Abstract: The present invention provides an imidazopyridine compound represented by formula (I), wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent a C1-6 alkyl group et al; R3 and R4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a methyl et al; Ar1 is a divalent substituent representing a monocyclic or bicyclic, 3- to 8-membered aromatic or aliphatic heterocyclic group et al; Ar2 represents an aromatic carbocyclic group, or an aromatic heterocyclic group; W represents —(CH2)m et al, and m indicates an integer of from 0 to 10. This compound acts as a melanin concentrating hormone receptor antagonist, and is useful as treating agents for obesity.

Abstract: The invention relates to 4-oxoimidazolidine-2-spiropiperidine derivatives represented by a general formula [I] [in which A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 stand for optionally halogen-substituted methine, or nitrogen atom; R1 and R2 stand for lower alkyl or the like; R3 stands for hydrogen or lower alkyl; R4 and R5 stand for hydrogen, or lower alkyl which is optionally substituted with hydroxy, or the like] or salts thereof. These compounds act as nociceptin receptor agonist, and are useful as analgesic, reliever from tolerance to narcotic analgesic, reliever from dependence on narcotic analgesic, analgesic enhancer, antiobestic, drug for ameliorating brain function, remedy for schizophrenia, drug for treating regressive neurodegenerative diseases, antianxiety agent or antidepressant and remedy for diabetes insipidus and polyuria; and the like.

Abstract: Provided are a histamine-H3 receptor antagonist; and a preventive and/or a remedy for metabolic system diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hormone secretion disorder, hyperlipemia, gout, fatty liver, circulatory system diseases, for example, stenocardia, acute/congestive cardiac insufficiency, cardiac infarction, coronary arteriosclerosis, hypertension, nephropathy, sleep disorder and various diseases accompanied by sleep disorder such as idiopathic hypersomnnia, repetitive hypersomnnia, true hypersomnnia, narcolepsy, sleep periodic acromotion disorder, sleep apnea syndrome, circadian rhythm disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, REM sleep disorder, senile insomnia, night worker sleep insanitation, idiopathic insomnia, repetitive insomnia, true insomnia, electrolyte metabolism disorder, and central and peripheral nervous system diseases such as bulimia, emotional disorder, melancholia, anxiety, epilepsy, delirium, dementia, shinzophrenia, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, memory disorder, Alzheimer's dis

Abstract: This invention relates to a benzimidazole derivative of the general formula [I] [wherein B1, B2, and B3 represent hydrogen atom or lower alkyl; R1 and R2 are same or different and represent lower alkyl, etc.; R3 and R4 represent hydrogen atom, etc.; W represents a 3 to 8-membered aromatic or alphatic heterocycle, etc.; and Ar represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic heterocycle, etc.] This compound functions as an antagonist to melanin-concentrating hormone receptor and is useful as a drug for central diseases, circulatory diseases and metabolic diseases.

Abstract: A compound represented by the formula [I]: [wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and each represents C1-6 alkyl, C3-8 cycloalkyl, et al; R3a, R3b, and R4 are the same or different and each represents hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl, et al; X represents —N—, —CH—, et al; Y1 represents a single bond, C1-3 alkylene, et al; Y2 represents C1-4 alkylene, oxy(C1-4 alkylene), et al; Ar1 represents a monocyclic aromatic carbocyclic group, monocyclic aromatic heterocyclic group, et al; and Ar2 represents a 5- or 6-membered aromatic carbocyclic group, aromatic heterocyclic group, et al]. This compound functions as a melanin-concentrating hormone receptor antagonist and is useful as, e.g., a therapeutic agent for obesity, et al.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound represented by the formula (I) below, which has a glucokinase-activating effect and is thus useful for treatment of diabetes or obesity, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In the formula, R1 represents an aryl or the like; R11 represents an aryl or the like; R2 represents a formyl or the like, R3 represents a C1-6 alkyl or the like; R3 represents a hydrogen atom or the like; Z1 represents —O— or the like; Z2 represents —O— or the like; Y1-Y4 respectively represent a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom; ring A represents a heteroaryl group; X represents a carbon atom or the like; m represents an integer of 0-2; and q represents an integer of 0-2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound represented by formula (I) below, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which, having histamine H3 receptor antagonist or inverse agonist activity, is useful in the prophylaxis or therapy of metabolic diseases, circulatory diseases, or nervous system diseases. [where, for example, Ar is a divalent group formed by eliminating two hydrogen atoms from benzene, X1 is a nitrogen atom, sulfur atom or oxygen atom, R1 is a 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl group, Ring A is a 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl ring, R2 and R3 are amino groups or alkylamino groups, and X2 is represented by formula (II): (where R4 and R5 are lower alkyl groups, and n is an integer from 2 to 4).

