Topological obstructions for vertex numbers of Minkowski sums

We show that for polytopes P₁,P₂,…,Pr⊂Rd, each having ni?d+1 vertices, the Minkowski sum P₁+P₂+?+Pr cannot achieve the maximum of i_∏ni vertices if r?d. This complements a recent result of Fukuda and Weibel (2006), who show that this is possible for up to d−1 summands. The result is obtained by combining methods from discrete geometry (Gale transforms) and topological combinatorics (van Kampen-type obstructions).     

Biological screening and DNA nuclease activity of transition metal complexes of N2O2 type of Knoevenagel condensate Schiff base

A novel tetradentate N₂O₂ type of Knoevenagel condensate Schiff base, synthesized from 4‐amino‐2,3‐dimethyl‐1‐phenyl‐3‐pyrazolin‐5‐one (4‐aminoantipyrine) and 3‐(cinnamyl)‐pentane‐2,4‐dione, forms stable complexes with transition metal ions such as Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II). The structural features were derived from elemental analysis, molar conductance measurements, infrared, UV–visible, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, mass and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies. These complexes show high conductance values, supporting their electrolytic nature. Spectroscopic and other analytical data of the complexes suggest square planar geometry. In vitro calf thymus DNA binding studies were performed by employing UV–visible absorption spectroscopy, viscometry and cyclic voltammetry. These techniques indicate that all the metal complexes bind to DNA via intercalation mode. Antimicrobial screening of the synthesized ligand and complexes was conducted against Gram‐positive bacteria, Gram‐negative bacteria and fungi. These complexes exhibit higher antimicrobial activities than the free Schiff base, as investigated using the minimum inhibitory concentration method. Gel electrophoresis reveals that these complexes also promote the cleavage of pUC18 plasmid DNA in the presence of activators. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of benzoheterocyclic compounds via solid-state melt reaction (SSMR)

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of biologically active benzoheterocyclic compounds such as benzothiazoles, benzimidazoles, benzospirothiazoles, and quinoxaline scaffolds have been accomplished via solid state melt reaction (SSMR) with excellent yields. The new protocol does not require any catalyst, solvent, and workup. Two anti-tumor agents have been prepared to demonstrate the application of this new method.     

Site-Identification by Ligand Competitive Saturation (SILCS) assisted pharmacophore modeling

Database screening using receptor-based pharmacophores is a computer-aided drug design technique that uses the structure of the target molecule (i.e. protein) to identify novel ligands that may bind to the target. Typically receptor-based pharmacophore modeling methods only consider a single or limited number of receptor conformations and map out the favorable binding patterns in vacuum or with a limited representation of the aqueous solvent environment, such that they may suffer from neglect of protein flexibility and desolvation effects. Site-Identification by Ligand Competitive Saturation (SILCS) is an approach that takes into account these, as well as other, properties to determine 3-dimensional maps of the functional group-binding patterns on a target receptor (i.e. FragMaps). In this study, a method to use the FragMaps to automatically generate receptor-based pharmacophore models is presented. It converts the FragMaps into SILCS pharmacophore features including aromatic, aliphatic, hydrogen-bond donor and acceptor chemical functionalities. The method generates multiple pharmacophore hypotheses that are then quantitatively ranked using SILCS grid free energies. The pharmacophore model generation protocol is validated using three different protein targets, including using the resulting models in virtual screening. Improved performance and efficiency of the SILCS derived pharmacophore models as compared to published docking studies, as well as a recently developed receptor-based pharmacophore modeling method is shown, indicating the potential utility of the approach in rational drug design.