The COVID-19 pandemic has gained significant attention to the intersection of public health crises and environmental challenges, particularly in the context of marine pollution. This paper examines the various impacts of the pandemic on marine environments, focusing on the pollution attributed to single-use plastics (SUPs) and personal protective equipment (PPE). Drawing on a comprehensive analysis of literature and case studies, the paper highlights the detrimental effects of increased plastic waste on marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, leading to increased interest in utilizing immunotherapy strategies for better cancer treatments. In the past decade, CD103 T cells have been associated with better clinical prognosis in patients with cancer. However, the specific immune mechanisms contributing toward CD103-mediated protective immunity remain unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe emergence of resistance in detrimental pathogenic bacteria towards well-recognized antibiotics has greatly impacted global medicine, consequently exploring potent antibacterial compounds is becoming a potential area of research. Although photocatalytic metal oxides have been extensively explored in this regard, their applicability is diminished due to the requirement of photon energy. Therefore, in our study, we explored the light-independent antibacterial effect of two unexplored titanium species, known as metatitanic acid (MTA) and potassium titanate, against , , and spp.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFKnowledge of morphology of the maxillary arch is important in many spacialities of dentistry. This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed using 109 randomly selected maxillary CBCT images of patients in the age range of 18-60 from the archives in Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. EzDent software was used for measurements.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Cell Infect Microbiol
September 2021
Grasslands are major primary producers and function as major components of important watersheds. Although a concise definition of grasslands cannot be given using a physiognomic or structural approach, grasslands can be described as vegetation communities experiencing periodical droughts and with canopies dominated by grasses and grass-like plants. Grasslands have a cosmopolitan distribution except for the Antarctic region.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPalms (Arecaceae) are substrates for a highly diverse range of fungi. Many species are known as saprobes and many are important plant pathogens. Over the course of our studies of micro-fungi from palms in Thailand, two new taxa were discovered.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiomed Res Int
May 2021
Objective: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the linear and volumetric measurements of the maxillary sinus in relation to sex and side on cone beam computer tomographic (CBCT) images in a Sri Lankan population.
Methods: A total of 20 sets of CBCT images selected from the database at the Division of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, were evaluated. Linear measurements were obtained in a craniocaudal (height), anteroposterior (length), and mediolateral (width) dimensions.
This study involves enzymatic extraction of fucoidan from and further purification via ion-exchange chromatography. The chemical and molecular characteristics of isolated fucoidan is evaluated concerning its anti-inflammatory potential in RAW 264.7 macrophages under LPS induced conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOrthopedic or musculoskeletal problems are common in individuals with spina bifida. They can affect function and mobility and, in the case of spinal deformity, affect pulmonary function. We discuss the current treatment guidelines developed through collaboration with the Spina Bifida Association and the Orthopedics and Mobility working group using a specific methodology previously reported [1,2].
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe escalation of fine particulate matter (PM) air pollution has recently become a global concern. Evidence is fast accumulating on PM exposure-related skin damage. The present study explored the therapeutic potentials of fucoidan purified from Sargassum natans against damaging effects of PM exposure on human HaCaT keratinocytes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFucoidans are biocompatible, heterogeneous, and fucose rich sulfated polysaccharides biosynthesized in brown algae, which are renowned for their broad-spectrum biofunctional properties. As a continuation of our preliminary screening studies, the present work was undertaken to extract polysaccharides from the edible brown algae by a modified enzyme assisted extraction process using Celluclast, a food-grade cellulase, and to purify fucoidan by DEAE-cellulose anion exchange chromatography. The apoptotic and antiproliferative properties of the purified fucoidan (F5) were evaluated on HL-60 and MCF-7 cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: The robustness of record linkage evaluation measures is of high importance since linkage techniques are assessed based on these. However, minimal research has been conducted to evaluate the suitability of existing evaluation measures in the context of linking groups of records. Linkage quality is generally evaluated based on traditional measures such as precision and recall.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIncreased levels of particulate matter (PM) air pollutants in East Asia have resulted in detrimental health impacts increasing morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological studies suggest a possible relation between the cutaneous exposure of PM and increased oxidative stress and inflammation which lead to skin lesions. The present study utilizes an integrated cell culture model of keratinocytes and fibroblasts to mimic viable skin layers and investigate the possible effects of PM exposure after penetration through corneocytes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To determine the size and position of the Greater Palatine Foramen using CBCT.
Materials And Method: GPF was evaluated on 50 CBCT's which were obtained at the Division of Oral Medicine and Radiology, FDS, University of Peradeniya, The distance of each GPF to the mid maxillary suture (MMS), Anterior Nasal Spine (ANS), relationship of the GPF to the molar teeth and diameter were measured in different orthogonal planes using measurement tools integrated to the CBCT software.
