Targeting compensatory proliferation signals in oral cancer.

Apoptosis is an orchestrated phenomenon that regulates cell populations in physiological and pathological conditions. Carcinogenesis involves a state of disequilibrium between cell proliferation and cell death. The resistance to conventional therapeutic modalities of cancer, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, can be explained by the compensatory repair and regeneration that occurs in the tumor microenvironment following apoptosis through the apoptotic compensatory proliferation signaling microvesicles (ACPSVs) or apoptotic extracellular microvesicles (ApoEVs). These microvesicles provide proliferative signals and act as mutagens, triggering cell proliferation, angiogenesis, immune evasion, metastasis, and invasion. This review discusses the phenomenon of apoptosis-induced proliferation and the role of ApoEVs in establishing an oncoregenerative niche, resulting in therapeutic resistance and recurrence of malignancies.

Analysis of differentially expressed genes in dysplastic oral keratinocyte cell line and their role in the development of HNSCC.

Dysplasia is the presence of abnormal types of cells in a tissue precipitated by over or diminished expression of certain genes. These cells act as a precursor to cancer. Dysplastic oral keratinocyte (DOK) cell lines have an aneuploid complex karyotype. They provide an opportunity to study the action of specific carcinogens on malignant transformations. This study aimed to identify the differentially expressed genes in dysplastic cells and their possible association with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). These genes can be developed as diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic leads.The list of genes related to oral keratinocyte dysplasia and head and neck cancer was accessed from the GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database. Gene expression profiling was done between dysplastic oral keratinocytes and normal human oral keratinocytes. Gene expression and Kaplan Meier survival analysis were performed using the UALCAN database to assess the correlations between dysregulated genes identified in dysplastic keratinocytes and primary tumors of HNSCC. The GEO omnibus dataset identified numerous differentially expressed genes of which the top 10 up and downregulated genes in dysplastic oral keratinocytes were curated for further analysis. The expression profile of these genes was assessed using the HNSCC dataset (TCGA, Firehose Legacy). Among all the genes assessed, only one gene, the OLR1 gene encoding oxidized low-density lipoprotein, was found to be overexpressed in both the groups viz., dysplastic keratinocytes and HNSCC cases with a strong correlation with the survival status of patients. There was significant correlation between the gene expression pattern observed in dysplastic keratinocytes and the primary tumor of the HNSCC group, with an exotic gene that was seldom discussed in association with cancer, viz., OLR1. Exploration into other top-ranking differentially expressed genes in dysplastic cases would aid in identifying the candidate gene associated with both phenotypes.

Deciphering the Genetic Alteration in the ZEB2 Gene Network and Their Possible Association With Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC).

Background Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an abnormal growth of cells that leads to tumor formation in the head and neck region. Several genes and genetic networks are involved in the process of carcinogenesis. Aim The aim of the present study is to unravel the prognostic marker from a pool of interacting networks governed by the ZEB2gene. Materials and methods Computational analysis was employed to identify the protein network interactions, genetic alterations, gene expression, and the survival analysis of the ZEB2 dysregulated network in the head and neck cancer dataset (HNSCC) from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Firehose Legacy. The gene expression profiling and survival analysis were performed for the gene with the highest frequency of genetic alteration. Result The interaction network returned nine genes that interact with ZEB2. The ARHGAP31 gene was found to harbor the highest frequency of alteration at the genomic as well as the transcriptomic levels. Survival was also found to be significant with respect to the differential gene expression pattern while comparing the genders and different ethnic groups. Females with higher expression of ARHGAP31 and the Asian population exhibiting low/medium expression of the same were found to present with poor survival probability. Conclusion The identification of putative drivers or a candidate gene of a network could provide clues about the association with the disease phenotype of HNSCC. The present study identifies ARHGAP31 as the key gene of the ZEB2 gene network, wherein the genetic alterations correlate with the transcriptomics data and the survival probability of patients segregated based on gender and race. Further experimental evaluation is warranted to confirm the association of this infamous gene ARHGAP31 with the development of oral carcinoma.

Development and validation of whole genome-wide and genic microsatellite markers in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.): First microsatellite database (OpSatdb).

The availability of large expressed sequence tag (EST) and whole genome databases of oil palm enabled the development of a data base of microsatellite markers. For this purpose, an EST database consisting of 40,979 EST sequences spanning 27 Mb and a chromosome-wise whole genome databases were downloaded. A total of 3,950 primer pairs were identified and developed from EST sequences. The tri and tetra nucleotide repeat motifs were most prevalent (each 24.75%) followed by di-nucleotide repeat motifs. Whole genome-wide analysis found a total of 245,654 SSR repeats across the 16 chromosomes of oil palm, of which 38,717 were compound microsatellite repeats. A web application, OpSatdb, the first microsatellite database of oil palm, was developed using the PHP and MySQL database ( https://ssr.icar.gov.in/index.php ). It is a simple and systematic web-based search engine for searching SSRs based on repeat motif type, repeat type, and primer details. High synteny was observed between oil palm and rice genomes. The mapping of ESTs having SSRs by Blast2GO resulted in the identification of 19.2% sequences with gene ontology (GO) annotations. Randomly, a set of ten genic SSRs and five genomic SSRs were used for validation and genetic diversity on 100 genotypes belonging to the world oil palm genetic resources. The grouping pattern was observed to be broadly in accordance with the geographical origin of the genotypes. The identified genic and genome-wide SSRs can be effectively useful for various genomic applications of oil palm, such as genetic diversity, linkage map construction, mapping of QTLs, marker-assisted selection, and comparative population studies.

