Abstract: The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a compound suitable for a pharmaceutical composition, specifically a pharmaceutically composition for treating nocturia. The inventors have assumed that inhibition of nocturnal activity of placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP), i.e. aminopeptidase that cleaves AVP, would maintain and/or increase an endogenous AVP level to enhance the antidiuretic effect, which would contribute to a decreased number of nocturnal voids, and have extensively studied compounds which inhibit P-LAP. As a result, the inventors have found that (2R)-3-amino-2-{[4-(substituted pyridine)-2-yl]methyl}-2-hydroxy-propanoic acid derivatives have excellent P-LAP inhibitory activity. The inventors have evaluated antidiuretic effects in water-loaded rats and have found that the compounds increase endogenous AVP levels by inhibiting P-LAP and consequently reduce urine production.

Abstract: The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a compound suitable for a pharmaceutical composition, specifically a pharmaceutically composition for treating nocturia. The inventors have assumed that inhibition of nocturnal activity of placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP), i.e. aminopeptidase that cleaves AVP, would maintain and/or increase an endogenous AVP level to enhance the antidiuretic effect, which would contribute to a decreased number of nocturnal voids, and have extensively studied compounds which inhibit P-LAP. As a result, the inventors have found that (2R)-3-amino-2-{[4-(substituted pyridine)-2-yl]methyl}-2-hydroxy-propanoic acid derivatives have excellent P-LAP inhibitory activity. The inventors have evaluated antidiuretic effects in water-loaded rats and have found that the compounds increase endogenous AVP levels by inhibiting P-LAP and consequently reduce urine production.

Abstract: The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a compound suitable for a pharmaceutical composition, specifically a pharmaceutically composition for treating nocturia. The inventors have assumed that inhibition of nocturnal activity of placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP), i.e. aminopeptidase that cleaves AVP, would maintain and/or increase an endogenous AVP level to enhance the antidiuretic effect, which would contribute to a decreased number of nocturnal voids, and have extensively studied compounds which inhibit P-LAP. As a result, the inventors have found that (2R)-3-amino-2-{[4-(substituted pyridine)-2-yl]methyl}-2-hydroxy-propanoic acid derivatives have excellent P-LAP inhibitory activity. The inventors have evaluated antidiuretic effects in water-loaded rats and have found that the compounds increase endogenous AVP levels by inhibiting P-LAP and consequently reduce urine production.

Abstract: The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a compound suitable for a pharmaceutical composition, specifically a pharmaceutically composition for treating nocturia. The inventors have assumed that inhibition of nocturnal activity of placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP), i.e. aminopeptidase that cleaves AVP, would maintain and/or increase an endogenous AVP level to enhance the antidiuretic effect, which would contribute to a decreased number of nocturnal voids, and have extensively studied compounds which inhibit P-LAP. As a result, the inventors have found that (2R)-3-amino-2-{[4-(substituted pyridine)-2-yl]methyl}-2-hydroxy-propanoic acid derivatives have excellent P-LAP inhibitory activity. The inventors have evaluated antidiuretic effects in water-loaded rats and have found that the compounds increase endogenous AVP levels by inhibiting P-LAP and consequently reduce urine production.

Abstract: The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a compound suitable for a pharmaceutical composition, specifically a pharmaceutically composition for treating nocturia. The inventors have assumed that inhibition of nocturnal activity of placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP), i.e. aminopeptidase that cleaves AVP, would maintain and/or increase an endogenous AVP level to enhance the antidiuretic effect, which would contribute to a decreased number of nocturnal voids, and have extensively studied compounds which inhibit P-LAP. As a result, the inventors have found that (2R)-3-amino-2-{[4-(substituted pyridine)-2-yl]methyl}-2-hydroxy-propanoic acid derivatives have excellent P-LAP inhibitory activity. The inventors have evaluated antidiuretic effects in water-loaded rats and have found that the compounds increase endogenous AVP levels by inhibiting P-LAP and consequently reduce urine production.

Abstract: The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a compound suitable for a pharmaceutical composition, specifically a pharmaceutically composition for treating nocturia. The inventors have assumed that inhibition of nocturnal activity of placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP), i.e. aminopeptidase that cleaves AVP, would maintain and/or increase an endogenous AVP level to enhance the antidiuretic effect, which would contribute to a decreased number of nocturnal voids, and have extensively studied compounds which inhibit P-LAP. As a result, the inventors have found that (2R)-3-amino-2-(bi-cyclic pyridylmethyl)-2-hydroxy-propanoic acid derivatives have excellent P-LAP inhibitory activity. The inventors have evaluated antidiuretic effects in water-loaded rats and have found that the compounds increase endogenous AVP levels by inhibiting P-LAP and consequently reduce urine production.

