Objective:To study evolutionary relationship of the 5’untranslated regions (5’UTRs) in low passage dengue3 viruses (DEN3) isolated from hospitalized children with different clinical manifestations in Bangkok during 24 year-evolution (1977-2000) comparing to the DEN3 prototype (H87).Methods:The 5’UTRs of these Thai DEN3 and the H87 prototype were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced. Their multiple sequence alignments were done by Codon Code Aligner v 4.0.4 software and their RNA secondary structures were predicted by MFOLD software. Replication of five Thai DEN3 candidates comparing to the H87 prototype were done in human (HepG2) and the mosquito (C6/36) cell lines.Results:Among these Thai DEN3, the completely identical sequences of their first 89 nucleotides, their high-order secondary structure of 5’UTRs and three SNPs including the predominant C90T, and two minor SNPs including A109G and A112G were found. The C90T of Thai DEN3, Bangkok isolates was shown predominantly before 1977. Five Thai DEN3 candidates with the predominant C90T were shown to replicate in human (HepG2) and the mosquito (C6/36) cell lines better than the H87 prototype. However, their highly conserved sequences as well as SNPs of the 5’UTR did not appear to correlate with their disease severity in human.Conclusions:Our findings highlighted evolutionary relationship of the completely identical 89 nucleotide sequence, the high-order secondary structure and the predominant C90T of the 5’UTR of these Thai DEN3 during 24 year-evolution further suggesting to be their genetic markers and magic targets for future research on antiviral therapy as well as vaccine approaches of Thai DEN3.

OBJECTIVETo explore traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge of different tribes of Coochbehar district of West Bengal, India, and its present status.

METHODSWith the help of standardized questionnaires, traditional healers and resource persons were interviewed on medicinal use of local flora in all the tribal villages of Coochbehar district during July, 2007 to December, 2009 and some of the places were revisited for this purpose again during July to December of 2012.

RESULTSA total of 46 plant species belonging to 42 genera and 27 families were reported to be used for treating 33 various physical ailments. In terms of the number of medicinal plant species, Fabaceae (5 species) and Euphorbiaceae (4 species) are dominant families. Among different plant parts used for the preparation of medicine, leaves were most frequently used for the treatment of diseases.

CONCLUSIONSIn all tribal villages we found the use of medicinal plants, particularly to treat common physical problems like smaller injuries, stomachache and abdominal disorder. However, non-availability of such plants in close vicinity is imposing restriction on using medicinal plants. Further research on these species may lead to the discovery of novel bioactive molecules in one hand and also it may open up a new horizon of sustainable development.

Introduction
 Recent strategic plans for HIV/AIDS control in Sri Lanka have stressed the need to focus prevention interventions on most-at-risk populations and similarly laid out the importance of improving HIV/AIDS awareness among the general population. Programmatic attention has to be strengthened to effectively change AIDS-related poor knowledge, low risk perceptions and risky sexual practices at the individual level, and avert an epidemic. While current data on at-risk populations are available to inform interventions, there is paucity of latest evidence for the general population programs.
Methods
 In April-May 2009, a cross-sectional study involving 1,239 population-based and randomly selected respondents aged 15-49 was completed in Kandy, Sri Lanka (response rate=87.2%). The study collected data on HIV/AIDS knowledge, perceptions and sexual practices among the general population to supply current information for the intervention. Data were analyzed using univariate, bivariate and multivariate approaches.
Results
 While almost all respondents were aware of HIV/AIDS, sizeable proportions (44.7-76.2%) knew little about the types of sexually transmitted infections, and about the transmission modes and prevention methods of HIV/AIDS. Although 80% of respondents had low risk perceptions and were mostly at low risk behaviorally, their knowledge of HIV/AIDS was inadequate. They assessed their risks and practiced unsafer sex without the benefit of having evidence-based knowledge. The knowledge, perceptions and practices were significantly associated with gender, marital status, education, religion, and/or residence.
Conclusions
 The gaps in substantive knowledge on HIV/AIDS suggest that no effective information and other related types of support have been provided to the general population in Sri Lanka. In the context of the need to contribute to sustaining the low prevalence of HIV in the country, a base of scientific knowledge and wider advocacy programs should be developed.

