Research

Identifying the Issue

• Spread of multi-drug resistance in the malaria parasite
• Lack of novel therapies and drugs

Objective of the Research

• Development of a novel drug-like candidate with rapid kill kinetics against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.
• Non-haemolytic and non-toxic to animals.

Who should read this?

Research community working in the Antiplasmodial drug development, medicinal chemists, and pharmaceutical industry.

Solution

Development of nontoxic small molecules with high therapeutic effect and selectivity.

Key Features and Benefits

• Development of small molecules with rapid kill kinetics for plasmodium trophozoite stage
• Non-toxic to mammalian cells and mice
• Non-haemolytic drug-like molecules
• Effective at low micromolar concentrations

Impact

• Oral uptake of the drug for effective therapy
• Minimizing the development of multi-drug resistance in malaria parasites when combined with other therapies
• Effective against drug-resistant parasitic strains

Team

• Hariharan Moorthy, Nitesh Taman, Sai Kiran Mavileti, and Nageswara Rao Golakoti, from the Department of Chemistry, SSSIHL
• Mamta Yadav & Dinkar Sahal, from Malaria Drug Discovery Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi
• Labhini Singla & Angshuman Roy Choudhury, Department of Chemical Sciences, from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali

Title of paper: Antiplasmodial and Antimalarial Activity of 3,5-Diarylidenetetrahydro-2H-pyran-4(3H)-ones via Inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum Pyridoxal Synthase

Read Paper Here: https://doi.org/10.1002/cmdc.202200411

Identifying the Issue

Malarial parasites are becoming resistant to presently used drugs, for this reason, there is a need for new and better antimalarial drugs.

Objective of the Research

To semi-synthesize isoandrographolide acetals from the natural product andrographolide and study their antimalarial potency.

Who should read this?

Faculty, research scholars, and students of Medicinal and Organic chemistry.

Solution

Isoandrographolide and its nineteen acetals were synthesized and characterized using 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, mass spectrometry, IR, and UV spectroscopy. Out of these fifteen isoandrographolide acetals are novel. The compound (3,19)-4-Methoxy-benzylidene-isoandrographolide was characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction also. All the compounds were tested for their anti-plasmodial potencies (IC50) against the chloroquine-sensitive Pf3D7 and chloroquine-resistant PfINDO strains. Potent compounds were further tested for their cytotoxicity (CC50) against mammalian cells. The activity of the compounds is influenced by various factors like the type of substituent, its position, and also its bulkiness. Thus, from this study it can be concluded that acetals of isoandrographolide can be explored as potential anti-plasmodial leads.

Key Features and Benefits

• Two isoandrographolide acetals showed good IC₅₀ of 10 μM and 12μM
• Isoandrographolide acetals can be further explored as potential leads

Impact

Potential as leads in the development of antimalarial drugs

Team

• Nitesh Taman, Sai Kiran Mavileti, and Nageswara Rao Golakoti, from the Department of Chemistry, SSSIHL
• Mamta Yadav & Dinkar Sahal, from Malaria Drug Discovery Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi
• Srinivas Nanduri from the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad

Title of paper: Synthesis and Anti‑Plasmodial Activity f Isoandrographolide Acetals

Read Paper Here: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-023-02684-9

Dr. (Mrs.) G Padmavathy, Associate Professor, Management & Commerce, SSSIHL along with Ms. Yazhini Ramani, a student of M.B.A. participated in the 2-day International Research Conference on “Emerging Technologies in Business Management” held online on 28th & 29th April 2023. The event was organised by MET Institute of Management, Mumbai in collaboration with the Department of Commerce, University of Mumbai, and supported by AICTE.

Ms. Yazhini Ramani and Dr. (Mrs.) G Padmavathy received the Best Research Paper Award for their paper titled “Artificial Intelligence in Human Resource Management: A Study on its Scope” presented at the event.

The session at the conference was chaired by Dr. Ramesh G Nair, Dy. Director, St. Francis Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai, Dr. R. Govindappa, Principal, G.D. Jalan College of Science, Commerce, and Arts, Mumbai, and Dr. Harshada Mulay, Asst. Professor, ITM Business School, Mumbai.

Identifying the Issue

• Fabrication of lightweight and flexible films that exhibit a combination of good magnetic and dielectric properties
• Identification of electrical percolation threshold of LaNiO₃-PVDF nanocomposite
• Enhancement of dielectric properties in ternary Sn₂Fe_2.8O₄-LaNiO₃-PVDF nanocomposites by optimization of LaNiO₃ nanofiller.

