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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that results in joint dysfunction, inflammation, and increased mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of purslane supplements on clinical outcomes, as well as inflammation and antioxidant markers in patients with RA. A double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial. In this 12-week trial, 86 participants aged between 20 and 79 were divided into two groups. The intervention group (n = 43) received a 500 mg purslane capsule twice a day, while the control group (n = 43) received a placebo capsule of the same shape and dosage. Seventy-seven patients (37 from the control group and 40 from the purslane group) completed the study. Purslane capsule intake significantly declined visual analog scale (53.38 ± 23.81 vs. 26.25 ± 17.27, p ≤ 0.001), swollen joint count (4.42 ± 3.36 vs. 1.60 ± 1.64, p ≤ 0.001), tender joint count (8.20 ± 5.93 vs. 2.78± 2.15, p ≤ 0.001), High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p ≤ 0.001), disease activity score (DAS28) (5.17 ± 1.30 vs. 3.48 ± 1.20, p ≤ 0.001) and increased Superoxide dismutase (p =.037), and total antioxidant capacity (p ≤ 0.001) changes. Furthermore, Morning stiffness (p =.002) and Physician Global Assessment (p =.026) significantly decreased in the purslane group compared to the placebo group at the end of the trial. There was a significant decrease in tumor necrosis factor-α (2.885 ± 2.068 vs. 2.330 ± 1.121, p =.046), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (36.52 ± 20.04 vs. 26.70 ± 22.59, p =.007) levels in the purslane group. Therefore, supplementation with purslane could lead to improved clinical outcomes, and inflammatory and antioxidant indicators in RA patients. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a highly heritable kind of arthritis that affects the vertebral column. AS risk has been associated strongly with Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*27 . In fact, some HLA-B*27 subtypes have been associated with the increased disease risk, although some specific subtypes have not shown such associations. It is supposed that HLA-B*27 plays a major role in the etiopathogenesis of the disease. However, the difference in pathogenic outcomes of HLA-B*27 certain subtypes needs to be clarified. The purpose of this review article is to overview on the detailed implications of the HLA-B*27 subtypes in the etiopathogenesis of AS. Moreover, the role of ERAP1 in AS and its epistasis with HLA-B*27 have been reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the effects of Barberry (Berberis integerrima) on clinical signs and inflammatory factors in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A total of 70 patients with active RA in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (IRCT 201409249472N7) were randomly allocated to intervention and control groups. All the patients consumed 1500 mg of barberry extract and 1500 mg Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) each day respectively for three months. Clinical signs and serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured before and after the intervention. The results showed that consumption of the extract of Berberis integerrima resulted in a significant decrease in Visual Analog Scale (VAS), morning stiffness, number of tender joints, Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), Global Physician Assessment (GPA), serum levels of ESR, TNFα (p < 0.001), and hs-CRP (p < 0.01) in intervention group compared to the control group. Changes in the number of inflamed joints, the necessity for the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (p = 0.02), and glucocorticoids (p < 0.001) were significant only in the intervention group. Barberry can improve clinical signs and inflammatory factors in RA patients and may be useful in their treatment approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ginger supplementation on the expression of some immunity and inflammation intermediate genes in patients who suffer from RA. Methods In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, seventy active RA patients were allocated randomly into two groups who either received 1500 mg ginger powder or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Disease activity score and gene expression of NF-κB, PPAR-γ, FoxP3, T-bet, GATA-3, and RORγt as immunity and inflammation intermediate factors were measured using quantitative real-time PCR before and after the intervention. Results After the intervention, FoxP3 genes expression increased significantly within ginger group and between the two groups (P-value = 0.02). Besides, T-bet and RORγt genes expression decreased significantly between the two groups (P-value < 0.05). In ginger group, PPAR-γ genes expression increased significantly (P-value = 0.047) but the difference between the two groups wasn't statistically significant (P-value = 0.12). The reduction in disease activity score was statistically significant within ginger group and between the two groups after the intervention. Conclusion It seems that ginger can improve RA by decreasing disease manifestations via increasing FoxP3 genes expression and by decreasing RORγt and T-bet genes expression. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • In the current study, after the intervention the FoxP3 genes expression increased significantly within ginger group and between the two groups (P-value= 0.02). • Besides, T-bet and RORγt genes expression decreased significantly between the two groups (P-value <0.05). • In ginger group, PPAR-γ genes expression increased significantly (P-value = 0.047) but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P-value = 0.12). • The reduction in disease activity score was statistically significant within ginger group and between the two groups after the intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A CaO/CaCO 3 -CaCl 2 energy storage system is integrated with a solid oxide battery. • Outlet Fe of the charge cycle of the battery is heated by heat from the calcination. • The battery system is capable of generating 52.566 MW of power. • The round-trip efficiency for the TCES system, the battery are 77% and 22%. In this paper, a CaO/CaCO 3 -CaCl 2 thermochemical energy storage system (TCES) is integrated with a solid oxide iron-air redox flow battery (SOIARB) by utilization of Aspen Plus. In this system, since calcination is an endothermic reaction, outlet Fe of the charge cycle of the battery is heated by exhausted heat from the calcination reactor. On the other hand, carbonation is an exothermic reaction and with the usage of this reactor's heat load the inlet Fe for the discharge cycle of the battery can be preheated. The amount of energy stored in the charge mode of TCES and SOIARB are 11.09 MW and 0.38 MW respectively. Furthermore, a Fortran calculator block is applied to calculate the voltage, current density and power of the battery which are 1.78 V and 845 Am−2 for the charge cycle respectively and the amount of these parameters for the discharge process are 1.7 V and 900 Am−2 correspondingly. Besides, the battery system is capable of generating 52566 kW of power. On the other hand, the released heat load of the discharge cycle of TCES and battery, are 8.5 MW and 0.084 MW correspondingly. 