The aim of the present study was to assess whether Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) micro-spectroscopy could produce distinct spectral information on protein of old myocardial infarction (OMI) and to set them as molecular markers to diagnose atypical OMI. Paraffin-embedded heart samples were derived from victims dying of OMI. In combination with histological stain, FTIR and infrared micro-spectroscopy, the characteristics of OMI were analyzed morphologically and molecularly. The most relevant bands identified were the amide A, B, I and, II showing crucial spectral differences between apparent normal region and OMI region, including the peak position blue shift and the increased intensity of OMI, moreover relative increase in alpha-helix and decrease in beta-sheet of protein secondary structures in OMI. Comparing to single spectral band, the I1650/I1550 ratio was increased and rationally used as a molecular marker for diagnosing OMI. These novel preliminary findings supported further exploration of FTIR molecular profiling in clinical or forensic study, and were in accordance with histopathology.

This study investigated the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the pathogenesis of triptolide-induced renal injury in vivo. Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=5 in each): triptolide group in which the rats were intraperitoneally injected with triptolide solution at a dose of 1 mg/kg of body weight on day 8; control group in which the rats received a single intraperitoneal injection of 0.9% physiological saline on day 8; vitamin C group in which the rats were pretreated with vitamin C by gavage at a dose of 250 mg/kg of body weight per day for 7 days before the same treatment as the control group on day 8; triptolide+vitamin C group in which the rats were first subjected to an oral administration of vitamin C at a dose of 250 mg/kg of body weight per day for 7 days, and then to the same treatment as the triptolide group on day 8. All the rats were sacrificed on day 10. Blood samples were collected for detection of plasma creatinine (Pcr) and plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) concentrations. Both kidneys were removed. The histological changes were measured by haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The production of ROS was determined by detecting the fluorescent intensity of the oxidation-sensitive probe rhodamine 123 in renal tissue. Renal malondialdehyde (MDA) content was measured to evaluate lipid peroxidation level in renal tissue. TUNEL staining was performed to assess apoptosis of renal tubular cells. Renal expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, Bax, Bid, Bad, Fas and FasL, as well as corresponding encoding genes were assessed by Western Blotting and real-time PCR. The results showed that triptolide treatment promoted the generation of a great amount of ROS, up-regulated the expression of Bax, Bid, Bad, Fas and FasL at both protein and mRNA levels, as well as the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2, and caused the apoptosis of renal tubular cells and renal injury. However, pretreatment with an antioxidant, vitamin C, significantly reduced the generation of ROS and effectively inhibited the triptolide-induced apoptosis of renal tubular cells and renal injury. It was concluded that ROS plays a critical role in triptolide-induced apoptosis of renal tubular cells and renal injury. The protective administration of vitamin C may help alleviate triptolide-induced renal injury and nephrotoxicity.

Background: Psoriasis has been shown to be associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among patients with psoriasis and study the association between psoriasis and cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: This was a hospital based case-control study conducted at the Dermatology Clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) from May 2010 to March 2011. A total of 131 adult patients with psoriasis and 129 age-, gender- and race-matched controls were recruited. All subjects answered a standardised cardiovascular risks questionnaire and had anthropometric measurements recorded. Laboratory investigations included fasting glucose / lipid profile, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), c-reactive protein (CRP), urine microalbumin:creatinine ratio and an electrocardiogram. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was made using the harmonised criteria for metabolic syndrome in South East Asians. Statistical analysis was performed using statistical processing software (SPSS-17). Results: Metabolic syndrome was significantly higher among patients with psoriasis (64.9% versus 51.9%) (p = 0.034). The presence of metabolic syndrome was associated with low high density lipoprotein (HDL) (p=0.002) and high triglyceride (TG) levels (p = 0.014). The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was also significantly higher among patients with psoriasis (46.6% versus 27.1%) (p = 0.001). Hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, smoking and obesity were not significantly higher among patients with psoriasis. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate an association between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome which was primarily due to diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia.

