Abstract: Optically active 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives represented by general formula (I) and anion salts thereof and a production method therefor: ##STR1## (wherein R.sup.1 represents a C.sub.1-6 alkyl group, R.sup.2 represents a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group forming a quaternary ammonium which may be substituted, and n is an integer of 1, 2 or 3). The optically active 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives represented by general formula (I) have vasodilating activity and hypotensive activity and are excellent in water solubility so that they are useful as a drug for circulatory system such as a hypotensor or vasodilator.

Abstract: A biological process for producing steroids hydroxylated at the 25-position thereof comprises adding steroids (excluding cholesterol) to the cells or culture liquid of a microorganism of the genus Amycolata or Sphingomonas capable of hydroxylating the steroids at the 25-position thereof to convert a hydrogen atom bonded to a carbon atom at the 25-position of each steroid into hydroxyl group. By this process, steroids(other than cholesterol) can be biologically hydroxylated at the 25-position by using microorganisms other than those of the genus Streptomyces.

Abstract: Disclosed are the novel C-glycoside compounds Mer-1020dA, Mer-1020dB, Mer-1020dC and Mer-1020dD which have a chromophore group in common with well-known chrysomycins A and B, but can be distinguished from the chrysomycins and the like in that the novel C-glycoside compounds have a sugar residue having a higher degree of oxidation, as well as the compound Mer-1020dE comprising only the chromophore thereof. Among these compounds, the C-glycoside compounds are antibiotics which have low toxicity and can strongly inhibit the growth of solid cancer cells in particular.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1-6 alkyl group and n is an integer of 0 or 1, and pharmaceutical preparations thereof are provided. These pharmaceutical preparations are useful for the prevention or treatment of diseases associated with an abnormality in immunological regulatory function or vascularization.

Abstract: A process for producing L-2-aminoadipic acid, which comprises converting an aminomethyl group of L-lysine into a carboxyl group by use of a culture of a microorganism of the genus Flavobacterium. By this process, L-2-aminoadipic acid can be obtained directly from L-lysine in a high yield. This process is a microbial method which is effective for the mass production.

Abstract: Disclosed are 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives represented by the general formula (I) and salts thereof, as well as optical active 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives represented by the general formula (II) and salts thereof which are obtained from the derivative by biochemical reactions using microorganisms or enzymes and useful as preventive and therapeutic agents for ischemic heart diseases and hypertension. ##STR1## (wherein x and Y are H, NO.sub.2, CN, halogen; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are H, CHO, substituted alkylcarbonyl, crotonyl, cinnamoyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, carboxybenzoyl, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 taken together represent phthaloyl; n is an integer of 1 to 3).

Abstract: (4R)-3-(Substituted aminoalkyl)oxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(nitrophenyl)pyridine-5- carboxylic acids can be prepared efficiently, by reacting bis(substituted aminoalkyl) 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(nitrophenyl)pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylates with a microorganism capable of asymmetric hydrolysis and belonging to the genus Streptomyces, the genus Paecilomyces, the genus Botryodioplodia, the genus Alternaria or the genus Helminthosporium, or a treated product thereof. The compounds are extremely useful as important intermediates for preparation of pharmaceuticals useful for the prevention and treatment of angina pectoris, hypertension, etc.

Abstract: A method for introducing hydroxyl groups into vitamin D compound at the 1.alpha.- and/or 25-positions in the presence of a cyclodextrin compound by the use of a reaction mixture containing a microorganism being capable of hydroxylating vitamin D compound or a enzyme produced from the microorganism, is disclosed.

Abstract: Optically active 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives represented by general formula (I), process for preparing compounds (Ic) (in general formula (I) , R.sup.1 is a lower alkyl group), process for preparing compounds represented by general formula (II) by hydrolyzing the compounds (Ic) under acidic conditions, process for preparing compounds represented by general formula (II) by solvolysis, under basic conditions, of compounds represented by general formula (III); ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is H, a lower alkyl group, a cyanoethyl group, a lower alkanoylaminoethyl group, or a lower dialkylaminoethyl group; R.sup.2 is a 2-tetrahydropyranyl group or a lower alkyloxymethyl group; R.sup.3 is a cyano group, a lower dialkylamino group or a lower alkanoylamino group; and R.sup.4 is a lower alkyl group. The compounds of general formula (I) and (II) are intermediate compounds for preparing optically active 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives which are useful as medicines for circulatory organs.

