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 new compounds of general formula I, their production and pharmaceutical preparations that contain these compounds. The compounds according to the invention are preferably used for female birth control and for HRT.

Abstract: A subject of the invention is the compounds of formula (I): in which X is a halogen atom, D represents the remainder of an optionally substituted pentagonal or hexagonal ring and optionally carrying an unsaturation, R1, R2, R3, R4, Y and n are as defined in the description, their preparation process and intermediates, their use as medicaments and the compositions containing them.

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: 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: The new intermediate products of general formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 stands for a hydrogen atom or a straight-chain or branched alkyl group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms,R.sup.2 stands for a hydrogen atom or a methyl group,R.sup.3 stands for a hydrogen atom,R.sup.4 stands for an acyloxy group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the acyl radical orR.sup.3 and R.sup.4 together stand for a keto-oxygen atom, are suitable in an excellent way for introducing a .DELTA..sup.1 double bond in the steroid skelton with the simultaneous presence of a .DELTA..sup.4 double bond, as well as a saturated carbonyl group, by clevage of hydrogen iodide with a base in an amidic solvent at elevated temperature. If R.sup.2 stands for a hydrogen atom, the A-ring is aromatized after the hydrogen iodide cleavage. For the production of a new intermediate products, special iodization processes, which partially also allow a stereoselective control of the iodization, are used.

Abstract: A compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are individually hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, G is a hydrocarbon of 1 to 18 carbon atoms optionally containing at least one heteroatom and linked to the steroid nucleus by a carbon atom, X is X.sub.A or X.sub.B, X.sub.A is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aralkyl of 7 to 15 carbon atoms, acyl of an organic carboxylic acid of 1 to 8 carbon atoms and Y is -B-O--CO--A-Z, B is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alkylene of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, A is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alkylene of 1 to 6 carbon atoms and optionally interrupted or ended by a bivalent aromatic or is a bivalent aromatic and Z is --COOH or --SO.sub.3 H which may be salified with an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, an organic amine or --NH.sub.4 or X.sub.

Abstract: A compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R.sub.a and R.sub.b are individually hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, n is an integer from 1 to 6, Z is free carboxy or salified with an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or NH.sub.4 and X is the remainder of an optionally substituted and optionally unsaturated 5 or 6-member ring and the wavy line indicates the .alpha.- or .beta.-position for R.sub.1 having anti-glucocorticoid activity.

Abstract: Invented are carboxyl and carboxyl alkyl ester substituted 11-keto and hydroxy analogues of synthetic steroidal compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, and methods of using these compounds to inhibit steroid 5-.alpha.-reductase.