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Omi Chowdhury

Harvard University, Faculty of Arts & Sciences, Graduate Student

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Omi Chowdhury is a war theorist. His research focuses on just war theory, indicators of conflict and genocide. He is also keenly interested in poverty alleviation and liberalism.

His work can be found in a plethora of publications from warscapes to world poverty and human rights journal to Israeli Affairs. His work encompasses cross-sectional understanding of political theory, liberalism and war theory.

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Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Kansas State University

Christine Filippone

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Accademia di belle arti G. Carrara

Rosalia Pagliarani

Musei Vaticani

University of Silesia in Katowice

New York University Shanghai

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Catherine Powell-Warren

KU Leuven

John R Blakinger

University of Arkansas

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Papers by Omi Chowdhury

Skull metastasis as the presenting feature of mixed medullary and follicular thyroid carcinoma

ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC), 2014

Background. Skull metastasis has not been reported from mixed medullary follicular thyroid carcin... more Background. Skull metastasis has not been reported from mixed medullary follicular thyroid carcinoma (MMFTC). Objective. To present a patient with expansile lytic skull metastasis. Case report. A 61 year lady is presented with goiter for 7 years and 8 cm diameter painful swelling over frontal bone for 18 months, aspiration from which revealed sheets and clusters of polygonal cells, similar to aspiration from hypoechoic nodule in right thyroid lobe. Serum calcitonin (569pg/mL) and carcinoembryonic antigen (11.2ng/mL) were elevated. Histopathology of 3.8×3.1cm nodule in thyroidectomy specimen revealed irregular islands of small polygonal tumor cells with extracellular amyloid deposits (suggesting medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)), intermingled with thyroid follicular cells showing capsular and vascular invasion (follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC)). Immunohistochemistry of the thyroid tumor was negative for calcitonin and for thyroglobulin. Post-operative serum calcitonin and stimulated thyroglobulin were respectively 97 pg/mL and 11.5 ng/mL. I 131 whole body scan revealed intense uptake in region of the skull metastasis with small uptake in thyroid bed. She received 150 mCi of I 131 with resolution of pain, heaviness, throbbing, reduction in swelling size, and lack of disease progression. Conclusions. Skull metastasis was the presenting feature of MMFTC which improved with I 131 therapy. Patients with lytic skull metastasis should be evaluated for occult thyroid malignancy.

Complement system polymorphism correlation of the complement system SNPS with HCV viral persistence and disease progression

Down regulation of TRIF, TLR3 and MAVS in HCV infected liver correlates with the outcome of infection

Journal of medical virology, Jan 8, 2017

In virus-infected cells, pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) recruits their specific adaptor mol... more In virus-infected cells, pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) recruits their specific adaptor molecules, mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS), TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF) and TNF receptor associated factor (TRAF6) which induces interferon. Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) induces activation of the NF-kappa B (NF-κB) for interferon production. The study has been designed to assess the correlation of TLR3, MAVS, TRIF and TRAF6 outcome of HCV infection. The 46 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients were screened for LFT (Liver function test), HBsAg, Anti HCV, viral load, histology and expression of TLR3, MAVS, TRIF and TRAF6 genes. Out of 46 CHC patients, 7 were on therapy. The 12 healthy controls were screened for LFT, HBsAg, Anti HCV, gene expressions. The gene expressions were studied in liver tissue and measured using semi-quantitative analysis of Western blots. The expression of TRAF6 was independent of HCV infection. The expression of TRIF, TLR3 ...

