Substituent effect in protein binding, optical, electrochemical, and antimicrobial properties of dipyrazinylpyridine ligands.

A series of 2,6-di(pyrazine-2-yl)pyridine (dppy) ligands - of varying substituents of different electronic nature (-NMe, -OMe,-Me, and -Cl) in the 4-position of the pyridine moiety has been designed and synthesized to study the binding behavior of the dppy ligands towards Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), a low-cost serum albumin protein. The interaction between ligands and BSA has been studied using UV-Visible and fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular docking studies. The fluorescence of BSA was found to be quenched in the presence of all the ligands , in which ligand , having the most electron donating group NMe exhibits the maximum binding affinity towards BSA.

Machine learning identifies cytokine signatures of disease severity and autoantibody profiles in systemic lupus erythematosus - a pilot study.

Disrupted cytokine networks and autoantibodies play an important role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. However, conflicting reports and non-reproducibility have hindered progress regarding the translational potential of cytokines in SLE. This study attempts to address the existing knowledge gap using multiplex cytokine assay and machine learning.

Elevated toll-like receptor 9 is associated with disease severity and kidney involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with the activation of both innate and adaptive immune system. Infection is a significant environmental factor that is responsible for the development of SLE. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are responsible for recognizing pathogens, and the expression of TLRs has been found to differ in SLE patients.

Addressing disparities in rural and remote access for rheumatology practice through a transformative tele-healthcare delivery system: Experience of a large cohort of patients in eastern India.

Background We present the experience of telerheumatology consultation services carried out in an eastern state of India. Methods We did this prospective, observational study of patients with rheumatological disorders and followed through telemedicine between December 2015 and May 2019. Results During the study period, we provided teleconsultation to 3583 patients with the help of 11 201 telemedicine visits.

Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis associated with liver injury in systemic sarcoidosis.

Hepatic involvement in sarcoidosis, though common, is usually asymptomatic. Hepatomegaly and deranged liver function tests are the usual manifestations. However, unexplained hepatomegaly in sarcoidosis not responding to immunosuppressive therapy could indicate an alternative pathology.

Photophysics of a Monoannulated Indigo: Intra- and Intermolecular Charge Transfer.

In the present work, the photoinduced charge-transfer (CT) behavior of 7-phenyl-6-pyrido[1,2-:3,4-']diindole-6,13(12)-dione () as a function of solvent polarity is reported by UV-vis absorption, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence, and quantum chemical calculations. Calculated excited state energies of at the B3PW91/6-31+G* level in vacuo and in solvents fulfill the energy requirements for singlet fission, which is the most promising path for the generation of highly efficient solar cells. The calculated potential energy curve for the compound reveals that the keto form is the predominant form in the ground state.

Role of astrocyte senescence regulated by the non- canonical autophagy in the neuroinflammation associated to cerebral malaria.

Background: Cerebral malaria (CM) is a fatal neuroinflammatory syndrome caused (in humans) by the protozoa Plasmodium (P.) falciparum. Glial cell activation is one of the mechanisms that contributes to neuroinflammation in CM.

Pattern of disease expression in SLE patients with antiphospholipid antibodies: data from Indian Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Inception cohort (INSPIRE).

Antiphospholipid antibodies (APLA) are present in one-third of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and they are associated with both criteria and non-criteria manifestations. We studied the prevalence, clinical associations, and impact on mortality of APLA in SLE patients from India. Among the Indian SLE inception cohort (INSPIRE), patients who had data on all five routinely performed APLAs [lupus anticoagulant (LA), IgG and IgM anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) and anti-β2-glycoprotein I(β2GPI)] at enrolment were selected.

Gastrointestinal manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus: data from an Indian multi-institutional inception (INSPIRE) cohort.

Objectives: To study the prevalence, correlates, and outcomes of GI manifestations in a prospectively enrolled nationwide cohort of SLE in India (INSPIRE).

Methods: It is an observational cohort study with analysis of the baseline database of the INSPIRE cohort with early outcomes assessed till 10 April 2023. Cases with GI manifestations as per the BILAG index were selected, pertinent clinical and laboratory data were retrieved for analysis.

Procalcitonin is elevated in severe malaria and is a promising biomarker of severe malaria and multi-organ dysfunction: A cross-sectional study and meta-analysis.

Background: Elevated procalcitonin (PCT) has been reported in bacterial infection and is positively associated with the severity of the disease. Patients with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria also display higher procalcitonin levels compared to those with non-severe disease, indicating a possible role for bacterial infection in severe disease, however this observation remained variable in different study population. Furthermore, the significance of PCT in different clinical categories of severe malaria has not been evaluated so far.

Rhizospheric soil chromium toxicity and its remediation using plant hyperaccumulators.

The hyper-accumulation of chromium in its hexavalent form is treated as a hazardous soil pollutant at industrial and mining sites. Excessive accumulation of Cr in soil threatens the environmental health and safety of living organisms. Out of two stable forms of chromium, Cr is highly responsible for ecotoxicity.

Solvent Effect on the Photoinduced Intramolecular Charge-Transfer and Redox Potentials of Three Difuranones.

