Abstract: 1-unsubstituted 5,6-trans vitamin D compounds are 1.alpha.-hydroxylated by Se.sup.IV oxidation in the presence of selenous acid at a pH in the range 3-9. The oxidation is preferably effected using a 1-unsubstituted-3-trihydrocarbylsilyloxy-5,6-trans vitamin D compound in the presence of a co-oxidant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for separating 1.alpha.-hydroxyvitamin D compounds from their corresponding 1.alpha.-hydroxy-5,6-trans isomers in a mixture thereof by treating the mixture with a dienophile and then separating the resulting dienophil-adduct of the 1.alpha.-hydroxy-5,6-trans vitamin D isomer from the unreacted 1.alpha.-hydroxyvitamin D compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to 14-amino steroid derivatives of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sub.1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted sugar residue, and R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an --OR.sub.3 group, wherein R.sub.3 is a substituted or unsubstituted sugar residue; and acid salts thereof useful in the treatment of cardiac incapacity.

Abstract: Topical pharmaceutical compositions containing a corticosteroid component and a penetration-enhancing vehicle are disclosed. The vehicle comprises a binary combination of a C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 diol and a "cell-envelope disordering compound". The vehicle provides marked transepidermal and percutaneous delivery of corticosteroids. A method of treating certain rheumatic and inflammatory conditions, systemically or locally, is also disclosed.

Abstract: (5.alpha.)-20-spirox-1-en-3-ones (I) and 17-hydroxy-5.alpha.,17.alpha.-pregn-1-en-3-ones (II) of the formulae ##STR1## in which X represents O or H.sub.2, R.sub.2 represents O and R.sub.1 represents OH, OMe, OAlk, NH.sub.2, NHR.sub.3, NR.sub.3 R.sub.4, or R.sub.2 represents H.sub.2 and R.sub.1 represents OH, OAlk, OAr, OAralk or OAc,in which R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and Alk represent lower alkyl, Me represents a metal atom or metal equivalent or the cation of an organic base, Ar represents monocyclic aryl, Aralk represents monocyclic aryl-lower alkyl, and Ac represents lower alkanoyl, monocyclic aroyl, lower alkylsulphonyl or monocyclic arylsulphonyl, it being possible for R.sub.3 together with R.sub.4 also to represent a lower alkylene group optionally interrupted by a hetero atom,are manufactured by known analogy processes.

Abstract: The invention provides new derivatives of vitamin D, 23,23-difluoro-1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and the acylates thereof.The derivative compounds are characterized by vitamin D-like activity.

Abstract: Fungicides and fungicidal formulations are stabilized against the adverse effects of exposure to light by the addition thereto of effective amounts of a 2,2,6,6-tetraalkylpiperidine compound, or a UV absorber, or a blend of said piperidine compound and said UV absorber.

Abstract: Lipid emulsions for human therapy containing cholesterol or other sterols in an amount effective to substantially mitigate immunosuppressive and antiproliferative effects.The use of these novel lipid emulsions in subjects receiving hyperalimentation therapy.

Abstract: A novel process for the preparation of 20-keto-.DELTA..sup.16 -steroids comprising reacting a 17-(isocyanosulfonylmethylene)-steroid with an alkylating agent QR.sub.4 wherein R.sub.4 is an organic group and Q is a group or atom readily displaced with a nucleophile to form a 20-isocyano-20-sulfonyl-.DELTA..sup.16 -steroid followed by hydrolysis which are intermediates for the preparation of corticosteroids and the novel intermediates formed therein.

Abstract: A modified dry dietary fiber product which is readily dispersible in liquids such as water, comprises a dry dietary fiber product coated with from 0.05 to 20% by weight of the food grade emulsifier. Process for producing coated dietary fiber products comprises blending these dietary fiber product materials with the mixture of a non-toxic solvent in a food grade emulsifier followed by removing the solvent.

