Abstract: To provide a novel colitis ameliorating agent. A colitis ameliorating agent comprising a trans-astaxanthin derivative of formula (I), geometric isomers thereof, a mixture of the geometric isomers, an optical isomer thereof, or a salt thereof; (wherein m1, m2, n1, and n2 are each the same or different and mean an integer of 1 to 6).

Abstract: A method for preparing compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 is hydrogen or a hydroxy-protecting group; R.sup.2 is alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted phenoxy; R.sup.3 is optionally substituted pyridyl, optionally substituted quinolyl or phenyl group which has a substituent of formula --CYNR.sup.5 R.sup.6, where Y is oxygen or sulfur, and R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are each alkyl, aryl or aralkyl, or R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 and the nitrogen to which they are attached together form a heterocyclic group; R.sup.4 is hydrogen or an amino-protecting group; and Z is sulfur or oxygen. The process comprises reacting a compound of formula (II): ##STR2## in which R.sup.8, R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are the same or different and each represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a phenyl group, with a compound of formula (III): ##STR3## in which R.sup.11 represents an acyloxy, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, alkylsulfinyl or arylsulfinyl group.

Abstract: A process for preparing a compound of formula (I'): ##STR1## comprising reacting a compound of formula (II'): ##STR2## with a compound of formula (III'):A'SH (III')wherein the reaction of the compound of formula (II') and the compound of formula (III') are carried out in the presence of a salt of a metal of Group II or III of the Periodic Table of Elements, wherein A' is an alkyl, aryl, aralkyl or heterocyclic, R.sup.1' is hydrogen or a carboxy protecting group, R.sup.2' and R.sup.3' can be hydrogen or alkyl, X' can be sulfur, k' is 1 or 2 and R.sup.4' is alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl or heterocyclic.

Abstract: A compound of the formula ##STR1## in which: R.sup.1' is hydrogen or a carboxy-protecting group;R.sup.41' is hydrogen or a hydroxy-protecting group;R.sup.42' is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, a halogen, an aryl or an aryloxy; R.sup.43' is hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, a hydroxy, a halogen, a cyano, a nitro or a group of the formula --NR.sup.8' R.sup.9', where R.sup.8' and R.sup.9' are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, amino-protecting groups, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl groups and phenyl groups, or R.sup.8' and R.sup.9' together represent a group --(CH.sub.2).sub.q '--O.sub.r '--(CH.sub.2).sub.s '--, where q' and s' are independently 0 or an integer of from 1 to 5 and r' is 0 or 1, provided that (q'+s') is an integer of at least 2; R.sup.45' and R.sup.46' are independently selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl groups and aryl groups, or R.sup.45' and R.sup.46' together represent a group --(CH.sub.2).sub.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 is hydrogen or a hydroxy-protecting group; R.sup.2 is alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted phenoxy; R.sup.3 is optionally substituted pyridyl, optionally substituted quinolyl or phenyl group which has a substituent of formula --CYNR.sup.5 R.sup.6, where Y is oxygen or sulfur, and R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are each alkyl, aryl or aralkyl, or R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 and the nitrogen to which they are attached together form a heterocyclic group; is R.sup.4 hydrogen or an amino-protecting group; and Z is sulfur or oxygen; are valuable intermediates in the preparation of carbapenem compounds and retain a desirable configuration during conversion to such carbapenem compounds.

Abstract: Two thiomarinol derivatives, which have antibacterial and anti-mycoplasmal properties, are obtainable from microorganisms of the genus Alteromonas and are named "thiomarinol B" and "thiomarinol C". Thiomarinol B can also be prepared by the oxidation of thiomarinol.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I):A--M--B-- (I)(in which: M represents a saturated heterocyclic group having from 5 to 7 ring atoms of which 2 are nitrogen atoms, said group being unsubstituted or being substituted at any of its carbon atoms by C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl and/or oxo substituents: A represents a halo-substituted benzhydryl substituent; and B represents certain specific substituted alkyl groups) and salts thereof are valuable for the treatment and prophylaxis of disorders arising from circulatory problems, especially those affecting the brain. They may be prepared by reacting a compound of formula A--M--H with a halo or acyloxy derivative corresponding to the alkyl substituent B which it is desired to introduce.

Abstract: Novel penicillin and cephalosporin derivatives possessing interferon inducibility and represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein Y represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom a nitro group, an alkoxy group or an alkyl group; M represents a protective group for a hydroxyl or carboxyl group; Z represents a group ##STR2## or a group ##STR3## in which D is a hydrogen atom, an acyloxy group, a carbamoyloxy group or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic thio group; A represents a cyano group, a carboalkoxy group or a nitro group; and B represents a hydrogen atom, a cyano group, a carboalkoxy group or a nitro groupAnd process for preparing the same.