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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder with unknown aetiology. Patients suffering from RA face persistent pain due to joint inflammation, and tissue destruction. Behavioural phenotyping is an approach to target the role of different behavioural traits associated with disease progression. The study aimed to assess behavioural patterns associated with decreased muscle strength in the adjuvant-induced rheumatoid arthritis animal model. The study was conducted on male Albino Wister rats (n = 30) [Control, Vehicle, and Disease groups]. After taking ethical approvals RA was induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) intradermally base of tail. The weight of animals, macroscopic analysis of inflammatory signs, and arthritic scores were measured weekly. Grip strength, ganglia-based movement, cataleptic activity, and motor-coordination-related behaviours were assessed among the groups. Radiographs and spleen index assay were performed followed by data analysis using one-way and two-way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance). A significant decrease in weight and an increase in arthritic scores among the diseased group was observed. Behavioural analyses confirmed that diseased animals had significantly decreased grip strength and increased cataleptic activity with less motor coordination. Radiographic images and spleen index assay confirmed the pattern of RA. Therefore, it can be suggested that the development of the disease animal model is an effective approach to identifying the disease progression and associated behavioural changes. Moreover, this prepared laboratory animal model may be utilised for pathway analyses to understand the key role of immune regulators and genetic insight into molecular pathways associated with acute and chronic phases of RA.

BackgroundThe genetic polymorphisms (rs708035, rs3844283) of Interleukin-1 receptor associated kinases 2 (IRAK2) is involved in the NFκB regulatory pathway. The frequencies of IRAK2 gene are unknown in Pakistani population. Therefore, the study was designed to examine the association of targeted single nucleotide polymorphism(s) in IRAK2 gene of RA patients.MethodologyThe study participants were selected by ACR/EULAR 2010 standards. After ethical approval, the blood samples of patients and healthy controls were collected for the extraction of DNA followed by the amplification of targeted polymorphism(s) via Tetra-primer Amplification Refractory Mutation System (T-ARMS PCR). Desired products were observed via agarose gel electrophoresis.ResultsThe allele frequency of wild type A and C is frequent among patients and mutant T and G is frequent among controls. The rs708035 showed significant protective association while rs3844283 was found to be associated with risk of RA. Genetic model associations were applied to determine the role of genotypes. In combination analyses of alleles revealed AC haplotype was found to be associated with risk and TG provide protection against RA. Moreover, targeted SNPs were found to be in 61% Linkage Disequilibrium among the targeted population.ConclusionsCurrent study revealed the protective and risk association of targeted SNPs (rs708035, rs3844283). Study might be beneficial as it provides baseline data regarding targeted SNPs and their role in the disease progression. This could be served as potential biomarker for diagnostic purpose and effectively utilized in precision medicine approach.

Foodborne diseases are the world's main problem in a society nowadays; many phytochemicals are of great interest to scientists. Herbal medicines can be used to treat many infectious diseases. In our study, we focus on screening of antibacterial activity of the lemon (Citrus limon) and orange (Citrus sinesis) peels against various pathogens. Bioactive compounds have been found in variety of citrus fruits that have favorable impact on human health. The major component; flavonoids have been found in the peels of citrus fruits in large amount. Citrus peel has a rich amount of flavonoid and other poly methylated flavonoids (exceptional to some plants). These antibacterial compounds exhibit antibacterial activity and have wide application in both food and pharmaceuticals industries. The citrus peel extracts show effective antimicrobial activity. The antagonistic activity of selected citrus peel extracts was determined by agar well diffusion; against test organisms i.e. Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Bacillus subtilis isolated from food products. Effectiveness of peel extracts are measured in terms of inhibitory zones in millimeter. The methanol extract of lemon peel displayed zone of inhibition in between 5mm to 8mm and methanol extract of orange peel displayed zone of inhibition about 10mm and 11mm. It was observed that lemon peel extract has maximum antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis (8mm) and minimum antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhi (5mm) whereas orange peel extract has maximum antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis (11mm) and minimum antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhi (10mm). Both Citrus peels extract showed considerable antibacterial activity against all tested foodborne pathogens. Our main focus was the use of herbal treatments against various infections which overcome the emergence of upcoming superbugs.