Synthesis and antiulcer activity of optical isomers of 2-(4-chlorobenzoylamino)-3-[2(1H)-quinolinon-4-yl]propionic acid (rebamipide).

The enantiomers of 2-(4-chlorobenzoylamino)-3-[2(1H)-quinolinon-4-yl] propionic acid [(+/-)-1, rebamipide, OPC-12759], a new antiulcer agent that enhances mucosal resistance, were synthesized from optically active alpha-amino acid derivatives of 2(1H)-quinolinone. The key intermediates, alpha-amino acid derivatives, were prepared by asymmetric synthesis and optical resolution. The (+)-1 was about 1.7 times as potent as the (-)-isomer in antiulcer activity against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers.     

Laser-induced orientational change of nematic liquid crystalline molecules mediated by photochromic reactions of surface azobenzenes

The alignment of nematic liquid crystalline (LC) molecules with respect to the LC cell surface was regulated between the homeotropic (H) state and the parallel (P) state by the photochromic trans—cis isomerization of surface-attached azobenzene (Az) moieties. By bringing the angular-selective photoreaction into the system, the orientational order in the P state was significantly improved to attain a universal orientational axis over the entire irradiated area, which was rotatable and erasable photochemically. Laser pulse experiments revealed that the allignment relaxation time τ was reduced from 1000 to 30 ms by increasing the pulse intensity from 10 to 20 mJ cm⁻². Strong coupling between the LC and Az molecules was indicated.     

Uptake of alkali and alkaline earth metal ions into electrochemically pretreated glassy carbon fibres by flow-through electrolysis

When glassy carbon fibres are used, alkali and alkaline earth metal ions are adsorbed in the micropores which are created or activated by oxidative treatment of the fibres. The average pore radius was estimated to be 2 nm by nitrogen adsorption experiments. Uptake was studied with a flow system consisting of a flow-through carbon-fibre electrode; a dropping mercury electrode at the end of the flow line monitored changes in the metal ion concentrations. The ions were taken up at negative potentials and released at positive potentials. The amount taken up increased in the sequence Na⁺ < Li⁺ < H⁺, suggesting that the ions were desolvated before entering the pore system.     

Three bits eight states photochromic recording and nondestructive readout by using IR light

A photochromic polymer film containing three different diarylethene derivatives, that is, 1,2-bis(3,5-dimethyl-2-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene (1), 1,2-bis(2,5-dimethyl-3-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene (2), and 1,2-bis(2-methyl-5-phenyl-3-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene (3) was prepared. Upon UV irradiation, the three derivatives changed to their closed-ring isomers having different colors, yellow, red, and blue. They showed different spectra not only in UV/Vis region but also in the IR spectral region. Upon irradiation with visible light of appropriate wavelengths, each closed-ring isomer was selectively bleached, and three bits eight states recording was performed. The eight states could be read out nondestructively by using IR light of appropriate wavenumbers.     

Electrochemical analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms of p53 gene

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of cancer repression gene p53 were analyzed electrochemically with ferrocenyl naphthalene diimide (1) as a hybridization indicator. The SNPs studied were the transition to A from G in the codon for amino acid at positions 175, 248 or 273 and the transversion to C from G in the codon for the amino acid at position 72. Thus, 20-meric oligonucleotides carrying the SNP site were used both as a sample and a probe with the latter immobilized on an electrode. Even one base difference on the p53 gene resulted in a significant difference in the current response of 1 and the magnitude of the response correlated with the amount of the DNA hybrid on the electrode. Moreover, when PCR products of exon 4, on which the P72/R72 SNP resides, of the p53 gene were analyzed by this method, the heterozygote and homozygotes were discriminated with modest precision.