Abstract: (S)-alpha-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide, its preparation and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same. It can be prepared either by reacting (S)-alpha-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetic acid successively with an alkyl haloformate and with ammonia, or, by cyclizing an (S)-2-amino-butanamide of the formula X--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --Y--NHCH(C.sub.2 H.sub.5)CONH.sub.2 wherein Y is a --CH.sub.2 -- radical when X represents a ZOOC-- radical and Y is a --CO-- radical when X represents a HalCH.sub.2 -- radical, Z being a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl radical and Hal a halogen atom.This laevorotatory enantiomer has been found to have significantly higher protective activity against hypoxia and ischemia than the corresponding racemate.

Abstract: (R)-alpha-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide, its preparation and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same. It can be prepared either by reacting (R)-alpha-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineactic acid successively with an alkyl haloformate and with ammonia, or, by cyclizing an (R)-2-amino-butanamide of the formula X--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --Y--NHCH (C.sub.2 H.sub.5)CONH.sub.2 wherein Y is a --CH.sub.2 --radical when X represents a ZOOC--radical and Y is a --CO--radical when X represents a HalCH.sub.2 --radical, Z being a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl radical and Hal a halogen atom.This dextrorotatory enantiomer has been found to have significantly higher mnemic activity and lower toxicity than the corresponding racemate.

Abstract: (S)-alpha-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide, its preparation and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same. It can be prepared either by reacting (S)-alpha-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetic acid successively with an alkyl haloformate and with ammonia, or, by cyclizing an (S)-2-aminobutanamide of the formula X--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --Y--NHCH(C.sub.2 H.sub.5)CONH.sub.2 wherein Y is a --CH.sub.2 -- radical when X represents a ZOOC-- radical and Y is a --CO-- radical when X represents a HalCH.sub.2 -- radical, Z being a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl radical and Hal a halogen atom.This laevorotatory enantiomer has been found to have significantly higher protective activity against hypoxia and ischemia than the corresponding racemate.

Abstract: (R)-alpha-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide, its preparation and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same. It can be prepared either by reacting (R)-alpha-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetic acid successively with an alkyl haloformate and with ammonia, or, by cyclizing an (R)-2-amino-butanamide of the formula X--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --Y--NHCH(C.sub.2 H.sub.5)CONH.sub.2 wherein Y is a --CH.sub.2 -- radical when X represents a ZOOC-- radical and Y is a --CO-- radical when X represents a HalCH.sub.2 -- radical, Z being a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl radical and Hal a halogen atom. This dextrorotatory enantiomer has been found to have significantly higher mnemic activity and lower toxicity than the corresponding racemate.

Abstract: Apparatus for visually examining the fuel rods of an assembly of fuel rods immersed in the tank of a nuclear reactor or in a deactivation tank, comprises an endoscope including a prism and an optical system of stabilized glass, and at least one arm supporting a mirror facing the prism and inclined relative to the plane defined by the axis of the tube of the endoscope and the arm, the thickness of the arm-mirror assembly being less than the free space between the rods of the assembly. In use the apparatus is mounted on a system of carriages which enable the apparatus to move in three perpendicular directions, the carriages being associated with rotatable means for supporting an assembly of rods to be examined.