Development of a Core Outcome Measure Instrument; "LeishCOM_LCL", for Localised Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.

Background: Localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) is a chronic ulcerating disease. A literature review identified inconsistencies in clinical trials. The aims of this study were to reach a consensus on the most important domains to measure when assessing LCL, agree on parameters to measure the domains, and develop a tool representing a Core Outcome Set (COS), for use in clinical assessment of LCL.

Assessing knowledge of migrant sexual reproductive health and rights: a national cross-sectional survey among health professionals in Sweden.

Introduction: Despite the commitment of the Swedish government to ensuring equal access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights services for all citizens, shortcomings persist among the migrant population. In cases where healthcare providers lack sufficient knowledge or hold misconceptions and biases about these contentious issues, it can lead to the delivery of suboptimal care. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of Swedish healthcare providers on global and Swedish migrant Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights.

Gelatine nanoparticles encapsulating three edible plant extracts as potential nanonutraceutical agents against type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aim: To optimise, and characterise gelatine nanoparticles (GNPs) encapsulating plant extracts and evaluate the glucose-lowering potential.

Methods: GNPs encapsulating plant extracts were prepared by desolvation method followed by adsorption. The GNPs were characterised by loading efficiency, loading capacity, particle size, zeta potential, SEM and FTIR.

An anomaly detection method for identifying locations with abnormal behavior of temperature in school buildings.

Time series data collected using wireless sensors, such as temperature and humidity, can provide insight into a building's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Anomalies of these sensor measurements can be used to identify locations of a building that are poorly designed or maintained. Resolving the anomalies present in these locations can improve the thermal comfort of occupants, as well as improve air quality and energy efficiency levels in that space.

Incorporating early pregnancy mental health screening and management into routine maternal care: experience from the Rajarata Pregnancy Cohort (RaPCo), Sri Lanka.

Early identification of mental health problems in pregnancy in low-income and middle-income countries is scarcely reported. We present the experience of a programme assimilating screening and management of antenatal anxiety and depression in conjunction with the Rajarata Pregnancy Cohort, in Sri Lanka. We adopted a two-stage screening approach to identify the symptoms and the reasons for anxiety and depression.

Herbal Extracts Encapsulated Nanoliposomes as Potential Glucose-lowering Agents: An in Vitro and in Vivo Approach Using Three Herbal Extracts.

Encapsulation of polyphenol-rich herbal extracts into nanoliposomes is a promising strategy for the development of novel therapeutic agents against type 2 diabetes mellitus. An attempt was made to encapsulate aqueous, ethanol, and aqueous ethanol (70% v/v) extracts of Senna auriculata (L.) Roxb.

Addition of Pore-Forming Agents and Their Effect on the Pore Architecture and Catalytic Behavior of Shaped Zeolite-Based Catalyst Bodies.

Porous materials, such as solid catalysts, are used in various chemical reactions in industry to produce chemicals, materials, and fuels. Understanding the interplay between pore architecture and catalytic behavior is of great importance for synthesizing a better industrial-grade catalyst material. In this study, we have investigated the modification of the pore architecture of zeolite-based alumina-bound shaped catalyst bodies via the addition of different starches as pore-forming agents.

Prevalence of depression among students at a Sri Lankan University: A study using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The prevalence of mental health disorders is known to be high among university students globally. Currently there are only a few studies on depression among university students in Sri Lanka. The aim of this study was to screen for the prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and other forms of depression, and to evaluate the factors associated with MDD.

Subclinical memory impairment in unaffected siblings of patients with dementia.

Family history of dementia is a known risk factor for dementia. The cognitive performance of unaffected siblings of dementia patients has been poorly studied. We aimed to determine whether clinically unaffected siblings of dementia patients have significant cognitive impairment compared to individuals who do not have first-degree relatives with dementia.

Impact of perceived social support and physical fitness on quality of life of institutionalized and non-institutionalized older adults in Sri Lanka.

Background And Aim: Quality of life (QoL) in old age contributes to enhance active aging. This study aimed to assess and compare QoL and associated factors of institutionalized and non-institutionalized older adults (aged 60+ years) in Southern Sri Lanka.

Methods: A total of 160 older adults (80 institutionalized and 80 non-institutionalized) were surveyed.

Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for bronchoscopic removal of a tracheal foreign body in a child.

Background: Bronchoscopic removal of a foreign body is a common emergency procedure in paediatric otolaryngology. It is potentially life-threatening, as complete airway obstruction caused by the foreign body can lead to hypoxic cardiac arrest during the manipulation of the object.

Case Report: This paper presents a child who had aspirated a foreign body that could not be extracted conventionally via rigid bronchoscopy in the first instance.

The future of data-driven relationship innovation in the microfinance industry.

Data-driven innovation (DDI) initiatives by microfinance institutes have transformed the global poverty alleviation landscape. Despite the fact that relationship building is one of the primary goals of DDI initiatives in microfinance operations, there has been little research on the dimensions of relationship quality. This study examines how DDI initiatives recognize and incorporate relational dimensions in their service offerings to alleviate poverty.

Ragging, a Form of University Violence in Sri Lanka-Prevalence, Self-Perceived Health Consequences, Help-Seeking Behavior and Associated Factors.