Abstract: The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a compound suitable for a pharmaceutical composition, specifically an agent for treating nocturia. The inventors have assumed that inhibition of nocturnal activity of placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP), i.e. aminopeptidase that cleaves AVP, would maintain and/or increase an endogenous AVP level to enhance the antidiuretic effect, which would contribute to a decreased number of nocturnal voids, and have extensively studied compounds which inhibit P-LAP. As a result, the inventors have found that (2R)-3-amino-2-(pyridylmethyl)-2-hydroxy-propanoic acid derivatives have excellent P-LAP inhibitory activity. The inventors have evaluated antidiuretic effects in water-loaded rats and have found that the compounds increase endogenous AVP levels by inhibiting P-LAP and consequently reduce urine production. The present invention therefore provides compounds expected to be used as an agent for treating nocturia based on P-LAP inhibition.

Abstract: The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a compound suitable for a pharmaceutical composition, specifically a pharmaceutically composition for treating nocturia. The inventors have assumed that inhibition of nocturnal activity of placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP), i.e. aminopeptidase that cleaves AVP, would maintain and/or increase an endogenous AVP level to enhance the antidiuretic effect, which would contribute to a decreased number of nocturnal voids, and have extensively studied compounds which inhibit P-LAP. As a result, the inventors have found that (2R)-3-amino-2-(bi-cyclic pyridylmethyl)-2-hydroxy-propanoic acid derivatives have excellent P-LAP inhibitory activity. The inventors have evaluated antidiuretic effects in water-loaded rats and have found that the compounds increase endogenous AVP levels by inhibiting P-LAP and consequently reduce urine production.

Abstract: The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a compound suitable for a pharmaceutical composition, specifically an agent for treating nocturia. The inventors have assumed that inhibition of nocturnal activity of placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP), i.e. aminopeptidase that cleaves AVP, would maintain and/or increase an endogenous AVP level to enhance the antidiuretic effect, which would contribute to a decreased number of nocturnal voids, and have extensively studied compounds which inhibit P-LAP. As a result, the inventors have found that (2R)-3-amino-2-(pyridylmethyl)-2-hydroxy-propanoic acid derivatives have excellent P-LAP inhibitory activity. The inventors have evaluated antidiuretic effects in water-loaded rats and have found that the compounds increase endogenous AVP levels by inhibiting P-LAP and consequently reduce urine production. The present invention therefore provides compounds expected to be used as an agent for treating nocturia based on P-LAP inhibition.

Abstract: The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a compound suitable for a pharmaceutical composition, specifically a pharmaceutically composition for treating nocturia. The inventors have assumed that inhibition of nocturnal activity of placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP), i.e. aminopeptidase that cleaves AVP, would maintain and/or increase an endogenous AVP level to enhance the antidiuretic effect, which would contribute to a decreased number of nocturnal voids, and have extensively studied compounds which inhibit P-LAP. As a result, the inventors have found that (2R)-3-amino-2-{[4-(substituted pyridine)-2-yl]methyl}-2-hydroxy-propanoic acid derivatives have excellent P-LAP inhibitory activity. The inventors have evaluated antidiuretic effects in water-loaded rats and have found that the compounds increase endogenous AVP levels by inhibiting P-LAP and consequently reduce urine production.

Abstract: Phenylacetamide compounds of the formula having sulfonyl group and cycloalkyl group on the phenyl group and having heteroaryl group on the nitrogen atom in the amide have an excellent glucokinase activation action. The compound of the present invention is useful as an agent for treating diabetes, in particular, type II diabetes, as well as metabolic syndrome and obesity.

Abstract: Phenylacetamide compounds of the formula having sulfonyl group and cycloalkyl group on the phenyl group and having heteroaryl group on the nitrogen atom in the amide have an excellent glucokinase activation action.

Abstract: A phenylacetamide derivative having sulfonyl group and cycloalkyl group on the phenyl group and having heteroaryl group on the nitrogen atom in the amide has an excellent GK activation action, thereby completing the present invention. The compound of the present invention is useful as an agent for treating diabetes, in particular, type II diabetes, since it has an excellent GK activation action.

