Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

Interference of natural coastal sediment dynamics due to the Colombo harbour expansion project

Man-made coastal structures directly affect sediment balance in the surrounding beaches. Ongoing South Colombo harbour expansion project has created 5 km long breakwater affecting the sediment dynamics of the Colombo beaches. Present study is focussed on quantitatively and qualitatively analyse the effect of Colombo harbour expansion project on economically important beaches in an around Colombo city area and to forecast possible consequences to the Colombo harbour itself. We have taken monthly variations of beach width, beach profile and the mean grain size of the sediments at mean sea level from selected 8 beaches. Data was processed and analysed to establish sitespecific erosion vulnerability. Results shows cumulative beach erosion has high affinity to erosion causing drastic reduction of beach width after the construction of the breakwater. This study highlights necessity of proper mitigation plan to protect the beaches affected by the construction of southern Colombo harbour expansion project