Abstract: Novel crystal modifications of (+)-catechin monohydrate and of (+)-catechin anhydrate more suitable for pharmaceutical preparations for reasons of higher stability against moisture and/or light and distinguished from hitherto known modifications by unique X-ray diffraction spectra are produced by specific recrystallization and/or crystal rearrangement processes and pharmaceutical preparations comprising the novel crystal forms.

Abstract: A process for producing a brominated 1,3-dioxolen-2-one of the following general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or an aryl group, and R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may be bonded together to form --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- in which n represents an integer of 3 to 5, which comprises reacting a compound of the following formula (II) ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are as defined, with bromine under radical generating conditions.

Abstract: A novel Ampicillin ester of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an aryl group, and R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom or may be taken together with R.sub.1 to form a divalent carbon chain residue, or its acid addition salt.The novel Ampicillin ester or its acid addition salt is prepared by (1) reacting a corresponding 6-N-acylamino penicillanic acid (II) or its salt with a compound of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are as defined above, and X is a halogen atom, or reacting a compound of the formula ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: A 1,3-dioxolen-2-one derivative of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or an aryl group, R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom, or may be taken together with R.sub.1 to form a divalent carbon chain residue, and x represents a halogen atom.The above compounds can be prepared by reacting a compound of the general formula ##STR2## with a halogenating agent, and are useful as protective group-introducing reagents for introducing protective groups into reagents in various chemical reactions, or as modifiers for prodrug preparation in medicine.

Abstract: A process for cultivation of Streptococcus pyogenes comprising cultivating Streptococcus pyogenes in a culture medium for multiplication of bacterial cells having an anti-tumor activity, characterized by (A) using the culture medium containing fermentable carbon sources and (B) maintaining pH of the culture medium at 5.6 or more during the course of cultivation.

Abstract: A new use of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate or its salt as a parturient canal conditioning agent is disclosed.The maturity of the parturient canal and the sensitivity of uterine musculature to oxytocin are improved resulting in normal parturition by administering to a pregnant human subject at the 37th to 39th week of pregnancy a therapeutically effective amount of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts such as the sodium salt.