Analysis of Coleman-Weinberg potentials in orbit space: General method and application to the inflationary universe

We present a general method to analyze Colemann-Weinberg potentials in the orbit space, which is applicable to any irreducible representation. As an example, the structure of the SU(5) Coleman-Weinberg potential with scalars asigned to the adjoint representation is analyzed in complete detail, which confirms the general conclusion reached by Breit, Gupta and Zaks, and Moss that the phase transition in the new inflationary scenario of the early universe is problematic. We show that the disease found in the SU(5) case is common to all SU(N) (N > 3) and SO(2 N) (N ≠ 4,8) adjoints, and that the adjoints of SO(8) and exceptional groups are immune from the 1 disease.     

A new model of crystal packing

A new, conceptually simple model of crystal packing is proposed which uses "packing patterns" to describe unit cells in terms of molecular building blocks.     

Phenolic glycosides from the stem bark of Albizzia julibrissin

From the stem bark of Albizzia julibrissin DURAZZ (Leguminosae), two new phenolic glycosides (albibrissinosides A and B) were isolated. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis. The albibrissinoside B was found to be a radical scavenger on the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical.     

Copper coupling of 1-chloro-2-iodo- and 1,2-di-iodo-perfluorocycloalkenes

Reductive coupling of 1-chloro-2-iodoperfluorocyclobutene (I), cyclopentene (III) and cyclohexene (VI) has been carried out with copper powder and a trace amount of dimethylformamide to give the corresponding 2,2′-dichloroperfluoro-(bi-1-cycloalken-1-yl) derivatives in 69%, 36% and 73% yield, respectively. A reduced by-product, 2H,2′H-dodecafluoro-(bi-1-cyclopenten-1-yl) was also obtained in the copper coupling of (III). Coupling of 1,2-di-iodoperfluorocyclobutene (IX) and cyclopentene (XII) under similar conditions gave good yields of cyclic trimers and tetramers. Mass spectra, infrared and ¹⁹F NMR data are discussed.     

Effect of ring substitution on synthesis of benzimidazolium salts and their silver(I) complexes: characterization,electrochemical studies and evaluation of anticancer potential

Transition Metal Chemistry - A series of bidendate 5,6-dimethyl benzimidazolium-based N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) proligands and their silver complexes were synthesized. The synthetic approaches...     

Antitussive and toxicological evaluation of Vitex negundo

Vitex negundo Linn. (Verbenaceae) is used in traditional medical system for respiratory disorders. This study was carried out to investigate its cough-relieving potential. The antitussive effect of the butanolic extract of V. negundo (Vn) on sulphur dioxide (SO(2))-induced cough was examined in mice. Safety profile of Vn was carried out by observing acute neurotoxicity, median lethal dose (LD(50)) and behavioural signs. Vn dose-dependently (250-1000?mg?kg(-1)) inhibited the cough provoked by SO(2) gas in mice and exhibited maximum protection after 60?min of administration. At 1000?mg?kg(-1), Vn caused maximum cough-suppressive effects i.e. cough inhibition at 60?min was 67.4%, as compared to codeine (10?mg?kg(-1)), dextromethorphan (10?mg?kg(-1)) and saline having cough-inhibitory potential 75.7%, 74.7% and 0%, respectively. LD(50) value of V. negundo was found to be greater than 5000?mg?kg(-1). In toxicity tests, no signs of neural impairment and acute behavioural toxicity were observed at antitussive doses and extract has been well tolerated at higher doses. These results indicate that V. negundo exhibits antitussive effect and it was found devoid of toxicity.     

Consideration of molecular weight during compound selection in virtual target-based database screening

Virtual database screening allows for millions of chemical compounds to be computationally selected based on structural complimentary to known inhibitors or to a target binding site on a biological macromolecule. Compound selection in virtual database screening when targeting a biological macromolecule is typically based on the interaction energy between the chemical compound and the target macromolecule. In the present study it is shown that this approach is biased toward the selection of high molecular weight compounds due to the contribution of the compound size to the energy score. To account for molecular weight during energy based screening, we propose normalization strategies based on the total number of heavy atoms in the chemical compounds being screened. This approach is computationally efficient and produces molecular weight distributions of selected compounds that can be selected to be (1) lower than that of the original database used in the virtual screening, which may be desirable for selection of leadlike compounds or (2) similar to that of the original database, which may be desirable for the selection of drug-like compounds. By eliminating the bias in target-based database screening toward higher molecular weight compounds it is anticipated that the proposed procedure will enhance the success rate of computer-aided drug design.     

Loniceroside C,an antiinflammatory saponin from Lonicera japonica

A new triterpenoid saponin, loniceroside C was isolated from the aerial parts of Lonicera japonica. Its structure was established to be 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl hederagenin 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->6)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester by spectroscopic techniques and chemical transformations. Loniceroside C showed in vivo antiinflammatory activity against mouse ear edema provoked by croton oil.