Objective of the Research

• To synthesize tin-doped magnetite, Sn_0.2Fe_2.8O₄ (S0.2FO) nanoparticles with highest saturation magnetization and examine the magnetic, and dielectric properties by dispersing them in PVDF polymer matrix
• To synthesize conducting LaNiO₃ (LAN) nanoparticles, fabricate LAN-PVDF films, and investigate the electrical percolation threshold and the dielectric properties
• To enhance the dielectric behaviour of S0.2FO-PVDF films by the addition of LAN nanoparticles

Who should read this?

Materials researchers, nanotechnologists, anyone working in magnetic, dielectric, energy storage, microelectronics, microwave devices, magnetic separation and sensing industries

Solution

The multifunctional, hybrid nanocomposite films of LaNiO₃ and Sn_0.2Fe_2.8O₄ fillers, were fabricated, characterised and analysed for their structural, thermal, magnetic, and electrical properties. The diamagnetic LAN-PVDF films acquire superparamagnetic behaviour on the inclusion of S0.2FO nanofillers, thereby rendering the triphasic S0.2FO-LAN-PVDF films magnetic. The LAN-PVDF films with high dielectric constant and loss also exhibited a jump in the electrical conductivity by 7 orders at 10 vol% LAN – the electrical percolation threshold. The addition of a semiconducting S0.2FO filler to the binary composite films minimised the dielectric losses from 10³ to 10^-1 and also resulted in good relative permittivity. The ternary S0.2FO-LAN-PVDF films have improved dielectric constant and lower losses as compared to plain PVDF as well as binary LAN-PVDF and S0.2FO-PVDF films. They will be highly suitable for membrane separation, magnetoelectric devices, microelectronics, and energy storage applications.
 

Key Features and Benefits

• The developed polymer-based nanocomposites follow the current move towards flexible, compatible and light materials for various magnetic and electronic applications
• The triphasic S0.2FO-LAN-PVDF nanocomposite films combine in them, both the magnetic as well as dielectric properties and may find utility in a spectrum of applications such as microwave and magnetoelectric devices, interlayer and membrane separation, magnetic sensing, microelectronics, and energy storage

Impact

• Optimized synthesis of hybrid nanocomposite PVDF films with electroactive β, ɣ phase
• Phase purity and precision in filler loading confirmed by Rietveld analysis and TGA
• High conductivity achieved in ≥10 vol% LaNiO₃-PVDF films due to percolation effect
• LaNiO₃-Sn₂Fe_2.8O₄-PVDF ternary films have superparamagnetic, dielectric property
• Moderate dielectric constant, minimal loss achieved with Sn_0.2Fe_2.8O₄ nano-additive

Team

• Dr. P Lavanya Rathi, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Anantapur Campus
• Dr. Deepa Seetharaman, Head and Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Anantapur Campus
• Dr. Bharathi Ponraj

Article Published in: Materials Chemistry and Physics, Elsevier, Impact Factor: 4.778

Title of paper: Enhancement of dielectric and magnetic properties of electroactive LaNiO₃ based PVDF films by inclusion of magnetic Sn_0.2Fe_2.8O₄ nanofiller

Read Paper Here: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1gPrfvn2L-nQe

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2022.127259

Identifying the Issue

• As per WHO, water contamination by heavy metal ions, poses enormous threat to both the environment and human health as they are non-biodegradable and highly toxic by nature
• Their presence in high concentration in wastewater and in low concentration in ground waters of industrial regions demands efficient water remediation techniques

Objective of the Research

• Design and development of versatile Nano adsorbent, suitable for simultaneous removal of multiple cationic and anionic contaminants from water with rapid and high removal efficiency at various pH conditions of source water which makes it a viable solution for waste water and groundwater remediation
• The developed Nano adsorbent could simultaneously remove Pb(II), Hg(II), As(V), As(III) and Cr(VI) in less than two minutes of its contact in water with high efficiency at all pH conditions of source water

Who should read this?

