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 present invention relates to a antisolvent solidification process wherein a liquid medium comprising at least one organic or inorganic compound which is to be solidified is forced through a membrane into one or more antisolvents, or wherein one or more antisolvents are forced through a membrane into a liquid medium comprising at least one organic or inorganic compound which is to be solidified, yielding a composition comprising solid particles comprising said organic and/or inorganic compound(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for monitoring the effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy in a perimenopausal, early menopausal, or late menopausal woman, comprising testing for hormonal levels in a body fluid of the woman at intervals depending on the stage of menopause, and adjusting levels of replacement hormone administered to the woman based on the test results.

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: 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: A process for the production of 6,17.alpha.-dimethylpregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione which comprises isolating 3.beta.,5.alpha., 6.beta.-trihydroxy- 6.alpha.,17.alpha.- dimethylpregnan-20-one monomethanolate from the solution of a Grignard reaction product of 3.beta.,5.alpha.-dihydroxy -17.alpha.-methyl-17.beta.-carbomethoxyandrostane-6-one and a methylmagnesium halide by solvent displacement with methanol; oxidizing the monomethanolate to the 3,20-dione; dehydrating the said 3,20-dione to the 4-ene-3,20-dione; dehydrating the 4-ene-3,20 dione; removing a 6-methylene-4-ene-3,20-dione byproduct and isolating the desired product.

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 process for the production of 3-deoxy-4-ene steroids of the general formula I ##STR1## is described, in which R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 mean a hydrogen atom or a methyl group,R.sub.4 represents a lower alkyl group, a phenyl group or a free, esterified or etherified hydroxy group,R.sub.5 symbolizes a hydrogen atom, a vinyl group or the grouping --C.tbd.CR.sub.6 with R.sub.6 meaning a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group with a maximum of 4 carbon atoms or a halogen atom,X represents a methylene group, a fluoromethylene group, an ethylidene group or a vinylidene group,Y and U represent a methylene group or an ethylidene group andZ symbolizes a methylene group, an ethylidene group, a vinylidene group, a chloromethylene group or a hydroxymethylene group and in which the bonds represent three single bonds or one double bond and two single bonds or a conjugated double bond.

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: 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: 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.