Multiple genetic and environmental factors have been associated with an increased risk for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Of these, the strongest associations have been seen with female sex, a family history of RA, the genetic factor the "shared epitope," and exposure to tobacco smoke. There is also renewed interest in mucosal inflammation and microbial factors as contributors to the development of RA. However, the identification of a "preclinical" period of RA that can be defined as local or systemic autoimmunity as measured by autoantibodies and other biomarkers prior to the development of clinically apparent synovitis suggests that the risk factors for RA are acting long prior to first clinical evidence of IA. As such, a major challenge to the field will be to investigate the full spectrum of the development of RA, from initiation and propagation of autoimmunity during preclinical RA and transition to clinically apparent synovitis and classifiable RA, to determine which genetic and environmental factors are important at each stage of disease development. Understanding the exact role and timing of action of risk factors for RA is especially important given the advent of prevention trials in RA, and the hope that a full understanding of genetic and environmental factors in RA could lead to effective preventive interventions.

Genetic and environmental risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis

A review on classifications, recent synthesis and applications of textile dyes

Liver diseases are caused by different etiological agents, mainly alcohol consumption, viruses, drug intoxication or malnutrition. Frequently, liver diseases are initiated by oxidative stress and inflammation that lead to the excessive production of extracellular matrix (ECM), followed by a progression to fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It has been reported that some natural products display hepatoprotective properties. Naringenin is a flavonoid with antioxidant, antifibrogenic, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties that is capable of preventing liver damage caused by different agents. The main protective effects of naringenin in liver diseases are the inhibition of oxidative stress, transforming growth factor (TGF-β) pathway and the prevention of the transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), leading to decreased collagen synthesis. Other effects include the inhibition of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), toll-like receptor (TLR) and TGF-β non-canonical pathways, the inhibition of which further results in a strong reduction in ECM synthesis and deposition. In addition, naringenin has shown beneficial effects on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through the regulation of lipid metabolism, modulating the synthesis and oxidation of lipids and cholesterol. Moreover, naringenin protects from HCC, since it inhibits growth factors such as TGF-β and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), inducing apoptosis and regulating MAPK pathways. Naringenin is safe and acts by targeting multiple proteins. However, it possesses low bioavailability and high intestinal metabolism. In this regard, formulations, such as nanoparticles or liposomes, have been developed to improve naringenin bioavailability. We conclude that naringenin should be considered in the future as an important candidate in the treatment of different liver diseases.

Beneficial effects of naringenin in liver diseases: Molecular mechanisms

Role of sulphur-heterocycles in medicinal chemistry: An update

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) introduce a hopeful technology for the removal of water polluted with hard degradable organic compounds. Today, one of the main effective AOP technologies to degrade these hazardous organics is via the photocatalytic process. The present review focuses on the recent progress in the fixed-bed and immobilized nanophotocatalysts and also their applications for resolving the environmental concerns. Various organics elimination using a variety of photocatalysts and innovative reactors are discussed. This critical review summarizes the recent progress in the synthesis and modification (physical and chemical) of semiconductors. Furthermore, different ways of photocatalysts immobilization are explained in details. By considering different dangerous chemicals present in wastewater and different industries, catalytic methods used by researchers to degrade these organic compounds are reviewed. In addition, the degradation pathway of some organics through the catalytic operation is described.

Application of Heterogeneous Nano-Semiconductors for Photocatalytic Advanced Oxidation of Organic Compounds: A Review

Naringenin and quercetin – potential anti-HCV agents for NS2 protease targets

Pollution by the release of dye containing wastewater has been alarming worldwide. Biodegradation of reactive green dye and textile effluent by Candida sp. VITJASS was investigated in dynamic condition. Paddy rhizosphere yeast Candida sp. VITJASS showed 84% removal of reactive green dye and 75% reduction in ADMI of textile effluent with a considerable synthesis of oxido-reductase enzymes. The degraded products were analyzed by UV–vis spectroscopy, HPLC and FTIR, which indicated the biotransformation of dye into non-toxic metabolites. GC–MS analysis revealed the formation of Diphenylmethane as potential end product. Phytotoxicity assessment on Phaseolus mungo seeds suggested the non- toxic nature of extracted metabolite. Toxicity studies on zebrafish revealed disturbed cellular integrity and disruption of tissues with crude dye supplementation. However, the degraded metabolites by VITJASS had an intact lumen morphology in the fishes. Thus, the present study depicts the augmentation of yeast strain to be efficacious and promising for degradation of dye with the synthesis of non-toxic metabolites.

Degradation of reactive green dye and textile effluent by Candida sp. VITJASS isolated from wetland paddy rhizosphere soil

In this study, a series of novel substituted pyrazoles containing indole and thiazole motifs were synthesized and evaluated for their antihyperglycemic activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. Among them, 2-(5-(1H-indol-3-yl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-4-(4-bromo phenyl) thiazole (3f) was identified as the best antihyperglycemic activity (IC50 = 236.1 µg/mL) in comparison with the standard drug (acarbose, IC50 = 171.8 µg/mL). Through reverse screening, glucocorticoid receptor (1NHZ) was identified as the best target and molecular docking studies was performed to understand the interaction of the molecules to the active sites of 1NHZ. The docking study was then conducted against the enzymes (α-amylase (4X9Y) and α-glucosidase (2QMJ)) used in the in vitro studies. A molecular dynamic simulation experiment was conducted to analyze the behavior of the docked complex. The analysis confirmed the stability of the docked complex in terms of energy and hydrogen bonds. In vitro and in silico evaluations thus generate an interesting insight toward exploring heteroaryl substituted pyrazoles as potent therapeutic antidiabetic agents.

S. Vino

Papers

Naringenin and quercetin – potential anti-HCV agents for NS2 protease targets

Degradation of reactive green dye and textile effluent by Candida sp. VITJASS isolated from wetland paddy rhizosphere soil

Synthesis, docking, and evaluation of novel thiazoles for potent antidiabetic activity

Reactive green dye remediation by Alternanthera philoxeroides in association with plant growth promoting Klebsiella sp. VITAJ23: A pot culture study

RAACFDb: Rheumatoid arthritis ayurvedic classical formulations database.