• Global water treatment product manufacturers
• The industrial wastewater is a major source of a variety of highly toxic water contaminants, which includes heavy metal ionic contaminants. Therefore, these industries can use the material for treating the wastewater before releasing it into the water bodies
• Government bodies and NGOs concerned with providing safe water
• Researchers working on water remediation and nanomaterials for different applications

Solution

Presence of heavy metal ionic contaminants in water is a matter of global concern, owing to their disastrous impact on human health and environment. Cerium intercalated, ceria decorated titanate nanotubes (CCTNT) was developed for efficient adsorption of toxic heavy metal ions, lead, mercury, arsenate, arsenite and dichromate from water. The material properties of CCTNT were thoroughly studied using various characterization tools. CCTNT, is a nanocomposite of ceria and titanate nanotubes with a high specific surface area. The morphology is a blend of nanotubes of the titanate phase decorated with ceria nanoparticles. The results obtained from batch adsorption experiments indicated that CCTNT, with a wide pH window for adsorption of heavy metal ions, is applicable for both groundwater and wastewater remediation. In addition, it exhibited ultrafast adsorption of all five contaminants using a low adsorbent dosage. The maximum adsorption capacities of the adsorbent were calculated to be 66.76, 97.18, 189.59, 199.80, 288.23 mg/g respectively for the removal of Cr(VI),Pb(II),As(V), Hg(II) and As(III) from water. CCTNT is further suitable for highly efficient and simultaneous removal of all five heavy metal ions. These attractive properties make CCTNT a superior material for adsorption of heavy metal ions from water.

Key Features and Benefits

• CCTNT is mesoporous with high surface area, dense OH groups and multivalent cations
• CCTNT could simultaneously adsorb Pb(II), Hg(II), As(V), As(III) and Cr(VI) from water with high efficiency and ultrafast kinetics
• The wide pH window of adsorption in CCTNT makes it suitable for groundwater and wastewater
• Applicable for removal of both low and high concentrations of heavy metal ions

Impact

• The developed material is a viable solution for remediation of heavy metal ions from water
• Its attractive adsorption properties such as its high efficiency at all pH conditions makes it suitable for any kind of water source
• Simultaneous removal of contaminants to WHO permissible limits with dosage of as low as 1 g/L within two minutes of its contact with water enables it to be a suitable material for developing adsorption based water purification technology

Team

• Anjana Biswas
• B. P. Chandra
• Dr. (Mrs.) C Prathibha

Paper Published in: Applied Surface Science (Elsevier)

Title of paper: Highly efficient and simultaneous remediation of heavy metal ions (Pb(II), Hg(II), As(V), As(III) and Cr(VI)) from water using Ce intercalated and ceria decorated titanate nanotubes

Read Paper Here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2022.155841

Mrs. Akanksha Aggarwal and Dr. B Chandrasekhar, both Assistant Professors of the Department of Management and Commerce, SSSIHL, received the best paper award for their paper titled “Spirituality: An Attitudinal Variable Among the Other Factors That Drive Purchase Behavior of the Green Consumer Segment” presented at the 10th International Conference on Advances in Business and Management, held on November 11 & 12, 2022.

The paper is a part of Mrs. Akanksha’s doctoral research work, conducted under the guidance of Dr. B Chandrasekhar, and was co-authored by both.

The conference was organized by the Department of Management and Commerce, Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, University of Delhi. The theme for the 2-day conference was ‘Business Practices in the Era of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 and New Age Technologies‘.

The session at the conference was chaired by Prof. Nimit Chowdhary, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, and Dr. Pooja Mehta, Assistant Professor, Sri Aurobindo College of Commerce and Management, Ludhiana.

Identifying the Issue

Inhalation exposure to endocrine disruptors (Phthalic acid esters (PAEs)) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons associated with serious health effects. However, the available methods for the analysis of PAEs and PAHs are time consuming methods based on gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. There is a need for a robust analytical method for the simultaneous determination of PAEs and PAHs.

Objective of the Research

• Develop a simple and robust analytical method for the simultaneous determination of endocrine disruptors and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using the state-of-the-art technique liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry
• Deploy the developed method for the analysis of endocrine disruptors and PAHs bound to ambient PM2.5 samples collected at the suburban city of North West Indo-Gangetic Plain (N.W.IGP) in different seasons of the year
• Identify the sources of PAHs at the sampling site using diagnostic ratios
• Estimate the health risk associated due to the inhalation exposure to fine particulate matter bound PAEs and PAHs for the children and adults at the sampling site

Who should read this?

It is applicable to all the scientific and social community researchers as this work highlights health risk associated with the inhalation exposure to PAEs and PAHs bound to ambient fine particulate matter. Anyone who works in the Atmospheric and Analytical chemistry.