Abstract: Production of non-saponifiable compounds from natural substances such as plants, mushroom mycelium or bacteria, by extraction by means of an organic solvent. The solvent is an aliphatic or aryl ester, the molecule of which comprises at least 10 carbon atoms and preferably more than 12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process for preparing bromine- or iodine-unlabeled or radioactively labeled 17.alpha.-bromoethynyl- and 17.alpha.-iodoethynyl-17.beta.-hydroxy steroids of the androstane and estrane series of the partial formula ##STR1## wherein is a single bond or a double bond,V is a carbon-carbon bond or a methylene group,R is hydrogen or methyl, andX is bromine or iodine,from corresponding 17.alpha.-ethynyl-17.beta.-hydroxy steroids, comprises treating the starting steroid in an inert solvent with a brominating agent or an iodinating agent in the presence of a silver salt.The process enables production of old and new compounds having value as pharmacologically active compounds and also as diagnostic agents when the iodine or bromine is radioactive.

Abstract: A novel process for the preparation of 21-hydroxy-20-keto-.DELTA..sup.16 -steroids comprising reacting a 17-(isocyanosulfonylmethylene)-steroid with an aldehyde and an alcohol to form a 17-(2-alkoxy-3-oxazolin-4-yl)-.DELTA..sup.16 -steroid and subjecting the latter to hydrolysis to obtain the corresponding 21-hydroxy-20-keto-.DELTA..sup.16 -steroid which are useful to prepare corticoid steroids and novel intermediates.

Abstract: A composition useful for the treatment of an animal suffering from a predetermined medical disorder including, in admixture, a medically effective amount of a drug, other than an antibiotic, effective against the medical disorder, and a biocompatible, water-soluble, amphiphilic steroid, other than a bile salt, which is capable of increasing the permeability to the drug of a surface of the animal across which the drug is to be administered, in an amount effective to increase the permeability of the surface to the drug.

Abstract: Using cyanohydrin intermediates, 17-keto steroids are transformed to corticoids and 17.alpha.-acyl progesterones.

Abstract: Novel 19-nor-steroids of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an organic group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms optionally containing at least one heteroatom with the atom immediately adjacent the 11-carbon atom being carbon, R.sub.2 is a hydrocarbon of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, X is the remainder of a pentagonal or hexagonal ring optionally substituted and optionally containing one unsaturated bond, the A and B rings are selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## R' and R" are individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, --CN and alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms with at least one being other than hydrogen, R.sub.x is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and OR.sub.e R.sub.e is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms and acyl, R.sub.a may be in the E or Z positions as indicated by the wavy line and is selected from the group consisting of ##STR3## and acyloxy, R.sub.a ' and R.sub.

Abstract: Invention relates to 3-methylene substituted androst-4-ene-17-oxygenated compounds substituted with various substituents at the 10.beta.-position which are useful as inhibitors of estrogen biosynthesis.

Abstract: A compound of the formula, ##STR1## wherein R may be H or acyl; X may be H, acyl, or lower alkyl; Z may be H, hydroxy, or acyloxy; Y is lower alkyl; and the non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.This invention was made in the course of work performed under a grant from the United States National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

Abstract: A method of contraception in which an estrogen and a progestogen are administered daily in a three phase sequence for 21 days is disclosed. In the first phase a combination of an estrogen and a progestogen in a low but contraceptively effective daily dosage corresponding in estrogenic activity to 0.02-0.05 mg of 17.alpha.-ethinylestradiol and in progestogenic activity to 0.065-0.75 mg of norethindrone is administered for 5-8 days; followed by the administering of the same dosage of estrogen and a progestogen corresponding in progestogenic activity to 0.25-1.0 mg of norethindrone for 7-11 days; followed by the administering of the same dosage of estrogen and a progestogen corresponding in progestogenic activity to 0.35-2.0 mg of norethindrone for 3-7 days; followed by 6-8 days without administering either an estrogen or a progestogen.

Abstract: A novel 3,20-diketo, 6-methyl, 17-alpha hydroxy 19-norpregna-4,6-diene is disclosed, along with a method for its production from 17-alpha-hydroxy 19-nor-progesterone acetate. The 17-alpha acetic ester, and the 17-alpha saturated or unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acid esters (having up to 11 carbon atoms) of the compound, are also disclosed. The compound and its derivatives are useful in the treatment of luteal deficiency, hyperestrogenic or hyperandrogenic conditions, and seborrhea, either simple or complicated with acne.