Banaras Hindu University

About: Banaras Hindu University is a education organization based out in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Dielectric. The organization has 11858 authors who have published 23917 publications receiving 464677 citations. The organization is also known as: Kashi Hindu Vishvavidyalay & Benares Hindu University.

Gene expression in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC7120 under desiccation.

Abstract: The N2-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC7120 showed an inherent capacity for desiccation tolerance. A DNA microarray covering almost the entire genome of Anabaena was used to determine the genome-wide gene expression under desiccation. RNA was extracted from cells at intervals starting from early to late desiccation. The pattern of gene expression in DNA fragments was categorized into seven types, which include four types of up-regulated and three types of down-regulated fragments. Validation of the data was carried out by RT-PCR on selected up-regulated DNA fragments and was consistent with the changes in mRNA levels. Our conclusions regarding desiccation tolerance for Anabaena sp. PCC7120 are as follows: (i) Genes for osmoprotectant metabolisms and the K+ transporting system are up-regulated from early to mid-desiccation; (ii) genes induced by osmotic, salt, and low-temperature stress are up-regulated under desiccation; (iii) genes for heat shock proteins are up-regulated after mid-desiccation; (iv) genes for photosynthesis and the nitrogen-transporting system are down-regulated during early desiccation; and (v) genes for RNA polymerase and ribosomal protein are down-regulated between the early and the middle phase of desiccation. Profiles of gene expression are discussed in relation to desiccation acclimation.

Global injury morbidity and mortality from 1990 to 2017: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Abstract: Background Past research in population health trends has shown that injuries form a substantial burden of population health loss. Regular updates to injury burden assessments are critical. We report Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 Study estimates on morbidity and mortality for all injuries. Methods We reviewed results for injuries from the GBD 2017 study. GBD 2017 measured injury-specific mortality and years of life lost (YLLs) using the Cause of Death Ensemble model. To measure non-fatal injuries, GBD 2017 modelled injury-specific incidence and converted this to prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs). YLLs and YLDs were summed to calculate disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Findings In 1990, there were 4 260 493 (4 085 700 to 4 396 138) injury deaths, which increased to 4 484 722 (4 332 010 to 4 585 554) deaths in 2017, while age-standardised mortality decreased from 1079 (1073 to 1086) to 738 (730 to 745) per 100 000. In 1990, there were 354 064 302 (95% uncertainty interval: 338 174 876 to 371 610 802) new cases of injury globally, which increased to 520 710 288 (493 430 247 to 547 988 635) new cases in 2017. During this time, agestandardised incidence decreased non-significantly from 6824 (6534 to 7147) to 6763 (6412 to 7118) per 100 000. Between 1990 and 2017, age-standardised DALYs decreased from 4947 (4655 to 5233) per 100 000 to 3267 (3058 to 3505). Interpretation Injuries are an important cause of health loss globally, though mortality has declined between 1990 and 2017. Future research in injury burden should focus on prevention in highburden populations, improving data collection and ensuring access to medical care.

Use of wollastonite in the removal of Ni(II) from aqueous solutions

Abstract: The ability of wollastonite to adsorb Ni (II) from water has been carried out. A removal of 92% of Ni (II) with 20 g L−1 of adsorbent was observed at 50 mg L−1 adsorbate concentration, 6.5 pH and 30 °C. The process follows a first order rate kinetics with diffusion controlled nature and the data fits the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Removal of Ni increases from 10 to 92% with the rise of pH from 3.0 to 8.0 and thereafter it remains almost unchanged. This change has been explained on the basis of aqueous-complex formation and the subsequent acid base dissociation at the solid-solution interface.

Fungal Contamination of Raw Materials of Some Herbal Drugs and Recommendation of Cinnamomum camphora Oil as Herbal Fungitoxicant

Abstract: The paper explores fungal infection and aflatoxin B1 contamination of six medicinal plant samples viz. Adhatoda vasica Nees, Asparagus racemosus Linn., Evolvulus alsinoides Linn., Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn., Plumbago zeylanica Linn. and Terminalia chebula Retz. A total of 858 fungal isolates were detected from the raw materials. Maximum number of fungal isolates was detected from A. racemosus (228). The genus Aspergillus was found to be the most dominant genus causing infection to most of the raw materials. Among the 32 isolates of A. flavus tested, 13 isolates were found to be toxigenic elaborating aflatoxin B1. The highest elaboration of aflatoxin B1 was 394.95 ppb by the isolates of A. flavus from G. glabra. The essential oil of Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl showed efficacy in arresting aflatoxin B1 by the toxigenic strain. The growth of a toxigenic strain of A. flavus decreased progressively with increasing concentration of essential oil from leaves of C. camphora. The oil completely inhibited aflatoxin B1 production even at 750 ppm. Hence, the oil of C. camphora is recommended as herbal fungitoxicant against the fungal contamination of the raw materials.