The forensic and clinicopathological spectrum of the vertebral artery.

We report the forensic and clinicopathological spectrum of 14 postmortem cases involving the vertebral artery. In all cases, there was either pontocerebellar infarction (n = 8) or subarachnoid hemorrhage (n = 6). The underlying pathology of the vertebral artery was segmental mediolytic arteriopathy (n = 5), traumatic rupture of the arterial wall (n = 3), arterial dissection (n = 2), or atherosclerosis (n = 4).

Discovery of Novel Isoxazoline Derivatives Containing Benzamide with High Insecticidal Activity.

Insecticide misuse has caused pest resistance, stressing the need for novel pesticides. The isoxazoline structure offers broad-spectrum effectiveness, mammalian safety, and no cross-resistance. Developing efficient insecticides with this scaffold remains challenging.

Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome in Pregnancy: A Case Report and Literature Review on Peripartum Management Strategy.

Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are a group of rare inherited neuromuscular disorders caused by defects in neuromuscular transmission. Unlike autoimmune myasthenia gravis, CMS typically presents in childhood with variable severity and symptoms, and does not involve autoantibodies. This report presents the management of a primigravida diagnosed with CMS who was generally stable on pyridostigmine therapy but experienced a severe exacerbation during pregnancy.

Partitioning, bioaccumulation, and sources of parent and halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Sri Lankan aquatic environments: Ecological and human health implications.

Halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HPAHs) including chlorinated (ClPAHs) and brominated (BrPAHs) variants, are emerging contaminants that are considered the next-generation candidates of persistent organic pollutants. Since there was a significant gap exists in understanding of partitioning dynamics of HPAHs between the particulate phase (PP) and dissolved phase (DP) considering many congeners, this study analyzed 75 congeners of parent PAHs and HPAHs (p/HPAHs) in the samples collected from 27 sites from 20 water bodies in Sri Lanka. The results revealed that the mean of the total concentrations of PAHs, ClPAHs, and BrPAHs in the aqueous phase (PP + DP) were 55.

Prevalence and determinants of e-cigarette use in South Asia: a systematic review.

Introduction: E-cigarette use has become a significant global public health concern. Recently, several systematic reviews have synthesised evidence on e-cigarette use in Europe, America and Southeast Asia. However, there is no known systematic review of such on South Asia (SA).

Extracellular Vesicles in Reproduction: Biology, Production, and Potential Applications in Livestock Breeding.

Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) are small, membrane-bound particles released by cells into biological fluids, where they function as mediators of intercellular communication. These vesicles transport a diverse array of bioactive molecules, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, and play essential roles in regulating physiological and pathological processes. Recent research has revealed the significance of EVs in reproductive biology, particularly in the areas of spermatozoa maturation, oocyte development, embryo implantation, and maternal-fetal interactions.

Paternal prepubertal passive smoke exposure is related to impaired lung function trajectories from childhood to middle age in their offspring.

Introduction: Paternal prepubertal passive smoke exposure may increase the risk of childhood asthma. However, its association with impaired lung function trajectories at risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in offspring was not investigated. We assessed the association between paternal prepubertal passive smoke exposure and lung function from childhood to middle age in their offspring.

Open Morcellation Through Mini-Laparotomy: A Novel Technique for the Removal of Large Pedunculated Uterine Fibroids Without Full-Length Laparotomy.

Removal of large uterine fibroids traditionally requires extended midline laparotomy, leading to significant postoperative morbidity and poor cosmetic outcomes. While laparoscopic surgery offers a favourable outcome, it is not possible in case of large fibroids. Morcellation is a technique used in laparoscopic surgeries, which helps in the disintegration of fibroid into small parts before taking it out.

Assessment of root and root canal morphology in maxillary molars with fused roots using Cone Beam Computer Tomography (CBCT) in a Sri Lankan population.

