Dayupathi Eranda Nipunika E N Mandawala | University of Gloucestershire (original) (raw)

Conference Presentations by Dayupathi Eranda Nipunika E N Mandawala

Citizen Scientists' Symposium on Conservation and Ecology, 2023

International Reserach Conference in Health Sciences, 2022

Background: In Sri Lanka several studies on work stress of nurses in the state sector was found i... more Background: In Sri Lanka several studies on work stress of nurses in the state sector was found in literature but none was from the private sector. Objective: To identify selected organizational factors that affect work stress of nurses in a private hospital in Sri Lanka and to determine the relationship between them. Methods & Materials: Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample of 140 nurses in the hospital. Data was collected using a developed questionnaire. The data was subjected to Minitab v17 software to determine the internal consistency by measuring the-demographic factors were also analysed. The relationship between the different factors was determined by calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient. Significance testing was done to test the hypotheses. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was also performed to determine the extent of contribution by the independent variables. Finally, descriptive statistics was also done on the data set. P value<0.05 was considered significant. Results: were found to be above 0.8 which indicated excellent internal consistency. All alternate hypotheses were accepted at p<0.001. Financial benefits (r=0.593), organization structure (r= 0.587), working conditions (r=0.580) and leadership style (r=0.473) all showed a statistically significant positive relationship with work stress. Service period (r=-0.357) showed a statistically significant negative relationship with work stress. Stepwise multiple regression showed that the highest contribution to work stress was by the financial benefits (35.12%) followed by working conditions (8.81%), organizational structure (5.7%), and lowest by leadership style (2.01%). Conclusion: The following four alternate hypotheses were accepted: H1b There is a relationship between leadership style and work stress. H2b There is a relationship between organizational structure and work stress. H3b-There is a relationship between financial benefits and work stress and H4b There is a relationship between working conditions and work stress.

International Conference on Ecological Sustainability and Biodiversity, Dec 1, 2021

International Research Conference of Uva Wellassa University., 2020

In a world of rapid development influences such as anthropogenic land use, effects of invasive fa... more In a world of rapid development influences such as anthropogenic land use, effects of
invasive fauna and flora, suburbanization, and pollution are major causes for declining of
biodiversity and it is needed to understand the state of biodiversity to aid management
and conservation. To successfully manage land use in ways that are least harmful to
biodiversity it is vital to be able to identify habitats that are of most important for
biodiversity beyond the protected areas. In this study diurnal avifaunal diversity was
studied at unprotected natural habitat (Pallemalala, Bundala) adjacent to Bundala National
Park, during two months (from March to April 2018), using the fixed distance line
transect method. A total number of 2540 of individuals belonging to 52 species, 34
families and 13 orders were recorded during the study period. The relative abundance of
each bird species indicates that the Black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) was the
most common bird (7.40) followed by Yellow wattled lapwing (Vanellus malabaricus)
(7.25) and Yellow billed Babbler (Turdoides affinis) (6.50). Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus
sinensis), Pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis), Indian paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone
paradisi), Grey heron (Ardea cinerea) and White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliastur
leucogaster) were the least observed birds. The Shanon diversity index was 3.5106. Even
though the study site is close to populated residential areas; it still provides vital habitat to
a large number of bird species. However, due to the increasing number of invasive
species and pollution around the area, there is a potential increasing threat to the avifaunal
composition in the non-protected area natural habitats outside the Bundala National Park.
In conclusion, the unprotected habitat at Pallemalala, Bundala can be considered as an
important habitat for avifaunal diversity thus suitable integrated measurements should be
implemented with the help of residents to conserve biodiversity in the area.