IL-18 polymorphisms in hepatitis B virus related liver disease

Cytokine, 2015

Interleukine-18 (IL-18) was originally called interferon (INF-γ) inducing factor and plays a crit... more Interleukine-18 (IL-18) was originally called interferon (INF-γ) inducing factor and plays a critical dual role in Th1 polarization and viral clearance. We aimed to explore whether single-nucleotide promoter polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with the outcome of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. 271 HBV infected patients were recruited in this study out of these 109 were spontaneously recovered and 162 were diagnosed to be having persistent HBV infection which includes 48 chronic hepatitis, 84 liver cirrhosis, 30 HCC cases and were compared with 280 healthy controls. IL-18 promoter genotyping was performed with sequence-specific primers. The results demonstrated the significant involvement of genotype AA at position -607 in healthy controls (38.6%) when compared to cases (26.0%) (OR=0.54 (0.385-0.797)) and also associated with spontaneous clearance (37.6%) compared to persistent HBV infections (17.9%) (OR=2.76 (1.582-4.832)). Whereas, genotype CC at position -607 in cases (18.0%) when compared to healthy controls (6.7%) (OR=3.03 (1.734-5.303)) also associated with persistent HBV infections (24.1%) compared to spontaneous clearance (9.2%) (OR=0.31 (0.151-0.67)). And genotype GC at position -137 in cases (49.5%) compared to healthy controls (38.5%) (OR=1.55 (1.11-2.18)). Whereas, genotype GG at position -137 in healthy controls (56.8%) compared to cases (45.4%) (OR=0.63 (0.451-0.885)). No significant difference at position -137 was observed between spontaneous clearance and persistent HBV infections. These polymorphisms of the IL-18 gene promoter region at position -607 and -137 could be associated with different outcomes of HBV infection. The people with allele A at position -607 may be protected against HBV infection; moreover AA genotype is associated with spontaneous clearance.

8 Association of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alfa Gene Promoter Polymorphism with the Outcome of Hepatitis B Virus Infections

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology, 2012

A genotypes, respectively, were 65%, 32.5%, and 2.50% in (patients + carriers) and 30%, 60%, and ... more A genotypes, respectively, were 65%, 32.5%, and 2.50% in (patients + carriers) and 30%, 60%, and 10% in healthy controls. The genotypic frequencies of G/G in ESLD chronic hepatitis and carriers were 27.5%, 25%, and 12.5%, respectively. The TNF-α-308 G allele frequency was also found to be higher in patients when compared with those of healthy controls. Our study suggests that TNF-α gene polymorphism in patients infected with HBV would result in relatively inefficient inhibition of HBV and development of ESLD, and therefore, may be valuable predictor determinants for the development of ESLD in patients with chronic HBV infection.

Complement C3 levels in chronic hepatitis C patients from India

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology, 2013

Background: With the large number of infected people worldwide, HCV is increasingly a huge burden... more Background: With the large number of infected people worldwide, HCV is increasingly a huge burden on health care systems throughout the world. A better understanding of the virus will greatly facilitate the rational design of drugs and design with modern bio-Informatics approach. The spikes made up of HCV envelope E1 and E2 are responsible for the assembly of infectious viral particles and the subsequent attachment and entry to the host cells. Thus, envelope glycoproteins are the potential targets for pharmacological, chemi-informatic and immunological intervention. Objectives: i) To ascertain the predominant strain circulating from the eastern and northeastern India. ii) Amplification and sequencing of the entire Envelope genes E1 and E2. iii) Promiscuous epitope prediction using bioinformatic tools from the complete sequenced envelope genes. Methods; A total of 403 HCV seropositive samples from different population groups were included in this study. The envelope gene was amplified using in-house robust PCR system. The bioinformatic and other phylogenetic analysis were performed to predict promiscuous epitopes in the sequenced region. Results: of the total 403 seropositive samples 353 (87.59%) were RNA positive among them 239 were genotyped. Genotype 3 was found to be 63.57% (3b: 42.67% and 3a: 20.9%) followed by 32.19% genotype 1 (1a: 13.38% and 1b: 18.41% and 1c: 0.4%), genotype 6 was 4.12% (6h: 2.92% and 6k: 1.2%) of our study population. 62 complete envelope gene were sequenced and the percentage wise homology among the different genotypes of HCV within the envelope genes showed genotype 1 to be the most divergent with 32% difference, then genotype 6 with 22% difference and lastly genotype 3 accounting for 20% of the overall difference. In total 12 promiscuous epitopes have been identified for neutralizational assay involving the three genotypes locally but with 89-98% homology on a global basis within all the genotypes. Conclusion: The major circulating strain prevalent within the eastern and northeastern region is found to be genotype 3, followed by genotype 1 and genotype 6. The study showed a comprehensive array of potential HCV derived epitopes from the viral proteome of Indian origin. A large number of them were found to be conserved thus implying its important role in drug designing and diagnostic approach.