A washer gun plasma system for microwave-plasma interaction experiments.

A washer-gun based plasma system has been developed to enable high power microwave (HPM)-plasma interaction in a system for microwave plasma experiments. The critical pre-requisites of the plasma are density, ne ∼ (1-10) × 1017 m-3, uniformity over a radial extent ≈10 cm and axial extent ≈20-30 cm, an axial density gradient of scale-length Ln ≈ wavelength of HPM, and ambient pressure low enough to maintain electron-neutral collision frequency much less than plasma frequency. The system developed deploys a ten stage pulse forming network, discharged to the washer-gun to produce pulsed (τpulse ∼ 100 µs) discharges that get ejected into an experimental chamber. The system is capable of generating ne ∼ 1018 m-3 and Te ∼ 10 eV. Temporal and spatial regimes are identified to obtain the required extents of radial and axial ne uniformity of 10 cm and 20 cm, respectively, and a steep axial gradient Ln ≈ 10 cm. Based on the desired frequency of the interacting HPM (in the range 3-5 GHz) planned for a particular experimental campaign, the density and spatial density profiles of the plasma can be tailored. The present paper presents an account of the plasma source and characterization of the plasma.

Comparative study on the microbiological features of angular cheilitis in HIV seropositive and HIV seronegative patients from South India.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to compare the microbiological features of angular cheilitis (AC) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive and HIV seronegative individuals, in a group of south Indians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Swabs from oral commissures of 46 patients were obtained and inoculated on to Sabouraud's dextrose agar (SDA) supplemented with chloramphenicol, blood agar (BA) and MacConkey's agar (MCA) plates and cultured. α-hemolytic Streptococci, Staphylococcus albus, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida species, Klebsiella species and Pseudomonas species were cultured. Candidal colonies were further speciated by the conventional biotyping technique. RESULTS: In AC of HIV seropositive patients Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus were more prevalent than that in HIV seronegative patients. Incidentally in patients with CD4 cell count less than 200 there was an increase in the incidence of Candidal and Staphylococcus aureus colonization when compared to patients with CD4 cell count higher than 200. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests a definite difference in the microbial flora of AC in HIV seropositive patients than that of HIV seronegative population.

Uncommon Peritoneal Anomaly of Spleen Associated with the Unusual Relationship of Spleen with the Left Lobe of the Liver

Though congenital anomalies of the spleen are quite common, the peritoneal anomalies of the spleen are very rare. In the present case, we observed two unusual phrenico-splenic ligaments connecting the spleen to the diaphragm. Apart from this, the left lobe of the liver was elongated and was related to the diaphragmatic surface of the spleen. The splenic artery had a straight course to the spleen, indicating the possible restricted movements of the spleen. Knowledge of such unusual relation of spleen is essentially important for the surgeons as the elongated left lobe of the liver might get ruptured in addition to the spleen in the fractures of the left 9th, 10th and 11th ribs. Awareness of the straight course of the splenic artery is also of importance to Radiologists performing arterial splenoportography.

Fungal infections of the oral mucosa.

Fungal infections in humans occur as a result of defects in the immune system. An increasing emergence in oral Candidal and non-Candidal fungal infections is evident in the past decade owing to the rise in the immunodeficient and immunocompromised population globally. Oral Candidal infection usually involves a compromised host and the compromise may be local or systemic. Local compromising factors include decreased salivation, poor oral hygiene, wearing dentures among others while systemic factors include diabetes mellitus, nutritional deficiency, HIV infection/AIDS and others. Oral candidiasis is generally a localized infection and rarely appears as a systemic fungal disease whereas oral non-Candidal fungal infections are usually signs of disseminated disease. Some of the non-Candidal fungi that were once considered exotic and geographically restricted are now seen worldwide, beyond their natural habitat, probably attributed to globalization and travels. Currently infections from these fungi are more prevalent than before and they may present either as primary oral lesions or as oral manifestations of systemic mycoses. This review discusses the various predisposing factors, clinical presentations, clinical differential diagnosis, diagnosis and management of oral candidiasis, as well as briefly highlights upon a few of the more exotic non-Candidal fungi that infect the oral mucosa.

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma report of a case and review of literature.

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is an aggressive distinct variant of squamous cell carcinoma that mandates recognition as a separate entity owing to the difference in its clinical behaviour. Histologically this tumor can mimic other neoplasms like adenoid cystic carcinoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma and basal cell adenocarcinoma. BSCC occurs most commonly in older men and has a site predilection for the upper aero-digestive tract. We report a case of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma for its relative rarity, which was diagnosed in a 52 year old woman, with a brief review of literature.

Sialo-odontogenic cyst--a case report.

Sialo-odontogenic cyst is an uncommon cyst of odontogenic origin that occurs in the tooth bearing areas of the jaws. These lesions are histopathologically unique, biologically aggressive and may sometimes warrant distinction from central muco-epidermoid carcinoma and botryoid variant of the lateral odontogenic cyst. Sialo-odontogenic cysts tend to recur and various factors are quoted for their recurrence viz., the presence of microcysts, thin connective tissue wall, etc. We are herewith reporting a case of sialo-odontogenic cyst for its relative rarity among the odontogenic cysts.