Ongoing Clinical Trials of Vaccines to Fight against COVID-19 Pandemic

Chakraborty Chiranjib,SHARMA ASHISH RANJAN,Bhattacharya Manojit,Sharma Garima,Saha Rudra P.,이상수 대한면역학회 2021 Immune Network Vol.21 No.1

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has developed as a pandemic, and it created an outrageous effect on the current healthcare and economic system throughout the globe. To date, there is no appropriate therapeutics or vaccines against the disease. The entire human race is eagerly waiting for the development of new therapeutics or vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Efforts are being taken to develop vaccines at a rapid rate for fighting against the ongoing pandemic situation. Amongst the various vaccines under consideration, some are either in the preclinical stage or in the clinical stages of development (phase-I, -II, and -III). Even, phase-III trials are being conducted for some repurposed vaccines like Bacillus Calmette–Guérin, polio vaccine, and measles-mumps-rubella. We have highlighted the ongoing clinical trial landscape of the COVID-19 as well as repurposed vaccines. An insight into the current status of the available antigenic epitopes for SARS-CoV-2 and different types of vaccine platforms of COVID-19 vaccines has been discussed. These vaccines are highlighted throughout the world by different news agencies. Moreover, ongoing clinical trials for repurposed vaccines for COVID-19 and critical factors associated with the development of COVID-19 vaccines have also been described.

SOME RESULTS ON THE UNIQUE RANGE SETS

Chakraborty, Bikash,Kamila, Jayanta,Pal, Amit Kumar,Saha, Sudip Korean Mathematical Society 2021 대한수학회지 Vol.58 No.3

In this paper, we exhibit the equivalence between different notions of unique range sets, namely, unique range sets, weighted unique range sets and weak-weighted unique range sets under certain conditions. Also, we present some uniqueness theorems which show how two meromorphic functions are uniquely determined by their two finite shared sets. Moreover, in the last section, we make some observations that help us to construct other new classes of unique range sets.

Electromagnetic Interference Reflectivity of Nanostructured Manganese Ferrite Reinforced Polypyrrole Composites

Chakraborty, Himel,Chabri, Sumit,Bhowmik, Nandagopal The Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic 2013 Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Material Vol.14 No.6

Nano-size manganese ferrite reinforced conductive polypyrrole composites reveal a core-shell structure by in situ polymerization, in the presence of dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid as the surfactant and dopant, and iron chloride as the oxidant. The structure and magnetic properties of manganese ferrite nano-fillers were measured, by using X-ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometer. The morphology, microstructure, and conductivity of the composite were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and four-wire technique. The microwave-absorbing properties of composites reinforcement dispersed in resin coating with the coating thickness of 1.2 nm were investigated, by using vector network analyzers, in the frequency range of 8~12 GHz. A reflection loss of -8 dB was observed at 10.5 GHz.

Preparation of CdS/BiOCl/Bi₂O₃ double composite system for visible light active photocatalytic applications

Chakraborty, Ashok Kumar,Ganguli, Sumon,Bera, Sandipan,Lee, Wan In Elsevier 2018 Journal of photochemistry and photobiology Chemist Vol.364 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>An efficient visible-light-harvesting (λ ≥ 420 nm) three component system heterojunction photocatalyst, CdS/BiOCl/Bi<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> was prepared by anchoring of CdS nanoparticles on the surface of BiOCl/Bi<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> composite. The effect of CdS nanoparticles on the surface of BiOCl/Bi<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> composite photocatalyst had been justified in enhancing photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of organic pollutants in gas as well as aqueous phase. With the loading of CdS on to the BiOCl/Bi<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> heterojunction composite photocatalyst, the photocatalytic activity of the CdS/BiOCl/Bi<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> composite structure has been appreciably improved for the decomposition of 2-propanol (IPA) in gas phase and salicylic acid (SA) in aqueous phase under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm). The amount of loading of CdS nanoparticles was optimized to 2 mol% CdS/BiOCl/Bi<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB>. Compare to bare BiOCl/Bi<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> photocatalyst, CdS/BiOCl/Bi<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> heterojunction demonstrated 2 times decomposition of IPA in gas phase and 1.8 times of SA in aqueous phase after 120 min. of visible light irradiation. At the same time, with this composition the evolution of CO<SUB>2</SUB> from degradation of IPA was 1.9 times higher than that of BiOCl/Bi<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> composite. The enhanced photocatalytic efficiency is deduced from the electron (eˉ) and hole (h<SUP>+</SUP>) transfer among the component semiconductor nanoparticles Bi<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB>, BiOCl and CdS due to their relative energy band positions. Several experimental evidences were also provided to confirm the electron-hole transfer among the semiconductors and a mechanistic way has been proposed.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> CdS has been successfully anchored on to the surface of BiOCl/Bi<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> composite photocatalyst. </LI> <LI> CdS/BiOCl/Bi<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> composite photocatalyst demonstrated higher absorption towards visible light. </LI> <LI> Recombination of photoexcited electrons (e<SUP>−</SUP>) and holes (h<SUP>+</SUP>) has been effectively inhibited. </LI> <LI> Photoinduced hole (h<SUP>+</SUP>) and hydroxyl radical (OH) has been experimentally proved. </LI> <LI> Photocatalytic activity has been remarkably enhanced under visible light. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Micro-Environmental Signature of The Interactions between Druggable Target Protein, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV, and Anti-Diabetic Drugs