We report solvent-dependent excited state properties of three difuranone derivatives with a quinoidal backbone by steady-state and lifetime fluorescence measurements and theoretical calculations. Remarkable bathochromic shifts in fluorescence with diminished intensity indicate the occurrence of strong intramolecular charge-transfer transitions in high polar solvents. Cyclic voltammetric redox potentials reveal an interesting variation of biradical characters of the compounds with increasing solvent polarity.

Differential differentiation of B cell lymphopoiesis in lethal and non-lethal murine malaria models.

B cells in protection against malaria and need of experiencing many episodes in humans to achieve a state of immunity is largely unknown. The cellular basis of such defects in terms of B cell generation, maturation and trafficking was studied by taking Plasmodium chabaudi, a non-lethal and Plasmodium berghei, a lethal murine model. A flow cytometry (FCF) based evaluation was used to study alterations in generation and maintenance of B cells in patients with Plasmodium falciparum malaria as well as in murine malaria models.

Clusters based on demography, disease phenotype, and autoantibody status predicts mortality in lupus: data from Indian lupus cohort (INSPIRE).

Objectives: SLE is associated with significant mortality, and data from South Asia is limited. Thus, we analysed the causes and predictors of mortality and hierarchical cluster-based survival in the Indian SLE Inception cohort for Research (INSPIRE).

Methods: Data for patients with SLE was extracted from the INSPIRE database.

Charcot arthropathy of elbow due to syringomyelia: a case series and systematic review of literature.

Syringomyelia is an important etiology of Charcot arthropathy of the elbow. We present five interesting patients, along with a systematic literature review summarizing the clinical profile and management of syringomyelia-induced Charcot arthropathy of the elbow. PUBMED, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Science Direct databases were screened for English articles published between 1980 and 2022 using the search query: "Syringomyelia" AND "elbow" AND ("arthropathy" OR "neuropathic" OR "Charcot").

The role of MBL, PCT, CRP, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet lymphocyte ratio in differentiating infections from flares in lupus.

Background: The distinction between infection and flare in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has always been a dilemma for clinicians as the clinical and biochemical profiles overlap. The present study evaluated affordable biomarkers to distinguish infection from flare in an SLE cohort in a tertiary care center in eastern India.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-two SLE patients were clinically evaluated and enrolled in the present study.

Differentiating flare and infection in febrile lupus patients: Derivation and validation of a calculator for resource constrained settings.

: Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE) are at an increased risk of infection and it is often difficult to differentiate between infection and disease activity in a febrile patient with SLE. : Patients with SLE (SLICC criteria) presenting with fever between December 2018 and August 2021 were included. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), NEUT-x, -y, -z indices, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein(CRP), C3, C4, anti-dsDNA antibodies, and procalcitonin(PCT) were tested in addition to investigations as per the treating physician's discretion.

Role of interleukin-6 and interferon-α in systemic lupus erythematosus: A case-control study and meta-analysis.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder affecting various organ systems with unknown etiology. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-alpha (IFN-α) have been shown to have a major role in disease pathogenesis, and they correlate with SLE disease activity, but reports in the literature are conflicting. The present study aims to investigate the significance of IL-6 and IFN-α levels in SLE pathogenesis in an eastern Indian cohort.

Association of leptospirosis and scrub typhus in acute encephalitis syndrome in a tertiary care hospital in Odisha, India.

Background: Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is a major public health concern in India, causing febrile illness principally associated with viral infection. Bacteria-like scrub typhus and leptospirosis also cause acute febrile illness. Therefore, this study was conceived to address the possible etiological agents contributing to sporadic AES in a tertiary care center in Odisha, India.

Indian SLE Inception cohort for Research (INSPIRE): the design of a multi-institutional cohort.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) cohorts across the world have allowed better understanding of SLE, including its bimodal mortality, and the impact of social factors and ethnicity on outcomes. The representation of patients from South Asia has been poor in the existing SLE cohorts across the world. Hence, we planned to initiate an inception cohort to understand the diversity of lupus in India.

CD14 (C-159T) polymorphism is associated with increased susceptibility to SLE, and plasma levels of soluble CD14 is a novel biomarker of disease activity: A hospital-based case-control study.

Background: Cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) plays a crucial role in the innate immune response of the host in protection against various pathogens. The importance of soluble CD14 in autoimmune disorders has been described in different populations. However, the role of sCD14 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is poorly understood.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: Observations from an Indian inception cohort.

Introduction: The ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 has led to severe disruption of healthcare services worldwide. We conducted this study to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the management of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients who were enrolled in the nation-wide inception cohort.

Methods: A questionnaire was administered to the SLE patients enrolled in the inception cohort.

Care-seeking pathways, care challenges, and coping experiences of rural women living with rheumatoid arthritis in Odisha, India.

Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the care-seeking pathway of rural women living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and attending a tertiary health-care facility in Odisha, India.

Background: RA is the third leading chronic health condition and causes severe pain and immense psychosocial stress. The prevalence of RA is three to four times higher in women than in men.