Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University

About: Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University is a education organization based out in Varanasi, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Visceral leishmaniasis. The organization has 3622 authors who have published 4579 publications receiving 84718 citations.

Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections: Surgeon's Prospective.

Abstract: Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) are fulminant infections of any layer of the soft tissue compartment associated with widespread necrosis and systemic toxicity. Delay in diagnosing and treating these infections increases the risk of mortality. Early and aggressive surgical debridement with support for the failing organs significantly improves the survival. Although there are different forms of NSTIs like Fournier's gangrene or clostridial myonecrosis, the most important fact is that they share common pathophysiology and principles of treatment. The current paper summarizes the pathophysiology, clinical features, the diagnostic workup required and the treatment principles to manage these cases.

Ethnopharmacological Review of Native Traditional Medicinal Plants for Brain Disorders

Abstract: From the earliest times, herbs have been prized for their pain-relieving and healing abilities and today we still rely largely on the curative properties of plants. Over the centuries, societies around the world have developed their own traditions to make sense of medicinal plants and their uses. Some of those traditions and medicinal practices may seem strange and magical, others appear rational and sensible, but all of them are attempts to overcome illness and suffering with an aim to enhance the quality of life. Many of the thousands of plant species growing throughout the world have medicinal uses, containing active constituents that have a direct pharmacological action on the body. The brain is much complex organ of our body and hence no surprise that only a very few drugs are approved by regulatory authorities for treating multi-factorial ailments alike Alzheimer’s disease. The oriental system of medicine like “Ayurveda” which is as old as 5000 years, had classified selected plants under “medhya rasayanas”. In Sanskrit, “medhya” means intellect/cognition and “rasayana” means “rejuvenation”. These are used both in herbal and conventional medicine and offer benefits that pharmaceutical drugs lack, helping to combat illness and support the body's efforts to regain good health and intellect. In the present article, such well known medicinal plants of Indian origin are discussed which are used in various central nervous system (CNS) disorders since ancient times. The focus of this review is an Withania somnifera, Bacopa monniera, Centella asiatica, Convolvulus pluricaulis, Emblica officinalis and Ocimum sanctum reputed for their effectiveness in CNS disorders. The other blockbuster herbal drugs of non-Indian origin like Ginkgo biloba, St. John’s wort, Kava kava and Valerian are not discussed here as these herbs have already been extensively reviewed elsewhere for their effectiveness in many brain disorders. The focus of the present article is to keep abreast with the medicinal plants used in various CNS disorders.

Doppler ultrasound scoring to predict chemotherapeutic response in advanced breast cancer

Abstract: Background: Doppler ultrasonography (US) is increasingly being utilized as an imaging modality in breast cancer. It is used to study the vascular characteristics of the tumor. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is the standard modality of treatment in locally advanced breast cancer. Histological examination remains the gold standard to assess the chemotherapy response. However, based on the color Doppler findings, a new scoring system that could predict histological response following chemotherapy is proposed. Methods: Fifty cases of locally advanced infiltrating duct carcinoma of the breast were studied. The mean age of the patients was 44.5 years. All patients underwent clinical, Doppler and histopathological assessment followed by three cycles of CAF (Cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin and 5-Fluorouracil) chemotherapy, repeat clinical and Doppler examination and surgery. The resected specimens were examined histopathologically and histological response was correlated with Doppler findings. The Doppler characteristics of the tumor were graded as 1–4 for 50% and complete disappearance of flow signals respectively. A cumulative score was calculated and compared with histopathological response. Results were analyzed using Chi square test, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. Results: The maximum Doppler score according to the proposed scoring system was twelve and minimum three. Higher scores corresponded with a more favorable histopathological response. Twenty four patients had complete response to chemotherapy. Sixteen of these 24 patients (66.7%) had a cumulative Doppler score more than nine. The sensitivity of cumulative score >5 was 91.7% and specificity was 38.5%. The area under the ROC curve of the cumulative score >9 was 0.72. Conclusion: Doppler scoring can be accurately used to objectively predict the response to chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced breast cancer and it correlates well with histopathological response.

Role of Rubia cordifolia Linn. in radiation protection.

Abstract: The radioprotective potential of alcoholic extract of root of R. cordifolia, was studied by survival, hemopoietic cell protection and micronucleus assay. The LD 50 value for the alcoholic root extract was found to be 1200 mg/kg body weight at 72 hr post irradiation. A significant radiation protection (67%) as assessed by increased animal survival was observed when R. cordifolia (RC) extract was administered intraperitoneally, 90 min. before the radiation exposure. Besides, the extract also inhibited radiation induced lipid peroxidation measured by the inhibition of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS). The RC extract at a selected dose of 460 mg/kg body weight was effective in protecting the radiation induced suppression of endogenous colony forming units in spleen. A significant inhibition of radiation (2 Gy) induced micronuclei formation was observed when RC extract was administered 90 min prior to irradiation. Thus, it appears that the alcoholic root extract of R. cordifolia provides significant protection against radiation induced lipid peroxidation, hemopoietic injury and genotoxicity. The mechanism of action of RC extract appears to be through its anti-oxidant, metal chelation and anti-inflammatory property.

Current insights into epigenetics, noncoding RNA interactome and clinical pharmacokinetics of dietary polyphenols in cancer chemoprevention.

Abstract: Several studies have reported the health-beneficial effects of dietary phytochemicals, namely polyphenols, to prevent various diseases, including cancer. Polyphenols, like (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) from green tea, curcumin from turmeric, and ellagic acid from pomegranate are known to act by modulating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and apoptotic signal transduction pathways in the tumor milieu. The evolving literature underscores the role of epigenetic regulation of genes associated with cancer by these polyphenols, primarily via non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNA) and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA). However, there is little clarity on the exact role(s) played by these ncRNAs and their interactions with other ncRNAs, or with their protein targets, in response to modulation by these dietary polyphenols. Here, we review ncRNA interactions and functional networks of the complex ncRNA interactome with their targets in preclinical studies along with the role of epigenetics as well as key aspects of pharmacokinetics and phytochemistry of dietary polyphenols. We also summarize the current state of clinical trials with these dietary polyphenols. Taken together, this synthetic review provides insights into the molecular aspects underlying the anticancer chemopreventive effects of dietary polyphenols as well as summarizes data on novel biomarkers modulated by these polyphenols for preventive or therapeutic purposes in various types of cancer.