Chakraborty, Chiranjib,Mallick, Bidyut,Sharma, Ashish Ranjan,Sharma, Garima,Jagga, Supriya,Doss, C George Priya,Nam, Ju-Suk,Lee, Sang-Soo Royan Institute 2017 Cell journal (Yakhteh) Vol.19 No.1

<P><B>Objective</B></P><P> Druggability of a target protein depends on the interacting micro-environment between the target protein and drugs. Therefore, a precise knowledge of the interacting micro-environment between the target protein and drugs is requisite for drug discovery process. To understand such micro-environment, we performed in silico interaction analysis between a human target protein, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV (DPP-4), and three anti-diabetic drugs (saxagliptin, linagliptin and vildagliptin). </P><P><B>Materials and Methods</B></P><P> During the theoretical and bioinformatics analysis of micro-environmental properties, we performed drug-likeness study, protein active site predictions, docking analysis and residual interactions with the protein-drug interface. Micro-environmental landscape properties were evaluated through various parameters such as binding energy, intermolecular energy, electrostatic energy, van der Waals’+H-bond+desolvo energy (E<SUB>VHD</SUB>) and ligand efficiency (LE) using different in silico methods. For this study, we have used several servers and software, such as Molsoft prediction server, CASTp server, AutoDock software and LIGPLOT server. </P><P><B>Results</B></P><P> Through micro-environmental study, highest log P value was observed for linagliptin (1.07). Lowest binding energy was also observed for linagliptin with DPP-4 in the binding plot. We also identified the number of H-bonds and residues involved in the hydrophobic interactions between the DPP-4 and the anti-diabetic drugs. During interaction, two H-bonds and nine residues, two H-bonds and eleven residues as well as four H-bonds and nine residues were found between the saxagliptin, linagliptin as well as vildagliptin cases and DPP-4, respectively. </P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>Our in silico data obtained for drug-target interactions and micro-environmental signature demonstrates linagliptin as the most stable interacting drug among the tested anti-diabetic medicines.</P>

Analysis of regeneration protocols for micropropagation of Pterocarpus santalinus

Chakraborty Tanushree,Chaitanya K. Viswanatha,Akhtar Nasim 한국식물생명공학회 2022 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.16 No.1

A micropropagation is a powerful tool in the era of the biotechnology revolution. It has a broad range of potentiality as compared to conventional vegetative propagation attracting researchers, industrialists, governmental and nongovernmental organizations at the national and international level. The potential methods of organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis, primarily through callogenesis, allow the production of genotypically identical and pharmacologically conserved disease- free healthy stocks in shorter times. Pterocarpus santalinus, the pride of Andhra Pradesh, has become endangered due to medicinal and commercial overexploitation. The micropropagation of P. santalinus poses many cultural challenges due to limited regeneration potential through callogenesis, organogenesis, and somatic embryogenesis. The lack of proper explant treatment and the effect of plant growth regulators limit the application of published protocols to reproduce the results. The challenge, such as heavy contamination of mature explants with endophytic fungi, forced us to explore the potential of immature tissues for regeneration through induction of somatic embryogenesis. We observed that immature tissues (zygotic embryo, petal, ovary, and anther) are better responsive than mature tissues with the scantiest contamination and phenolic release. The present study analyzed, evaluated, and interpreted the different parameters applied in the micropropagation of P. santalinus. The aim is to solve the discrepancies of existing protocols to present complete insight for future needs in the successful regeneration of the species. The review also compared various treatments to overcome dormancy and promote germination. It also discussed the possibilities of induction of somatic embryogenesis for future research.

