Research Publications

@article{Weerasekera2017,

title = {Denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis profiles of bacteria from the saliva of twenty four different individuals form clusters that showed no relationship to the yeasts present},

author = {Chris Sissons Manjula Weerasekera and Ann Holmes Lisa Wong Sally Anderson and Richard Cannon},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003996917301590},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.2017.05.014},

isbn = {0003-9969},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-05-22},

journal = {Archives of Oral Biology},

abstract = {Abstract 

Objectives 

 

The aim was to investigate the relationship between groups of bacteria identified by cluster analysis of the DGGE fingerprints and the amounts and diversity of yeast present. 

 

Methods 

 

Bacterial and yeast populations in saliva samples from 24 adults were analysed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of the bacteria present and by yeast culture. 

 

Results 

 Eubacterial DGGE banding patterns showed considerable variation between individuals. Seventy one different amplicon bands were detected, the band number per saliva sample ranged from 21 to 39 (mean ± SD = 29.3 ± 4.9). Cluster and principal component analysis of the bacterial DGGE patterns yielded three major clusters containing 20 of the samples. Seventeen of the 24 (71%) saliva samples were yeast positive with concentrations up to 103 cfu/mL. Candida albicans was the predominant species in saliva samples although six other yeast species, including Candida dubliniensis, Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, Candida guilliermondii, Candida rugosa and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, were identified. The presence, concentration, and species of yeast in samples showed no clear relationship to the bacterial clusters. 

 

Conclusion 

 

Despite indications of in vitro bacteria-yeast interactions, there was a lack of association between the presence, identity and diversity of yeasts and the bacterial DGGE fingerprint clusters in saliva. This suggests significant ecological individual-specificity of these associations in highly complex in vivo oral biofilm systems under normal oral conditions.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000401669500004,

title = {Associations between disc space narrowing, anterior osteophytes and 

 disability in chronic mechanical low back pain: a cross sectional study},

author = {Romain Shanil Perera and Poruwalage Harsha Dissanayake and Upul Senarath and Lalith Sirimevan Wijayaratne and Aranjan Lional Karunanayake and Vajira Harshadeva Weerabaddana Dissanayake},

doi = {10.1186/s12891-017-1562-9},

issn = {1471-2474},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-05-01},

journal = {BMC MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS},

volume = {18},

abstract = {Background: Radiographic features of lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) are 

 common findings in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain; 

 however, its role in disability and intensity of pain is debatable. This 

 study aims to investigate the associations of the x-ray features of LDD 

 and lumbar spondylolisthesis with severity of disability and intensity 

 of pain. 

 Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 439 patients with 

 chronic mechanical low back pain who attended the rheumatology clinic, 

 National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, from May 2012 to May 2014. 

 Severity of disability was measured using Modified Oswestry Disability 

 Index and intensity of pain was assessed using numeric rating scale 

 (0-100). X-ray features of LDD (disc space narrowing, anterior 

 osteophytes and overall LDD) and spondylolisthesis were assessed in 

 lateral recumbent lumbar x-rays (L1/L2 to L5/S1) and graded by a 

 consultant radiologist blinded to clinical data. Generalised linear 

 model with linear response was used to assess the associations of x-ray 

 features of LDD with severity of disability and intensity of pain 

 adjusting for age, gender, body mass index and pain radiating into legs. 

 Results: Mean age was 48.99 +/- 11.21 and 323 (73.58%) were females. 87 

 (19.82%) were obese. Mean severity of disability was 30.95 +/- 13.67 

 and mean intensity of pain was 45.50 +/- 20.37. 69 (15.72%), 26 

 (5.92%) and 85 (19.36%) patients had grade 2 disc space narrowing, 

 anterior osteophytes and overall LDD, respectively. 51 (11.62%) 

 patients had lumbar spondylolisthesis. Grade of disc space narrowing and 

 overall LDD were not associated with severity of disability or intensity 

 of pain. The presence of lumbar spondylolisthesis was associated with 

 severity of disability. Female gender and pain radiating into legs were 

 associated with severity of disability and intensity of pain. Advancing 

 age was associated with x-ray features of LDD and lumbar 

 spondylolisthesis. 

 Conclusions: Lumbar spondylolisthesis is associated with severity of 

 disability in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain. 

 Associations of x-ray features of LDD with severity of disability and 

 intensity of pain are inconclusive. Female gender and pain radiating 

 into legs are significant confounders.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000401017200012,

title = {Epidemiological Differences Between Localized and Nonlocalized Low Back 

 Pain},

author = {David Coggon and Georgia Ntani and Karen Walker-Bone and Keith T Palmer and Vanda E Felli and Raul Harari and Lope H Barrero and Sarah A Felknor and David Gimeno and Anna Cattrell and Sergio Vargas-Prada and Matteo Bonzini and Eleni Solidaki and Eda Merisalu and Rima R Habib and Farideh Sadeghian and Masood M Kadir and Sudath S P Warnakulasuriya and Ko Matsudaira and Busisiwe Nyantumbu and Malcolm R Sim and Helen Harcombe and Ken Cox and Leila M M Sarquis and Maria H Marziale and Florencia Harari and Rocio Freire and Natalia Harari and Magda V Monroy and Leonardo A Quintana and Marianela Rojas and Elizabeth Clare Harris and Consol Serra and Jose Miguel Martinez and George Delclos and Fernando G Benavides and Michele Carugno and Marco M Ferrario and Angela C Pesatori and Leda Chatzi and Panos Bitsios and Manolis Kogevinas and Kristel Oha and Tiina Freimann and Ali Sadeghian and Roshini J Peiris-John and Nalini Sathiakumar and Rajitha A Wickremasinghe and Noriko Yoshimura and Helen L Kelsall and Victor C W Hoe and Donna M Urquhart and Sarah Derrett and David McBride and Peter Herbison and Andrew Gray and Eduardo Salazar J Vega},

doi = {10.1097/BRS.0000000000001956},

issn = {0362-2436},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-05-01},

journal = {SPINE},

volume = {42},

number = {10},

pages = {740-747},

abstract = {Study Design. A cross-sectional survey with a longitudinal follow-up. 

 Objectives. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that pain, 

 which is localized to the low back, differs epidemiologically from that 

 which occurs simultaneously or close in time to pain at other anatomical 

 sites 

 Summary of Background Data. Low back pain (LBP) often occurs in 

 combination with other regional pain, with which it shares similar 

 psychological and psychosocial risk factors. However, few previous 

 epidemiological studies of LBP have distinguished pain that is confined 

 to the low back from that which occurs as part of a wider distribution 

 of pain. 

 Methods. We analyzed data from CUPID, a cohort study that used baseline 

 and follow-up questionnaires to collect information about 

 musculoskeletal pain, associated disability, and potential risk factors, 

 in 47 occupational groups (office workers, nurses, and others) from 18 

 countries. 

 Results. Among 12,197 subjects at baseline, 609 (4.9%) reported 

 localized LBP in the past month, and 3820 (31.3%) nonlocalized LBP. 

 Nonlocalized LBP was more frequently associated with sciatica in the 

 past month (48.1% vs. 30.0% of cases), occurred on more days in the 

 past month and past year, was more often disabling for everyday 

 activities (64.1% vs. 47.3% of cases), and had more frequently led to 

 medical consultation and sickness absence from work. It was also more 

 often persistent when participants were followed up after a mean of 14 

 months (65.6% vs. 54.1% of cases). In adjusted Poisson regression 

 analyses, nonlocalized LBP was differentially associated with risk 

 factors, particularly female sex, older age, and somatizing tendency. 

 There were also marked differences in the relative prevalence of 

 localized and nonlocalized LBP by occupational group. 

