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Item The Relationship of Mathurational status to chronological age in ceylonese children(University of Peradeniya: UP(MED)., 1871) PIERIS, MBOItem Balaka Grahani Mandam (Viyadhi)(Government College of Ayurvedic Medicine, Rajagiriya: IIM., 1973) RANWALA, RMPItem Ayurveda Jiva Vidyava(Government College of Ayurvedic Medicine, Rajagiriya: IIM., 1973) KARUNARATHNE, TItem Efficacy of kushthai hadjrul yahood on urinary calculi(Government College of Ayurvedic Medicine, Rajagiriya: IIM., 1973) BHAVANI, AGItem Vata haranayehi niruha anuvasana vasti pilibanda agayimak(Government College of Ayurvedic Medicine, Rajagiriya: IIM., 1973) SENEVIRATHNE, RADPItem The Assessment of the efficacy of punarnava mandooram on vilohita pandu(Government College of Ayurvedic Medicine, Rajagiriya: IIM., 1973) BHAVANI, SItem Tamake Shvasa(Government College of Ayurvedic Medicine, Rajagiriya: IIM., 1973) RANAWEERA, SSItem Varm - E - Gurdha (Nephritis)(Government College of Ayurvedic Medicine, Rajagiriya: IIM., 1973) JALALDEEN, MAMItem Makaradhvaja sanskarana(Government College of Ayurvedic Medicine, Rajagiriya: IIM., 1973) KODIKARA, SSItem Kitibha nivarana(Institute of Indigenous Medicine, Rajagiriya : IIM., 1973) SIRISENA, RPItem The effects of ischaemia on periphral myelinated nerve(University of Colombo: UC(MED)., 1974) WEERASURIYA, AItem A Priliminary investigation into the recording of births in the health area of Kadugannawa(University of Peradeniya: UP(MED)., 1974) PERERA, MALRItem A Study of some aspects of the micobacterioses in Ceylon(University of Peradeniya: UP(MED)., 1974) PINTO, DDMRMIn this work an attempt has been made to study some aspects ot the "Mycobacterioses" in Ceylon. The mycobacterioses are infections Produced by the genus Mycobacterium. Mycobacterioses are seen allover the world and many aspects ot these are as yet not investigated or are poorly investigated. These infections pose (special problems in the tropical and developing countries, but the information on these from the latter countries is scarce. The literature on any aspect of the mycobacterial infections in Ceylon is very scanty. The mycobacterioses like any other infections may be examined from two main points ot View: 1.The reaction of the host to the parasite, and 2. The parasite. The reaction of the host to the parasite is embodied in the host's immunological responses to the parasite. These immunological responses may be of the cell mediated component and the humoral component. In this study the cell mediated response has been investigated using the differential (or comparative) tuberculin test, and the humoral response, using Takahashi's antitubercle phosphatide kaolin agglutination test for antiphosphatide antibodies. The differential tuberculin test was done on several population groups in Ceylon, viz. a) Persons of the general. population from rural areas who were not BCG vaccinated, b) Tuberculosis patients, c) BCG vaccinated persons in the general population, and d) Leprosy patients. The test was carried out in all groups using six different PPD antigens derived from Myco. tuberculosis (PPD-S), kansasii (PPD-Y, Runyon's Group I), Myco. scrofulaceum (PPD,Runyon's Group II), Myco. avium (PPD-A) and Myco. batteyii (PPD-B, both of Runyon's Group III) and Myco. fortuitum (PPD-F, Runyon's Group IV). The test technique used was the WHO Standard Tuberculin Test (Mantoux Test), each subject usually being given four PPD antigens. The investigation in the unvaccinated general. population showed that nontuberculous mycobacterial sensitisation and hence infection, was very common in Ceylon, and more common than tuberculous sensitisation. Marked differences in the degree and incidence of nontuberculous sensitisation were found to occur with altitude (the population investigated being at 3 different altitudes, 6,500 feet, 1,500 feet and at sea level), being lowest at high altitude and highest at sea level. No differences in pattern of sensitisation appeared to occur with increase of age (those tested being 12 years of age and above) and in the different sexes, at sea level and at mid altitude, but appeared to occur at the highest altitude. It was seen that at an elevation of 6,500 feet the incidence and degree of mycobacterial sensitisation appeared to increase with age and was greater in males than in females. Differences in pattern of sensitisation were also observed between Sinhalese and Tamils at midaltitude. It was suggested that differences in occupation was probably the cause of the higher degree and incidence of sensitisation seen in Sinhalese, viz. paddy cultivation by the latter. Evidence was produced from the veterinary field, from studies in cattle and buffaloes, in Kenya and Ceylon to support this finding. It was found that sensitisation among the Ceylonese populations tested was