HLA-DQA1 & DQB1 variants associated with hepatitis B virus-related chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis & hepatocellular carcinoma

Indian Journal of Medical Research, 2018

Background & objectives: Clinical outcome after hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure varies extre... more Background & objectives: Clinical outcome after hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure varies extremely from spontaneous clearance to chronic hepatitis B and often progresses to liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Host genetic factor plays an important role in the regulation of immune response. This study was aimed to investigate whether HLA class II DQA1 and DQB1 gene polymorphism were associated with chronic hepatitis B infection and in the development of HBV-related LC and HCC. Methods: DQA1 and DQB1 allele polymorphism were studied in 187 patients with HBV-related liver diseases (which included 73 chronic hepatitis B, 84 LC and 30 HCC patients) and 109 controls who had spontaneously recovered from HBV infection using polymerase chain reaction amplification with sequence-specific primers. Results: Our data suggested that DQA1*0101/2/4 [odds ratio (OR)=2.78; Pc=0.003], DQA1*0103 (OR=2.64; Pc=0.0007) and DQB1*0302/3 (OR=2.15; Pc=0.01) were associated with the protection from chronic HBV infection, whereas DQB1*0402 (OR=0.25; Pc=0.001) showed susceptible effect on chronic HBV infection. DQB1*0601 (OR=3.73; Pc=0.006) conferred protective effect from developing LC; similarly, DQB1*0302/3 (OR=5.53; Pc=0.05) and DQB1*0402 (OR=0.00; Pc=0.001) conferred protective effect from developing HCC. However, DQA1*0601 and DQB1*0503 showed susceptible effect on chronic HBV infection; these associations were no longer significant after Bonferroni correction. Interpretation & conclusions: Our results revealed HLA-DQA1*0101/2/4 - DQA1*0103 - DQB1*0302/3 and DQB1*0601 as protective and DQB1*0402 as risk alleles. The study suggests that various subtypes of HLA-DQA1 and DQB1 are associated with both HBV clearance and development of chronic HBV infections.

The limits of political-elite diplomacy: leaders, people and social conflicts

Israel Affairs, 2017

Abstract This article challenges the convention that political-elite diplomacy should be the main... more Abstract This article challenges the convention that political-elite diplomacy should be the main instrument for coping with difficult violent conflicts. Its main argument is that a multifaceted approach to peace-making that creates equilibrium between political-elite diplomacy and public diplomacy has the greatest potential to generate a positive change in difficult situations of protracted violent conflicts where ordinary citizens are at the centre of the struggle. To demonstrate our central claim, the paper analyses three case studies that are considered to be significant cases within the realm of geopolitics and the history of modern statecraft: the Oslo Accord in the Israeli–Palestinian situation, the Dhaka negotiations that preceded the civil war between East and West Pakistan, and the Mandela–de Klerk interactions that led to a revolutionary transformation in South Africa.

The Challenge of Change in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Special Issue of Israel Affairs on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict with case studies from South Afri... more

Just War in an Unjust World : Realist Paradigm Revisited

Can a war ever be just? What are the conditions for a war to be just? Is just war just another eu... more

Financing a Mirage: Microcredit Lending and Economic Development

What role does micro-credit play in economic development? Does it have a significant impact on po... more

Human Rights Abuses : The Case of Myanmar

A brief discussion of human rights treaty obligations and how that affects internal behavior of a... more

Legality of Drone Strikes

The Legality of Drone Strikes: A Synopsis

Talks by Omi Chowdhury

Mythology as Popular Science : The Clash of Civilizations Thesis

J.S. Mill vs Marx on Human Liberty

Prepared Remarks for DPIR at Oxford University

A Discussion on Natural Rights

have contributed heavily to the idea of the natural state of humanity in various forms. From the ... more have contributed heavily to the idea of the natural state of humanity in various forms. From the conception of Hobbesian 'state of nature, to 'natural' rights, political theory has been enriched by the progression of these ideas to explain not only human interaction through the prism of politics but also the structure that made these interactions possible.

