All The Claims

1. An automated seed sampler system, comprising:
an imaging device configured to obtain at least one image of a seed;
an orienting device configured to orient the seed based on the at least one image of the seed; and
a sampling station configured to remove tissue from the oriented seed.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging device includes at least one camera.
3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an imaging fixture configured to support the seed adjacent the imaging device so that the imaging device can obtain the at least one image of the seed; and wherein the orienting device is configured to orient the seed while the seed is supported within the imaging fixture.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the orienting device includes an actuator configured to orient the seed in a desired orientation.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the actuator is selected from the group consisting of an air-operated actuator and a mechanical actuator.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a seed transport subsystem configured to support the oriented seed and convey the oriented seed to the sampling station.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the seed transport subsystem includes a seed holder for holding the oriented seed in the seed transport subsystem, and wherein the sampling station is configured to remove tissue from the oriented seed in the seed holder.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the sampling station is configured to remove tissue from the oriented seed so as to protect germination viability of the seed.
9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sample tray for holding the tissue removed from the oriented seed, and a seed tray for holding the seed from which the tissue is removed such that a one-to-one correspondence exists between the tissue and the seed from which the tissue is removed.
10. A method for removing tissue from a seed, the method comprising:
imaging a seed;
orienting the seed based on information obtained from imaging the seed; and
removing tissue from the oriented seed.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein imaging a seed includes suspending the seed in an imaging fixture using air, and imaging the suspended seed.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein orienting the seed includes rotating the seed in the imaging fixture to a desired orientation.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein imaging a seed includes locating a tip portion of the seed; and wherein orienting the seed includes orienting the seed based on the location of the tip portion of the seed.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein orienting the seed includes orienting the seed in a desired orientation using an actuator.
15. The method of claim 10, further comprising transporting the oriented seed in a seed transport subsystem to a sampling station for removing the tissue from the oriented seed.
16. The method of claim 10, further comprising collecting the tissue removed from the oriented seed so that a one-to-one correspondence exists between the tissue and the seed from which the tissue is removed.
17. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving the tissue in a receptacle andor contacting the tissue with extraction fluid.
18. The method of claim 10, wherein removing tissue from the oriented seed includes removing tissue from the oriented seed while protecting germination viability of the seed.
19. The method of claim 10, further comprising analyzing the tissue for one or more characteristics indicative of at least one genetic andor chemical trait.
20. The method of claim 10, further comprising isolating the seed from a plurality of seeds prior to imaging the seed.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A compound of general formula (Ic), or a stereoisomer, optical isomer, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or pharmaceutically acceptable solvate thereof
wherein
R1 is phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl, or is a heterocycle, which is a saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic ring containing 5 or 6 ring atoms of which 1, 2 or 3 are identical or different heteroatoms selected from: nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus, and where the heterocycle is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, \u2014C1-C4alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl;
R2 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl, OR11, halogen, cyano, nitro, NR9R10 or SR11;
R3, R4 and R5 are each independently selected from: hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, halogen, OR11, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, NR9R10, SO2NR9R10, carboxyl, cyano and nitro;
Z is O or S;
A is a saturated or unsaturated 5-membered ring and represented by any one of the general structures (i) to (v);
wherein X1 and X2 are each independently selected from: a carbon atom and a nitrogen atom, provided that at least one of X1 and X2 is a nitrogen atom, wherein the nitrogen atom is at least monosubstituted by R13, wherein R13 is selected from: hydrogen, unsubstituted C1-C6-alkyl, or C1-C6-alkyl substituted by halogen, hydroxyl or carboxyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, toluenesulfonyl, cyano, SO2R10, \u2014CO(CH2)mR14 and phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl;
R6 is \u2014C1-C4-alkyleneOR11;
R9 and R10 are each independently selected from: hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkanoyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, carboxamide and sulfonamide;
R11 is hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkanoyl, or C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl;
R14 is hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, hydroxyl, \u2014NR9R10 halogen, \u2014SH, or \u2014S\u2014C1-C4-alkyl; and
m is an integer of 0 to 6.
