Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis in acute myeloid leukemia patients: a case series from Sri Lanka.

Background: Mucormycosis, is a rare yet potentially life-threatening fungal infection common in immunocompromised patients. Despite optimal care, mucormycosis in haemato-oncological patients often results in poor outcomes. This case series details the presentations and unique challenges faced during the management of patients with acute myeloid leukemia who developed rhino-cerebral mucormycosis.

Salmonella Typhimurium effector SseI regulates host peroxisomal dynamics to acquire lysosomal cholesterol.

Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium (Salmonella) resides and multiplies intracellularly in cholesterol-rich compartments called Salmonella-containing vacuoles (SCVs) with actin-rich tubular extensions known as Salmonella-induced filaments (SIFs). SCV maturation depends on host-derived cholesterol, but the transport mechanism of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-derived cholesterol to SCVs remains unclear. Here we find that peroxisomes are recruited to SCVs and function as pro-bacterial organelle.

Perception of diet, dietary practices and sources of dietary information among people with type 2 diabetes followed up at a tertiary care outpatient clinic: a qualitative study.

Background: Dietary practices and beliefs among people living with diabetes in low-middle-income South-Asian countries are unique. Understanding them is paramount in supporting them to improve their clinical outcomes. This study aimed to understand the perception of diet, dietary practices, and sources of dietary information among Sri Lankan adults with type 2 diabetes.

Rising trends of diabetes in South Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: South Asians are known for their increased predisposition for type 2 diabetes (T2D). We describe the most recent prevalence and trends of diabetes, prediabetes, and undiagnosed diabetes in South Asia based on surveys conducted from 2000 to 2024.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases for population-based studies describing diabetes/prediabetes prevalence.

ATAK (Adrenaline, Takotsubo, anaphylaxis, and Kounis hypersensitivity-associated syndrome) following common cobra (Naja naja) bite: A case report from Sri Lanka.

A 68-year-old woman, after an Indian cobra (Naja naja) bite, developed anaphylaxis, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, and Kounis syndrome. She was initially diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome after anaphylaxis due to exposure to cobra venom, indicating Kounis syndrome. The echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, and almost complete reversal of dyskinetic myocardium established Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

From Fragmentation to Open Access: Building an Open Data Portal for Health Data Dissemination.

Open data is defined as data that can be used and redistributed by anyone with minimal or no restrictions. A design science research methodology was applied to the development of an open data portal for theMinistry of Health Sri Lanka (MoH) to share national datasets. Following requirement gathering and literature review, the open data portal was developed using open-source software and implemented at the MoH Sri Lanka.

Prevalence of low vitamin D status in an urban district in Sri Lanka: a population-based study.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is conventionally associated with inadequate sunlight exposure. Ironically, recent evidence suggests a rising prevalence in urban areas of tropical regions like Sri Lanka, where comprehensive data are unavailable. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of low vitamin D status in urban adults and its impact on serum calcium.

Opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome associated with bacterial urinary tract infection.

Opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome (OMAS) is a rare acquired neurological disorder characterized by opsoclonus, focal or diffuse myoclonus, truncal instability and associated other cerebellar signs and ataxia. While predominantly affecting children, it can rarely manifest in adults and could be associated with infections, paraneoplastic syndrome, drugs or other neurological disorders. We present a case of an elderly gentleman presenting with OMAS associated with a culture-positive urinary tract infection with , successfully treated with antibiotics and immunoglobulins resulting in significant recovery.

Global assessment of military and civilian trauma systems integration: a scoping review.

Background: The global burden of trauma disproportionately affects low-income countries and middle-income countries (LMIC), with variability in trauma systems between countries. Military and civilian healthcare systems have a shared interest in building trauma capacity for use during peace and war. However, in LMICs it is largely unknown if and how these entities work together.

Scleredema Diabeticorum: A Rare Metabolic Connective Tissue Manifestation of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Causing External Restrictive Lung Disease.

Scleredema diabeticorum (SD) is a rare metabolic connective tissue manifestation of diabetes mellitus (DM). SD commonly manifests in male patients with poorly controlled prolonged DM with obesity. In SD, the skin gets stiffened, thickened, and leathery in texture with a peau d'orange appearance commonly involving the posterior aspect of the neck and chest wall.