42 % of the heat released in the carbonator reactor can be used to preheat the input Fe of 9 batteries and CO 2 power generation. The round-trip efficiency (RTE) for the TCES system, the battery and for the whole system are presented as results which are 77 %, 22 % and 74 % respectively. Sensitivity analyses in terms of the influence of the temperature of the inlet ambient air on the heat load of the battery in both charge and discharge cycles are investigated. Also, the impact of changing the molar ratio of CaCl 2 /CaCO 3 on the amount of energy of the charge and discharge sections is analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

P53 tumor suppressor is a major regulator of various cellular processes and functions. It has been reported that mutation or inactivation of p53 plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis in different types of cancers. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are single-stranded non-coding RNAs that have significant post-transcriptional effects on the regulation of gene expression in various ways. These molecules can alter the expression and function of multiple genes and proteins. In the present study, we aimed to review circRNAs that regulate the expression, function, and stability of p53 and the possible interactions between these molecules and p53. Considering the importance of p53 in cancer and the network between p53 and circRNAs, future clinical trials targeting these circRNAs as therapeutic agents deserve worthy of attention. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a heterogeneous group of disorders, characterized by severe reduction in serum IgG and IgA with normal or low number of B-cells. Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 levels could be altered in CVID patients, while cytokine production could be affected with polymorphisms of gene promoter regions. The allele and genotype frequencies of IL-4 and IL-10 gene promoter polymorphic sites were investigated in 30 CVID patients in comparison with controls. IL-10 GA genotype was the most frequent genotype at position −1082 in CVID patients, whereas IL-10 AA genotype was significantly decreased in the patient group at the same position. For IL-4, TG (−1098) and TC (−33) genotypes were significantly overrepresented in CVID group, while frequencies of IL-4 TT (−1098) and CC (−33) were significantly decreased in the patient group. Frequency of IL-10 ACA and IL4 GCC haplotypes in CVID patients were significantly higher than controls, whilst frequency of IL-10 ACC and IL-4 TCC significantly decreased in the patient group. Considering low frequency of IL-10 ACC low producing haplotype, high production of IL-10 could be explained in CVID patients. High production of IL-4 could also be expected based on haplotypes frequencies of this cytokine gene polymorphisms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Three important factors, including genetics, environment factors and autoimmunity play a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The heritability of RA has been accounted to be 50–60%, while the HLA involvement in heritability of the disease has been accounted to be 10–40%. It has been documented that shared epitope (SE) alleles, such as HLA-DRB1*01 and DRB1*04, some HLA alleles like HLA-DRB1*13 and DRB1*15 are connected to RA susceptibility. An advanced classification of SE categorizes SE alleles into four main groups namely, S1, S2, S3D, and S3P. The S2 and S3P groups have been linked to susceptibility of seropositive RA. Various genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have discovered many susceptibility loci implicated in pathogenesis of RA. Some of the important single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to RA are TRAF1 , STAT4 , CTLA4 , IRF5 , CCR6 , PTPN22 , IL23R , and PADI4. HLA and non-HLA genes may discriminate anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody–positive and anti–CCP–negative RA groups. Furthermore, risk of the disease has also been linked to environmental agents, mainly cigarette smoking. Pharmacogenomics has also confirmed SNPs or genetic patterns that might be linked to drugs responses. Different aspects of genetic involvement in the pathogenesis, etiology, and RA complications are reviewed in this article. • The heritability of RA is 50–60%, while the HLA involvement in the heritability of the disease is 10–40%. • Shared epitope (SE) alleles, like HLA-DRB1*01 and DRB1*04, HLA-DRB1*13, HLA-DRB1*15 are connected to RA susceptibility. • According to GWASs, several susceptibility loci have been implicated in the pathogenesis of RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A Practical workflow to design inflow control devices in SAGD projects is presented. • Permeability is estimated using PSDs and a reservoir model adapted from real data is developed. • Tow subcool scenarios are simulated and different LDFCDs are compared to a base case. • LDICDs equalize inflow rate and provide better steam conformance, leading to higher production. • The findings could reduce freshwater usage and greenhouse gas emissions of SAGD projects. This paper discusses the significance of inflow control devices (ICDs) in steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) operations and their impact on well performance in different reservoir heterogeneities and qualities. The study focuses on investigating the specifications of ICD design using a numerical flow simulation model