Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method of protecting against neuron loss in a subject by administering a compound that protects against neuron loss by acting through a vitamin D receptor. Some of these compounds may prevent or retard neuron loss by regulating intraneuronal and/or peripheral calcium and phosphate levels. Other compounds of the invention act through a vitamin D receptor to protect against neuron loss through mechanisms not involving calcium or phosphate regulation. A preferred compound is a biologically active form of vitamin D, a precursor, metabolite, or analog of vitamin D. A preferred form of vitamin D is calcitriol. In another embodiment, the compound is a compound that acts by modulating the biological activity of vitamin D, a precursor, metabolite, or analog of vitamin D.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fruit polyphenol obtained by subjecting unripe fruits of Rosaceae to pressing and/or extraction and then purifying the resulting juice or extract. The present invention further provides an antioxidant, a hypotensive agent, an antimutagenic agent, an antiallergic agent and an anticariogenic agent each comprising, as an effective component, a fruit polyphenol obtained by subjecting unripe fruits of Rosaceae to pressing and/or extraction and then purifying the resulting juice or extract. The fruit polyphenol of the present invention has various physiological activities, for example, an antioxidative activity, an ACE-inhibiting activity, an antimutagenic activity, a hyalulonidase-inhibiting activity and a GTase-inhibiting activity.

Abstract: Galanthamine and the pharmaceutically suitable acid addition salts thereof can be used for the treatment of alcoholism; these compounds are released from adequate pharmaceutic formulations which are administered, e.g., orally, transdermally, or otherwise parenterally, in a continuous and controlled manner.

Abstract: The present patent application discloses compounds having the formula ##STR1## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R.sup.1, X and R.sup.5 have the meanings set further in the specification.A is a ring of five to seven atoms fused with the benzo ring at the positions marked a and b.The compounds are useful in the treatment of cerebrovascular disorders for example.

Abstract: A method of producing a carbonic diester involves allowing an alcohol to react with carbon monoxide and oxygen in the presence of a supported catalyst wherein the support is an activated carbon obtained from a vegetable or polymeric raw material, a support having an aluminum content of up to 2% by weight, or a support having sulfur content of up to 1% by weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic composition comprising an aqueous solution of at least one polymer and at least one electrolyte, wherein the aqueous solution is preferably buffered and optionally contains at least one mucin. The polymer can be chosen for instance from the group which consists of scleroglucan, guar gum, xanthane gum, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyacrylic acid and polyvinyl alcohol. The therapeutic composition according to the invention can serve as saliva substitution agent, artificial tear water, in a mouth rinse or in a toothpaste.

Abstract: For the oligomerization of a fatty ester or fatty acid containing conjugated double bonds, the reaction uses a catalyst consisting of an activated earth, e.g., montmorillonite, at a temperature of from 100.degree.-180.degree. C., preferably from 130.degree.-160.degree. C. The process can be carried out continuously or in a batch process on a fixed bed and is particularly applicable to conjugated methyl esters obtained by conjugating and transesterifying sunflower seed oil. The oligomerized products obtained are particularly useful as lubricants or polycondensation reactants.

Abstract: A sperm solution including arabinogalactan is provided which is useful for separating the motile sperm, to produce sperm samples which are suitable for use in a variety of diagnostic and research applications. In one embodiment, the solution includes an effective amount of arabinogalactan to permit washing or separation of the sperm, while maintaining sperm viability during the washing or separation procedure. Using the improved sperm wash, non-sperm substances that are capable of having a detrimental effect on sperm viability, such as seminal plasma, white blood cells, red blood cells, freezing extender agents, sperm debris, and media components, can be removed from the sperm sample. The inclusion of arabinogalactan in the solution has a protective effect on sperm in a sperm sample during processing. In a preferred embodiment, the arabinogalactan is ultrarefined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a treatment for patients having urinary incontinence by administering a composition comprising histamine, serotonin or a combination thereof in an amount effective to alleviate symptoms of urinary incontinence.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of reducing the extent of infarction, particularly cerebral infarction subsequent to cerebral ischemia, by the administration of citicoline shortly after an ischemic episode and continuing daily treatment for up to about 30 days, preferably for at least about 6 weeks. The method is useful in the treatment of stroke and severe head trauma patients and maximizes the chances for a full or substantially full recovery of the patient.

