University of Madras

About: University of Madras is a education organization based out in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Ring (chemistry) & Lipid peroxidation. The organization has 8496 authors who have published 11369 publications receiving 211152 citations. The organization is also known as: Madras University & University of Chennai.

Hydrogeochemical processes and influence of seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers south of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Abstract: Seawater intrusion promotes the salinity of groundwater, and it poses a great environmental impact on a global scale. The present study was carried out to determine the hydrogeochemical processes and influence of seawater intrusion in the coastal aquifers using geophysical, geochemical, and stable isotope techniques. The true resistivity value ranges from 0.5 to 8008.5 Ω-m which has been measured using vertical electrical sounding (VES) based on the Schlumberger method. About 33 groundwater samples were collected during post-monsoon (POM) (January 2012) and pre-monsoon (PRM) (June 2012) seasons from open and bore wells and were analyzed for major ions and stable isotopes. EC, Na+, and Cl- were high in groundwater of wells near salt pan, the Buckingham Canal, and backwater regions. Around 45% of the groundwater of this study area is of Na+-Cl- type due to salinisation. Reverse ion exchange and silicate weathering are the dominant processes controlling the geochemistry of groundwater. Saturation indexes (SI) of halite (SIhalite) and gypsum (SIgypsum) versus sulfate show an increasing trend line from > 0 to < 0, which implies higher dissolution of minerals and hints increasing salinization during both seasons. The value of Na+/Cl- ranges between 0.7 and 2.4 (POM) and from 0.6 to 2.8 (PRM). The molar ratio suggested that around 25% of the groundwater samples are with values similar to those of seawater. Further, the groundwater is also affected by saline backwater, salt pan activities, and Buckingham Canal. Some locations are also are affected by anthropogenic, agricultural activities and geochemical processes. Heavy stable isotopes were found to be dominant in the coastal region due to seawater intrusion. Stable isotopes of δ18O range from - 5.6 to - 2.9‰ during both periods. About 201 km2 of this area is affected by salinization. It is necessary to reduce pumping and plan for physical barriers to create freshwater ridges for controling the seawater intrusion.

The effects of chronic ill health and treatment with sulphasalazine on fertility amongst men and women with inflammatory bowel disease in Leicestershire

Abstract: The aims of the study were to ascertain whether patients have similar a fertility rate to the background population in Leicestershire and whether they have a similar rate of congenital malformations compared to the background population in Leicestershire. Over 1400 patients were invided to participate with an overall response rate of 81% after three successive mailings. The response rate was similar for both sexes and between the disease groups. The crude infertility rate for the group was 21%. The mean number of children for the whole group was 1.7 ± 1.3 but both men and women with Crohn's disease had significantly less children than would be expected, (men with Crohn's disease 1.5, women with Crohn's disease 1.2). There were 39 children (2% of overall births) with congenital abnormalities reported by patients with inflammatory bowel disease and in 29 cases the parents reported taking sulphasalazine (Table 3). Although this figure compares well with the 1.8% reported congenital abnormality rate for Leicestershire within the patient group in this study congenital malformations were significantly related to sulphasalazine use, z = 4.3, P < 0.0001. In conclusion sulphasalazine not only as causes morphological abnormalities in spermatozoa but may increase the chances of having congenitally abnormal offspring amongst men with IBD. The effects of other 5-aminosalacylic acids have yet to be studied in detail.

Studies on defluoridation of water by coal-based sorbents

Abstract: Drinking water containing fluoride above a level of 1 mg/dm 3 is considered to be unsafe for human consumption. Higher intake of fluoride can cause potential health hazards. The conventional processes of fluoride removal from water are ion exchange, reverse osmosis and electro-dialysis. However, the utility of these processes has been limited due to their expensive operation and subsequent disposal problem of the waste brine generated. Defluoridation of water samples by coal-based sorbents was studied at different adsorbent dosages. First-order adsorption rate constants using the Lagergren equation, the Freundlich adsorption isotherm, the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, film diffusion and pore diffusion coefficients have been evaluated for each system. The effect of pH on fluoride removal and the mechanism has also been discussed.

Crossing the threshold: engendered definitions of socially acceptable domestic violence in Chennai, India

Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the pathways by which gender norms may influence marital violence in low‐income communities of Chennai, India. As part of a multisite international behavioural HIV intervention trial, 48 in‐depth interviews and 14 focus groups with men and women were conducted in two randomly selected low‐income communities within the city. Interviews were taped, transcribed, translated, coded and analysed to identify recurrent themes. A multi‐layered conceptual framework was used to examine individual, relational, community and societal level determinants of marital violence in this setting. Participants noted that husbands hold decision‐making power in economic, social and sexual spheres. Clear patterns of violence were present; respondents reported that husbands regularly beat wives in most marriages. Marital conflicts were intensified by the presence of community level stressors such as poverty and unemployment. Participants perceived violence to be a necessary tool that serv...

Synergistic anticancer activity of curcumin and catechin: An in vitro study using human cancer cell lines

Abstract: The most practical approach to reduce morbidity and mortality of cancer is to delay the process of carcinogenesis by usage of anticancer agents. This necessitates that safer compounds are to be critically examined for anticancer activity especially, those derived from natural sources. A spice commonly found in India and the surrounding regions, is turmeric, derived from the rhizome of Curcuma longa and the major active component is a phytochemical termed curcumin. Green tea is one of the most popular beverages used worldwide, produced from the leaves of evergreen plant Camellia sinensis and the major active ingredients are polyphenolic compounds known as catechins. In this study, synergistic anticancer activity of curcumin and catechin was evaluated in human colon adenocarcinoma HCT 15, HCT 116, and human larynx carcinoma Hep G-2 cell lines. Although, both curcumin or catechin inhibited the growth of above cell lines, interestingly, in combination of both these compounds highest level of growth control was observed. The anticancer activity shown is due to cytotoxicity, nuclear fragmentation as well as condensation, and DNA fragmentation associated with the appearance of apoptosis. These results suggest that curcumin and catechin in combination can inhibit the proliferation of HCT 15, HCT 116, as well as Hep G-2 cells efficiently through induction of apoptosis.