A reagent composition for releasing vitamin D compounds bound to vitamin D-binding protein and an in vitro method for the detection of a vitamin D compound in which the vitamin D compound is released from vitamin D-binding protein by the use of this reagent composition as well as the reagent mixture obtained in this manner. Also disclosed is the use of the reagent compositions to release vitamin D compounds as well as a kit for detecting a vitamin D compound.

The present invention relates to vitamin D.sub.3 derivatives of the following formula, wherein each symbol has the same meaning as defined herein, and pharmaceutical or medical use thereof for treating metabolic disease, liver disease, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer in a patient in need thereof.

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The present invention relates to vitamin D.sub.3 derivatives of the following formula, wherein each symbol has the same meaning as defined herein, and pharmaceutical or medical use thereof for treating metabolic disease, liver disease, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer in a patient in need thereof.

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Pharmaceutically acceptable cholecalciferol sulfate salts are used for combating vitamin D.sub.3 deficiency. New cholecalciferol sulfate salts as well as pharmaceutical compositions of the pharmaceutically acceptable cholecalciferol sulfate salts are described as well.

The present invention discloses an improved photochemical synthesis of vitamin D3 from 7-dehydrocholesterol alone or in combination with sterol precursors in presence of the photosensitizer of Formula I in high yield and with reduced levels of impurities.

The present invention discloses an improved photochemical synthesis of vitamin D3 from 7-dehydrocholesterol alone or in combination with sterol precursors in presence of the photosensitizer of Formula I in high yield and with reduced levels of impurities.

Provided is a solid phase mixture including an oxidizing agent and/or a salt of the oxidizing agent and solid phase particles. The oxidizing agent is a compound capable of selectively oxidizing 1,2-diol compounds. In addition, a packing material containing the solid phase mixture is provided. Further, a column packed with the packing material is provided.

Provided are vitamin D.sub.3 derivatives of formula (I), pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and pharmaceutical or medical uses thereof for treating metabolic disease, a liver disease, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer in a patient in need thereof.

The present invention provides methods, devices, and compositions to rapidly detect analytes, including small analytes, using a lateral flow device. Described herein is such a lateral flow device that can detect and quantify vitamin D in a whole blood, serum, or plasma sample by employing a sandwich-based immunoassay.

The present disclosure relates to stereodefined polycyclic (e.g., tetracyclic) compounds that contain quaternary centers at one or multiple ring fusions, synthetic methods for preparing such compounds, and methods of using such compounds to treat a disease, such as a brain tumor and, particularly, a glioma.