Solution

Liquid chromatography coupled electrospray ionization source mass spectrometry is a robust, sensitive and high performance analytical technique for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic composition from a sample. However, to the best of our knowledge there are no methods for the simultaneous determination of endocrine disruptors (PAEs) and PAHs using LC-MS/MS. In the present study, we had optimized a novel LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of endocrine disruptors and PAHs bound to ambient fine particulate matter. In this method, we report the quantification of targeted compounds faster than the earlier reported gas chromatography – mass spectrometry methods with better sensitivity for benzyl butyl phthalate (0.03 ng m-3) and di-butyl phthalate (0.33 ng m-3). This method has been deployed for the analysis for the endocrine disruptors and PAHs bound to ambient fine particulate matter samples collected at IISER Mohali in North West Indo-Gangetic plain.

Key Features and Benefits

• LC-ESI-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of endocrine disruptors and PAHs bound to PM2.5.
• The higher concentrations of endocrine disruptors observed in summer season whereas PAHs in winter.
• DEHP and B[b]F are the most abundant endocrine disruptor and PAH, respectively at the sampling site
• B[a]P is higher in concentrations than the NAAQS standards (1 ng m−3), India.
• ILCR values for B[a]Peq exceeded the threshold limits set by USEPA

Impact

This work presents the novel method for the simultaneous analysis of endocrine disruptors and PAHs bound to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The reported results suggest that benzo (a) pyrene (B[a]P) (Group 1 Carcinogen) exceeded the threshold limits set by National Ambient Air Quality Standards, India. This study shows that exposure to PAEs and PAHs bound to PM2.5 should be of concern at the sampling site.

Team

• Patnana Durga Prasad, Department of Chemistry, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus, SSSIHL
• Dr B Praphulla Chandra, Department of Chemistry, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus, SSSIHL
• Pooja Chaudhary, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, IISER Mohali
• Dr Baerbel Sinha, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, IISER Mohali
• Dr Vinayak Sinha, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, IISER Mohali

Paper Published in: Atmospheric Environment (Elsevier)

Title of paper: Optimized LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of endocrine disruptors and PAHs bound to PM2.5: Sources and health risk in Indo-Gangetic Plain

Read Paper Here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2022.119363

Identifying the Issue

COVID -19 pandemic has caused the most severe health problems to adults over 60 years of age, with particularly fatal consequences for those over 80. In this case, age-structured mathematical modelling could be useful to determine the spread of the disease and to develop a better control strategy for different age groups. In this study, we first propose an age-structured model considering two different age groups, the first group with population age below 30 years and the second with population age above 30 years, and discuss the stability of the equilibrium points and the sensitivity of the model parameters. In the second part of the study, we propose an optimal control problem to understand the age-specific role of treatment in controlling the spread of COVID -19 infection.

Objective of the Research

• We propose to study the stability analysis of an age-structured model incorporating the saturation in medical treatment
• We propose to study the optimal control problem to study the effectiveness of treatment in reducing COVID-19 infection

Who should read this?

Academics, Mathematics, Bio-Mathematics, Mathematical Modelling, Doctors-Physicians, Research

Solution

In this research article we work on age-structured models considering two different age groups, the first group with population age below 30 years and the second with population age above 30 years. The results and findings of the modelling studies shows that infection decreases with the implementation of an optimal treatment strategy namely a combined treatment strategy considering treatment for both age groups is effective in keeping cumulative infection low in severe epidemics. Cumulative infection was found to increase with increasing saturation in medical treatment.

Key Features and Benefits

• It is found that the behaviour of the system depends on the value of basic reproduction number. Stability changes based on the value of basic reproduction number
• The results from the optimal control study suggests that with optimal treatment COVID-19 infection can be decreased

Impact

• The work presented in this paper could enhance our understanding of complex COVID-19 dynamics
• It can help physicians with decision making in the treatment of life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia

Team

• Sri Bishal Chhetri, Research Scholar, Dept. of Mathematics & Computer Science, SSSIHL
• Dr. D K K Vamsi, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Mathematics & Computer Science, SSSIHL
• Prof. (Dr) Carani B Sanjeevi, Vice-Chancellor, SSSIHL

Paper Published in: Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems

Title of paper: Optimal Control Studies on Age Structured Modeling of COVID-19 in Presence of Saturated Medical Treatment of Holling Type III

Read Paper Here: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12591-022-00593-z

This chapter is part of the Book titled “Pandemic and Problems: Lessons for Recovery and Resilience” released by The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University.

Identifying the Issue

In this work, we discuss the within-host, the between-host and the multi-scale mathematical models for COVID-19 viral infections. We also present the outcomes of our study.