Results: Mean diameter of the GPF in females and males were 3.
Particulate matter (PM) air pollution has gradually become a widespread problem in East Asia. PM may cause unfamiliar inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and pulmonary tissue damage, and a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms is required in order to develop effective anti-inflammatory agents. In this study, fine dust collected from Beijing, China (CPM) (size < PM13 with majority < PM2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the normal radiographic length of the styloid process (SP), prevalence and type of elongation, and angulation of the styloid process in relation to sex and side on digital panoramic radiographs in a Sri Lankan population.
Methods: A total of 100 digital panoramic images selected from the database at the Division of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka were evaluated for the radiological features of the styloid process. Lengths greater than 30 mm were consider as elongated.
Metallotriazine complexes possess interesting biological and medicinal properties, and the present study focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial activity of four novel copper-triazine derivatives in search of potent antibacterial and antifungal drug leads. In this study, 3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine-4,4'-disulfonic acid monosodium salt (L1, ferrozine) and 3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-di(2-furyl)-1,2,4-triazine-5,5'-disulfonic acid disodium salt (L2, ferene) have been used as ligands to study the complexation towards copper(II). The synthesized complexes, [CuCl(ferrozine)]·7HO·MeOH (), [CuCl(ferrozine)]·5HO·MeOH (), [CuCl(ferene)]·HO·MeOH (), and [CuCl(ferene)]·HO·MeOH (), have been characterized spectroscopically, and preliminary bioassays have been carried out.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDespite the success of plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) in depositing quality silicon nitride films, a fundamental understanding of the growth mechanism has been difficult to obtain because of lack of in situ characterization to probe the surface reactions noninvasively and the complexity of reactions induced/enhanced by the plasma. These challenges have hindered the direct observation of intermediate species formed during the reactions. We address this challenge by examining the interaction of Ar plasma using atomically flat, monohydride-terminated Si(111) as a well-defined model surface and focusing on the initial PEALD with aminosilanes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSerpulanines A (1), B (2), and C (3) have been isolated from extracts of the rare Sri Lankan macrofungus Serpula sp. The structures of 1, 2, and 3 were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Serpulanines A (1) and B (2) both contain the rare (E)-2-hydroxyimino hydroxamic acid functional group array.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFats, oils and grease (FOG) congregate in grease traps and are a slowly biodegradable particulate organic matter, which may require enzymatic or hydrolytic conversion to form readily biodegradable soluble organic matter. The existing treatment methods employ water-based hydrolysis of FOG to form long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs). The LCFAs discharged into wastewater treatment system create functional difficulties, especially the inhibitory effect caused by accumulation of LCFAs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUniform and conformal deposition of tin oxide thin films is important for several applications in electronics, gas sensing, and transparent conducting electrodes. Thermal atomic layer deposition (ALD) is often best suited for these applications, but its implementation requires a mechanistic understanding of the initial nucleation and subsequent ALD processes. To this end, in situ FTIR and ex situ XPS have been used to explore the ALD of tin oxide films using tributyltin ethoxide and ozone on an OH-terminated, SiO-passivated Si(111) substrate.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThalassaemia is the commonest monogenic disease in Sri Lanka, affecting over 3500 children and half-a-million thalassaemia carriers. This is a review of 82 amniocenteses performed from 2006 to 2016, in the largest prenatal diagnoses study for thalassaemia carried out in Sri Lanka. Amniocenteses were performed between 11 and 12 weeks of ultrasonically confirmed gestation, on mothers with previous thalassaemia major children pregnant for the second time and nulliparous thalassaemia trait women married to trait partners.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Complement Altern Med
November 2016
Background: Mushrooms inspired the cuisines of many cultures and conventional medicaments for cancer. However, a substantial number of mushroom species are yet unexplored, possessing an unknown chemical, biological and pharmacological profiles. Fulviformes fastuosus is a terrestrial mushroom, which is commonly found in Sri Lankan woodlands.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe coordinated anatomy and physiology lectures and practicals to facilitate an integrated understanding of morphology and function in a basic medical science program for dental students and to reduce the time spent on basic science education. This method is a means to provide the essential information and skills in less time. The overall impression was that the practice of joint central nervous system lectures and practicals was an efficient method for students, which suggests that joint lectures might also be useful for clinical subjects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Macrofungi have an established history of use in traditional oriental medicine. Anthracophyllum lateritium is a terrestrial macrofungus found in the dry zone forest reserves in Sri Lanka. Yet there are no scientific reports on bioactive properties of this species.
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