Abstract: A method for promoting myelination of an axon comprising administering 4-[?-hydroxy-5-(1-imidazolyl)-2-methylbenzyl]-3,5-dimethylbenzoic acid is disclosed.

Abstract: The MAG expression promoter of the present invention contains a compound of the formula (I) wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, an optically active form thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. As a compound of the formula (I), 4-[?-hydroxy-5-(1-imidazolyl)-2-methylbenzyl]-3,5-dimethylbenzoic acid is exemplified. The MAG expression promoter of the present invention is useful as an agent for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a disease of mammals inclusive of human, which mainly presents hypomyelination, further, dysmyelination or demyelination.

Abstract: The MAG expression promoter of the present invention contains a compound of the formula (I) wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, an optically active form thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. As a compound of the formula (1), 4-[?-hydroxy-5-(1-imidazolyl)-2-methylbenzyl]-3,5-dimethylbenzoic acid is exemplified. The MAG expression promoter of the present invention is useful as an agent for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a disease of mammals inclusive of humans, which mainly presents hypomyelination, further, dysmyelination or demyelination.

Abstract: A drawing device for handling a wide range of drawable thermoplastic resin materials including a first pressurizing tank and first buffer tank on an upstream side, and a second pressurizing tank and second buffer tank on a downstream side are disposed along a drawing tank having pressurized steam and a discharge unit connected to it. A medium supply and discharge may be connected to each of the first and second pressurizing tanks, and the first and second buffer tanks. Opening members may be disposed on respective upstream and downstream ports along the drawing tank. Small amounts of pressurizing medium may then be allowed to flow into the drawing tank through upstream and downstream ports. Next, material may be supplied from the upstream port into the drawing tank where pressurized steam may be introduced in airtight conditions, and then drawn to the downstream port, thereby producing a drawable thermoplastic resin material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an optically active 4-[.alpha.-hydroxy-5-(1-imidazolyl)-2-methylbenzyl]-3,5-dimethylbenzoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which includes subjecting a compound of the formula (I) wherein each symbol in the formula is as defined in the specification, to optical resolution by fractional crystallization to give an optically active compound thereof and subjecting the compound to hydrolysis reaction. According to this method, a resolution method useful for industrial large-scale production of the optically active compound of 4-[.alpha.-hydroxy-5-(1-imidazolyl)-2-methylbenzyl]-3,5-dimethylbenzoic acid, which is useful as a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor and an agent for the prophylaxis and treatment of diabetic complications, can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an optically active 4-[.alpha.-hydro-5-(1-imidazolyl)-2-methylbenzyl]-3,5-dimethylbenzoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which includes subjecting a compound of the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein each symbol in the formula is as defined in the specification, to optical resolution by fractional crystallization to give an optically active compound thereof and subjecting the compound to hydrolysis reaction. According to this method, a resolution method useful for industrial large-scale production of the optically active compound of 4-[.alpha.-hydroxy-5-(1-imidazolyl)-2-methylbenzyl]-3,5-dimethylbenzoic acid, which is useful as a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor and an agent for the prophylaxis and treatment of diabetic complications, can be obtained.

Abstract: 8-Methoxy-quinolonecarboxylic acid derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl, a phenylalkyl or an ester residue hydrolyzable in the living body, R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom or methyl and n is an integer of 1, optical isomers thereof, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and hydrates thereof. The 8-methoxy-quinolonecarboxylic acid derivatives of the present invention have enforced and a wide range of in vitro and in vivo antibacterial effects against Gram-positive bacteria, while retaining a strong antibacterial effect against Gram-negative bacteria, that the conventional quinolonecarboxylic acid antibacterial agents have. In addition, the compounds of the present invention scarcely show problematic side-effects and are low toxic. Therefore, they are expected to show superior clinical effects as antibacterial agents.

Abstract: A novel pyridine compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof which exhibit inhibitory activity or prolylendopeptidase and a pharmaceutical use thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: Benzopyranopyridineacetic acid ester compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently represent hydrogen or C.sub.1-4 alkyl; and n is 1 or 2, and their pharmaceutical use are disclosed.These compounds possess antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities with less adverse action on the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: .alpha.-(2,6-dimethyl-4-carboxyphenyl)-2-methyl-5-(1-imidazolyl)-benzenemet hanol, pharmaceutically acceptable metal salts forms thereof, acid addition salt forms thereof, amino acid addition salt forms thereof, hydrate forms thereof and mixtures thereof.Such compounds have inhibitory activities on biosynthesis of thromboxane A.sub.2, inhibitory activities on platelet aggregation, vasodilative activities and protective effects against liver disorders.

Abstract: An imidazole derivative of the formula: ##STR1## wherein each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.4 is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; each of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, an aralkyloxy group, a nitro group or an amino group; A is --O--, --S--, --CH.dbd.CH-- pr --CH.dbd.N--; Z is an aryl group, a thienyl group, a pyridyl group or a furyl group, in which definition these aromatic (heterocyclic) rings may have 1 to 3 substituents, each substituent being independently selected from a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a cyclic alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, a lower alkoxycarbonyl group, a carboxy-lower-alkoxy group, a di-lower-alkylamino-lower-alkoxy group and a nitro group; and a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, a method for preparing the same and a pharmaceutical composition containing such compound.