Abstract: The invention provides a topical pharmaceutical composition for the prevention and treatment of lesions and sores of the skin or mucosa associated with a herpes virus, comprising a salt of an unsaturated C.sub.14-18 fatty acid having 1-2 double bonds as active ingredient therein, in combination with a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A therapeutic method is provided to alleviate the tobacco withdrawal syndrome, the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal or the management of human body weight in nicotine-experienced or nicotine-naive individuals, comprising of administering an amount of nicotine metabolites or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof to a human in need of such treatment, in an amount which is effective to reduce or eliminate at least one of the symptoms of the tobacco withdrawal syndrome, nicotine withdrawal or manage human body weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the synthesis of certain bridged fused ring pyridines. Such bridged fused ring pyridines can be converted to huperzine A and analogs of huperzine A. The present invention also covers such bridged fused ring pyridines, compounds utilized for the preparation of the bridged fused ring pyridines and analogs of huperzine A.

Abstract: A therapeutic method is provided to alleviate the tobacco withdrawal syndrome, the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal or the management of human body weight in nicotine-experienced or nicotine-naive individuals, comprising of administering an amount of nicotine metabolites or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof to a human in need of such treatment, in an amount which is effective to reduce or eliminate at least one of the symptoms of the tobacco withdrawal syndrome, nicotine withdrawal or manage human body weight.

Abstract: The present invention involves perfluoro compound emulsions including nitric oxide, their preparation and their use. These emulsions provide a new source of nitric oxide. Such nitric oxide-containing emulsions may be used for the administration of nitric oxide to individuals in need thereof. Individuals in need of nitric oxide administration can include those suffering from hypertension, preeclampsia and a number of other situations where an increased blood flow, for example, is desirable. In addition, given the long use of perfluoro compound emulsions as blood substitutes, the present invention provides a relatively safe mode for administering and distributing nitric oxide-without potential negative side effects such as toxicities due to drug metabolites.

Abstract: In pharmaceutics for mucosal administration containing pharmacologically active peptides or proteins and tolmetin or salts thereof exhibited very excellent effect as mucosal absorption enhancers.Furthermore, when the pharmaceutics for mucosal administration are for rectal administration, the suppository in which at least either the active ingredient, peptide or protein, or the mucosal absorption enhancer is converted to a complex with a high molecular compound dissolving in water at pH 5 or higher and together uniformly dispersed in a fatty suppository base exhibited markedly improved rectal absorbability compared with that of conventional pharmaceutics for rectal administration and at the same time increased stability of the peptide or protein which is the active ingredient.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a pharmacologically acceptable composition for inhibiting or treating hemorrhagic shock in a mammal. The composition includes a K.sub.ATP inhibitor and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier, with the K.sub.ATP inhibitor being present in an amount sufficient to inhibit or treat hemorrhagic shock in the mammal. The invention is also directed to a method for inhibiting or treating hemorrhagic shock in a mammal. The method includes administering to the mammal an amount of a K.sub.ATP channel inhibitor sufficient to inhibit or treat hemorrhagic shock in the mammal. In a preferred form of the invention, the K.sub.

Abstract: Process of catalytic partial oxidation of natural gas in order to obtain synthesis gas and formaldehyde, integrated with processes of hydrogenation of the resulting CO, such as Fischer-Tropsch and methanol syntheses. Such an oxidation is carried out by means of a catalyst constituted by one or more compounds of metals form Platinum Group, which is given the shape of wire meshes, or is deposited on a carrier made from inorganic compounds, in such a way that the level of metal or metals from Platinum Group, as percent by weight, is comprised within the range of from 0.1 to 20% of the total weight of catalyst and carrier, by operating at temperatures comprised within the range of from 300.degree. to 950.degree. C., under pressures comprised within the range of from 0.5 to 50 Atm, at space velocities comprised within the range of from 20,000 to 1,500,000 h.sup.-1.

Abstract: A method for treating infections, bacterial, fungal and parasitic in origin, especially infections of organs such as the vagina and skin, is provided and involves administering to a patient in need thereof a composition comprising boric acid and acetic acid, in effective amounts. Such a composition is especially useful as a broad based treatment of vaginal infections of unknown bacterial or fungal origin and can be used without the need for medical diagnosis or while such a diagnosis is being determined. Such a composition is effective, safe, providing an alternative to existing forms of treatment which are toxic and is environmentally friendly.

Abstract: A process chamber is disclosed which provides a 360.degree. circular gas/vacuum distribution over a substrate being processed. The substrate being processed is supported on a heated and optionally cooled pedestal assembly. The substrate faces a one-piece gas distribution faceplate being connected to an RF power supply outside the vacuum environment of the processing chamber. A pumping channel view port is provided to verify and confirm instrumentation readings concerning the degree of surface deposition on process chamber internal surfaces. All process chamber wall surfaces facing the region where plasma will be present during processing (except the gas distribution faceplate) are ceramic and therefore highly resistant to corrosion. The pedestal an un-anodized metal is also covered with a loosely fitting ceramic surface having alignment features to maintain concentricity between the wafer support surface of the pedestal and the wafer being processed.