Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of native human glicentin, which comprises producing by gene technology a fused protein composed of human glicentin having a peptide moiety connected to the N-terminus of human glicentin and removing the connected peptide moiety from the fused protein, the improvement in which a purification of the fused protein and human glicentin is carried out by utilizing a reversible covalent bond of a cystein residue with the stationary phase of a chromatography.

Abstract: A powder dispersing apparatus which can disperse every given amount of sample powder in a gas even when the amount is small, thereby continuously generating dispersed powder or floating powder at a desired concentration.

Abstract: Urea derivatives of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein the valuable groups are as defined in the specification, which possess both an ACAT inhibitory activity and an antioxidative activity. Those derivatives are useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.

Abstract: Agents for stimulating insulin secretion and for treating diabetes which comprise glicentin as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A method of spraying a powder onto a substrate includes the steps of mounting the substrate in a fixed position; mounting a spray nozzle such that an outlet end thereof confronts the substrate; moving the spray nozzle such that a locus on the spray nozzle moves along a zig-zag pattern; and spraying the powder from the spray nozzle onto the substrate during the movement of the spray nozzle. The step of mounting the spray nozzle includes mounting the spray nozzle to a first oscillation link, and mounting the first oscillation link to a reciprocable slider. The step of moving the spray nozzle includes oscillating the first oscillation link relative to the slider, and reciprocating the slider during oscillation of the first oscillation link. The step of mounting the spray nozzle further includes mounting the slider to a second oscillation link. The step of reciprocating the slider includes oscillating the second oscillation link about a pivot point.

Abstract: A sifter frame is composed of a pair of frame elements including an outer frame and an inner frame, and the outer frame is formed from a frame member having the same height and includes a pair of fine powder dropping ports, a rough powder dropping port and a rectangular fine powder receiving plate disposed in a region surrounded by these openings and one of the outer block frame members and the inner frame is fitted with the space above the receiving plate.

Abstract: A powdery sample forming apparatus, which is used for measuring a water content of powder and in which all operations from powder supply to powder discharge are automated, includes a vertically elongated housing which has a sample inlet port at an upper portion thereof and a sample discharge port at a lower portion thereof. A porous plate or a screen plate divides the housing into longitudinal compartments and a gate opens and closes a bottom portion of one of the divided compartments. A vertically movable press member in the compartment having the gate presses the sample against the gate. A window is formed in a side wall of the compartment having the gate and can be cleaned with air under pressure or a vacuum.

Abstract: Urea derivatives of formula (1) ##STR1## wherein the valuable groups are as defined in the specification, which possess both an ACAT inhibitory activity and an antioxidative activity. Those derivatives are useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.

Abstract: Agents for suppressing the motor activity of gastrointestinal tracts, which comprise glicentin as an active ingredient. They can be used as an adjunct for use in examination of gastrointestinal tracts by radiography or endoscopy.

Abstract: Therapeutic agents for the digestive tract diseases which comprise glicentin as active ingredients.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber of an organic, inorganic or metallic material or a simple substance wherein ultrafines of an inorganic or metallic material or a simple substance having an average particle diameter of 0.005-1 .mu.m are uniformly dispersed and deposited on 8-90% of the surface in a single layer. The fiber is produced by exposing a fiber of an organic, inorganic or metallic material or a simple substance to a gaseous stream forming ultrafines of an inorganic or metallic material or a simple substance by a vapor phase process, thereby contacting said ultrafines in the gaseous stream with said fiber in a state wherein the ultrafines are still active. The treated fiber is useful as a reinforcing material for a fiber reinforced composite.

Abstract: A powder of diamond or high-pressure phase boron nitride core particles charged into a coating space as it is dispersed, and a precursor of a coat forming substance allowed to contact and/or impinge against the particles in the powder of core particles so that their surfaces are covered with the coat forming substance, thereby preparing coated diamond or high-pressure phase boron nitride particles which are subsequently sintered. The thusly produced diamond of high-pressure phase boron nitride sinter is composed of coated core particles of high performance that are superhard, uniform, dense and sintered firmly, and which have a controlled microstructure.

Abstract: A particle of an inorganic or metallic material which is coated on the surface with ultrafines of an inorganic or metallic material. The coated particle is produced by introducing the particles of the inorganic or metallic material to be coated into a stream carrying the ultrafines of the inorganic or metallic material formed in a vapor phase and bringing the particles to be coated into contact with said ultrafines in a fluidized state. The coated particles are used for the production of a sintered product.

Abstract: A human endothelin converting enzyme (ECE) has been isolated from blood and placenta. The enzyme has the activity of converting big endothelin-1, -2, or -3 to endothelin-1, -2, or -3 respectively. The enzyme has a mass of about 5.4.times.10.sup.5 by gel filtration, a pH optimum of 6.5 to 7.5, and a hydrated density of less than 1.210. The enzyme is inhibited by EDTA, phosphoramidon, thiorphan, chymostatin and phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (PMSF). The enzyme is precipitated by 0.65% dextran sulfate or 0.2M manganese chloride. The enzyme can be inactivated by oxidation by copper ion.

Abstract: A method for converting big endothelin-1 to endothelin-1 by contacting big endothelin-1 with a commercially available preparation of apolipoprotein B is presented. The apolipoprotein B itself has the converting enzyme activity.

Abstract: Human endothelin converting enzyme (ECE) has been isolated from blood or placenta by a series of centrifugation steps at different densities. A first ECE-I is isolated by a low speed centrifugation to produce enzyme with a hydrated density of about 0.94 g/ml. A second high speed centrifugation produces an ECE-II with a hydrated density between about 0.94 to about 1.006 g/ml. After adjusting the density of the solution, a high speed centrifugation isolates an ECE-III with a hydrated density between about 1.006 to about 1.063. A final adjustment to the density of the solution and high speed centrifugation obtains an ECE-IV with a hydrated density of between about 1.063 to about 1.210 g/ml.

Abstract: An amylase inhibitor consisting essentially of a protein constructed of 248 amino acid residues having two subunits, each identified as SEQ ID NO:1, in which a single band is observed at a mobility of 0.26 by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The amylase inhibitor can be extracted from wheat and purified by absorption on a cation exchange resin. It is useful for inhibiting an increase in blood glucose level, controlling insulin secretion, suppressing appetite, and as a food additive. The new amylase inhibitor can be used in combination with a protein composed of two subunits, each identified as SEQ ID NO:2, the total content of both proteins being not less than 20% by weight.

Abstract: The use of isoquinolinone derivatives as an antiarteriosclerosis agent and antihyperlipoproteinemics. The derivatives are of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group and R.sub.2 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A process of producing an amylase inhibitor from an amylase inhibitor-containing solution extracted from wheat flour, etc with water, a dilute acid, a dilute alkali or from an amylase inhibitor-containing starch waste solution, by utilization of an adsorption of the amylase inhibitor on a calcium phosphate gel, while removing impure proteins contained in the solution. The process can produce in economy and high yields the amylase inhibitor having a very high amylase inhibitory activity but no or very little trypsin inhibitory activity.

Abstract: Therapeutic agents for the digestive tract diseases which comprise glicentin as active ingredients.