2. A compound of the general formula (Id), or a stereoisomer, optical isomer, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or pharmaceutically acceptable solvate thereof
wherein
R1 is phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl, or is a heterocycle, which is a saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic ring containing 5 or 6 ring atoms of which 1, 2 or 3 are identical or different heteroatoms selected from: nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus, and where the heterocycle is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl;
R2 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl, OR11, halogen, cyano, nitro, NR9R10 or SR11;
R3, R4 and R5 are each independently selected from: hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4alkoxyl, halogen, OR11, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, NR9R10, SO2NR9R10, carboxy, cyano and nitro;
A is a saturated or unsaturated 5-membered ring and represented by any one of the general structures (i) to (iv);
wherein X1 is either a nitrogen atom, and wherein R13 is selected from: hydrogen, unsubstituted C1-C6-alkyl, or C1-C6-alkyl substituted by halogen, hydroxyl or carboxyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, toluenesulfonyl, cyano, SO2R10 and \u2014CO(CH2)mR14, phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl;
R6 is \u2014C1-C4-alkyleneOR11;
R9 and R10 are each independently selected from: hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkanoyl, C1-C4 alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, carboxamide and sulfonamide;
R11 is hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkanoyl, or C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl;
R14 is hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, hydroxyl, \u2014NR9R10, halogen, \u2014SH, or \u2014S\u2014C1-C4-alkyl; and
m is an integer of 0 to 6.
3. A compound of the general formula (Ie), or a stereoisomer, optical isomer, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or pharmaceutically acceptable solvate thereof
wherein
R1 is phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl, or is a heterocycle, which is a saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic ring containing 6 ring atoms of which 1, 2 or 3 are identical or different heteroatoms selected from: nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, and where the heterocycle is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl;
R2 and R4 are hydrogen;
R3 and R5 are each independently selected from: hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkoxyl and C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy;
A is a saturated or unsaturated 5-membered ring and represented by any one of the general structures (i) to (iv);
wherein X1 is either a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom, and wherein R13 is selected from: hydrogen, unsubstituted C1-C6-alkyl, or C1-C6-alkyl substituted by halogen, hydroxyl, or carboxyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, toluenesulfonyl, cyano, SO2R10, \u2014CO(CH2)mR14 and phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl;
R6 is \u2014C1-C4-alkyleneOR11;
R9 and R10 are each independently selected from: hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkanoyl, C1-C4 alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, carboxamide and sulfonamide;
R11 is hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkanoyl, or C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl;
R14 is hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, hydroxyl, \u2014NR9R10, halogen, \u2014SH, or \u2014S\u2014C1-C4-alkyl; and m is an integer of 0 to 6.
4. A compound of the general formula (If), or a stereoisomer, optical isomer, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or pharmaceutically acceptable solvate thereof
wherein
R1 is phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl, or is a heterocycle, which is a saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic ring containing 6 ring atoms of which 1, 2 or 3 are identical or different heteroatoms selected from: nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, and where the heterocycle is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl;
R2 and R4 are hydrogen;
R3 and R5 are each independently selected from: hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkoxyl and C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy;
R6 is \u2014C1-C4-alkyleneOR11;
R9 and R10 are each independently selected from: hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkanoyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, carboxamide and sulfonamide;
R1 is hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkanoyl, or C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl; and
R13 is hydrogen or C1-C4-alkyl.
