Vijaygarh Jyotish Roy College is a college in Kolkata, India. It offers science, arts, and commerce courses with undergraduate and post-graduate degrees, and it is affiliated with the University of Calcutta. It is recognized under University Grants Commission (UGC), and accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council of India (NAAC).
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), caused by Leishmania infantum, is a major public health concern in Brazil, with domestic dogs as key reservoirs. Accurate diagnosis is crucial, but current tools like rK39 have limited sensitivity and regional variability. This study evaluated three recombinant kinase antigens—Repressor of Differentiation Kinase 2 (RDK2), Aurora I-related kinase (LdAIRK), and Activated C Kinase Receptor (LACK)derived from Leishmania donovani for their diagnostic potential in canine VL (CanL) and RDK2 in human VL. These antigens were selected based on amastigote-stage expression, conservation among virulent strains, and low homology with host proteins or co-endemic pathogens. Using computational prediction, and immunoproteomics, antigens were expressed and further validated via ELISA and dipstick assays. Serum samples from humans (VL, n = 40; controls, n = 19) and dogs (CanL, n = 36; controls, n = 36) were collected in Teresina, Brazil. RDK2 showed (90% sensitivity, 78.95% specificity) for human VL, while LdAIRK showed the highest diagnostic accuracy for CanL (88.89%, 97.22%), followed by LACK and RDK2. Dipstick tests confirmed these findings, offering rapid, field-friendly alternatives and demonstrating enhanced performance compared to two reference rK39 tests, pending broader comparative validation. LdAIRK emerged as a promising diagnostic marker for CanL, with the potential to enhance VL control in endemic regions.
Two new polymeric complexes of Ni(II), trans-{[Ni(en)2(dca)]& sdot;(dca)& sdot;H2O}n (1) and cis-{[Ni(en)2(dca)]& sdot;NO3}n (2) has been synthesized by reacting the nickel nitrate, ethylenediamine (en) and sodium dicyanamide {Na(dca)} in methanol-water medium. Structural analysis shows that both the complexes are 1D polymers, formed by linking the Ni(en)2 units through the mu 1,5-dicyanamido bridge. In complex 1, two bridging dca- anions coordinate with Ni (II) with respect to trans with each other whereas in complex 2, two dca- anions coordinate with Ni (II) with respect to cis with each other. Both the 1D polymers are connected by hydrogen bonding interactions to form a 3D supramolecular structure. Theoretical analysis shows that complex 1 is more stable than complex 2. The antimicrobial properties of complexes 1 & 2 have been investigated against E. coli, a gram-negative bacterium and B. subtilis, a gram-positive bacterium; they show positive inhibition activities. In the electrical studies, direct current (dc) measurements on the copper/complex (1 or 2)/copper M-S-M planar structure corroborates a definite development in the device current with applied bias, ranging between -2 V and +2 V. Moreover, in the ac analyses, both the Cu/1/Cu and Cu/2/Cu devices have shown decreasing trend in frequency dependent zero bias capacitance.
Red lateritic soils, which are in the semiarid regions of West Bengal’s Rarh tract in India, present harsh conditions for agriculture because of their high acidity, low organic matter, and poor nitrogen availability. To address these limitations, we explored native microbial communities with a focus on stress-resistant, endospore-forming diazotrophs. Soil samples collected from agricultural fields in the Bankura district were analysed for their physicochemical properties and microbial potential. Using progressive heat-shock enrichment, nine strains were isolated–six from heat-treated soils and three from non-heat-treated soils. Functional assays revealed strong nitrogen-fixing activity (2.1–8.4 mg N/g sugar consumed), confirmed by acetylene reduction, alongside production of indole-3-acetic acid (up to 10.92 µg/mL) and phosphate solubilization (4.84–18.04
A comprehensive survey of Papilionoidea fauna in and around Buxa Tiger Reserve, Alipurduar district, West Bengal, revealed a total of 138 species spanning 6 families and 55 genera. Nymphalidae (43%) dominated the recorded species, followed by Lycaenidae (23%), Hesperiidae (11%), Pieridae (10%), Papilionidae (9%), and Riodinidae (4%). Notably, 23 species are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act (2022), including 22 species listed in Schedule-II, and one in Schedule-I. The abundance of Papilionoidea species varied across different habitats. The highest number of species was recorded in HF (Hill Forest)-N22 (November 2022) (81 species), followed by RT (River trail)-N22 (68 species), and RT-A22 (April 2022) (50 species) and HF-A22 (47 species). This study contributes significantly to our understanding of the diversity in the region and informs conservation efforts aimed at protecting these vital pollinators and ecosystem indicators.
Two polynuclear cadmium(II)-based metal-organic framework complexes, [CdL1bpy]n·nH2L1(1) (H2L1 = 4-hydroxy-7-(trifluoromethyl)quinoline-3-carboxylic acid, bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine) and [CdL2ClH2O]n(2) (HL2 = 3-(5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)propanoic acid), were successfully synthesized, and their structures and properties were thoroughly characterized by single crystal elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and density functional theory (DFT) studies. The metal centers are found to be six-coordinated with a distorted octahedral geometry around them. Both the complexes show few significant hydrogen bonding interactions to produce supramolecular networks. Complexes 1 and 2 are observed to produce three-dimensional and two-dimensional polymeric network architectures, respectively. Furthermore, a computational analysis was performed using DFT to quantitatively and qualitatively gain insight into the role of the noncovalent interactions (NCIs) that stabilize the three-dimensional architecture of complex 1. Specifically, molecular electrostatic potential surfaces, quantum theory of atoms in molecules, and NCI plot index analysis were employed to characterize H-bonding, π-stacking, and weak CH···π interactions involving the discrete H2L1 cocrystallized units. Energy calculations were utilized to compare the strength of the H-bonding and π-stacking motifs and to assess cooperativity effects in the overall supramolecular assembly. Moreover, complex 1 exhibited higher catalytic efficacy for the Knoevenagel condensation reaction at room temperature, reflecting the structural advantages of its three-dimensional architecture. It also showed high stability and could be recycled for up to four catalytic cycles with comparable catalytic activity.
