Caste-specific phenotypic plasticity of Asian weaver ants: Revealing the allometric and non-allometric component of female caste system of Oecophylla smaragdina (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) by using geometric morphometrics

In eusocial insects, particularly in ants, caste differentiation is extremely complicated when we rely on traditional taxonomy. In most species, the worker caste does not display any distinct morphological characters neither the caste’s central division according to their morphological size variations. We used a landmark-based geometric morphometric approach to quantify the morphological characteristics of female caste systems (queen, major and minor worker ant) of Oecophylla smaragdina. Our findings suggested that each caste has its unique shape and size. Especially in the worker caste, apart from the size variations, we can use the shape as a prominent tool for distinguishing between them. The O. smaragdina exhibits a triphasic allometry pattern. Studying the allometry and non-allometry components of each caste system revealed a highly complex size and shape relationship in the female caste systems. From the allometric and non-allometric analysis, we concluded that the major worker ants showed a closer relationship with the queen than the minor worker ant. This outcome demonstrated that Asian weaver ant exhibits complex shape variations related to size and is correlated to their functional modular characters. This research sheds new light on caste systems’ taxonomic uncertainties for eusocial hymenopteran groups, especially ants

The malleable brain: plasticity of neural circuits and behavior: A review from students to students

One of the most intriguing features of the brain is its ability to be malleable, allowing it to adapt continually to changes in the environment. Specific neuronal activity patterns drive long-lasting increases or decreases in the strength of synaptic connections, referred to as long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) respectively. Such phenomena have been described in a variety of model organisms, which are used to study molecular, structural, and functional aspects of synaptic plasticity. This review originated from the first International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) and Journal of Neurochemistry (JNC) Flagship School held in Alpbach, Austria (Sep 2016), and will use its curriculum and discussions as a framework to review some of the current knowledge in the field of synaptic plasticity. First, we describe the role of plasticity during development and the persistent changes of neural circuitry occurring when sensory input is altered during critical developmental stages. We then outline the signaling cascades resulting in the synthesis of new plasticity-related proteins, which ultimately enable sustained changes in synaptic strength. Going beyond the traditional understanding of synaptic plasticity conceptualized by LTP and LTD, we discuss system-wide modifications and recently unveiled homeostatic mechanisms, such as synaptic scaling. Finally, we describe the neural circuits and synaptic plasticity mechanisms driving associative memory and motor learning. Evidence summarized in this review provides a current view of synaptic plasticity in its various forms, offers new insights into the underlying mechanisms and behavioral relevance, and provides directions for future research in the field of synaptic plasticity.Fil: Schaefer, Natascha. University of Wuerzburg; AlemaniaFil: Rotermund, Carola. University of Tuebingen; AlemaniaFil: Blumrich, Eva Maria. Universitat Bremen; AlemaniaFil: Lourenco, Mychael V.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Joshi, Pooja. Robert Debre Hospital; FranciaFil: Hegemann, Regina U.. University of Otago; Nueva ZelandaFil: Jamwal, Sumit. ISF College of Pharmacy; IndiaFil: Ali, Nilufar. Augusta University; Estados UnidosFil: García Romero, Ezra Michelet. Universidad Veracruzana; MéxicoFil: Sharma, Sorabh. Birla Institute of Technology and Science; IndiaFil: Ghosh, Shampa. Indian Council of Medical Research; IndiaFil: Sinha, Jitendra K.. Indian Council of Medical Research; IndiaFil: Loke, Hannah. Hudson Institute of Medical Research; AustraliaFil: Jain, Vishal. Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences; IndiaFil: Lepeta, Katarzyna. Polish Academy of Sciences; ArgentinaFil: Salamian, Ahmad. Polish Academy of Sciences; ArgentinaFil: Sharma, Mahima. Polish Academy of Sciences; ArgentinaFil: Golpich, Mojtaba. University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre; MalasiaFil: Nawrotek, Katarzyna. University Of Lodz; ArgentinaFil: Paid, Ramesh K.. Indian Institute of Chemical Biology; IndiaFil: Shahidzadeh, Sheila M.. Syracuse University; Estados UnidosFil: Piermartiri, Tetsade. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: Amini, Elham. University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre; MalasiaFil: Pastor, Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia ; ArgentinaFil: Wilson, Yvette. University of Melbourne; AustraliaFil: Adeniyi, Philip A.. Afe Babalola University; NigeriaFil: Datusalia, Ashok K.. National Brain Research Centre; IndiaFil: Vafadari, Benham. Polish Academy of Sciences; ArgentinaFil: Saini, Vedangana. University of Nebraska; Estados UnidosFil: Suárez Pozos, Edna. Instituto Politécnico Nacional; MéxicoFil: Kushwah, Neetu. Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences; IndiaFil: Fontanet, Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia ; ArgentinaFil: Turner, Anthony J.. University of Leeds; Reino Unid

Examining the generalizability of research findings from archival data

This initiative examined systematically the extent to which a large set of archival research findings generalizes across contexts. We repeated the key analyses for 29 original strategic management effects in the same context (direct reproduction) as well as in 52 novel time periods and geographies; 45% of the reproductions returned results matching the original reports together with 55% of tests in different spans of years and 40% of tests in novel geographies. Some original findings were associated with multiple new tests. Reproducibility was the best predictor of generalizability—for the findings that proved directly reproducible, 84% emerged in other available time periods and 57% emerged in other geographies. Overall, only limited empirical evidence emerged for context sensitivity. In a forecasting survey, independent scientists were able to anticipate which effects would find support in tests in new samples

