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.

An Update on Nanomaterials-Based Textiles for Protection and Decontamination

Abstract: Protective clothing currently used against chemical and biological warfare (CBW) agents use activated charcoal impregnated with metal ions, which serve to physically adsorb nerve and blister agents thereby creating disposal hazards after its usage. Nanotechnology is booming in an unprecedented way in creating its impact in various applications such as in catalysis. Metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs) such as TiO2 and MgO are currently used as potential catalysts for the decontamination of CBW agents. Various synthetic routes adopted for the preparation of MONPs are highlighted in this review. When compared with conventionally-prepared samples, aerogel-prepared samples are more reactive toward toxic chemicals and their ability to degrade CBW is presented here. TiO2 photocatalysts in the presence of UV light and mixed metal oxides are found to be efficient catalysts when compared with individual oxides. The recent trend of exploiting nanoparticles and the high aspect ratio ceramic oxide nanofibers for use in protective clothing, wipe materials, and textiles has been presented. Some of the issues concerning integration of metal oxides into fabrics for sensors are also reviewed in this article.

Lupeol ameliorates aflatoxin B1-induced peroxidative hepatic damage in rats.

Abstract: Aflatoxins are potent hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic agents. Reactive oxygen species and consequent peroxidative damage caused by aflatoxin are considered to be the main mechanisms leading to hepatotoxicity. The present investigation aims at assessing the hepatoprotective effect of lupeol, a pentacyclic triterpene isolated from the stem bark of Crataeva nurvala, on aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1))-induced hepatotoxicity in a rat model. The hepatoprotection of lupeol is compared with silymarin, a well known standard hepatoprotectant. Lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases were found to be significantly increased in the serum and decreased in the liver of AFB(1) administered (1 mg/kg body mass, orally) rats, suggesting hepatic damage. Marked increase in the lipid peroxide levels and a concomitant decrease in the enzymic (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione-S-transferase) and nonenzymic (reduced glutathione, vitamin C and vitamin E) antioxidants in the hepatic tissue were observed in AFB(1) administered rats. Pretreatment with lupeol (100 mg/kg body mass, orally) and silymarin (100 mg/kg body mass, orally) for 7 days reverted the condition to near normalcy. Hepatoprotection by lupeol is further substantiated by the normal histologic findings as against degenerative changes in the AFB(1) administered rats. The results of this study indicate that lupeol is a potent hepatoprotectant as silymarin.

C—H⋯O Hydrogen Bonds in β‐sheets

Abstract: A detailed analysis of the occurrence of the C-H...O hydrogen bonds in sheet regions of proteins has been presented. 11 unique protein structures with resolution 1.3 A containing beta-sheets show a widespread presence of C-H...O hydrogen bonds. These have average C(alpha).O, CH...O distances and a C(alpha)-H...O angle of 3.29, 2.38 A and 143 degrees, respectively. As in the case of N-H...O hydrogen bonds, parallel and antiparallel beta-sheet regions show the same hydrogen-bond geometry. An inverse correlation is observed between the hydrogen-bond geometries involving the C(alpha)(i)-H...O=C and the N(i+1)-H...O=C suggesting that C-H...O hydrogen bonds may act as an additional stabilizing factor. The propensity of different amino-acid residues to form such hydrogen bonds varies and shows a clear preference for valine and threonine. C-H...O hydrogen bonds involving side chains also occur extensively in beta-sheet regions.