University of Colombo e-Repository

UCER (University of Colombo Electronic Repository) is a collection of scientific research publications by researchers at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. This e-Repository serves to manage, preserve and make available the academic works of the faculty, postgraduate students, and research groups. The collection includes faculty publications, master's and doctoral theses abstracts. This repository is updated regularly, and new works are added to collections on a continuous basis

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Authors are responsible for obtaining copyright permission from the publisher and submitting the signed declaration to ir@lib.cmb.ac.lk.

Recent Submissions

Effects of long-term meditation practice on expression of CRY1 and CRY2 genes related to circadian rhythm:a case-control study
(University of Colombo, 2022) Dasanayaka, N. N.; Samaranayake, N.; Sirisena, N. D.
Introduction: Many physical, metabolic and behavioural changes in the human body follow a circadian rhythm. Cryptochrome circadian regulator (CRY) 1 and 2 genes encode circadian proteins important for circadian rhythmicity. Up-regulated CRY genes ensure the stability of the circadian rhythm which contribute to maintenance of homeostasis in the body. Practice of meditation has been suggested to up-regulate the expression of CRY1 and CRY2 genes. This case-control study compared expression of CRY1 and CRY2 genes between long-term, skilled meditators and non-meditators. Methods: Thirty meditators were recruited from meditation centres in different parts of Sri Lanka following a two-tier screening process and age and gender matched non-meditators were recruited from the community. Socio-demographic characteristics including exercise hours per week were collected. Expression of CRY1 and CRY2 genes was assessed via reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Relative gene expression was determined using the 2-∆∆CT method. Independent sample t-test was used to compare the mean fold changes of the expression of genes between meditators and controls. Pearson correlation was used to determine the bivariate relationships between continuous variables...
Background prevalence of genotypic variants associated severe COVID-19 in a Sri Lankan cohort
(University of Colombo, 2022) Somasundaram, P.; Dissanayake, V. H. W.; Wetthasinghe, T. K.; Hettiarachchi, D.; Anandagoda, G. G.
Introduction: The global pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has impacted every individual either by affecting the health or economy. The variations in clinical manifestations and fatality ratios are attributable to the health care system, disease management strategies, variants of the virus and importantly genetic variations within populations. Hence, it is important to check the host genetic factors to understand the disease severity. Meta-analysis of 60 Genome Wide Association studies from 25 countries identified 23 genetic variants as biomarkers of severe COVID-19 disease. Our aim was to identify the background prevalence of these biomarkers in a Sri Lankan cohort. Methods: The genomic data of patients undergoing exome sequencing at our unit is maintained in an anonymized database. The candidate variants were assessed in 323 exomes. Analysis was performed using an in-house bioinformatics pipeline...
A survey of trust, self-esteem, psychological well-being, and their correlation, among journalists in the Colombo District of Sri Lanka
(University of Colombo, 2022) Sathanandan, S. R.; Zulfikar, H.
Introduction: Journalists must maintain professional ethics while exercising their freedom of expression towards keeping citizens aware of their rights. This study aimed to determine the association between trust and self-esteem, and how this predicts psychological well-being among journalists aged 18 years and above, in the Colombo district of Sri Lanka. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted by purposive sampling of subjects fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria. The sample size was 151 (74 females; 77 males). The three scales administered were Yamagishi’s General Trust Scale, Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale, and Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale. Spearman Correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to identify correlations. ...
Online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: the experience of physiotherapy undergraduates in Sri Lanka
(University of Colombo, 2022) Cinthuja, P.; de Zoysa, P.
Introduction: Online learning was an alternative method during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objectives of the study were to explore perceptions and preferences of online learning among physiotherapy undergraduates during the pandemic. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted. Ethics approval and permission were obtained from the relevant authorities. Physiotherapy undergraduates from all three universities which offer physiotherapy degree programmes in Sri Lanka were recruited and a convenient sampling method was used. First year undergraduates were excluded since they did not have experience in clinical or onsite practical classes during the data collection period. Results: The response rate was 48.8%. Of the 147 respondents, 72% were females. During the pandemic period, 63% of the participants spent between 10-40 hours/week on online learning. 78% mentioned that they have moderate knowledge on Information Technology. Being able to stay at home and to learn at their own pace were commonly mentioned advantages of online learning. However, 36% of participants indicated that internet connectivity issues impacted their learning, whilst 78% of the participants indicated that clinical teaching and practical classes could not be replaced by online teaching. Seventy-seven of the participants preferred a hybrid learning method, even post-pandemic. Results indicated that online learning would be made more effective if the classes were more interactive, stimulating and engaging. Low response which may lead to a response bias was a study limitation. Conclusions: Physiotherapy students have a positive perception towards traditional learning for clinical and practical classes compared to online learning. However, considering the advantages of online learning for theory components, students prefer a hybrid learning method for the physiotherapy study programme. Problems such as internet connectivity issues should be addressed to provide a satisfactory learning experience to students.
Study to describe key components required in a mentoring program that impact the success of the mentoring process
(University of Colombo, 2022) Thalayarathne, D. R. L.; Siriwardana, H. V. Y. D.; Gunathunga, M. W.; Gnanathasan, C. A.; Gunawardena, S. A.; Ediriweera de Silva, R. E.; Witharana, A. W. C. P.; Wijesinghe, H. D.; Premathileka, I.; Suranadee, Y. W. S.
Introduction: Mentoring is considered as a fundamental component of a mentee's personal and professional development. Understanding the needs of the mentee, the nature of the profession, and their experience in mentoring is necessary for a successful mentoring process and to improve mentoring relationships. This preliminary analysis was carried out to understand requirements of academics and professionals in order to design a training program on mentoring. The surveys assessed the areas in which the target population expected guidance from a mentor in order to improve their performance in their academic careers. Methods: The sample included academic professionals and alumni staff of the University of Colombo. Data were collected from participants who attended a pre-congress (Colombo Medical Congress-CMC) workshop in academic mentoring in January 2020, using a self administered questionnaire. Thirty-six respondents aged 28-74 years, participated. Results: Participants identified many areas as important components in a mentoring session[support in professionalism (n=15/36; 47%), research (n=11/36; 31%), academic life (n=11/36; 31%), personal life (n=8/36; 22%), skill development (n=8/36; 22%), motivation (n=7/36; 19%), and mental health (n=6/36; 17%). The graduates (n=5/36; 14%) mentioned improvementof academic life (n=3/5; 33.3%) and personal life (n=3/5; 33.3%) as their preponderant interests, while the postgraduates (n=31/36; 86%) were interested in the improvement of knowledge on researching (n=11/31; 35.4%) and skill development (n=10/31; 32.2%). Majority requested a mentoring program for themselves (n=27/36; 75%) and their trainees (n=15/36; 42%).Conclusions: Expectations and the interests of academics are diverse. Mentees do not expect support only for career development, but also for their personal life and wellbeing. When planning a successful mentoring process, evaluating and understanding mentees' abilities, professional and personal situations can help select more suitable mentors according to their needs. An evidence-based approach may be useful to correctly understand the requirements before designing training programs.