Scholarly Publications
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This community showcases the academic contributions of faculty and researchers at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and provides a year-wise compilation of publications across disciplines. Institutional Repository BHU
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PublicationReview Exploring Metabolic and Immunological Biomarkers for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Potential Targets for Precision Therapy(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025) Rajneesh; Rahul Tiwari; Vishal K. Singh; Awnish Kumar; Sanjana Mehrotra; Vibhav Gautam; J. F. Neville; Vyomika Bansal; Rajiv Pathak; Akhilesh Kumar Singh; Rajiv KumarOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a malignant neoplasm of the oral epithelium that constitutes majority of oral cancers and is strongly associated with risk factors such as tobacco use and genetic alterations. Mortality rates for OSCC are high because many cases are misdiagnosed or identified at later stages, and treatment options are limited with high recurrence. Therefore, there is an urgent need for improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. OSCC tumor cells, like those in other solid malignancies, exhibit significant alterations in metabolic pathways and the immune microenvironment. These changes can serve as valuable biomarkers for early detection and as targets for innovative treatment strategies. This review summarizes the current understanding of metabolic and immunological biomarkers that are either currently in use for OSCC or are in different phases of clinical trials. © 2025 by the authors.PublicationArticle Scytonemin Production by Cyanobacteria: A Threat To Algal Stromatolites in Salkhan Fossil Park, India(Springer, 2025) Jainendra K. Pathak; Rajneesh; Vidya Singh; Neha Kumari; Rajeshwar Prasad SinhaThe present study concerns protection of important stromatolites on boulders in the Salkhan Fossil Park, Sonebhadra, India. Unfortunately, the fossils are at risk of biodegradation by rock-encrustations dominated by cyanobacteria. Some cyanobacteria have yellow-brown, lipophilic extracellular polysaccharide sheath pigment scytonemin that absorbs UV radiation and helps them to survive. Scytonemin, an evolutionary significant pigment, was extracted and purified from the surface of the stromatolite boulders. Genera including Scytonema sp., Lyngbya sp., and Aphanocapsa sp. were the most prevalent in these encrustations. Scytonemin was identified and characterized using fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, electro spray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and UV-Vis spectroscopy. With an absorption peak at 386 nm and a retention time of 1.45 min, scytonemin was found to be significantly present in the samples. Additionally, absorption was also observed at 252, 278, and 300 nm. In the FTIR spectrum, absorption was detected at 3421, 2940, 1027, and 1000–1320 cm−1. This compound’s identity as scytonemin was further confirmed by the ESI-MS/MS spectrum, displaying significant peaks at m/z 489, 517, 529, and 544. Scytonemin is a way to identify the presence of cyanobacterial colonization and its production enable them to cope with the harsh environmental conditions to survive in the rock incrustations. This biological issue is significant since it is related to the regrettable neglect of an important geological site, which is also a social and political issue. The biodegradation of the fossils at this park may be significantly influenced by the biological crusts that are rich in scytonemin. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to ProGEO - International Association for the Conservation of Geological Heritage 2025.PublicationArticle MHC tetramer technology: Exploring T cell biology in health and disease(Academic Press Inc., 2024) Rahul Tiwari; Vishal Kumar Singh; Rajneesh; Awnish Kumar; Vibhav Gautam; Rajiv KumarMajor histocompatibility complex (MHC) tetramers stand as formidable tools within T cell biology, facilitating the exploration and comprehension of immune responses. These artificial molecules, comprising four bound MHC molecules, typically with a specified peptide and a fluorescent label, play a pivotal role in characterizing T cell subsets, monitoring clonal expansion, and unraveling T cell dynamics during responses to infections or immunotherapies. Beyond their applications in T cell biology, MHC tetramers prove valuable in investigating a spectrum of diseases such as infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancers. Their instrumental role extends to vaccine research and development. Notably, when appropriately configured, tetramers transcend T cell biology research and find utility in exploring natural killer T cells and contributing to specific T cell clonal deletions. © 2024PublicationBook Chapter MicroRNAs-mediated regulation of immune responses in parasitic infection(Elsevier, 2024) Ritirupa Roy; Prasoon Madhukar; Vishal Kumar Singh; Rahul Tiwari; Awnish Kumar; Rajneesh; Madhukar Rai; Vibhav Gautam; Shyam Sundar; Rajiv KumarLeishmaniasis is a group of diseases that predominantly affect impoverished individuals in developing regions. Recent research has highlighted the significant role of microRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNA molecules, in regulating gene expression and contributing to disease pathogenesis in leishmaniasis. Understanding the intricate miRNA-mediated interactions provides valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of leishmaniasis and facilitates the development of targeted interventions. Moreover, miRNAs demonstrate altered expression levels, and their presence in the bloodstream enables noninvasive detection, making them promising biomarker candidates for diagnosis and prognosis. This chapter focuses on the role of miRNAs in regulating the immune response during leishmania infection, emphasizing their potential as both biomarkers and therapeutic