Efficacy and safety of co-trimoxazole in eradication phase of melioidosis; systematic review.

Background: Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. The two stages of melioidosis treatment are the intense intravenous phase and the oral eradication phase. Although co-trimoxazole has been in use for several years, the literature does not demonstrate uniformity of the drug doses, combinations, or durations suitable for the eradication phase of melioidosis.

Taxonomic status of the Lesser Woolly Horseshoe bats (Chiroptera, Rhinolophidae, Rhinolophus beddomei) in peninsular India and Sri Lanka.

Insularity provides ample opportunities for species diversification. Sri Lanka is home to a large diversity of species, many of which are endemic but morphologically similar to species found in southern India, due to recent speciation events, suggesting a complex evolutionary history. However, in some taxa although morphological diversity has been noted, the genetic level variations are minimal.

Incidence of serum sickness following Indian polyvalent antivenom therapy in a cohort of snake-envenomed patients in rural Sri Lanka.

Introduction: Serum sickness is a poorly reported delayed adverse reaction following snake antivenom therapy. We aimed to assess the frequency of serum sickness associated with administering Indian polyvalent antivenom in Sri Lanka.

Methods: We recruited patients from the Anuradhapura snakebite cohort who were admitted to a rural tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka over one year period.

Associations between socioeconomic factors and depression in Sri Lanka: The role of gene-environment interplay.

Background: Low socioeconomic status is a risk factor for depression. The nature and magnitude of associations can differ cross-culturally and is influenced by a range of contextual factors. We examined the aetiology of socioeconomic indicators and depression symptoms and investigated whether socioeconomic indicators moderate genetic and environmental influences on depression symptoms in a Sri Lankan population.

Prevalence of Paternal Postpartum Depression in Anuradhapura District in Sri Lanka and Its Association With Maternal Postpartum Depression as a Risk Factor.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PPPD in Anuradhapura district, its association with maternal PPD, and relevant risk factors.

Materials And Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted among fathers in Anuradhapura district having infants 1-5 months by giving questionnaire specifically developed for the study with Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) and self-constructed questions. Out of 6324 fathers, 435 fathers and their partners were randomly selected and proportionately allocated to 5 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas.

Plant phylogeny determines host selection and acceptance of the oligophagous leaf beetle Cassida rubiginosa.

Background: Predicting the host range of biocontrol agents is important for the safe and effective implementation of biocontrol of weeds. In this study, we examined the phylogenetic pattern of host selection and acceptance by the biocontrol beetle, Cassida rubiginosa. The beetle was released in New Zealand for control of Cirsium arvense, its primary host plant, but has potential to attack many Cardueae (thistles and knapweeds) species.

Community-based alcohol education intervention (THEATRE) study to reduce harmful effects of alcohol in rural Sri Lanka: design and adaptation of a mixed-methods stepped wedge cluster randomised control trial.

Introduction: Alcohol consumption is a leading cause of mortality, morbidity and adverse social sequelae in Sri Lanka. Effective community-based, culturally adapted or context-specific interventions are required to minimise these harms. We designed a mixed-methods stepped wedge cluster randomised control trial of a complex alcohol intervention.

Complete genome sequences of twelve strains of Leptospira interrogans isolated from humans in Sri Lanka.

Leptospirosis, a major zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp. is recognized globally as an emerging zoonotic disease. Whole-genome sequencing reveals hidden messages about Leptospira's pathogenesis.

Towards a More Efficient In and Ex Situ Conservation of Sri Lankan Wild Rice Species.

Five species of wild (, , , and ), including the endemic species , have been recorded in Sri Lanka. These species are facing continuous decline in their populations due to natural and anthropogenic processes, with habitat loss being the main threat. This study aimed to provide information on the distribution, the current status of ex situ and in situ conservation, and to identify high-priority species and sites of wild rice in Sri Lanka, in order to improve the effectiveness of conservation efforts.

Challenges of Continuation of Exclusive Breast Feeding up to 6 Months in a Setting with High Exclusive Breast Feeding Rates Reported. Experience from Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.

Background: According to the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative, Sri Lanka ranked as number one and only country to achieve green status. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for six months is current practice with a rate of 75.5% among 0-5 months.

Effectiveness of single intra-bursal injection of platelet-rich plasma against corticosteroid under ultrasonography guidance for shoulder impingement syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of intra-bursal injection of single-dose platelet-rich plasma (PRP) against corticosteroids under ultrasonography guidance in shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS).

Materials And Methods: This single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 participants with a clinical diagnosis of SIS from a selected orthopedic clinic. Thirty participants in each arm were given a single dose of either PRP or triamcinolone acetonide into the subacromial sub-deltoid bursa (SASD) under ultrasonography guidance.

Ergonomics in online education of medical undergraduates: A challenge to post-COVID transformation in educational activities.

Background: Practicing incorrect postures in online and virtual education during the COVID-19 pandemic can cause significant study-related musculoskeletal problems among students.

Objective: This study evaluated the knowledge, attitude, and practice of sitting posture and computer ergonomics and study-related musculoskeletal problems in undergraduates who followed online education during the pandemic.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey among a cohort of Sri Lankan medical undergraduates was conducted using a structured questionnaire with 56 multiple-choice or Yes/No type questions.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on health service utilisation and household economy of pregnant and postpartum women: a cross-sectional study from rural Sri Lanka.

Objectives: This study aims to describe how household economies and health service utilisation of pregnant and postpartum women were affected during the pandemic.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Setting: This study was conducted in the Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka.

The effectiveness of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy vs transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in the management of upper limb spasticity in chronic-post stroke hemiplegia-A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Traditionally both rESWT and TENS are used in treating post-stroke upper limb spasticity over years and their effectiveness had been assessed disjointedly. However, these methods were not yet compared for superiority.

Objectives: To compare rESWT vs TENS to assess their effectiveness in different parameters of stroke such as stroke type, gender, and the affected side.

A child diagnosed with severe hemophilia A presenting with nephrotic syndrome: a case report.

Background: Nephrotic syndrome occurring as a complication of immune tolerance therapy for inhibitors in hemophilia B is well recognized. It is also known to occur in association with factor borne infections, especially hepatitis C. This is the first case report of nephrotic syndrome occurring in a child receiving prophylactic factor VIII in the absence of inhibitors of hepatitis infection.

'We do not rush to the hospital for ordinary wounds (suḷu tuvāla)': A qualitative study on the early clinical manifestations of cutaneous leishmaniasis and associated health behaviours in rural Sri Lanka.

Background: Knowledge of early clinical manifestations, people's perceptions and behaviours is crucial in preventing and controlling neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Cutaneous leishmaniasis is an NTD that causes skin lesions and affects millions worldwide. Delayed healthcare-seeking behaviour leading to prolonged treatment periods and complications is rife among people with cutaneous leishmaniasis.

The stigma associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL): A protocol for a systematic review.

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease with three main clinical types; cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). CL and MCL are considered to be highly stigmatizing due to potentially disfiguring skin pathology. CL and MCL-associated stigma are reported across the world in different contexts assimilating different definitions and interpretations.

Spatiotemporal change in ecological quality and its influencing factors in the Dongjiangyuan region, China.

It is of great significance for regional ecological protection and sustainable development to quickly and effectively assess and monitor regional ecological quality and identify the factors that affect ecological quality. This paper constructs the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform to analyze the spatial and temporal evolution of ecological quality in the Dongjiangyuan region from 2000 to 2020. An ecological quality trend analysis was conducted through the Theil-Sen median and Mann-Kendall tests, and the influencing factors were analyzed by using a geographically weighted regression (GWR) model.