Adult-onset acute rheumatic fever with chorea and carditis.

Rheumatic fever is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries, and it usually occurs at a young age. Adult-onset acute rheumatic fever is a rare condition and usually represents a recurrence of childhood-onset disease. We report a case of an elderly man presenting with rheumatic carditis and rheumatic chorea subsequently diagnosed with adult-onset rheumatic fever.

Top 5 barriers in cardiac arrest research as perceived by international early career researchers - A consensus study.

Aim Of The Study: Cardiac arrest research has not received as much scientific attention as research on other topics. Here, we aimed to identify cardiac arrest research barriers from the perspective of an international group of early career researchers.

Methods: Attendees of the 2022 international masterclass on cardiac arrest registry research accompanied the Global Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Registry collaborative meeting in Utstein, Norway, and used an adapted hybrid nominal group technique to obtain a diverse and comprehensive perspective.

Role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis: Looking closely at fibroblast- like synoviocytes.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune, and inflammatory disease that primarily targets the joints, leading to cartilage and bone destruction.Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) are specialized cells of the synovial lining in the joint that plays a fundamental role in the development of RA. Particularly, FLS of RA patients (RA-FLS) in the joint exhibit specific characteristics like higher invading and immunogenic properties, hyperproliferation, and reduced apoptotic capacity, suggesting a dysfunctional mitochondrial pool in these cells.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis (MA) on health-related quality-of-life (QoL) and associated factors among children/adolescents with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).

Method: Following registration in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews(reg no: CRD42022313389), Google Scholar, PubMed, LILACS, Cochrane, and Scopus databases were searched up to March 5, 2022, using predefined search strategy/MESH terms to identify original studies describing/assessing self-reported/parent-reported health-related QoL in patients with CAH ≤21 years. Methodological quality was assessed by Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS), and heterogeneity by I2 statistics.

Case report of an infant with congenital mesoblastic nephroma leading to pulmonary metastasis.

Congenital mesoblastic nephroma is considered a tumour with favourable clinical behaviour with only few reported cases of metastases. We report an infant who underwent complete resection and later developed pulmonary metastasis. Ten-month-old baby girl initially presented at 3 weeks of age with macroscopic haematuria, hypertension and a lumbar mass.

Delay in diagnosis to treatment and impact on survival of gastric adenocarcinoma in a low income setting without screening facility.

The treatment modality of gastric adenocarcinoma (GCA) depends on the stage of the disease at the clinical presentation. Long delays are probably an unfavorable factor for the patient's prognosis. A prospective longitudinal, study involving 145 consecutive GCA was conducted at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL).

Manual Vacuum Aspiration Versus Expectant Management for First Trimester Miscarriage: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background Miscarriage is one of the common problems encountered in pregnancy. The treatment modalities are expectant, medical, and surgical management. This study compared the effectiveness and safety of manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) with expectant management for first trimester miscarriage.

Humoral immune response and changes in peritoneal cell populations in rats immunized against two Leptospira serovars; serovar patoc and serovar pyrogenes.

Background: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira species. Variations in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structure in Leptospira are known to be associated with the serovar diversity and antigenicity. Development of immunodiagnostics for early detection of leptospirosis based on immune responses against different pathogenic antigens as well as development of vaccines are important.

Growth Failure and Primary Amenorrhea: Endocrine Dysfunction as a Late Presentation of Crohn's Disease.

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease involving entire gastrointestinal tract, most commonly affecting terminal ileum and colon. It usually presents with gastrointestinal symptoms like bloody diarrhea, fever and loss of weight. The clinical course of CD includes gastrointestinal complications like fistulas, abscesses and perianal disease.

Psychological Autopsy in Small Penis Syndrome: Determining the Manner and Circumstance of Death Following a Vehicular Accident.

Road traffic accidents and related deaths are on the rise, especially in developing countries. Even though uncommon and probably under-recognized, predisposing psychiatric states may be contributory, posing the question of whether these could be avoided. Psychological autopsy, despite not being performed routinely, might play a pivotal role in such instances, in reconstructing events leading to the catastrophe and determining the role played by the parties involved.