Abstract: A method for producing optically active compounds is disclosed. The method is highly practical for producing optically active compounds useful for various utilities such as intermediates for synthesizing pharmaceutical agents, liquid crystal materials and agents for optical resolution.

Abstract: A compound represented by the formula (I) or a salt thereof: wherein n represents an integer of 1 to 3, R represents an alkyl group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, a group represented by the following formula: R1(CH2)k— (wherein k represents 0 or an integer of 1 to 3; R1 represents a saturated cyclic alkyl group having 3 to 7 carbon atoms or a saturated condensed cyclic alkyl group having 6 to 8 carbon atoms, and the group R1 may be substituted with a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms) and the like, and Ar represents a condensed bicyclic group such as naphthalen-1-yl group, which has suppressing action on prostaglandin and leukotriene production and is useful for prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of various inflammatory diseases and the like caused by these lipid mediators.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula (I): or a salt thereof, wherein R1 is hydrogen, hydroxyl or halogen; R2 is NHSO2CH3, SO2NHCH3 or the like; R5 and R6 each independently is hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted benzyl; X is NH, sulfur, oxygen or methylene; Y is oxygen, NR7, sulfur, methylene or a bond; and * represents an asymmetric carbon atom. The compounds are useful as a medicine for treating or preventing diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, digestive diseases, depression or urinary disturbances.

Abstract: Filter membranes for efficiently eliminating pathogens such as viruses from solutions of drugs or physiologically active substances employed as starting materials thereof which are contaminated with pathogens such as viruses. These filter membranes, which can simultaneously achieve favorable performance of eliminating small viruses and a high physiologically active substance-permeability, can be obtained by controlling the membrane characteristics to give a ratio (BP/&ggr;) of the bubble point BP (MPa) to the surface tension &ggr; (N/m) of 110 or above, and/or logarithmic elimination ratios of swine parvovirus at 0 to 5 l/m2 filtration volume and at 50 to 55 l/m2, and regulating the permeability for bovine immunoglubulin, wherein the monomer content amounts to at least 80%, to 70% or more. These filter membranes make it possible to provide drugs or starting materials therefor with little fear of the contamination with viruses, etc. and, therefore, are useful in the fields of pharmacy, medicine and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oral sustained-release preparation which contains at least one active ingredient selected from the group consisting of fasudil hydrochloride and a hydrate thereof, the preparation comprising at least one sustained-release coated particle comprising a core having a surface and a coating formed on the surface of the core, wherein the core contains the active ingredient and the coating comprises a coating base material and a specific insoluble auxiliary material, and wherein the preparation exhibits, with respect to the active ingredient, a specific dissolution rate, as measured by the dissolution test. By using the oral sustained-release preparation of the present invention, it becomes possible to surely control the release of fasudil hydrochloride from the preparation, so that the effect of the active ingredient is maintained for a long period of time.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula (I): 1

Abstract: A method of controlling granule secretion comprising performing a treatment to increase or decrease an active form of calgranulin on a cell line having capability of secreting granules, thereby increasing or decreasing granule secretion from the cell line. A method of detecting a substance which inhibits or activates the granule secretion reaction by applying this controlling method. An active form of calgranulin is increased by making the cells permeabilized cells and adding a calgranulin and soluble calcium. Decrease of an active form of calgranulin is carried out by introducing a calgranulin antibody into cells. The method is useful for screening a substance which inhibits or activates granule secretion.

Abstract: An oral sustained-release preparation which contains at least one active ingredient selected from the group consisting of fasudil hydrochloride and a hydrate thereof is disclosed. A method for evaluating an oral sustained-release preparation containing the active ingredient, wherein the evaluation is conducted with respect to the sustained-release ability of the active ingredient is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for assaying ammonia and/or ammonium ions contained in a liquid sample which comprises subjecting the sample to a reaction at least in the presence of an NAD synthetase, deamidated NAD, ATP, Mg2+ ions and/or Mn2+ ions, a dehydrogenase capable of forming ammonia molecules from an amine substrate and an oxidized NAD, and the amine substrate, and then determining the amounts of the ingredients consumed or generated by the reaction; and an assaying composition comprising all of the above-specified ingredients. The method is inexpensive and is effective in accurately assaying ammonia and/or ammonium ions present in a few minutes.