 Conclusion. Future epidemiological studies should distinguish where 

 possible between pain that is limited to the low back and LBP that 

 occurs in association with pain at other anatomical locations.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000405977500006,

title = {Urinary Incontinence of Women in a Nationwide Study in Sri Lanka: 

 Prevalence and Risk Factors},

author = {Ramya Pathiraja and Shamini Prathapan and Sampatha Goonawardena},

issn = {1735-1308},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-05-01},

journal = {UROLOGY JOURNAL},

volume = {14},

number = {3},

pages = {3075-3080},

abstract = {Purpose: Urinary incontinence, be stress incontinence or urge 

 incontinence or a mixed type incontinence affects women of all ages. The 

 aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and risk factors of 

 urinary incontinence in Sri Lanka. 

 Materials and Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was 

 performed in Sri Lanka. The age group of the women in Sri Lanka was 

 categorized into 3 age groups: Less than or equal to 35 years, 36 to 50 

 years of age and more than or equal to 51 years of age. A sample size of 

 675 women was obtained from each age category obtaining a total sample 

 of 2025 from Sri Lanka. An interviewer-administered questionnaire 

 consisting of two parts; Socio demographic factors, Medical and 

 Obstetric History, and the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ), was used 

 for data collection. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was 

 performed. 

 Results: The Prevalence of women with only stress incontinence was 10%, 

 with urge incontinence was 15.6% and with stress and urge incontinence was 29.9%. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that the age groups of 36 50 years (OR = 2.03; 95% CI = 1.56 - 2.63) and 51 years and above (OR = 2.61; 95% CI = 1.95 - 3.48), Living in one of the districts in Sri Lanka (OR = 4.58; 95% CI = 3.35 - 6.27) and having given birth to multiple children (OR = 1.1; 95% CI = 1.02 - 1.21), diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.97; 95% CI = 1.19 - 3.23), and respiratory diseases (OR = 2.17; 95% CI = 1.48 - 3.19) showed a significant risk in 

 the regression analysis. 

 Conclusion: The risk factor, mostly modifiable, if prevented early, 

 could help to reduce the symptoms of urinary incontinence.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000399744300009,

title = {Prevalence and Alternative Explanations Influence Cancer Diagnosis: An 

 Experimental Study With Physicians},

author = {Miroslav Sirota and Olga Kostopoulou and Thomas Round and Shyamalee Samaranayaka},

doi = {10.1037/hea0000461},

issn = {0278-6133},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-05-01},

journal = {HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY},

volume = {36},

number = {5},

pages = {477-485},

abstract = {Objective: Cancer causes death to millions of people worldwide. Early 

 detection of cancer in primary care may enhance patients' chances of 

 survival. However, physicians often miss early cancers, which tend to 

 present with undifferentiated symptoms. Within a theoretical framework 

 of the hypothesis generation (HyGene) model, together with psychological 

 literature, we studied how 2 factors-cancer prevalence and an 

 alternative explanation for the patient's symptoms-impede early cancer 

 detection, as well as prompt patient management. Method: Three hundred 

 family physicians diagnosed and managed 2 patient cases, where cancer 

 was a possible diagnosis (one colorectal cancer, the other lung cancer). 

 We employed a 2 (cancer prevalence: low vs. high) x 2 (alternative 

 explanation: present vs. absent) between-subjects design. Cancer 

 prevalence was manipulated by changing either patient age or sex; the 

 alternative explanation for the symptoms was manipulated by adding or 

 removing a relevant clinical history. Each patient consulted twice. Results: In a series of random-intercept logistic models, both higher prevalence (OR = 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI 1.27, 2.92]) and absence of an alternative explanation (OR = 1.70, 95% CI [1.11, 2.59]) increased the likelihood of a cancer diagnosis, which, in turn, increased the likelihood of prompt referral (OR = 22.84, 95% CI 

 [16.14, 32.32]). Conclusions: These findings confirm the probabilistic 

 nature of the diagnosis generation process and validate the application 

 of the HyGene model to early cancer detection. Increasing the salience 

 of cancer-such as listing cancer as a diagnostic possibility-during the 

 initial hypothesis generation phase may improve early cancer detection.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000398678000010,

title = {The role of the unfolded protein response in dengue virus pathogenesis},

author = {Nilanka Perera and Joanna L Miller and Nicole Zitzmann},

doi = {10.1111/cmi.12734},

issn = {1462-5814},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-05-01},

journal = {CELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY},

volume = {19},

number = {5},

abstract = {Symptomatic dengue virus (DENV) infections range from mild fever to 

 severe haemorrhagic disease and death. Host-viral interactions play a 

 significant role in deciding the fate of the infection. The unfolded 

 protein response (UPR) is a prosurvival cellular reaction induced in 

 response to DENV-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress. The UPR has 

 complex interactions with the cellular autophagy machinery, apoptosis, 

 and innate immunity. DENV has evolved to manipulate the UPR to 

 facilitate its replication and to evade host immunity. Our knowledge of 

 this intertwined network of events is continuously developing. A better 

 understanding of the UPR mediated antiviral and proviral effects will 

 shed light on dengue disease pathogenesis and may help development of 

 anti-DENV therapeutics. This review summarizes the role of the UPR in 

 viral replication, autophagy, and DENV-induced inflammation to describe 

 how a host response contributes to DENV pathogenesis.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000400132400003,

title = {Novel mutation in the SLC12A3 gene in a Sri Lankan family with Gitelman 

 syndrome & coexistent diabetes: a case report},

author = {Chandrika Jayakanthi Subasinghe and Nirmala Dushyanthi Sirisena and Chula Herath and Knut Erik Berge and Trond Paul Leren and Uditha Bulugahapitiya and Vajira Harshadeva Weerabaddana Dissanayake},

doi = {10.1186/s12882-017-0563-0},

issn = {1471-2369},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-04-01},

journal = {BMC NEPHROLOGY},

volume = {18},

abstract = {Background: Gitelman syndrome (GS) is a rare autosomal recessively 

 inherited salt-wasting tubulopathy associated with mutations in the 

 SLC12A3 gene, which encodes for NaCl cotransporter (NCC) in the kidney. 

 Case presentation: In this report, we describe two siblings from a Sri 

 Lankan non-consanguineous family presenting with hypokalaemia associated 

 with renal potassium wasting, hypomagnesemia, hypocalciuria and 

 hypereninemic hyperaldosteronism with normal blood pressure. Genetic 

 testing showed that both were homozygotes for a novel missense mutation 

 in exon 10 of the SLC12A3 gene [NM_000339.2, c.1276A > T; p.N426Y], 

 which has not previously been reported in the literature in association 

 with GS. Their mother was a heterozygous carrier for the same mutation. 

 The father was not alive at the time of testing. This novel mutation 

 extends the spectrum of known SLC12A3 gene mutations and further 

 supports the allelic heterogeneity of GS. Interestingly both siblings 

 had young onset Diabetes with strong family history. 

 Conclusion: These findings have implications in providing appropriate 

 genetic counseling to the family with regard to the risk associated with 

 inbreeding, the detection of carrier/presymptomatic relatives. It 

 further expands the known spectrum of genotypic and phenotypic 

 characteristics of Gitelman syndrome.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000430569108107,

title = {Segmental dynamics of poly(styrene-stat-methyl methacrylate-d3) in bulk 

 and at very small amounts on silica},

author = {Ugo Arua and Madhubhashini Madduma Arachchilage and Frank Blum},

issn = {0065-7727},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-04-01},

journal = {ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY},

volume = {253},

organization = {Amer Chem Soc},

note = {253rd National Meeting of the American-Chemical-Society (ACS) on 

 Advanced Materials, Technologies, Systems, and Processes, San Francisco, 

 CA, APR 02-06, 2017},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000400157400285,

title = {Vascular risk factors in manifestation of Alzheimer's disease related 

 neuropathological changes: First autopsy and genetic evidence from a 

 South Asian ageing population},

author = {P Wijesinghe and S K Shankar and T C Yasha and Y H Suh and H W M Steinbusch and K R De Silva},

issn = {0271-678X},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-04-01},

journal = {JOURNAL OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM},

volume = {37},

number = {1},

pages = {196-197},

organization = {MCI Deutschland GmbH},

note = {28th International Symposium on Cerebral Blood Flow, Metabolism and 

 Function / 13th International Conference on Quantification of Brain 

 Function with PET, Int Soc Cerebral Blood Flow & Metab, Berlin, 

 GERMANY, APR 01-04, 2017},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000398868800033,

