Subcutaneous nodules are associated with cardiovascular events in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: results from a large US registry.

Subcutaneous nodules are the most common conspicuous extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in patients with RA. The objective of this study is to examine the possibility of a relationship between subcutaneous nodules and "first ever" cardiovascular disease event, i.

Medical mirroring: granulomatosis with polyangiitis (formerly Wegener's) mimicking immunoglobulin-G4 related disease.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA; formerly Wegener's) can present with clinical and histopathological features similar to those of immunoglobulin-G4 related disease (IgG4-RD), a recently described fibro-inflammatory condition. The ability of these two distinct entities to mimic each other closely creates significant pitfalls in diagnosis. We present a unique case in which GPA presented as a peri-aortic fibrotic mass in the retroperitoneum.

Molecular docking design and one-pot expeditious synthesis of novel 2,5-diarylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amines as anti-inflammatory agents.

A series of novel 2,5-diarylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amines were designed as COX-2 inhibitors by molecular docking studies and their synthesis was accomplished via an expeditious one-pot reaction. Structures of the compounds were established by NMR ((1)H-(13)C), IR spectroscopy and high resolution mass spectrometry. All the eleven compounds have been screened for their in vivo anti-inflammatory activity on rats by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay.

Prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in water sources: an overview on associated diseases, outbreaks and detection methods.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a zoonotic pathogen with its ability to cause human illness ranging from diarrheal disease to fatal hemolytic uremic syndrome. E. coli O157:H7 had been associated with waterborne outbreaks resulting in high morbidity and mortality worldwide.

Correlation of age and hepatitis B virus DNA levels with histological activity in HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B patients.

Background: The relationship between age and serum HBV DNA levels with histological activity in chronic hepatitis B inactive carriers is still unclear. We evaluated the correlation between age and hepatitis B viral DNA levels with Metavir score in inactive chronic HBV carriers.

Methods: 50 patients (30 males and 20 females) were enrolled in the study after informed consent.

Identification of a Variety of Mutations in Cancer Predisposition Genes in Patients With Suspected Lynch Syndrome.

Background & Aims: Multigene panels are commercially available tools for hereditary cancer risk assessment that allow for next-generation sequencing of numerous genes in parallel. However, it is not clear if these panels offer advantages over traditional genetic testing. We investigated the number of cancer predisposition gene mutations identified by parallel sequencing in individuals with suspected Lynch syndrome.

Evaluation of Hs-CRP levels and interleukin 18 (-137G/C) promoter polymorphism in risk prediction of coronary artery disease in first degree relatives.

Background: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is clearly a multifactorial disease that develops from childhood and ultimately leads to death. Several reports revealed having a First Degree Relatives (FDRS) with premature CAD is a significant autonomous risk factor for CAD development. C - reactive protein (CRP) is a member of the pentraxin family and is the most widely studied proinflammatory biomarker.

Clinical Profile and Response to Treatment with Pegylated Interferon α 2b and Ribavirin in Chronic Hepatitis C-A Reappraisal from a Tertiary Care Center in Northern India.

Aim: To assess the clinical profile of 80 chronic hepatitis C patients in a tertiary health care center in Northern India and also to study the efficacy and tolerability of pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) α 2b and ribavirin therapy in a cohort of chronic hepatitis C patients.

Methods: Thirty subjects with chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) with genotypes 2 and 3 received Peg-IFN α 2b 1.5 μg/kg subcutaneously weekly plus daily ribavirin 800 mg for 24 weeks .

Synthesis and biological evaluation of pyrazolylthiazole carboxylic acids as potent anti-inflammatory-antimicrobial agents.

Current Letter presents design, synthesis and biological evaluation of a novel series of pyrazolylthiazole carboxylates 1a-1p and corresponding acid derivatives 2a-2p. All 32 novel compounds were tested for their in vivo anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema method as well as for in vitro antimicrobial activity. All the tested compounds exhibited excellent AI activity profile.

Spatial normalization of reverse phase protein array data.

Reverse phase protein arrays (RPPA) are an efficient, high-throughput, cost-effective method for the quantification of specific proteins in complex biological samples. The quality of RPPA data may be affected by various sources of error. One of these, spatial variation, is caused by uneven exposure of different parts of an RPPA slide to the reagents used in protein detection.

Pharmacophore Modeling and Molecular Docking Studies on Pinus roxburghii as a Target for Diabetes Mellitus.

The present study attempts to establish a relationship between ethnopharmacological claims and bioactive constituents present in Pinus roxburghii against all possible targets for diabetes through molecular docking and to develop a pharmacophore model for the active target. The process of molecular docking involves study of different bonding modes of one ligand with active cavities of target receptors protein tyrosine phosphatase 1-beta (PTP-1β), dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV), aldose reductase (AR), and insulin receptor (IR) with help of docking software Molegro virtual docker (MVD). From the results of docking score values on different receptors for antidiabetic activity, it is observed that constituents, namely, secoisoresinol, pinoresinol, and cedeodarin, showed the best docking results on almost all the receptors, while the most significant results were observed on AR.

Protective effect of Alpinia galanga in STZ induced diabetic nephropathy.

