Himanshu Kumar

Nov 18, 2024 | countercurrents.org | Himanshu Kumar |Dinkar Kapoor |Aviva Chomsky |Medea Benjamin

It has come to our attention that the Home Ministry of Chhattisgarh Government, via a circular dated 30 October 2024 has banned Moolwasi Bachao Manch, Bastar, stating it to be an unlawful and anti development organization. The ban has been initiated under section 3 of the draconian Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act (CSPSA). This circular does not cite any concrete reasons for the same.

Nov 15, 2024 | countercurrents.org | Himanshu Kumar |Onurcan Ülker |David Edwards |M K Bhadrakumar

At the time I am typing this message on my phone 15th November, 2024, soldiers from India’s government security forces are attacking an indigenous village in Bijapur district, Bastar region, Chhattisgarh state, with rockets. On November 13, at 2:00 am, hundreds of soldiers were brought to Kondapalli village under Usur police station, and a new police camp was established. As soon as the camp was set up, the soldiers began firing rocket launchers.

Apr 8, 2024 | nature.com | Himanshu Kumar |Sabbir Ahmed |Youri Adolfs |Johan Garssen |Paula Perez-Pardo |Anastasia Markidi | +5 more

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a cluster of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in communication and behavior. Increasing evidence suggests that the microbiota-gut-brain axis and the likely related immune imbalance may play a role in the development of this disorder. Gastrointestinal deficits and gut microbiota dysfunction have been linked to the development or severity of autistic behavior. Therefore, treatments that focus on specific diets may improve gastrointestinal function and aberrant behavior in individuals with ASD. In this study, we investigated whether a diet containing specific prebiotic fibers, namely, 3% galacto-oligosaccharide/fructo-oligosaccharide (GOS/FOS; 9:1), can mitigate the adverse effects of in utero exposure to valproic acid (VPA) in mice. Pregnant BALB/cByJ dams were injected with VPA (600 mg/kg, sc.) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) on gestational day 11 (G11). Male offspring were divided into four groups: (1) in utero PBS-exposed with a control diet, (2) in utero PBS-exposed with GOS/FOS diet, (3) in utero VPA-exposed with a control diet, and (4) in utero VPA-exposed with GOS/FOS diet. Dietary intervention started from birth and continued throughout the duration of the experiment. We showed that the prebiotic diet normalized VPA-induced alterations in male offspring, including restoration of key microbial taxa, intestinal permeability, peripheral immune homeostasis, reduction of neuroinflammation in the cerebellum, and impairments in social behavior and cognition in mice. Overall, our research provides valuable insights into the gut-brain axis involvement in ASD development. In addition, dietary interventions might correct the disbalance in gut microbiota and immune responses and, ultimately, might improve detrimental behavioral outcomes in ASD.

Feb 19, 2019 | gadgets360.com | Himanshu Kumar |Manoj Kumar |Rahul Kumar

Oct 15, 2018 | pubs.rsc.org | Himanshu Kumar