title = {Effects on soil chemistry of tropical deforestation for agriculture and 

 subsequent reforestation with special reference to changes in carbon and 

 nitrogen},

author = {Jaeeun Sohng and B M P Singhakumara and Mark S Ashton},

doi = {10.1016/j.foreco.2016.12.013},

issn = {0378-1127},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-04-01},

journal = {FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT},

volume = {389},

pages = {331-340},

abstract = {While soils can act either as a source or as a sink for atmospheric 

 carbon dioxide and nitrogen, depending on land cover change and 

 management, there is a great need to improve our understanding of the 

 dynamics of soil structure and chemistry following land conversion in 

 tropical regions. In this study, we investigated various soil structural 

 and chemical variables (bulk density, pH, cation exchange capacity, 

 phosphorus, magnesium, potassium), soil carbon (C), soil nitrogen (N), 

 delta C-13, and delta N-15 in relation to conversion of rain forest to 

 tea cultivation and subsequent changes due to agricultural abandonment 

 and reforestation with Caribbean pine. Although Caribbean pine has shown 

 potential for reforestation throughout Asia and Latin America, effects 

 on soil properties in comparison with other land uses have not been 

 quantified. Our study compared: (1) the original mixed-dipterocarp rain 

 forest, (2) tea plantations, (3) Kekilla femlands and (4) Caribbean pine 

 plantations. Tea plantations show higher bulk density (BD) as an 

 evidence of compaction. Although soil C concentration in tea plantations 

 were lower than other land uses at 0-10 cm, when bulk density was used 

 with C as a composite measure, tea plantation showed the highest value 

 for both soil C and N stocks. Disregarding tea plantations, Caribbean 

 pine plantations had the highest C but showed the lowest N stocks at 

 both soil depths. Soil delta C-13 and delta N-15 values of all land uses 

 increase with increasing soil depth; but Caribbean pine plantations 

 showed the greatest increase in delta C-13 at both soil depths (e.g. 

 -27.82 0.38%a at 0-10 cm to -26.50 0.37%0 at 10-20 cm). For both 

 Kekilla fernlands and Caribbean pine plantations the relationship 

 between delta C-13 and delta N-15 was strongly linear. By comparing the 

 physical and chemical soil properties of these land uses with 

 undisturbed rain forest, we established baseline data to determine 

 influence of land conversion on soil properties. Based on soil pH, CEC 

 and other major nutrients (P, K, Mg), there are strong legacy effects of 

 land use potentially from both fertilization and fire. Our results also 

 showed strong evidence that delta C-13 and delta N-15 was both increased 

 with depth under pine reforestation and fernlands, suggesting soils can 

 recuperate with a consistent input of litter and slower decomposition 

 processes. There is some evidence that recruitment of natural 

 regeneration beneath pine can help facilitate faster litter 

 decomposition that can revert soil structure and fertility to a status 

 similar to that of the original forest. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All 

 rights reserved.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000398912300012,

title = {Expectations for Antibiotics Increase Their Prescribing: Causal Evidence 

 About Localized Impact},

author = {Miroslav Sirota and Thomas Round and Shyamalee Samaranayaka and Olga Kostopoulou},

doi = {10.1037/hea0000456},

issn = {0278-6133},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-04-01},

journal = {HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY},

volume = {36},

number = {4},

pages = {402-409},

abstract = {Objective: Clinically irrelevant but psychologically important factors 

 such as patients' expectations for antibiotics encourage 

 overprescribing. We aimed to (a) provide missing causal evidence of this 

 effect, (b) identify whether the expectations distort the perceived 

 probability of a bacterial infection either in a pre- or postdecisional 

 distortions pathway, and (c) detect possible moderators of this effect. Method: Family physicians expressed their willingness to prescribe antibiotics (Experiment 1, n(1) = 305) or their decision to prescribe (Experiment 2, n(2) = 131) and assessed the probability of a bacterial 

 infection in hypothetical patients with infections either with low or 

 high expectations for antibiotics. Response order of 

 prescribing/probability was manipulated in Experiment 1. Results: Overall, the expectations for antibiotics increased intention to prescribe (Experiment 1, F(1, 301) = 25.32, p < .001, eta(2)(p) = .08, regardless of the response order; Experiment 2, odds ratio [OR] = 2.31, and OR = 0.75, Vignettes 1 and 2, respectively). Expectations for antibiotics did not change the perceived probability of a bacterial infection (Experiment 1, F(1, 301) = 1.86},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000395601800006,

title = {Current evidence on prevalence and clinical outcomes of co-morbid 

 obstructive sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A 

 systematic review},

author = {Md Shajedur R Shawon and Jennifer L Perret and Chamara V Senaratna and Caroline Lodge and Garun S Hamilton and Shyamali C Dharmage},

doi = {10.1016/j.smrv.2016.02.007},

issn = {1087-0792},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-04-01},

journal = {SLEEP MEDICINE REVIEWS},

volume = {32},

pages = {58-68},

abstract = {The objective of this systematic review is to synthesize the evidence on 

 prevalence, polysomnographic findings and clinical outcomes of co-morbid 

 obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 

 (COPD) known as the ``overlap syndrome''. We systematically searched 

 PubMed on 1 December 2015 using appropriate medical subject headings 

 (MeSH) and text words to capture prevalence studies and comparative 

 studies of any observational design examining the clinical outcomes in patients with co-existent COPD and OSA. We reviewed 591 articles and included 27 in the final review. In total, 21 observational studies (n = 

 29,341 participants) provided prevalence estimates. Overlap syndrome is 

 not common in the general and hospital population (range: 1.0-3.6%), 

 but is highly prevalent in patients diagnosed with either obstructive 

 sleep apnea (range: 7.6-55.7%) or COPD (range: 2.9-65.9%). Overlap 

 syndrome patients have been shown to have greater nocturnal oxygen 

 desaturation (NOD) (i.e., reduced mean peripheral capillary oxygen 

 saturation (SpO(2)) and increased sleep time spent with SpO(2) < 90% 

 (T90)) and worse sleep quality than patients with only OSA. It is 

 associated with more frequent cardiovascular morbidity, poorer quality 

 of life (QoL), more frequent COPD exacerbation and increased medical 

 costs. This systematic review on overlap syndrome highlights the 

 limitations and knowledge gaps of its prevalence, etiology and 

 underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms related to increased morbidity 

 and mortality. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000399175000036,

title = {Intimate partner violence in the post-war context: Women's experiences 

 and community leaders' perceptions in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka},

author = {Sepali Guruge and Marilyn Ford-Gilboe and Colleen Varcoe and Vathsala Jayasuriya-Illesinghe and Mahesan Ganesan and Sivagurunathan Sivayogan and Parvathy Kanthasamy and Pushparani Shanmugalingam and Hemamala Vithanarachchi},

doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0174801},

issn = {1932-6203},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-03-01},

journal = {PLOS ONE},

volume = {12},

number = {3},

abstract = {Background 

 Exposure to armed conflict and/or war have been linked to an increase in 

 intimate partner violence (IPV) against women. A substantial body of 

 work has focused on non-partner rape and sexual violence in war and 

 post-war contexts, but research about IPV is limited, particularly in 

 Asian settings. This paper presents the finding of a study conducted in 

 the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. The study explored women's 

 experiences of and responses to IPV as well as how health and social 

 service providers perceive the problem. It also explored the IPV-related 

 services and supports available after the end of a 30-year civil war. 

 Method 

 We conducted in-depth, qualitative interviews with 15 women who had 

 experienced IPV and 15 service providers who were knowledgeable about 

 IPV in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. Interviews were translated 

 into English, coded and organized using NVivo8, and analyzed using 

 inductive thematic analysis. 

