Abstract: The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for use in the therapy of pathological states related to disturbances of the nervous stimulus in the central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous system containing as an active substance the cytidine monophosphate of 5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galactono-nulosaminic acid. Moreover the invention relates to an improved method for preparing said compound by the condensation of cytidine triphosphate (CTP) with N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA), catalyzed by the enzyme CMP-transferase (CMP-acylneuraminate synthase) (EC 2.7.7.43).

Abstract: N-Cyano-azomethines, useful as intermediates for the production of antihistamines are described. They are produced by reaction of ##STR1## where R.sub.3 is a thiomethyl group, an alkylamino group or N-1-amino-.omega.-alkylthiomethyl group, with primary or secondary alkyl- or hydroxyalkyl-amines or with ethylenimine.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing optically active 1,4-diazepine-2-ones by reacting an acid chloride-hydrochloride of an optically active .alpha.-amino acid with a substituted o-amino benzophenone, to form an intermediate product and subsequently cyclizing the intermediate product to form the desired 1,4-diazepine-2-one. The process is carried out in inert organic or aqueous-organic solvents. The process eliminates the need for using .alpha.-amino acids having bound to the amino group a protective group which must be removed before cyclization.