Abstract: In the examination of obesity or leanness, the examination is based on the expression level of the MCP-1 gene or the MCP-1 protein in a tissue or cell analyte, or on the polymorphism in the gene. In the evaluation of compounds, including screening for therapeutic agents for obesity or leanness, the properties of the MCP-1 gene or the MCP-1 protein are utilized to carry out the evaluation.

Abstract: The invention provides imidazopyridine derivatives represented by the general formula [I] [in which R1 and R2 may be the same or different and stand for C1-6 alkyl or the like, R3 and R4 stand for hydrogen atom, methyl group or the like, W stands for mono- or bi-cyclic 3- to 8-membered aromatic or aliphatic heterocycle or the like, and Ar stands for optionally substituted aromatic heterocycle or the like]. These compounds act as melanin-concentrating hormone receptor antagonist and are useful as medicines for central nervous system disorders, cardiovascular system disorders and metabolic disorders.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds which exhibit selective muscarinic M3 receptor antagonism, have little side effects, are suitable for inhalation therapy and are useful as treating agents of respiratory system diseases, of the general formula (I); [in which A signifies a group expressed by a formula (a0) or (b0); Ar signifies optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl; B1 and B2 signify aliphatic hydrocarbon; R1 signifies fluorine-substituted cycloalkyl; R2, R3 and R4 signify lower alkyl, single bond or alkylene bonded to B1, or R2 and R3 are united to signify alkylene; R5 and R7 signify hydrogen, lower alkyl, or a single bond or alkylene bonded to B2; R6 signifies hydrogen, lower alkyl or a group expressed as —N(R8)R9; and X? signifies an anion].

Abstract: Examination of obesity or emaciation is performed based on expression levels of LCE gene or protein in a test tissue or a test cell or a polymorphism of the gene. Evaluation of compounds including screening of therapeutic agents for obesity or emaciation is performed utilizing the nature of LCE gene or protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound represented by the general formula (I): wherein m1 and m2 are 1, 2, or 3; n1 and n2 are 0 or 1; i is an integer of any of 1 to m1; j is an integer of 1 to m2; R is aryl, heteroaryl, or cycloalkyl any of which may be substituted; Rai and Rai? is hydrogen atom, etc. and Rbj and Rbj? is hydrogen atom, etc.; Rc, Rd, and Re are hydrogen atom, etc; X1 is CH, CX1a, or N; X2 is CH, N, etc.; X3 is CH, N, etc.; X4 is CH or N; Y1, Y2, and Y3 are each independently CH or N; Z1 and Z2 are each independently CH or N; W is a 5-membered aromatic heterocyclic group such as pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, etc., or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof; a pharmaceutical composition or antitumor agent containing the same; and combinations of the antitumor agent with other antitumor agent(s).

Abstract: This invention provides 2-aminoquinoline derivatives represented by a general formula [I] [in which R1 and R2 either stand for lower alkyl, lower cycloalkyl, etc., or R1 and R2 together form an aliphatic nitrogen-containing heterocycle with the nitrogen atom to which they bind; R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 stand for hydrogen, lower alkyl, etc.; R8 stands for lower alkyl, lower alkyloxy, etc.; and n stands for an integer of 0-4]. The compounds act as melanin concentrating hormone receptor antagonist, and are useful as medicines for central nervous system disorders, cardiovascular disorders and metabolic disorders.