On Justice and Politics: A Briefer on Plato and Aristotle

Skull metastasis as the presenting feature of mixed medullary and follicular thyroid carcinoma

ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC), 2014

Background. Skull metastasis has not been reported from mixed medullary follicular thyroid carcin... more Background. Skull metastasis has not been reported from mixed medullary follicular thyroid carcinoma (MMFTC). Objective. To present a patient with expansile lytic skull metastasis. Case report. A 61 year lady is presented with goiter for 7 years and 8 cm diameter painful swelling over frontal bone for 18 months, aspiration from which revealed sheets and clusters of polygonal cells, similar to aspiration from hypoechoic nodule in right thyroid lobe. Serum calcitonin (569pg/mL) and carcinoembryonic antigen (11.2ng/mL) were elevated. Histopathology of 3.8×3.1cm nodule in thyroidectomy specimen revealed irregular islands of small polygonal tumor cells with extracellular amyloid deposits (suggesting medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)), intermingled with thyroid follicular cells showing capsular and vascular invasion (follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC)). Immunohistochemistry of the thyroid tumor was negative for calcitonin and for thyroglobulin. Post-operative serum calcitonin and stimulated thyroglobulin were respectively 97 pg/mL and 11.5 ng/mL. I 131 whole body scan revealed intense uptake in region of the skull metastasis with small uptake in thyroid bed. She received 150 mCi of I 131 with resolution of pain, heaviness, throbbing, reduction in swelling size, and lack of disease progression. Conclusions. Skull metastasis was the presenting feature of MMFTC which improved with I 131 therapy. Patients with lytic skull metastasis should be evaluated for occult thyroid malignancy.

Complement system polymorphism correlation of the complement system SNPS with HCV viral persistence and disease progression

Down regulation of TRIF, TLR3 and MAVS in HCV infected liver correlates with the outcome of infection

Journal of medical virology, Jan 8, 2017

In virus-infected cells, pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) recruits their specific adaptor mol... more In virus-infected cells, pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) recruits their specific adaptor molecules, mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS), TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF) and TNF receptor associated factor (TRAF6) which induces interferon. Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) induces activation of the NF-kappa B (NF-κB) for interferon production. The study has been designed to assess the correlation of TLR3, MAVS, TRIF and TRAF6 outcome of HCV infection. The 46 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients were screened for LFT (Liver function test), HBsAg, Anti HCV, viral load, histology and expression of TLR3, MAVS, TRIF and TRAF6 genes. Out of 46 CHC patients, 7 were on therapy. The 12 healthy controls were screened for LFT, HBsAg, Anti HCV, gene expressions. The gene expressions were studied in liver tissue and measured using semi-quantitative analysis of Western blots. The expression of TRAF6 was independent of HCV infection. The expression of TRIF, TLR3 ...