Plant diversity is a vital component of biodiversity in a dynamic ecosystems. Therefore, a study ... more Plant diversity is a vital component of biodiversity in a dynamic ecosystems. Therefore, a study
was designed to assess the plant diversity at the Kanneliya Forest Reserve (5108.2ha) located in the
Galle district, the largest of the Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya forest complex. Kanneliya is
regarded as one of the most biologically diverse areas in the country. The plant diversity of Kanneliya
is considered richer, even compared to the Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest.
The objectives of the study were to measure the diversity of plants at several sites at the Kanneliya
Forest Reserve and to compare the results obtained using the Alpha diversity indices.
The fixed area method was carried out for sampling by positioning at each sampling location
(trees: 500 m2 /horizontal radius 12.6 m, saplings: 25 m2 /horizontal radius 2.83 m and seedlings:
1 m2/horizontal radius 56.4 cm). The plant species within the radius of the circle were recorded.
According to the observations 1802 trees were recorded belonging to 125 species (15 x 500 m2=
7500 m2), 326 saplings were recorded belonging to 63 species (15 x 25 m2 = 375 m2) and 180 seedlings
were recorded belonging to 43 species (15 x 1 m2= 15 m2). In total, approximately 154 species
were recorded in an area of 7500 m2 covered. For the Simpson’s Index and Shannon Diversity
Index 0.9763/4.125, 0.9638/3.662 and 0.9482/3.325 were obtained for trees, saplings and seedlings
respectively. The most common plants encountered within 15 plots sampled were Diospyros
insignis, Symplocos cochinchinensis and Fahrenheitia zeylanica where 118, 79 and 77 trees were
encountered with relative abundances of 6.55%, 4.38% and 4.27% respectively. There were 22 tree
species with only one tree observed with 0.06% of relative abundance. Both the Alpha Diversity
Indices for trees, saplings and seedlings indicates a very high plant diversity in the area sampled at
Kanneliya Forest Reserve. Therefore, this study concludes that the high biodiversity of Kanneliya
is mainly due to high plant diversity and significant conservation priorities must be applied.

Methods: An anonymized database of patients referred for MLPA testing for microdeletion and microduplication syndromes from August 2013 to May 2016 was analyzed retrospectively using standard descriptive statistics. Microdeletion testing was performed using the SALSA® MLPA® P245 Microdeletion Syndromes-1 probemix (MRC Holland) which can detect 23 common microdeletion/microduplication syndromes.

Results: Seventy two children were tested. Twenty three (31.9%) were confirmed to have microdeletion/duplication syndromes. The microdeletion/duplication syndromes confirmed genetically were DiGeorge Syndrome [7(9.7%)]; Angelman Syndrome [6(8.3%)]; Prader-Willi Syndrome [4(5.5%)] William Syndrome [3(4.2%)], 1p36 deletion syndrome [1(1.4%)], 17p13.3 duplication syndrome [1(1.4%)] and 17q11.2 duplication syndrome [1(1.4%)].

Conclusions: This is the first report of the spectrum of microdeletions/duplications genetically confirmed in the Sri Lankan population. The diagnostic yield of the MLPA test in our study is higher than that of the previously reported studies. This highlights the value of MLPA as a cost-effective method in definitive diagnosis of microdeletion/microduplication syndromes when other methods such as microarray based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) are not available.

SFRP-4, a secreted frizzled-related protein, has been a molecule of interest in apoptosis, malign... more SFRP-4, a secreted frizzled-related protein, has been a molecule of interest in apoptosis, malignancies and degenerative diseases, especially in Alzheimer’s disease. The objective of the study was to identify and quantify SFRP-4 in adult autopsy human frontal cortex and cerebellum. Postmortem specimens of cerebellum and cerebrum were fixed with gluteraldehyde, processed by standard methods and embedded in wax and 5 lm thick sections were prepared. Autopsy ovarian tissue served as a positive control. Slides were dewaxed and pretreated in citrate buffer at 95_C for antigen retrieval. Tissue sections were treated with protein-block solution to reduce background staining, followed by immersion in 3% H2O2 to
quench endogenous peroxidases, and then incubated with anti- SFRP-4 antibody (primary antibody) overnight at 4_C. This was followed by incubation with biotinylated-secondary antibody and then Avidin-HRP complex. Finally DAB chromogen system was used to identify SFRP-4. Results: Positive signal from DAB, which was similar to the positive control was observed. Conclusion: SFRP-4 is present in human frontal cortex and cerebellum.

