The more stars, the brighter! Interview with the ECM award winner 2023.

https://bit.ly/4f0AiVY.

Cryo-EM structures of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin bound to its human receptor, claudin-4.

Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CpE) causes prevalent and deadly gastrointestinal disorders. CpE binds to receptors called claudins on the apical surfaces of small intestinal epithelium. Claudins normally regulate paracellular transport but are hijacked from doing so by CpE and are instead led to form claudin/CpE complexes.

Designing an mHealth application for informal carers concerning the management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia: a need analysis survey.

Background: Informal carers face difficulties and challenges when dealing with the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) of their family members or friends residing at home. Mobile health (mHealth) applications are promising for educating and supporting carers. However, needs analysis studies have not been conducted in Sri Lanka to develop mHealth applications for informal carers of people with dementia.

Cryo-EM Structures of Clostridium perfringens Enterotoxin Bound to its Human Receptor, Claudin-4.

Pathogenic strains of Clostridium perfringens secrete an enterotoxin (CpE) that causes prevalent, severe, and sometimes deadly gastrointestinal disorders in humans and domesticated animals. CpE binds selectively to membrane protein receptors called claudins on the apical surfaces of small intestinal epithelium. Claudins normally construct tight junctions that regulate epithelial paracellular transport but are hijacked from doing so by CpE and are instead led to form claudin/CpE small complexes.

Manual and ventilator hyperinflation parameters used by intensive care physiotherapists in Sri Lanka: An online survey.

Introduction: Hyperinflation is a common procedure to clear secretion, increase lung compliance and enhance oxygenation in mechanically ventilated patients. Hyperinflation can be provided as manual hyperinflation (MHI) or ventilator hyperinflation (VHI), where outcomes depend upon the methods of application. Hence it is crucial to assess the application of techniques employed in Sri Lanka due to observed variations from recommended practices.

Cation effects in hydrogen evolution and CO2-to-CO conversion: A critical perspective.

The rates of many electrocatalytic reactions can be strongly affected by the structure and dynamics of the electrochemical double layer, which in turn can be tuned by the concentration and identity of the supporting electrolyte's cation. The effect of cations on an electrocatalytic process depends on a complex interplay between electrolyte components, electrode material and surface structure, applied electrode potential, and reaction intermediates. Although cation effects remain insufficiently understood, the principal mechanisms underlying cation-dependent reactivity and selectivity are beginning to emerge.

Phytomedicinal properties of (Neeramulliya).

which is known as "Neermulli'' in the vernacular is an herbaceous plant native to Sri Lanka. Ancient medicinal literature suggests the use of whole plant or its parts for the treatment of different communicable and non-communicable diseases including diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis. Active constituents and secondary metabolites including alkaloids, tannins, steroids, proteins, flavonoids, and glycosides are identified to possess antimicrobial, antitumor, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anthelmintic, nephroprotective, antidiabetic, anticataract, anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, hematopoietic, diuretic, antiurolithiatic, antipyretic, neuroprotection, and anti-endotoxin activities.

Perspectives of older people with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus towards medication adherence: A qualitative study.

Background: Better medication adherence among people with diabetes mellitus was found to be associated with improved glycaemic control. However, medication non-adherence is a significant concern in older people with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: To explore the perspectives of older people with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus towards medication adherence.

CRISPR single base-editing: in silico predictions to variant clonal cell lines.

Engineering single base edits using CRISPR technology including specific deaminases and single-guide RNA (sgRNA) is a rapidly evolving field. Different types of base edits can be constructed, with cytidine base editors (CBEs) facilitating transition of C-to-T variants, adenine base editors (ABEs) enabling transition of A-to-G variants, C-to-G transversion base editors (CGBEs) and recently adenine transversion editors (AYBE) that create A-to-C and A-to-T variants. The base-editing machine learning algorithm BE-Hive predicts which sgRNA and base editor combinations have the strongest likelihood of achieving desired base edits.

Informal carers' information needs in managing behavioural and psychological symptoms of people with dementia and related mHealth applications: a systematic integrative review to inform the design of an mHealth application.

Objective: To review and synthesise the evidence on informal carers' information needs in managing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) of their care recipients and related mobile health (mHealth) applications to inform the design of an mHealth application.

Design: This is a systematic integrative review guided by Whittemore and Knafl's five-stages framework. Six databases were searched: Cochrane, CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, ProQuest and PsycINFO.

Determining the influence of LPI, GCI and IR on FDI: A study on the Asia and Pacific Region.

This study examines the impact of the Logistics Performance Index (LPI), Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) and Interest Rates (IR) on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for the Asia & Pacific region. The study is original as extensive evidence on the impact of LPI, GCI and IR on FDI in the Asia & Pacific region are examined initially. For the years 2007, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018, data was gathered for 33 nations in the Asia and Pacific area.

Macroeconomic factors affecting FDI in the African region.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) occurs when one country invests in another. Multiple factors have contributed to fluctuations in FDI flows globally. This study investigates the impact of the Logistics Performance Index (LPI), Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) and Interest Rates (IR) on FDI in the African region.

