iPURSE 2016

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    In vitro anti Candida effect of Sri Lankan virgin coconut oil
    (University of Peradeniya, 2016-11) Garusinghe, N.; Jayatilake, J.A.M.S.; Madujith,T.
    Coconut oil obtained from Cocus nucifera is commonly used in Sri Lankan food. It is also a skin and hair remedy in native medicine. Candida is a commensal fungus found in human mucosa and skin. Whereas, Sri Lanka is a leading coconut producer in the world Sri Lankan virgin coconut oil (VCO) has not been explored for anti-Candida effect. This study aimed to investigate anti Candida effect of Sri Lankan VCO. VCO extracted by fermentation method was used for the study. Mature coconut kernel was scraped and allowed for fermentation under sterile conditions. Resultant oil was separated by heating at a controlled temperature. Thus extracted VCO was divided into two samples. One sample was used directly to check the anti-Candida effect while other sample was subjected to partial hydrolysis. Hydrolysis was done by reflux condensing on sand bath using methanolic sodium hydroxide. Hydrolyzed oil was neutralized and extracted in hexane. Anti-Candida effect for both unhydrolyzed and hydrolyzed samples were tested against five species of Candida; Candida albicans (ATCC90028), Candida glabrata (ATCC90030), Candida krusei (ATCC6258), Candida parapsilosis (ATCC22019), Candida tropicalis (ATCC13803). Several diffusion techniques on Sabouraud’s agar including disk diffusion, well diffusion and direct drop method were used to demonstrate anti Candida effect. Unhydrolyzed VCO did not produce any significant inhibition zones against any of the Candida species tested. In contrast, hydrolyzed VCO produced significant inhibition zones against all Candida species tested. C. glabrata showed the highest mean inhibition zone (40.88mm) followed by C. Tropicalis (36.00mm), C. Parapsilosis (32.11mm) C.albicans (28.22mm) and C. krusei (23.88mm). This study demonstrates that partially hydrolyzed Sri Lankan VCO obtained from fermentation method have anti-Candida effects which could be used as an alternative to resistant Candida in the future. Use of hydrolyzed Sri Lankan VCO in skin remedies may help control Candida colonization.
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    Knowledge, practices and contributing factors for physical exercise among non-academic staff, University of Peradeniya
    (University of Peradeniya, 2016-11-05) Dissanayake, D.S.; Gunawardhana, D.K.L.R.; Hennayake, K.M.S.M.; Gunathilake, H.M.W.G.S.P.; Haseena, M.H.F.; Gunaratne, B.R.R.P.; Gunarathne, M.W.M.M.K.T.B.
    According to WHO, physical exercise is defined as physical activity that is planned, structured and repetitive for the purpose of conditioning any part of the body. Even though it is proven that regular physical exercise reduces the incidence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, many types of cancers, depression and anxiety, most of the people do not practice regular physical exercise due to multiple factors. The objective of the current study was to determine the knowledge, practices and contributory factors for lack or adequacy of physical exercise among non-academic staff members of the University of Peradeniya. A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among non-academic staff members in the eight faculties of the University of Peradeniya. To fulfill the calculated sample size of 422, the subjects were selected randomly from each faculty proportionate to the size. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The type of physical exercise and the duration was considered to determine the adequacy of physical exercise according to WHO standard recommendations. Total sample studied was 410, with a response rate of 97.2%. Mean age was 38 years. Of them 51.7% (n=212) were males. Only 35.9% (n=147) practiced physical exercise adequately. Involvement in physical exercise was inadequate in 61.2% (n=251), and 2.9% (n=12) did not engage in physical exercise at all. Only 15.1% were able to list more than three types of physical exercises, and 15.1% knew none. Majority of the study population (95.1%) were aware that physical exercise helps in preventing diseases, though only 11.7% knew exercise helps in preventing cancer. The commonest reason for lack of physical exercise was a busy life schedule (61.7%), and 55.4% of the population gave the intention of avoiding risk factors as an encouraging factor for physical exercise. Of the study population only 11.7% (n=48) used the university gymnasium, 5.4% used the swimming pool and 22.7% used the university playground. A higher percentage of the university’s non-academic staff members did not engage in adequate physical exercise. Therefore, it is important to take measures to improve their physical exercise practices.
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    Prevalence and associated factors of soil-transmitted helminth infections among grade one students of selected government schools in Kandy municipal council area
    (University of Peradeniya, 2016-11-05) Seneviratne, H.S.; Senarathne, T.G.D.P.R.; Senevirathne, Y.G.P.S.; Senevirathne, H.M.I.S.; Sewwandi, K.P.A.; Shantha, D.W.A.; Shenali, J.A.I.I.; Silva, H.C.P.; Sirimanne, S.C.; Somawardhana, M.K.Y.M.; Subasinghe, S.A.T.K.; Subasinghe, S.A.J.S.; Wickramasinghe, W.D.S.J.
    Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection is a common health problem particularly in young children and adolescents in Sri Lanka. Our aim was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of STH infections among grade one students of selected government schools in the Kandy Municipal Council area. A cross-sectional survey using 502 students of grade one was carried out in seven randomly selected schools in the above area. A faecal sample was obtained from each student separately and examined microscopically using the concentration technique. A self- administered questionnaire was given to parents to evaluate the factors related to STH infections. The overall prevalence of helminth infections was 2.4% out of which Ascaris lumbricoides was the commonest infection with a prevalence of 2.3%. Through the analysis of the data it was attempted to determine whether a correlation exists between STH positive group and the factors that were assessed through the questionnaire. Factors including the sex, source of drinking water, food sanitation and food handling methods, monthly income, educational level of parents and most recent antihelmithic treatment were investigated by the given questionnaire from which none of the assessed factors were proven to have a statistically significant correlation with STH infection after analyzing with the chi-square test. From the results of the study, it is evident that the school-based national deworming program should be further strengthened.
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    Palmaris longus muscle: prevalence of absence and morphological variations, a Sri Lankan cadaveric study
    (University of Peradeniya, 2016-11-05) Herath, P.P.B.; Nasim, F.N.; Ekanayaka, E.M.K.G.H.B.K.; Nanayakkara, T.D.; Alahakoon, A.M.B.D.; Wickramarathna, A.A.D.; Rukmal, R.K,P.B.; Dissanayake, J.K.
    Palmaris longus (PL) is a muscle which originates from the common flexor origin of the forearm as a relatively small fleshy belly which is replaced distally by a long ribbon like tendon. This tendon merges with the palmar aponeurosis and it can be clinically demonstrated by pinching the pads of thumb and little finger together in a flexed wrist (Schaeffer’s test). Morphological variations such as reversal of muscle tendon orientation; duplication and triplication; variations in its origin and insertion; and accessory slips are recorded. Nevertheless, the common aberration reported is the unilateral or bilateral absence of PL, which varies among different ethnicities. Our objective was to find out the prevalence of absence of PL and morphological variations in Sri Lankans by cadaveric dissections. Thirty two limbs in 9 male and 7 female cadavers were dissected in the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Peradeniya. All cadavers belonged to the Sri Lankan Sinhalese ethnic group. The skin and fascia of the upper limb were reflected. Forearm muscles arising from the common flexor origin and the PL were identified. Attachments, morphology, and variations were verified by careful inspection. Absences of PL in both forearms were found in one male cadaver (6.25%). One male cadaver (6.25%) had duplication of the muscle on both limbs. The second belly was originating from the common flexor origin medial to PL and developed a similar ribbon like tendon distally which was attached to the volar ligament in front of the wrist. PL is considered as a vestigial muscle in humans, but it’s found to be important for power grip in arboreal primates. In humans it was demonstrated that PL improves gripping among sports personnel who handle racquets and bats, where absence of it may reduce performance. In surgery PL is often used for tendon transplants. The absence of PL is found to be more prevalent among Caucasians and lower incidence found in Mongolians. Frequency of absence in this study is higher than other Asians and lower than Caucasians. However, it is important to study larger populations and more cadavers to understand its variations and prevalence.
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    Pattern of seminal fluid analysis in a population of subfertile men attending the Urology clinic, Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya
    (University of Peradeniya, 2016-11-05) Hennayake, K.M.S.M.; Pethiyagoda, A.U.B.; Ariyarathna, E.D.K.N.; Rathnayake, K.A.C.; Kapukotuwa, K.C.
    Subfertility is defined as a failure to conceive after one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. It is a very common presentation in urological practice. Subfertility affects an estimated 15% of couples throughout the world. Male factors are found to be solely responsible for 20-30% of subfertility cases and contribute to 50% of cases overall. Among the male factors responsible for subfertility hormonal factors, disorders of spermatogenesis and obstructive causes play a major role. Timely and well planned investigations are necessary in the management of subfertility as it has major implications on an individual’s life. Seminal fluid analysis plays an important role in the assessment of male subfertility. The objective of the current study was to evaluate seminal fluid analysis findings in a group of subfertile men attending the urology clinic, Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya. This was a retrospective observational study conducted by the Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, from January 2005 to February 2016. Male patients presented to the urology clinic, Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya with a history of subfertility were included in the study. All the patients’ seminal fluid analysis findings were reviewed and the findings were compared with WHO standard reference values. There were 113 subjects between 24 to 48 years. Mean age was 34.51± 5.28 years. Of the study population 86.6% had abnormal seminal fluid analysis findings and 13.3% had normal parameters. 25.7% had a low volume ejaculate while 74.3% had a normal volume of ejaculate. The minimum volume was 0.5ml, the maximum was 5ml with a mean of 2.26± 1.14 ml, mean total sperm concentration was 15.61±33.18×10⁶/ml, mean percentage of progressive motility was 15.94 ± 22.68, and mean percentage for normal forms was 39.65 ± 44.52. Abnormal sperm characteristics included Azoospermia (44.2%), Oligozoospermia (10.6%) and asthenozoospermia (9.7%). Combined abnormalities included Oligoasthenozoospermia (11.5%) and Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (8%). Among the occupational groups, skilled agricultural and fishery workers had the highest prevalence of azoospermia (16%). Seminal fluid analysis plays an important role in assessment of male subfertility. This study shows a higher rate of seminal fluid abnormalities in subfertile patients, of which the commonest was azoospermia.