Abstract: A reagent for the determination of an antibody against an esterase from pathogenic streptococci, which comprisesreagent 1: an esterase (a) from pathogenic streptococci,reagent 2: a protein (b) which is capable of binding to an antibody (d) against the esterase (a) and is bound to an insoluble carrier, andreagent 3: a reagent (c) for measuring an activity of the esterase (a),and a method for the determination of an antibody against an esterase from pathogenic streptococci. The reagent and method of the present invention are useful for diagnosis of various diseases caused by pathogenic streptococcal infections.

Abstract: A thickening agent for a paste which comprises a hydroxyalkylated-carboxymethylated product of a tamarind seed powder or a tamarind gum, the product satisfying the following equation (I):y.gtoreq.6.6-26.4 x+35.1 x.sup.2 -15.6 x.sup.3 (I)wherein y is the average degree of substitution of hydroxyalkyl group per saccharide unit and x is the average degree of substitution of carboxymethyl group per saccharide unit, provided that y and x fall within the following ranges:0<y<20<x<2The thickening agent is excellent in compatibility with a variety of dyes and gives a printing paste having excellent levelling property and wash-off property.

Abstract: Novel glucosaminyl muramyl peptide derivatives of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is hydrogen atom or a group of the formula: R.sub.1 CO--, Y is hydroxy group or a group of the formula: --OR.sub.2, ##STR2## R.sub.1 is an alkyl or alkenyl group, R.sub.2 is a lower alkyl group or a phenylalkyl group, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are the same or different and are each hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, Y' is hydroxy group or a group of the formula: --OR.sub.2 or ##STR3## (D) and (L) mean the configuration, provided that when X is hydrogen atom, Y is a group of the formula: ##STR4## and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. They have excellent biological activities such as potentiating activity of nonspecific resistance to microbial infections and immunostimulant activity and hence are useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of various microbial infections.

Abstract: Optically active N-substituted phenylalaninols of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R is isopropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, 4-methylbenzyl, 4-methoxybenzyl, or 3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl; and acid addition salts thereof which are useful as a resolving agent, and a process for preparing D-3-acetylthio-2-methylpropionic acid which comprises reacting DL-3-acetylthio-2-methylpropionic acid with an optically active N-substituted phenylalaninol of the formula (I) to form diastereomeric salts, subjecting the formed diastereomeric salts to a fractional crystallization from a solvent to separate the D-acid salt from the L-acid salt, and then decomposing the D-acid salt with a mineral acid to give D-3-acetylthio-2-methylpropionic acid.

Abstract: A protein having a polypeptide subunit containing an N-terminal amino acid sequence of Ser-Ala-Ser-Arg-Ala-Leu-Ser-Asp-Lys-Pro-Leu-Ala-His-Val-Val-Ala-Asn-Pro-Gl n-Val-Glu-Gly-Gln-Leu-Gln-Trp-Leu. The protein of the present invention is obtained in substantially pure form at high activity recovery, and is excellent in inducing necrosis of tumors with no toxicity upon the normal tissues of the living body. The protein of the present invention is thermally stable and, therefore, when preparation of pharmaceutical compositions is conducted, the protein of the present invention can be stably formulated into compositions.

Abstract: 1-(2,3-Dimethyl-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-3-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-propanone and its pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts, which are useful as centrally acting muscle relaxants in the treatment of spasticity in mammals including humans, process for the preparation thereof, and pharmaceutical composition containing said compound as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Process for the production of a disaccharide-tripeptide and disaccharide-tetrapeptide which comprises applying an endo-N-acetylmuramidase from Streptomyces globisporus and a D-alanyl-meso-2,6-diaminopimelic acid endopeptidase from Streptomyces nitrosporeus SK (FERM BP-216) or Streptomyces globisporus to hydrolyze cell walls of bacteria such as Lactobacillus plantarum and Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Said process can give the desired disaccharide-tripeptide and disaccharide-tetrapeptide having excellent pharmacological activities such as immunostimulant activity and potentiating activity of nonspecific resistance to bacterial infections in the form of a single compound (i.e. not mixture thereof) in a high yield.

Abstract: A 7-(4-pyridyl)-1,8-naphthyridine compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom, an ethyl or vinyl group, and R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms,and a salt thereof.The compounds represented by the formula are useful in antibacterial compositions or intermediates thereof.

