Pramod Kumar

Cancer-preventing attributes of probiotics: an update

Cancer is a serious global public health problem. Cancer incidence and mortality have been steadily rising throughout the past century in most places of the world. There are several epidemiological evidences that support a protective role of probiotics against cancer. Lactic acid bacteria and their probioactive cellular substances exert many beneficial effects in the gastrointestinal tract, and also release various enzymes into the intestinal lumen and exert potential synergistic (LAB) effects on digestion and alleviate symptoms of intestinal malabsorption. Consumption of fermented dairy products with LAB may elicit anti-tumor effects. These effects are attributed to the inhibition of mutagenic activity, the decrease in several enzymes implicated in the generation of carcinogens, mutagens, or tumor-promoting agents, suppression of tumors, and epidemiology correlating dietary regimes and cancer. Specific cellular components in lactic acid bacteria seem to induce strong adjuvant effects including modulation of cell-mediated immune responses, activation of the reticulo-endothelial system, augmentation of cytokine pathways, and regulation of interleukins and tumor necrosis factors. Studies on the effect of probiotic consumption on cancer appear promising, since recent in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that probiotic bacteria might reduce the risk, incidence and number of tumors of the colon, liver and bladder. The protective effect against cancer development may be ascribed to binding of mutagens by intestinal bacteria, may suppress the growth of bacteria that convert procarcinogens into carcinogens, thereby reducing the amount of carcinogens in the intestine, reduction of the enzymes β-glucuronidase and β-glucosidase and deconjugation of bile acids, or merely by enhancing the immune system of the host. There are isolated reports citing that administration of LAB results in increased activity of anti-oxidative enzymes or by modulating circulatory oxidative stress that protects cells against carcinogen-induced damage. These include glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase. However, there is no direct experimental evidence for cancer suppression in human subjects as a result of the consumption of probiotic cultures in fermented or unfermented dairy products, but there is a wealth of indirect evidence based largely on laboratory studies.

Antimicrobial properties of black grape (Vitis vinifera L.) peel extracts against antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria and toxin producing molds

Aim: Black grape peel possesses a substantial amount of polyphenolic antimicrobial compounds that can be used for controlling the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. The purpose of this study was to assess antibacterial and antifungal activity of black grape peel extracts against antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria and toxin producing molds, respectively. Materials and Methods: Peel of grape was subjected to polyphenolic extraction using different solvents viz., water, ethanol, acetone, and methanol. Antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, and Escherichia coli were screened for the antibacterial activity of different grape extracts. Antibacterial activity was analyzed using agar well diffusion method. Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium expansum, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus versicolor were screened for the antifungal activity. Antifungal activity was determined by counting nongerminated spores in the presence of peel extracts. Results: As compared to other solvent extracts, methanol extracts possessed high antibacterial and antifungal activity. S. typhimurium and E. coli showed complete resistance against antibacterial action at screened concentrations of grape peel extracts. Maximum zone of inhibition was found in case of S. aureus, i.e., 22 mm followed by E. faecalis and E. aerogenes, i.e., 18 and 21 mm, respectively, at 1080 mg tannic acid equivalent (TAE)/ml. The maximum and minimum percent of growth inhibition was shown by P. expansum and A. niger as 73% and 15% at 1080 TAE/ml concentration of grape peel extract, respectively. Conclusions: Except S. typhimurium and E. coli, growth of all bacterial and mold species were found to be significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited by all the solvent extracts.

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE RIVER BED SEDIMENT PROFILE AND EVALUATION OF URBANIZATION POLLUTANTS AT LUCKNOW CITY AREA.

Vinay Kumar 1,2 , Pramod Kumar Singh 2 , Pramod Kumar 1 , Pokhraj Shahu 1,2 , Nishi Kumar Shukla 3 , Markandeya 4 and * Ganesh Chandra Kisku 1 . 1. Environmental Monitoring Division, Environmental Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, M. G. Marg, Lucknow-226001, UP, India. 2. Department of Environmental Science, Babu Banarsi Das, University Lucknow, UP, India. 3. Wimpey Laboratory, Ras al Khor, Dubai – 123279. 4. Department of Civil Engineering, Institute of Engineering Collage, University of Lucknow, UP, India. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History

EFFECT OF ACETONE EXTRACT OF ZEA MAYS L. LEAVES ON THE GROWTH OF ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS AND AFLATOXINS PRODUCTION.

Harish Kumar 1 , Maneesh Kumar 1 , Byas Kumar 1 , Soniya Bharti 1 , Pramod Kumar 1 , Manoj Kumar 2 and * Jainendra Kumar 1,2 . 1. Department of Biotechnology, College of Commerce, Arts and Science (Magadh University, Bodh Gaya), Patna, India. 2. Department of Botany, College of Commerce, Arts and Science (Magadh University, Bodh Gaya), Patna, India. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History

Estimation of radiation characteristics of circular microstrip antenna in weakly ionized plasma medium

The paper deals with the analysis of circular microstrip antenna in weakly ionized plasma medium using the concept of vector magnetic potential, the expression for electric field and magnetic field has been obtained. Attempt has also been made to obtain the radiation resistance, trans-conductance and power radiated from the antenna. Particular emphasis has been given to estimate the effects of weakly ionized plasma medium on the directivity of antenna. It has been found that radiation characteristics and directivity of antenna affected sincerely by the weakly ionized plasma medium.