Total Synthesis of Siomycin A: Construction of Synthetic Segments

The five practical segments for the total synthesis of siomycin A, that is, the dehydropiperidine segment A ( 5 ), the pentapeptide segment B ( 3 ), the dihydroquinoline segment C ( 6 ), and the β‐phenylselenoalanine dipeptide segments D ( 7 ) and E ( 4 ), were synthesized. Segment A ( 5 ) was constructed by the coupling of the azomethine ylide and the chiral sulfinimine, followed by the stereoselective reduction of the six‐membered imine function. Segment B ( 3 ) was synthesized by the phenylselenylation of the β‐lactone, stereoselective vinylzinc addition to the chiral sulfinimine, and oxazoline–thioamide conversion. Segment C ( 6 ) was prepared by the one‐pot olefination of the tetrahydroquinoline N‐oxide using triflic anhydride and triethylamine, stereoselective reduction of the methyl ketone function, and regioselective Yb(OTf)₃‐catalyzed epoxide opening by the amino group. Segments D ( 7 ) and E ( 4 ) were synthesized by coupling of the properly protected β‐phenylselenoalanines.     

Total Synthesis of Siomycin A: Completion of the Total Synthesis

The total synthesis of siomycin A ( 1 ), a representative compound of the thiostrepton family of peptide antibiotics, was achieved by incorporating the five synthetic segments A ( 2 ), B ( 3 ), C ( 4 ), D ( 5 ), and E ( 6 ). The dehydropiperidine segment A ( 2 ) was esterified with the dihydroquinoline segment C ( 4 ), and the subsequent coupling with the β‐phenylselenoalanine dipeptide segment D ( 5 ) at the segment C portion followed by lactamization between the segments A and D gave segment A‐C‐D ( 27 ). This was amidated with the pentapeptide segment B ( 3 ) at the segment A portion followed by one‐pot cyclization (between segments A and B) and elongation (with the β‐phenylselenoalanine dipeptide segment E ( 6 ) at the segment A portion), thus furnishing siomycin A ( 1 ).     

Development of novel fast-disintegrating tablets by direct compression using sucrose stearic acid ester as a disintegration-accelerating agent

It was attempted to produce novel furosemide (FS) fast-disintegrating tablets by direct compression. The combination of FS, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium and xylitol was used as the basic formulation, and sucrose stearic acid ester (SSE) was chosen as an additional additive. The tablets with SSE were prepared by the simple addition of SSE, using a lyophilized mixture of FS and SSE or using a FS/SSE mixture obtained by evaporation of their ethanol solution. Only the tablets, produced using the FS/SSE mixture obtained by organic solvent (ethanol) evaporation, showed hardness of more than 30 N and a disintegration time of less than 20 s, which were the properties suitable for fast-disintegrating tablets. These properties were considered to result from well-mixed and fine-powdered SSE and FS.     

Influence of pectins on preparation characteristics of lactoferrin bioadhesive tablets

For the treatment of chronic inflammation in the oral cavity, we attempted to develop bioadhesive tablets of bovine lactoferrin (B-LF). Pectin was used as a bioadhesive polymer, and the influence of the degree of esterification and the molecular weight of pectins on the characteristics of B-LF tablets were investigated. Concerning bioadhesive force, a tendency increasing the value according to increase of the esterification of the pectin was confirmed. Sustained release of B-LF from the tablets was observed as the esterification increased, and a possibility for prediction of the time required to release 50% of B-LF by using the equation given by the degree of esterification and the logarithm of the molecular weight was suggested. Pectin cross-linked with Ca(2+) (Ca-PC) was also used for the preparation of the B-LF tablets. Prolonged release of B-LF from the tablets was observed as the Ca(2+) in Ca-PC increased. Our findings suggest that pectin with a high degree of esterification is suitable as a bioadhesive polymer since high bioadhesive force and sustained release are shown. Furthermore, a possibility that the B-LF release could be controlled by adjusting the Ca(2+) concentration in Ca-PC was suggested.     