Background: Mortality and morbidity associated with intracerebral HemorrhageICH is still high. Up to now, there are no evidence-based effective treatments for acute ICH. This study is to assess the effect of tranexamic acid (TXA) on hematoma growth of patients with spontaneous ICH compared to a placebo. Methods: We performed a single-blinded, randomised placebo-controlled trial of TXA (intravenous 1g bolus, followed by infusion TXA 1 g/hour for 8 hours) in acute (< 8 hours) primary ICH. Strict blood pressure control (target SBP 140-160 mmHg). A repeat Computed Tomography brain was done after 24 hours to reassess hematoma growth. The primary objective is to test the effect of TXA on hematoma growth. Other objective was to test the feasibility, tolerability, and adverse events of TXA in primary ICH. Results: Statistical analysis showed significant hematoma growth in control group after 24 hours compared to baseline (14.3300 vs 17.9940, P = 0.001) whereas the treatment group there is no significant hematoma size expansion between baseline and after 24 hours (P = 0.313). Conclusions: This study showed a significant hematoma volume expansion in the control group compared to the treatment group.

Leptin, an adipose tissue-derived hormone, has exhibited the potent hepatotoxic effects. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we have elucidated the mechanisms by which leptin exerts cytotoxic effects in hepatocytes, particularly focusing on the role of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) signaling. Leptin significantly induced maturation and secretion of IL-1β in cultured rat hepatocytes. Interestingly, inhibition of IL-1β signaling by pretreatment with an IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) or gene silencing of type I IL-1 receptor (IL-1R1) markedly abrogated leptin-induced cell cycle arrest. The critical role of IL-1β signaling in leptin-induced cell cycle arrest is mediated via upregulation of p16, which acts as an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase. In addition, leptin-induced apoptotic cell death was relieved by inhibition of IL-1β signaling, as determined by annexin V/7-AAD binding assay. Mechanistically, IL-1β signaling contributes to apoptotic cell death and cell cycle arrest by suppressing AKT and activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) signaling pathways. Involvement of IL-1β signaling in cytotoxic effect of leptin was further confirmed in vivo using hepatocyte specific IL-1R1 knock out (IL-1R1 KO) mice. Essentially similar results were obtained in vivo, where leptin administration caused the upregulation of apoptotic markers, dephosphorylation of AKT, and p38MAPK activation were observed in wild type mice liver without significant effects in the livers of IL-1R1 KO mice. Taken together, these results demonstrate that IL-1β signaling critically contributes to leptin-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, at least in part, by modulating p38MAPK and AKT signaling pathways.

Objective
Despite the steady high prevalence of infectious diseases, Sri Lanka has an increasing awareness of lifestyle-related health diseases. To lower their risks in the future, making better lifestyle choices and establishing patterns of healthy behavior during young adulthood are essential. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore current issues of university students' health behaviors and their environments.
Methods
The study was conducted in a university of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. Four graduate students in the Faculty of Medicine and three senior students in the Faculty of the Arts were interviewed in a focus group. Interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed inductively.
Results
The results yielded three core categories: little interests in health, unhealthy lifestyles, and lower usage of the Student Health Center. In addition, three major health problems were observed among the participants: eating habits, substance use, and mental health. Students had little paid attention to their health. It also showed passive participation on a health check-up. Additionally students' hidden risky behaviors were observed: alcohol intake and smoking. Mental health problem is one of the great health concerns among the students. Although the School Health Center was available, the gaps between its provisions of services and students' needs are an important issue.
Discussion and Conclusion
Students need to pay more attention on their health conditions and the importance of preventive health. Furthermore, to improve the current university health services, accessibility, usability, and students' needs should be carefully reviewed in the context of advocacy of preventive health behaviors.

Splenogonadal fusion is a rare developmental anomaly in which an abnormal connection between the splenic tissue and gonads or mesonephric derivatives is present. Less than 200 cases have been reported since it was first described in 1883. Preoperative misdiagnosis is common and may lead to unnecessary orchidectomy if testicular neoplasm is suspected. To avoid such outcomes, it is important to be aware of the features of splenogonadal fusion. We report the case of a five-month-old male infant with continuous-type, left-sided splenogonadal fusion, which was discovered during groin exploration for a scrotal mass. Although the lesion was first noted during an episode of nonspecific viral fever, such an association is uncommon. Preoperative ultrasonographic evaluation favoured a diagnosis of a large haemangioma. This is the first reported case of splenogonadal fusion from Sri Lanka.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Spleen ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Splenic Diseases ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Testicular Diseases ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Testis ; abnormalities ; surgery