Glutamine Cooperatively Upregulates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Nitric Oxide Production in BV2 Microglial Cells through the ERK and Nrf-2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway.

Glutamine (Gln) is a nonessential α-amino acid for protein biosynthesis. However, the mechanism through which Gln regulates NO production in microglial cells is still unclear. In this study, we investigated whether the presence or absence of Gln affects NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells.

Food and Nutrition-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices among Reproductive-Age Women in Marginalized Areas in Sri Lanka.

Nutrient deficiencies are a public health problem in Sri Lanka. Achieving food security is a major challenge due to unhealthy eating patterns. The nutritional status of a woman and her knowledge is a powerful indicator of the nutritional security of her children and household food security.

Complete Genome Sequence of Strains FMAS_KW1, FMAS_KW2 and FMAS_AW1 Isolated from Leptospirosis Patients from Karawanalla and Awissawella, Sri Lanka.

Leptospirosis is an important cause of acute undifferentiated fever and complex multisystem febrile diseases in the tropics and subtropics. Understanding the evolution of especially as related to the clinical pathogenesis of leptospirosis is facilitated by systematic comparative genomic analysis of human-infecting isolates. Here, we announce the complete genome sequences of three strains that were isolated from blood of humans with undifferentiated fever in Sri Lanka.

Prevalence, associated factors and reasons for antibiotic self-medication among dwellers in Anuradhapura: a community-based study.

Background Antimicrobial resistance is cited as one of the leading causes for the increased morbidity and mortality in infectious diseases globally. Antibiotic misuse can accelerate the advent and spread of resistant antimicrobial strains and antibiotic self-medication is one of the main practices of antibiotic misuse. Even though plethora of evidence is available on antibiotic self-medication among health care providers, evidence derived from community-based studies are scarce.

Melioidosis after a long silence in Sri Lanka: an environmental hazard and dilemma in diagnosis, with recovery and longitudinal follow-up for 13 years: a case report.

Background: Melioidosis is a potentially fatal bacterial infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. The existence of melioidosis in Sri Lanka was once unheard of, and entertaining it as a diagnosis in clinical practice was extremely rare.

Case Presentation: In this case report, we describe the clinical, epidemiological, and longitudinal follow-up data of a 58-year-old previously healthy Sinhalese woman who presented to our hospital with protracted febrile illness of 5 weeks' duration, later developing multiple abscesses at different sites of the body.

A qualitative exploration of rural and semi-urban Sri Lankan men's alcohol consumption.

Harmful alcohol drinking can have health and socio-economic consequences. However, consumption is also associated with pleasure and symbolic meanings. Alcohol intake is increasing in Sri Lanka.

The relationship between the exposure to healthcare settings and colonization with methicillin-resistant among medical students.

Introduction: Medical students who engage in clinical learning in healthcare settings can be potential methicillin-resistant (MRSA) carriers.

Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study having a follow-up approach. Three batches of medical students who were studying at the Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (1, 3 and 5 study years of MBBS course) were screened for nasal and axillary MRSA colonization.

Cytokine response in human leptospirosis with different clinical outcomes: a systematic review.

Background: Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonotic disease which is a major challenge for clinicians and public health professionals in tropical countries. The cytokine storm during the second (immune) phase is thought to be a major contributory factor for the leptospirosis disease severity. We aim to summarize evidence for cytokine response in leptospirosis at different clinical outcomes.

Spatiotemporal Spread of Abnormal Vertical Growth of Macadamia in Australia Informs Epidemiology.

Australian macadamia production is threatened by a disorder known as abnormal vertical growth (AVG), for which the etiology is unknown. AVG is characterized by vigorous upright growth and reduced lateral branching, flowering, and nut set that results in over 70% yield loss annually. Six commercial macadamia orchards were surveyed in 2012 and again in 2018 to examine spatiotemporal dynamics of the epidemic.

Current research into snake antivenoms, their mechanisms of action and applications.

Snakebite is a major public health issue in the rural tropics. Antivenom is the only specific treatment currently available. We review the history, mechanism of action and current developments in snake antivenoms.

Helminths, polyparasitism, and the gut microbiome in the Philippines.

Polyparasitism, involving soil-transmitted helminths. and Schistosoma blood flukes, is common in low to middle income countries. These helminths impact on the gut environment and can cause changes to the gut microbiome composition.

Determination of macronutrient compositions in selected, frequently consumed cereals, cereal based foods, legumes and pulses prepared according to common culinary methods in Sri Lanka.

Cereal grains, legumes and pulses comprise the largest proportion in a typical South-Asian diet plate. This research is mainly focusing on determining the macronutrient composition of major cereals, legumes and pulses commonly consumed in local Sri Lankan cuisine, in their cooked form. White samba, White Basmati, Red Kekulu and Nadu rice were selected as the main rice varieties and in addition maize, and wheat, finger millet flour-based foods too were analyzed.

Prevalence, associated factors and medication for symptoms related to gastroesophageal reflux disease among 1114 private-tuition students of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a chronic and a common condition worldwide which causes mild to severe symptoms. Private tuition attendees are a group which could have potential risk factors for GORD. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence, associated factors and medication for symptoms related to GORD among advanced level private-tuition attendees of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Gastroduodenal Emphysema with Portal Venous Air due to Congenital Duodenal Web in a Child: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Congenital duodenal web causing proximal duodenal obstruction leading to gastroduodenal emphysema is a very rare presentation in infancy. Due to persistent 
peristalsis against the duodenal membrane, there is progressive stretching of the duodenal web leading to windsock deformity. We describe a rare case of a child with gastroduodenal emphysema and portal venous air due to duodenal obstruction secondary to a duodenal web.

Qualitative and quantitative dermatoglyphics of chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) in Sri Lanka.

Background: Dermatoglyphics has been used widely in fields of medicine as a non-invasive diagnostic tool and an early assessment of risk for certain medical conditions. It reflects disturbances in fetal development during early prenatal weeks 14-22 when fingerprints develop. Dermatoglyphic asymmetry has been used to measure developmental instability during a specific period of human fetal development.

Transboundary movements of foot-and-mouth disease from India to Sri Lanka: A common pattern is shared by serotypes O and C.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) affects the livestock industry in a transboundary manner. It is essential to understand the FMD phylodynamics to assist in the disease-eradication. FMD critically affects the Sri Lankan cattle industry causing substantial economic losses.

An in vivo examination of the differences between rapid cardiovascular collapse and prolonged hypotension induced by snake venom.

We investigated the cardiovascular effects of venoms from seven medically important species of snakes: Australian Eastern Brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis), Sri Lankan Russell's viper (Daboia russelii), Javanese Russell's viper (D. siamensis), Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica), Uracoan rattlesnake (Crotalus vegrandis), Carpet viper (Echis ocellatus) and Puff adder (Bitis arietans), and identified two distinct patterns of effects: i.e.

A compulsive act of excess water intake leading to hyponatraemia and rhabdomyolysis: a case report.

Background: Primary polydipsia is commonly seen in patients with psychiatric illnesses. Excess water intake is also seen in patient with anorexia and anticholinergic medications. We report a patient who had hyponatraemia and rhabdomyolysis after consuming excess water for ureteric calculus.

Takotsubo syndrome in patients with myasthenia gravis: a systematic review of previously reported cases.

Background: Myasthenia gravis associated takotsubo syndrome is a rare condition. This study aimed to explore its typical presentation, investigations and treatment through a systematic review of previously reported cases.

Methods: Databases and reference lists of the selected articles were searched for case reports on Myasthenia gravis associated takotsubo syndrome.