Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy from Brain to Muscle: The Role of Brain Dystrophin Isoforms in Motor Functions.

Brain function and its effect on motor performance in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an emerging concept. The present study explored how cumulative dystrophin isoform loss, age, and a corticosteroid treatment affect DMD motor outcomes. A total of 133 genetically confirmed DMD patients from Sri Lanka were divided into two groups based on whether their shorter dystrophin isoforms (Dp140, Dp116, and Dp71) were affected: Group 1, containing patients with Dp140, Dp116, and Dp71 affected (n = 98), and Group 2, containing unaffected patients (n = 35).

Hip fractures and outcome in elderly patients in a tertiary care hospital of Sri Lanka.

Unlabelled: This study assessed how elderly patients with hip fractures were affected by factors such as comorbidities, fracture type, treatments, complications, and health-related quality of life. The majority of participants had surgery for their fracture with good prognoses despite having comorbidities. Reductions in the general level of activities related to daily living were proportionately higher even after one year.

Synthesis and Additive Manufacturing of Hydrazone-Linked Covalent Organic Framework Aerogels.

Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) are crystalline, porous organic materials. Recent studies have demonstrated novel processing strategies for COFs to form adaptable architectures, but these have focused primarily on imine-linked COFs. This work presents a new synthesis and processing route to produce crystalline hydrazone-linked COF gels and aerogels with hierarchical porosity.

Establishment of institutional diagnostic reference level for coronary angiography procedures in Sri Lanka.

Amongst many interventional procedures performed in a cardiac catheterisation laboratory, the coronary angiography (CAG) is the most frequently performed cardiac interventional procedure. A diagnostic reference level (DRL) is an effective tool to optimise the radiation exposure to patients and staff whilst maintaining the adequate diagnostic image quality. The aim of the study was to establish institutional DRLs for the CAG procedures performed at a selected private hospital in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Development and Validation of a Holistically Based Follow-Up Pain Assessment Diary Leading to Holistic Nursing for Patients with Cancer Pain in Sri Lanka.

The study aimed to develop and validate a holistically based follow-up pain assessment diary for patients with cancer pain in Sri Lanka. Mixed-method design adapted. Developing a pain diary and testing its psychometric qualities were done in two phases.

Integrated genomic, proteomic and cognitive assessment in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy suggest astrocyte centric pathology.

Introduction: Documented Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) biomarkers are confined to Caucasians and are poor indicators of cognitive difficulties and neuropsychological alterations.

Materials And Methods: This study correlates serum protein signatures with cognitive performance in DMD patients of South Asian origin. Study included 25 DMD patients aged 6-16 years.

Hyperpyrexia in a previously healthy pregnant female with COVID pneumonia: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Infection due to the SARS-CoV-2 virus can have a wide range of presentations from asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic to severe disease with multiorgan failure. Fever is a common symptom. But hyperpyrexia defined as temperature > 41.

Prevalence and Distribution of Known Associated Factors of Burnout among Military Personnel of Sri Lanka Army: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Burnout is a psychological condition that has a detrimental effect on occupational and mental health. The military is a known community that is vulnerable to burnout. Burnout risk may have increased over the past 10 years due to the accumulation of recognized burnout correlates in the Sri Lankan military context.

Effect of oestrogen modulation on semen parameters in men with secondary hypogonadism: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Selective oestrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors stimulate endogenous gonadotrophins and testosterone in men with hypogonadism. There are no systematic reviews/meta-analyses assessing the effects of selective oestrogen receptor modulators/aromatase inhibitors on semen parameters in men with secondary hypogonadism.

Objectives: To assess the effect of monotherapy or a combination of selective oestrogen receptor modulators/aromatase inhibitors on sperm parameters and/or fertility in men with secondary hypogonadism.

Minimal important change and difference for knee osteoarthritis outcome measurement tools after non-surgical interventions: a systematic review.

Objectives: To systematically review and provide estimates of the minimal important change (MIC) and difference (MID) for outcome tools in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) after non-surgical interventions. A systematic review.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane databases were searched up to 21 September 2021.

Structural Characterization and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of 24-Methylcholesta-5(6), 22-Diene-3β-ol from the Cultured Marine Diatom ; Attenuate Inflammatory Signaling Pathways.

In the present investigation, 24-methylcholesta-5(6), 22-diene-3β-ol (MCDO), a major phytosterol was isolated from the cultured marine diatom, Bohlin, and in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects were determined. MCDO demonstrated very potent dose-dependent inhibitory effects on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E (PGE) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells with minimal cytotoxic effects.

Effect of cigarette smoking on smoking biomarkers, blood pressure and blood lipid levels among Sri Lankan male smokers.