Introduction: Recent advances in targeted therapeutics have identified the role of epidermal grow... more Introduction: Recent advances in targeted therapeutics have identified the role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors as adjuvant therapy in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. However, activating mutations in the KRAS gene, found in 35-45% of CRC cases, can render EGFR inhibitors ineffective. Regional differences in these mutations have been reported. This study aims to describe the pattern of KRAS mutations among Sri Lankan CRC patients.
Methods: The KRAS mutations detected in CRC patients referred to the Asiri Centre for Genomic and Regenerative Medicine, Colombo from January 2007 to December 2014, which have been maintained in an anonymized database were retrospectively analyzed.
Results: Of the 108 colorectal tissue samples tested, 25 (23%) had KRAS mutations. There were 15 patients (60%) with point mutations in codon 12 while 10 (40%) had a single mutation in codon 13. The commonest KRAS mutation identified was p.Gly13Asp (40%), followed by p.Gly12Val (24%). Other mutations included p.Gly12Cys (12%), p.Gly12Ser (12%), p.Gly12Asp (8%), and p.Gly12Arg (4%). The codon 13 mutation was a G>A transition (40%), while G>T transversions (32%), G>A transitions (24%), and G>C transversions (4%) were found in codon 12.
Conclusion: The overall frequency of KRAS mutations is similar to that reported for Asian patients. However, in contrast to published studies, a relatively lower frequency of the G>A transition in codon 12 (c.35G>A;p.Gly12Asp), and a predominance of the G>A transition in codon 13 (c.38G>A; p.Gly13Asp) were found. This may be a reflection of the regional variations in the pattern of KRAS mutations in CRC patients.

Although many syndromes resulting fromchromosomal rearrangements are described in scientific lite... more Although many syndromes resulting fromchromosomal rearrangements are described in scientific literature, a dysmorphic phenotype resulting from chromosome (1;17) translocation
has not been reported. We report the first case of maternally inherited unbalanced chromosome (1;17) translocation presenting as craniofacial dysmorphism, developmental delay, and congenital malformations. A five months old Sri Lankan male child was referred to the genetic clinic due to facial dysmorphism and global developmental delay associated with cardiac and renal malformations. On examination the baby had microcephaly, asymmetrical face, frontal bossing and bitemporal narrowing, large low set posteriorly rotated ears, hypertelorism, upward slanting eyes with long eye lashes, prominent eye brows, flattened nasal bridge, bulbous nasal tip, smooth philtrum, abnormal hairline, cryptorchidism and a sacral dimple. The fifth fingers showed clinodactyly and the third toe was overlapping the second toe in this child with generalized hypotonia. 2-D echocardiography confirmed atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus. Investigations showed dysplastic kidneys and two cysts in the brain.Cytogenetic analysis identified a balanced chromosomal translocation 46,XX,t(1;17)(p36.3;q22) in the mother and an unbalanced chromosomal rearrangement, 46,XY,der(1)t(1:17)(p36.3;q22)mat in the child. The child has inherited a derivative chromosome 1 with partial deletion of 1(p36.3pter) and partial trisomy of chromosome 17(q22qter). This finding broadens the knowledge on clinical phenotypes caused by chromosomal rearrangements. Furthermore this emphasizes the importance of genetic counseling and karyotyping of parents to 35 detect phenotypically normal balanced translocation carriers in order to prevent recurrence.

Papers by Dayupathi Eranda Nipunika E N Mandawala

Sri Lanka Naturalist, 2024

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), May 2, 2022

Academia letters, Oct 21, 2021

BMC Research Notes, Sep 29, 2015

Background: Potocki-Lupski syndrome is a microduplication syndrome associated with duplication at... more Background: Potocki-Lupski syndrome is a microduplication syndrome associated with duplication at 17p11.2. Features include facial dysmorphism, moderate to mild cognitive impairment and behavioural abnormalities including autism spectrum disorders. Case presentation: We describe a patient from Sri Lanka that was referred for genetic assessment at 4 years of age due to subtle facial dysmorphism and expressive language impairment. She was diagnosed with Potocki-Lupski syndrome through multiplex ligation probe amplification. She carried two duplications; one in 17p11.2 consistent with Potocki-Lupski, and one in Xq including the region for X-linked intellectual disability. Conclusion: Despite the absence of expected behavioural symptoms, many features of this patient are in accordance with Potocki-Lupski syndrome. This is the first diagnosed patient in Sri Lanka.

