Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include apparatus and methods for aerosolizing liquid. One embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for generating an aerosol. The apparatus includes an actuator having a first face and a second face and defining an opening therethrough, as well as a vibratory element in mechanical communication with the actuator, and a sealing member configured to isolate the vibratory element from a surrounding environment. In accordance with certain embodiments, the apparatus further comprises an aerosolization element mounted on the actuator and disposed substantially over the opening, wherein the aerosolization element defines at least one aperture therethrough. Hence, the vibratory element may be operated to vibrate to cause movement of the aerosolization element in such a manner that a liquid at the first face of the aerosolization element can be dispensed as an aerosol through the at least one aperture.

Abstract: Novel antiandrogenic agents are provided. An exemplary group of compounds has the structural formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 through R.sup.10, a and b are as defined herein. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for using the compounds of formula (I) to treat androgen-related clinical conditions are provided, as are methods and compositions for using the compounds as contraceptive agents.

Abstract: Described is a process for the regioselective dehydration of 11-hydroxy steroids using PCl.sub.5, PCl.sub.3, POCl.sub.3 or either SO.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 and imidazole, or PPh.sub.3 and CCl.sub.4. The disclosed process selectively forms .DELTA..sup.9,11 steroids from either 11-.alpha.- or 11-.beta.-hydroxy steroids, and can also be used for the one-step conversion of 11,21-dihydroxy steroids to 21-chloro-.DELTA..sup.9,11 steroids.Also disclosed are processes for the regioselective conversion of 11-.beta.-chloro steroids to .DELTA..sup.9,11 steroids, and for regioselectively converting an 11,17,21-trihydroxy streoid to a 21-chloro-11,17-dihydroxy steroid.

Abstract: A new process for the preparation of 16.beta.-methyl-steroids of the formula ##STR1## and novel intermediates therefor which compounds are intermediates for betamethasone.

Abstract: Described is a process for the regioselective dehydration of 11-hydroxy steroids using PCl.sub.5, PCl.sub.3, POCl.sub.3 or either SO.sub. Cl.sub.2 and imidazole, or PPh.sub.3 and CCl.sub.4. The disclosed process selectively forms .increment..sup.9,11 steroids from either 11-.alpha.- or 11-.beta.-hydroxy steroids, and can also be used for the one-step conversion of 11,21-dihydroxy steroids to 21-chloro-.increment..sup.9,11 steroids.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms optionally substituted by halogen or a nitrogen or oxygen function and alkenyl and alkynyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and the A, B, C and D rings are optionally substituted by at least one member of the group consisting of optionally protected --OH or .dbd.0, halogen, alkyl and alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and alkenyl and alkynyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms comprising reacting a compound of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 and the A, B, C and D rings are defined as above with an oxidizing agent in the presence of water and an at least partially water-miscible solvent to obtain a compound of the formula ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: There are provided 13-alkyl-11beta-phenyl-gonanes of formula I ##STR1## wherein Z is an oxygen atom or N--OH;R.sup.2 is alpha- or beta-position methyl or ethyl;R.sup.1 is selected from heteroaryl radicals, cycloalkyl radicals, cycloalkenyl radicals, aryl radicals, alkenyl radicals, and alkyl radicals where R.sup.2 is in the alpha-position and an ethyl radical where R.sup.2 is in the beta-position; andR.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are selected from one of two different groups of substituent pairs, the group from which the selection is made being determined by the position of R.sup.2.

Abstract: A process for the production of progresterone derivatives of general formula I ##STR1## in which symbolizes a single bond or a double bond,X represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom or a methyl group andV means a methylene group, an ethylene group, an ethylidene group or a vinylidene group, is described.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of ethynyl carbinols of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R" is hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon, R'" is a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon or R" and R'" together to the carbon atom to which they are joined represent a steroid, which comprises the steps ofA. reacting in a solvent system comprising an aromatic hydrocarbon, at least one lithium alkylamide selected from the group consisting of: ##STR2## wherein R is a hydrogen or lower alkyl, R' is hydrogen, lower alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic hydrocarbon, x is an integer of 2 to 8, y and z are each 0 to 1, with acetylene to form a monolithium acetylideB. reacting in a solvent system comprising an aromatic hydrocarbon, the monolithium acetylene from Part A with a ketone of the formula R"R'"C.dbd.O, wherein R" and R'" are as hereinbefore defined, and thenC.

Abstract: Novel esters of 9.alpha.-fluoro- and chloro-corticosteroids of the formula ##STR1## wherein Y is chlorine or OR.sub.1, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represent an acyl group of 2-6 carbon atoms or a benzoyl group and where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 can be the same or different in the same molecule, R.sub.3 is methyl or fluorine in either the .alpha.- or .beta.- orientation, X is chlorine or fluorine, and the C.sub.1 C.sub.2 bond can be saturated or not, especially those compounds of the formula ##STR2## wherein Y and R.sub.2 have the significance given above, are prepared by reacting the respective 9.beta.,11.beta.-epoxy compounds with hydrogen fluoride or chloride.

Abstract: The invention involves a two step chemical transformation of a steroidal 17-cyanohydrin (II) ##STR1## to a 17.alpha.-hydroxy-21-halo-20-keto steroid (IV) ##STR2## intermediate which can readily be converted to pharmaceutically useful corticoids.

Abstract: A 11.beta.-aryl-19-norprogesterone steroid of the formula: ##STR1## wherein (i) R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.2-4 alkenyl, C.sub.2-4 alkynyl, OH, OC(O)CH.sub.3, or OC(O)R.sup.5, wherein R.sup.5 is C.sub.2-8 alkyl, C.sub.2-8 alkenyl, C.sub.2-8 alkynyl or aryl, R.sub.2 is H, R.sup.3 is H, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.2-4 alkenyl or C.sub.2-4 alkynyl, R.sup.4 is H, CH.sub.3, F or Cl, R.sup.6 is H, (CH.sub.3).sub.2 N, CH.sub.3 O, CH.sub.3 CO, CH.sub.3 S, CH.sub.3 SO, CH.sub.3 SO.sub.2, and X is O or NOCH.sub.3 ; or(ii) R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 taken together are a carbon-carbon bond and R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.6 and X are as defined above; or(iii) R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 taken together are --CH.sub.2 -- or --N.dbd.N--CH.sub.2 --, R.sup.2 is H and R.sup.4, R.sup.6 and X are as defined above; or(iv) R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 taken together are .dbd.CH.sub.2 and R.sup.1, R.sup.4, R.sup.6 and X are as defined above.

Abstract: The invention is the compound 17.beta.-cyano-9.alpha., 17.alpha.-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one (I) which is particularly useful as an intermediate in the production of the 17.alpha.-halo silyl ethers (II).

Abstract: Compounds obtained from the associative synthesis of sulfur-containing or sulfur-free amino acids with derivatives of .DELTA.-4-pregnene-3,20-dione or with derivatives of .DELTA.-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione of the general formulas (I), (II) and (III), having glucocorticoidal and anti-inflammatory properties have been prepared and tested. Pharmaceutical compositions, medicaments containing them as well as their applications are claimed, particularly in the cutaneous and ophthalmic fields.