Abstract: Pharmaceutical agents characterized by containing benzophenone derivatives represented by the general formula: wherein the each substituent is as defined in the specification, or salts thereof have suppressive effect on RANKL production, suppressive effect on OPG reduction and inhibitory effects on differentiation/activation of osteoclasts, and are extremely useful for treating, for example therapy and/or prevention, of various diseases in which differentiation/activation of osteoclast are involved, such as osteoporosis.

Abstract: Metal nanoparticles having improved migration resistance are provided. The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing composite nanoparticles including obtaining composite nanoparticles containing at least silver and copper in a single particle by heat treating a mixture containing an organic silver compound and an organic copper compound at a temperature of 150° C. or more in a non-oxidative atmosphere in the presence of a tertiary amine compound represented by the general formula R1R2R3N (wherein R1 through R3 are optionally substituted alkyl groups or aryl groups that may be the same or different, R1 through R3 may be linked in a ring, and the number of carbon atoms in each of R1 through R3 is 5 through 18 and may be the same or different).

Abstract: Copper-containing nanoparticles with excellent oxidation resistance is provided. The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing copper-containing nanoparticles including obtaining copper-containing nanoparticles that contain an organic component by heat treating an organic copper compound at a temperature equal to or higher than a decomposition initiation temperature of the compound and lower than a complete decomposition temperature of the compound in a non-oxidative atmosphere in the presence of an organic material containing a 1,2-alkanediol having 5 or more carbon atoms and/or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: A gene encoding a methylated catechin synthase that can effectively synthesize methylated catechins having high antiallergic activity. The gene encoding a methylated catechin synthase contains at least one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3 and 5.

Abstract: A novel methylated catechin is provided which has stronger antiallergic activity than conventionally known methylated catechins such as epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl)gallate and epigallocatechin-3-O-(4-O-methyl)gallate. The epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate derivative is represented by the chemical formula I: (wherein R1 to R6 are each a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and at least three of R1 to R6 are methyl groups) or an isomer thereof.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical agents characterized by containing benzophenone derivatives represented by the general formula: wherein the each substituent is as defined in the specification, or salts thereof have suppressive effect on RANKL production, suppressive effect on OPG reduction and inhibitory effects on differentiation/activation of osteoclasts, and are extremely useful for treating, for example therapy and/or prevention, of various diseases in which differentiation/activation of osteoclast are involved, such as osteoporosis.

Abstract: The object is to isolate a substance having a potent anti-allergic effect inherent in tea leaves of an Assam hybrid line. Thus, disclosed is an anti-allergic agent comprising, as an active ingredient, a catechin yielded by the isolation, i.e. epicatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl)gallate, epicatechin-3-O-(4-O-methyl)gallate, epicatechin-3-O-(3,4-O-dimethyl)gallate, epicatechin-3-O-(3,5-O-dimethyl)gallate, epicatechin-3-O-(3,4,5-O-tromethyl)gallate, an epimer thereof or the like. Also disclosed is a food/beverage, a preparation for external application, and a cosmetic including the anti-allergic agent. An anti-allergic composition can be prepared using a compound represented by the general formula (1): in which R1, R2 and R3 independently represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

Abstract: The main object of the present invention is to manufacture, on an industrial scale, metal nanoparticles with excellent dispersion stability, and therefore provides metal nanoparticles containing a metal component, further containing at least one of phosphorus, nitrogen, and oxygen, and the average particle size being from 1 to 100 nm.

Abstract: A lipopexia inhibitor which inhibits fat accumulation, comprising an effective amount of any methylated catechin having the following chemical formula (1) obtained by extraction of green tea or Pouchung tea, in which each of R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently is a hydrogen atom or methyl; and each of X1 and X2 independently is a hydrogen atom or hydroxyl.

Abstract: A gene encoding a methylated catechin synthase that can effectively synthesize methylated catechins having high antiallergic activity. The gene encoding a methylated catechin synthase contains at least one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3 and 5.