Genome-wide identification, characterization, and expression profiling of 14-3-3 genes in legumes

Chakraborty Srija,Soudararajan Prabhakaran,Kumar Shailesh 한국식물생명공학회 2022 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.16 No.5

In plants, a large multigene family encodes 14-3-3 proteins, which are commonly found in eukaryotes. They are involved in plant development and environmental stress regulation. The current study aims to identify and characterize the 14-3-3 gene family in four important legumes, viz. Cicer arietinum, Cajanus cajan, Vigna radiata and Arachis hypogaea. The 14-3-3 proteins were clustered into ε and non-ε groups based on phylogenetic analysis, which was further confirmed by gene struc- ture analysis, and motif composition analysis. Our study suggests that segmental duplication events played a pivotal role in the evolution and expansion of this gene family. Evidence of both stress-responsive, and hormone-responsive cis-regulatory elements in the promoter region of the 14-3-3 genes points to the possibility that they might be involved in the interplay between hormone and stress signalling pathways. The expression profiling using RNA-seq data sets showed a variation in expression level in most 14-3-3 genes under multiple stress conditions, and in different developmental stages. Hence, this study affirms the participation of the 14-3-3 genes in multiple stress regulation, and in growth and development of the legumes. The results obtained from this study provide crucial information for improved understanding, and stress response analysis of the 14-3-3 gene family in C. arietinum, C. cajan, V. radiata and A. hypogaea.

Exploring the neural mechanisms of aversion to bitter gourd phytochemicals in insects using Drosophila

Chakraborty Rusha,Thakur Tamanna Singh,Chauhan Riti,Manzar Zeba,Das Gaurav,Mitra Aniruddha 한국응용곤충학회 2021 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.24 No.3

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) has compounds that repel insect pests. Unlike conventional pesticides, these compounds are eco-friendly and beneficial for human health. However the mechanisms by which these compounds repel insects and affect their physiology remains poorly known. Here we used Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen) to address these issues. We tested a wild strain, and a laboratory bred Canton S strain. Bitter gourd extract reduced the viability of developing flies, but did not affect survival in adults. Flies avoided bitter gourd extract in a food choice assay, and consumed a significantly low amount of food mixed with bitter gourd – indicating that it acts as an antifeedant. Transgenic flies with impaired aversive taste sensitive neurons showed a reduced aversion towards bitter gourd extract showing that these compounds act through the bitter sensitive gustatory neurons. Finally, flies also retained the memory of consuming bitter gourd extract for at least 24 hours, suggesting an additional cognitive mechanism for long term aversion. Our study provides the first evidence of bitter gourd compounds acting as antifeedants and also as potent reinforcers of aversive memory in drosophilids. We suggest that flies can be used to understand the physiological and neural mechanisms underlying the mode of action of other such phyto-extracts with the goal of developing potent but less harmful pest control formulations.

Spirituality bestowing self-transcendence amid COVID-19 through slow fashion

Chakraborty Swagata,Sadachar Amrut 한국마케팅과학회 2023 Journal of Global Fashion Marketing Vol.14 No.3

We proposed and tested a conceptual model exploring how (i) COVID-stress evokes spirituality; (ii) COVID-stress and spirituality engender positive attitude toward the different dimensions of slow fashion (i.e. equity, authenticity, functionality, localism, and exclusivity) as a symbol of self-transcendence and (iii) spirituality mediates the relationships between COVID-stress and the different dimensions of slow fashion. We conducted an online survey in Amazon Mechanical Turk (n = 317) and analyzed the data through structural equation modeling. (i) COVID-stress positively influences spirituality; (ii) both COVID-stress and spirituality positively influ- ence attitude toward slow fashion in terms of equity, authenticity, localism, and exclusivity; (iii) spirituality mediates the relationships between COVID-stress and all the dimensions of slow fashion except for functionality. Due to the fast-changing situations amid the pandemic and the uneven severity of the pandemic globally, a cross-sectional study may have limited the scope for capturing nuances of retail consumer behavior. In summary, we suggest that the consumption of slow fashion apparel as a symbol of self- transcendence may help consumers cope with COVID-stress in the hope of building spiritual ties with a higher power through the process of ethical consumption amid the pandemic.

Biconnectivity, st-numbering and other applications of DFS using O(n) bits

Chakraborty, S.,Raman, V.,Satti, S.R. Academic Press 2017 Journal of Computer and System Sciences Vol.90 No.-

<P>We consider space efficient implementations of some classical applications of DFS including the problem of testing biconnectivity and 2-edge connectivity, finding cut vertices and cut edges, computing chain decomposition and st-numbering of a given undirected graph G on n vertices and m edges. Classical algorithms for them typically use DFS and some Omega(1gn) bits(1) of information at each vertex. Building on a recent O (n)-bits implementation of DFS due to Elmasry et al. (STACS 2015) we provide O (n)-bit implementations for all these applications of DFS. Our algorithms take O (m lg(c) n IgIgn) time for some small constant c (where c <= 2). Central to our implementation is a succinct representation of the DFS tree and a space efficient partitioning of the DFS tree into connected subtrees, which maybe of independent interest for designing other space efficient graph algorithms. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</P>