Abstract: A 1,8-naphthyridine compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a lower alkyl group, and the esters and salts thereof. The 1,8-naphthyridine compound of the formula (I) in which R.sub.1 is a methyl group is useful as an antibacterial agent.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and primary glomerulonephritis by administering a .gamma.-globulin having Fc fragment to patients suffering from such diseases in parenteral route (particularly intravenously) and a preparation useful for the treatment. The .gamma.-globulin having Fc fragment is usually used in the form of a preparation thereof in admixture with a conventional liquid carrier on diluent for injection, including a plasmin-treated human .gamma.-globulin preparation, a sulfonated human .gamma.-globulin preparation and a polyethylene glycol-treated human .gamma.-globulin preparation.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), which comprises adding a stabilizing agent selected from a nonionic surfactant, at least one substance selected from the group consisting of D-glucose, D-galactose, D-xylose, D-glucuronic acid, a salt of D-glucuronic acid, trehalose, a dextran and a hydroxyethyl starch, and mixtures thereof to an aqueous solution or powder containing TNF, and a stable aqueous solution or powder which contains TNF and an effective amount of such a stabilizing agent selected from a nonionic surfactant, a specific sugar or sugar-related compound and mixtures thereof. The aqueous solution or powder containing TNF can be stored for a prolonged period of time without losing its activity, and is stable on freezing, thawing, lyophilization, heat-treatment or the like.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing a Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), which comprises adding at least one member selected from the group consisting of an albumin, a gelatin, a globulin, a protamine and a salt of protamine to an aqueous solution or powder containing TNF, and a stable aqueous solution or powder which contains TNF and an effective amount of such a protein. The aqueous solution or powder containing TNF can be stored for a prolonged period of time without losing its activity, and is stable on freezing, thawing, lyophilization or the like.

Abstract: Novel 2-cyclic amino-2-(1,2-benzisoxazol-3-yl)acetic acid derivatives of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or a halogen atom, R.sub.2 is a lower alkyl group, Am is a 5- to 9-membered saturated cyclic amino group which may be substituted by a lower alkyl group, and the group: ##STR2## binds to the piperidine moiety at 3- or 4-position of the latter, and their pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts and quaternary ammonium salts, process for their preparation, and pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds. They have potent anticholinergic antispasmodic activity, while they are weak in side effects such as mydriasis, inhibition of salivary secretion and tachycardia.

Abstract: Novel 1-ethyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihyono-4-oxo -7-(1-piperazinyl)-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acid.sesquihydrate (ATT-2266.sesquihydrate). The aforesaid compound can be prepared by heating 1-ethyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo -7-(1-piperazinyl)-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acid at a temperature above about 60.degree. C. in the presence of water in an amount sufficient to form the sesquihydrate. This sesquihydrate is much more stable than the anhydrate and the trihydrate and is superior to the anhydrate in the rate of dissolution and transference into the body through the intestines. Thus, it is especially useful as a pharmaceutical compound.

Abstract: An agent for improving the color fastness of dyed cotton fibers and textiles to chlorinated water which comprises a specific diamine compound. The combination of the diamine and hydrolyzable tannin further increases the color fastness to chlorinated water. The tannin can be more strongly fixed to the fibers by further treating with a metal salt, whereby an excellent color fastness to chlorinated water can be maintained for a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: A 1,8-naphthyridine compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is a vinyl or 2-fluoroethyl group, andR.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms,and the esters thereof and salts thereof. For example, 7-(3-amino-1-pyrrolidinyl)-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-1-vinyl-1,8-naphthyr idine-3-carboxylic acid and nontoxic salts thereof, which are covered by the aforesaid compound, are useful as an antibacterial agent.

Abstract: Novel alkaline protease M.sub.3 which is distinguished from known alkaline proteases in the phisiochemical properties, particularly in terms of the strong alkaline optimum pH: 9-12.5; being not inhibited by FeSO.sub.4, diisopropyl fluorophosphate, ethylenediamine tetraacetate and iodoacetic acid; having glucosyltransferase inhibitory activity; and having the lowest molecular weight, and which can be produced by cultivating a microorganism of the genus Streptomyces, particularly Streptomyces globisporus B-1829 strain (ATCC 21553). The alkaline protease M.sub.3 is useful for prevention of dental caries.

Abstract: This invention relates to 1,8-naphthyridine compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein X is a halogen atom especially fluorine atom,R.sub.1 is an ethyl group or a vinyl group, andR.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, their salts and processes for the preparation of them.The 1,8-naphthyridine compounds and their salts are useful as antibacterial agents and intermediates thereof.

Abstract: Novel acetic acid derivatives of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is oxygen or sulfur; R.sub.1 is hydrogen or a lower alkyl; R.sub.2 is hydroxy, an alkoxy, an alkenyloxy, a cycloalkyloxy, an aryloxy, a substituted aryloxy, an aryl-lower alkoxy, a substituted aryl-lower alkoxy, an aryl-lower alkenyloxy, a substituted aryl-lower alkenyloxy, an .omega.-disubstituted amino-lower alkoxy, a lower alkoxycrbonyl-lower alkoxy, a lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, a hydroxy-lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, an acyl-lower alkoxy, or a group ##STR2## wherein R.sub.3 is hydrogen, hydroxy, a lower alkyl, an aryl-lower alkyl, a hydroxy-lower alkyl, or a carboxy-lower alkyl, R.sub.4 is hydrogen, a lower alkyl or a hydroxy-lower alkyl, or the R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 may combine together with the nitrogen atom to which they are joined to form a heterocyclic group; and the group --CH(R.sub.1)COR.sub.

Abstract: This invention relates to 1,8-naphthyridine compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein X is a halogen atom especially fluorine atom,R.sub.1 is an ethyl group or a vinyl group, andR.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, their salts and processes for the preparation of them.The 1,8-naphthyridine compounds and their salts are useful as antibacterial agents and intermediates thereof.