Extragingival pyogenic granuloma

Pyogenic granuloma is a well-known localized granulation tissue overgrowth in reaction to mild irritation. Although it is known to show a striking predilection for the gingiva, it can be found extragingivally with varying clinical features that sometimes may mimic more serious lesions such as malignancies. The clinical diagnosis of such an uncommon extragingival pyogenic granulomra can be quite challenging. The purpose of this article is to report an unusual case of extragingival pyogenic granuloma occurring on the lower lip, which presented as a cutaneous horn

Gorlin syndrome: A case report

Gorlin syndrome is an autosomal dominant inherited condition that exhibits high penetrance and variable expressivity. It is characterized mainly by Basal cell carcinomas, Odontogenic keratocysts and skeletal anomalies. However, medical literature documents both common and lesser known manifestations of the disorder involving the skin, central nervous system, skeletal system etc. Diagnosis of the syndrome in childhood is basically through oral abnormalities. A case of Gorlin syndrome has been reported here, with review of literature

Prescription Drug Abuse and Oral Clues - an Overview

Drug abuse is a growing trend, with people in every walk of life and at every economic level abusing drugs. Prescription drugs are those that are both legal and sanctioned by doctors. Most of these drugs are accurately labeled so those who want to use them to get ′high′ know exactly what is in them. Among the various known routes of prescription drug abuse, snorting, smoking and oral use of drugs are the ones that concern us the most because of their possible oral clues. The patient may present to us with a complaint of dry mouth or a characteristic pattern of caries or even perforation of the palate. Drug abusers are known to be psychologically unstable and often do not disclose the habit and tend to fake symptoms as well. It thus becomes a highly challenging task for the oral diagnostician to recognize such lesions and correlate them to the abuse of drugs. Also, extreme caution should be taken while prescribing drugs with a potential for abuse

<i><i>Burkitt&#x2032;s lymphoma</i></i> in an Indian girl: A case report

Burkitt&#x2032;s lymphoma (BL) is a rare monoclonal proliferation of B-lymphocytes and is classified as a poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma. This tumor was first noted in Africans. The cause of this tumor is debatable, but strong evidence implicates Epstein-Barr virus in its development. This tumor predominantly affects children and is probably the fastest growing tumor in humans, with exuberant proliferation. It is a very rare malignancy accounting for only 0.76&#x0025; of solid malignant tumors among Indian children. A case of BL of the mandible in a 9-year-old girl of Indian origin is reported

Optical coherence tomography in dentistry: An emerging perspective

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive, real time diagnostic modality that enables detection of oral lesions at an early, relatively harmless stage with improved resolution. OCT gives quantitative and qualitative information of hard and soft tissue by providing a cross-sectional ′optical biopsy′ of tissue up to 3 mm in depth from the surface. In the present scenario, OCT has emerged as one of the forefront imaging modality because of the wide variety of information and the three dimensional (3D) data it can provide. This article focuses on the basic sciences of OCT with its potential dental application

2-(2-Iso­propyl­phen­­oxy)acetic acid

In the title compound, C\sb 11H\sb 14O\sb 3, the pendant —OCH\sb 2COOH chain is in an extended conformation and almost lies in the plane of the benzene ring, as indicated by the dihedral angle of 2.61(5)\circ. In the crystal, mol\-ecules are linked by a pair of O—-H⋅sO hydrogen bonds, forming classical carb\-oxy\-lic acid inversion dimers, with an \it R\sb 2\sp 2(8) loop. The crystal structure of this compound have been reported previously Smith {\it et al.} (1992). {\it Aust. J. Chem.} {\bf 45}, 1101{--}1108, however, in that report, the unit-cell dimensions differ significantly from those of the title structure and the carboxyl H atom was disordered within a cyclic hydrogen-bonded dimer

Coverage & missed opportunity for Japanese encephalitis vaccine, Gorakhpur division, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2015: Implications for Japanese encephalitis control

Background & objectives: Japanese encephalitis (JE) is an important aetiology of acute encephalitis syndrome in Gorakhpur division, Uttar Pradesh, India. Two doses of JE vaccine ( first during 9-12 months and second during 16-24 months of age) are administered under the Universal Immunization Programme. We conducted surveys to estimate the coverage of JE vaccine and magnitude of missed opportunity for vaccination (MoV) for JE in Gorakhpur division. Methods: To estimate the JE vaccine coverage, cluster surveys were conducted in four districts of Gorakhpur division by selecting 30 clusters by probability proportional to size method in each district, seven children aged 25-36 months were selected from each cluster and their mothers were interviewed about JE vaccination. To estimate the magnitude of MoV, exit surveys were conducted in vaccination clinics in selected health facilities, mothers were interviewed about the vaccination status of their children and vaccines administered to the child on the day of interview. Results: A total of 840 children were surveyed, 210 from each district. The coverages of one and two doses of JE vaccine in Gorakhpur division were 75 per cent [95% confidence interval (CI): 71.0-78.9] and 42.3 per cent (95% CI: 37.8-46.8), respectively. Facility-based exit survey indicated that 32.7 per cent of the eligible children missed JE vaccine. Interpretation & conclusions: The survey results showed that three of the four children aged 25-36 months in Gorakhpur division had received at least one dose of JE vaccine. The coverage of second dose of JE vaccine, however, was low. Failure to administer vaccination simultaneously was the most common reason for MoV for JE vaccine. Training vaccinators about correct vaccination schedule and removing their misconception about administering vaccines simultaneously would substantially improve JE vaccine coverage in Gorakhpur