Abstract: SiH3CH3 having the concentration of 1 to 10% is diluted with H2 and a portion of the diluted SiH3CH3, GeH4 and SiH4 (or DCS) are respectively supplied to a chamber of an epitaxial device at predetermined flow rates, and SiGe:C is formed by an epitaxial growth technique. By diluting the SiH3CH3, the concentration of oxygen-based impurity contained in the SiH3CH3 is reduced and hence, the oxygen-based impurity which is supplied to a chamber are reduced whereby the concentration of oxygen-based impurity contained in the SiGe:C formed in a film is reduced.

Abstract: SiH3CH3 having the concentration of 1 to 10% is diluted with H2 and a portion of the diluted SiH3CH3, GeH4 and SiH4 (or DCS) are respectively supplied to a chamber of an epitaxial device at predetermined flow rates, and SiGe:C is formed by an epitaxial growth technique. By diluting the SiH3CH3, the concentration of oxygen-based impurity contained in the SiH3CH3 is reduced and hence, the oxygen-based impurity which is supplied to a chamber are reduced whereby the concentration of oxygen-based impurity contained in the SiGe:C formed in a film is reduced.

Abstract: A walking analyzer includes an acceleration sensor detecting an up-down acceleration, a front-rear acceleration, and a right-left acceleration of a person, an acceleration change calculating device for calculating changes of each acceleration in time, a time period extracting device extracting a certain time period in which a certain walking movement is performed on the basis of the changes of the acceleration in time of one of the up-down acceleration, the front-rear acceleration and the right-left acceleration, an estimated indicator calculating device calculating an estimated indicator related to a walking ability and a walking ability estimating device estimating a walking ability by use of the estimated indicator and by use of a predetermined relation between an estimated indicator and a walking ability.

Abstract: In a process for the fabrication of a semiconductor integrated circuit using a double-side mirror-polished wafer or the like, at the portion of a notch 10 of a notched wafer 1, a chamfered angle &thgr;11 of the first chamfered portion 11 formed at the inner periphery of the first primary surface 3 is set smaller than the chamfered angle &thgr;12 of the second notch chamfered portion 12 of the second primary surface 4 and the chamfered width L11 is set larger than the chamfered width L12, whereby the obverse and reverse of the wafer are discriminated by optically discriminating the first notch chamfered portion and the second notch chamfered portion using reflected light, thereby making it certain to fabricate IC on the surface of the wafer and to use the reverse for its handling.

Abstract: A system for displaying a color picture. This system has a field sequential signal generator for receiving and storing a color picture signal, which includes a plurality of signal components per field, at a first rate and sequentially sending the plurality of signal components, as a field sequential signal, at a second rate which is higher than the first rate; a picture display for displaying a monochromatic picture based on each of the signal components; a coloring device for coloring light emitted from the monochromatic picture displayed on the picture display; and a controller for sending a vertical sync signal, which includes a plurality of vertical sync pulses corresponding to the signal components respectively, to the picture display.

Abstract: In a color image display system formed of a monochromatic CRT or like image display device (102) having a screen (103) for display of images and a rotary filter (106) comprising color filter sections (106R, 106G and 106B) of a plurality of colors; image signals are read from memories (130R, 130G, 130B) at a rate higher than they are written in the memories, so as to reduce flickers. The problem of passing of the reading address over the writing address is solved by reading the image signal of prominent color taking a period in which the passing over occurs. High frequency components of other color image signals are extracted and added to the image signal of each color to thereby enhance the definition of the picture.

Abstract: A color image display apparatus utilizing a field sequential signal displays a picture normally without disturbance or deteriorating vertical resolution even when displaying an interlace image signal. The color image display apparatus is formed by a field sequential signal generator for converting a primary color signal to be interlaced into a field sequential signal, a monochrome image display apparatus for sequentially displaying a converted field sequential signal, a color apparatus 5 disposed to face a display screen of the monochrome image display apparatus to color a field sequential signal displayed on the display screen, and a control circuit for controlling timing of operations of these elements. A field judging result is supplied to the control circuit, and the control circuit operates so that a horizontal synchronizing signal of the field sequential signal is outputted continuously in a constant cycle even when an image signal to be interlaced is inputted.