and flow rate versus pressure data obtained from a flow-loop experiment. The key advantage of employing flow-loop experiment data in the simulation would be a physics-based mechanistic model rather than using empirical correlations. The research collects core analysis data from three wells and particle size distribution (PSD) data from four wells in the same location. Permeability estimation is conducted for each PSD using a previously developed correlation. These data and other real data are used to construct the reservoir model, and the performance of liner deployed (LD) ICDs is compared by assigning flow-loop data to the simulation. By employing a relatively conservative production approach with subcooling between 10 °C and 15 °C, the cases with LDICDs demonstrate higher oil production rates, improved steam conformance, and lower cumulative steam oil ratios (cSOR) compared to the case without LDICDs. However, in a relatively challenging production scenario with subcooling between 1 °C and 5 °C, the case without ICDs cannot be simulated at the desired subcooling temperature and the cases with LDICDs improved the well productivity. LDICD#1 is identified in both scenarios as the best case due to its enhanced steam conformance and higher oil production rate. Compared to the case without ICDs, using LDICD#1 at higher subcooling temperatures leads to a 17 % increase in oil production rate, while reducing cSOR and natural gas usage by 8 % and 10 % respectively. Similarly, at lower subcooling temperatures, the case with LDICD#1 shows a 21 % increase in oil production rate and reductions of 12 % and 17 % in cSOR and consumed natural gas respectively, compared to the case without ICDs. The findings highlight the effectiveness of LDICDs at various subcooling levels and their potential application in SAGD projects to reduce freshwater usage and greenhouse gas emissions. Completion and production engineers can benefit from a better understanding of relative production performance to develop more effective operational designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a debilitating rheumatic disease that gives young adults a severe form of arthritis with pain and stiffness in the axial skeleton. After the discovery of Human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27), several hypotheses have been suggested to uncover the exact etiology of AS. The tendency of HLA-B27 to form unusual structures results in recognition and activation of crucial components in innate immune system. Moreover, cellular and soluble arms of the innate response are frequently observed within the affected tissues. Genome-wide analysis has also shown the association of several innate immune-related pathways and cytokines, which act as the effective therapeutic targets in AS. Given the importance of innate immune system, we present a general overview of innate immune components and their involvement in the pathogenesis of AS. In our belief, this kind of explanation can hopefully provide new perspectives for diagnosis and treatment of these patients in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pathogenesis of many diseases is influenced by environmental factors which can affect human genome and be inherited from generation to generation. Adverse environmental stimuli are recognized through the epigenetic regulatory complex, leading to gene expression alteration, which in turn culminates in disease outcomes. Three epigenetic regulatory mechanisms modulate the manifestation of a gene, namely DNA methylation, histone changes, and microRNAs. Both epigenetics and genetics have been implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) disease. Genetic inheritance rate of SSc is low and the concordance rate in both monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins is little, implying other possible pathways in SSc pathogenesis scenario. Here, we provide an extensive overview of the studies regarding different epigenetic events which may offer insights into the pathology of SSc. Furthermore, epigenetic-based interventions to treat SSc patients were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new method to obtain repassivation time of passive materials is proposed. • Repassivation time of three passive materials is determined using the new method. • The new method is reliable, universal and simple to compare repassivation property. Repassivation time (t re) is a significant parameter when evaluating the repassivation property of material. Herein, we propose a new method to obtain t re by first theoretically unifying the repassivation current–time (i (t)) function for common film growth models, subsequently simplifying the unified i (t) function based on single particle impingement data, then deriving the completed repassivation current expression corresponding to t re using mathematical approximation methods, and finally verifying this method via comparing the obtained t re of three materials. The newly proposed method is reliable, universal and simple to compare repassivation properties of different materials without curve fitting and considering film growth mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Rising the flow velocity does not cause the depassivation of Ni–P coating in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. • Transient anodic dissolution and repassivation of coating during particle impact are determined. • The correlation between the erosion-enhanced corrosion and particle impact dynamics is unmasked. • The erosion-enhanced corrosion current density of Ni–P coating in flowing slurry is well predicted. The erosion-enhanced corrosion behavior of electroless Ni–P coating was investigated by single particle impingement coupled with in-situ electrochemical measurements. The transient anodic dissolution of Ni–P coating induced by the single particle impingement is enhanced with the rising impact velocity, followed by a rapid repassivation that obeys a bi-exponential decaying law. The coating demonstrates a good erosion-corrosion resistance due to its strong capability of repassivation that is scarcely affected by the changing hydrodynamics under the test conditions. The erosion-enhanced corrosion rate of Ni–P coating in flowing slurry is well predicted based on the repassivation kinetic parameters determined from single particle impingement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]