http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/5935 2026-08-16T09:07:27Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/12866 Title: In-Vitro Anticoagulant Activity of Methanolic Extract of Dialium ovoideum (Thwaites): A Preliminary Study Authors: Dharmasena, M.C.P.; Gunawardhana, K.A.P.S.; Bandara, W.M.A.P.; Srikokulan, S.; Rasaratnam, K. Abstract: Background: Dialium ovoideum (Thwaites) is an endemic medicinal plant widely used in indigenous medicine in Sri Lanka. However, its potential anticoagulant effect on human blood remains unexplored. Investigating its influence on blood coagulation pathways may provide preliminary evidence for its therapeutic application as a natural anticoagulant source. Objective: To evaluate the in vitro anticoagulant activity of the methanolic extract of D. ovoideum bark and screen its phytochemical constituents. Method: This preliminary laboratory-based experimental study used fresh, healthy bark of D. ovoideum, authenticated at the Department of Plant and Molecular Biology at the University of Kelaniya. The bark was shade-dried, powdered, and extracted with methanol using a Soxhlet apparatus (40 g powder: 250 mL methanol; 1:6.25). The solvent was evaporated and reconstituted with Tris buffer (pH 7.4) to prepare four concentrations. Preliminary phytochemical screening was conducted using standard qualitative tests. Venous blood samples were collected from six healthy volunteers in sodium-citrated tubes and pooled plasma was separated by centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 15 minutes. Anticoagulant activity was assessed by Prothrombin time (PT) assay using a HumaClot Duo Plus coagulometer. Positive and negative controls were included. All tests were performed in triplicate. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA in SPSS (p ≤ 0.05). Results: The methanolic bark extract yielded 13.82% (w/w). Phytochemical screening revealed phenolics, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and glycosides. The extract prolonged PT in a concentration-dependent manner to 7.00 ± 0.12, 13.07 ± 0.29, 24.57 ± 0.40, and 25.73 ± 0.12 seconds at 156.25, 312.5, 625, and 1250 μg/mL, respectively. All concentrations showed a significantly increased PT compared to the control (15.8 seconds) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings provide preliminary evidence that D.ovoideum bark extract exhibits concentration-dependent in vitro anticoagulant activity on pooled human plasma. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/12439 Title: Personal, Professional, and Work-Life Balance Factors Influencing Nurses' Retention in Selected Government Hospitals in the Jaffna District, Sri Lanka Authors: Kamalarupan, L.; Wijethunga, W.M.C.C.; Thenuwara, T.H.T.N.; Rajeev, G. Abstract: Introduction: Retention of skilled nurses is crucial for quality healthcare, yet workforce stability in Sri Lanka remains a challenge. Evidence on how personal, professional, and work-life factors influence nurse retention in government hospitals in Sri Lanka is limited. Objectives: This study aims to assess the influence of personal factors, professional factors, and work-life related factors on nurses' retention in selected government hospitals in the Jaffna District. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 282 nurses from Teaching Hospital Jaffna, Base Hospital Chavakachcheri, Base Hospital Point Pedro, and Base Hospital Thellippalai, using stratified random sampling. Data was collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire with a 3-point Likert scale (1=make me leave, 2=neutral, 3=make me retain). The instrument was validated by experts and demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.903). Mean scores were interpreted as 1.00-1.49 = high intention to leave, 1.50- 2.49=neutral, and 2.50-3.00= high intention to retain. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 26, employing descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and independent t-tests (p<0.05). Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethical Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna. Results: Majority of participants were female (68.8%, n=194), with a mean age of 33.28±7.05. Retention intention was significantly higher among nurses with greater job satisfaction (2.41+0.59) compared to those with lower satisfaction (1.71±0.60),, work-life balance factors (2.42 ± 0.58 vs. 2.10 ± 0.58), and family responsibilities (2.31±0.60 vs. 1.99±0.61; all p<0.01). Professional development factors such as career-building opportunities (2.47±0.60 vs. 2.00±0.58), training participation (2.48+0.57 vs. 2.03±0.59), and support from senior staff (2.38±0.61 vs. 2.05±0.57; all p < 0.001) were also significant predictors. Work-life balance showed strong effects, with higher scores for scheduling satisfaction (2.51+0.56), control over workload (2.45±0.57), and time-off opportunities (2.39±0.60) among nurses intending to stay (p<0.001). Conclusion: These findings underscore the need for context-specific workforce strategies that prioritize job satisfaction, professional growth, and work-life balance to enhance nurse retention in government hospitals of the Jaffna District. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/12421 Title: Developing a modified mycological culture medium for Malassezia furfur by supplementing sabouraud dextrose agar with extracted lipid oil from egg yolk Authors: Sivasinthujah, S.; Shalini, R.; Kannathasan, S.; Gnanakarunyan, T.J. Abstract: Malassezia furfur (M. furfur) is a lipophilic yeast that is associated with a variety of superficial and systemic dermatological conditions, including pityriasis versicolor, seborrheic dermatitis, and atopic eczema. Though it’s a clinically important etiological agent, in vitro research has been insufficient due to a lack of convenient culture media to isolate and subculture the organism. This study was aimed at developing a modified mycological culture medium for M. furfur by supplementing sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) with extracted lipid oil from egg yolk. Malassezia furfur was isolated from Pityriasis versicolor patients attending Teaching Hospital Jaffna, in SDA with ghee (10%) media, and its presence was confirmed using microscopic, macroscopic, and biochemical examinations. Egg yolk oil was extracted by the solvent extraction method. SDA culture plates with different volumes of egg yolk oil (2x, x, x/2, x/4, x/8, and x/16; x refers to egg yolk oil extracted from one egg yolk) were streaked with confirmed colonies of M. furfur and incubated at 32 °C. Additionally, the optimal growth temperature and the impact of additives such as Na₂HPO₄, NaCl, and MgSO₄ were evaluated. Growth level (5-point scale), isolation, and isolated colony size (mm) were taken on the 3rd and 5th days of incubation. Furthermore, the growth of M. furfur in the modified culture medium, incorporating all optimized conditions, was assessed and compared with traditional agar formulations like SDA and SDA supplemented with ghee. The isolated colony size was reported as the mean and standard deviation (SD), and the data were subjected to examination by analysis of variance (ANOVA) (P<0.05) followed by Tukey’s test (α = 0.05) by using software, SPSS Statistics version 21.0. The volume of oil extracted from one egg yolk and the yield in of oil were 2 mL and 33.33 % respectively. Among the tested concentrations of egg yolk lipid oil, the x/8 was selected as the minimal volume required for optimal growth of M. furfur. The organism exhibited optimal growth at 32 °C. Furthermore, supplementation with Na₂HPO₄, NaCl, and MgSO₄ significantly enhanced growth. In the comparative study, the modified culture medium demonstrated better performance compared to the other existing culture media. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/12312 Title: Formulation development and evaluation of polyherbal gel for bacterial skin infection Authors: Janith, U.I.P.; Imesha, P.D.; Nimesh, K.M.S.G.; Ganakarunyan, T.; Dilakshana, K.; Sathya, S. Abstract: Bacterial skin infections are common among hospitalised patients, for which topical antibiotics are used. Antibiotic resistance, toxicity and high cost have led to the need for the development of herbal formulations that are comparatively safer and less expensive. Using herbal gel for topical application ensures faster release of active ingredients at the site of action. This study aims to formulate a topical antibacterial polyherbal gel containing leaf extracts of Atalantia ceylanica, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Azadirachta indica, and gel extract of Aloe vera and evaluate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A polyherbal gel with carbopol 940 gel base containing Aloe vera gel with 1% methanolic leaf extracts of A. ceylanica, O. tenuiflorum and A. indica in the ratio of 1:1:3 was formulated and evaluated for antibacterial activity using agar well diffusion method against Gram-positive (S. aureus) and Gram-negative (P. aeruginosa) bacteria using gentamicin (20 μg/mL) as the positive control. Physical parameters (organoleptic characteristics, pH, spreadability, viscosity) of the prepared gel formulations were evaluated at both room temperature (RT) and 4 oC for 21 days. A green colour gel with an initial pH of 6.94±0.01, spreadability of 38.09±0.02 g.cm/s and a viscosity of 51.7% was formulated. pH and spreadability of the gel kept in both RT and refrigerator (4 oC) remained constant throughout the study period. The gel formulation (100 mg/ml) exhibited a zone of inhibition against S. aureus (24.77±1.71 mm), but not against P. aeruginosa. Therefore, this gel formulation can be further evaluated for its antibacterial potential to formulate a promising topical antibacterial gel for S. aureus skin infections. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z