Odontogenic keratocyst: A peripheral variant

Odontogenic keratocyst, which is developmental in nature, is an intraosseous lesion though on rare occasions it may occur in an extraosseous location. The extraosseous variant is referred to as peripheral odontogenic keratocyst. Though, clinically, peripheral odontogenic keratocyst resembles the gingival cyst of adults, it has histologic features that are pathognomonic of odontogenic keratocyst. This article presents a case of this uncommon entity

PDGF-driven proliferation, migration, and IL8 chemokine secretion in human corneal fibroblasts involve JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway

Purpose: Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is associated with corneal fibroblast migration and proliferation and plays an important role in corneal wound healing. However, the intracellular mechanisms of PDGF-mediated functions in corneal fibroblasts are poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that PDGF functional activities in the cornea involve the Janus kinase-2/signal transducers and activators of transcription-3 (JAK2-STAT3) signaling pathway and whether PDGF induces the expression of suppressors of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), belonging to the novel family of feedback regulators of cytokine and growth factor activities. Methods: Human corneal fibroblast (HSF) cultures were used as an in vitro model for functional analysis. Real-time polymerase chain reactions were performed to quantify gene expression. Immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting techniques were used to measure protein expression. Cell growth, migration, and ELISA assays were used for functional validation. Results: Low endogenous levels of STAT3 and SOCS3 mRNA and protein expression were noted in HSFs. PDGF treatment of HSF significantly induced SOCS3 mRNA (3.0–4.5 fold) and protein (1.5–2.5 fold) expression in a timedependent manner. Similarly, PDGF treatment of HSF significantly increased STAT3 protein expression at two tested time points (2.5–2.96 fold). Cultures exposed to vehicle (control) did not show any change in SOCS3 and STAT3 mRNA or protein expression. An addition of AG-490, a selective inhibitor of the JAK2-STAT3 pathway, significantly inhibited PDGF-mediated STAT3 induction and cell growth and migration in HSF. We also observed that PDGF induced interleukin-8 (IL8) chemokine secretion (2 fold) and AG-490 inhibited IL8 secretion. Conclusions: Our data showed that PDGF induced STAT3, SOCS3, and IL8 chemokine secretion in human corneal fibroblasts. Further, PDGF-induced cell growth, migration, and IL8 secretion in corneal fibroblast involve the JAK2- STAT3 signaling pathway

Transcriptomic analysis of gill and kidney from Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) acclimated to different salinities reveals pathways involved with euryhalinity

Asian seabass (or commonly known as barramundi), Lates calcarifer, is a bony euryhaline teleost from the Family Latidae, inhabiting nearshore, estuarine, and marine connected freshwaters throughout the tropical Indo-West Pacific region. The species is catadromous, whereby adults spawn in salinities between 28 and 34 ppt at the mouth of estuaries, with resultant juveniles usually moving into brackish and freshwater systems to mature, before returning to the sea to spawn again as adults. The species lives in both marine and freshwater habitats and can move quickly between the two; thus, the species’ ability to tolerate changes in salinity makes it a good candidate for studying the salinity acclimation response in teleosts. In this study, the transcriptome of two major osmoregulatory organs (gills and kidneys) of young juvenile Asian seabass reared in freshwater and seawater were compared. The euryhaline nature of Asian seabass was found to be highly pliable and the moldability of the trait was further confirmed by histological analyses of gills and kidneys. Differences in major expression pathways were observed, with differentially expressed genes including those related to osmoregulation, tissue/organ morphogenesis, and cell volume regulation as central to the osmo-adaptive response. Additionally, genes coding for mucins were upregulated specifically under saline conditions, whereas several genes important for growth and development, as well as circadian entrainment were specifically enriched in fish reared in freshwater. Routing of the circadian rhythm mediated by salinity changes could be the initial step in salinity acclimation and possibly migration in euryhaline fish species such as the Asian seabas

A tumor growth inhibition model based on M-protein levels in subjects with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma following single-agent carfilzomib use

Change in tumor size estimated using longitudinal tumor growth inhibition (TGI) modeling is an early predictive biomarker of clinical outcomes for multiple cancer types. We present the application of TGI modeling for subjects with multiple myeloma (MM). Longitudinal time course changes in M‐protein data from relapsed and/or refractory MM subjects who received single‐agent carfilzomib in phase II studies (n = 456) were fit to a TGI model. The tumor growth rate estimate was similar to that of other anti‐myeloma agents, indicating that the model is robust and treatment‐independent. An overall survival model was subsequently developed, which showed that early change in tumor size (ECTS) at week 4, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS), hemoglobin, sex, percent bone marrow cell involvement, and number of prior regimens were significant independent predictors for overall survival (P < 0.001). ECTS based on M‐protein modeling could be an early biomarker for survival in MM following exposure to single‐agent carfilzomib

Disappearing scales in carps: Re-visiting Kirpichnikov's model on the genetics of scale pattern formation

