Essential Structure of Opioid κ Receptor Agonist Nalfurafine for Binding to κ Receptor 1: Synthesis of Decahydroisoquinoline Derivatives and Their Pharmacologies

On the basis of the three-dimensional pharmacophore model of opioid κ agonists, we simplified the structure of nalfurafine (selective κ agonist) to find the essential structural moieties for binding the opioid receptors, especially κ receptor type. As a result, we found that the trans-fused decahydroisoquinoline derivatives without a phenol ring bound the opioid receptor in micromolar order and that both the amide side chain and the nitrogen substituted by the cyclopropylmethyl group were indispensable moieties for eliciting the κ selectivity. The simple decahydroisoquinoline without amide side chain also bound the opioid receptor without receptor type selectivity, suggesting that the message-address concept would be applicable to even these simple derivatives. These findings that the simple decahydroisoquinoline derivatives showed the affinities for the opioid receptors, especially some of the compounds showed κ selectivity, are the first example in the opioid field.     

The Active Phase of Nickel/Ordered Ce(2) Zr(2) O(x) Catalysts with a Discontinuity (x=7-8) in Methane Steam Reforming

Breaking news: A unique discontinuous property and an active phase of Ni/ordered Ce(2) Zr(2) O(x) (x=7-8) solid-solution catalysts were observed during methane steam reforming. The catalytic performance of Ni/Ce(2) Zr(2) O(x) strongly depended on the phase and oxygen content of the Ce(2) Zr(2) O(x) support.     

Syntheses of Methyl 2,3-di-O-Glycyl-α-D-glucopyranoside and 4,6-di-O-Glycyl-2,3-di-O-methyl-α-D-glucopyranoside,and Removal of Aminoacyl Groups from Sugar Moieties

Abstract

To confirm the potential usefulness of amino acid residues as protecting groups for sugar hydroxyls, methyl 2,3-di-O-glycyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (5) and methyl 4,6-di-O-glycyl-2,3-di-O-methyl-α-D-gluco-pyranoside (7) were synthesized as reference compounds. Conditions were then established for the removal of these aminoacyl groups from the sugar molecules. The reference compounds were easily prepared by condensation of methyl α-D-glucopyranoside derivatives with N-protected glycine in the presence of dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide (DCC). The aminoacyl groups were removed by alkaline treatment, as were conventional acyl groups and also with ease by enzymatic hydrolysis using Pronase E. Conventional ester and ether protecting groups are not removed by such enzymatic treatment. Removal of aminoacyl group from sugar moieties on a practical scale is also described.     

Coloring–decoloring behavior of fluoroalkyl end‐capped 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid oligomer/acetone composite in methanol

A reddish‐brown fluoroalkyl end‐capped 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS) oligomer/acetone composite was prepared by heating the white oligomer powder with acetone at 80 °C for 3 h. The color was not observed in the corresponding non‐fluorinated AMPS oligomer/acetone composite, which was prepared under similar conditions. The coloring was probably caused by the formation of acetone polyaldol condensation products in the fluorinated oligomeric gel network cores. The colored R_F‐(AMPS)_n‐R_F/acetone composite powders were stable and did not exhibit any color change after 2 years in natural light at room temperature. The colored composite powders dissolved in methanol to give a reddish‐brown solution at room temperature. However, the retro‐polyaldol condensation decolored the solution after 1 day at room temperature. This is the first example of the retro‐aldol polycondensation of acetone under mild conditions. The decoloration increased by between 38‐ and 70‐fold under UV irradiation, compared with that in dark conditions. The coloring–decoloring behavior was consistent and repeatable; therefore our fluorinated oligomer/acetone composites are promising candidates for new fluorinated coloring materials. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2555–2564     

Facile synthesis of graft copolymers containing rigid poly(dialkyl fumarate) branches by macromonomer method

Graft copolymers show microphase separated structure as seen in block copolymers and have lower intrinsic viscosity than block copolymers because of a branching structure. Therefore, considering molding processability, especially for polymers containing rigid segments, graft copolymers are useful architectures. In this work, graft copolymers containing rigid poly(diisopropyl fumarate) (PDiPF) branches were synthesized by full free‐radical polymerization process. First, synthesis of PDiPF macromonomers by addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (AFCT) was investigated. 2,2‐Dimethyl‐4‐methylene‐pentanedioic acid dimethyl ester was found to be an efficient AFCT agent for diisopropyl fumarate (DiPF) polymerization because of the suppression of undesired primary radical termination, which significantly took place when common AFCT agent, methyl 2‐(bromomethyl)acrylate, was used. Copolymerization of PDiPF macromonomer with ethyl acrylate accomplished the generation of the graft copolymer having flexible poly(ethyl acrylate) backbone and rigid PDiPF branches. The graft copolymer showed a microphase separated structure, high transparency, and characteristic thermal properties to PDiPF and poly(ethyl acrylate). © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 2474–2480     

Effects of Photobiomodulation on Root Resorption Induced by Orthodontic Tooth Movement and RANKL/OPG Expression in Rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of photobiomodulation on the repair of induced root resorption (RR) after orthodontic tooth movement. Twenty male rats were used in this study. Forty right and left upper first molars were evaluated and divided into four groups (n = 10): negative control group (NC), no tooth movement or irradiation; positive control group (PC), induced tooth movement and root resorption; conventional treatment group (CT), force was removed after 7 days; and photobiomodulation group (PBM) after force removal molars were irradiated every 48 h for 7 days using GaAlAs diode laser (810 nm). Energy per point was 1.5 J (100 mW, 15 s, 75 J cm^?2). NC and PC were euthanized on day 7; CT and PBM on day 14. Histomorphometric and immunohistochemsitry analyses showed increase in area of root resorption in all groups (P < 0.05) compared to NC. RR lacunae were larger in CT compared to PC and PBM at the compression side of the distal root. OPG was higher in PBM group (P < 0.05). PBM group showed low expression of RANKL compared to PC and CT on the tension side. PBM can potentially affect RR progression by increasing OPG expression in the compression area and decreasing number of clastic cells in the root surface.     

Radical addition to vinyl sulphones and vinyl phosphonium salts

Alkyl radicals, derived from decarboxylation of carboxylic acids, add readily to phenyl vinyl sulphone and vinyl phosphonium bromide. The adducts may be further converted into a variety of useful synthetic intermediates.