Abstract: Pyridone carboxylic acid compounds or physiologically hydrolyzable esters thereof are provided which are represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a lower alkyl, a halogen-substituted lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a cycloalkyl, or a substituted- or unsubstituted-phenyl group; R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom, or a lower alkyl or an amino group; A is a nitrogen atom or the group C-X wherein X is a hydrogen or a halogen atom, or an alkoxy group; and Z is a group having the formula: ##STR2## wherein n is 1 or 2; R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each represent a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, with proviso that, if n is 2, one of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is a hydrogen atom; R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 each represent a hydrogen atom, or a hydroxy, a lower alkoxy or an amino group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a lower alkyl group, with proviso that one of R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 is a hydrogen atom; and R.sub.7 is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group.

Abstract: The specification describes a process for producing human proinsulin in Escherichia coli (E. coli) using gene manipulation technology. The process can provide for human proinsulin in high yields by a novel expression vector having strong regulatory elements of an insulin gene and a stable recombinant gene product. The expression vector of the present invention is characterized in that: 1) it has an 11 amino acid leader peptide containing six threonines in order to ensure an intracellular stability of proinsulin fusion protein, 2) it contains two copies of a DNA expression cassette each comprising a strong lambda P.sub.R promoter, a lac ribosome binding site, a proinsulin gene with a 17 amino acid leader peptide sequence containing a DNA sequence encoding (Thr).sub.6, and a strong fd phage transcription terminator (combination of phage fd terminator and translation stop codon), etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel cephem compounds having the formula: ##STR1## wherein, Q is a carbon or nitrogen atom; X is an oxygen atom, or a nitroalkyl or cyanoimine group, with the proviso that X cannot be an oxygen atom when Q is a carbon atom; R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom, or a lower alkyl group, or a lower alkyl group which may be substituted by fluoro, or by a carboxylic group or an inorganic cation salt thereof; and R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 independently are a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.The compounds of the present invention have potent antibacterial activities against gram-negative bacteria, especially Pseudomonas, and a longer half-life than conventional cephem compounds.

Abstract: Novel semi-synthetic cephalosporin derivatives having a fused pyridiniummethyl at 3-position of the cephem nucleus, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, physiologically hydrolizable esters or solvates thereof are disclosed. Also disclosed is a process for preparing the cephalosporin derivatives which comprises introducing a fused pyridiniummethyl substituent at 3-position of 7-.beta.-[(Z)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-methoxyiminoacetamido]-3-cephem-ca rboxylic acid derivatives. The compounds of the present invention show potent antibacterial activities and a broad spectrum against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

Abstract: 2-(1,3-Dithiol-2-ylidene)-2-[N-(substituted) carbamoly] acetate esters and salts thereof, having potent therapeutic or prophylactic effect for hepatic disorder, are provided. Processes for their preparation and intermediates in their preparation also are disclosed.

Abstract: 2-(1,3-Dithietan-2-ylidene)-2-[N-(subsittuted)carbamoyl]acetate esters and 2-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-2-[N-(substituted) carbamoyl]acetate esters, having potent therapeutic and prophylactic effect for hepatic disorders, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 1,4-dihydropyridine of the formula(I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a phenyl group which may be substituted by one or two substituents selected from halogeno, nitro, trifluoromethyl and difluoromethoxy group, or 2,1,3-benzoxadiazole-4-yl group, R.sup.2 represents a lower alkyl or phenyl group, R.sup.3 represents a lower alkyl group and Y represents an oxygen or sulfur atom.The compounds of the formula(I) can be employed for treatment or prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for the preparation of (.+-.)-4-oxo-1,2,3,6,7,11b-hexahydro-4H-pyrazino[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives which comprises conducting an intramolecular cyclization reaction of the compounds of formulas II III in an acid medium.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for the production of hydroxymethylimidazoles which comprises reacting imidazolecarboxylic acids, their esters or inorganic salts with a formaldehyde agent in the presence of an alkali in an aqueous medium.