Abstract: The present invention provides a phototoxicity test method using human retinal pigment epithelial cells, and so on.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions of novel high penetration compositions (HPC) or high penetration prodrugs (HPP) of antimicrobials and antimicrobial-related compounds, which are capable of crossing biological barriers with high penetration efficiency. The HPCs/HPPs are capable of being converted to parent active drugs or drug metabolites after crossing the biological barrier and thus can render treatments for the conditions that the parent drugs or metabolites can. Additionally, the HPPs are capable of reaching areas that parent drugs may not be able to access or to render a sufficient concentration at the target areas and therefore render novel treatments. The HPCs/HPPs can be administered to a subject through various administration routes, e.g., locally delivered to an action site of a condition with a high concentration or systematically administered to a biological subject and enter the general circulation with a faster rate.

Abstract: A process for producing a compound of the formula ##STR1## comprises the following sequence of steps: ##STR2## wherein the various radicals are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: A process for the oxidation of organosulphur compounds with hydrogen peroxide is provided. The process employs solid supported polyacids comprising tungsten, molybdenum and/or vanadium as catalysts. The supports are selected from compounds, preferably oxides, of Group IIa, IIb, IIIb, IVa and IVb elements, and strong base ion exchange resins. Certain embodiments of the process provide for the oxidation of sulphides to sulphoxides or sulphones, particularly for the oxidation of penicillins to penicillin sulphoxides. Other embodiments of the process provide for the selective oxidation of thiols to sulphoxides.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of protecting a sulfonic acid functional group in an organic molecule as a substituted or unsubstituted neopentyl sulfonate ester. The method allows the conversion of R--SO.sub.3 --H to R'--SO.sub.3 --H, wherein R and R' are different organic radicals. Also disclosed is a method of increasing the bioavailability of drugs with a sulfonic acid functional group by protecting the sulfonic acid functional group as a substituted neopentyl sulfonate ester which has a masked heteroatom nucleophile. The masked nucleophile can be liberated in vivo, resulting in removal of the neopentyl protecting group and regeneration of the parent drug.

Abstract: Naphthalene derivative of the formula [I]: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and are hydrogen atom, hydroxy group, cyclo-lower alkyloxy group, substituted or unsubstituted lower alkoxy group, or both combine each other to form lower alkylenedioxy group, R.sup.3 is substituted or unsubstituted nitrogen-containing 6-membered heterocyclic group, and groups of the formulae: --OR.sup.4 and --OR.sup.5 are the same or different and are protected or unprotected hydroxy group, processes for preparing thereof, and synthetic intermediates therefor, these compounds have excellent bronchodilating activity, and are useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of asthma.

Abstract: There are presented compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and m are as described herein.