Abstract: A liquid crystal optical element includes: first and second substrates; a liquid crystal layer provided between the substrates; first and second electrode layers provided on the first and second substrates, respectively, so as to face each other with the liquid crystal layer interposed between them; and first and second switching layers, which are provided between the first electrode layer and the liquid crystal layer and between the second electrode layer and the liquid crystal layer, respectively, and each of which includes molecules changing their orientation directions in response to a voltage applied between the first and second electrode layers. The liquid crystal layer changes its orientation state as the molecules in the first and second switching layers change their orientation directions. Each of the molecules included in one of the first and second switching layers and an associated one of the molecules included in the other switching layer behave as enantiomers.

Abstract: A point managing method, wherein, regardless of the number of points provided by each service offerer, consumers' incentive for browsing webpages may be increased. Each service offerer can independently offer their services using points provided by themselves. The obtained points of each consumer are managed for each service offerer. When consumers exchange points for a value, the consumers select points to be used for exchanging for the value for each service offerer. Points of the selected service offerers are summed up under an appointed exchange rate and are exchanged for goods which is corresponds to the number of the summed points. In this way, besides the joint exchange for goods by the agent, each service offerer can independently offer their services using points provided by themselves, for example, each service offerer can seaparately carry out exchange for goods using points provided by themselves.

Abstract: Now are provided (R)-3,6-diamino-N-(.omega.-aminoalkyl)-hexanamides which are novel compounds having the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein n stands for 2-5, and which may be for example, (R)-3,6-diamino-N-(2-aminoethyl)hexanamide (n=2) and (R)-3,6-diamino-N-(3-aminopropyl)hexanamide (n=3). Their preparation process is also provided. These novel compounds and acid addition salts thereof have activities inhibitory against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and AIDS virus, as well as tumor cells and are chemically stable.These novel compounds and their salts are useful as chemotherapeutic agents for diseases caused by these bacteria or virus and also as antitumor agent.

Abstract: A cephalosporin derivative which has a substituted or unsubstituted 2-(5-thiazolyl)vinyl group at the 3-position and is represented by the following formula (I) ##STR1## wherein X is CH or N, R.sup.1 is an amino group or a protected amino group, R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyimino-protecting group, R.sup.3 is a hydrogen atom, a salt-forming cation or a carboxyl-protecting group, R.sup.4 is a hydrogen atom, and R.sup.5 is a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a halo-(lower)alkyl group or a halogen atom, is now synthetised as a cephem compound which exhibits excellent antibacterial activities and is useful as a therapeutic agent for various bacterial infections.

Abstract: Novel PF 1022 derivatives--cyclodepsipeptides represented by the below-described formula (I)--and acid addition salts thereof, which have been synthesized according to the present invention, have anthelmintic activities against various parasitic worms which are parasitic on human bodies, domestic animals and pet animals. They are therefore useful as anthelmintics for the prevention or treatment of parasitic infections. ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, Q, X, Y and Z have been defined herein.

Abstract: Compounds represented by the following formula (I), that is, cephem derivatives having substituted or unsubstituted imidazo[5,1-b]thiazolium-6-yl as a substituent at the 3-position of the cephem ring: ##STR1## wherein X represents CH or N, R.sup.1 represents H, alkyl, alkenyl or the like, and R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 represent H, alkyl, carbamoyl, amino or the like. The above compounds have excellent antibacterial activity, and useful as medicines for the treatment of various infectious diseases caused by bacteria.

Abstract: A benzoxazole derivative of the formula (1) or (2) which has an alicyclic diamine group at the 2-position: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, X.sup.-, m and n are defined herein. The compound shows excellent 5-HT.sub.3 receptor antagonism and is useful as an antiemetic agent, a peristalsis controlling agent, an analgesic agent, an antianxiety agent and a schizophrenia treating agent.

Abstract: As new dibekacin derivatives and new arbekacin derivatives are now provided 2"-amino-2"-deoxydibekacin, 2"-amino-5,2"-dideoxydibekacin, 2"-amino-2"-deoxyarbekacin, 2"-amino-5,2"-dideoxyarbekacin, 2"-amino-5,2"-dideoxy-5-epi-fluoroarbekacin and 2"-amino-5,2"-dideoxy-5-epi-aminoarbekacin which all exhibit high antibacterial activity against a wide variety of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and which are of low toxicity to mammals and are useful as antibacterial agent for treatment of bacterial infections.

Abstract: An aminothiazolyl- or aminothiadiazolyl-cephalosporin derivative represented by the following general formula (I) which has a condensed-ring thio group as a 3-positioned substituent group that contains a thiazolylthio group, an oxazolylthio group or a heterocyclic ring thereof as one of the ring components. The compound according to the present invention has excellent activities to inhibit growth of various bacteria, especially Gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and therefore, the antibacterial agent comprising, as an active ingredient, the inventive compound can be used as a therapeutic drug for the treatment of various bacterial infections.