commonest to PPDs derived from Runyon's Group II and III organisms and least with Group I and IV organisms. The tuberculosis patients investigated were mostly from mid altitude areas similar to that described for. the general population. It was found that there were both similarities and differences in the distributions of reactions to nontuberculous PPDs between the tuberculosis patients and the general population, from the mid altitude area studied. The possible causes for these are discussed. With PPD-S, the pattern of distribution seen in tuberculosis patients is markedly different from that of the general population group, but similar to that found in tuberculosis patients elsewhere in the world. No differences were found in the distributions of tuberculosis patients of different ages, sexes and of different races. Examination of the pattern of reactions to the different antigens shown by tuberculosis patients showed that clearly larger (dominant) reactions to PPD from Myco.tuberculosis was seen only in 60 percent of pateints.Thus it was concluded that the differential test did not always identifythe mycobacterial infection in tuberculosis patients. Comparison of.............Item Studies of the genus stomoxys with special reference to stomoxys calcitrans in Sri Lanka(University of Peradeniya: UP(VET)., 1974) KRISNANATHASIVAM, KItem Chikitsavedi nasyakarmaye upayogitvaya(Government College of Ayurvedic Medicine, Rajagiriya: IIM., 1975) MENDIS, HWItem Sapta dhatu pilibanda vimarsanayak(Government College of Ayurvedic Medicine, Rajagiriya: IIM., 1975) KUMARANAYAKE, DJSItem The Human placenta:morphological variations and norms (in two volumes)(University of Sri Lanka (Ceylon) Colombo campus, NSF: UC(MED)., 1975) SATCHITHANATHAN, SAB : The data regarding the morphological features of the human placenta, from Ceylonese subjects has been collected and presented. No prior studies of this nature are available either in this country or in the neighbouring regions. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of maternal, foetal and placental parametera undertaken, establishes norms for these morphological features. The inter-relations between the parameters observed, establishes clinical patterns, about which there have been a certain degree of misconception. Comparison with data obtained through literature, from workers mainly from the European areas, indicates the possibility of a racial, climatic and perhaps a nutritional influence as well. Even though placental weight, volume, surface area, thickness and cord lengths indicate a trend to reduction, statistical analysis, showed no significant differences, in comparison to those of temperate regions. The possibility is that the diversity of the European material was responsible for this lack of significance and perhaps a more detailed study of selected groups both in Europe and in Sri Lanka ( Ceylon ) may add further information to this subject. The normal measures of growth in the placenta, namely its weight, volume, surface area and thickness together with the length of its cord were inter-related to these of the foetus ( its weight and length ) and both measures correlated very highly with only one maternal parameter - the time of growth or the period of gestation. This natural inter-relationship between these parameters generally referred to as measures of normal growth was established here on a factual basis. Certain additional features in the umbilical cord often referred to as " abnormalities " were found to be associated with both live and dead foetuses and there was no evidence to attribute foetal abnormalities and catastrophies to the presence of such " abnormalities " only. The arterial pattern on the placenta was characterised by the presence of Hyrtl's anastomosis, a disperse, magistral or atypical arterial pattern and a dichotomous branching to the level of the tertiary branches. It was established that this vascular catagories and remained uninfluenced by matenal, foetal and placental factors, or by the presence of twists, knots, loops, pathological torsions, localised constrictions, ulcerations and haematomata of the cord. As such the attribution of foetal malformations to deviations of vascular pattern alone was not justifiable. The collective presentation of data and their statistical analysis have been used here to define precisely, widely diverse opinions on maternal, foetal and placental inter-relationshipsItem Mycotoxins in coconut based human and animal foodstuffs(University of Peradeniya: UP(MED)., 1975) SAMARAJEEWA, UAn attempt has been made in this study to determine the extent of the aflatoxic problem in Sri Lanka with special reference to coconut products with a view to suggesting preventive and regulatory measures for the control of contamination. The study of the extent of the aflatoxic problem was made by first establishing