BMC Research Notes, Aug 10, 2017

Objective: Activating mutations in the KRAS gene, found in approximately 53% of metastatic colore... more Objective: Activating mutations in the KRAS gene, found in approximately 53% of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) cases, can render epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors ineffective. Regional differences in these mutations have been reported. This is the first study which aims to describe the pattern of KRAS mutations in a Sri Lankan cohort of mCRC patients. Results: The KRAS genotypes detected in mCRC patients which have been maintained in an anonymized database were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 108 colorectal tissue samples tested, 25 (23.0%) had KRAS mutations. Overall, there were 68 (63.0%) males and 40 (37.0%) females. Among the KRAS positive cases, there were 14 (56.0%) males and 11 (44.0%) females. Their age distribution ranged from 29 to 85 years with a median age of 61 years. There were 15 patients (60.0%) with point mutations in codon 12 while 10 (40.0%) had a single mutation in codon 13. The most common KRAS mutation identified was p.Gly13Asp (40.0%), followed by p.Gly12Val (24.0%). Other mutations included p.Gly12Cys (12.0%), p.Gly12Ser (12.0%), p.Gly12Asp (8.0%), and p.Gly12Arg (4.0%). The codon 13 mutation was a G>A transition (40.0%), while G>T transversions (32.0%), G>A transitions (24.0%), and G>C transversions (4.0%) were found in the codon 12 mutations. The frequency of KRAS mutations was similar to that reported for Asian patients. However, in contrast to several published studies, the G>A transition in codon 12 (c.35G>A; p.Gly12Asp), was not the most common mutation within codon 12 in our cohort. This may be a reflection of the genetic heterogeneity in the pattern of KRAS mutations in mCRC patients but valid conclusions cannot be drawn from these preliminary findings due to the small size of the study sample.

Sri Lanka Naturalist, 2023

Protect Nature Sri Lanka, 2023

Reptiles & Amphibians

Copyright is held by the authors. Articles in R&A are made available under a Creative Commons Att... more Copyright is held by the authors. Articles in R&A are made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license. S ri Lanka is home to 22 species of agamid lizards, of which 20 are endemic, belonging to four endemic genera (Karunarathna et al. 2020). The genus Otocryptis has recently been recognized as an endemic genus with the elevation of the Indian species O. beddomi to a new genus (Agasthyagama; Srikanthan et al. 2021). The genus Otocryptis is now represented by two endemic species, O. wiegmanni and O. nigristigma. Otocryptis wiegmanni is known to be found abundantly in the wet zone of Sri Lanka while O. nigristigma is restricted to the lowland intermediate and dry zones from sea level to above 600 m. Otocryptis wiegmanni is a diurnal, terrestrial, fast moving agamid species found on the forest floor, on rocks, and on tree trunks, commonly dwelling in tropical mixed evergreen forests, scrublands, land cultivated

Reptiles & Amphibians, 2023

Sri Lanka Naturalist, 2022

Citizen Scientists' Symposium on Conservation and Ecology, 2023

International Reserach Conference in Health Sciences, 2022

International Conference on Ecological Sustainability and Biodiversity, Dec 1, 2021

International Research Conference of Uva Wellassa University., 2020

Sri Lanka Naturalist, 2024

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), May 2, 2022

Academia letters, Oct 21, 2021

BMC Research Notes, Sep 29, 2015

BMC Research Notes, Aug 10, 2017

Sri Lanka Naturalist, 2023

Protect Nature Sri Lanka, 2023

Reptiles & Amphibians

Reptiles & Amphibians, 2023

Sri Lanka Naturalist, 2022

Pugmark and scat identification are indirect methods of mammal observation in the wild less popul... more Pugmark and scat identification are indirect methods of mammal observation in the wild less popular than camera trapping and GPS collaring and is an understudied field of research in Sri Lanka with limited reference resources and no research publications so far. However, this is not the same in many other countries where mammals are studied in the wild. Therefore, we conducted a preliminary study during February and March 2021 at a selected location in the dry zone of Sri Lanka with the aim of identifying elusive mammals by pugmarks and scat evidence. We identified a total of 13 mammals, 9 by pugmarks of which 8 belonging to family Carnivora and 1 Proboscidea. We also identified 4 mammals by scat of which 2 belong to family Carnivora, 1 Proboscidea and 1 Lagomorpha. Among them are 4 nationally endangered and 1 nationally vulnerable species. We report the presence of the nationally endangered Prionailurus viverrinus (Fishing cat) both by pugmark and scat evidence previously not recorded at our study site. We also report pugmark evidence of Viverricula indica (Small Indian civet) whose has not been previously reported at our study site. In addition, we report the visual observation of the nationally vulnerable and rare Rhinolophus beddomei (Lesser woolly horseshoe bat) also previously not reported at our study site.