Study Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels, exhaled breath carbon monoxide (eCO) levels, blood pressure, blood lipid levels between smokers and non-smokers and to determine the association of smoking intensity with the above parameters.

Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in selected periurban areas of the Colombo District, Sri Lanka. Adult male current tobacco smokers (n=360), aged between 21 and 60 years were studied and compared with anthropometrically matched male non-smokers (n=180).

Quality of life and its associated factors among home-dwelling older people residing in the District of Colombo, Sri Lanka: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Introduction: This community-based cross-sectional study explored the factors affecting overall and domain-specific (physical health, psychological health, social relationships and environmental) quality of life (QOL) of home-dwelling older residents of the District of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Methods: A representative sample (n=723) of older adults aged >65 years was obtained by the multistage cluster sampling technique. QOL was assessed using the validated Sinhala version of WHOQOL BREF Questionnaire.

Primary hyperparathyroidism in an adolescent presenting with genu valgus progressing to extensive bone disease; a case report.

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism which is rare in adolescents presents commonly with non-specific symptoms and systemic complaints. Though there are few reported cases of genu valgus, genu valgus progressing to extensive bone disease despite mildly elevated calcium had not been reported before.

Case Presentation: A 12-year-old male had been evaluated for bilateral (left > right) genu valgus and short stature.

Long-term aerobic and combined exercises enhance the satiety response and modulate the energy intake in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM): A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Energy homeostasis plays a vital role in achieving glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Exercise is known to increase energy expenditure. However, its role in energy intake has not been explored in people with T2DM.

Evaluation of patient dose during a digital breast tomosynthesis.

Introduction: When the patient dose in mammography is assessed, it is important to evaluate both average glandular dose (AGD) and entrance surface dose (ESD). A dose survey on both AGD and ESD in mammography has never been studied in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the patient dose received during a full-field digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) examination by determining both AGD and ESD.

Health seeking behaviours, dengue prevention behaviours and community capacity for sustainable dengue prevention in a highly dengue endemic area, Sri Lanka.

Introduction: Dengue has become a major health problem in globally as well as locally. The delay in health-seeking is significantly associated with complications leading to severe dengue and active engagement of communities needs to minimize the delays in management to control epidemics. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and householders' Health-Seeking Behaviours (HSB), Dengue-Prevention Behaviours (DPB), and Community Capacities (CC) for sustained dengue prevention in Sri Lanka, a country with a high dengue endemicity.

Association of antenatal anxiety disorders with antenatal comorbidities and adverse pregnancy outcomes among clinic attendees at a tertiary-care hospital in Sri Lanka.

Purpose: Evidence on the association between antenatal anxiety disorders (AADs) and adverse pregnancy outcomes with detection of AADs using the gold-standard is scarce despite being vital to make decisions on interventions. We aimed to determine this association in women attending tertiary-care antenatal clinics in Sri Lanka.

Material And Methods: Presence/absence of AADs in a systematic random sample of 221 antenatal women attending routine antenatal clinics of a teaching hospital who participated in a questionnaire-validation study were confirmed by a psychiatrist.

Alternative methods for calculating percentage haemolysis of red cell concentrates in peripheral blood banks in Sri Lanka.

Background: Haemolysis - one of the major limiting factors of red cell concentrate quality - must be measured as a quality-monitoring requirement. According to international quality standards, percentage haemolysis must be monitored in 1.0% of red cell concentrates produced monthly and maintained under 0.

Prediction Equation for Physical Activity Energy Expenditure in 11-13-Year-Old Sri Lankan Children.

This study aimed to develop a regression equation to predict physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) using accelerometry. Children aged 11-13 years were recruited and randomly assigned to validation ( = 54) and cross-validation ( = 25) groups. The doubly labelled water (DLW) technique was used to assess energy expenditure and accelerometers were worn by participants across the same period.

Why are we still living in the past? Sri Lanka needs urgent and timely reforms of its archaic mental health laws.

Mental health legislation protects the rights of people with mental illnesses. However, despite major social, political and cultural changes, Sri Lankan mental health services still operate on laws enacted mostly during the British rule more than a century ago, in the pre-psychotropics era, and focusing more on the detention of people with mental illnesses than on their treatment. It is high time all stakeholders made efforts for the much-awaited new Mental Health Act to pass through parliament urgently to meet the needs and protect the rights of patients, their caregivers and service providers.

Pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) and the cost of care in a tertiary care institute in Sri Lanka.

Background: Despite advancements in diagnostic technology, pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) remains a clinical concern. Insufficient information is available regarding the cost of care for the management of PUO in the South Asian Region.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of patients with PUO from a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka to determine the clinical course of PUO and the burden of the cost incurred in the treatment of PUO patients.