Dietary heavy metal(loid)s exposure and prevalence of chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu) in Sri Lanka.

Intake of heavy metals and metalloids through the diet is posing a big research challenge in Sri Lanka due to the increasing occurrence of chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu) among the farming communities pursuing their livelihoods in the North Central Province (NCP). Duplicated diet studies were conducted on a sample of 62 individuals comprising adult males, adult females, boys, and girls who were selected following a demographic survey in an area of the NCP where there was a high incidence of CKDu. A health risk assessment was made by analysing the heavy metal(loid)s content in the diet samples, by means of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Heavy metal(loid)s and health risk assessment of Dambulla vegetable market in Sri Lanka.

Vegetables are essential for a healthy diet in humans. However, vegetables can carry harmful metal(loid) contaminants such as As, Cd and Pb which are deleterious to health in the long term. It has been postulated that long-term heavy metal(loid) exposure by vegetable consumption is associated with chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu) that prevails in North Central Province of Sri Lanka.

Association between body mass index and estimated glomerular filtration rate in patients with chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology in Sri Lanka.

Chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu), which is widespread in the North Central Province (NCP) of Sri Lanka, is not associated with commonly known factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and glomerulonephritis. The pathogenicity of CKDu is not well understood, but people with a low body mass index (BMI) and mineral and nutrient deficiencies are more vulnerable to develop CKDu. To understand this situation, the relationship between BMI and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was investigated in people with CKDu in comparison with unaffected age-matched control groups in disease-endemic areas of the NCP.

Facile Synthesis of Titanium Phosphates from Ilmenite Mineral Sand: Potential White Pigments for Cosmetic Applications.

Ilmenite mineral sand was used to synthesize titanium bismonohydrogen orthophosphate monohydrate, Ti(HPO)·HO, and titanium phosphate, TiPO, two white pigments suitable in cosmetic applications. Ti(HPO)·HO was obtained after digesting ilmenite in 85% phosphoric acid at 150 °C for 5 hours. On standing, unreacted ilmenite and white Ti(HPO)·HO solid separated into two layers and Ti(HPO)·HO was calcined at 900 °C to obtain the crystalline TiPO.

Chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology in Sri Lanka and the exposure to environmental chemicals: a review of literature.

Chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu) has emerged as a serious health issue in Sri Lanka. The disease has been recorded in the North Central Province of the country. While studies have elicited many hypotheses concerning the pathogenicity of CKDu, none adequately explains the cause of CKDu and the measures needed to minimise its occurrence.

Validation of the Geriatric Depression Scale for an elderly Sri Lankan clinic population.

Background: Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) has not been validated for the elderly population in Sri Lanka.

Aim: To translate, validate, and examine the effectiveness of GDS and to suggest the optimal cut-off scores for elderly Sri Lankans attending a psychogeriatric clinic.

Materials And Methods: The Sinhalese translation of GDS (GDS-S) was administered to people aged 55 years and above, attending a psychogeriatric outpatient clinic.

Validation of a functional screening instrument for dementia in an elderly sri lankan population: comparison of modified bristol and blessed activities of daily living scales.

Background: Cognitive tests have been used in population surveys as first stage screens for dementia but are biased by education. However functional ability scales are less biased by education than the cognitive scale and thus can be used in screening for dementia.

Objective: To validate Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale appropriate for use in assessing the presence of dementia in an elderly population living in care homes in Sri Lanka.