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.

Ecotoxicity of nanoparticles.

Abstract: Nanotechnology is a science of producing and utilizing nanosized particles that are measured in nanometers. The unique size-dependent properties make the nanoparticles superior and indispensable as they show unusual physical, chemical, and properties such as conductivity, heat transfer, melting temperature, optical properties, and magnetization. Taking the advantages of these singular properties in order to develop new products is the main purpose of nanotechnology, and that is why it is regarded as “the next industrial revolution.” Although nanotechnology is quite a recent discipline, there have already high number of publications which discuss this topic. However, the safety of nanomaterials is of high priority. Whereas toxicity focuses on human beings and aims at protecting individuals, ecotoxicity looks at various trophic organism levels and intend to protect populations and ecosystems. Ecotoxicity includes natural uptake mechanisms and the influence of environmental factors on bioavailability (and thereby on toxicity). The present paper focuses on the ecotoxic effects and mechanisms of nanomaterials on microorganisms, plants, and other organisms including humans.

Application of Talc Formulations of Pseudomonas fluorescens Migula and Trichoderma viride Pers. ex S.F. Gray Decrease the Sheath Blight Disease and Enhance the Plant Growth and Yield in Rice

Abstract: The effect of talc formulations of Pseudomonas fluorescens Migula and Trichoderma viride Pers. ex S.F. Gray applications either alone or in combination on crop growth, sheath blight disease and grain yield in rice was investigated in three different field experiments. Increased root and shoot lengths, dry weight and plant height were recorded following treatment of plants with P. fluorescens and T. viride either alone or in combination when compared with control. Application of P. fluorescens and T. viride resulted in a significant reduction of sheath blight incidence caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn and was comparable to the treatment with a systemic fungicide, Carbendazim. The number of productive tillers, grains per panicle and grain test weight were also significantly increased in the treated plots with commensurate increase in grain and straw yields when compared with control. The promotion of plant growth and yield and suppression of sheath blight disease were marginally improved following combined application of P. fluorescens and T. viride. Although the combined application of both biocontrol agents did not lead to statistically significant additive effects in reducing the sheath blight and increasing grain yield when compared with their individual applications, no negative effect was recorded in this combined application treatment. Hence, the talc formulations of biocontrol agents either alone or in combination can be recommended as one of the crop protection strategies for the management of sheath blight of rice.

Proteomic analysis of cytoplasmic and surface proteins from yeast cells, hyphae, and biofilms of Candida albicans.

Abstract: Candida albicans is a human commensal and opportunistic pathogen that participates in biofilm formation on host surfaces and also on medical devices. We used DIGE analysis to assess the cytoplasmic and non-covalently attached cell surface proteins in biofilm formed on polymethylmethacrylate and planktonic yeast cells and hyphae. Of the 1490 proteins spots from cytoplasmic and 580 protein spots from the surface extracts analyzed, 265 and 108 were differentially abundant respectively (≥1.5 fold, p<0.05). Differences of both greater and lesser abundance were found between biofilms and both planktonic conditions as well as between yeast cells and hyphae. The identity of 114 cytoplasmic and 80 surface protein spots determined represented 73 and 25 unique proteins respectively. Analyses showed that yeast cells differed most in cytoplasmic profiling while biofilms differed most in surface profiling. Several processes and functions were significantly affected by the differentially abundant cytoplasmic proteins. Particularly noted were many of the enzymes of respiratory and fermentative pentose and glucose metabolism, folate interconversions and proteins associated with oxidative and stress response functions, host response, and multi-organism interaction. The differential abundance of cytoplasmic and surface proteins demonstrated that sessile and planktonic organisms have a unique profile.