the most suitable method for the assay of aflatoxins in coconut products. Although several procedures have been described for the assay of aflatoxins in various agricultural products there was no established procedure for the assay of aflatoxins in coconut products. A method based on blending with a mixture of chloroform and water. originally devised for groundnuts, has been used by some workers for coconut products. However no data was available on the comparative suitability of this method as regards its extraction efficiency, interference on thin layer chromatographic estimations and convenience. Therefore the existing methods for the various products were restudied with coconuts to establish the best conditions for each method of extraction. The methods were then compared under optimum conditions. All procedures were found to bring about only partial extraction (about 70percent) of aflatoxins. The 70percent aqueous acetone blending procedure w1th lead acetate purification was found to be the most suitable on account of convenience and the purity of extracts which enabled titration without a preliminary column purification. Since a constant fraction of aflatoxin present in a given type of coconut product was extracted by a single homogenization by the aqueous acetone procedure, the application of a correction factor (to replace 2nd and 3rd homogenizations) is recommended, as a time and solvent saving measure~. Application of correction factors for the observed aflatoxin levels has not been described in the literature for assay of aflatoxins. As regards bioassay of extracts, the tadpole bioassay method established earlier for pure aflatoxins was found to be applicable to crude extracts of commercial samples preceded by a short column purification. A field survey was done for the year 1973 to study in detail the extent and origin of aflatoxin contamination in coconut products by examining copra, poonac and coconut oil samples from almost all oil processing mills in different districts during the periods January to April, May to August and September to December. About 50percent of the s~ples collected at random from the firld were found to contain aflatoxins above the maximum permissible level (0.03 ppm in foods for human consumption, suggested by WHO/FAO/UNICEF). The contamination was found to be due mostly to ignorance and negligence during curing and storage of copra. Education of the copra miller and worker, on the economic and toxicological consequences of contamination is of prime importance in the prevention of contamination. Reorganization of the present inspection network in the mills is suggested as a measure for effective control. The economic loss to the industry due to fungal contamination of copra during storage has been estimated earlier to be around 25percent and such control may therefore minimize these losses. Contaminated coconut oil should be diverted for chemical refining or split into glycerol and fatty acids. The contaminated copra should either be steam treated at high pressure or be rejected totally if the contamination is heavy. Investigation into an outbreak of deaths of young goats of an imported breed at Kottukachchiya (NWP) Government goat breeding centre was shown to be due to aflatoxins. The aflatoxins were detected in the feed samples and in the liver tissues and urine of diseased or dead animals. Strains of Aspergillus flavus were isolated from feed samples and were shown to be toxigenic. Identical clinicle features, postmortem appearances and histopathological lesions were produced by experimental feeding of the goats with artificially infected coconut. The factor that contributed to the toxicity of the industrial feed was found to be an ingredient 'polkudu' added in the preparation of the feed mixtures. As there were significant levels of aflatoxins in local coconut products which could cause toxic and trade problems it became necessary to investigate possible methods of prevention of contamination and detoxification of already contaminated samples. Natural and cheap methods were therefore studied for possible industrial application in decontamination. On account of resistance to fungal growth or aflatoxin accumulation described in the literature for various feed products such as groundnuts, sunflower seeds and soybean varieties, different strains of coconuts were studied for their resistance to fungal growth and aflatoxin accumulation by inoculation of grated coconut with different fungal strains under different conditions of incubation and examined at single or several incubation times. No reproducible results were obtained in any of the experiments. The strains of coconut which showed relative resistance on incubation for a fixed number of days showed equal susceptibility on time course studies. The possible reasons for these discrepancies are discussed. The