Summaries of PhDs awarded by University of Kerala (2015) Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) University of Kerala 2016 Compilation: Ms. Bindu Kumary S. DEO, University of Kerala This is one of the reports compiled by IQAC to enable study and analysis of research activities of the University. This is meant for private circulation only. © University of Kerala 2016 1 Summaries of PhDs awarded by University of Kerala (2015) Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) University of Kerala 2016 2 Summaries of PhDs Awarded in 2015 Contents Stream: Science & Technology 1 Biochemistry 5 - 14 2 Botany 15 - 24 3 Chemistry 25 - 46 4 Dentistry 47 - 49 5 Aquatic Biology and Fisheries 50 - 54 6 Demography 55 - 56 7 Environmental Sciences 57 - 59 8 Geology 60 - 64 9 Mathematics 65 - 68 10 Medicine 69 - 71 11 Nursing 72 - 74 12 Physical Education 75 - 78 13 Physics 79 - 86 14 Psychology 87 - 92 15 Statistics 93 - 94 16 Zoology 95 - 105 17 Geography 106 - 108 18 Futures Studies 109 - 110 19 Biotechnology 111 - 128 20 Organic Chemistry 129 - 130 21 Engineering 131 - 140 Stream: Social Science 1 Commerce 141 - 145 2 Economics 146 - 149 3 Education 150 - 158 4 History 159 - 165 5 Home Science 166 - 168 6 Law 169 - 171 7 Learning Disability 172 - 173 8 Library & Information Science 174 - 177 9 Management Studies 178 - 183 10 Philosophy 184 - 186 11 Physical Education 187 - 190 12 Political Science 191 - 194 13 Social Work 195 - 197 14 Sociology 198 - 201 Stream: Arts and Humanities 1 Arabic 202 - 203 2 English 204 - 210 3 German 211 - 212 4 Malayalam 213 - 220 5 Music 221 - 226 6 Sanskrit 227 - 232 7 Tamil 233 - 235 8 Hindi 236 - 247 9 Linguistics 248 - 249 3 Preface University of Kerala accepted 343 PhD dissertations in 2015. All the PhD dissertations are archived in the Kerala University Library (with over 4000 dissertation so far) and also being uploaded into the Shodhganga on-line repository maintained by UGC. However it is practically impossible to get an overview of the research reported in these theses, spread over nearly 50 subjects in voluminous reports running to over 50,000 pages in total. Any assessment of the research work therefore remains to be enabled by a convenient compilation. The Internal Quality Assurance Cell of the University of Kerala has therefore chosen to compile summaries of all PhD theses in a standart format. The following is a snapshot of statistics: Total No. of PhDs awarded in 2015 343 PhDs awarded stream-wise Science & Technology: 171 Social Science: 94 Arts and Humanities: 78 No. of abstracts compiled in this Volume 198 Average No. of Pages in thesis Science and Technology: 220 Social Science: 283 Arts and Humanities: 293 Overall: 249 Average No. of references cited Science and Technology: 282 Social Science: 243 Arts and Humanities: 123 Overall: 241 About 60% of the scholars who were awarded PhD in 2015 have obliged with our request. This compilation is being released for enabling stake holders of University of Kerala to study and analyse the same. Vice-Chancellor 4 Stream: Science & Technology Subject: Biochemistry 5 Title: “Identification of specific microRNAs involved in differentiation of retinal ganglion cells” Researcher: Abdul Rasheed .V .T Guide: Dr. Jackson James Subject: Biochemistry Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are one of the specialized neurons among the seven cell types in the retina that transmit the visual signals to the brain. In view of the recent advances, particularly regarding the post-transcription regulation by miRNAs in retina, we have looked into the miRNAs that could potentially target Brn3b and thereby regulate RGC differentiation during development. Here, we initially used an in silico approach to identify miRNAs that are specific to RGCs and demonstrated the role of miR- 23a and miR-374 in regulating the developmental wave of expression of the RGC marker Brn3b (Pou4f2) during development of RGCs. Secondly, we demonstrated that the wave of Brn3b expression is regulated by a coordinated expression of miR-23a and miR-374 during the developmental of retina and their over-expression in retinal explants reduced the expression of Brn3b in the Ganglion cell layer (GCL) of the retina. Next, we demonstrated the role of miR-23a and miR-374 acting on various factors in the intraretinal axon guidance pathway, specifically the Robo-Slit mediated guidance which directs the RGC axons to their proper destinations. The expression of Robo2 seems to be regulated during the late phase of RGC by miR-23a/miR374 while Robo1 may be regulated by miR-23a alone and this may be a mechanism to regulate the axon guidance factors within the retina. Thus, we provide convincing evidences for the existences of a co-ordinated mechanism in regulating the timing of Brn3b expression by