Abstract: The present invention comprising culturing a microorganism which belongs to genus Streptomyces and has ability to produce K99-5041-C1x substance and/or K99-5041-C2x substance in a medium, accumulating K99-5041-C1x substance and/or K99-5041-C2x substance in the culture fluid, and isolating K99-5041-C1x substance and/or K99-5041-C2x substance form the cultured mass. Since the obtained K99-5041-C1x substance and/or K99-5041-C2x substance exhibit inhibitory activity against lanosterol synthase, these substances are expected to apply clinically for preventive and therapeutic agents caused by accumulation of cholesterol in humans and antifungal agents.

Abstract: The present invention comprising culturing a microorganism which belongs to genus Streptomyces and has ability to produce K99-5041-C1x substance and/or K99-5041-C2x substance in a medium, accumulating K99-5041-C1x substance and/or K99-5041-C2x substance in the culture fluid, and isolating K99-5041-C1x substance and/or K99-5041-C2x substance form the cultured mass. Since the obtained K99-5041-C1x substance and/or K99-5041-C2x substance exhibit inhibitory activity against lanosterol synthase, these substances are expected to apply clinically for preventive and therapeutic agents caused by accumulation of cholesterol in humans and antifungal agents.

Abstract: The present invention comprising culturing a microorganism which belongs to genus Streptomyces and has ability to produce K99-5041-C1x substance and/or K99-5041-C2x substance in a medium, accumulating K99-5041-C1x substance and/or K99-5041-C2x substance in the culture fluid, and isolating K99-5041-C1x substance and/or K99-5041-C2x substance form the cultured mass. Since the obtained K99-5041-C1x substance and/or K99-5041-C2x substance exhibit inhibitory activity against lanosterol synthase, these substances are expected to apply clinically for preventive and therapeutic agents caused by accumulation of cholesterol in humans and antifungal agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel substance having inhibitory action on cholesteryl ester transfer protein, WK-5344A substance and WK-5344B substance, and process for production thereof. A microorganism belonging to genus Streptomyces having ability to produce WK-5344A substance and WK-5344B substance is cultured in a medium, and the WK-5344A substance and the WK-5344B substance are accumulated in the medium, then the WK-5344A substance and the WK-5344B substance are isolated from the said medium. Since the present substance shows significant inhibitory action on cholesteryl ester transfer protein, the substance is effective for prevention and treatment of diseases caused by accumulation of cholesterol in human.

Abstract: A broadcast program recording and playing apparatus includes a program management unit that manages a database storing program information for broadcast programs. A transmission unit transmits the program information stored in the database to an electronic apparatus using wireless communication. Under the control of the electronic apparatus, a control unit controls an apparatus having functions of recording and playing the broadcast programs.

Abstract: An contour correcting circuit for correcting the contour without deterioration of image quality of the video signal, comprising a first HPF for extracting the high frequency signal component of the video signal supplied from an input terminal Tin, a second HPF for differentiating the output of the first HPF additionally, and a correlator for synthesizing the output signals of the output and the inverted output of said first HPF, and the output of the second HPF to form a signal having a predetermined signal waveform, wherein the correlator forms a signal waveform of the preshoot portion and overshoot portion with the first order differential output which is relatively static at the inflection point of the video signal, synthesizes a second order differential waveform so as to be a sharp signal waveform at the middle portion, and performs sharpness processing of the video signal by use of the contour correction signal.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising a charge transporting material containing at least one triphenylamine compound represented by general formula (1) and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a hydrazone compound, a triphenylamine dimer compound and a distyryl compound: ##STR1## said charge transporting material being able to express high carrier mobility, being high in solubility in a binder polymer, and being able to form a homogeneous charge transporting layer.

