Browsing by Author "Amit Kaushik"

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Common variant c.-22 + 155C > T of BDNF as a genetic risk factor of opium addiction
(Elsevier B.V., 2022) Anit Kumar; Sheikh Nizamuddin; Niraj Rai; Biswajit Roy; Manju Kashyap; Gaurav Gupta; Vineet Kaswan; Naveen Kumar Kaushik; Jatin Bodwal; Poonam Rana; Anshuman Mishra; Gyaneshwer Chaubey; H.T. Marc Timmers; Kumarasamy Thangaraj; Amit Kaushik
Opioid use disorder is largely genetic in nature. The common genetic variants present in population might be modulating the risk by affecting expression level of genes in the brain. Here, we study common variants in promoter region of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) in a highly prevalent opium addiction geographical region. We identify highly expressed isoforms using CAGE datasets and its associated promoter. Common variants were extracted from promoters and genotyped in addicts compared to controls. The associated variants obtained through hitchhiking events were removed and eQTL analysis was performed. We identified two mutations (rs7944119:G > T and rs13306221:C > T) in the promoter of BDNF to be significantly associated with the addiction. In the dominant inheritance model, both rs7944119 and rs13306221 increases the risk of addiction. Of these two, rs7944119 was in linkage disequilibrium with rs13306221 and showed association due to hitchhiking. The rs13306221-T was associated with a lower expression level of the short BDNF isoform in the Cerebellar cortex. This finding suggests that rs13306221 (c.-22 + 155C > T) could increase risk of addiction by decreasing the expression level of the short isoform of BDNF, therefore, changes in the expression of the BDNF might not be the effect, but rather a cause of opium addiction disorder. Or, subjects with less expression of BDNF are more prone to addiction and addiction further decreases expression of BDNF short isoform in the brain. Although, it should be explored further in more detail. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.
Factors influencing the work performance of ASHA under NRHM -A cross sectional study from eastern Uttar Pradesh
(2012) Santosh Kumar; Amit Kaushik; Sangeeta Kansal
Research question: What are the factors influencing the work performance of ASHA? Objectives: To study the factors influencing the work performance of ASHA in community. Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study. Setting: The present study was conducted in the field practice area of Rural Health & Training Centre of Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Participants: One hundred and thirty five ASHAs were included in the present study. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted based on a sample of 135 ASHAs working in different areas of Chiraigaon Block of Varanasi district in eastern Uttar Pradesh (UP). ASHAs were interviewed for their functioning and their outcome was correlated. Chi-square test was used to analyze the data. Results: The study revealed that only 16.3% ASHAs knew about motivating the community for toilet construction. Twenty three percent ASHAs were aware that they should also give medical care for minor ailments. Their less knowledge for content of responsibility significantly affected their practices in community. The practices of the more knowledgeable group were found better than the ignorant one. Conclusion: Less knowledge of the content of job responsibility, caste, incentive oriented practices and delayed and inadequate payment of incentives for ASHAs influences the work performance.
Microbially derived surfactants: an ecofriendly, innovative, and effective approach for managing environmental contaminants
(Frontiers Media SA, 2024) Navdeep Singh; Xiao-Hu Hu; Vikash Kumar; Manoj Kumar Solanki; Amit Kaushik; Vipin Kumar Singh; Sandeep Kumar Singh; Priya Yadav; Rahul Prasad Singh; Nikunj Bhardwaj; Zhen Wang; Ajay Kumar
The natural environment is often contaminated with hydrophobic pollutants such as long-chain hydrocarbons, petrochemicals, oil spills, pesticides, and heavy metals. Hydrophobic pollutants with a toxic nature, slow degradation rates, and low solubility pose serious threats to the environment and human health. Decontamination based on conventional chemical surfactants has been found to be toxic, thereby limiting its application in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In contrast, biosurfactants synthesized by various microbial species have been considered superior to chemical counterparts due to their non-toxic and economical nature. Some biosurfactants can withstand a wide range of fluctuations in temperature and pH. Recently, biosurfactants have emerged as innovative biomolecules not only for solubilization but also for the biodegradation of environmental pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, petroleum hydrocarbons, and oil spills. Biosurfactants have been well documented to function as emulsifiers, dispersion stabilizers, and wetting agents. The amphiphilic nature of biosurfactants has the potential to enhance the solubility of hydrophobic pollutants such as petroleum hydrocarbons and oil spills by reducing interfacial surface tension after distribution in two immiscible surfaces. However, the remediation of contaminants using biosurfactants is affected considerably by temperature, pH, media composition, stirring rate, and microorganisms selected for biosurfactant production. The present review has briefly discussed the current advancements in microbially synthesized biosurfactants, factors affecting production, and their application in the remediation of environmental contaminants of a hydrophobic nature. In addition, the latest aspect of the circular bioeconomy is discussed in terms of generating biosurfactants from waste and the global economic aspects of biosurfactant production. Copyright © 2024 Singh, Hu, Kumar, Solanki, Kaushik, Singh, Singh, Yadav, Singh, Bhardwaj, Wang and Kumar.
