University of Peradeniya

About: University of Peradeniya is a education organization based out in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 5970 authors who have published 7388 publications receiving 197002 citations.

Candidal onychomycosis: A Mini-Review

Abstract: Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection affecting nails. The primary cause for onychomycosis is dermatophytes, while Candida species have emerged as second-line pathogens. Onychomycosis due to Candida (candidal onychomycosis) is increasingly found in individuals having defective immunity consequential to aging, diabetes mellitus, vascular diseases, HIV infection and drug therapies such as immunosuppressives and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Breached local immunity at the nail complex due to trauma, chronic exposure to moisture and chemicals including smoke, detergents, soap, etc., also contribute to candidal onychomycosis. Adhesion, filamentation, secretion of extracellular enzymes and the development of antifungal resistance are some of the virulence mechanisms of Candida species associated with onychomycosis. Diagnosis of onychomycosis depends on history and clinical examination, direct microscopic investigation, mycological culture and histopathology. Restoration of immune defenses, elimination of fungi using appropriate drug therapy and improvement of nail hygiene with the removal of predisposing factors are key aspects in the management of candidal onychomycosis.

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in two tertiary care hospitals: high proportion of cases with uncertain aetiology

Abstract: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rising globally, and is attributed to the epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus [1]. This trend in developing countries appears to be due to chronic glomerulonephritis and diabetes, both contributing significantly to increasing endstage renal disease [2]. In Sri Lanka, a systematic assessment on CKD is lacking, although the available literature points to a rising trend in hospital admissions and deaths due to CKD [3]. This study attempts to document some features of CKD and describe cases with an uncertain aetiology observed at two teaching hospitals in Kandy and Anuradhapura between 2000 and 2002.

MiRNA Transcriptome Profiling of Spheroid-Enriched Cells with Cancer Stem Cell Properties in Human Breast MCF-7 Cell Line

Abstract: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide as most patients often suffer cancer relapse. The reason is often attributed to the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Recent studies revealed that dysregulation of microRNA (miRNA) are closely linked to breast cancer recurrence and metastasis. However, no specific study has comprehensively characterised the CSC characteristic and miRNA transcriptome in spheroid-enriched breast cells. This study described the generation of spheroid MCF-7 cell in serum-free condition and the comprehensive characterisation for their CSC properties. Subsequently, miRNA expression differences between the spheroid-enriched CSC cells and their parental cells were evaluated using next generation sequencing (NGS). Our results showed that the MCF-7 spheroid cells were enriched with CSCs properties, indicated by the ability to self-renew, increased expression of CSCs markers, and increased resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. Additionally, spheroid-enriched CSCs possessed greater cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and wound healing ability. A total of 134 significantly (p<0.05) differentially expressed miRNAs were identified between spheroids and parental cells using miRNA-NGS. MiRNA-NGS analysis revealed 25 up-regulated and 109 down-regulated miRNAs which includes some miRNAs previously reported in the regulation of breast CSCs. A number of miRNAs (miR-4492, miR-4532, miR-381, miR-4508, miR-4448, miR-1296, and miR-365a) which have not been previously reported in breast cancer were found to show potential association with breast cancer chemoresistance and self-renewal capability. The gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that the predicted genes were enriched in the regulation of metabolic processes, gene expression, DNA binding, and hormone receptor binding. The corresponding pathway analyses inferred from the GO results were closely related to the function of signalling pathway, self-renewability, chemoresistance, tumorigenesis, cytoskeletal proteins, and metastasis in breast cancer. Based on these results, we proposed that certain miRNAs identified in this study could be used as new potential biomarkers for breast cancer stem cell diagnosis and targeted therapy.