The present invention relates to a process for preparing cyclic acetals having general formula (I) wherein Y and Y, equal to or different from each other, are selected from H and a group OR, R being a linear or branched alkyl containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, comprising at least the following phases: (i) providing a reaction mixture comprising at least one vicinal diol having formula (II) ZCH.sub.2CHOHCH.sub.2OH wherein Z is selected from H and a group OR, R being a linear or branched alkyl containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, said mixture being substantially free of aldehydes having general formula R.sup.ICHO, wherein R.sup.I is a linear or branched alkyl containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, possibly substituted by an alkoxide group OR111, wherein R.sup.III is an alkyl containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; (ii) thermally treating said reaction mixture at a temperature within the range of 100 C.-300 C. in the presence of at least one acid catalyst, obtaining said compound having formula (I). The acetals having formula (I) can be used as fuel components. ##STR00001##

The present disclosure is directed to compounds and methods for the treatment of disorders associated with fluid retention or salt overload, such as heart failure (in particular, congestive heart failure), chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease, liver disease, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma agonist-induced fluid retention. The present disclosure is also directed to compounds and methods for the treatment of hypertension. The present disclosure is also directed to compounds and methods for the treatment of gastrointestinal tract disorders, including the treatment or reduction of pain associated with gastrointestinal tract disorders.

A salt represented by the formula (I).

##STR00001##

wherein Z.sup.+, Q.sup.1, Q.sup.2, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, Z, X.sup.1, X.sup.2, X.sup.a, X.sup.b, L.sup.1, L.sup.2, L.sup.3 and L.sup.4 are defined in the specification.

This invention provides novel compounds comprising the following anti-inflammatory pharmacore:

##STR00001##

wherein X, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are defined herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, kits and articles of manufacture comprising such compounds, methods and intermediates useful for making the compounds, and methods of using the compounds and compositions.

This invention provides novel compounds comprising the following anti-inflammatory pharmacore:

##STR00001##

wherein X, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are defined herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, kits and articles of manufacture comprising such compounds, methods and intermediates useful for making the compounds, and methods of using the compounds and compositions.

Provided are a method for producing 3-methylglutaraldehyde in a good yield under a mild condition and a novel acetal compound which is useful for carrying out the foregoing method. The method is a production method of 3-methylglutaraldehyde including a step of hydrolyzing a compound represented by the following general formula (1): ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or are mutually coupled to represent an alkylene group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

Reactions, reagents and process conditions for the preparation of methyl 3-bromo-2-(2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1h-pyrido[3,4-b]indol-1-yl)propanoate.

Reactions, reagents and process conditions for the preparation of methyl 3-bromo-2-(2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1h-pyrido[3,4-b]indol-1-yl)propanoate.

There is provided a compound which is (a) a pyrimidine sulfonamide of formula (I) or (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, crystalline forms of the compound, processes for obtaining the compound, pharmaceutical intermediates used in the manufacture of the compound, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound. ##STR00001## The compound is useful in the treatment of a disease/condition in which modulation of chemokine receptor activity is beneficial.

There is provided a compound which is (a) a pyrimidine sulfonamide of formula (I) or (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, crystalline forms of the compound, processes for obtaining the compound, pharmaceutical intermediates used in the manufacture of the compound, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound. ##STR00001## The compound is useful in the treatment of a disease/condition in which modulation of chemokine receptor activity is beneficial.