Abstract: The present invention provides a cathepsin L inhibitor containing a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or an arylalkyl, heterocyclic-alkyl or lower alkyl group which may be substituted; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently are a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon residue which may be substituted; R.sup.4 is an alkanoyl, sulfonyl, carbonyloxy, carbamoyl or thiocarbamoyl group which may be substituted; X is formula: --CHO or --CH.sub.2 OB (wherein B is a hydrogen atom or a protecting group of hydroxyl group); m and n independently are an integer of 0 or 1; provided that R.sup.4 is an alkanoyl group substituted by aryl, a sulfonyl group substituted by aryl having more than 9 carbon atoms or by lower alkyl, or a carbamoyl or thiocarbamoyl group which may be substituted when R.sup.1 is an unsubstituted lower alkyl, arylalkyl on methylthioethyl group, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently are a lower alkyl or arylalkyl, X is --CHO, m is 1 and n is 0 or 1, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cathepsin L inhibitor containing a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or an arylalkyl, heterocyclic-alkyl or lower alkyl group which may be substituted; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently are a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon residue which may be substituted; R.sup.4 is an alkanoyl, sulfonyl, carbonyloxy, carbamoyl or thiocarbamoyl group which may be substituted; X is formula: --CHO or --CH.sub.2 OB (wherein B is a hydrogen atom or a protecting group of hydroxyl group); m and n independently are an integer of 0 or 1; provided that R.sup.4 is an alkanoyl group substituted by aryl, a sulfonyl group substituted by aryl having more than 9 carbon atoms or by lower alkyl, or a carbamoyl or thiocarbamoyl group which may be substituted when R.sup.1 is an unsubstituted lower alkyl, arylalkyl on methylthioethyl group, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently are a lower alkyl or arylalkyl, X is --CHO, m is 1 and n is 0 or 1, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 stands for an optionally esterified or amidated carboxyl group, X stands for an optionally substituted divalent hydrocarbon residue, R.sub.2 stands for hydrogen or an optionally substituted hydrocarbon residue, R.sub.3 stands for an alkyl group which is substituted with a group bonded through O or S(O).sub.n wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, with a proviso that when the partial structural formula: --NH--X--CO-- is leucine residue, R.sub.3 is not 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl group nor 4-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl group, or a salt thereof, which is useful as prophylactic and therapeutic agents of bone diseases and as inhibitory agents of thiol protease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and Q are independently an optionally esterified or amidated carboxyl group; R.sub.2 is hydrogen, an acyl group or an optionally substituted hydrocarbon residue; X is a divalent hydrocarbon residue which may be substituted; or a salt thereof, which is useful as prophylactic and therapeutic agents of bone diseases and as agents for inhibiting thiol protease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cathepsin L inhibitor containing a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or an arylalkyl, heterocyclic-alkyl or lower alkyl group which may be substituted; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently are a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon residue which may be substituted; R.sup.4 is an alkanoyl, sulfonyl, carbonyloxy, carbamoyl or thiocarbamoyl group which may be substituted; X is formula: --CHO or --CH.sub.2 OB (wherein B is a hydrogen atom or a protecting group of hydroxyl group); m and n independently are an integer of 0 or 1; provided that R.sup.4 is an alkanoyl group substituted by aryl, a sulfonyl group substituted by aryl having more than 9 carbon atoms or by lower alkyl, or a carbamoyl or thiocarbamoyl group which may be substituted when R.sup.1 is an unsubstituted lower alkyl, arylalkyl on methylthioethyl group, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently are a lower alkyl or arylalkyl, X is --CHO, m is 1 and n is 0 or 1, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A multipurpose controlled atmosphere heat treatment system applicable to small-quantity production of multiple items as well as mass-production. A delivery path is provided so as to pass through a workstation and the heat treatment system and an automatic guided vehicle travels along this delivery path. The automatic guided vehicle shuts out external air, comprises a holding chamber in which an inert gas atmosphere can be created, and shifts workpieces from an elevator provided in a high-rise warehouse into treatment cells. Each treatment cell has a sealing door on the side confronting to the automatic guided vehicle and pipes and various devices on a back face, ceiling or front face thereof.

Abstract: (1) a compound represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group which may be substituted; the ring A represents a pyridine ring having a substituent or a thiazole ring which may be substituted; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a method of its production, and(2) an endothelin receptor antagonist, an cathepsin B inhibitor or a bone resorption suppressor having as an active ingredient a compound represented by the following formula (I'): ##STR2## wherein R has the same definition as in term (1); the ring A' represents a pyridine ring or thiazole ring which may be substituted; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cathepsin L inhibitor containing a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or an arylalkyl, heterocyclic-alkyl or lower alkyl group which may be substituted; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently are a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon residue which may be substituted; R.sup.4 is an alkanoyl, sulfonyl, carbonyloxy, carbamoyl or thiocarbamoyl group which may be substituted; X is formula: --CHO or --CH.sub.2 OB (wherein B is a hydrogen atom or a protecting group of hydroxyl group); m and n independently are an integer of 0 or 1; provided that R.sup.4 is an alkanoyl group substituted by aryl, a sulfonyl group substituted by aryl having more than 9 carbon atoms or by lower alkyl, or a carbamoyl or thiocarbamoyl group which may be substituted when R.sup.1 is an unsubstituted lower alkyl, arylalkyl on methylthioethyl group, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently are a lower alkyl or arylalkyl, X is --CHO, m is 1 and n is 0 or 1, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compound of the formulas (Ia) or (I): ##STR1## wherein Q is one or two amino acid residues which may be substituted; R.sup.3 is a carboxyl group which may be esterified or an acyl group; A is an alkylene group; B is hydrogen or an alkyl group which may be substituted or an acyl group; or a salt thereof; ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be the same or different and each is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon residue which may be substituted; R.sup.3, A and B have the same definitions as those shown above; m and n each is 0 or 1; provided that where both m and n are both equal to 0, R.sup.3 is a carboxyl group which may be esterified or an acyl group having not less than 7 carbon atoms; or a salt thereof.The compound (Ia) or (I) shows cathepsin L inhibitory and bone resorption inhibitory activities and are useful as a prophylactic/therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.