Abstract: [Problems] To provide a lipopexia inhibitor being effective for the inhibition of fat accumulation. [Means for Solving Problems] There is provided a lipopexia inhibitor comprising an effective amount of any of methylated catechins of the following chemical formula (1) obtained by extraction of green tea or Pouchung tea. (1) wherein each of R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently is a hydrogen atom or methyl; and each of X1 and X2 independently is a hydrogen atom or hydroxyl.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to manufacture of an industrial scale noble metal nanoparticles with superior dispersion stability. The present invention relates to a noble metal nanoparticle controlled to a mean particle size of 20 nm or less that is a metal nanoparticle comprising a noble metal component, and that contains at least one type of an organic component containing N and an organic component containing S.

Abstract: Functional beverages and compositions are provided that suppress allergic rhinitis and prevent and treat hyperlipemia and related diseases thereof i.e. arteriosclerosis, obesity and liver diseases. The O-methylated catechin expressed by the chemical formula (1) shown below is included in a constitutive effective amount as an allergic rhinitis-suppressing drug and a lipid-lowering drug; [in which R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, X1 and X2 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy group.

Abstract: The main object of the present invention is to manufacture, on an industrial scale, metal nanoparticles with excellent dispersion stability, and therefore provides metal nanoparticles containing a metal component, further containing at least one of phosphorus, nitrogen, and oxygen, and the average particle size being from 1 to 100 nm.

Abstract: The invention relates to functional food/drink with antiallergic actions, which contain one or more selected from the group consisting of epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl)gallate and gallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl)gallate, epigallocatechin-4-O-(4-O-methyl)gallate and gallocatechin-4-O-(4-O-methyl)gallate, and strychnine.

Abstract: This invention is to provide an agent for therapy and prevention of allergic diseases which has no adverse action, shows a high safety even by administration for a long period and is able to be utilized to food and/or beverage, cosmetics, etc. which are used daily. To be specific, it provides antiallergic agent and anti-inflammatory agent characterized in containing at least one polyphenol selected from strictinin and methylated derivatives thereof as an effective ingredient; a method for the addition of an antiallergic agent for oral administration or an anti-inflammatory agent for oral administration which is characterized in containing at least one polyphenol selected from strictinin and methylated derivatives thereof as an effective ingredient to food and/or beverage for prevention, suppression and mitigation of allergic symptoms or inflammatory symptoms.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for cleaning exhaust gas includes a heat-resistant support, and a coating formed on the support. The coating includes at least one kind of catalytically active substance and a zirconium oxide. The zirconium oxide has a pre-aging specific surface area I and a post-aging specific surface area A, wherein the aging is performed in an atmosphere of 1,000° C. for 5 hours, and wherein A/I≧0.4 and I≧40m2/g.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for cleaning exhaust gas includes a heat-resistant support, and a coating formed on the support. The coating includes at least one kind of catalytically active substance and a zirconium oxide. The zirconium oxide has a pre-aging specific surface area I and a post-aging specific surface area A, wherein the aging is performed in an atmosphere of 1,000° C. for 5 hours, and wherein A/I≧0.4 and I≧40 m2/g.

Abstract: A surface inspection apparatus determines an optimal apparatus condition setting at which a pattern layer is to be inspected based upon images of a test piece captured by an image-capturing device while irradiating illuminating light onto the surface of the test piece and varying an apparatus condition at which the images are captured. An optimal apparatus condition setting is determined by using images obtained before forming an uppermost pattern layer, an optimal apparatus condition setting is determined by using images obtained after the formation of the uppermost pattern layer and it is judged as to whether or not an image captured by the image-capturing device originates from the uppermost pattern based upon the plurality of optimal settings thus is ascertained.

Abstract: This invention is to provide an agent for therapy and prevention of allergic diseases which has no adverse action, shows a high safety even by administration for a long period and is able to be utilized to food and/or beverage, cosmetics, etc. which are used daily. To be specific, it provides antiallergic agent and anti-inflammatory agent characterized in containing at least one polyphenol selected from strictinin and methylated derivatives thereof as an effective ingredient; a method for the addition of an antiallergic agent for oral administration or an anti-inflammatory agent for oral administration which is characterized in containing at least one polyphenol selected from strictinin and methylated derivatives thereof as an effective ingredient to food and/or beverage for prevention, suppression and mitigation of allergic symptoms or inflammatory symptoms.