Objective of the Research

We propose to study the natural history of COVID-19 model and also the role and efficacies of various control strategies including the antiviral drugs and immunomodulators.

Who should read this?

Academics, Mathematics, Bio-Mathematics, Mathematical Modelling, Doctors-Physicians, Research

Solution

In this work, we discuss the within-host, the between-host and the multi-scale mathematical models for COVID-19 viral infections. The results from the natural history of the within-host model suggests that the proposed model undergoes trans-critical bifurcation when the value of basic reproduction number is one. Results from optimal control theory suggests that combined drug therapy is the best strategy to be used to contain the spread of infection at within-host level. At the between-host level, combined use of vaccination and treatment is found to be effective in lowering infection at the population level. From multi-scale work it is found that the spread of infection at community level is influenced by the within-host parameters.

Key Features and Benefits

• It is observed that the viral load decreases the most when antiviral drugs and immunomodulators are used together. This could help doctors and physicians to look for combination therapy as one of the alternative to stop the multiplication of virus in the body
• Vaccination along with treatments can reduce COVID-19 infection
• The spread of infection at community level is influenced by the within-host parameters

Impact

• The work presented in this paper could enhance our understanding of complex interplay of immune response and virus particles in the body
• It can help physicians with decision making in the treatment of life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia

Team

• Sri Bishal Chhetri, Research Scholar, Dept. of Mathematics & Computer Science, SSSIHL
• Dr. D K K Vamsi, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Mathematics & Computer Science, SSSIHL
• Prof. (Dr) Carani B Sanjeevi, Vice -Chancellor, SSSIHL

Chapter Title: Mathematical Modelling Studies with Reference to COVID-19 Pandemic

Book Title: Pandemic and Problems: Lessons for Recovery and Resilience

The book was released by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri M K Stalin at the Annual Convocation of The Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, Chennai, held on 20 December 2021.

Identifying the Issue

• While there are many predator-prey models developed to study the dynamics of populations of species, there are very few works done to study the controllability aspects to reach the desired state in finite time. None of the current models have developed control strategies based on the quality of additional food for predator-prey systems with type IV response (inhibitory effect f prey). Furthermore, we have considered two models for covering the various approaches in providing food supplements
• In this work, we have also examined the role of the inhibitory effect of prey species in achieving the desired outcome

Objective of the Research

• We consider two different models of the additional food provided prey-predator systems involving Holling type IV functional response (with the inhibitory effect of prey)
• The main objective is to drive the system to a desired state in minimum (finite) time. We wish to achieve bio-conservation and bio-control by providing optimal quality of additional food as a control
• Both the models are relevant

Who should read this?

Academicians, Mathematics, Bio-Mathematics, Mathematical Modelling, Eco-Managers, Experimental Ecologists

Solution

In this work, we formulate and study optimal control problems to achieve the desired outcomes in minimum (finite) time. We consider two different models of additional food provided prey-predator systems involving Holling type IV functional response (with the inhibitory effect of prey). In the first scenario, additional food is incorporated implicitly into the predator’s functional response with a possibility of achieving biological conservation through the co-existence of species and biological control by maintaining prey at a level that is least harmful to the system. In the second, the effect of additional food is incorporated explicitly into the predator’s compartment with the goal of pest management by maintaining prey density at a very minimal damaging level. For both cases, appropriate optimal control strategies are derived and the theoretical findings are illustrated by numerical simulation.

Key Features and Benefits

• When additional food supplements are provided to the predators, the quantity of additional food is generally determined by the gut volume of the species. Thus, it is important to ensure that the quality of additional food is monitored regularly. In this work, we provide strategies to the eco-managers based on the quality of additional food.
• Both biological conservation and bio-control can be achieved in finite time.

Impact

• The work presented in this paper provides a minimum-time approach to drive predator-prey systems towards biological conservation and pest management
• Eco-Managers could benefit from the findings of this work in supplying appropriate quality of additional food provided to achieve the desired outcome

Team

• Sri Ananth V S, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, SSSIHL
• Dr. D K K Vamsi, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, SSSIHL

Paper Published in: Acta Biotheoretica, Volume 70, Article Number5 (2022) (Impact Factor: 1.74, SCI Indexed)

Title: Achieving Minimum-Time Biological Conservation and Pest Management for Additional Food provided Predator-Prey Systems involving Inhibitory Effect: A Qualitative Investigation

Read Paper Here: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10441-021-09430-2