IL-18 polymorphisms in hepatitis B virus related liver disease

Cytokine, 2015

Interleukine-18 (IL-18) was originally called interferon (INF-γ) inducing factor and plays a crit... more Interleukine-18 (IL-18) was originally called interferon (INF-γ) inducing factor and plays a critical dual role in Th1 polarization and viral clearance. We aimed to explore whether single-nucleotide promoter polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with the outcome of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. 271 HBV infected patients were recruited in this study out of these 109 were spontaneously recovered and 162 were diagnosed to be having persistent HBV infection which includes 48 chronic hepatitis, 84 liver cirrhosis, 30 HCC cases and were compared with 280 healthy controls. IL-18 promoter genotyping was performed with sequence-specific primers. The results demonstrated the significant involvement of genotype AA at position -607 in healthy controls (38.6%) when compared to cases (26.0%) (OR=0.54 (0.385-0.797)) and also associated with spontaneous clearance (37.6%) compared to persistent HBV infections (17.9%) (OR=2.76 (1.582-4.832)). Whereas, genotype CC at position -607 in cases (18.0%) when compared to healthy controls (6.7%) (OR=3.03 (1.734-5.303)) also associated with persistent HBV infections (24.1%) compared to spontaneous clearance (9.2%) (OR=0.31 (0.151-0.67)). And genotype GC at position -137 in cases (49.5%) compared to healthy controls (38.5%) (OR=1.55 (1.11-2.18)). Whereas, genotype GG at position -137 in healthy controls (56.8%) compared to cases (45.4%) (OR=0.63 (0.451-0.885)). No significant difference at position -137 was observed between spontaneous clearance and persistent HBV infections. These polymorphisms of the IL-18 gene promoter region at position -607 and -137 could be associated with different outcomes of HBV infection. The people with allele A at position -607 may be protected against HBV infection; moreover AA genotype is associated with spontaneous clearance.

8 Association of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alfa Gene Promoter Polymorphism with the Outcome of Hepatitis B Virus Infections

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology, 2012

A genotypes, respectively, were 65%, 32.5%, and 2.50% in (patients + carriers) and 30%, 60%, and ... more A genotypes, respectively, were 65%, 32.5%, and 2.50% in (patients + carriers) and 30%, 60%, and 10% in healthy controls. The genotypic frequencies of G/G in ESLD chronic hepatitis and carriers were 27.5%, 25%, and 12.5%, respectively. The TNF-α-308 G allele frequency was also found to be higher in patients when compared with those of healthy controls. Our study suggests that TNF-α gene polymorphism in patients infected with HBV would result in relatively inefficient inhibition of HBV and development of ESLD, and therefore, may be valuable predictor determinants for the development of ESLD in patients with chronic HBV infection.

Complement C3 levels in chronic hepatitis C patients from India

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology, 2013

Background: With the large number of infected people worldwide, HCV is increasingly a huge burden... more Background: With the large number of infected people worldwide, HCV is increasingly a huge burden on health care systems throughout the world. A better understanding of the virus will greatly facilitate the rational design of drugs and design with modern bio-Informatics approach. The spikes made up of HCV envelope E1 and E2 are responsible for the assembly of infectious viral particles and the subsequent attachment and entry to the host cells. Thus, envelope glycoproteins are the potential targets for pharmacological, chemi-informatic and immunological intervention. Objectives: i) To ascertain the predominant strain circulating from the eastern and northeastern India. ii) Amplification and sequencing of the entire Envelope genes E1 and E2. iii) Promiscuous epitope prediction using bioinformatic tools from the complete sequenced envelope genes. Methods; A total of 403 HCV seropositive samples from different population groups were included in this study. The envelope gene was amplified using in-house robust PCR system. The bioinformatic and other phylogenetic analysis were performed to predict promiscuous epitopes in the sequenced region. Results: of the total 403 seropositive samples 353 (87.59%) were RNA positive among them 239 were genotyped. Genotype 3 was found to be 63.57% (3b: 42.67% and 3a: 20.9%) followed by 32.19% genotype 1 (1a: 13.38% and 1b: 18.41% and 1c: 0.4%), genotype 6 was 4.12% (6h: 2.92% and 6k: 1.2%) of our study population. 62 complete envelope gene were sequenced and the percentage wise homology among the different genotypes of HCV within the envelope genes showed genotype 1 to be the most divergent with 32% difference, then genotype 6 with 22% difference and lastly genotype 3 accounting for 20% of the overall difference. In total 12 promiscuous epitopes have been identified for neutralizational assay involving the three genotypes locally but with 89-98% homology on a global basis within all the genotypes. Conclusion: The major circulating strain prevalent within the eastern and northeastern region is found to be genotype 3, followed by genotype 1 and genotype 6. The study showed a comprehensive array of potential HCV derived epitopes from the viral proteome of Indian origin. A large number of them were found to be conserved thus implying its important role in drug designing and diagnostic approach.

