Abstract: The present inventor has discovered chemical compounds which inhibit the first-pass effect of orally administered drugs in humans; that phototoxic low molecular weight furocoumarins and certain ether-substituted furocoumarins that are naturally present in citrus extracts, juices, byproducts, etc. may be removed therefrom or reduced in concentration without destroying the first-pass effect inhibiting compounds therein, and a method for preparing citrus-based compositions using only FDA or USP acceptable reagents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a synthetic route for preparing endothelium receptor antagonists of formulae (7B) and (7A) and to the chiral intermediates ##STR1##

Abstract: The present invention relates to a phenylethanolaminotetralincarboxamide derivative represented by the general formula: ##STR1## (wherein A represents a lower alkylene group; B represents an amino group, a di(lower alkyl)amino group or a 3 to 7-membered alicyclic amino group which may contain an oxygen atom in the ring; the carbon atom marked with * represents a carbon atom in (R) configuration, (S) configuration or a mixture thereof; and the carbon atom marked with (S) represents a carbon atom in (S) configuration) and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which have a selective .beta..sub.2 -adrenergic receptor stimulating effect with relieved burdens on the heart such as tachycardia and are useful as an agent for the prevention of threatened abortion and premature labor, a bronchodilator, and an agent for pain remission and promoting stone removal in urolithiasis.

Abstract: Novel iridoid derivatives represented by general formula (I): and a vascularization inhibitor having for its active ingredient said derivative are disclosed. This vascularization inhibitor has remarkable vascularization inhibitory effects unaccompanied by serious adverse side effects, which is useful for the treatment and prevention of various diseases accompanied by abnormal acceleration of vascularization.

Abstract: A process for preparing .alpha.-tocopherol or .alpha.-tocopheryl acetate by reacting 2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone with isophytol or phytol in the presence of a zinc halide condensation catalyst and a proton donor in a solvent with or without subsequent esterification with acetic anhydride, which comprisesA. carrying out the reaction in a nonpolar solvent which is only slightly water-miscible, if at all andB. introducing the required zinc halide into the reaction in the form of a mixture of from 1 to 4 mol of water per mol of zinc halide.The possibility of introducing the zinc halide required in the process according to the invention in the form of a mixture of zinc halide and water which can be readily handled and metered at from 50 to 200.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention includes one or more fibers (12) made of a ceramic, such as glass, which are each suitable for being used as a reinforcing fiber (12) in a composite product or article. Each ceramic reinforcing fiber (12) has a ceramic core (24) and one or more ceramic layers (22) disposed around the core (24). The layered structure of the present ceramic reinforcing fiber (12) improves the overall strength and fracture toughness of the fiber (12). Before a crack propagating through the outermost layer (22) can propagate through the remainder of the fiber (12), a new crack must be initiated at the pristine surface (i.e., interface) of the underlying ceramic material. When there are multiple layers (22), a new crack must be initiated and propagate through each successive layer (22) of ceramic. A ceramic fiber composite article is made by disposing a plurality of the ceramic reinforcing fibers (12) into a suitable matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel chromene compound having favorable photochromic properties, developing a color of a high density, exhibiting a small degree of initial color and permitting the color to quickly fade.

Abstract: The present invention provides new synthetic methods and compositions. In particular, new methods of preparing intermediates useful in the synthesis of neuraminidase inhibitors and compositions useful as intermediates that are themselves useful in the synthesis of neuraminidase inhibitors are provided.