Abstract: Compounds represented by the general formula (I): wherein Ar1 and Ar2 are each aryl or heteroaryl; R1 is lower cycloalkyl, —Ar3, or a group of the general formula (a), (b) or (c): and R2 and R3are each hydrogen, lower cycloalkyl, lower alkenyl, or optionally substituted lower alkyl (with the proviso that when R2 and R3 are simultaneously hydrogen, Ar1, Ar2 and R1 do not simultaneously represent unsubstituted phenyl).

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making spirolactone compounds analogous to formula I.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds which are represented by the general formula [I] [in which A stands for a group of the following formula [ao] or [b0] Ar1, Ar2 and Ar3 stand for optionally substituted phenyl; k stands for 0 or 1; m, n and s stand for 0, 1 or 2; R1 stands for hydrogen or optionally substituted lower alkyl; R2, R3, R4 and R5 either stand for hydrogen or optionally substituted lower alkyl, or R2 and R3, or R4 and R5 together stand for trimethylene and the like; R60 stands for hydrogen, alkyl, or the like; R61 and R71 either stand for alkyl and the like, or together stand for trimethylene and the like; X stands for carbonyl or methylene; Y stands for nitrogen or methine; and Q? stands for anion], and the like. The compounds of the invention exhibit selective antagonism to muscarinic M3 receptors, and therefore are useful as safe and effective agents showing little side effect, for treating diseases of the respiratory, urinary and digestive systems.

Abstract: A method by which a halogen atom of a halogen compound can be efficiently replaced with an electrophilic group. Also provided are: a reagent for converting a functional group through a halogen-metal exchange reaction, characterized by comprising either a mixture of a magnesium compound represented by the formula R1—Mg—X (I) (wherein R1 represents a halogen atom or an optionally substituted hydrocarbon residue; and X1 represents a halogen atom) and an organolithium compound represented by the formula R2—Li (II)(wherein R2 represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbon residue) or a product of the reaction of the magnesium compound with the organolithium compound; and a process for producing with the reagent a compound in which a halogen atom of a halogen compound has been replaced with an electrophilic group.

Abstract: There are provided non-human primate and rat GPR103 genes and proteins and a compound evaluation method employing the genes or proteins. There are also provided highly useful novel ligands for functional analysis of the GPR103 genes and proteins and for the compound evaluation. The nucleic acids or proteins having the sequences listed as SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 4 provide non-human primate or rat GPR103 genes and proteins and information based on the genes and proteins. The genes and proteins can be used for evaluation of compounds. The nucleic acids or proteins having the sequence listed as SEQ ID NO: 5 or 6 provide a GPR103 ligand.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymorphisms of ABCG2 polypeptide and polynucleotide coding therefor, which is related to the intracellular accumulation of indolocarbazole compounds, as well as methods for detecting the polymorphisms, comprising collecting a sample from mammals, and determining a polymorphism of the nucleotide sequence of ABCG2 gene or a polymorphism of the amino acid sequence of ABCG2 polypeptide. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the polymorphism of the nucleotide sequence is one or more of single nucleotide polymorphisms at positions selected from the group consisting of 34, 376 and 421 of SEQ ID NO:1, and the polymorphism of the amino acid sequence is one or more of amino acid polymorphisms at positions consisting of 12, 126, and 141 of SEQ ID NO:2.

Abstract: A sampling method sampling a lower-layer liquid from a liquid body comprised of two layers of liquids, an upper-layer liquid (octanol) and the lower-layer liquid (buffer solution), without mixing the layers. An extracting device is provided with a tubular apical end and is adapted to bring the apical end from above into a liquid to extract the liquid through the apical end. The method includes a plug injection step of injecting a plug liquid without mixing with the upper-layer liquid 50a, into the apical end 11a of the extracting device, and an extraction step of extracting the lower-layer liquid with the plug liquid by means of the extracting device.