VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1 November 2008 Highlights of the First Academic Day
The first Academic Day of GaRNet (Galle Research Network) was held
Inside This Issue
on 27th November 2007 at the Clinical Lecture Theatre of the Faculty of Medicine, which was wel attended by the staff from the Faculty of
Medicine, University of Ruhuna and the Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya.
Highlights of the First
The Day had an auspicious start with lighting of the traditional oil lamp, which then was followed by the welcome address by the Director of
Academic Day
GaRNet, Professor S. Lekamwasam. The Dean Professor P.L. Ariyananda
Activities of GaRNet 2008 Upcoming Events
The theme of the Day was “Evidence Based Medicine” and Dr Senaka Rajapakse introduced the topic to the audience with his guest lecture,
Academic Day 2008
“Evidence Based Medicine; an Introduction”, which was very
informative. This was fol owed by a second guest lecture by Dr Ruchika
Programme
Lanerolle on the evidence based approach to the conservative
Publications from Faculty of Medicine 2007/08
The GaRNet introduced a novel approach to the Academic Day by delivering a lecture through DVD format on Evidence Based Laboratory
Medicine by Drs John Whitfield and Chris Florkowski, distinguished members of the Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists. The concluding guest lecture for the morning session was by Dr Anuruddha M Abeygunasekera on “Management of Urinary Incontinence”. The afternoon session was for the free papers and there were nine oral presentations of original research on varying themes. GARNET NEWSLETTER Activities of GaRNet 2008 Lunch-Time Lectures – 2nd Thursday of the Month - LTD
Sampling Methods and Selection of Controls – Dr PV De Silva
Quality Assurance of Data – Professor Chandrani Liyanage
Research Forum – 4th Thursday of the Month –Senior Common room
Newborn Thyroid Screening –Dr Manjula Hettiarachchi
Relationship of Serum Leptin with Historical Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Body Composition – Dr Jeevantha Nanayakkara
Workshops
Qualitative Research Methodology 1
Dr Bilesha Perera, Senior Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine and Dr Harshani Rajapaksha, Lecturer, Department of Psychiatry were the resource persons.
Qualitative Research Methodology 2 Prof Jeanne Marecek, Department of Psychiatry, Swathmore College, Pennsylvania and Dr Bilesha Perera, Senior Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine were the resource persons. From the Journals
An Introduction to Reading and Appraising Qualitative Research. by Ayelet Kuper, Scott Reeves and Wendy Levinson British Medical Journal(2008) 16; 337 (7666): 404-407 This article explores the difference between qualitative and quantitative research and the need for doctors to be able to interpret and appraise qualitative research.
Upcoming Events Lunch-Time Lectures
Applying for Ethical Approval Matching the Research Methodology to the Research Question: Quantitative Research Designing a Questionnaire Medical Statistics
Selection of Appropriate Tests for Your Data
GARNET NEWSLETTER Academic Day Programme GaRNet Academic day - 2008 Clinical Lecture Theater, Faculty of Medicine, Galle 8.30 a. m. – 9.00 a.m. Registration and Inauguration 9.00 a.m. - 10.45 a.m. Health Economics (Guest Lectures)
Dr Amala de Silva, Department of Economics, University of Colombo
Prof Andrew Dawson, South-Asian Clinical Toxicology Research Col aboration
10.45 a.m. - 11.00 a.m. Tea 11.00 a.m. – 12.30 a.m. Free Papers
Chairpersons – Prof C Pathirana & Prof T P Weerarathne
12.30 p.m. - 1.30 p.m. Lunch 1.30 p.m. - 3.30 p.m. Funding for Research (Panel Discussion)
Prof S Lekamwasam – National Science Foundation
Ms Malathi Weerasooriya – United Nations Population Fund
Prof Mirani Weerasooriya – Faculty of Medicine
Dr Bilesha Perera – Faculty of Medicine
GARNET NEWSLETTER Publications from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna in 2007 – 2008
1. Lekamwasam S, Wijerathne L, Rodrigo M and Hewage U. (2008) Age-Related Trends in Phalangeal Bone
Mineral Density in Sri Lankan Men and Women Aged 20Yr or More. J Clin Densitom. 2008 Nov 7. [Epub ahead of print]
2. Mudduwa LK, Nagahawatte A de S. (2008) Diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis: combining
cytomorphology, microbiology and molecular techniques - a study from Sri Lanka. Indian J Pathol Microbiol.