 Results 

 Participants described IPV as a widespread but hidden problem. Women had 

 experienced various forms of abusive and controlling behaviours, some of 

 which reflect the reality of living in the post-war context. The 

 psychological effects of IPV were common, but were often attributed to 

 war-related trauma. Some men used violence to control women and to 

 reinstate power when their gender roles were reversed or challenged due 

 to war and post-war changes in livelihoods. While some service providers 

 perceived an increase in awareness about IPV and more services to 

 address it, this was discordant with women's fears, feelings of 

 oppression, and perception of a lack of redress from IPV within a highly 

 militarized and ethnically-polarized society. Most women did not 

 consider leaving an abusive relationship to be an option, due to 

 realistic fears about their vulnerability to community violence, the 

 widespread social norms that would cast them as outsiders, and the 

 limited availability of related services and supports.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000397444500001,

title = {Location and content of counselling and acceptance of postpartum IUD in 

 Sri Lanka},

author = {Mahesh Karra and David Canning and Sorcha Foster and Iqbal H Shah and Hemantha Senanayake and U D P Ratnasiri and Ramya Priyanwada Pathiraja},

doi = {10.1186/s12978-017-0304-7},

issn = {1742-4755},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-03-01},

journal = {REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH},

volume = {14},

abstract = {Background: The immediate postpartum IUD (PPIUD) is a long-acting, 

 reversible method of contraception that can be used safely and 

 effectively following a birth. To appropriately facilitate the immediate 

 postpartum insertion of IUDs, women must be informed of the method's 

 availability and must be counselled on its benefits and risks prior to 

 entering the delivery room. We examine the relationship between the 

 location and quality of antenatal counselling and women's acceptance of 

 immediate postpartum IUD (PPIUD) in four hospitals in Sri Lanka. 

 Methods: Data were collected between January 2015 and May 2015. Modified 

 Poisson regressions with robust standard errors are used to assess the 

 relationships between place of counselling, indicators of counselling 

 quality, and PPIUD uptake following delivery. 

 Results: We find that women who were counselled in hospital antenatal 

 clinics and admission wards were much more likely to have a PPIUD 

 inserted than women who were counselled in field clinics or during home 

 visits. Hospital-based counselling had higher quality indicators for 

 providing information on PPIUD, and women were more likely to receive 

 PPIUD information leaflets in hospital locations than in lower-tiered 

 clinics or during home visits. Women who were counselled at hospital 

 locations also reported a higher level of satisfaction with the 

 counselling that they received. Receipt of hospital-based counselling 

 was also linked to higher PPIUD uptake, in spite of the fact that women 

 were more likely to be given information about the risks and 

 alternatives to PPIUD in hospitals. The information about the risks of 

 and alternatives to PPIUD, whether provided in hospital or in 

 nonhospital settings, tended to lower the likelihood of acceptance to 

 have a PPIUD insertion. Counselling in hospital admission wards was 

 focused on women who had not been counselled at field clinics. 

 Conclusions: The study findings call for efforts that improve the 

 training of midwives who provide PPIUD counselling at field clinics and 

 during the home visits. We also recommend that routine PPIUD counselling 

 be conducted in hospitals, even if women have already been counselled 

 elsewhere.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000398008300004,

title = {Sensitization to bovine serum albumin as a possible cause of allergic 

 reactions to vaccines},

author = {Rajiva de Silva and W M D K Dasanayake and G D Wickramasinhe and Chandima Karunatilake and Nayani Weerasinghe and Peshala Gunasekera and Gathsaurie Neelika Malavige},

doi = {10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.02.009},

issn = {0264-410X},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-03-01},

journal = {VACCINE},

volume = {35},

number = {11},

pages = {1494-1500},

abstract = {Background: Immediate type hypersensitivity to vaccines containing 

 bovine/porcine excipients, such as the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) 

 vaccine is probably due to sensitization to bovine/porcine gelatin. Most 

 patients with such reactions in Sri Lanka have cow's milk (CM) or beef 

 allergy. 

 Objectives: We investigated whether those who had beef and CM allergy 

 had a higher incidence of hypersensitivity reactions to vaccines and the 

 possible trigger of such reactions. 

 Material and methods: Twenty patients with immediate type hypersensitivity reactions to vaccines containing bovine/porcine excipients, controls with allergy to beef/pork (n = 11) or CM (n = 11), 

 and 8 non atopic controls were recruited. Total serum IgE, specific IgE 

 to beef, CM, casein, beta lactoglobulin, gelatin and bovine serum 

 albumin (BSA) by Phadia ImmunoCap and IgE to porcine gelatin by Western 

 blot were evaluated. 

 Results: 11/20, 5/20, 2/20, 2/20, 1/20 and 1/20 patients reported 

 allergic reactions to measles containing, JE, rabies primary chick 

 embryo, pentavalent, diphtheria and tetanus, and adult diphtheria and 

 tetanus vaccines, respectively. Only one patient with allergy to 

 vaccines had gelatin specific IgE, whereas IgE to BSA was seen in 

 73.3%, 90%, 66.6% and 0 of vaccine, beef or CM allergic and 

 non-atopic controls, respectively. The mean IgE to BSA was higher in 

 patients with allergy to vaccines, although not significant. Specific 

 IgE to BSA was present in 54.7% of children with allergy to CM, of whom 

 11.8% had high levels (>17.5 kUA/L). In contrast, 66.6% of these 

 children did not have specific IgE to beta-lactoglobulin, which is one 

 of the major components of whey protein. 

 Conclusion and clinical relevance: Gelatin does not appear to play a 

 major role in Sri Lankan children with allergy to vaccines. In contrast, 

 due to the higher levels of BSA specific IgE, sensitization to BSA is 

 possibly playing a role. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000396917200001,

title = {Mathematical modelling and a systems science approach to describe the 

 role of cytokines in the evolution of severe dengue},

author = {Pavithra S D Jayasundara and S S N Perera and Gathsaurie Neelika Malavige and Saroj Jayasinghe},

doi = {10.1186/s12918-017-0415-3},

issn = {1752-0509},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-03-01},

journal = {BMC SYSTEMS BIOLOGY},

volume = {11},

abstract = {Background: Dengue causes considerable morbidity and mortality in Sri 

 Lanka. Inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, contribute to its 

 evolution from an asymptotic infection to severe forms of dengue. The 

 majority of previous studies have analysed the association of individual 

 cytokines with clinical disease severity. In contrast, we view evolution 

 to Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever as the behaviour of a complex dynamic 

 system. We therefore, analyse the combined effect of multiple cytokines 

 that interact dynamically with each other in order to generate a 

 mathematical model to predict occurrence of Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever. 

 We expect this to have predictive value in detecting severe cases and 

 improve outcomes. Platelet activating factor (PAF), Sphingosine 

 1-Phosphate (S1P), IL-1 beta, TNF alpha and IL-10 are used as the 

 parameters for the model. Hierarchical clustering is used to detect 

 factors that correlated with each other. Their interactions are mapped 

 using Fuzzy Logic mechanisms with the combination of modified Hamacher 

 and OWA operators. Trapezoidal membership functions are developed for 

 each of the cytokine parameters and the degree of unfavourability to 

 attain Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever is measured. 

 Results: The accuracy of this model in predicting severity level of 

 dengue is 71.43% at 96 h from the onset of illness, 85.00% at 108 h 

 and 76.92% at 120 h. A region of ambiguity is detected in the model for 

 the value range 0.36 to 0.51. Sensitivity analysis indicates that this 

 is a robust mathematical model. 

 Conclusions: The results show a robust mathematical model that explains 

 the evolution from dengue to its serious forms in individual patients 

 with high accuracy. However, this model would have to be further 

 improved by including additional parameters and should be validated on 

 other data sets.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000396299300001,

title = {Should chemoprophylaxis be a main strategy for preventing re-introducti 

 on of malaria in highly receptive areas? Sri Lanka a case in point},

author = {Rajitha A Wickremasinghe and Renu Wickremasinghe and Hemantha D B Herath and Deepika S Fernando},

doi = {10.1186/s12936-017-1763-6},

issn = {1475-2875},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-03-01},

journal = {MALARIA JOURNAL},

volume = {16},

abstract = {Background: Imported malaria cases continue to be reported in Sri Lanka, 

 which was declared `malaria-free' by the World Health Organization in 

 September 2016. Chemoprophylaxis, a recommended strategy for malaria 

 prevention for visitors travelling to malaria-endemic countries from Sri 

 Lanka is available free of charge. The strategy of providing 

 chemoprophylaxis to visitors to a neighbouring malaria-endemic country 

 within the perspective of a country that has successfully eliminated 

 malaria but is highly receptive was assessed, taking Sri Lanka as a case 

 in point. 