Abstract: An optically active block polyester copolymer formed of structural units represented by the following general formulas (I) and (II): ##STR1## wherein represents for an asymmetric carbon atom and m and n each represents a natural number in the range of from 300 to 5000 is obtained by subjecting an optically active butyrolactone and a species of lactone other than the optically active butyrolactone to sequential ringopening copolymerization in the presence of a catalyst. This optically active block polyester copolymer possesses a high molecular weight and a high melting point (not less than 130.degree. C.) and forms a biodegradable and hydrolyzable material of high strength capable of tolerating the impacts of actual use.

Abstract: The biodegradable composition comprises at least poly(beta-hydroxybutyric acid) or a biodegradable copolymer thereof and a stereospecifically regular block copolymer having the structure units of formula (I): ##STR1## where R1 is a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 14 carbon atoms, optionally including double bonds, oxygen atoms or both of them; and m and n are respectively an integer ranging from 300 to 5,000, or having the structure units of formula (II): ##STR2## where R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are either a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and m and n are respectively an integer ranging from 300 to 5,000.

Abstract: The block copolymer of polyesters and polycarbonates comprises at least one of each of the constituting units of (I) and (II) having the general formulae: ##STR1## where the sign * indicates an asymmetric carbon atom; R.sub.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are either a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; m and n are respective a natural numbers ranging from 300 to 5000: The block copolymer is obtained by successive ring-opening and copolymerization of optically active .beta.-butyrolactones and cyclic carbonates in the presence of a catalyst.The block polymer obtained has high molecular weight and high melting temperature, and can thus be used as a high strength material for practical use and which has bio-degradable and hydrolyzable nature.

Abstract: In examining the progress of patients before and after a cataract operation, the morphology of cornea endothelium cells used in medical treatment, may be determined from a cornea endothelium cell image with less labor. Center points of two-dimensionally continuous cells of a cornea endothelium cell image are entered into a computer, and peripheral points obtained by determining peripheral points which are center points of the cells within a specified distance from one center point are sorted clockwise. If an angle formed by successive two peripheral points and the center point is less than a specified angle, the greater of the two peripheral points in distance from the center point is excluded from the peripheral points.

Abstract: A recording current setting method comprises the steps of: recording signals on a tape by changing, by steps, recording current for the tape; detecting a reproduced signal level at each recording current; and determining an optimal recording current from a middle point between a first recording current at which a reproduced signal level first exceeds a threshold level as a result of increasing, by steps, the recording current and a second recording current at which a reproduced signal level first exceeds the threshold level as a result of decreasing, by steps, the recording current. An information signal recording apparatus using the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Erythromycin derivatives represented by the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy group, R.sup.3 is a hydrogen atom, a lower alkanoyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group or an alkylsuccinyl group, and the salts thereof are disclosed. These compounds have antibacterial activity.

Abstract: Novel erythromycin B derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and are each hydrogen or methyl, and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof are disclosed. They exhibit excellent in vivo antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria.

Abstract: Antibiotic AM-3603 which is also designated as irumamycin is represented by the following formula: ##STR1## This substance is active upon certain Gram-positive bacteria, phytopathogenic fungi and dermatophytes, and is of interest in treating various diseases of humans and animals caused by infectious bacteria and fungi and also useful for agricultural purposes. Antibiotic AM-3603 may be prepared by fermentation, in which a microorganism capable of producing AM-3603 is cultured in a medium to accumulate AM-3603 in the cultured broths, from which AM-3603 is recovered. A preferred strain is Streptomyces sp. AM-3603 (FERM-P 5619; NRRL 12518).

Abstract: Novel erythromycin A derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or methyl, and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof are disclosed. They exhibit excellent antibacterial activity against erythromycin resistant bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria and Mycoplasma species.

Abstract: A novel compound frenolicin B of the formula: ##STR1## is prepared by cultivating a microorganism belonging to genus Streptomyces, e.g. Streptomyces roseofulvus AM-3867, in a culture medium and isolating the compound formed and accumulated in the medium from the cultured product. Said frenolicin B is useful as an antibiotic.