The focus of this study is on determining the optimum combination of components in coating materi... more The focus of this study is on determining the optimum combination of components in coating material to obtain high water resistance and moisture absorbent properties. Silicone caulk and Mineral spirit were used in thirteen different combinations to coat the fabric along with one sample with one mixture for control. This method was discarded as water penetrated through the fabric under high pressure. Silicone caulk with Acrylic Matt Topcoat was used in thirteen different combinations to coat the fabric along with one sample with one mixture for control. Surface coated using a flat bottomed plastic rod and allowed 5 -6 hrs. for setting process. The fabric is a combination of Polyester-cotton blend, Chemical layer and Airmesh in the inner. Two variants of the fabric were produced as Single coated fabric and Double coated fabric. Single coated fabric was able to withstand Bundesmann Rainshower Test (ISO 9865:1991) and a Hydrostatic pressure (ISO 811:1981) more than 1.9m. The Double coat...

Taprobanica, 2021

A free ranging female common Mormon (Papilio polytes romulus) butterfly was observed laying eggs ... more A free ranging female common Mormon (Papilio polytes romulus) butterfly was observed laying eggs on a Citrus aurantiifolia (Family: Rutaceae) plant in a home garden in Battaramulla. 16 eggs were collected and reared in the lab. The duration and measurements of each stage were recorded. After eclosion the sex and wingspan of all adult butterflies were recorded and they were released back to the wild. Pupae were observed in two colours: green and brown. Out of 16 pupae, 12 were green (75%) and four were brown (25%). The four brown pupae gave rise to two males (50%) and two females (50%). The 12 green pupae gave rise to 10 males (83%) and two females (17%). The sex ratios regardless of the pupal colour showed male dominance with 12 males (75%) and four females (25%). All four females were of the romulus form. A strong relationship between pupal colour and substrate texture was observed, but no relationship between pupal colour, sex and sex ratios was seen.

Objectives: Microdeletion/duplication syndromes among Sri Lankans are rarely described in scienti... more Objectives: Microdeletion/duplication syndromes among Sri Lankans are rarely described in scientific literature. Genetic confirmation of these syndromes has now become possible in Sri Lanka with the introduction of genetic testing for microdeletion/duplication syndromes using multiplex ligation probe amplification (MLPA) test. This study was conducted with the aim of describing the frequency and spectrum of microdeletion/microduplication syndromes genetically diagnosed in a cohort of Sri Lankan children referred for MLPA-based microdeletion/microduplication screening test. Methods: An anonymized database of patients referred for MLPA testing for microdeletion and microduplication syndromes from August 2013 to May 2016 was analyzed retrospectively using standard descriptive statistics. Microdeletion testing was performed using the SALSA® MLPA® P245 Microdeletion Syndromes-1 probemix (MRC Holland) which can detect 23 common microdeletion/microduplication syndromes. Results: Seventy two children were tested. Twenty three (31.9%) were confirmed to have microdeletion/duplication syndromes. The microdeletion/duplication syndromes confirmed genetically were DiGeorge Syndrome [7(9.7%)]; Angelman Syndrome [6(8.3%)]; Prader-Willi Syndrome [4(5.5%)] William Syndrome [3(4.2%)], 1p36 deletion syndrome [1(1.4%)], 17p13.3 duplication syndrome [1(1.4%)] and 17q11.2 duplication syndrome [1(1.4%)]. Conclusions: This is the first report of the spectrum of microdeletions/duplications genetically confirmed in the Sri Lankan population. The diagnostic yield of the MLPA test in our study is higher than that of the previously reported studies. This highlights the value of MLPA as a cost-effective method in definitive diagnosis of microdeletion/microduplication syndromes when other methods such as microarray based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) are not available.

BMC research notes, Jan 10, 2017

Activating mutations in the KRAS gene, found in approximately 53% of metastatic colorectal cancer... more Activating mutations in the KRAS gene, found in approximately 53% of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) cases, can render epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors ineffective. Regional differences in these mutations have been reported. This is the first study which aims to describe the pattern of KRAS mutations in a Sri Lankan cohort of mCRC patients. The KRAS genotypes detected in mCRC patients which have been maintained in an anonymized database were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 108 colorectal tissue samples tested, 25 (23.0%) had KRAS mutations. Overall, there were 68 (63.0%) males and 40 (37.0%) females. Among the KRAS positive cases, there were 14 (56.0%) males and 11 (44.0%) females. Their age distribution ranged from 29 to 85 years with a median age of 61 years. There were 15 patients (60.0%) with point mutations in codon 12 while 10 (40.0%) had a single mutation in codon 13. The most common KRAS mutation identified was p.Gly13Asp (40.0%), followed by p.Gly12Va...

Journal of Medical Case Reports, 2015

Scientifc Reports in Life Sciences, 2022

Taprobanica, 2021