The activity of the alcoholic extract of the rhizomes of Alpinia galanga was studied for the treatment of diabetes-induced nephropathy in rats. Wistar rats received a single intraperitoneal streptozotocin injection (60 mg kg(-1) b.wt.

Study on variability assessment and evolutionary relationships of glutamate racemase in Pseudomonas species.

Pseudomonas species is known to cause multiple nosocomial infections in patients and results in high morbidity and mortality rates (10%). The greatest obstacle in treating patients infected with the Pseudomonas species is the widespread emergence of antibiotic resistance. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop new compounds which can be effective against Pseudomonas species and possibly remain tolerant to drug resistance.

Perturbation biology: inferring signaling networks in cellular systems.

We present a powerful experimental-computational technology for inferring network models that predict the response of cells to perturbations, and that may be useful in the design of combinatorial therapy against cancer. The experiments are systematic series of perturbations of cancer cell lines by targeted drugs, singly or in combination. The response to perturbation is quantified in terms of relative changes in the measured levels of proteins, phospho-proteins and cellular phenotypes such as viability.

Efficacy of a new model for delivering integrated TB and HIV services for people living with HIV/AIDS in Delhi -- case for a paradigm shift in national HIV/TB cross-referral strategy.

Under National TB/HIV framework, all TB patients are referred by Revised National Tuberculosis Programme (RNTCP) service providers to Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers (ICTCs) for voluntary counseling and testing (C&T) and ICTC "TB-suspects" are referred to RNTCP facilities for TB diagnosis and treatment. HIV-TB coinfected patients are then referred to Anti Retroviral Treatment (ART) center for initiation of ART between two weeks and two months of initiating TB treatment. During the third phase of National AIDS Control Programme (NACP-III, April 2007-April 2012), 30749/130503 (23.

Ethnobotany and phytopharmacology of Pinus roxburghii Sargent: a plant review.

Traditional medicine is a blend of information gathered over generations from various communities and cultures. Pinus roxburghii Sargent (Pinaceae) commonly known as "chir pine" is widely used in traditional and folkloric systems of medicine. The all parts of the plant are believed to possess medicinal qualities in Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine.

Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular modeling study of 5-trifluoromethyl-Δ²-pyrazoline and isomeric 5/3-trifluoromethylpyrazole derivatives as anti-inflammatory agents.

Searching for new anti-inflammatory agents, we have prepared a series of potential COX-2 inhibitors, 1-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-5-hydroxy-5-trifluoromethyl-Δ(2)-pyrazolines (3) and 1-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-3-trifluoromethylpyrazoles (4), by refluxing 2-hydrazino-4,6-dimethylpyrimidine (1) with a number of trifluoromethyl-β-diketones (2) in ethanol. Further dehydration of compounds (3) to the corresponding 1-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-5-trifluoromethylpyrazoles (5) was also achieved. Fifteen of these compounds were screened for their anti-inflammatory activity using the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay.

Phycoremediation coupled production of algal biomass, harvesting and anaerobic digestion: possibilities and challenges.

Biogas produced from anaerobic digestion is a versatile and environment friendly fuel which traditionally utilizes cattle dung as the substrate. In the recent years, owing to its high content of biodegradable compounds, algal biomass has emerged as a potential feedstock for biogas production. Moreover, the ability of algae to treat wastewater and fix CO2 from waste gas streams makes it an environmental friendly and economically feasible feedstock.

Dual evaluation of some novel 2-amino-substituted coumarinylthiazoles as anti-inflammatory-antimicrobial agents and their docking studies with COX-1/COX-2 active sites.

Synthesis of total eighteen 2-amino-substituted 4-coumarinylthiazoles including sixteen new compounds (3a-o and 5b) bearing the benzenesulfonamide moiety is described in the present report. All the synthesized target compounds were examined for their in vivo anti-inflammatory (AI) activity and in vitro antimicrobial activity. Results revealed that six compounds (3 d, 3 f, 3 g, 3 h, 3 j and 3 n) exhibited pronounced anti-inflammatory activity comparable to the standard drug indomethacin.

Synthesis of novel celecoxib analogues by bioisosteric replacement of sulfonamide as potent anti-inflammatory agents and cyclooxygenase inhibitors.

Two series of celecoxib analogues having 1,5-diaryl relationship were synthesized. The key strategy of the molecular design was oriented towards exploring bioisosteric modifications of the sulfonamide moiety of celecoxib. First series (2a-2i) of celecoxib analogues bearing cyano functionality in place of sulfonamide moiety was synthesized by the reaction of appropriate trifluoromethyl-β-diketones (5a-5i) with 4-hydrazinylbenzonitrile hydrochloride (4) in ethanol.

Development of controlled release formulations of thiram employing amphiphilic polymers and their bioefficacy evaluation in seed quality enhancement studies.

Controlled release formulations of Thiram (Dimethylcarbamothioylsulfanyl-N,N-dimethylcarbamodithioate), a contact fungicide, have been prepared using laboratory synthesized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) based functionalized amphiphilic copolymers. The kinetics of thiram from developed controlled release (CR) formulations were studied in comparison with that of the commercially available 75 WS. Release from the commercial formulation was faster than with the developed CR formulations.