"In times of stress, it is good to be with them": experience of dog owners from a rural district of Sri Lanka.

Background: The dog has been man's best companion since ancient times. And, dog ownership is associated with improved physical activity and cardiovascular health. We aim to explore the experience of dog owners on dog ownership and its effects on personal and family health in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Human Papillomavirus-Associated Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Among Adults Living in South-Central Asia: A Systematic Review.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) related oral cancers are increasing and are associated with sexual risk behaviours. An increase in the incidence of oral cancer has been observed in South-central Asian countries. The objective was to systematically review the evidence on the association of HPV and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) among adults living in South-central Asia.

Household preferences for pet keeping: Findings from a rural district of Sri Lanka.

Pet ownership is an integral part of a modern-day family. It provides a wide range of benefits to humans. However, data on pet ownership are relatively limited from rural regions, Southern Asia and low-middle-income countries.

Prevalence, associated factors and reasons for antibiotic self-medication among dwellers in Anuradhapura: a community-based study.

Background Antimicrobial resistance is cited as one of the leading causes for the increased morbidity and mortality in infectious diseases globally. Antibiotic misuse can accelerate the advent and spread of resistant antimicrobial strains and antibiotic self-medication is one of the main practices of antibiotic misuse. Even though plethora of evidence is available on antibiotic self-medication among health care providers, evidence derived from community-based studies are scarce.

Cytokine response in human leptospirosis with different clinical outcomes: a systematic review.

Background: Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonotic disease which is a major challenge for clinicians and public health professionals in tropical countries. The cytokine storm during the second (immune) phase is thought to be a major contributory factor for the leptospirosis disease severity. We aim to summarize evidence for cytokine response in leptospirosis at different clinical outcomes.

Prevalence, associated factors and medication for symptoms related to gastroesophageal reflux disease among 1114 private-tuition students of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a chronic and a common condition worldwide which causes mild to severe symptoms. Private tuition attendees are a group which could have potential risk factors for GORD. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence, associated factors and medication for symptoms related to GORD among advanced level private-tuition attendees of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

A compulsive act of excess water intake leading to hyponatraemia and rhabdomyolysis: a case report.

Background: Primary polydipsia is commonly seen in patients with psychiatric illnesses. Excess water intake is also seen in patient with anorexia and anticholinergic medications. We report a patient who had hyponatraemia and rhabdomyolysis after consuming excess water for ureteric calculus.

Takotsubo syndrome in patients with myasthenia gravis: a systematic review of previously reported cases.

Background: Myasthenia gravis associated takotsubo syndrome is a rare condition. This study aimed to explore its typical presentation, investigations and treatment through a systematic review of previously reported cases.

Methods: Databases and reference lists of the selected articles were searched for case reports on Myasthenia gravis associated takotsubo syndrome.

In vivo, ex vivo and in vitro evidence for atropine-mediated attenuation of glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion: findings from a systematic review.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is involved in postprandial glucose homeostasis. Secretion of which involves a cholinergic pathway. Anticholinergic agent like atropine could act as a competitive antagonist of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors.

Concurrent presentation of thyroid storm and diabetic ketoacidosis: a systematic review of previously reported cases.

Background: Simultaneous development of thyroid storm and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a rare condition. The review aims to summarise its clinical presentation, investigation findings and treatment options.

Methods: Databases and reference lists of the selected articles were searched for case reports in English which describe concurrent presentation of thyroid storm and diabetic ketoacidosis.

Comparison of medication adherence between type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who pay for their medications and those who receive it free: a rural Asian experience.

Background: Treatment plans fail if patients have poor medication adherence. Our aim was to compare medication adherence, reasons for non-adherence, and satisfaction with community support among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who pay for their medications and those who receive it free.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, among patients who were on oral anti-diabetic drugs for at least 3 months.

Comparison of biochemical parameters among DPP4 inhibitor users and other oral hypoglycaemic drug users: a cross-sectional study from Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Background: Higher efficacy of incretin-based therapies for type 2 diabetes mellitus has been reported from Asia. Pancreatitis and hepatitis have also been suspected to occur due to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4I) treatment. The present study aims at comparing selected biochemical parameters among DPP4 inhibitor users and other oral hypoglycaemic drug users.

A low GLP-1 response among patients treated for acute organophosphate and carbamate poisoning: a comparative cross-sectional study from an agrarian region of Sri Lanka.

Higher incidence of diabetes along with increased use of pesticides is seen in Southeast Asia. Recent hypothesis postulated a link between acetylcholinesterase inhibitor insecticides and type 2 diabetes through the GLP-1 pathway. This study compares the GLP-1 response between groups with low and high red blood cell acetylcholinesterase (RBC-AChE) activity.

A significant association between examination results and self-satisfaction with English language proficiency: preliminary findings among pre-clinical undergraduates.

Objectives: Learning methods and other related factors influence the success of medical undergraduates. This study aims at finding factors associated with the end of pre-clinical stream examination results among medical undergraduates of the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. The results of this study will inform the tutors to plan and implement teaching methods as well as to guide the social welfare of the undergraduates.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor insecticides related acute poisoning, availability and sales: trends during the post-insecticide-ban period of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Background: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor insecticides (AChEIIs) were used extensively in the agrarian region of Anuradhapura for the past few decades. As a result, the region faced a heightened risk of toxicity. Carbaryl, carbofuran, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, and fenthion were the five hazardous AChEIIs banned from Anuradhapura in 2014.

Red blood cell acetylcholinesterase activity among healthy dwellers of an agrarian region in Sri Lanka: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

Background: Assessment of acetylcholinesterase-inhibitor insecticide (AChEII) toxicity depends on the measurement of red blood cell acetylcholinesterase (RBC-AChE) activity. Its interpretation requires baseline values which is lacking in scientific literature. We aim to find the measures of central tendency and variation for RBC-AChE activity among dwellers of Anuradhapura, where the use and abuse of AChEIIs were rampant for the last few decades.

Tuberculosis induced autoimmune haemolytic anaemia: a systematic review to find out common clinical presentations, investigation findings and the treatment options.

Background: Tuberculosis induced autoimmune haemolytic anaemia is a rare entity. The aim of this study was to explore its common presentations, investigation findings and treatment options through a systematic review of published reports.

Methods: PubMed, Trip, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, Open-Grey, Grey literature report and the reference lists of the selected articles were searched for case reports in English on tuberculosis induced auto-immune haemolytic anaemia.

Pharmacology education and antibiotic self-medication among medical students: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Pharmacology teaches rational prescribing. Self-medication among medical students is recognised as a threat to rational prescribing. Antibiotic self-medication could cause antibiotic resistance among medical students.

Availability of essential medicines in selected public, primary and secondary health care institutions of a rural Sri Lankan district: a spot survey.

Background: Assessment of the availability of essential medicines, in rural areas of countries with free state health care system, is scarce. Dependence on essential medicines among the population in rural sector is considered to be high. Assessing the availability of essential medicines in selected state owned primary and secondary health care institutions of a rural district will help to identify areas where improvement is needed.

Drug utilization, prescription errors and potential drug-drug interactions: an experience in rural Sri Lanka.

Background: Prescription writing is a process which transfers the therapeutic message from the prescriber to the patient through the pharmacist. Prescribing errors, drug duplication and potential drug-drug interactions (pDDI) in prescriptions lead to medication error. Assessment of the above was made in prescriptions dispensed at State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC), Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.