Abstract: A process for the production of cyclodextrins, comprising reacting non-treated starch with cyclodextrin-glycosyl-transferase produced by Bacillus ohbensis (FERM BP-3180), or produced by a mutant derived from Bacillus ohbensis (e.g., FERM BP-3180), or produced by any other strain in which the CGTase gene from B. ohbensis has been cloned, in an aqueous solution at pH between 6.5 and 8.8 and extracting the cyclodextrins from the reaction mixture by ultrafiltration, is provided.

Abstract: A DNA fragment or a restriction enzyme-digested DNA fragment, the DNA fragment containing a gene, acyA, encoding a 3-acylation enzyme for macrolide antibiotics, characterized by being derived from a strain belonging to the genus Streptomyces, having a size of about 1.8 kb or about 3.2 kb, and having a DNA base sequence shown in a restriction enzyme map shown in FIG. 1(A) or FIG. 1(B), respectively, in the attached drawing. 3-Acylated macrolide antibiotics can be produced advantageously using macrolide antibiotics-producing bacteria transformed with vector plasmids having inserted therein the DNA fragment.

Abstract: A reaction chamber is disposed between a heating chamber and an outlet line of the heating chamber, and performs a reaction of ammonia gas vaporized in the heating chamber with formaldehyde circulated from a room to be sterilized. A filter is disposed between the reaction chamber and the outlet line.

Abstract: Antibiotic Mer-AF1032A represented by the following formula (I) and its isomer antibiotic Mer-AF1032B are disclosed. Also disclosed are a method for preparing the antibiotics comprising the cultivation of a strain belonging to genus Penicillium and a pharmaceutical composition comprising one of these antibiotics and useful as an antifungal agent.

Abstract: 4-Hydroxypyridine derivative represented by the following formula ##STR1## wherein R represents a methyl group or an isopropyl group, and the method for preparing the derivative comprising the step of cultivating a strain belonging to Streptomyces karnatakensis are disclosed. Also disclosed are the pharmaceutical composition comprising the same and a method for treating circulatory diseases comprising the step of administering said compound to a patient.

Abstract: Adriamycin derivatives represented by formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group,CD denotes a cyclodextrin residue,m is 1 to 8, andn is 0 to 8.The compounds exhibit excellent anti-cancer activity over a wide administration range, have low toxicity and sustained release, and maintain activity for a long period of time; thus, they are quite useful as an anti-cancer agent.

Abstract: A process for producing 2-azetidinone derivatives represented by formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 denotes a protecting group of a hydroxyl group,Z denotes a hydrogen atom or a protecting group of an amino group, andQ denotes ##STR2## in which X denotes a halogen atom, Y denotes a halogen atom or OR.sup.2, R.sup.2 denotes a hydrogen atom or a protecting group of a carboxyl group, and Y.sup.2 denotes OR.sup.3 or SR.sup.4 in which R.sup.3 denotes a hydrogen atom, a protecting group of a carboxyl group or an ester residue and R.sup.4 denotes an ester residue.

Abstract: A condensed wire composition containing an extract content of no less than 18% (w/v) is obtained by vacuum condensing a wine at a temperature of 5.degree. to 60.degree. C., preferably 20.degree. to 35.degree. C. to a concentration by at least 8 times as high as the original, retaining the resulting condensate at a low temperature, e.g., 0.degree. to 10.degree. C. to crystallize tartar, and removing the tartar. An initial distillate obtained upon the vacuum condensing of the wine and/or brandy may be added to the condensed wine in such an amount that final product has an alcohol content less than 1% (v/v).