Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) is a telomere maintenance pathway utilised in 15% of cancers. ALT cancers are strongly associated with inactivating mutations in ATRX; yet loss of ATRX ...alone is insufficient to trigger ALT, suggesting that additional cooperating factors are involved. We identify H3.3
and IDH1/2 mutations as two such factors in ATRX-mutated glioblastomas. Both mutations are capable of inactivating histone demethylases, and we identify KDM4B as the key demethylase inactivated in ALT. Mouse embryonic stem cells inactivated for ATRX, TP53, TERT and KDM4B (KDM4B knockout or H3.3
) show characteristic features of ALT. Conversely, KDM4B over-expression in ALT cancer cells abrogates ALT-associated features. In this work, we demonstrate that inactivation of KDM4B, through H3.3
or IDH1/2 mutations, acts in tandem with ATRX mutations to promote ALT in glioblastomas.
Introduction: Primary lymphoedema constitutes the bulk of cases among those seeking treatment in the Central province1. The underlying pathophysiological mechanics at presentation have not yet been ...established in Sri Lanka. Objective: To describe the location of the sites of obstruction to lymphatic flow in primary lymphoedema among Sri Lankan patients related to their clinical level of lymphoedema at presentation. Method: Eighty consecutive patients with primary lymphoedema, with varied levels of clinical lymphoedema were studied by isotope lympho-scintigraphy to ascertain where the block occurred, for each level of clinical lymphoedema of the lower limb. Results: The location of scintigraphic obstruction was always located more proximal in the limb, to the level of clinical lymphoedema. The site varied for each clinical level. Sites were related to the anatomical location of lymph nodes except for, a very common site in the medial knee. Such blocks were associated with rapid entry to the blood stream suggestive of the existence of lympho-venous shunting at this level. In most, the presenting level of lymphoedema was reached within 24-months of onset. Conclusion: Lymph nodes are probably the site of obstruction in most cases of primary lymphoedema. Presenting clinical level of lymphoedema is a dynamic of, site of lymphatic blockage and the presence of lympho-venous shunting.
The paper explores the nature of managerial leadership within the estate working environment in the plantation sector of Sri Lanka by with a focus on estate managers. A survey of literature and a ...qualitative review carried out with the top most administrators of and expert stakeholders to this sector has led to development of a validated structured questionnaire, which was used to gather data from the Senior Estate Managers (n = 65) with more than 10 years of experience and are attached to 8 key Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) in Sri Lanka by means of an in-depth personal interview. The premise of the article is the examination of the behavioral dimensions of leadership as rendered by estate managers. The outcome of analysis proves that most managers believed the lea dership style that prevail s in their organizations showed "empowering" characteristics; not a completely empowered culture but one where managers are empowered within the work environment. Further respondents preferred a more "consensual" nature of leadership and a "proactive" organizational climate, as opposed to a "reactive" leadership style. Furthermore, estate managers claimed to be satisfied with the existing management practices of their respective organizations.
Functional ingredients included in a healthy diet are demonstrated to have physiological benefits and/or reduce the risk of chronic diseases beyond basic nutritional function. On this rationale, the ...specific objectives of this study were to examine empirically the determinants of perceived health status of a consumer and to examine extent to which those can influence consumer's intake of an assortment of functional ingredients through a healthy diet. The data collected from teachers (n=130) attached to two National Schools in Kurunegala district during May to June 2014 by means of a face-to-face interview supported by a structured questionnaire were used to specify two models, which includes a number of attitudinal and motivational as well as socio-economic variables as having impact on this phenomenon and were estimated using Probit and Ordered Logistic Regression techniques. The results suggest that perceived health status of respondents is significantly associated with their concerns on degenerative disease, attitude towards functional foods, food consumption motives, and information seeking behavior. The most intense consumers of functional ingredients are consumers with strong motives towards general well-being and who perceived themselves to be healthy. Further, consumer behavior did not vary on the socio-demographic characteristics such as age and gender; subject to the fact that they are sufficiently knowledgeable on functional ingredients and economically viable to have fair access to functional foods.
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