5. A compound of the general formula (Ig), or a stereoisomer, optical isomer, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or pharmaceutically acceptable solvate thereof
wherein
R1 is phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl, or is a heterocycle, which is a saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic ring containing 5 or 6 ring atoms of which 1, 2 or 3 are identical or different heteroatoms selected from: nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorus, and where the heterocycle is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl;
R2 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl, OR11, halogen, cyano, nitro, NR9R10 or SR11;
R3, R4 and R5 are each independently selected from: hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxyl, halogen, OR11, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, NR9R10 SO2NR9R10, carboxyl, cyano and nitro;
Z is O or S;
A is a 5-membered saturated ring represented by any one of the general structures (i) to (v);
wherein X1 and X2 independently represent a carbon atom and a nitrogen atom provided that at least one of X1 and X2 is a nitrogen atom and wherein the nitrogen atom is at least monosubstituted by R13 wherein R13 is selected from: hydrogen, unsubstituted C1-C6-alkyl, or C1-C6-alkyl substituted by halogen, hydroxyl, or carboxyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, toluenesulfonyl, SO2R10\u2014CO(CH2)mR14, cyano, phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10 SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl;
R6 is C1-C4-alkyl, \u2014C1-C4-alkanoyl, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkoxyl, \u2014C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, \u2014C1-C4-alkyleneOR11, \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehalo, \u2014C1-C4-alkyleneNR9R10, C1-C4-alkyleneC(O)OR9, phenoxy, \u2014NRgRo, SR12, S(O)nR12, \u2014C(O)R12 or \u2014C(S)R12;
R9 and R10 are each independently selected from: hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkanoyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, carboxamide and sulfonamide;
R11 is hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkanoyl, or C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl;
R12 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, \u2014NR9R10, or OR9;
R14 is hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, hydroxyl, \u2014NR9R10, halogen, \u2014SH, or \u2014S\u2014C1-C4-alkyl;
m is an integer of 0 to 6; and
n is an integer of 1 or 2.
6. A compound of general formula (Ih), or a stereoisomer, optical isomer, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or pharmaceutically acceptable solvate thereof
wherein
R1 is phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl, or is a heterocycle, which is a saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic ring containing 6 ring atoms of which 1, 2 or 3 are identical or different heteroatoms selected from: nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, and where the heterocycle is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl;
R2 and R4 are hydrogen;
R3 and R5 are each independently selected from: hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkoxyl and C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy;
A is a 5-membered saturated ring represented by any one of the general structures (i) to (v);
wherein X1 and X2 independently represent a carbon atom and a nitrogen atom, provided that at least one of X1 and X2 is a nitrogen atom and wherein the nitrogen atom is at least monosubstituted by R13 wherein R13 is selected from: hydrogen, unsubstituted C1-C6-alkyl, or C1-C6-alkyl substituted by halogen, hydroxyl, or carboxyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, toluenesulfonyl, cyano, SO2R10, \u2014CO(CH2)mR14 and phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl;
R6 is C1-C4-alkyl, \u2014C1-C4-alkanoyl, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkoxyl, \u2014C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, \u2014C1-C4-alkyleneOR11, \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehalo, \u2014C1-C4-alkyleneNR9R10, \u2014C1-C4-alkyleneC(O)OR9, phenoxy, \u2014NR9R10, SR12, S(O)nR12, \u2014C(O)R12 or \u2014C(S)R12;
R9 and R10 are each independently selected from: hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkanoyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, carboxamide and sulfonamide;
R11 is hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkanoyl or C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl;
R12 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, \u2014NR9R10, or OR9;
R14 is hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, hydroxyl, \u2014NR9R10, halogen, \u2014SH, or \u2014S\u2014C1-C4-alkyl;
m is an integer of 0 to 6; and
n is an integer of 1 or 2.
