Synthesis and characterization of novel histidine functionalized chitosan nanoformulations and its bioactivity in tomato plant.

The use of novel active ingredients for the functional modification of chitosan nanoformulations has attracted global attention. In this study, chitosan has been functionalized via histidine to craft novel chitosan-histidine nanoformulation (C-H NF) using ionic gelation method. C-H NF exhibited elite physico-biochemical properties, influencing physiological and biochemical dynamics in Tomato.

Resilience of the Aurivillius structure upon La and Cr doping in a BiTiFeO multiferroic.

Combining the experimental techniques of high-resolution X-ray diffraction, magnetometry, specific heat measurement, and X-ray photoelectron, Raman and dielectric spectroscopy techniques, we have studied the influence of La and Cr doping on the crystal structure and magnetism of the room temperature Aurivillius multiferroic BiTiFeO by investigating the physical properties of (BiLa)TiFeO and BiTi (FeCr)O. The parent (BiTiFeO) and the doped ((BiLa)TiFeO and BiTi(FeCr)O) compounds crystallize in the 2 space group, which is confirmed through our analysis of high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction data obtained on phase-pure polycrystalline powders. We determined the oxidation states of the metal atoms in the studied compounds as Fe, Ti, Cr, and La through the analysis of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data.

Exploratory clinical subgroup clustering in systemic sclerosis: Results from the Indian Progressive Systemic Sclerosis Registry.

Objective: To conduct an exploratory cluster analysis of systemic sclerosis patients from the baseline data of the Indian systemic sclerosis registry.

Methods: Patients satisfying American College of Rheumatology-European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria for systemic sclerosis were included. The clusters formed using clinical and immunological parameters were compared.

Kidney histopathology in predicting flares following drug withdrawal in proliferative lupus nephritis in clinical remission.

Residual renal histopathological activity at clinical remission in Proliferative Lupus Nephritis (PLN) can predict renal flare upon immunosuppression withdrawal. Data on the role of histological renal remission in predicting extra-renal flares is lacking. We assessed renal histopathology prior to drug withdrawal and the occurrence of renal and extra-renal flares over 52 weeks after drug withdrawal in PLN patients in long-term clinical remission.

Semi-quantitative thigh magnetic resonance imaging scores in assessing disease activity and determining long-term clinical outcome in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: a causal mediation analysis.

Objectives: To evaluate the relationship of thigh MRI (t-MRI) with manual muscle testing-8 (MMT-8), muscle enzymes and autoantibodies. To determine the causal and mediating factors resulting in poor recovery of MMT-8 in inflammatory myositis (IIM).

Methods: This was a single-centre retrospective study in IIM patients.

Performance of Clinical and Biochemical Parameters in Identifying Renal Histopathology and Predictors of One-Year Renal Outcome in Lupus Nephritis-A Single Centre Study from India.

Objectives: To assess the performance of clinical and biochemical parameters in identifying renal histopathology. To assess the performance of a combination of demographic, clinical, serological and histopathological parameters in determining renal response at one year. Methods: Data of biopsy-proven (ISN/RPS—2003 criteria) Lupus Nephritis (LN) were extracted from the institute database.

Effect of skin phototype on quantitative nailfold capillaroscopy.

Objectives: To determine the impact of Fitzpatrick scale-based skin phototype on visualization of capillary density using nailfold capillaroscopy in healthy Indian adults.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, healthy adults were examined for nailfold capillaroscopy findings utilizing a portable capillary microscope at 800× magnification. Photographs of two contiguous areas measuring 1 mm each of the distal row of capillaries were captured.

Performance of timed function tests as outcome measures in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy-results from a single-centre cohort.

Objective: To evaluate performance of timed function tests (TFTs) in assessing muscle strength and endurance as determined by Manual Muscle Testing 8 (MMT-8) and Functional Index 2 (FI-2), respectively, in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM).

Methods: This cohort study included 42 IIM patients satisfying 2017 EULAR/ACR criteria. Patients were classified as active (n = 18) or inactive disease (n = 24) based on clinical status at baseline.

Clinical and psychosocioeconomic impact of COVID-19 pandemic on patients of the Indian Progressive Systemic Sclerosis Registry (IPSSR).

Objectives: The aim was to determine the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on access to health care among patients with scleroderma and to analyse the economic and psychosocial impacts and the infection prevention measures taken by them during the pandemic.

Methods: A 25-item questionnaire designed to assess the components of the objectives was tele-administered between October 2020 and January 2021 to the patients enrolled in the Indian Progressive Systemic Sclerosis Registry.

Results: Of the 428 patients in the registry, 336 took part in the study.

Tele-rheumatology for overcoming socioeconomic barriers to healthcare in resource constrained settings: lessons from COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: To assess acceptability of teleconsultation among the socioeconomically marginalized sections of patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), to identify the socioeconomic barriers in continuing rheumatology care during the COVID-19 crisis and to identify patients who could benefit by shifting to tele-rheumatology consultations.

Methods: This was a cross sectional analytical study done at a tertiary care teaching hospital in India including patients with RMDs who were not on biological diseases modifying agents. Assessment of disease status, socioeconomic status and economic impact of COVID-19 was done via tele-consultation.

Cultural adaptation, translation and validation of Cochin Hand Function Scale and evaluation of hand dysfunction in systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: Hand dysfunction causes significant reduction in quality of life in systemic sclerosis. We assessed the validity and reliability of the culturally adapted Indian version of Cochin Hand Function Scale (I-CHFS). We determined the factors contributing to hand dysfunction and its burden on quality of life.

Case control study: magnetic resonance spectroscopy of brain in HIV infected patients.

Background: In vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) studies on brain in HIV infected patients have shown significant alteration in neuro-biochemicals.

Methods: In this study, we measured the neuro-biochemical metabolites from the left frontal white matter (FWM) and left basal ganglia (BG) caudate head nucleus in 71 subjects that include 30 healthy controls, 20 asymptomatic HIV and 21 HIV patients with CNS lesion. Proton MR spectra were acquired at 3 T MRI system and the concentration (institutional units) of tNAA (N-acetylaspartate, NAA + N-acetylaspartylglutamate, NAAG), tCr (Creatine, Cr + phosphocreatine, PCr), choline containing compounds (tCho), glutamate + glutamine (Glx) and lipid and macromolecules at 0.