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.

Mycobased synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their incorporation into sodium alginate films for vegetable and fruit preservation.

Abstract: Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Trichoderma viride and their incorporation into sodium alginate for vegetable and fruit preservation has been demonstrated in this study. Aqueous silver (Ag(+)) ions when exposed to the filtrate of T. viride are reduced in solution. These extremely stable silver nanoparticles were characterized by means of UV-vis spectrophotometer, FTIR, TEM, and EDS. The nanoparticles exhibit maximum absorbance at 421 nm in the UV spectrum. The presence of proteins was identified by FTIR. TEM micrograph revealed the formation of polydispersed nanoparticles, and the presence of elemental silver was confirmed by EDS analysis. The silver nanoparticle incorporated sodium alginate thin film shows good antibacterial activity against test strains. This film increases the shelf life of carrot and pear when compared to control with respect to weight loss and soluble protein content. These results show silver nanoparticle incorporated sodium alginate coated vegetables and fruits are suitable for preservation.

Beneficial effects of aloe vera leaf gel extract on lipid profile status in rats with streptozotocin diabetes

Abstract: SUMMARY 1. The effect of diabetes mellitus on lipid metabolism is well established. The association of hyperglycaemia with an alteration of lipid parameters presents a major risk for cardiovascular complications in diabetes. Many secondary plant metabolites have been reported to possess lipid-lowering properties. The present study was designed to examine the potential antihyperlipidaemic efficacy of the ethanolic extract from Aloe vera leaf gel in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. 2. Oral administration of Aloe vera gel extract at a dose of 300 mg/kg bodyweight per day to STZ-induced diabetic rats for a period of 21 days resulted in a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose, hepatic transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase), plasma and tissue (liver and kidney) cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids and a significant improvement in plasma insulin. 3. In addition, the decreased plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein‐cholesterol and increased plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein‐and very low-density lipoprotein‐cholesterol in diabetic rats were restored to near normal levels following treatment with the extract. 4. The fatty acid composition of the liver and kidney was analysed by gas chromatography. The altered fatty acid composition in the liver and kidney of diabetic rats was restored following treatment with the extract. 5. Thus, the results of the present study provide a scientific rationale for the use of Aloe vera as an antidiabetic agent.

Phyllanthin-assisted biosynthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles: a novel biological approach

Abstract: The anisotropic gold and spherical–quasi-spherical silver nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by reducing aqueous chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution with the extract of phyllanthin at room temperature. The rate of reduction of HAuCl4 is greater than the AgNO3 at constant amount of phyllanthin extract. The size and shape of the NPs can be controlled by varying the concentration of phyllanthin extract and thereby to tune their optical properties in the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The case of low concentration of extract with HAuCl4 offers slow reduction rate along with the aid of electron-donating group containing extract leads to formation of hexagonal- or triangular-shaped gold NPs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed that the shape changes on the gold NPs from hexagonal to spherical particles with increasing initial concentration of phyllanthin extract. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analyses reveal that the interaction between NPs and phyllanthin extract. The cyclic voltammograms of silver and gold NPs confirms the conversion of higher oxidation state to zero oxidation state. Anisotropic gold and silver nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple procedure using phyllanthin extract as reducing agent. The rate of bioreduction of AgNO3 is lower than the HAuCl4 at constant concentration of phyllanthin extract. The required size of the nanoparticles can be prepared by varying the concentration of phyllanthin with AgNO3 and HAuCl4.

Mutations in the novel protocadherin PCDH15 cause Usher syndrome type 1F

Abstract: We have determined the molecular basis for Usher syndrome type 1F (USH1F) in two families segregating for this type of syndromic deafness By fluorescence in situ hybridization, we placed the human homolog of the mouse protocadherin Pcdh15 in the linkage interval defined by the USH1F locus We determined the genomic structure of this novel protocadherin, and found a single-base deletion in exon 10 in one USH1F family and a nonsense mutation in exon 2 in the second Consistent with the phenotypes observed in these families, we demonstrated expression of PCDH15 in the retina and cochlea by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry This report shows that protocadherins are essential for maintenance of normal retinal and cochlear function