The body of most fishes is fully covered by scales that typically form tight, partially overlapping rows. While some of the genes controlling the formation and growth of fish scales have been studied, very little is known about the genetic mechanisms regulating scale pattern formation. Although the existence of two genes with two pairs of alleles (S&s and N&n) regulating scale coverage in cyprinids has been predicted by Kirpichnikov and colleagues nearly eighty years ago, their identity was unknown until recently. In 2009, the ‘S’ gene was found to be a paralog of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1, fgfr1a1, while the second gene called ‘N’ has not yet been identified. We re-visited the original model of Kirpichnikov that proposed four major scale pattern types and observed a high degree of variation within the so-called scattered phenotype due to which this group was divided into two sub-types: classical mirror and irregular. We also analyzed the survival rates of offspring groups and found a distinct difference between Asian and European crosses. Whereas nude × nude crosses involving at least one parent of Asian origin or hybrid with Asian parent(s) showed the 25% early lethality predicted by Kirpichnikov (due to the lethality of the NN genotype), those with two Hungarian nude parents did not. We further extended Kirpichnikov's work by correlating changes in phenotype (scale-pattern) to the deformations of fins and losses of pharyngeal teeth. We observed phenotypic changes which were not restricted to nudes, as described by Kirpichnikov, but were also present in mirrors (and presumably in linears as well; not analyzed in detail here). We propose that the gradation of phenotypes observed within the scattered group is caused by a gradually decreasing level of signaling (a dose-dependent effect) probably due to a concerted action of multiple pathways involved in scale formation

Flexoelectric Behaiour of a Bimesogenic Liquid Crystal

The effective flexoelectric coefficient and flexoelectric polarization are investigated for a bimesogenic liquid crystal CBC11CB with a twist bend nematic phase (Ntb). The effective flexoelectric coefficients for CBC11CB in the ordinary nematic phase (N) are obtained to be much larger in comparison to conventional calamitics, and is almost twice higher for CBC11CB than that reported for another odd symmetric bimesogen. The flexoelectric polarization (Pf) in the N phase is found to be almost 2.5 times higher than in rod-like molecules. Additionally, Pf is obtained to be much larger in the Ntb phase than in the nematic phas

An Open Data and Citizen Science Approach to Building Resilience to Natural Hazards in a Data-Scarce Remote Mountainous Part of Nepal

The citizen science approach has gained momentum in recent years. It can enable both experts and citizen scientists to co-create new knowledge. Better understanding of local environmental, social, and geographical contexts can help in designing appropriate plans for sustainable development. However, a lack of geospatial data, especially in the context of developing countries, often precludes context-specific development planning. This study therefore tests an innovative approach of volunteer citizen science and an open mapping platform to build resilience to natural hazards in the remote mountainous parts of western Nepal. In this study, citizen scientists and mapping experts jointly mapped two districts of Nepal (Bajhang and Bajura) using the OpenStreetMap (OSM) platform. Remote mapping based on satellite imagery, capacity building, and mobilization of citizen scientists was performed to collect the data. These data were then uploaded to OSM and later retrieved in ArcGIS to produce a usable map that could be exploited as a reference resource for evidence-based decision-making. The collected data are freely accessible to community members as well as government and humanitarian actors, and can be used for development planning and risk reduction. By piloting in two communities of western Nepal, we found that using open data platforms for collecting and analyzing location-based data has a mutual benefit for researchers and communities. Such data could be vital in understanding the local landscape, environmental risk, and distribution of resources. Furthermore, they enable both researchers and local people to transfer technical knowledge, collect location-specific data, and use them for better decision-making

Magnetic and transport properties of Mo substituted La0.67Ba0.33Mn1-xMoxO3 perovskite system

The effect of doping Mo for Mn on the magnetic and transport properties of the colossal magnetoresistance material, La0.67Ba0.33MnO3, has been studied. Compounds of the series La0.67Ba0.33Mn1-xMoxO3 (x=0.0 to 0.1) have been prepared and found to crystallize in the orthorhombic structure (space group Pbnm). Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX) measurements confirm the stoichiometry of all the samples. Magnetotransport and magnetization measurements reveal that the metal-insulator transition temperature (Tp) decreases from 330K for x=0 to 255K for x=0.1. The change in Tp on Mo substitution is relatively much smaller than the corresponding change observed on substitution by other transition elements, such as Ti, Fe, Co, Ni, etc. Further, the ferromagnetic transition temperature (TC) is nearly unchanged by Mo substitution. This is in striking contrast to the large decrease in TC observed with substitution of above-mentioned 3d elements. These unusual magnetic and transport properties of La0.67Ba0.33Mn1-xMoxO3 may be either due to the formation of magnetic pair between Mn and Mo or due to strong Mo(4d)-O(2p) overlap, which in turn, may affect the Mn-Mn interaction via the oxygen atomsComment: 25 pages, 5 figure