Abstract: The 17?-(substituted)-3-oxo-?1,2-4-azasteroids (I), wherein R1 is C1–C4 alkyl, OR2, wherein R2 is a C1–C4 alkyl radical, or NR3R4, wherein R3 and R4, equal or different, represent hydrogen or a C1–C4 alkyl radical, can be obtained by means of a process comprising cleaving the oxazolidinedione ring present in a 2-(substituted)-3-hydroxyoxazolidinedione of formula (IV), wherein R5 is Br or trichloromethylsulfonyl, and removing the substituent at position 2, to form a double bond at position 1,2. Some compounds (I) are testosterone-5?-reductase inhibitors and can be used in the treatment of hyperandrogenic disorders.

Abstract: The process for obtaining 4-(N-alkylamino)-5,6-dihydro-4H-thien-(2,3-b)-thiopyran-2-sulfonamide-7,7-dioxides (I) wherein R1 is H or C1-5 alkyl, and R2 is C1-5 alkyl, starts from the corresponding 4-(N-alkylamino)-5,6-dihydro-4H-thien-(2,3-b)-thiopyran-7,7-dioxides, and comprises protecting the alkylamine group, introducing a sulfonamide group and eliminating protecting group.

Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining derivatives of 1-(1H-Benzimidazole-2-il)-4-(2-aminopyrimidine)piperidine (IV), wherein R1 represents hydrogen or 4-halobenzul and R5 represents optionally-substituted hydrogen, alkyl or benzyl. The method includes the conversion of a 1-[1-(R1)-1-(1H-Benzimidazole-2-il)-4-(R2)(R3)-piperidine (I), wherein R2 or R3 represents optionally-protected hydroxyl, or R2 and R3 represent, independently of each other, optionally-substituted alkoxy or benzyloxy, or R2 and R3 together form an optionally-substituted alkylenedioxy group, by hydrolysis and/or oxidation into a 1-[1-(R1)-1-(1H-Benzimidazole-2-il)-4-piperidone, which, by reductive amination (with optional separation of the intermediate imina formed) provides the corresponding amine which, by reaction with a pyrimidine, produces the above-mentioned derivative of 1-(1H-Benzimidazole-2-il)-4-(2-aminopyrimidine) piperidine (IV).

Abstract: The 17&bgr;-(substituted)-3-oxo-&Dgr;1,2-4-azasteroids (I), wherein R1 is C1-C4 alkyl, OR2, wherein R2 is a C1-C4 alkyl radical, or NR3R4, wherein R3 and R4, equal or different, represent hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl radical, can be obtained by means of a process comprising cleaving the oxazolidinedione ring present in a 2-(substituted)-3-hydroxyoxazolidinedione of formula (IV), wherein R5 is Br or trichloromethylsulfonyl, and removing the substituent at position 2, to form a double bond at position 1,2. Some compounds (I) are testosterone-5&agr;-reductase inhibitors and can be used in the treatment of hyperandrogenic disorders.

Abstract: 6&agr;-fluorpregnanes (I), where the dotted line between positions 1 and 2 represents a single or double bond; R1 is OH, OCOR2, X, SO3R3, or an (R7)(R8)(R9)SiO— group, where X is halogen, R2 and R3 are C1-6 alkyl or phenyl optionally substituted by C1-4 alkyl, and R7, R8 and R9, equal or different, are C1-6 alkyl or phenyl optionally substituted by C1-4 alkyl, can be obtained by means of a high stereoselectivity process comprising reacting a 3-(trisubstituted)silyloxy-pregna-3,5-diene (IV) with a fluorinating agent selected among N-fluorosulfonimides and N-fluorosulfonamides. The 6&agr;-fluorpregnanes (I) are intermediates for the synthesis of steroids useful as anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic agents.

Abstract: The process for obtaining 4-(N-alkylamino)-5,6-dihydro-4H-thien-(2,3-b)-thiopyran-2-sulfonamide-7,7-dioxides (I) wherein R1 is H or C1-5 alkyl, and R2 is C1-5 alkyl, starts from the corresponding 4-(N-alkylamino)-5,6-dihydro-4H-thien-(2,3-b)-thiopyran-7,7-dioxides, and comprises protecting the alkylamine group, introducing a sulfonamide group and eliminating protecting group. Some compounds of formula (I) are inhibitors of the carbonic anhydrase and can be used in the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure.

Abstract: 17&bgr;-(N-tert-butylcarbamoyl)-3-one-4-aza-steroids (I) can be obtained by a process which comprises the reaction of 17&bgr;-(alkoxycarbonyl)-3-one-4-aza-steroid with lithium tert-butylamide in an organic solvent. Some compounds of formula (I), for example, finasteride, are useful as inhibitors of 5&agr;-reductase, and can be used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and alopecia.

Abstract: 17&bgr;-(N-tert-butylcarbamoyl)-3-one-4-aza-steroids (I) can be obtained by a process which comprises the reaction of 17&bgr;-(alkoxycarbonyl)-3-one-4-aza-steroid with lithium tert-butylamide in an organic solvent. Some compounds of formula (I), for example, finasteride, are useful as inhibitors of 5&agr;-reductase, and can be used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and alopecia.

Abstract: An absorbent article including a containment assembly having a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core placed between the topsheet and the backsheet. First and second extension ears extend laterally outwards from each one of the corresponding lengthwise edges of the containment assembly in the rear waist region, each one of the first and second extension ears have a close edge connected to the rear waist region, and a distant edge laterally separated outwards from the close edge. First and second elastic belts extend laterally outwards from each one of the corresponding lengthwise edges of the containment assembly in the rear waist region, or from each one of the corresponding extension ears. One of the first and second elastic belts has a close edge connected to the rear waist region, or to the distant edges of the first and second extension ears, and a distant edge laterally separated outwards from the close edge, the tying media being connected at the distant edge.