targets. © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PublicationBook Chapter Nanomedicine in Cardiovascular Diseases: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Innovations for Better Health(Springer Science and Business Media B.V., 2024) Prasoon Madhukar; Vishal Kumar Singh; Shashi Bhushan Chauhan; Rahul Tiwari; Awnish Kumar; Rajneesh; Rajiv KumarCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major cause of global mortality, responsible for approximately 17.9 million deaths in 2019 and 20.5 million deaths in 2021. Limited access to specialised testing, especially for marginalised population, complicate the diagnosis of cardiovascular conditions. Disparities in treatment, sub-optimal pharmaceuticals, toxicity from conventional drugs, diagnostic errors, and the underutilization of non-invasive diagnostic methods contribute to adverse outcomes. Additionally, cost and insurance barriers hinder access to necessary tests, delaying diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent need for improved therapies for CVDs. Additionally, cost and insurance barriers hinder access to necessary tests, delaying diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent need for improved therapies for CVDs. Nanotechnology, which involves the precise control and manipulation of materials at the atomic and molecular levels, shows promise in addressing cardiovascular diseases. Nanoparticles, with their unique properties such as ultra-small size, tunable physicochemical characteristics, and biocompatibility, offer potential for targeted drug delivery. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems can enhance therapeutic effectiveness, prolong drug action, improve drug absorption, target specific areas passively or actively, reduce drug resistance, and minimize adverse drug reactions. This chapter comprehensively examines the use of nanoparticle-based diagnostic methods, targeting strategies, and therapeutic interventions for cardiovascular diseases, providing a thorough explanation of the fundamental principles and key considerations in this field. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.PublicationReview The development and maintenance of immunity against visceral leishmaniasis(Frontiers Media SA, 2024) Rahul Tiwari; Awnish Kumar; Vishal Kumar Singh; Rajneesh; Shashi Bhushan Chauhan; Shyam Sundar; Susanne Nylén; Christian Engwerda; Rajiv KumarUnderstanding the development and maintenance of immunological memory is important for efforts to eliminate parasitic diseases like leishmaniasis. Leishmaniasis encompasses a range of pathologies, resulting from infection with protozoan parasites belonging to the subgenera Leishmania and Viannia of the genus Leishmania. A striking feature of these infections is that natural or drug-mediated cure of infection generally confers life-long protection against disease. The generation of protective T cell responses are necessary to control Leishmania infections. CD4+ T helper (Th) cells orchestrate immune responses in leishmaniasis and IFNγ+ Tbet+ CD4+ T (Th1) cells are required for the activation of phagocytes to kill captured or resident parasites, while other Th cell subset, including FoxP3+ natural regulatory T cells and Th2 cells can promote disease progression by suppressing the activities of Th1 cells. Upon resolution of a primary Leishmania infection, different subsets of CD4+ T cells, including tissue-resident memory T cells, effector memory T cells, central memory T cells, and short-lived effector T cells, help to confer resistance against reinfection. To maintain long-term protective Leishmania-specific CD4+ T cells responses, it is believed that persistent parasites or re-exposure to parasites at regular intervals is required (concomitant immunity). Despite the advances in our understanding about the immune responses during leishmaniasis, the generation of long-lasting protective immunity via vaccination has yet to be achieved. In this review, we summarize our current understanding about the formation and maintenance of immunological memory and control of leishmaniasis at the individual and population level. We will focus on Indian visceral leishmaniasis and discuss T cell responses that contribute to susceptibility to leishmaniasis, parasite persistence in populations and the environment, as well as describing advances in the development of leishmaniasis vaccines aimed at inducing protective CD4+ T cell responses. Copyright © 2024 Tiwari, Kumar, Singh, Rajneesh, Chauhan, Sundar, Nylén, Engwerda and Kumar.PublicationBook Chapter Detection and Quantification of DNA Damage in Cyanobacteria by Immunodot Blot Assay(CRC Press, 2024) Prashant R. Singh; Jainendra Pathak; Rajneesh; Deepak Kumar; Amit Gupta; Ashish P. Singh; Varsha K. Singh; Rajeshwar P. SinhaIn recent years, intensity of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the Earth's surface has increased due to depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. Solar UV radiation causes lesions in the DNA and forms most commonly cyclobutane thymine dimer (CPD) and pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone photoproducts (6-4 PPs). Here, we provide a method for the detection and quantification of pyrimidine dimer lesions by using an immunodot blot assay. Thymine dimers are detected by anti-thymine dimer primary antibodies and anti-mouse IgG, Fab-specific, secondary antibodies with a peroxidase conjugate. This method can detect and quantify pyrimidine dimers in nanogram quantities of DNA lesions in cyanobacteria and macroalgae with high sensitivity and accuracy. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Shailendra P. Singh, Rajeshwar P. Sinha and Donat-P. Häder; individual chapters, the contributors.PublicationArticle Evaluation of blood based quantitative PCR as a molecular diagnostic tool for post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL)(Springer Science and Business Media B.V., 2024) Awnish Kumar; Vishal K. Singh; Prasoon Madhukar; Rahul Tiwari; Ritirupa Roy; Rajneesh; Sanjana Mehrotra; Shyam Sundar; Rajiv KumarBackground: Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a consequential dermal manifestation of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), serving as a parasite reservoir. The traditional diagnostic approach, which requires an invasive skin biopsy is associated with inherent risks and necessitates skilled healthcare practitioners in sterile settings. There is a critical need for a rapid, less invasive method for Leishmania detection. The main objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the diagnostic efficacy of PCR and qPCR in detecting PKDL, utilizing both skin and blood samples and to assess the utility of blood samples for molecular diagnosis. Methods and results: 73 individuals exhibiting clinical symptoms of PKDL and who had tested positive for rK39 rapid diagnostic test (RDT) were enrolled in this study. For the diagnosis of PKDL, both PCR and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), employing SYBR Green and TaqMan assays, were performed on blood and skin matched samples. qPCR results using both TaqMan and SYBR Green assay, indicated higher parasite loads in the skin compared to blood, as evident by the Ct values. Importantly, when blood samples were used for PKDL diagnosis by qPCR, an encouraging sensitivity of 69.35% (TaqMan assay) and 79.36% (SYBR Green) were obtained, compared to 8.2% with conventional PCR. Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest the potential utility of blood for molecular diagnosis by qPCR, offering a less invasive alternative to skin biopsies in field setting for the early detection of parasitaemia in PKDL patients and effective management and control of the disease. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2024.PublicationReview Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in the Indian sub-continent: challenges and strategies for elimination(Frontiers Media SA, 2023) Awnish Kumar; Vishal Kumar Singh; Rahul Tiwari; Prasoon Madhukar; Rajneesh; Shashi Kumar; Vibhav Gautam; Christian Engwerda; Shyam Sundar; Rajiv KumarVisceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a severe and often fatal form of leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani in the Indian sub-continent. Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a late cutaneous manifestation of VL, typically occurring after apparent cure of VL, but sometimes even without a prior history of VL in India. PKDL serves as a significant yet neglected reservoir of infection and plays a crucial role in the transmission of the disease, posing a serious threat to the VL elimination program in the Indian sub-continent. Therefore, the eradication of PKDL should be a priority within the current VL elimination program aimed at achieving a goal of less than 1 case per 10,000 in the population at the district or sub-district levels of VL endemic areas. To accomplish this, a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of PKDL is essential, as well as developing strategies for disease management. This review provides an overview of the current status of diagnosis and treatment options for PKDL, highlighting our current knowledge of the immune responses underlying disease development and progression. Additionally, the review discusses the impact of PKDL on elimination programs and propose strategies to overcome this challenge and achieve the goal of elimination. By addressing the diagnostic and therapeutic gaps, optimizing surveillance and control measures, and implementing effective intervention strategies, it is possible to mitigate the burden of PKDL and facilitate the successful elimination of VL in the Indian sub-continent. Copyright © 2023 Kumar, Singh, Tiwari, Madhukar, Rajneesh, Kumar, Gautam, Engwerda, Sundar and Kumar.PublicationBook Chapter Bioprospection of Photoprotective Compounds from Cyanobacteria(Springer Nature, 2023) Prashant R. Singh; Ashish P. Singh; Rajneesh; Amit Gupta; Rajeshwar P. Sinha; Jainendra PathakCyanobacteria are one of the oldest photosynthetic nitrogen fixers of the terrestrial as well as aquatic ecosystems. Cyanobacteria and microalgae produce a large number of secondary metabolites having biomedical, industrial, and biotechnological importance. Due to their presence in vast habitats, cyanobacteria and microalgae were exposed to variety of harsh environmental factors such as salt, desiccation, temperature, heavy metals, and ultraviolet radiation (UVR). In response, cyanobacteria have developed different mechanisms to cope these harsh environmental conditions. Photosynthetic nature of cyanobacteria continuously exposes them to lethal doses of UVR coming with solar radiation which affects their physiology, photosynthetic efficiency, productivity by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation inside the cell and ultimately leads to cell death. In response to these stresses cyanobacteria have developed different protective mechanisms such as avoidance, enzymatic and non-enzymatic defence system and synthesis of novel secondary metabolites such as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) and scytonemin. MAAs are water-soluble molecules that absorb short wavelength of solar UVR which release the energy in the form of heat. Scytonemin is a small hydrophobic alkaloid pigment present in the extracellular sheath of some cyanobacteria that acts as UVR protectant. Scytonemin and MAAs are highly photostable therefore, they primarily function as UV-screening compounds. They also show antioxidative properties. The capability of cyanobacteria to produce large number of secondary metabolites which serve as natural sunscreens, antibiotic, antifungal, anticancer and antiviral agents make them economically important organisms. These are readily biotechnologically exploitable in the cosmetics and other industrial sectors for the creation of novel medications and drugs. Hence, bioprospection of these photoprotective compounds and other secondary metabolites from cyanobacteria and microalgae becomes crucial. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2023.