 Methods: The risk of a Sri Lankan national acquiring malaria during a 

 visit to India, a malaria-endemic country, was calculated for the period 

 2008-2013. The cost of providing prophylaxis for Sri Lankan nationals 

 travelling to India for 1, 2 and 4 weeks was estimated for that same 

 period. 

 Results: The risk of a Sri Lankan traveller to India acquiring malaria 

 ranged from 5.25 per 100,000 travellers in 2012 to 13.45 per 100,000 

 travellers in 2010. If 50% of cases were missed by the Sri Lankan 

 healthcare system, then the risk of acquiring malaria in India among 

 returning Sri Lankans would double. The 95% confidence intervals for 

 both risks are small. As chloroquine is the chemoprophylactic drug 

 recommended for travellers to India by the Anti Malaria Campaign of Sri 

 Lanka, the costs of chemoprophylaxis for travellers for a 1-, 2- and 

 4-weeks stay in India on average are US$ 41,604, 48,538 and 62,407, 

 respectively. If all Sri Lankan travellers to India are provided with 

 chemoprophylaxis for four weeks, it will comprise 0.65% of the national 

 malaria control programme budget. 

 Conclusions: Based on the low risk of acquiring malaria among Sri Lankan 

 travellers returning from India and the high receptivity in previously 

 malarious areas of the country, chemoprophylaxis should not be 

 considered a major strategy in the prevention of re-introduction. In 

 areas with high receptivity, universal access to quality-assured 

 diagnosis and treatment cannot be compromised at whatever cost.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000418193700019,

title = {Serial ultrasound measurements of fetal head circumference and abdominal 

 circumference to predict fetal growth restriction in a Sri Lankan study 

 population},

author = {R de Silva and H Perera},

issn = {1470-0328},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-03-01},

journal = {BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY},

volume = {124},

number = {1, SI},

pages = {12},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000395095300030,

title = {Preliminary study on broodstock rearing, induced breeding and grow-out 

 culture of the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra in Sri Lanka},

author = {Ajith Kumara and Chamari Dissanayake},

doi = {10.1111/are.12948},

issn = {1355-557X},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-03-01},

journal = {AQUACULTURE RESEARCH},

volume = {48},

number = {3},

pages = {1058-1069},

abstract = {Experiments were conducted to identify suitable methods for broodstock 

 rearing, induced breeding and grow-out culture of Holothuria scabra in 

 Sri Lanka. Two hundred and seventy-two brooders (500-600g) collected 

 from off Mannar were individually packed in oxygen-filled polythene bags 

 with and without sea water and transported to a sea cucumber hatchery at 

 Kalpitiya. Lagoon pens, sand-filled fibreglass tanks and bare tanks were 

 used in triplicates to maintain brooders. Spawning was initiated using 

 air dry, water jet and thermal-stimulation methods. Hatchery produced 

 juveniles with an average weight of 11 +/- 5g were reared (2 individuals 

 m(-2)) in lagoon pens, mud ponds and fibreglass tanks in triplicates. 

 The significantly high evisceration rate was observed when brooders were 

 transported without sea water (t-test, P<0.05). Brooders maintained in 

 bare tanks showed a significant weight reduction than the brooders in sand-filled tanks and lagoon pens (anova, P<0.05},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000403569700031,

title = {Thermodynamic, equilibrium and kinetic studies of adsorption of 

 Rhodamine B onto activated bamboo carbon},

author = {Buddhika Gayani and Chandani A D L Perera and Nilwala Kottegoda},

doi = {10.5004/dwt.2017.20386},

issn = {1944-3994},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-03-01},

journal = {DESALINATION AND WATER TREATMENT},

volume = {67},

pages = {271-283},

abstract = {Activated bamboo carbon (ABC) was chemically synthesized using 

 phosphoric activation method, and the resulting material was used to 

 remove Rhodamine B from aqueous solutions. The surface characteristics 

 of the ABC were studied, and the conditions for the maximum removal of 

 dye were established. The capacity of Rhodamine B removal from ABC was 

 100% for a system with 0.02 g of ABC and initial Rhodamine B 

 concentration of 50 mg L-1 at 300 K. The best-fit adsorption isotherm 

 was Langmuir model with maximum adsorption capacity of 111.11 mg g(-1) 

 at 300 K. The L4-type adsorption suggests that at low Rhodamine B 

 concentrations, adsorption occurs in a flat orientation and becomes 

 end-on orientation at higher concentrations. Thermodynamic data reveal 

 that the adsorption process is endothermic with increasing entropy and 

 moderately large negative free energy values indicate the feasibility of 

 the adsorption process. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model fitted well to 

 both adsorption and desorption processes suggesting the rate-limiting 

 step involves chemical interactions. Furthermore, intraparticle 

 diffusion model indicates the simultaneous occurrence of three diffusion 

 steps caused by external mass transfer to the bulk solution, 

 intraparticle diffusion and desorption of the adsorbed dye molecules.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000403569400013,

title = {Activated coconut coir for removal of water hardness},

author = {Eshani Hettiarachchi and Nilwala Kottegoda and Chandani A D L Perera},

doi = {10.5004/dwt.2016.0339},

issn = {1944-3994},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-03-01},

journal = {DESALINATION AND WATER TREATMENT},

volume = {66},

pages = {103-110},

abstract = {Phosphoric acid activated coconut coir (ACC) has been used as an 

 efficient and low cost filter material for water softening applications. 

 The material has efficiently removed total hardness and calcium hardness 

 from both artificial and natural hard water whereas the Mg hardness 

 removal efficiency was relatively lower than the other two hardness 

 values. The optimum conditions for maximum hardness removal were; ACC 

 dose 80.00 g L-1, stirring time 30 min and settling time 2 h. Under the 

 optimized conditions, the maximum removal efficiencies of total, Ca and 

 Mg hardness, were approximately 46%, 66% and 30%, respectively from 

 artificial hard water. More efficient softening was observed when the 

 hard water was boiled to remove the temporary hardness prior to 

 filtering through the ACC medium. It was also, observed that the 

 hardness removal efficiency was higher when two layers of ACC together 

 with a sand layer were used. The results indicate that ACC has potential 

 in future water softening applications.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000394501800006,

title = {A sensitive and a rapid multiplex polymerase chain reaction for the 

 identification of Candida species in concentrated oral rinse specimens 

 in patients with diabetes},

author = {Asanga Sampath and Manjula Weerasekera and Chinthika Gunasekara and Ayomi Dilhari and Uditha Bulugahapitiya and Neluka Fernando},

doi = {10.1080/00016357.2016.1265146},

issn = {0001-6357},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-03-01},

journal = {ACTA ODONTOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA},

volume = {75},

number = {2},

pages = {113-122},

abstract = {Objectives: Oral candidiasis is being frequently recognized in patients 

 with diabetes, and is associated with multiple pathogens including 

 Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida glabrata and Candida 

 tropicalis. The aim of this study was to evaluate a usefulness of a 

 Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction as a rapid diagnostic tool for 

 identification of four oral Candida pathogens in patients with 

 diabetes.Materials and methods: A multiplex PCR was optimized to 

 identify four Candida species in concentrated oral rinse samples. Common 

 reverse primer, ITS4 and four species-specific forward primers targeting 

 ITS1 and ITS2 regions of yeast genome were used. Species-specific single 

 amplicon were detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. Performance 

 efficacy of multiplex PCR was compared with phenotypic 

 identification.Results: Out of 100 oral rinse samples, 72 were culture 

 positive and of these 43 were at risk of oral Candida infection 

 (>600cfu/ml). Multiple Candida species including C. albicans, C. 

 parapsilosis and C. tropicalis were identified in 22 samples which had 

 risk of oral Candida infection. In total, 85 patients were positive for 

 Candida by multiplex PCR and of them 49 had multiple Candida species. 

