University of Calcutta (informally known as Calcutta University or CU) is a collegiate public state university located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.&nbsp;Within India it is recognized as a &quot;Five-Star University&quot; and accredited &quot;A&quot; Grade by National Assessment and Accreditation Council.

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The University of Calcutta has secured the Fifth position among the Universities of India in the prestigious &quot;Indian University Ranking 2019&quot; list, released by the NIRF of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.

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It was established on 24 January 1857, and was one of the first institutions in Asia to be established as a multidisciplinary and Western-style university. Its alumni and faculty include several heads of state, heads of government, social reformers, prominent artists, only academy award winner and Dirac medal winner in India, many Fellows of the Royal Society and five Nobel laureates as of 2019 which is highest in South Asia.

University Of Calcutta

Chemical Technology

The development of drug carriers based on nanomaterials that can selectively carry chemotherapeutic agents to cancer cells has become a major focus in biomedical research. A novel pH-sensitive multifunctional envelope-type mesoporous silica nanoparticle (SBA-15) was fabricated for targeted drug delivery to human colorectal carcinoma cells (HCT-116). SBA-15 was functionalized with folic acid (FA), and the material was loaded with the water-insoluble flavonoid, quercetin (QN). Additionally, acid-labile magnetite Fe3O4 nanoparticles were embedded over the FA-functionalized QN-loaded monodisperse SBA-15 to prepare the highly orchestrated material FA-FE-SBA15QN. The in vitro and in vivo anti-carcinogenic efficacy of FA-FE-SBA15QN was carried out to explore the pH-sensitive QN release with putative mechanistic aspects. FA-FE-SBA15QN caused a marked tumor suppression, and triggered mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis through a redox-regulated cellular signaling system. Furthermore, FA-IO-SBA-15-QN initiated the c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK)-guided H2AX phosphorylation, which relayed the downstream apoptotic signal to the phosphorylate tumor suppressor protein, p53. On the other hand, the selective inhibition of heat shock protein-27 (HSP-27) by FA-FE-SBA15QN augmented the apoptotic fate through JNK/H2AX/p53 axis. The in vitro and in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have indicated the theranostic perspective of the composite. Thus, the result suggested that the newly synthesized FA-FE-SBA15QN could be used as a promising chemo theranostic material for the management of carcinoma. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.

World University root node

RSC Advances

Folic acid-conjugated magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with quercetin: A theranostic approach for cancer management

Nano Medicine and Nano Safety

Nanoemulsion Delivery of Herbal Products: Prospects and Challenges

The incessant need to increase crop yields has led to the development of many chemical fertilizers containing NPK (nitrogen–phosphorous–potassium) which can degrade soil health in the long term. In addition, these fertilizers are often leached into nearby water bodies causing algal bloom and eutrophication. Bacterial secondary metabolites exuded into the extracellular space, termed extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) have gained commercial significance because of their biodegradability, non-toxicity, and renewability. In many habitats, bacterial communities faced with adversity will adhere together by production of EPS which also serves to bond them to surfaces. Typically, hygroscopic, EPS retain moisture in desiccating conditions and modulate nutrient exchange. Many plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPR) combat harsh environmental conditions like salinity, drought, and attack of pathogens by producing EPS. The adhesive nature of EPS promotes soil aggregation and restores moisture thus combating soil erosion and promoting soil fertility. In addition, these molecules play vital roles in maintaining symbiosis and nitrogen fixation thus enhancing sustainability. Thus, along with other commercial applications, EPS show promising avenues for improving agricultural productivity thus helping to address land scarcity as well as minimizing environmental pollution. © 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Current Microbiology

Exploring the Role of Bacterial Extracellular Polymeric Substances for Sustainable Development in Agriculture

Microfine cordierite precursor powder of stoichiometric chemical composition, 2MgO center dot 2Ao(2)O(3).5SiO(2), can be synthesized by semi colloidal route using dehydroxylated china clay, precipitated silica, magnesium hydroxide. The derived cordierite precursor is characterized by chemical analysis, BET surface area, particle size distribution, differential thermal analysis (DTA), FTIR spectroscopy, TG-DTA analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. The study reveals that crystallization of mu-cordierite from amorphous precursor starts at 900 degrees C as confirmed by differential thermal analyses, X-ray. The SEM studies of the precursor calcined at 900 degrees C focuses the uniform distribution of platelike particles in the size ranges of 0.5-4 mu m.

Journal of the Indian Chemical Society

Synthesis and characterization of cordierite precursor derived by semi-colloidal sol-gel route

The conversion of greenhouse gases, H 2 and CO selectivity, H 2 /CO ratio, and carbon formation in the dry reforming reaction over Ni-supported ZSM-5, Al 2 O 3 , and TiO 2 are tested under thermal, plasma, and plasma–thermal conditions. It is observed that the dielectric nature, specific surface area, and acid-base properties of the support influence the performance during the DRM reaction. Typical results indicate that the best activity and syngas yield are achieved with 15Ni/Al 2 O 3 under plasma conditions, possibly due to the high dielectric constant and surface area of Al 2 O 3 and nanosize of Ni. In the thermal condition, the highest conversion of 73% and 68% for CH 4 and CO 2 , respectively, is achieved over 15Ni/ZSM-5 at 500 °C. Plasma-assisted thermal conditions provide the highest conversion due to the activation of reactants and their partial conversion in the plasma zone before entering into the catalytic zone. The plasma-assisted thermocatalytic conversions of CH 4 and CO 2 reach the best values of 76% and 71%, respectively, on 15Ni/ZSM-5. Under the same conditions, 68% and 65% conversion of CH 4 and CO 2 , respectively, is achieved with 15Ni/Al 2 O 3 where the selectivity for H 2 and CO is 45% and 58%, respectively. © 2019 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Energy Technology