Abstract: 16-membered macrolide derivatives represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent group which protects a hydroxyl group; R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent group which protects a hydroxyl group; R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a straight-chain aliphatic acyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms; and R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom or a straight-chain aliphatic or aromatic acyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms;or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are disclosed.A novel process for producing these 16-membered macrolide derivatives is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to derivatives of pyrrolidin-2-ylcarbonylheterocyclic compound of the general formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 represents C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-20 cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl,R.sup.2 represents a heterocyclic compound selected from the group consisting of 2-thiazole, 2-oxazole, 2-imidazole, 2-pyrrole, 2-thiophene, 2-benzothiazole, 2-benzoxazole, 2-benzimidazole, 2-indole, 2-thiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine, 2-oxazolo[4,5-b]pyridine, 2-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, 5-thiazole, 2-thiazoline, 2-pyridine, 3-pyridine, 5-pyrimidine, 2-pyrazine, 2-triazole or 2-pyrazole wherein the heterocyclic compound may be unsubstituted or substituted independently with R.sup.4 or R.sup.5 wherein R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are H, C.sub.1-5 alkyl, aryl or R.sup.4 and R.sup.

Abstract: 16-membered macrolide derivatives represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a COR.sup.6 group, wherein R.sup.6 represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a COR.sup.6 group, wherein R.sup.6 is as defined above; R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a COR.sup.6 group, wherein R.sup.6 is as defined above; R.sup.4 represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted allyl group; and R.sup.5 represents a substituted or unsubstituted, straight-chain or branched alkyl, alkenyl or aralkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms;and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are disclosed. These compounds show excellent and long-acting antimicrobial activities. A novel process for producing these 16-membered macrolide derivatives is further disclosed.

Abstract: As new dibekacin derivatives and new arbekacin derivatives are now provided 2"-amino-2"-deoxydibekacin, 2"-amino-5,2"-dideoxydibekacin, 2"-amino-2"-deoxyarbekacin, 2"-amino-5,2"-dideoxyarbekacin, 2"-amino-5,2"-dideoxy-5-epi-fluoroarbekacin and 2"-amino-5,2"-dideoxy-5-epi-aminoarbekacin which all exhibit high antibacterial activity against a wide variety of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and which are of low toxicity to mammals and are useful as antibacterial agent for treatment of bacterial infections.

Abstract: A cephalosporin derivative having a quaternary salt type substituent group at the 3-position, represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X is a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom; Y is a sulfur atom, an oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom substituted with a substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl group; R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a substituted lower alkyl group; R.sup.2 is a lower alkyl group, a substituted lower alkyl group, a lower alkylene group or a substituted lower alkylene group; and A is an unsaturated six-membered heterocyclic ring containing at least one nitrogen atom, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is disclosed. The derivatives have excellent antibacterial activities and can be used as a drug for the treatment of various bacterial infections.

Abstract: As new antibacterial agent are provided cephalosporin derivatives having a general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a substituted lower alkyl group, R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or an ester-forming group easily cleavable by an esterase present in the digestive tracts, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may be the same and each is independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkenyl group, hydroxyl group, amino group or a lower alkoxy group, and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.The cephalosporin derivative of formula (I) is useful as an orally or injectably administrable cephalosporin derivative which exhibits in combination a high antibacterial activity and a favorable characteristic capable of giving a high concentration of this compound in blood when administered.

Abstract: 16-membered macrolide compounds wherein both of hydroxyl groups at the 3"- and 4"-positions form ether bonds together with two alkyl groups which are either the same or different from each other is useful as an antibacterial agent. The macrolide compounds represented by formula (I) are prepared by chemically modifying midecamycin A.sub.3 to obtain a synthesis intermediate of the formula (II), which is further chemically modified.

Abstract: 16-membered macrolide derivatives represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a COR.sup.6 group, wherein R.sup.6 represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a COR.sup.6 group, wherein R.sup.6 is as defined above; R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a COR.sup.6 group, wherein R.sup.6 is as defined above; R.sup.4 represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted allyl group; and R.sup.5 represents a substituted or unsubstituted, straight-chain or branched alkyl, alkenyl or aralkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are disclosed. These compounds show excellent and long-acting antimicrobial activities. A novel process for producing these 16-membered macrolide derivatives is further disclosed.

Abstract: A novel 2-piperidinecarboxylic acid derivative represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein X represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or a nitrogen atom to which a hydrogen atom is bound; and * represents that the configuration of the carbon atom binding to the carboxyl group is (S), (R) or a mixture of (S) and (R); and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof which exerts an antitumor effect over a wide range of tumor cells.

Abstract: A new class of cephalosporin derivatives is provided, which is useful as antibacterial agent to be particularly suitable for oral administrations in mammals including man, and which is represented by general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or an ester-forming group capable of being cleaved easily with an esterase existing in the digestive tracts; n is an integer of zero or 1; Z is a saturated heterocyclic group containing one or two oxygen atoms as the hetero-atoms with or without one or more lower alkyl substituents, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A novel benzothiazole or benzimidazole derivative represented by formula (I) ##STR1## wherein X represents a sulfur atom or a NH group; R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkoxy group, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom or an iodine atom; R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom a substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl group, a vinyl group, an aryl group or an acyl group; m is an integer of 1, 2 or 3; and n is an integer of 0, 1 or 2, which shows an excellent acid secretion suppressing effect and gastric mucosa protecting effect, and an antiulcer agent containing the same as an active ingredient.