Tumor cell detection method using complement-mediated cytolytic reaction and imaging sensor system

A novel tumor-detection system consisting of complementmediated cytolytic reaction and an image processing system was developed for the simple and rapid determination of tumor cells. The present system consists of a CCD image sensor, image memory board, personal computer, and microscope. When monoclonal antibody 3C4, which is specific to the guinea pig hepatoma L-10, was added to cell suspension, only L-10 cytolysis occurred. Cytolysis caused a decrease in brightness of the cells observed by phase-contrast microscopy. The phase contrast image of the cells before cytolysis was converted to a digitalized signal and stored in computer memory. After cytolysis, a brightness threshold above that of lysed cells was subtracted from the digitalized signal and compared to the signal stored before reaction. L-10 cells in mixed cell suspension were determined specifically by the system. Measurement time was only 2 sec and overall time, including reaction time, was approximately 30 min. Since this method does not require a cell washing process, automation of the whole system is possible.     

Asymmetric synthesis of 2-substituted-3-aminocarbonyl propionic acid

An asymmetric synthetic route to 2-substituted-3-aminocarbonyl propionic acid, which is the significant component of low-molecular-weight renin inhibitors, is described. The key step of this synthesis is diastereoselective alkylation by using chiral oxazolidinone and benzyl bromoacetate.     

Syntheses and thermal reactions of 2-alkyl(or aryl)-1-benzoyl-3,4-dihydro-2-thianaphthalenes

1-Benzoyl-2-methy1-3,4-dihydro-2-thianaphthalene ($\text{4a}$) underwent novel intermolecular 1,4-rearrangement in refluxing toluene to give an enol ether $\text{5a}$, while rearrangement of 2-phenyl derivative $\text{4e}$ proceeded intramolecularly in refluxing xylene to afford a 1,4-rearranged enol ether $\text{5b}$. On the other hand, ylides $\text{4a–e}$ were refluxed in alcohols to afford some ring-opened products $\text{10–12}$.     

Resolution of lymphocyte subpopulations derived from rat spleen by polyamine-graft-PHEMA copolymer

The retention behavior of lymphocyte subpopulations, B cell, T cell and null cell, derived from rat spleen to polyamine-graft-poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) copolymer (HA) surface was investigated, focusing on the conformational transition of the polyamine side chain as well as the protonation of amino groups in the polyamine grafts. Furthermore, the availability of HA was discussed as a column adsorbent for separation of lymphocyte subpopulations derived from spleen. The conformational transition of polyamine grafts significantly influenced the mode of retention of lymphocyte subpopulations. When polyamine grafts existed in an aggregated conformation (protonatin degree α < 0.5), the retention of lymphocyte subpopulations was decreased in the order B cell> null cell> T cell. On the other hand, when polyamine existed in an extended conformation into the aqueous interior from the matrix interface (α > 0.5), T cell retention became greater than null cell retention, resulting in a decreased B cell> T cell> null cell order. These results indicate that the differential retention of spleen lymphocyte subpopulations is attributed to their differential responses to the change in matrix interface accompanied by the protonation of amino groups. Furthermore, spleen lymphocytes were compared with lymph node lymphocytes in terms of resolution efficacy by an HA copolymer column.     

Synthesis and analgesic activity of novel heterocycles, [1]benzothiopyrano[3,4-b]pyrrole derivatives

In order to develop analgesic compounds possessing a sulfur atom in the alicyclic ring, novel cis-fused heterocycles, [1]benzothiopyrano[3,4-b]pyrrole derivatives (II) were synthesized via a unique cyclization reaction starting from 4-(4-methoxyphenylthio)-2-butanone (1) or 6-methoxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzothiopyran-4-one (7). The analgesic effects of benzothiopyranopyrroles (16, 18) were measured by means of the writhing test. The phenolic derivative 18 completely inhibited the appearance of writhing at the dose of 50 mg/kg, but the methoxy derivative 16 had no analgesic effect.     

Syntheses and biological activities of renin inhibitors containing statine analogues

Syntheses and biological activities of dipeptide renin inhibitors that contain statine analogues are described. The key steps of the synthetic approach to dipeptide renin inhibitors are the asymmetric synthesis of 2(R)-substituted-3-aminocarbonylpropionic acids and the diastereoselective syntheses of (3S,4S)-statine analogues. These inhibitors (2,14-40) inhibited human renin in the 3-140 nM range. Inhibitor ES 6864 (2) was found to be a highly potent inhibitor of human renin (IC50: 4.6 x 10(-9) M) and showed high enzyme specificity. Oral administration of ES 6864 at 3 mg/kg to conscious, sodium-depleted marmosets inhibited plasma renin activity (PRA) more than 80% after 1 h.     

Studies on polyyne polymers containing transition metals in the main chain. VII. Synthesis and characterization of palladium-polyyne polymers

Metal-polyyne polymers consisting of palladium and conjugated acetylenic systems, where P_D and R represent the —Pd(PBu₃)₂—moiety and alkyl groups, respectively, were prepared by polycondensation between palladium chlorides and α,ω-diethynyl compounds in amines using a catalytic amount of cuprous iodide. The molecular weights of the polymers formed were greatly affected by the basicity of the amines and the addition of free phosphines to the polymerization system. Under the optimum conditions, i.e., in the presence of CuI and PBu₃ (in molar ratio 1/4) in piperidine at room temperature, polymer Ia (R¹ = R² = H) having M?_w = 29,000 was obtained.     

Synthesis of the proposed structure of plakevulin A: revised structure of plakevulin A

A total synthesis of the proposed structure of plakevulin A was accomplished. However, the NMR spectral data of the synthetic plakevulin A were not identical of those of the reported compound. We next converted the synthetic plakevulin A into 1-dihydrountenone A. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral data of 1-dihydrountenone A were identical with those of reported plakevulin A except for the peaks derived from levulinic acid. Thus, we repurified sample of the natural product and confirmed that the natural sample contained 1-dihydrountenone A and levulinic acid in the ratio of one to one. We also found that not plakevulin A but 1-dihydountenone A possessed the inhibitory activity against mammalian DNA polymerases α and β.     

Construction of a liquid-membrane type periodate ion-selective electrode and its application to the potentiometric titration of alpha-diols and alpha-amino-alcohols

The construction of a liquid-membrane type periodate ion-selective electrode and its application to the potentiometric titration of alpha-diols and alpha-amino-alcohols are described. The ion-pair of periodate anion with Capriquat (tri-n-octylmethylammonium chloride), is easily extracted into nitrobenzene, and this extract is employed as a liquid ion-exchange membrane. The calibration curve shows Nernstian response towards periodate ion over the concentration range from 10(-1)M to 10(-7)M with a slope of 60 mV/pIO(-)(4). Selectivity coefficients with respect to various ions were evaluated. The electrode potential was independent of pH in the range 2.5-7.5. Some alpha-diols and monoethanolamine were successfully titrated potentiometrically with the aid of the present electrode.