 All 43 colonized specimens were also positive by multiplex PCR. C. 

 albicans was the most predominant organism (75/85) followed by C. 

 parapsilosis (47/85), C. tropicalis (17/85) and C. glabrata (6/85). In 

 specimens with multiple species, the two most common organisms were C. 

 albicans and C. parapsilosis. Multiplex PCR yielded a sensitivity of 10 

 Candida cells/ml of oral rinse sample.Conclusions: Multiplex PCR is 

 found to be rapid, sensitive and specific than phenotypic identification 

 methods in discriminating multiple Candida species in oral rinse 

 specimens.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000395645600012,

title = {A low-cost polarimeter for an undergraduate laboratory to study the 

 polarization pattern of skylight},

author = {Chula P Abayaratne and Vibodha Bandara},

doi = {10.1119/1.4971159},

issn = {0002-9505},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-03-01},

journal = {AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICS},

volume = {85},

number = {3},

pages = {232-238},

abstract = {A simple, low-cost, fully automated polarimeter, which demonstrates 

 fundamental properties of skylight scattering and polarization for 

 undergraduate physics students, is described. The polarimeter includes a 

 microprocessor-based control unit, a Sun tracker, an elevation-azimuth 

 mount with two degrees of freedom, and a polarization sensor unit 

 equipped with a light-dependent resistor for measuring light intensity. 

 Results obtained in the principal plane of the Sun using the polarimeter 

 on a relatively clear day, together with the theoretically expected 

 results for a molecular atmosphere, are presented. A root-mean-square 

 error comparison indicates fairly good agreement between theory and 

 experiment. Construction and experimentation with the polarimeter will 

 provide students with insight into important physical concepts involved 

 in skylight scattering and polarization as well as improve their 

 instrumentation capabilities. (C) 2017 American Association of Physics 

 Teachers.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000395357300011,

title = {Urea-Hydroxyapatite Nanohybrids for Slow Release of Nitrogen},

author = {Nilwala Kottegoda and Chanaka Sandaruwan and Gayan Priyadarshana and Asitha Siriwardhana and Upendra A Rathnayake and Danushka Madushanka Berugoda Arachchige and Asurusinghe R Kumarasinghe and Damayanthi Dahanayake and Veranja Karunaratne and Gehan A J Amaratunga},

doi = {10.1021/acsnano.6b07781},

issn = {1936-0851},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-02-01},

journal = {ACS NANO},

volume = {11},

number = {2},

pages = {1214-1221},

abstract = {While slow release of chemicals has been widely applied for drug 

 delivery, little work has been done on using this general 

 nanotechnology-based principle for delivering nutrients to crops. In 

 developing countries, the cost of fertilizers can be significant and is 

 often the limiting factor for food supply. Thus, it is important to 

 develop technologies that minimize the cost of fertilizers through 

 efficient and targeted delivery. Urea is a rich source of nitrogen and 

 therefore a commonly used fertilizer. We focus our work on the synthesis 

 of environmentally benign nanoparticles carrying urea as the crop 

 nutrient that can be released in a programmed manner for use as a 

 nanofertilizer. In this study, the high solubility of urea molecules has 

 been reduced by incorporating it into a matrix of hydroxyapatite 

 nanoparticles. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles have been selected due to 

 their excellent biocompatibility while acting as a rich phosphorus 

 source. In addition, the high surface area offered by nanoparticles 

 allows binding of a large amount of urea molecules. The method reported 

 here is simple and scalable, allowing the synthesis of a urea-modified 

 hydroxyapatite nanohybrid as fertilizer having a ratio of urea to 

 hydroxyapatite of 6:1 by weight. Specifically, a nanohybrid suspension 

 was synthesized by in situ coating of hydroxyapatite with urea at the 

 nano scale. In addition to the stabilization imparted due to the high 

 surface area to volume ratio of the nanoparticles, supplementary 

 stabilization leading to high loading of urea was provided by flash 

 drying the suspension to obtain a solid nanohybrid. This nanohybrid with 

 a nitrogen weight of 40% provides a platform for its slow release. Its 

 potential application in agriculture to maintain yield and reduce the 

 amount of urea used is demonstrated.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000390071200026,

title = {Molecular characterization of a bactericidal permeability-increasing 

 protein/lipopolysaccharide-binding protein from black rockfish (Sebastes 

 schlegelii): Deciphering its putative antibacterial role},

author = {Seongdo Lee and Don Anushka Sandaruwan Elvitigala and Sukkyoung Lee and Hyun Chul Kim and Hae-Chul Park and Jehee Lee},

doi = {10.1016/j.dci.2016.09.011},

issn = {0145-305X},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-02-01},

journal = {DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY},

volume = {67},

pages = {266-275},

abstract = {Bactericidal permeability-increasing protein (BPD/lipopolysaccharide 

 (LPS) binding proteins (LBPs) are well-known proteins that play an 

 indispensable role in host antimicrobial defense. Herein, we report a 

 homolog of BPI/LBP from black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii) (designated 

 as RfBPI/LBP) and characterize its structural and functional features at 

 the molecular level. We identified the putative complete open reading 

 frame (1422 bp) of RJLBP that encodes a 474 amino acid protein with a 

 predicted molecular mass of similar to 51.5 kDa. The primary protein 

 sequence of Rfl3PI/LBP contains domain features of BPI/LBP family 

 proteins and shares significant sequence consistency with its homologs. 

 Our phylogenetic analysis clearly demonstrated the vertebrate ancestral 

 origin of RfBPI/LBP, further reinforcing its evolutionary relationship 

 with teleostean homologs. Recombinant RfBPI/LBP demonstrated in vitro 

 LPS-binding activity and antibacterial activity against Escherichia 

 coli, but not against Streptococcus iniae. Moreover, RfBPI/LBP exhibited 

 temporal transcriptional activation against pathogens and 

 pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Collectively, our findings 

 suggest that RfBPI/LBP plays an essential role in host antimicrobial 

 defense, plausibly through selective eradication of invading bacteria. 

 (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000387782900019,

title = {The effect of change of ionomer/polyol molar ratio on dispersion 

 stability and crystalline structure of films produced from hydrophilic 

 polyurethanes},

author = {Sandhya Rani Senevirathna and Shantha Amarasinghe and Veranja Karunaratne and Masilamani Koneswaran and Laleen Karunanayake},

doi = {10.1002/app.44475},

issn = {0021-8995},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-02-01},

journal = {JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE},

volume = {134},

number = {7},

abstract = {In this study, we report the effect of the DMPA/PTHF molar ratio on 

 dispersion properties of the MDI-based hydrophilic polyurethane 

 dispersions. In addition, the effect of the DMPA/PTHF molar ratio on the 

 crystallinity and thermal properties of the polyurethane films prepared 

 from dispersions are also discussed. The variation in stability was 

 studied using a particle size analyzer. DSC and XRD analyses were used 

 to study variations in crystallinity of films with the change of 

 DMPA/PTHF molar ratio. FT-IR spectra were used to monitor the formation 

 of hydrogen bonds through urethane linkages to produce hard-segment 

 crystalline areas. The zeta potential increased with the increase of 

 DMPA/PTHF molar ratio (hard-segment content), while particle size of 

 polyurethane particles decreased. Hence, the stability of dispersions 

 was increased with DMPA/PTHF molar ratio due to the increase of 

 hydrophilicity in polymer chain. Crystallinity of the films was 

 increased with DMPA/PTHF molar ratio due to the increase of interchain 

 interactions through Coulombic interactions and hydrogen bonding. 