HLA-DQA1 & DQB1 variants associated with hepatitis B virus-related chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis & hepatocellular carcinoma

Indian Journal of Medical Research, 2018

Background & objectives: Clinical outcome after hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure varies extre... more Background & objectives: Clinical outcome after hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure varies extremely from spontaneous clearance to chronic hepatitis B and often progresses to liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Host genetic factor plays an important role in the regulation of immune response. This study was aimed to investigate whether HLA class II DQA1 and DQB1 gene polymorphism were associated with chronic hepatitis B infection and in the development of HBV-related LC and HCC. Methods: DQA1 and DQB1 allele polymorphism were studied in 187 patients with HBV-related liver diseases (which included 73 chronic hepatitis B, 84 LC and 30 HCC patients) and 109 controls who had spontaneously recovered from HBV infection using polymerase chain reaction amplification with sequence-specific primers. Results: Our data suggested that DQA1*0101/2/4 [odds ratio (OR)=2.78; Pc=0.003], DQA1*0103 (OR=2.64; Pc=0.0007) and DQB1*0302/3 (OR=2.15; Pc=0.01) were associated with the protection from chronic HBV infection, whereas DQB1*0402 (OR=0.25; Pc=0.001) showed susceptible effect on chronic HBV infection. DQB1*0601 (OR=3.73; Pc=0.006) conferred protective effect from developing LC; similarly, DQB1*0302/3 (OR=5.53; Pc=0.05) and DQB1*0402 (OR=0.00; Pc=0.001) conferred protective effect from developing HCC. However, DQA1*0601 and DQB1*0503 showed susceptible effect on chronic HBV infection; these associations were no longer significant after Bonferroni correction. Interpretation & conclusions: Our results revealed HLA-DQA1*0101/2/4 - DQA1*0103 - DQB1*0302/3 and DQB1*0601 as protective and DQB1*0402 as risk alleles. The study suggests that various subtypes of HLA-DQA1 and DQB1 are associated with both HBV clearance and development of chronic HBV infections.

The limits of political-elite diplomacy: leaders, people and social conflicts

Israel Affairs, 2017

Abstract This article challenges the convention that political-elite diplomacy should be the main... more Abstract This article challenges the convention that political-elite diplomacy should be the main instrument for coping with difficult violent conflicts. Its main argument is that a multifaceted approach to peace-making that creates equilibrium between political-elite diplomacy and public diplomacy has the greatest potential to generate a positive change in difficult situations of protracted violent conflicts where ordinary citizens are at the centre of the struggle. To demonstrate our central claim, the paper analyses three case studies that are considered to be significant cases within the realm of geopolitics and the history of modern statecraft: the Oslo Accord in the Israeli–Palestinian situation, the Dhaka negotiations that preceded the civil war between East and West Pakistan, and the Mandela–de Klerk interactions that led to a revolutionary transformation in South Africa.

The Challenge of Change in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Special Issue of Israel Affairs on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict with case studies from South Afri... more

Just War in an Unjust World : Realist Paradigm Revisited

Can a war ever be just? What are the conditions for a war to be just? Is just war just another eu... more

Financing a Mirage: Microcredit Lending and Economic Development

What role does micro-credit play in economic development? Does it have a significant impact on po... more

Human Rights Abuses : The Case of Myanmar

A brief discussion of human rights treaty obligations and how that affects internal behavior of a... more

Legality of Drone Strikes

The Legality of Drone Strikes: A Synopsis

Mythology as Popular Science : The Clash of Civilizations Thesis

J.S. Mill vs Marx on Human Liberty

Prepared Remarks for DPIR at Oxford University

A Discussion on Natural Rights

have contributed heavily to the idea of the natural state of humanity in various forms. From the ... more have contributed heavily to the idea of the natural state of humanity in various forms. From the conception of Hobbesian 'state of nature, to 'natural' rights, political theory has been enriched by the progression of these ideas to explain not only human interaction through the prism of politics but also the structure that made these interactions possible.

On Justice and Politics: A Briefer on Plato and Aristotle