Synthesis and properties of a new AIE macrocyclic emitter with triarylamine backbone

A new macrocyclic AIE emitter composed of triarylamine backbone was successfully synthesized through convenient homocoupling procedure and easily purified by silica gel column chromatography, and recrystallization. The optical and electrochemical properties of the compound have been investigated. Intriguingly, the compound shows dual emission both 423 nm and 505 nm. This result implied that the violet emission was originated from an isolated component of the emitter, whereas the yellowish-green emission simultaneously exhibited AIE nature. The compound exhibits enough thermal stability and high glass transition temperature to be applied for organic devices.     

Inactivation of Escherichia coli by sonoelectrocatalytic disinfection using TiO2 as electrode

This is the first study to demonstrate sonoelectrocatalytic disinfection using titanium dioxide (TiO₂) as an anode for effective inactivation of Escherichia coli. In brief, a non-woven TiO₂ fabric used as an anode and a platinum cathode were immersed in an E. coli suspension in which a positive potential was applied to TiO₂ concomitant with ultrasound (US) irradiation. Two control experiments were performed using E. coli suspensions to exhibit the effects of the sonoelectrocatalytic disinfection. One was disinfection by applying a positive potential to a TiO₂ electrode, but without US irradiation (electrochemical disinfection). The other was disinfection without applying a potential, but with US irradiation in the presence of TiO₂ (sonocatalytic disinfection). The cell inactivation rate in sonoelectrocatalytic disinfection was synergistically much more enhanced than the combined inactivation rates in electrochemical disinfection and sonocatalytic disinfection. This synergistically enhanced inactivation rate of E. coli cells was attributable to effective reaction of the sonocatalytically generated OH radicals with E. coli cells at the surface of the TiO₂ anode, which resulted from the electroadsorption of E. coli cells toward the TiO₂ anode.     

Mass migration on a polymer surface caused by photoinduced molecular rotation

We demonstrated the formation of a photoinduced surface relief grating using thin films comprising a photochromic molecular motor, 9-(2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-cyclopenta[a]naphthalen-1-ylidene)-9H-fluorene. Results show that mass migration occurred by patterned light irradiation prepared from interfered laser beams and a photomask.     

Spectral multitude and spectral dynamics reflect changing conjugation length in single molecules of oligophenylenevinylenes

Single-molecule study of phenylenevinylene oligomers revealed distinct spectral forms due to different conjugation lengths which are determined by torsional defects. Large spectral jumps between different spectral forms were ascribed to torsional flips of a single phenylene ring. These spectral changes reflect the dynamic nature of electron delocalization in oligophenylenevinylenes and enable estimation of the phenylene torsional barriers.     

Activation volumes of hydrolyses of maltose and maltotriose over an immobilized glucoamylase catalyst

Abstract

Initial rates of hydrolysis of maltose and maltotriose over an immobilized glucoamylase have been measured up to 127 MPa at 25±0.1°C. The observed rates have been analyzed showing the reaction pathways of both hydrolyses to be E+S?ES*?ES7ast;E+P, where E, S, P, ES*, and ES denote the enzyme, the substrate, the product, a substrate-subsite complex, and a substrate-active site complex, respectively. The apparent maximum rate r^mand the apparent Michaelis constant K^m as well as their respective pressure dependences in terms of the apparent activation volume Δ V_app ^# and the apparent volume of reaction Δ V_app have been evaluated. Small absolute values of Δ V_app ^num; and Δ V_app for both reactions have been discussed on the basis of the reaction mechanism.     

Visualization of dynamic change in contraction-induced lipid composition in mouse skeletal muscle by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry

Lipids in skeletal muscle play a fundamental role both in normal muscle metabolism and in disease states. Skeletal muscle lipid accumulation is associated with several chronic metabolic disorders, including obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. However, it is poorly understood whether the lipid composition of skeletal muscle changes by contraction, due to the complexity of lipid molecular species. In this study, we used matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS) to investigate changes in skeletal muscle lipid composition induced by contraction. We successfully observed the reduction of diacylglycerol and triacylglycerol, which are generally associated with muscle contraction. Interestingly, we found the accumulation of some saturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids and poly-unsaturated fatty acids containing phosphatidylcholine in contracted muscles. Moreover, the distributions of several types of lipid were changed by contraction. Our results show that changes in the lipid amount, lipid composition, and energy metabolic activity can be evaluated in each local spot of cells and tissues at the same time using MALDI-IMS. In conclusion, MALDI-IMS is a powerful tool for studying lipid changes associated with contractions.