7. A compound of general formula (Ii), or a stereoisomer, optical isomer, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or pharmaceutically acceptable solvate thereof
wherein
R1 is phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl, or is a heterocycle, which is a saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic ring containing 6 ring atoms of which 1, 2 or 3 are identical or different heteroatoms selected from: nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, and where the heterocycle is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl;
R2 and R4 are hydrogen;
R3 and R5 are each independently selected from: hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkoxyl and C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy;
A is a 5-membered saturated ring represented by any one of the general structures (i) to (iv);
wherein X1 is a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom and wherein R13 is selected from: hydrogen, unsubstituted C1-C6-alkyl, or C1-C6-alkyl substituted by halogen, hydroxyl, or carboxyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, toluenesulfonyl, cyano, SO2R10, \u2014CO(CH2)mR14 and phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, nitro, NR9R10, SR11, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl and \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl;
R6 is C1-C4-alkyl, \u2014C1-C4-alkanoyl, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkoxyl, \u2014C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, \u2014C1-C4-alkyleneOR11, \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehalo, \u2014C1-C4-alkyleneNR9R10, \u2014C1-C4-alkyleneC(O)OR9, phenoxy \u2014NR9R10, SR2, S(O)nR2, \u2014C(O)R12 or \u2014C(S)R12;
R9 and R10 are each independently selected from: hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkanoyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, carboxamide and sulfonamide;
R11 is hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkanoyl, or C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl;
R12 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, \u2014NR9R10, or OR9;
R14 is hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, hydroxyl, \u2014NR9R10, halogen, \u2014SH, or \u2014S\u2014C1-C4-alkyl;
m is an integer of 0 to 6; and
n is an integer of 1 or 2.
8. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein R1 is phenyl or pyridinyl, substituted by 1, 2 or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen and nitro, R2 and R4 are hydrogen, R3 and R5 are hydroxyl, A is a saturated 5-membered ring represented by any one of the general structures (i) to (v), wherein X1, X2, R6 and R13 are as defined.
9. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein R1 is phenyl or pyridinyl, substituted by 1, 2 or 3 identical or different substituents selected from: halogen and nitro, R2 and R4 are hydrogen, R3 and R5 are hydroxyl, A is a saturated 5-membered ring represented by any one of the general structures (i) to (v), wherein X1 is carbon, X2 is nitrogen, R6 is \u2014C1-C4-alkylenehydroxyl, and R13 is C1-C4-alkyl.
10. A compound of the general formula (Ig) as claimed in claim 5, which is:
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-5-hydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-7-methoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-5-hydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-7-methoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-8-(2-Hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-2-(2-iodo-phenyl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-5,7-Dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-2-(2-iodo-phenyl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(3-Fluoro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(3-Fluoro-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2,6-Difluoro-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2,6-Difluoro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-4-8-(2-Hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl-benzonitrile;
(+\u2212)-trans-4-5,7-Dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl-benzonitrile;
(+)-trans-4-8-(2-Hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl-benzonitrile;
(+)-trans-4-5,7-Dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl-benzonitrile;
(+\u2212)-trans-8-(2-Hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-5,7-Dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-8-(2-Hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-5,7-Dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-chromen-4-one;
(\u2212)-trans-8-(2-Hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-chromen-4-one;
(\u2212)-trans-5,7-Dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-8-(2-Hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-2-phenyl-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-5,7-Dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-2-phenyl-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-8-(2-Hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-2-thiophen-2-yl-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-5,7-Dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-2-thiophen-2-yl-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-4-5,7-Dihydroxy-8-(2-Hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl-3-methyl-benzonitrile;
(+)-trans-4-8-(2-Hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl-3-methyl-benzonitrile;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-5-methoxy-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-5-methoxy-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-5-methoxy-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-5-methoxy-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-5-hydroxy-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-5-hydroxy-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl)-phenyl-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl)-phenyl-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-5-methyl-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-5-methyl-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-5-nitro-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-5-nitro-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dihydroxy-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-pyridin-3-yl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-pyridin-3-yl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-5-nitrophenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dihydroxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-pyridin-3-yl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-8-(2-Hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-4H-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-5,7-Dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(4-Aminophenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-8-(2-Hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-2-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-5,7-Dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-2-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-3-Chloro-4-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl-benzonitrile;
(+)-trans-3-Chloro-4-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl-benzonitrile;
(+)-trans-2-(4-Bromo-2-chloro-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(4-Bromo-2-chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-4-dimethylamino-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-4-methylamino-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxy methyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-4-methoxy-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-5-fluoro-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-5-fluoro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-5-methoxy-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-5-hydroxy-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-5-methoxy-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-8-(2-Azidomethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-2-(2-chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-8-(2-Aminomethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-2-(2-chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-8-(2-Aminomethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-2-(2-chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-3-{2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dimethoxy-4-oxo-4H-chromen-8-yl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-2-yl}-acetonitrile;
(+\u2212)-trans-{3-2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-4-oxo-4H-chromen-8-yl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-2-yl}-acetonitrile;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-2-Chloro-phenyl-8-(2-mercaptomethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-mercaptomethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-Acetic acid 3-2-(2-chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dimethoxy-4-oxo-4H-chromen-8-yl-1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-pyrrolidin-2-ylmethyl ester;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-8-2-hydroxymethyl-1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-pyrrolidin-3-yl-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-2-hydroxymethyl-1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-pyrrolidin-3-yl-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-Acetic acid-3-2-(2-chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dimethoxy-4-oxo-4H-chromen-8-yl-1-propyl-pyrrolidin-2-ylmethyl ester;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-propyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-propyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-4-nitro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-4-nitro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-3-Chloro-4-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl-benzoic acid;
(+\u2212)-trans-3-Bromo-4-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl-benzoic acid;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-4-fluoro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(4-Amino-2-chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-4-fluoro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(4-Amino-2-bromo-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-4-Chloro-3-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl-benzoic acid;
(+\u2212)-trans-4-Bromo-3-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl-benzoic acid;
(+\u2212)-trans-4-Bromo-3-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl-N-hydroxy-benzamide;
(+\u2212)-trans-4-Chloro-3-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl-N-hydroxy-benzamide;
(+\u2212)-trans-3-Chloro-4-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl-N-hydroxy-benzamide;
(+\u2212)-trans-3-Bromo-4-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl-N-hydroxy-benzamide; or
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2,4-Difluoro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-3-fluoro-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-3-fluoro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-5-fluoro-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-5-fluoro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-5-iodo-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-5-iodo-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-5-chloro-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-5-chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+\u2212)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-1-oxy-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-4-nitro-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methylpyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-4-nitro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(4-Amino-2-bromo-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(4-Amino-2-bromo-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-4-methoxy-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-4-methoxy-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-2-(2-Bromo-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one;
(+)-trans-Acetic acid 8-(2-acetoxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5-hydroxy-2-(4-nitro-phenyl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-7-yl ester;
(+)-trans-2-(2,4-Dichloro-5-fluoro-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one; or
(+)-trans-2-(2,4-Dichloro-5-fluoro-phenyl-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one.
11. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of general formula (Ic) or a stereoisomer, optical isomer, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or pharmaceutically acceptable solvate thereof as claimed in claim 1, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
12. A process for the preparation of a compound of general formula (Ic), as claimed in claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:
wherein
R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and A are as defined in claim 1, which process comprises reacting a compound of formula (XA):
or a compound of formula (XIIA):
wherein in each case R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and A are as defined in claim 1, with an organic or inorganic base, subsequently adding an acid to the reaction mixture capable of effecting cyclization, then adding an organic or inorganic base, and, optionally, converting the compound of formula (Ic) into a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
13. A process according to claim 12, wherein the compound of formula (XIIA) is obtained by reacting a compound of formula (XIA)
wherein R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and A are as defined in claim 12, with a carboxylic acid ester, an acid halide, or an activated ester in the presence of an organic or inorganic base in organic or inorganic solvent.
14. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (XIIIA) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:
wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R13 are as defined in claim 1, comprising reacting a compound of formula (VIIA)
wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R13 are as defined in claim 1, with a reagent suitable to effect replacement of the \u2014OH group on the piperidino ring by a leaving group, in the presence of an organic or inorganic base, followed by adding a suitable organic base in the presence of a suitable organic solvent to effect contraction of the piperidino ring, and, optionally, converting the resultant compound of formula (XIII) into a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
15. The compound of claim 4, wherein R11 is hydrogen.

1. A gene recombination vector containing an expression cassette for enhancing photosynthesis activity, comprising a DNA fragment comprising a gene encoding a protein having FBPase andor SBPase activities between a Rubisco large subunit gene and an acetyl CoA carboxylase subunit gene.
2. The vector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protein having FBPase activity is any one of the followings;
(a) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 1 of Sequence Listing;
(b) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence in which one or several amino acids are deleted, substituted, added or inserted in SEQ ID NO: 1 of Sequence Listing, and having FBPase activity; and
(c) a protein having at least 60% or more homology to an amino acid sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 1 of Sequence Listing, and having FBPase activity.
3. The vector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gene encoding a protein having FBPase activity is a gene comprising any one of the following DNAs;
(a) DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 2 of Sequence Listing;
(b) DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence in which one or several bases are deleted, substituted, added or inserted in SEQ ID NO: 2 of Sequence Listing, and encoding a protein having FBPase activity;
(c) DNA which hybridizes with DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence complementary to DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 2 of Sequence Listing under stringent conditions, and comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein having FBPase activity; and
(d) DNA having at least 60% or more homology to DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 2 of Sequence Listing, and comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein having FBPase activity.
4. The vector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protein having SBPase activity is any one of the following proteins;
(a) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 3 of Sequence Listing;
(b) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence in which one or several amino acids are deleted, substituted, added or inserted in SEQ ID NO: 3 of Sequence Listing, and having SBPase activity; and
(c) a protein having at least 60% or more homology to an amino acid sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 3 of Sequence Listing, and having SBPase activity.
5. The vector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gene encoding a protein having SBPase activity is a gene comprising any one of the following DNAs;
(a) DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 4 of Sequence Listing;
(b) DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence in which one or several bases are deleted, substituted, added or inserted in SEQ ID NO: 4 of Sequence Listing, and encoding a protein having SBPase activity;
(c) DNA which hybridizes with DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence complementary to DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 4 of Sequence Listing under stringent conditions, and comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein having SBPase activity; and
(d) DNA having at least 60% or more homology to DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 4 of Sequence Listing, and comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein having SBPase activity.
6. The vector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protein having FBPase and SBPase activities is any one of the followings:
(a) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 5 of Sequence Listing;
(b) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence in which one or several amino acids are deleted, substituted, added or inserted in SEQ ID NO: 5 of Sequence Listing; and having FBPase and SBPase activities; and
(c) a protein having at least 60% or more homology to an amino acid sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 5 of Sequence Listing; and having FBPase and SBPase activities.
7. The vector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gene encoding a protein having FBPase and SBPase activities is a gene comprising any one of the following DNAs;
(a) DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 6 of Sequence Listing;
(b) DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence in which one or several bases are deleted, substituted, added or inserted in SEQ ID NO: 6 of Sequence Listing, and encoding a protein having FBPase and SBPase activities;
(c) DNA which hybridizes with DNA comprising nucleotide sequence complementary to a DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 6 of Sequence Listing under stringent conditions, and comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein having FBPase and SBPase activities; and
(d) DNA having at least 60% or more homology to DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 6 of Sequence Listing, and comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein having FBPase and SBPase activities.
8. The vector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the expression cassette has a ribosome-binding site upstream of a translation initiation point of a DNA fragment comprising a gene encoding a protein having FBPase andor SBPase activities.
9. The vector as claimed in claim 8, wherein the expression cassette has a promoter upstream of a ribosome-binding site, and a terminator downstream of DNA fragment comprising a gene encoding a protein having FBPase andor SBPase activities.
10. The vector as claimed in claim 9, wherein the promoter and the terminator are a promoter and a terminator derived from tobacco chloroplasts, respectively.
11. The vector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Rubisco large subunit gene and the acetyl CoA carboxylase subunit gene are genes derived from tobacco, respectively.
12. A recombinant gene vector comprising an expression cassette containing a DNA fragment comprising a gene encoding a protein having FBPase andor SBPase activities between a tobacco-derived Rubisco large subunit gene and an acetyl CoA carboxylase subunit gene, having a ribosome-binding site upstream of a translation initiation point of the DNA fragment, having a tobacco-derived promoter between a Rubisco large subunit gene and a ribosome-binding site, and having a tobacco-derived terminator between the acetyl CoA carboxylase subunit gene and the DNA fragment.
13. A transformed chloroplast characterized in that the vector according to claim 1 is introduced into chloroplasts.
14. A plant containing transformed chloroplasts according to claim 13.
15. The plant as claimed in claim 14, wherein the plant is tobacco.
16. A plant having 2-fold or higher FBPase activity compared to the original one, characterized in that a FBPaseSBPase gene is introduced into the chloroplast genome of higher plants and expressed using a chloroplast transformation technique.
17. A plant having two-fold or higher enhanced photosynthesis rate as compared with the wild variety, characterized in that a FBPaseSBPase gene is introduced into the chloroplast genome of higher plants using a vector according to claim 1, followed by expression.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A computer mouse that is attachable to the hand of the computer operator and cradled within the palm of the operator’s hand for controlling the movement of the cursor on the video display screen of the computer, comprising:
a housing having a front portion, an opposite rear portion, an upper surface and an opposite lower surface;
the upper surface having a curvilinear contour for accommodating the palm of the operator’s hand;
the lower surface having a sloping contour for facilitating the gripping of the housing by the operator’s fingers;
a computer mouse ball located at the front portion of the housing and manually controlled by the thumb of the operator;
a left click button mounted adjacent to the front portion and manipulated by the index finger of the operator for controlling certain computer functions in conjunction with the positioning of the cursor on the screen;
a right click button mounted adjacent the left click button and manipulated by the middle finger of the operator for controlling certain computer functions conjunction with the positioning of the cursor on the screen; and
means to removably fasten the computer mouse to the hand of the operator and within the palm of the operator’s hand.
2. The computer mouse of claim 1 wherein the means for fastening the mouse to the operator’s hand includes a flexible strap that extends from the front portion to the rear portion of the housing and through which the operator’s hand is passed so that the operator can grip the computer mouse in the palm of his hand.
3. The computer mouse of claim 2 further comprising an adapter for interconnecting both the computer mouse and a conventional computer mouse to the computer.
4. The computer mouse of claim 3 wherein the mouse is able to make a wireless interconnection to the computer for controlling cursor movement by communication with a wireless receiver.
5. A computer mouse that is attachable to the hand of a computer user and cradled within the palm of the user for controlling the movements of the cursor on the video display screen of the computer and other computer functions, comprising:
a housing having a front portion, an opposite rear portion, an upper surface and an opposite lower surface;
the upper surface having a sloping contour for accommodating the palm of the user’s hand;
the lower surface having a sloping contour for facilitating the comfortable gripping of the housing by the user’s fingers;
a computer mouse ball located adjacent the front portion of the housing and manipulated by the user’s thumb with the mouse ball initiating certain computer functions such as the click and drag functions;
a left click button mounted on the housing adjacent the front portion and manipulated by the user’s index finger for controlling computer functions coincident with the movement and positioning of the cursor on the screen;
a right click button mounted on the housing adjacent the left click button and manipulated by the user’s middle finger for controlling computer functions coincident with the movement and positioning of the cursor on the computer screen; and
means to fasten the computer mouse to the user’s hand and within the palm of the user so that the computer mouse moves with the natural movements of the user’s hand for moving and controlling the positioning of the cursor on the video display screen and is not in contact with the work surface.
6. The computer mouse of claim 5 wherein the means to fasten the mouse to the hand of the user includes a flexible strap that extends from the front portion to the rear portion of the housing and through which the user’s hand is slipped for gripping and cradling the mouse within the user’s palm.
7. The computer mouse of claim 6 further comprising an adapter for interconnecting both the computer mouse and a conventional mouse to the computer so that the user can select which mouse to use for a given computer function.
8. The computer mouse of claim 7 further comprising a wireless configuration whereby the computer mouse interfaces with the computer through a wireless receiver for controlling the movement and positioning of the cursor and other computer functions through manipulation of the mouse ball and the left and right click buttons.