Suspended sediment (SPS) triggers nitrogen retention by altering microbial network stability and electron transport behavior during the aerobic-anoxic transition.

NO-N transformation, the vital biological process, determines nitrogen removal and retention in aquatic environment. Suspended sediment (SPS) ubiquitous in freshwater ecosystems can accelerate the transitions from aerobic to anoxic states, inevitably impacting NO-N transformation. To elaborate on the microbial mechanism by which SPS content affected NO-N transformation, we explored nitrogen removal and retention, microbial communities, co-occurrence networks, and electron transfer behavior under different SPS content during the aerobic-anoxic transition.

Phytochemistry and nutraceutical potential of Ceylon Cinnamomum species native to Sri Lanka.

Cinnamon is a spice that is renowned for its several medicinal and cosmetic benefits. The research study examined the essential oil content, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of seven species native to Sri Lanka. Cinnamon bark and leaf samples were used to extract essential oils, methanol, and hexane.

Factors affecting women's access to primary care in the United States since the Affordable Care Act: A mixed-methods systematic review.

Background: In the United States, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded public and private health coverage, increased health insurance affordability, reduced healthcare costs, and improved healthcare quality for many. Despite ACA provisions, lack of insurance and other factors continue to affect working-age women's access to primary care services.

Methods: We conducted a mixed-method systematic review to identify factors that affect women's access to primary care services since the ACA.

Empyema Necessitans Due to Tuberculosis in a Patient With Poorly Controlled Diabetes Mellitus Type 2: A Case Report.

Empyema necessitans (EN) is a rare condition characterized by the accumulation of pus in the extra-thoracic soft tissue due to decompression of intrathoracic empyema by extending through the parietal pleura and chest wall usually by . This is a report of a patient with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus type 2 presenting with high-grade fever, productive cough, dyspnoea and a left-sided pleuritic chest pain complicated by a left pleural effusion. It further extended to extra-thoracic soft tissue space without fistulation to the external environment.

Sequential pulmonary functions in survivors of leptospirosis pulmonary haemorrhage syndrome: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Leptospirosis, a spirochaete infection, can lead to Leptospirosis Pulmonary Haemorrhage Syndrome (LPHS), which requires intensive care admission and has a high mortality. Although data on short-term outcomes are available, the long-term respiratory sequelae of LPHS survivors are not known. We aimed to identify the post-discharge pulmonary functions and functional limitations in survivors of LPHS.

Funding and collaboration inequalities in infectious disease research - why does it matter?

To face the current and emerging challenges due to infectious diseases, global research communities must comprehend the challenges faced by scientists in low-income and lower-middle-income countries. Here we address pertinent issues regarding funding and collaboration inequalities that could potentially cripple economic and healthcare systems, escalating to bigger global threats.

Long-acting injectable antipsychotic use in patients with bipolar disorder: Findings from the REAP-BD study.

Aims: This study aimed to assess treatment patterns and the effectiveness of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) across various Asian countries. The study focused on comparing the choices of LAIs, other psychotropic medications, and their psychotropic drug load to explore real-world usage and evaluate the potential benefits of LAIs in BD treatment across different countries.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with BD patients diagnosed according to ICD-10-CM codes F31.

Tracheobronchial amyloidosis following COVID-19 infection.

Deposition of amyloid proteins in extracellular space can occur due to uncontrolled inflammatory processes. Tracheobronchial amyloidosis (TBA) is a rare form of such disease. A 68-year-old woman was evaluated for chronic cough following a COVID-19 infection.

Mpox Outbreak in Previously Non-Endemic Countries: A Review on Impact on Asia.

Mpox (human mpox) is an opportunistic viral zoonosis that bears a strong resemblance to smallpox. The virus is divided into 2 distinct clades, clade I and clade II, which were originally confined to the moist forest regions of Africa. However, due to air travel and the exotic pet trade, these clades have spread globally.

Impact of climate and land use on the temporal variability of sand fly density in Sri Lanka: A 2-year longitudinal study.

Background: Leishmaniasis has emerged as an escalating public health problem in Sri Lanka, with reported cases increasing nearly three folds over past decade, from 1,367 in 2014 to 3714 cases in 2023. Phlebotominae sand flies are the vectors of leishmaniasis. Their density is known to be influenced by context-specific climatic and land use patterns.

Wheat arabinoxylans: Insight into structure-function relationships.

Arabinoxylan (AX), a key non-starch polysaccharide found in the cell walls of cereals like wheat, holds significant importance in the food industry. Recently, it has attracted attention due to its numerous health benefits. While the benefits of wheat arabinoxylans are well-established, a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between their structure and functional properties is essential.

Next-generation methods for precise pH detection in ocular chemical burns: a review of recent analytical advancements.

Ocular burns due to accidental chemical spillage pose an immediate threat, representing over 20% of emergency ocular traumas. Early detection of the ocular pH is imperative in managing ocular chemical burns. Alkaline chemical burns are more detrimental than acidic chemical burns.

Preservation of strawberries using jellyfish gelatin-based biodegradable films and coatings under refrigerated storage.

This study investigated the applicability of the biodegradable films and coatings prepared from gelatin extracted from jellyfish using two extraction methods; conventional hot water extraction and microwave-assisted extraction, for the preservation of strawberries under refrigerated storage (4 °C), compared to biodegradable films and coatings prepared from analytical grade cold water fish skin gelatin and porcine skin gelatin. After 21 days of storage, uncoated strawberries (control group) exhibited visual decay and fungal attacks while coated or film-wrapped strawberries exhibited a better appearance. Coating or wrapping with gelatin films significantly reduced the weight loss of strawberries and the changes in color, hardness, moisture content, pH, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids of coated/film-wrapped fruits during storage were minimal compared to the uncoated fruits.

Megastigmane and hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives from aqueous leaves extract of lam.

The hot water extract of senescent leaves from is used in traditional Sri Lankan medicine for treating diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to isolate phytochemicals in the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the hot water extract. Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of three megastigmane derivatives and two hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives from fractions, demonstrating both hypoglycaemic and antidiabetic activities.

Surveillance of carbapenem resistance in Asian countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Carbapenems are used to treat multidrug-resistant organisms as last-resort antibiotics. Resistance to carbapenems is an emerging public health threat worldwide, with alarming reported rates in Asian countries. To minimise further spread of resistant strains and guide interventions, it is important to understand the prevalence rates and causative molecular determinants.

Coping with cancer pain: a qualitative study to explore pain perception and self-coping strategies of patients with cancer in Sri Lanka.

Unlabelled: Pain is one of the most debilitating symptoms of cancer, substantially diminishing one's quality of life. The level of pain experienced is eventually determined by the pain coping strategies adopted by patients individually. The awareness of the 'self-coping methods of pain' of individual patients would be beneficial for the multidisciplinary pain team to consider such methods when planning future interventions to manage pain.

In vitro analysis of XLAsp-P2 peptide loaded cellulose acetate nanofiber for wound healing.

Recently, nanofiber-based wound dressings are currently a viable strategy to expedite the healing of wounds by providing a suitable microenvironment for tissue growth with active ingredients. This research study subjects the development of electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) nanofibers loaded with the XLAsp-P2, an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) that holds great potential for enhanced wound healing as a therapeutic agent. The synthesized XLAsp-P2-loaded CA nanofibers were fabricated via three loading percentages, 0.