Dry Reforming of Methane in DBD Plasma over Ni-Based Catalysts: Influence of Process Conditions and Support on Performance and Durability

In this work, pharmaceutically and biologically important compounds containing imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine nuclei have been synthesized via transannulation of N-heteroaryl aldehydes or ketones with alkylamines using a graphene oxide-supported copper catalyst. The nanocatalyst was fabricated by the covalent immobilization of 4-aminoantipyrine onto an amine-functionalized graphene oxide nanosupport followed by its metallation with copper acetate. Structural analysis by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffraction demonstrates that the two-dimensional sheet-like structure of graphene oxide is maintained even after the chemical modifications, whereas XPS revealed crucial information related to elemental composition and surface electronic states of the metal present in the catalyst. Apart from this, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy helped in identifying the degree of oxidation and the presence of oxygenated groups in graphene oxide nanocomposites. As a heterogeneous catalyst, this graphene oxide-supported copper complex showed moderate to good catalytic activity in the C(sp 3 )-H bond activation/amination of a variety of substrates. This superior catalytic performance originated from the unique 2-dimensional structure of graphene oxide-based material which provided space between graphitic overlayers due to appropriate positioning of metal on their basal planes, decreasing the diffusion resistances of reactant surfaces, thus making it function as a nanoreactor. More importantly, this nanomaterial could be recovered easily and reused repeatedly by simple washing without chemical treatment with no appreciable loss in its catalytic activity, showing good potential for increasing the overall turnover number of this synthetically useful catalyst. © 2019 American Chemical Society.

Fulltext

ACS Omega

Design and Exploration of Catalytic Activity of Two-Dimensional Surface-Engineered Graphene Oxide Nanosheets in the Transannulation of N-Heterocyclic Aldehydes or Ketones with Alkylamines

The CO2 reforming of CH4 to synthesis gas is performed in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma coupled with g-C3N4, g-C3N4/TiO2, g-C3N4/ZnO and g-C3N4/mixed oxide (2.5 wt% ZnO and 2.5 wt% TiO2) catalysts. For CH4 and CO2 gases, the highest conversion is obtained with 5 wt% TiO2 + g-C3N4 and 5 wt% ZnO + g-C3N4, respectively. The g-C3N4 and 5 wt% TiO2 + g-C3N4 catalysts shows poor selectivity towards H2 and CO formation. Whereas, 5 wt% ZnO + g-C3N4 exhibits the highest H2 and CO selectivity. However, with increasing SIE the CO selectivity decreases over 5 wt% ZnO + g-C3N4. The selectivity towards H2 and CO are found to be optimal over 5 wt% MO (1:1) + g-C3N4 and the combination of TiO2 + ZnO coupled with g-C3N4 significantly improves the carbon balance. This optimum performance by 5 wt% MO (1:1) + g-C3N4 in providing the best carbon balance is due to the combination of electronic and acid-base characteristics of the catalysts. The generation of various active species is evidenced by emission spectroscopic study. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd

Energy

g-C3N4 promoted DBD plasma assisted dry reforming of methane

Aim: Simultaneous inhibition of MMP-2 and HDAC8 may be an effective strategy to target cancer. Methodology: In continuation of our earlier efforts, a series of substituted pentanoic acids (1-18) were synthesized and checked for their biological activity along with some earlier reported compounds (19-35). Results: Compounds 18 and 31 were found to induce apoptosis effectively in a dose-dependent fashion in Jurkat-E6.1 cell line. They reduced the expression of both MMP-2 and HDAC8 effectively. 31 also produced prominent intensity of fluorescence to bring nick in Jurkat-E6.1 cells. 31 also showed cellular arrest in sub-G0 phase. Conclusion: Such compounds may be useful to battle against cancer. © 2019 Newlands Press.

Future medicinal chemistry

Synthesis, anticancer activity, structure-activity relationship and binding mode of interaction studies of substituted pentanoic acids

A reliable access to potable and safe drinking water represents one of the biggest global challenges of the 21st century. Among several globally pervasive and emerging reasons behind the water quality deterioration, accumulation of heavy metals in the aquatic environment has been considered to be one of the top notch causes. In a quest to explore sustainable solution for combating this problem, recently attempts have been directed toward the effective integration of nanotechnology with the superior adsorption technology. Within this perspective, it is important to mention that researchers have developed superior nanoadsorbents that are magnetically retrievable and have shown great prospects of effectively removing while simultaneously recovering heavy metals from different charged wastewater. This chapter provides an extensive overview on the different types of magnetic nanoadsorbents designed by the scientific fraternity to date for heavy metal remediation. In order to enlighten the readers about the large-scale industrial applicability of these materials, there is a special emphasis on the design of novel reactors for the cyclic recovery of these metals. In addition, a critical investigation on the applicability of developed nanomaterials is attempted, considering the economic viability, environmental safety, and sustainability of the proposed processes. © 2019 Elsevier Inc.