A Hybrid Approach for Screening Endothelial Dysfunction using Photoplethysmography and Digital Thermal Monitoring.

Cardiovascular diseases(CVDs) are the world's leading cause of death. Endothelial Dysfunction is an early stage of cardiovascular diseases and can effectively be used to detect the presence of the CVDs, monitor its progress and investigate the effectiveness of the treatment given. This study proposes a reliable approach for the screening of endothelial dysfunction via machine learning, using features extracted from a combination of Plethysmography, Digital Thermal Monitoring, biological features (age and gender) and anthropometry (BMI and pulse pressure).

Glycemic and cardiometabolic effects of exercise in South Asian Sri Lankans with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled trial Sri Lanka diabetes aerobic and resistance training study (SL-DARTS).

Background And Aims: To examine the effects of aerobic training (AT) and resistance training (RT) compared to standard care on glycemic control in South Asian Sri Lankan adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: Randomized controlled trial (RCT) with parallel-group design recruited 86 sedentary Sri Lankans (aged 35-65 years) with T2DM into aerobic training (AT, n = 28), resistance training (RT, n = 28) and control (CN, n = 30) groups. Supervised progressive exercise training consisting of 75 min per session, 2 days per week for 12 weeks was conducted.

Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacogenetic assays to monitor clopidogrel therapy.

Clopidogrel is the most common and widely used antiplatelet agent for patients with coronary artery disease following confirmation by electrocardiographic studies. The nonresponsiveness of patients to clopidogrel and the possibility of testing for clopidogrel resistance by platelet function assays (PFA) are contentious issues. Light transmission aggregometry (LTA) is considered as the gold standard test among all PFA.

Sublingual nitroglycerin for early blood pressure control in hypertensive emergencies: observations from an emergency department clinical audit in Sri Lanka.

Objective: Hypertensive emergencies are potentially life threatening and require prompt blood pressure control with intravenous agents. Preparation of intravenous infusions is time consuming. Usefulness of sublingual nitroglycerin in this setting is not known.

Prevalence, patterns, and associations of dyslipidemia among Sri Lankan adults-Sri Lanka Diabetes and Cardiovascular Study in 2005-2006.

Background: Dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Prevalence patterns and determinants of dyslipidemia in Sri Lanka are unkown.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of dyslipidemia among Sri Lankan adults.

Evaluation of pharmacodynamic properties and safety of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Ceylon cinnamon) in healthy adults: a phase I clinical trial.

Background: Cinnamon is considered as a treatment for many ailments in native medicine. Evidence suggests that Cinnamomum zeylanicum (CZ) has anti-microbial, anti-parasitic, anti-oxidant, blood glucose lowering properties and beneficial cardiovascular effects. The present study aims to evaluate Pharmacodynamic properties and safety of CZ in healthy adults using a Phase I Clinical Trial.

Peer assisted learning among Sri Lankan medical undergraduates: a cross sectional study.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to; (a) evaluate the current practices of peer assisted learning among second year and final year medical students of Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; (b) identify reasons for engaging in peer assisted learning; (c) identify perceived weaknesses in current learning activities; and (d) determine student characteristics associated with engaging in peer assisted learning.

Results: This cross sectional study interviewed two hundred and eighty-four eligible students. Average number of hours spent on peer assisted learning during a week was significantly greater among second year students compared to final year students (15.

Zinc supplementation in prediabetes: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: This study evaluated the effects of zinc supplementation on glycemic control, other cardiometabolic and anthropometric parameters, and disease progression in prediabetes.

Methods: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial was conducted over a 12-month period in 200 subjects (43% male; mean [± SD] age 51.8 ± 7.

Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Ceylon cinnamon) as a potential pharmaceutical agent for type-2 diabetes mellitus: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Previous studies have explored the anti-diabetic effects of Cinnamomum cassia extract in vivo and in vitro. However, there are no studies at present exploring the effects of the indigenous species of Sri Lankan cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) in patients with diabetes mellitus. The present study aims to evaluate the potential effects of Cinnamomum zeylanicum extract as a pharmaceutical agent in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus.