A case of mistaken identity: bile duct masquerading as gallbladder.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a common surgical procedure, with potential for significant morbidity. The incidence of bile duct injuries has increased with the advent of laparoscopy, occurring in up to 1% of cases. Risk of injury increases with aberrant anatomy, acute inflammation and fibrosis.

Smoking induces shifts in cellular composition and transcriptome within the bronchial mucus barrier.

Background And Objective: Smoking disturbs the bronchial-mucus-barrier. This study assesses the cellular composition and gene expression shifts of the bronchial-mucus-barrier with smoking to understand the mechanism of mucosal damage by cigarette smoke exposure. We explore whether single-cell-RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) based cellular deconvolution (CD) can predict cell-type composition in RNA-seq data.

Milestoning simulation of ligand dissociation from the glycogen synthase kinase 3β.

As drug-binding kinetics has become an important factor to be considered in modern drug discovery, this work evaluated the ability of the Milestoning method in computing the absolute dissociation rate of a ligand from the serine-threonine kinase, glycogen synthase kinase 3β, which is a target for designing drugs to treat diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders and diabetes. We found that the Milestoning method gave good agreement with experiment with modest computational costs. Although the time scale for dissociation lasted tens of seconds, the collective molecular dynamics simulations total less than 1μs.

Early transcriptional responses of bronchial epithelial cells to whole cigarette smoke mirror those of in-vivo exposed human bronchial mucosa.

Background: Despite the well-known detrimental effects of cigarette smoke (CS), little is known about the complex gene expression dynamics in the early stages after exposure. This study aims to investigate early transcriptomic responses following CS exposure of airway epithelial cells in culture and compare these to those found in human CS exposure studies.

Methods: Primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBEC) were differentiated at the air-liquid interface (ALI) and exposed to whole CS.

The impacts of the COVID-19 shock on sustainability and farmer livelihoods in Sri Lanka.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its handling in Sri Lanka has affected vegetable farmers in numerous ways and these impacts will constrain the country's move towards sustainable development. A field level study with vegetable farmers and key informants was carried out using exploratory research to understand, describe and analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the livelihoods of vegetable farmers and its relevance in achieving SDG 1. Data were supplemented by an extensive literature review.

Information needs and mHealth applications for carers of people with dementia in managing behavioural and psychological symptoms of care recipients: an integrative review protocol.

Introduction: This integrative review aims to synthesise, appraise and analyse the evidence on informal carers' information needs, features and functions of available mHealth applications, and informal carers' usability and engagement with mHealth applications for managing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

Methods And Analysis: This integrative review will include quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies and follow the 'Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020' guidelines. Peer-reviewed articles published in English from 2000 to 2021 will be included from Cochrane Library, CINHAL, Embase, MEDLINE, ProQuest and PsycINFO.

Canine filaria species in selected lymphatic filariasis endemic and non-endemic areas in Sri Lanka.

Subperiodic brugian filariasis and dirofilariasis show a rising trend in Sri Lanka posing a threat to public health. As information was limited on canine filaria species in Sri Lanka, we studied the filaria parasites among dog populations in lymphatic filariasis (LF) endemic and non-endemic regions by microscopy and molecular methods. Thick blood smears (TBSs) were performed among 295 dogs presenting to veterinary clinics for surgical or sterilization procedures in Galle (LF endemic) and Mullaitivu (LF non-endemic) districts, of which 55.

In situ stabilization of arsenic and lead in contaminated soil using iron-rich water treatment residuals.

Arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) are common soil contaminants, environmentally hazardous, and threats to public health. Addition of soluble phosphate is known to be effective for in situ remediation of Pb-contaminated soils, but phosphate additions displace As from the soil particles and increase As concentration in soil solution. This study examined the dual use of iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P) amendments to soil that was highly contaminated with As and Pb.

Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Sinhala version of electronic health literacy scale: A cross-sectional validation study.

eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) is the most widely used, valid and reliable tool to assess eHealth literacy skills, but no culturally appropriate tool exists to assess these skills among Sinhala-speaking Sri Lankans, including health professionals. This study aimed to cross-culturally adapt the original eHEALS from English to Sinhala and evaluate its psychometric properties. The study was conducted in two phases.

An improved extraction and purification method for obtaining high-quality chitin and chitosan from blue swimmer () crab shell waste.

Unlabelled: shell waste is highly accumulated in seafood processing factories and has low commercial applications. The objective of this study was to modify and develop a scale-up, simple, and high-yielding chemical method for extraction and purification of chitin and chitosan from shell waste. The developed method included a new "pretreatment" process using acetic acid followed by chemical treatments at each purification step.

Screening for mild cognitive impairment in people with obesity: a systematic review.

Objective: Recent evidence demonstrates that obesity is associated with developing cognitive impairment. However, evidence related to the assessment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in people with obesity is limited. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to examine evidence concerning the screening of MCI in people with obesity from the general population.