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 & Catalysis. 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.

Curcumin mediates anticancer effects by modulating multiple cell signaling pathways.

Abstract: Curcumin, a component of a spice native to India, was first isolated in 1815 by Vogel and Pelletier from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa (turmeric) and, subsequently, the chemical structure of curcumin as diferuloylmethane was reported by Milobedzka et al. [(1910) 43., 2163-2170]. Since then, this polyphenol has been shown to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. The current review primarily focuses on the anticancer potential of curcumin through the modulation of multiple cell signaling pathways. Curcumin modulates diverse transcription factors, inflammatory cytokines, enzymes, kinases, growth factors, receptors, and various other proteins with an affinity ranging from the pM to the mM range. Furthermore, curcumin effectively regulates tumor cell growth via modulation of numerous cell signaling pathways and potentiates the effect of chemotherapeutic agents and radiation against cancer. Curcumin can interact with most of the targets that are modulated by FDA-approved drugs for cancer therapy. The focus of this review is to discuss the molecular basis for the anticancer activities of curcumin based on preclinical and clinical findings.

Osmotic dehydration of fruits and vegetables: a review

Abstract: The main cause of perishability of fruits and vegetables are their high water content To increase the shelf life of these fruits and vegetables many methods or combination of methods had been tried Osmotic dehydration is one of the best and suitable method to increase the shelf life of fruits and vegetables This process is preferred over others due to their vitamin and minerals, color, flavor and taste retention property In this review different methods, treatments, optimization and effects of osmotic dehydration have been reviewed Studied showed that combination of different osmotic agents were more effective than sucrose alone due to combination of properties of solutes During the experiments it was found that optimum osmosis was found at approximately 40 °C, 40 °B of osmotic agent and in near about 132 min Pretreatments also leads to increase the osmotic process in fruits and vegetables Mass transfer kinetics study is an important parameter to study osmosis Solids diffusivity were found in wide range (509–3277 kl/mol) studied by Fick’s laws of diffusion These values vary depending upon types of fruits and vegetables and osmotic agents

Hydrogeochemistry for the assessment of groundwater quality in Varanasi: a fast-urbanizing center in Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract: The hydrogeochemical parameters for groundwater samples of the Varanasi area, a fast-urbanizing region in India, were studied to evaluate the major ion chemistry, weathering and solute acquisition processes controlling water composition, and suitability of water quality for domestic and irrigation uses. Sixty-eight groundwater samples were collected randomly from dug wells and hand pumps in the urban Varanasi area and analyzed for various chemical parameters. Geologically, the study area comprises Quaternary alluvium made up of an alternating succession of clay, silty clay, and sand deposits. The Total dissolved solids classification reveals that except two locations, the groundwater samples are desirable for drinking, and all are useful for irrigation purposes. The cationic and anionic concentrations indicated that the majority of the groundwater samples belong to the order of Na > Ca > Mg > K and HCO3 > Cl > SO4 types, respectively. Geochemical classification of groundwater based on the Chadha rectangular diagram shows that the majority (81%) of groundwater samples belong to the calcium–bicarbonate type. The HCO3/ (HCO3 + SO4) ratio (0.87) indicates mostly carbonic acid weathering process due to presence of kankar carbonate mixed with clay/fine sand. The high nitrate concentration (>45 mg/l) of about 18% of the groundwater samples may be due to the local domestic sewage, leakage of septic tanks, and improper management of sanitary landfills. In general, the calculated values of sodium adsorption ratio, percent sodium, residual sodium carbonate, and permeability index indicate good to permissible use of water for irrigation, and only a few locations demand remedial measures for better crop yields.

Leishmaniasis: an update of current pharmacotherapy

Abstract: Introduction: Leishmaniasis broadly manifests as visceral leishmaniasis (VL), cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL). The treatment of VL is challenging. The duration of treatment is long, and drugs are toxic thereby needing monitoring and hospitalization. Areas covered: Novel therapies such as single dose of liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) and multidrug therapy are important breakthrough for VL in the Indian subcontinent and have been recommended as the treatment of choice in this region. African Leishmania donovani is less susceptible to L-AmB, miltefosine and paromomycin as compared to the Indian strains, and the treatment of choice remains a 17-day combination therapy of pentavalent antimonials (SBv) and paromomycin. L-AmB at a total dose of 18 – 21 mg/kg is the recommended regimen in the Mediterranean region and South America. It is also the treatment of choice for HIV–VL coinfection. Treatment of CL should be decided by the clinical lesions, etiological species and its p...