Circularly polarized luminescence in supramolecular assemblies of chiral bichromophoric perylene bisimides.

Chiral bichromophoric perylene bisimides are demonstrated as active materials of circularly polarized emission. The bichromophoric system exhibited circularly polarized luminescence with dissymmetry factors typical of that of similar organic chiral chromophoric systems in the monomeric state. Variation in solvent composition led to the formation of stably soluble helical aggregates through intermolecular interactions. A large enhancement in the dissymmetry of circularly polarized luminescence was exhibited by the aggregated structures both in the solution and solid states. The sum of excitonic couplings between the individual chromophoric units in the self-assembled state results in relatively large dissymmetry in the circularly polarized luminescence, thereby giving rise to enhanced dissymmetry factors for the aggregated structures. The spacer between chiral center and chromophoric units played a crucial role in the effective enhancement of chiroptical properties in the self-assembled structures. These materials might provide opportunities for the design of a new class of functional bichromophoric organic nanoarchitectures that can find potential applications in the field of chiroptical memory and light-emitting devices based on supramolecular electronics.

Ergonomics solution for crossing collisions based on field assessment of visual environment at urban intersections in Japan.

This paper aims to assess quantitatively the actual visual environment of uncontrolled urban downtown intersections in Japan in relation to frequently occurring crossing collisions and to discuss the safety countermeasures for them. In Field Study 1 dealing with direct visibility, our ultra-wide-angle photograph analysis revealed that most of the right/left-ward visible range at 11 intersections were insufficient to check safety, and the quality of direct visibility was closely associated with causing crossing collisions. The countermeasures to reduce a blind area were determined to be a top priority. In Field Study 2 dealing with indirect visibility, more than half of the 25 traffic convex mirrors had marked shortcomings for preventive safety, and ergonomics guidelines ensuring indirect visibility were proposed for installing traffic convex mirrors. Low-cost/low-technology-oriented countermeasures are highly recommended to obtain clear/sufficient images of crucial information satisfying drivers' requirements on traffic convex mirrors in accordance with those ergonomics guidelines was highly recommended. Crossing collisions could be prevented by improvement of poor direct and indirect visibility.

Impact of ISO/TS 20646-1 "Ergonomic procedures for the improvement of local muscular workloads" on work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published a new Technical Specification (TS), ISO/TS 20646-1 "Ergonomic procedures for the improvement of local muscular workloads (LMWL)--Part 1: Guidelines for reducing local muscular workloads" in 2004. However, little is known about whether the ISO/TS is really effective in taking action to improve the work conditions in real workplaces. This paper discussed the impact of preventive activities planned and carried out according to the ISO/TS in 17 enterprises. Results indicated that 61 improvements (96%) had already been implemented (63%) or in progress (33%) within 6 months of the start of the activities. Besides the initial improvements, new improvements added within one year reached 84 cases and 10 cases were in progress in 15 enterprises. Comprehensive risk analysis, which consisted of a series of applications of action oriented checklist and group discussions, contributed to the detection of widely diversified risks in each local workplace, and this seems to lead to sustainable activities for prevention of WMSDs. These results suggest that the ISO/TS 20646-1 help managers and workers to control multiple work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) risks on their own initiative and promote sustainable activities.

Design and synthesis of glycosidase inhibitor 5-amino-1,2,3,4-cyclohexanetetrol derivatives from (-)-vibo-quercitol.

In continuation of development of bioactive inositol derivatives, a 1-O-methyl derivative of 5-amino-5-deoxy-L-talo-quercitol was designed and synthesized as an analogue of the strong alpha-fucosidase inhibitor, 5a-carba-alpha-L-fucopyranosylamine, the methyl branch being replaced with methoxyl, and demonstrated to be a moderate alpha-fucosidase inhibitor. The present approach provides a possible route to apply alkyl ethers of aminodeoxyinositols as hexopyranose mimics of biological interest.

Synthesis and glycosidase inhibitory activity of some N-substituted 5a-carba-beta-fuco- and beta-galactopyranosylamines, and selected derivatives.

In the course of chemical modification of alpha-fucosidase inhibitors of 5a-carba-fucopyranosylamine type, an N-dodecyl derivative of the enantiomer 6-deoxy-5a-carba-beta-D-galactopyranosylamine demonstrated very strong inhibition of beta-galactosidase and beta-glucosidase. This finding led us to synthesize corresponding 6-hydroxy compounds, in order to elucidate structure-activity relationships for inhibitors of this type. Among four N-alkyl-5a-carba-beta-D-galactopyranosylamines prepared, the N-octyl derivative could be demonstrated to possess moderate activity toward alpha- and beta-galactosidases, and beta-glucosidase.

Convenient synthesis of (+)-valiolamine and (-)-1-epi-valiolamine from (-)-vibo-quercitol.

Convenient and practical synthesis of (+)-valiolamine and (-)-1-epi-valiolamine from (-)-vibo-quercitol, 1-deoxy-L-myo-inositol, readily obtained by bioconversion of myo-inositol, is described.

Powdered green tea has antilipogenic effect on Zucker rats fed a high-fat diet.

The effect of powdered green tea on the lipid metabolism was studied in male Zucker rats fed a 50% sucrose diet containing 15% butter. The oral treatment of 130 mg powdered green tea per day depressed body weight increase and various adipose tissue weights but food intake was unaffected. The treatment also slightly increased the plasma triglycerides. These effects were likely mediated by the inhibition of lipogenesis in the adipose tissues. The experimental group had a higher concentration of liver total lipid, triglycerides and plasma protein, and lower liver weights than the controls. This may be due to lipid deposition in the liver because of the reduction in adipose tissue weights. It was found that powdered green tea lowered the plasma total cholesterol but liver total cholesterol was unaffected. The results indicate that the hypocholesterolemic activity of powdered green tea might be due to the inhibition of the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver.

Superoxide dismutase activity enhanced by green tea inhibits lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells.

We studied the effect of powdered green tea on intracellular superoxide dismutase activity in the adipose conversion of 3T3-L1 cells. By the 14 days of culture with insulin, the triglyceride concentration was increased. When powdered green tea and insulin were added simultaneously, the increased triglyceride content was decreased (p < 0.05), and the superoxide dismutase activities were significantly enhanced (p < 0.05). These data suggest that green tea may have an antilipogenic activity due to its radical scavenging activity mechanism.