3. Prasad KP, Tharangani PG, Samaranayake CN. (2008) Recurrent relapses of depression in a patient
established on sertraline after taking herbal medicinal mixtures - a herb-drug interaction? J Psychopharmacol. 2008 May 30. [Epub ahead of print]
4. Weerasooriya MV, Isogai Y, Itoh M, Yahathugoda TC, Vidanapathirana KK, Mudalige MP, Kimura E. (2008)
Distribution of filarial elephantiasis and hydrocele in Matara district, Sri Lanka, as reported by local leaders, and an immunological survey in areas with relatively high clinical rates. Parasitol Int. 57(3):390-395.
5. Weerasooriya MV, Itoh M, Islam MZ, Aoki Y, Samarawickrema WA, Kimura E. (2008) Presence and gradual
disappearance of filaria-specific urinary IgG4 in babies born to antibody-positive mothers: a 2-year follow-up study. Parasitol Int. 57(3):386-389.
6. Kommalage M, Gunawardena S. (2008) IT-based activity in physiology education: an experience from a
developing country. Adv Physiol Educ. 32(1):81-85.
7. Liyanage C, Hettiarachchi M, Mangalajeewa P, Malawipathirana S. (2008) Adequacy of vitamin A and fat in
the breast milk of lactating women in south Sri Lanka. Public Health Nutr. 11(7):747-750.
8. Hettiarachchi M, Liyanage C, Wickremasinghe R, Hilmers DC, Abrams SA. (2008) The efficacy of micronutrient
supplementation in reducing the prevalence of anaemia and deficiencies of zinc and iron among adolescents in Sri Lanka. Eur J Clin Nutr. 62(7): 856-865.
9. Weerasooriya MV, Yahathugoda CT, Wickramasinghe D, Gunawardena KN, Dharmadasa RA,
Vidanapathirana KK, Weerasekara SH, Samarawickrema WA. (2007) Social mobilisation, drug coverage and compliance and adverse reactions in a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Programme for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis in Sri Lanka. Filaria J. 15; 6:11.
10. Lekamwasam S and Lenora J. (2007) Age-related trends in hip geometry in Sri Lankan women: a cross-
sectional study. J Bone Miner Metab. 25(6):431-435
11. Lekamwasam S, Rodrigo M, Arachchi WK and Munidasa D. (2007) Measurement of spinal bone mineral
density on a Hologic Discovery DXA scanner with and without leg elevation. J Clin Densitom. 10(2): 170-173.
12. Rameez MF, Goonewardene IM. (2007) Nitric oxide donor isosorbide mononitrate for pre-induction cervical
ripening at 41 weeks' gestation: A randomized control ed trial. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 33(4): 452-456.
Source – PUBMED Search Criteria: Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Galle – Year 2007-2008
GaRNet, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Galle
Edited by Dr ID Siriwardhana, E-mail: deepani@med.ruh.ac.lk Phone 0912234801Ext 324 Fax: 0912222314
Drug Compatibility with a New Generation of VISIV Polyolefin Infusion Solution Containers Vasileios Aloumanis, MSFS ABSTRACT Michel Ben, MS A new generation of VISIV polyolefin intravenous solution containers, Thomas C. Kupiec, PhD made of a new and different proprietary polymer, were evaluated for sorp- tion and leaching potential with a cadre of drugs known to exhibit
OESTROGEN RECEPTOR ASSESSMENT IN DUCTAL CARCINOMA IN SITU Introduction The response of invasive breast cancer to endocrine therapy is well recognised as being related to the hormone receptor status of the tumour. 1 It is therefore logical to investigate the role of hormone receptors in determining the role of endocrine therapy in the management of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). However,
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