Ragging is an initiation ritual practiced in Sri Lankan universities for generations, although research is scarce. This practice has several adverse consequences such as physical, psychological, and behavioral effects and increased university dropouts. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of different types of ragging: emotional/verbal, physical and sexual ragging, self-perceived health consequences, help-seeking behavior, and factors associated with the experience of ragging.

Incidence and prevalence of alcoholic fatty liver disease: a prospective, community-based study among adult Sri Lankans.

Background: Data on the alcoholic fatty liver (AFL) is limited. Therefore, we investigated alcohol use and AFL patterns among urban, adult Sri Lankans.

Methods: The study population (selected by age-stratified random sampling) was screened in 2007 (35-64 years) and re-evaluated in 2014.

Perceived Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Psychiatric Training Among Final-Year Medical Undergraduates in Sri Lanka: an Online Survey of Students from Eight Universities.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on undergraduate psychiatry training in Sri Lanka and to explore several potentially associated factors.

Methods: An online survey was distributed among students from eight medical schools who recently faced their final exam. Their perceptions on the impact of the pandemic on the psychiatry training and exam performance were rated on a 10-point scale.

Nanoformulation of Plant-Based Natural Products for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: From Formulation Design to Therapeutic Applications.

Background: Herbal remedies are used to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) as the sole treatment or as a complementary therapy. Limitations of herbal remedies, such as poor stability and limited absorption, impede their development as therapeutic agents, which could be overcome by nanoformulations.

Objectives: This review attempts to summarize the studies reported between 2009 and 2020 in the development of medicinal plant-based nanoformulations for the management of type 2 DM, discuss formulation methods, mechanisms of action, and identify gaps in the literature to conduct future research on nanoparticle-based herbal treatment options targeting type 2 DM.

Temperature clusters in commercial buildings using k-means and time series clustering.

An efficient building should be able to control its internal temperature in a manner that considers both the building's energy efficiency and the comfort level of its occupants. Thermostats help to control the temperature within a building by providing real-time data on the temperature inside that space to determine whether it is within the acceptable range of that building's control system, and proper thermostat placement helps to better control a building's temperature. More thermostats can provide better control of a building, as well as a better understanding of the building's temperature distribution.

Assessing the impact of the density and sparsity of the network on community detection using a Gaussian mixture random partition graph generator.

Identification of sub-networks within a network is essential to understand the functionality of a network. This process is called as 'Community detection'. There are various existing community detection algorithms, and the performance of these algorithms can be varied based on the network structure.

Biochemical characterization of high fat diet fed and low dose streptozotocin induced diabetic Wistar rat model.

The development of a stable disease model with an adequate biochemical profile is crucial for the preclinical investigation of new antidiabetic agents. This study aimed at optimization and characterization of high fat diet (HFD) fed streptozotocin (STZ) induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) Wistar rat model. Wistar rats fed with HFD for four weeks received STZ (30, 40, and 50 mg/kg, intraperitoneal).

General hospital specialists' attitudes toward psychiatry: a cross-sectional survey in seven countries.

Objective: Psychiatric comorbidities are common in physical illness and significantly affect health outcomes. Attitudes of general hospital doctors toward psychiatry are important as they influence referral patterns and quality of care. Little is known about these attitudes and their cultural correlates.

Herbal Medicines Targeting the Improved -Cell Functions and -Cell Regeneration for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus.

There is an increasing trend of investigating natural bioactive compounds targeting pancreatic -cells for the prevention/treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). With the exploration of multiple mechanisms by which -cells involve in the pathogenesis of DM, herbal medicines are gaining attention due to their multitasking ability as evidenced by traditional medicine practices. This review attempts to summarize herbal medicines with the potential for improvement of -cell functions and regeneration as scientifically proven by investigations.

Sensitivity-Enhanced Solid-State NMR Detection of Structural Differences and Unique Polymorphs in Pico- to Nanomolar Amounts of Brain-Derived and Synthetic 42-Residue Amyloid-β Fibrils.

Amyloid-β (Aβ) fibrils in neuritic plaques are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since the 42-residue Aβ (Aβ42) fibril is the most pathogenic among different Aβ species, its structural characterization is crucial to our understanding of AD. While several polymorphs have been reported for Aβ40, previous studies of Aβ42 fibrils prepared at neutral pH detected essentially only one structure, with an S-shaped β-sheet arrangement (, Xiao et al.

Psychological wellbeing and mental health amongst medical undergraduates: A descriptive study assessing more than 1,000 medical students in Sri Lanka.

Background: Studies from around the world have shown higher rates of anxiety, depression, alcohol and other drug use, and burnout in medical students.

Aims: The aim of this study was to identify the socio-demographic factors and severity of difficulties Sri Lankan medical students face regarding psychological wellbeing and burnout.

Method: This one-off survey used a cross-sectional design, assessing substance use, psychological wellbeing, and burnout using the CAGE, GHQ-12, and OLBI.

Outcomes of NAFLD and MAFLD: Results from a community-based, prospective cohort study.

Background: The term "metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease" (MAFLD) is suggested alternative for "non-alcoholic fatty liver disease" (NAFLD), as it better reflects metabolic dysfunction. No study has compared outcomes of the two diagnostic criteria.

Methods: In an ongoing, community-based, cohort-study in suburban Sri Lanka, participants were randomly selected in 2007.