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[formula: see text] An efficient and unique route to the 5-7-6 core of guanacatepene A (1) is described. The installation of the desired stereochemistry at the C8 position was achieved via the desymmetrization of the cyclohexadienone by reductive ring closure of the seven-membered ring. That the closure of the seven-membered ring produced only the desired isomer is hypothesized to be a result of the more stable trans relationship between the C8 and C11 methyl groups.

Asthma is a disease of chronic airway inflammation characterized by reversible airway obstruction often beginning in early childhood. Antiinflammatory drugs such as nedocromil, DNCG, cysteinyl leukotrienes or inhaled corticosteroids are efficient and widely recommended. Yet there is a lack between therapeutic possibilities and outcome: too many patients are treated too late, with the wrong drugs in a wrong way, and their compliance is poor. In children less than two or three years of age the diagnosis of asthma is difficult. But it is highly important to start therapy early to avoid irreversible damage of the lung. Therefore a long-term antiinflammatory treatment with the least side effects should be administered as soon as the diagnosis of asthma is confirmed or even presumed.

The concept of the joint mucosal immune system--MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue)--prompted investigations into oral immune stimulation. It has been shown that the uptake of antigens in the bowel leads to a migration of immunocompetent lymphocytes into other mucosal immune tissue such as that of the bronchial tract, urogenital tract and the breasts. Within the framework of local defense, apart from unspecific mechanisms, secretory IgA is of particular importance.