvermicompost limit the root growth and lowered the water holding capacity. Therefore, medium with75% verrnicompost and 25% coil' dust is more suitable than vennicompost alone. Medium with 50%verrnicornpost and 50% coir dust has better physical properties, but nutrient level is not sufficient tosupport plant growth. Therefore nutrient supplement is needed to use it as growing medium.

Determination of in-vitro Equivalence of Paracetamol Tablets

Bioequivalence studies are the usually accepted method to determine the therapeutic equivalence of two drugproducts. Because in-vivo bioequivalence studies are time consuming and expensive to conduct, majorregulatory authorities have introduced biowaivers for some selected medicines belonging to BCS class 1 andIII drugs. Comparative dissolution tests are used in biowaiver procedure to waiver the bioequivalencerequirement. We performed this study to see whether two brands of paracetamol tablets are bioequivalentusing the in-vitro methodology. In the first stage of this research study, British Pharmacopeia 2012 qualitytests were performed on the two selected paracetamol tablet products to determine whether they arepharmaceutically equivalent. In the second stage in-vitro equivalence of the two products was determinedusing the biowaiver testing procedure given by the World Health Organization. Dissolution profiles weregenerated at pH values, 1.2, 4.5 and 6.8. Results were compared through two model independent methods,difference factor (f1) and similarity factor (f2). The two paracetamol tablet products tested, complied with allthe quality requirements of the British Pharmacopeia 2012. For the two products, the difference factor (f1)was below the 15 and similarity factor (f2) was above the 50 in all dissolution test conditions. These resultsconfirm that the two products are pharmaceutically equivalent. The test product is also bioequivalent to thereference product in-vitro, and therefore they can be interchangeable during clinical use. This study showsthat in-vivo bioequivalence testing can be waived using the in-vitro method, for some pharmaceuticalproducts such as paracetamol tablets.KEYWORDS: Paracetamol tablets, Biowaivers, Dissolution profile

Quantitative Whole Body Biodistribution of Fluorescent-Labeled Agents by Non-Invasive Tomographic Imaging

When small molecules or proteins are injected into live animals, their physical and chemical properties will significantly affect pharmacokinetics, tissue penetration, and the ultimate routes of metabolism and clearance. Fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) offers the ability to non-invasively image and quantify temporal changes in fluorescence throughout the major organ systems of living animals, in a manner analogous to traditional approaches with radiolabeled agents. This approach is best used with biotherapeutics (therapeutic antibodies, or other large proteins) or large-scaffold drug-delivery vectors, that are minimally affected by low-level fluorophore conjugation. Application to small molecule drugs should take into account the significant impact of fluorophore labeling on size and physicochemical properties, however, the presents studies show that this technique is readily applied to small molecule agents developed for far-red (FR) or near infrared (NIR) imaging. Quantification by non-invasive FMT correlated well with both fluorescence from tissue homogenates as well as with planar (2D) fluorescence reflectance imaging of excised intact organs (r2 = 0.996 and 0.969, respectively). Dynamic FMT imaging (multiple times from 0 to 24 h) performed in live mice after the injection of four different FR/NIR-labeled agents, including immunoglobulin, 20–50 nm nanoparticles, a large vascular imaging agent, and a small molecule integrin antagonist, showed clear differences in the percentage of injected dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g) in liver, kidney, and bladder signal. Nanoparticles and IgG1 favored liver over kidney signal, the small molecule integrin-binding agent favored rapid kidney and bladder clearance, and the vascular agent, showed both liver and kidney clearance. Further assessment of the volume of distribution of these agents by fluorescent volume added information regarding their biodistribution and highlighted the relatively poor extravasation into tissue by IgG1. These studies demonstrate the ability of quantitative FMT imaging of FR/NIR agents to non-invasively visualize and quantify the biodistribution of different agents over time

Development of a quality indicator set to measure and improve quality of ICU care in low- and middle-income countries

PURPOSE: To develop a set of actionable quality indicators for critical care suitable for use in low- or middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS: A list of 84 candidate indicators compiled from a previous literature review and stakeholder recommendations were categorised into three domains (foundation, process, and quality impact). An expert panel (EP) representing stakeholders from critical care and allied specialties in multiple low-, middle-, and high-income countries was convened. In rounds one and two of the Delphi exercise, the EP appraised (Likert scale 1–5) each indicator for validity, feasibility; in round three sensitivity to change, and reliability were additionally appraised. Potential barriers and facilitators to implementation of the quality indicators were also reported in this round. Median score and interquartile range (IQR) were used to determine consensus; indicators with consensus disagreement (median < 4, IQR ≤ 1) were removed, and indicators with consensus agreement (median ≥ 4, IQR ≤ 1) or no consensus were retained. In round four, indicators were prioritised based on their ability to impact cost of care to the provider and recipient, staff well-being, patient safety, and patient-centred outcomes. RESULTS: Seventy-one experts from 30 countries (n = 45, 63%, representing critical care) selected 57 indicators to assess quality of care in intensive care unit (ICU) in LMICs: 16 foundation, 27 process, and 14 quality impact indicators after round three. Round 4 resulted in 14 prioritised indicators. Fifty-seven respondents reported barriers and facilitators, of which electronic registry-embedded data collection was the biggest perceived facilitator to implementation (n = 54/57, 95%) Concerns over burden of data collection (n = 53/57, 93%) and variations in definition (n = 45/57, 79%) were perceived as the greatest barrier to implementation. CONCLUSION: This consensus exercise provides a common set of indicators to support benchmarking and quality improvement programs for critical care populations in LMICs