Introduction: Root fusion is considered to present when there is no evidence of periodontal space or presence of bone between the different roots of the molar at any apical level to the bifurcation area. Fused roots in maxillary molars pose important clinical implications, mainly in the field of endodontics. Based on the wide variations in previous studies done in different populations and the clinical implications, the present study is aimed to assess root and root canal morphology in maxillary first and second molars with fused roots in a Sri Lankan population.

Comparative Analysis of Breastfeeding and Infant Formulas: Short- and Long-Term Impacts on Infant Nutrition and Health.

Infant nutrition plays a pivotal role in shaping short- and long-term health outcomes. This review critically examines the comparative effects of breastfeeding and infant formulas on infant growth, cognitive development, and overall health. Breastfeeding, often considered the gold standard, provides a dynamic composition of nutrients, antibodies, and bioactive factors that support immune function, neurodevelopment, and gut microbiota maturation, contributing to long-term protection against chronic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions.

A Comparative Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study on Hypoglycemia in Young Adults and Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in an Outpatient Setting in Sri Lanka.

Hypoglycemia has been an often-neglected complication of diabetes therapy. Mild hypoglycemia reduces quality of life, while severe hypoglycemia is life-threatening and can precipitate major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted on hypoglycemia among adults with diabetes attending 19 medical clinics in government hospitals in Sri Lanka using an interviewer-administered questionnaire.

Barcode high-resolution melting (Bar-HRM) analysis to authenticate true cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) from its adulterants and contaminants.

Sri Lankan cinnamon, widely known as true cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), is a world-renowned commodity. With the high market demand, many incidents have reported adulteration of true cinnamon with other cinnamon species such as Cinnamomum aromaticum, Cinnamomum burmanni, and Cinnamomum loureiroi. Moreover, the contamination of cinnamon products with fungi (Aspergillus flavus) has also significantly negatively impacted the cinnamon export market.

Cross-cultural adaptation and the evaluation of psychometric properties of the Sinhala version of the general rehabilitation adherence scale (GRAS-Sin).

Background: Physiotherapy adherence can be defined as an active, voluntary patient involvement in a mutually agreed-upon course of action to achieve a desired preventive or therapeutic outcomes. Nonadherence may result in increased healthcare costs and poor recovery. Therefore, it is crucial to measure physiotherapy adherence to eliminate obstacles and promote adherence.

Utility of non-specific symptoms in early detection of Russell's viper () envenoming following snakebite in rural Sri Lanka.

Introduction: Early diagnosis of systemic snake envenoming is essential for prompt antivenom treatment. The commonly used 20-min whole blood clotting test has poor sensitivity. We investigated the diagnostic utility of non-specific systemic symptoms alone or with the 20-min whole blood clotting test in detecting Russell's viper () envenoming following a snakebite.

Analysis of demographic differences according to histomorphological subtypes of 1312 cases of ameloblastoma.

Introduction: Ameloblastoma is a benign but locally aggressive odontogenic tumour broadly divided into conventional, unicystic, peripheral, adenoid and metastasising types. The first three entities compose the majority and especially the conventional type which has different histopathological subtypes such as follicular, plexiform, acanthomatous, granular cell, basal cell and desmoplastic have been described. We report the largest series of ameloblastoma in a single study to analyse the demographic characteristics according to histopathological subtypes of ameloblastoma.

Microbial Strains in Fermented Dairy: Unlocking Biofunctional Properties and Health Benefits.

Fermented dairy products like yoghurt, cheese, and kefir are essential for human nutrition and health. They offer a wide range of biofunctional properties, providing unique flavors along with substantial nutritional and therapeutic benefits. The inclusion of functional microorganisms, including probiotics, in dairy products offers a nutrient-dense matrix that promotes microbial viability, ensuring health advantages.