miR-23a and miR-374, which will ultimately regulate the development of RGCs from their progenitors and later their survival and axonal guidance. Overall, ours and previous studies would be useful in finding the physiological importance of miRNAs in retinal degenerative diseases and designing treatments targeting them. Major publication appeared in: Developmental Neurobiology Total Pages of the thesis: 264 Total No. of references cited in the thesis: 226 Email of Researcher: [email protected] 6 Title: “A comparative study on the impact of high carbohydrate diet on isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction” Researcher: Febi John Guide: Dr. M. Indira Subject: Biochemistry Diet and nutrition are widely believed to play an important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Myocardial infarction (MI) is the most important cause of mortality among the CVD’s. The roles of different dietary intake in CVD are gaining importance as it will help in early intervention in the progression of the diseases. White rice and cassava are carbohydrate rich foods. Thus, the present study is based on the hypothesis that high carbohydrate (HC) diet (75% carbohydrate) when compared to standard diet (60% carbohydrate) influence the incidence of CVD. The study conducted on experimental animals showed an increased lipogenesis, decreased mitochondrial energy metabolism, increased oxidative stress markers, accelerated 5-LO pathway and upregulation of RAGE-NF-κB pathway in the HC diet groups, both in control and ISO groups when compared to standard groups. The effect was higher for white rice when compared to cassava in both control and ISO groups. The endothelial dysfunction was also found higher in white rice fed group. The effect of HC diet in Nrf2 dependent upregulation of hypertrophic markers and left ventricular remodeling showed increased hypertrophic responses and collagen expression in the LV in HC diet fed rat heart. The hypertrophy and remodeling was higher in the white rice fed group. Thus, HC diet consumption especially white rice when compared to cassava creates a more vulnerable environment in the heart which may increase the complications of cardiac damages. Keywords: Myocardial infarction, high carbohydrate diet, white rice, cassava, Major publication appeared in: Journal of Global Biosciences Total no. of pages in the thesis: 237 Total no. of references cited in the thesis: 467 Email of Researcher: [email protected] 7 Title: “Polymeric Nanocapsules Mediated Therapeutic Strategies in Atherosclerosis” Researcher: Janeesh .P .A Guide: Dr. Annie Abraham Subject: Biochemistry Polymer nanocapsules were synthesised according to the established procedures and were characterised successfully using scanning electron microscope. After characterization, preliminary toxicity studies were done and found to be non toxic and further moved to detailed study. Natural products have long been recognized as important sources for therapeutically effective medicines. Robinin (Kaempferol 3-O- robinoside-7-O-rhamnoside) is one of the derivatives of Kaempferol; it is present in flavonoid fraction of Vigna unguiculata leaf which is edible and unexplored for any activity. The in vitro anti-inflammatory potential of Robinin - a flavonoid - showed that it ameliorates the inflammatory insult by inhibiting transcriptional activation. The in vivo study on atherosclerotic rats showed that Robinin possess antioxidant, hypolipidemic and anti-atherogenic property in ameliorating cholesterol induced atherosclerosis. Encapsulation of Robinin to polymeric nanocapsules has been characterised by FTIR and UV spectrum. In vitro drug release study showed efficient release of the drug from polymeric nanocapsule delivery system after 72 hours of study. Cellular uptake studies using Robinin encapsulated nanocapsules showed an efficient uptake. Oil red staining of macrophages were done to assess the amount of lipid content in foam cells. Overall, in vitro study revealed significant inhibition of macrophages transformed foam cell by Robinin encapsulated polymeric nanocapsule drug delivery system and further moved to in vivo studies. The polymeric nanocapsule loaded Robinin showed efficient anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory potential in reducing cholesterol induced foam cell triggered atherosclerosis in rats. Major publication appeared in: Chemical biology and Drug design Total number of pages in thesis: 212 Total number of Reference cited in thesis: 283 Email of researcher: [email protected] 8 Title: “Studies on Tamarindus indica polysaccharide nanoparticle as immunomodulatory / anticancer agent and as a potent drug carrier” Researcher: Manu M. Joseph Guide: Dr. T. T. Sreelekha Subject: Biochemistry Co-Guide: Dr. S. Mini A novel strategy for synthesis