Morbidity pattern and their socio-demographic co-relates among rural primary school children in eastern Uttar Pradesh: A cross-sectional study
(Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine, 2014) Amit Kaushik; Akash Bansal; Pankaj Kumar Jain; Sandip Kumar; Rajesh Kumar Yadav; Sri Prakash Singh
Research question: What is the morbidity pattern among primary school children in rural area of Varanasi and what their socio-demographic co-relates are? Objective: To study the morbidity pattern among of primary school children in rural Varanasi and to find out various socio-demographic correlates associated with morbidity. Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study. Setting: Four primary schools from Chiraigaon Community Development Block of Varanasi were selected for study purpose. Participants: Eight hundred and sixteen students from four schools were included in the study by total enumeration of the students present on the day of survey. Results: The present cross-sectional study revealed overall more prevalence of morbidity among female students (86.1%) as compared to their male counterparts (84.4%). Children belonging to scheduled caste, socio-economic status class IV, those whose parents were illiterate and those belonging to joint family had higher prevalence of any morbidity. Caste, socio-economic status, parents' education and type of family were significantly associated with morbidity among school children. Conclusion: Prevalence of morbidities was found to be 2.3 morbidities per child (prevalence) and 2.8 morbidities per sick child. Female students suffered more in comparison to their male counterparts. Nutritional deficiencies were most prevalent. Socio-economic status, caste, literacy of parents and type of family had significant association with morbidity.
Nutritional status of rural primary school children and theirsociodemographic correlates: A cross-sectional study from Varanasi
(2012) Amit Kaushik; Richa Raj; Chandra Pati Mishra; Sri Prakash Singh
Research question: What is the nutritional status of primary school children in rural area of Varanasi and what factors are associated with malnutrition? Objective: To assess the nutritional status of primary school children in rural Varanasi and to find out various socio-demographic correlates of nutritional status. Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study. Setting: Four primary schools from Chiraigaon Community Development Block of Varanasi were selected for study purpose. Participants: Eight hundred and sixteen students from four schools were involved in the study. Results: Out of total 816 study subjects 429 or 52.6% (201 boys and 228 girls) were underweight and 75 or 9.2% (39 boys and 36 girls) were stunted. Educational status of the parents was found to be significantly associated with the nutritional status of school children Conclusion: As the literacy status of the parents has been revealed to be strongly associated with nutritional status of children, there is an increasing need to focus the efforts towards the parents to improve the nutritional status of primary school children.
Recent advances in biotechnology and bioengineering for efficient microalgal biofuel production
(Elsevier B.V., 2025) Chaoqun Zhang; Rahul Prasad Singh; Priya Yadav; Indrajeet Anil Kumar; Amit Kaushik; Rajib Roychowdhury; Mustansar Mubeen; Sandeep Kumar Singh; Ajay Kumar; Jie Wang
Microalgal biofuels have emerged as a promising avenue for meeting the growing demands for clean and efficient energy. However, the integration of microalgae into the biofuel industry is still in the early stages, primarily due to low productivity and high production costs. To address these challenges, researchers are actively exploring innovative methods to enhance biomass, concurrently increasing lipid and carbohydrate content. This review paper discusses the unique attributes of microalgae that make them attractive candidates for biofuel production. Advancements in cultivation techniques, such as photobioreactor design, co-cultivation strategies (microalgae-microalgae, microalgae-bacteria, and microalgae-fungi), and the optimization of nutrient conditions (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) as well as environmental factors (salinity, light, and temperature) were explored to enhance biomass and lipid productivity. Furthermore, genetic engineering tools (genetic elements, gene interference, genome editing, and genome reconstruction) and omics technologies (genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics) were discussed to gain a deeper understanding of microalgal lipid synthesis metabolism. The application of these techniques in microalgae facilitates enhanced lipid productivity, improved stress tolerance, optimized carbon sequestration and utilization, and reduced harvesting and processing costs. The study also delves into the decision-making process related to software selection, with the overarching goal of improving performance, profitability, and sustainability while mitigating risks, operational costs, and environmental impacts. Additionally, this review highlights future perspectives on large-scale microalgal biofuel production and its industry. © 2025 The Author(s)