Evaluation of Medication Adherence and Appropriateness Among Heart Failure Patients Attending the Cardiac Clinic at a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

Heart failure is a chronic disease with significantly high morbidity and mortality rates, and a thorough understanding of medication adherence and appropriateness is crucial to ensure effective treatment outcomes. This cross-sectional observational study aimed to assess medication adherence, understand the influence of sociodemographic factors on medication adherence, and assess the medication appropriateness for heart failure patients attending the cardiac clinic at National Hospital Kandy (NHK). This study was conducted among 325 heart failure patients attending the cardiac clinic at the NHK.

The elephant in the room: addressing systemic inequalities in dental healthcare.

The epidemiology of dental caries has changed over the last decades. Historically, repairing the ravages of dental caries has been the backbone of general dental practice. This opinion article highlights the challenges of moving from a repair service to a preventive service from the viewpoint of: what is the future health market? It also touches on the negative aspects of how organisations manage the challenges of the change process.

Thyroid radiation dose reduction with the use of thyroid shields during CT brain studies.

Medical radiation plays a crucial role in diagnostic imaging; however, any exposure carries potential risks. The thyroid gland, due to its proximity to the imaging field, is particularly vulnerable to radiation during CT brain scans. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of lead thyroid shields in reducing the estimated absorbed dose to the thyroid gland during CT brain imaging.

Broad-spectrum antifungal activity of aniline-modified tavaborole derivatives: insights from molecular docking and bioassays.

Background: Phytopathogenic fungi pose a severe threat to global agriculture, and the emergence of drug-resistant strains underscores the urgent need for novel fungicides. Tavaborole (AN2690), a clinically approved benzoxaborole antifungal, suppresses fungal growth by selectively targeting leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS) through covalent binding-a unique mode of action. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of novel tavaborole derivatives featuring substituted aniline moieties.

Exposure to mercury and toxic trace elements in waste gold extraction in Sri Lanka: A study on an under-recognised occupational health hazard.

The "Minamata Convention on Mercury" aims to reduce and monitor environmental mercury (Hg) pollution, particularly from anthropogenic sources. The small-scale jewellery sector (SSJS) is recognised as a significant contributor to environmental Hg emissions and a critical route of exposure to humans. This study provides the first assessment of Hg and selected trace element exposure among individuals working in the SSJS.

Impaired vascular function in patients with chronic kidney disease who have elevated symmetric dimethylarginine but not asymmetric dimethylarginine.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with heightened cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, partly due to impaired peripheral vascular function. Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) are emerging biomarkers implicated in nitric oxide (NO) regulation and vascular health. Although ADMA is a well-established inhibitor of NO synthesis, recent evidence suggests that SDMA may also play a critical role in vascular health, especially in CKD before end-stage.

Alginate Nanocarrier Loading Catharanthus roseus L. Extracts: An Emergent Formulating Approach to Enhance Antidiabetic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities.

Loading of Catharanthus roseus L. (C. roseus) into an alginate nanocarrier offers a new gateway for the development of antidiabetic drug leads with improved bioactivities.

Intergenerational educational mobility and mental health: Evidence from a Filipino birth cohort.

Evidence suggests that associations between educational attainment and mental health may vary according to educational mobility (i.e., changes in educational attainment across generations).

High-dose L-theanine-caffeine combination improves neurobehavioural and neurophysiological measures of selective attention in acutely sleep-deprived young adults: a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study.

L-theanine, an amino acid found in tea, and caffeine, found in tea and coffee, are claimed to enhance attention. We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced, two-way crossover trial to determine the acute effects of a high-dose L-theanine-caffeine combination on neurobehavioural (reaction time) and neurophysiological (P3b cognitive event-related potential (ERP)) measures of selective attention in acutely sleep-deprived healthy adults. Thirty-seven overnight sleep-deprived healthy adults (aged 22-30 years, twenty-one men) completed a computerised traffic-scene-related visual stimulus discrimination task before and 50 min after ingesting 200 mg L-theanine-160 mg caffeine combination or a placebo.