Zinc and diabetes mellitus: understanding molecular mechanisms and clinical implications.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Studies have shown that Zinc has numerous beneficial effects in both type-1 and type-2 diabetes. We aim to evaluate the literature on the mechanisms and molecular level effects of Zinc on glycaemic control, β-cell function, pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications.

Cardiac involvement in dengue infection.

Introduction: Dengue is endemic in the tropics, and complications involving organ systems are seen with varying incidence.

Methodology: We performed a systematic review. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus SciVerse, Google Scholar, and LILACS were searched for papers providing information on cardiac involvement in dengue.

Hypocalcemia is associated with disease severity in patients with dengue.

Introduction: Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in tropical regions. Serum free calcium (Ca2+) is known to be important in cardiac and circulatory function. We evaluated association between serum Ca2+ level and severity of dengue.

The prevalence, predictors and associations of hypertension in Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional population based national survey.

We studied the community prevalence, patterns and predictors of hypertension in a large sub-population of South Asian adults with a view of identifying differential risk factors. Data were collected between years 2005-2006 and 5000 adults were invited for the study. The sample size was 4485, and about 39.

Medicinal properties of 'true' cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum): a systematic review.

Background: In traditional medicine Cinnamon is considered a remedy for respiratory, digestive and gynaecological ailments. In-vitro and in-vivo studies from different parts of the world have demonstrated numerous beneficial medicinal effects of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (CZ). This paper aims to systematically review the scientific literature and provide a comprehensive summary on the potential medicinal benefits of CZ.

Prevalence and risk factors for resistant hypertension among hypertensive patients from a developing country.

Background: To study the prevalence and define deferential risk factors for 'Resistant' hypertension (RHT) in a hypertensive population of South Asian origin.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among hypertensive patients attending clinics at the Cardiology Unit, Colombo from July-October 2009. All the patients with hypertension who provided informed written consent were recruited to the study (n = 277).

Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic manifestations of cardiac involvement in leptospirosis.

Background: Cardiac involvement is known to occur in leptospirosis, however, data on the significance of electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings is very limited.

Methods: Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic changes were studied in serologically confirmed patients with leptospirosis.

Results: Of 22 patients, 45% (10) had cardiac symptoms; 59% (13) had abnormalities on the ECG; 90% (9/10) of patients with cardiac symptoms had at least one electrocardiographic abnormality.

Reflex anuria following acute cardiac event.

Background: Reflex anuria is an uncommon cause for acute renal failure, which occurs almost always after manipulation or irritation to kidneys, ureter, bladder or other pelvic organs.

Case Presentation: Here we describe a case of acute renal failure due to reflex anuria following acute cardiac event. This patient had background history of urolithiasis.

Zinc supplementation in pre-diabetes: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The number of people with diabetes is increasing worldwide, especially in developing South Asian countries. Therefore, preventing diabetes at the early stages has become an important issue. Recent clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analysis have shown that zinc has beneficial effects on glycemic and metabolic control in those with diabetes.

Addressing the relationship between cardiac hypertrophy and ischaemic stroke: an observational study.

Introduction: Research over the last decade has recognized left ventricular hypertrophy as a risk factor for major cardiovascular events including stroke. While cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is the best modality to quantify left ventricular hypertrophy, echocardiographic calculation of left ventricular mass index is a reasonable alternative.

Methods: We carried out a hospital based prospective study to identify the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy, assessed using echocardiography, in patients presenting with ischaemic strokes.

Knowledge of prescribed medication information among patients with limited English proficiency in Sri Lanka.

Background: Patients' knowledge on prescribed medications play a key role in the long term management of cardiac diseases and in determining their outcome. The present study evaluates the knowledge about prescribed medication among cardiac patients and aim to identify factors influencing knowledge.

Methods: A descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 adult patients attending clinics at the Cardiology Unit of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka.