Abstract: The present invention provides a means for regulating (promoting or suppressing) the growth of Decapoda crustaceans such as shrimps and crabs. Methods of the present invention regulate the growth of animals belonging to the Decapoda, comprising a step of regulating (inhibiting or enhancing) the function of genes comprising: at least one growth regulation-related gene selected from the group consisting of mTOR pathway, Akt pathway, and upstream and downstream factors of the pathways; and further optionally at least one molting-related gene selected from a molting-related factor or the function of a transcription or translation product of the genes.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to: provide an agent that effectively suppresses inhibition of antigen-antibody reaction in an immunoassay using a sample containing a body fluid, in particular, a component derived from a biological mucosal membrane, such as saliva; and to suppress false positive and false negative results in the immunoassay. The present invention provides an agent for suppressing inhibition of immune reaction, characterized in that the agent comprises a compound of the following (1) or (2): (1) Sulfonic acid compound of the formula R1—SO3H or a salt thereof. (In the formula, R1 is selected from the group consisting of: a straight-chain C5-C30 alkyl group; a straight-chain C1-C30 alkyl group substituted with an aryl group having at least one straight-chain C5-C30 alkyl group; and an aryl group having at least one straight-chain C5-C30 alkyl group. These groups may include a substituent group); and (2) Quaternary ammonium ion of the formula N+—R2R3R4R5 or a salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides highly effective and safe means capable of preventing or treating an egg allergy in infants. An oral immunotolerance agent or a food composition for preventing or treating an egg allergy according to the present invention contains a degraded product of heat-denatured egg white with an aspartic protease (e.g. pepsin) or a metal protease (e.g. thermolysin).

Abstract: An agent uses at least one selected from the group consisting of an imidazole dipeptide and a metabolite thereof as an active ingredient. The present invention also provides an agent for improving a neuropsychologic function, which contains at least one selected from the group consisting of an imidazole dipeptide and a metabolite thereof as an active ingredient. The present invention also provides an agent for changing expression of a transporter such as SLC23A2, which contains at least one selected from the group consisting of an imidazole dipeptide and a metabolite thereof, and an agent for controlling blood concentration of a cytokine such as IP-10, which contains at least one selected from the group consisting of an imidazole dipeptide and a metabolite thereof, as well as an expression analysis method for detecting improvement or degradation of a neuropsychologic function, and a kit for detecting improvement or degradation of a neuropsychologic function.

Abstract: An anti-aging agent derived from a natural product is provided. The agent uses at least one selected from the group consisting of an imidazole dipeptide and a metabolite thereof as an active ingredient. The present invention also provides an agent for improving a neuropsychologic function, which contains at least one selected from the group consisting of an imidazole dipeptide and a metabolite thereof as an active ingredient.