Abstract: A process ethynylates 16-methylene-17-keto steroids to the corresponding 16-methylene-17?-ethynyl-17?-hydroxy steroids by treatment with silyl-protected lithium acetylides followed by further desilylation. The resulting products are useful intermediates in the preparation of several pharmaceutically active agents, such as e.g. Nestorone® or melengestrol acetate.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods to manipulate stem cells in vivo and in vitro to treat, e.g., a condition where cell or tissue repair is needed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of altering hypothalamic function in an individual. The method comprises nasally administering a human vomeropherin, e.g. a pregnane or cholane steroid, or a pharmaceutical composition containing a vomeropherin, such that the vomeropherin binds to a specific neuroepithelial receptor. The steroid or steroids is/are preferably administered in the form of a pharmaceutical composition containing one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. Other embodiments of the invention include pharmaceutical compositions containing the steroids.

Abstract: This invention describes a new methylation or ethylation agent containing trimethyl aluminum or dimethyl zinc or triethyl aluminum as methyl or ethyl source, which additionally contains catalytic amounts of one or more copper(I) and/or copper(II) compounds as well as a process for the 1,4-addition of a methyl or ethyl group to an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated or an .alpha.,.beta.-double unsaturated ketone or an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aldehyde using the agent according to the invention.By using only catalytic amounts of copper and a CKW (chlorinatedhydrocarbon)-free reaction medium, the new methylation/ethylation agent/process is distinguished by its environmental compatibility and it is, for example, suitable for the production of initial products for the synthesis of biologically effective compounds.

Abstract: The invention describes 14,17-C.sub.2 -bridged steroids of general formula (I), ##STR1## wherein the various R groups are as defined in the specification, and wherein said steroids are, in contrast with the disclaimed compound 14,17-ethano-19-norpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione bioavailable even after peroral administration with high gestagenic action and are suitable for the production of pharmaceutical agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to 11.beta.-aryl-gona-4,9-dienes of formula I ##STR1## wherein the variables are defined in the specification. The compounds are progesterone synthesis inhibitors and are suitable for inducing labor or an abortion, and for treating endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, and endocrine hormone-dependent tumors.

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: A compound having the formulae selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## wherein R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are hydrogen or R.sub.2 is fluorine and R.sub.3 is formyloxy or acetyloxy, the dotted line in 9(11) position indicates an optional double bond and the dotted line in position 16(17) indicates an optional double bond ##STR2## is a 3-keto-.DELTA..sup.4 -system or 3-keto-.DELTA..sup.1,4 -system or 3-OR.sub.4 -.DELTA..sup.5 -system, R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a protector group of hydroxy, R is --CH.sub.3, --CH.sub.2 OH or --CH.sub.2 --OR', R' is a hydroxy protector group and R'.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, a branched alkyl of 5 to 8 carbon atoms not possessing hydrogen in the .beta.-position, aryl of up to 10 carbon atoms and benzyl, hetroaryl of up to 10 carbon atoms and at least one heteroatom selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen, with the exception of the compounds of formula Vc in which R is methyl, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are hydrogen or R.sub.2 and R.sub.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oligonucleotide or analog thereof conjugated to a molecule comprising a structure, which structure (a) is of substantially fixed conformation; (b) contains, is directly attached to, or is attached to a carbon atom that is directly attached to, an first amine; and (c) contains, is directly attached to, or is attached to an atom that is directly attached to a phosphate, a second amine, or a cationic sulfur. In a preferred embodiment, the structure consists of at least a nonaromatic cyclic portion or substituted derivative thereof. In a specific embodiment, the structure is a nonaromatic cyclic compound. In another embodiment, the molecule is a steroid. In yet another particular aspect, the structure is an aromatic compound. In another embodiment, the structure can bind to a nucleic acid sequence in a nonintercalative manner.

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: A compound of the formula ##STR1## in which ##STR2## is either a 3-keto-.DELTA.4-system or a 3-keto -.DELTA.1,4-system or a 3-OR.sub.4 -.DELTA.5-system in which R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a protector group of hydroxy, R is methyl, --CH.sub.2 OH or --CH.sub.2 OR', in which R' is a protector group of hydroxy, R.sub.1 and R'.sub.1 are individually selected from the group consisting of methyl, a branched alkyl not possessing hydrogen in the .beta. position of 5 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl of up to 10 carbon atoms, heteroaryl of up to 10 carbon atoms and at least one heteroatom chosen from nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen and benzyl, n and m, are individually numbers 0 or 1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are hydrogen or R.sub.2 is fluorine and R.sub.3 is formyloxy or acetyloxy and the dotted lines in position 9(11) indicate the optional presence of a second bond which are useful for the preparation of compounds of formula A.

Abstract: A compound selected from the group consisting of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkylthio and haloalkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkenyl and alkynyl of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, optionally substituted arylthio of 6 to 10 carbon atoms, aryl of 6 to 12 carbon atoms, acyl of an organic carboxylic acid of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, --CN, cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms and --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --Re, m is an integer from 1 to 3, Re is --OH or --SH or --Salk, Alk is alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, X is selected from the group consisting of oxygen, N--O--R.sub.1, ##STR2## or =X is H.sub.2 or ##STR3## R.sub.A and R.sub.B are individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen and alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R.sub.1 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon, R' is hydrogen or acyl, the wavy lines indicate --or -position, Y is selected from the group consisting of oxygen, NOR, ##STR4## or =Y is ##STR5## H.sub.

Abstract: Novel 3-keto-19-nor-.DELTA..sup.4,9 -steroids of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of naphthyl, phenylphenyl, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 2 to 6 carbon atoms optionally containing additional unsaturations, phenoxy, furyl, cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, thienyl optionally substituted with at least one member of the group consisting of halogen and alkyl and haloalkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms and phenyl optionally substituted with at least one member of the group consisting of --OH, halogen, --CF.sub.3, alkyl and alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkenyloxy of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, phenoxy and alkylthio of 1 to 6 carbon atoms optionally oxidized to the sulfoxide or sulfone, R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl and ethyl, R.sub.

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: 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.