 Consequently, crystalline melting temperature was increased with the 

 increase of DMPA/PTHF molar ratio. However, molten films formed 

 crystalline soft segments instead of crystalline hard segments during 

 slow cooling. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 

 2017, 134, 44475.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Sohng2017331,

title = {Effects on soil chemistry of tropical deforestation for agriculture and subsequent reforestation with special reference to changes in carbon and nitrogen},

author = {Jaeeun Sohng and B M P Singhakumara and Mark S Ashton},

url = {//www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112716308441},

doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2016.12.013},

issn = {0378-1127},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Forest Ecology and Management},

volume = {389},

pages = {331 - 340},

abstract = {Abstract While soils can act either as a source or as a sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide and nitrogen, depending on land cover change and management, there is a great need to improve our understanding of the dynamics of soil structure and chemistry following land conversion in tropical regions. In this study, we investigated various soil structural and chemical variables (bulk density, pH, cation exchange capacity, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium), soil carbon (C), soil nitrogen (N), δ13C, and δ15N in relation to conversion of rain forest to tea cultivation and subsequent changes due to agricultural abandonment and reforestation with Caribbean pine. Although Caribbean pine has shown potential for reforestation throughout Asia and Latin America, effects on soil properties in comparison with other land uses have not been quantified. Our study compared: (1) the original mixed-dipterocarp rain forest, (2) tea plantations, (3) Kekilla fernlands and (4) Caribbean pine plantations. Tea plantations show higher bulk density (BD) as an evidence of compaction. Although soil C concentration in tea plantations were lower than other land uses at 0–10 cm, when bulk density was used with C as a composite measure, tea plantation showed the highest value for both soil C and N stocks. Disregarding tea plantations, Caribbean pine plantations had the highest C but showed the lowest N stocks at both soil depths. Soil δ13C and δ15N values of all land uses increase with increasing soil depth; but Caribbean pine plantations showed the greatest increase in δ13C at both soil depths (e.g. −27.82 ± 0.38‰ at 0–10 cm to −26.50 ± 0.37‰ at 10–20 cm). For both Kekilla fernlands and Caribbean pine plantations the relationship between δ13C and δ15N was strongly linear. By comparing the physical and chemical soil properties of these land uses with undisturbed rain forest, we established baseline data to determine influence of land conversion on soil properties. Based on soil pH, CEC and other major nutrients (P, K, Mg), there are strong legacy effects of land use potentially from both fertilization and fire. Our results also showed strong evidence that δ13C and δ15N was both increased with depth under pine reforestation and fernlands, suggesting soils can recuperate with a consistent input of litter and slower decomposition processes. There is some evidence that recruitment of natural regeneration beneath pine can help facilitate faster litter decomposition that can revert soil structure and fertility to a status similar to that of the original forest.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{NUPEARACHCHI2017,

title = {Application of Graphene for Decontamination of Water; Implications for Sorptive Removal},

author = {C N Nupearachchi and Kushani Mahatantila and M Vithanage},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352801X17300358},

doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2017.06.006},

issn = {2352-801X},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Groundwater for Sustainable Development},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{hegoda2017detecting,

title = {Detecting of knock down resistance (Kdr) F1534C allele in the dengue vector Aedes aegypti in peri-urban areas of Colombo South, Sri Lanka},

author = {WKDL Hegoda and HSD Fernando and BGDNK De Silva},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies},

volume = {5},

number = {5},

pages = {1926--1929},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{dhanushka2017cytotoxic,

title = {Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of acephate on human sperm},

author = {MA Dhanushka and Dinithi L Peiris and others},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Journal of toxicology},

volume = {2017},

publisher = {Hindawi},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{peiris2017low,

title = {Low doses of chlorpyrifos interfere with spermatogenesis of rats through reduction of sex hormones},

author = {Dinithi Champika Peiris and Thamali Dhanushka},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Environmental Science and Pollution Research},

volume = {24},

number = {26},

pages = {20859--20867},

publisher = {Springer},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{idroos2017biodegradation,

title = {Biodegradation of microcystin analogues by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolated from Beira Lake Sri Lanka},

author = {Sumaiya F Idroos and BGDNK De Silva and Pathmalal M Manage},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{de2017first,

title = {First record of plerocercoid larvae belong to the order Trypanorhyncha (Diesing 1863) isolated from swordfish (Xiphias gladius, Linnaeus 1758) captured off Sri Lanka},

author = {DPN De Silva and HSD Fernando and RRMKP Ranatunga and BGDNK De Silva},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Sri Lanka Journal of Aquatic Sciences},

volume = {22},

number = {1},

publisher = {Sri Lanka Association of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{kudavidanage2017toxic,

title = {Toxic Effetcts on Biochemical and Hematological Parametera in Rats Exposed to Judo 40.},

author = {Inoka Kudavidanage and LDC Peiris},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pdrs2017food,

title = {Food Habits of Poecilia reticulata (GUPPY) in Natural Water Bodies of Sri Jayewardenepura Canal System},

author = {Pethiyagoda PDRS and others},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{fernando2017detection,

title = {Detection of Knockdown Resistance (kdr) Mutations in Sri Lankan Aedes aegypti Populations},

author = {HSD Fernando and Menaka Hapugoda and Rushika Perera and K Saavedra-Rodriguez and William Black C IV and BGDNK De Silva},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000393230700001,

title = {Acceptance and attitudes of healthcare staff towards the introduction of 

 clinical pharmacy service: a descriptive cross-sectional study from a 

 tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka},

author = {Lelwala Guruge Thushani Shanika and Chandrani Nirmala Wijekoon and Shaluka Jayamanne and Judith Coombes and Ian Coombes and Nilani Mamunuwa and Andrew Hamilton Dawson and Hithanadura Asita De Silva},

doi = {10.1186/s12913-017-2001-1},

issn = {1472-6963},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH},

volume = {17},

abstract = {Background: Multidisciplinary patient management including a clinical 

 pharmacist shows an improvement in patient quality use of medicine. 

 Implementation of a clinical pharmacy service represents a significant 

 novel change in practice in Sri Lanka. Although attitudes of doctors and 

 nurses are an important determinant of successful implementation, there 

 is no Sri Lankan data about staff attitudes to such changes in clinical 

 practice. This study determines the level of acceptance and attitudes of 

 doctors and nurses towards the introduction of a ward-based clinical 

 pharmacy service in Sri Lanka. 

 Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional sub-study which 

 determines the acceptance and attitudes of healthcare staff about the 

 introduction of a clinical pharmacy service to a tertiary care hospital 

 in Sri Lanka. The level of acceptance of pharmacist's recommendations 

 regarding drug-related problems (DRPs) was measured. Data regarding 

 attitudes were collected through a pre-tested self-administered questionnaires distributed to doctors (baseline},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000391949500088,

title = {Single Nucleotide Variants of Candidate Genes in Aggrecan Metabolic 

 Pathway Are Associated with Lumbar Disc Degeneration and Modic Changes},

author = {Romain Shanil Perera and Poruwalage Harsha Dissanayake and Upul Senarath and Lalith Sirimevan Wijayaratne and Aranjan Lional Karunanayake and Vajira Harshadeva Weerabaddana Dissanayake},

doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0169835},

issn = {1932-6203},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {PLOS ONE},

volume = {12},

number = {1},

abstract = {Introduction 

 Lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) is genetically determined and severity of 

 LDD is associated with Modic changes. Aggrecan is a major proteoglycan 

 in the intervertebral disc and end plate. Progressive reduction of 

 aggrecan is a main feature of LDD and Modic changes. 

 Objectives 

 The study investigated the associations of single nucleotide variants 

 (SNVs) of candidate genes in the aggrecan metabolic pathway with the 

 severity of LDD and Modic changes. In-silico functional analysis of 

 significant SNVs was also assessed. 

 Methods 

 A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out on 106 patients with 

 chronic mechanical low back pain. T1, T2 sagittal lumbar MRI scans were 

 used to assess the severity of LDD and Modic changes. 62 SNVs in ten 

 candidate genes (ACAN, IL1A, IL1B, IL6, MMP3, ADAMTS4, ADAMTS5, TIMP1, 

 TIMP2 and TIMP3) were genotyped on Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX platform. 