literature on the resistance of other seed products is also controversial, and it is suggested that time course studies of aflatoxin accumulation may minimize errors in such determinations. The applicability to coconut products of the age old practice of smoking for the preservation of foods was studied by inoculating smoked grated coconut, smoked broth media or broth media containing smoked water for its efficiency in inhibiting aflatoxin accumuulation. The treatment was found to inhibit aflatoxin accumulation to a greater extent than mycelial growth. The moisture content of coconut kernels appeared to be critical as moisture levels above 40percent and 15percent supported aflatoxin accumulation in smoke dried and electrically dried kernels respectively. The inhibition of aflatoxin accumulation by coconut charcoal smoke was found to be apparently due to water soluble fractions in smoke as smoked sterile water or broth were also effective in inhibition of aflatoxin accumulation. As spontaneous loss of aflatoxins was previously observed during storage of contaminated coconut the possible cause of the loss were investigated by storing coconut oil under different laboratory conditions. Of the various natural factors studied (heat, light, enzymic activity) only sunlight was found to be effective. The effect was studied in detail. Detoxification of aflatoxins in coconut oil was brought about by subjecting oil in the form of a thin layer of about 2-4 cm. in thickness under experimental conditions to sunlight. The quality (FFA. coolur) of the treated oil was the same as the untreated oil. Pilot plant experiments with the method are suggested for possible adaptation to industrial decontamination. With solid products, copra and poonac, sunlight was not effective in degrading aflatoxin probably because the sunlight did not penetrate solid particles as effectively as through liquid oil. Some strains of Aspergillus flavus isolated from local copra were found to exhibit intense blue fluorescence on hyflosupercel toxigenicity screening plates. These strains were cultured on grated coconut and the metabolites were extracted. A blue fluorescent compound having different but close Rfs with aflatoxins in several TLC solvent systems was isolated. The compound produced fatty changes in the livers of ducklings after oral dosage. The spectral characteristics and the TLC data suggest it to be a hitherto undescribed factor of possible toxicological interest. The lines on which further research in the field of aflatoxins in coconut products are indicated.Item Size of particles produced by mastication of food(University of Peradeniya: UP(MED)., 1976) JIFFRY, MTMItem Applications of the indirect fluorescent antibody test in malaria(University of Sri Lanka (Colombo campus): UC(MED)., 1976) SIVANESARAJAH, YVarious methods have been employed in the epidemiological assessment of malaria. In recent years, new serological techniques have suppemented the measurement of spleen rate and parasite rate. Since clasical malariometric indices such as parasite rate and annual parasite incidence were insufficient and not adequately sensitive to assess the progress of control measures, serological methids have been employed. The indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFA) was the serological test employed in this laboratory. Thick blood films of simian malaria parasites, plasmidium cynomolgi bastianellii and p.fieldi, obtained from infected rhesuns monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were used as antigens. The IFA test was shown to be useful to study the antibody levlels of blood donors from different areas in Sri Lanka, to observe the production and persistence of malarial antibodies in man and rhesus monkeys and for epidemiological assessment of malaria in Sri Lanka. The study conducte on 1050 blood donors revealed that since Colombo and Kalutara were free of malaria transmission, blood donors from these two areas could be used. Donors from other areas should be subjected to a routine screening programme such as the IFA and the blood used with caution. The follow up of eight malaria patients for persistence of antibodies showed that the range of duration was between 6 weeks and 10 weeks. A similar study was conducted to find persistence of malarial antibodies in rhesus monkeys. It was found that when parasitaemia was high antibody titre was low and as parasitaemia declined antibody titre rose sharply. It persisted at this high level till antimalarial drugs were administered. After declining the low antibody titre persisted for 3-9 months in the four monkeys. It was possible to arrange the different areas sampled in order of endemicity. When changes in transmission were followed from 1974 to 1975 it was found that malaria transmission had gone up from October 1974 to May 1975 and declined in October 1975.