 Multiple linear regression analysis was carried out using PLINK 1.9 in 

 accordance with additive genetic model. In-silico functional analysis 

 was carried out using Provean, SIFT, PolyPhen and Mutation Taster. 

 Results 

 Mean age was 52.42 +/- 9.42 years. 74 (69.8%) were females. The 

 rs2856836, rs1304037, rs17561 and rs1800587 variants of the IL1A gene 

 were associated with the severity of LDD and Modic changes. The 

 rs41270041 variant of the ADAMTS4 gene and the rs226794 variant of the 

 ADAMTS5 gene were associated with severity of LDD while the rs34884997 

 variant of the ADAMTS4 gene, the rs55933916 variant of the ADAMTS5 gene 

 and the rs9862 variant of the TIMP3 gene were associated with severity 

 of Modic changes. The rs17561 variant of the IL1A gene was predicted as 

 pathogenic by the PolyPhen prediction tool. 

 Conclusions 

 SNVs of candidate genes in ACAN metabolic pathway are associated with 

 severity of LDD and Modic changes in patients with chronic mechanical 

 low back pain. Predictions of in-silico functional analysis of 

 significant SNVs are inconsistent.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000391766100001,

title = {Enhanced antibacterial activity of TiO2 nanoparticle surface modified 

 with Garcinia zeylanica extract},

author = {U L N H Senarathna and S S N Fernando and T D C P Gunasekara and M M Weerasekera and H G S P Hewageegana and N D H Arachchi and H D Siriwardena and P M Jayaweera},

doi = {10.1186/s13065-017-0236-x},

issn = {1752-153X},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {CHEMISTRY CENTRAL JOURNAL},

volume = {11},

abstract = {Background: The antibacterial activity of 21 nm TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) 

 and particles modified with Garcinia zeylanica (G. zeylanica) against 

 Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus was investigated in the 

 presence and absence of light. 

 Results: Surface modification of TiO2 NPs with the adsorption of G. 

 zeylanica extract, causes to shift the absorption edge of TiO2 NPs to 

 higher wavelength. TiO2 NPs, G. zeylanica pericarp extract showed 

 significant bactericidal activity which was further enhanced in contact 

 with the TiO2 modified G. zeylanica extract. 

 Conclusions: The antimicrobial activity was enhanced in the presence of 

 TiO2 NPs modified with G. zeylanica and with longer contact time.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000426011000009,

title = {The Effect of Nutritive and Non-Nutritive Sweeteners on the Growth, 

 Adhesion, and Biofilm Formation of Candida albicans and Candida 

 tropicalis},

author = {Manjula M Weerasekera and Thilini A Jayarathna and Gayan K Wijesinghe and Chinthika P Gunasekara and Neluka Fernando and Nilwala Kottegoda and Lakshman P Samaranayake},

doi = {10.1159/000484718},

issn = {1011-7571},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {MEDICAL PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE},

volume = {26},

number = {6},

pages = {554-560},

abstract = {Objective: To determine the effect of glucose, sucrose, and saccharin on 

 growth, adhesion, and biofilm formation of Candida albicans and Candida 

 tropicalis. Materials and Methods: The growth rates of mono-cultures of 

 planktonic C. albicans and C. tropicalis and 1: 1 mixed co-cultures were 

 determined in yeast nitrogen broth supplemented with 5% (30 mM) and 

 10% (60 mM) glucose, sucrose, and saccharin, using optical density 

 measurements at 2-h intervals over a 14-h period. Adhesion and biofilm 

 growth were performed and the growth quantified using a standard 

 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) 

 assay. The biofilm architecture was visualized using scanning electron 

 microscopy. One-and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed 

 to analyse the differences among multiple means. Results: The highest 

 planktonic growth was noted in 5% glucose after 14 h (p < 0.05). No 

 significant planktonic growth was observed in either concentration of 

 saccharin. Both the concentrations of glucose and sucrose elicited 

 significantly increased adhesion from MTT activity of 0.017 to > 0.019 

 in mono-as well as co-cultures (p < 0.05), whilst the lower 

 concentration of saccharin significantly dampened the adhesion. Maximal 

 biofilm growth was observed in both species with the lower concentration 

 of sucrose (5%), although a similar concentration of saccharin 

 abrogated biofilm development: the highest MTT value (> 0.35) was 

 obtained for glucose and the lowest (> 0.15) for saccharin. Conclusion: 

 In this study, glucose and sucrose accelerated the growth, adhesion, and 

 biofilm formation of Candida species. However, the non-nutritive 

 sweetener saccharin appeared to dampen, and in some instances suppress, 

 these virulent attributes of Candida. (C) 2017 The Author(s) Published 

 by S. Karger AG, Basel},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000419000800001,

title = {Proinflammatory Cytokine IL-17 Shows a Significant Association with 

 Helicobacter pylori Infection and Disease Severity},

author = {Piyumali Sandareka Arachchi and Neluka Fernando and Manjula Manoji Weerasekera and Bimalka Senevirathna and Deepaka D Weerasekera and Chinthika Prabhashinie Gunasekara},

doi = {10.1155/2017/6265150},

issn = {1687-6121},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {GASTROENTEROLOGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE},

abstract = {Background. The pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines play an important 

 role in the immune response against H. pylori infection. The 

 proinflammatory cytokines of Th17 cells have been suggested to play a 

 major role in H. pylori infection and resulting gastric inflammation. 

 Objective. The objective of this study was to compare the expression of 

 selected inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-17, IL-21, IL-23, and 

 TNF-alpha) in H. pylori-infected patients and healthy controls and to 

 understand their association with H. pylori infection and disease 

 severity. Results. The expression levels of IL-17 and IL-23 were 

 significantly higher in H. pylori-infected patients. The expression of 

 IL-21 was also higher in H. pylori-positive patients but there was no 

 significant association with infection. IL-17 expression showed a 

 significant increase with the severity of chronic gastritis. Conclusion. 

 The proinflammatory cytokine, IL-17, shows a significant association 

 with H. pylori infection and disease severity in a Sri Lankan dyspeptic 

 patient population.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ISI:000418883700011,

title = {Characterisation of Sri Lanka Yellow Dwarf Coconut (&ITCocos 

 nucifera&IT L.) by DNA fingerprinting with SSR markers},

author = {L C J Kamaral and S A C N Perera and K L N S Perera and P N Dassanayaka},

doi = {10.4038/jnsfsr.v45i4.8234},

issn = {1391-4588},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION OF SRI LANKA},

volume = {45},

number = {4},

pages = {405-412},

abstract = {Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is classified into three main varieties in 

 Sri Lanka as tall, dwarf and intermediate with each variety including 

 several forms of coconut. Sri Lanka Yellow Dwarf (SLYD) is a coconut 

 form included under the variety dwarf and it is a parent of the improved 

 coconut hybrid CRIC65. Morphological differentiation of SLYD from Sri 

 Lanka Yellow Semi Tall (SLYST) and a mixed morphological group (ML) of 

 SLYD and SLYST is impossible at the seedling stage. The objective of the 

 present study was to derive DNA fingerprints for SLYD and SLYST for 

 distinct identification at any stage during its life cycle. 

 A total of 30 palms were genotyped with sixteen polymorphic SSR primer 

 pairs and data were analysed with the PowerMarker V3.25 software. The 

 results revealed SLYD specific DNA fingerprints at SSR loci CAC65, CAC4, 

 CNZ10, CnCirD8 and CNZ6. These markers scored specific homozygous 

 alleles for SLYD with very high allelic frequency, and scored very low 

 frequencies in SLYST and ML phenotypes. SLYD formed a clear separate 

 cluster in the UPGMA dendrogram while SLYST and ML formed separate mixed 

 clusters. Thus the present study was successful in generating specific 

 DNA fingerprints for SLYD and this information will be of practical use 

 in differentiating SLYD at the seedling stage, especially in the 

 establishment of isolated coconut seed gardens for mass production of 

 improved coconut cultivars having SLYD as a parent.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}