Abstract: The present invention provides a water-soluble modified HA practically used as a drug carrier and a production method thereof. The present invention provides: a water-soluble modified hyaluronic acid, the residence time in blood of which is elongated to a practical level, which is produced by introducing a substituent into the carboxy group of the glucuronic acid of hyaluronic acid or a derivative thereof, via an amide bond, at a lower limit of an introduction ratio of 5 mole % or more, using a BOP condensing agent in an aprotic polar solvent; and a production method thereof. Moreover, by cross-linking the modified hyaluronic acid, the present invention provides a hyaluronic acid gel capable of extremely long drug sustained-release even at the same cross-linking functional group introduction ratio as that of the conventionally known gel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polyethylene glycol-conjugated erythropoietin (PEG-conjugated EPO) prepared by PEG conjugation on the lysine residue at position 52 of native erythropoietin (native EPO). In order to achieve more sustained efficacy without losing physiological activities of native EPO, a glycoprotein rich in sugar chains, there has been a need to develop a PEG-conjugated EPO with significantly sustained efficacy by introducing a controlled number of PEG molecules at controlled positions. This PEG-conjugated EPO addresses such a need and provides more sustained efficacy.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide completely biodegradable and biocompatible sustained-release carriers for proteins or peptides, which allow encapsulation of the proteins or peptides at high encapsulation rates without inhibiting their biological activity. The present invention provides a method for preparing a sustained-release carrier, wherein in a solution in the presence of a protein or a peptide, a hyaluronic acid derivative having an unsaturated bond(s) or a mercapto group(s) introduced into hyaluronic acid is chemically crosslinked with a mercapto group-containing compound or an unsaturated bond-containing compound, respectively, to give a hydrogel. The method of the present invention enables efficient encapsulation of proteins or peptides while retaining their biological activity.

Abstract: A hyaluronic acid modification product includes a polymer bonded to hyaluronic acid, the polymer being polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid or lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer, providing a drug carrier which efficiently encapsulates low molecular weight drugs and provides sustained-release over a long term, control of blood residence, is well dispersible in an aqueous solution, and has excellent biocompatibility.

Abstract: There is provided a temperature switching compartment 3 which can switch the internal temperature thereof between a low temperature side at which a storage material is kept in cold storage and a high temperature side maintained at 50° C., to 80° C. at which cooked food is kept warm, by cooling with a cooler 17 and heating with a heater 15.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water-soluble modified HA practically used as a drug carrier and a production method thereof. The present invention provides: a water-soluble modified hyaluronic acid, the residence time in blood of which is elongated to a practical level, which is produced by introducing a substituent into the carboxy group of the glucuronic acid of hyaluronic acid or a derivative thereof, via an amide bond, at a lower limit of an introduction rate of 5 mole % or more, using a BOP condensing agent in an aprotic polar solvent; and a production method thereof. Moreover, by cross-linking the modified hyaluronic acid, the present invention provides a hyaluronic acid gel capable of extremely long drug sustained-release even at the same cross-linking functional group introduction rate as that of the conventionally known gel.

Abstract: To provide a GLP-1 analogue long-acting prophylactic or therapeutic agent for diabetes, diabetic complications and/or obesity due to diabetes which provides an extended half-life of a GLP-1 analogue in the blood to prevent frequent administration, and is biodegradable and safe. The present invention provides a conjugate obtained by binding, to a GLP-1 analogue into which a mercapto group is incorporated, water soluble hyaluronic acid modification product obtained by incorporating a substituent via an amide bond to the carboxyl group of glucuronic acid portion of hyaluronic acid as a derivative thereof, using a specific condensing agent in an aprotic polar solvent; and a prophylactic or therapeutic agent having a durable blood glucose lowering effect for diabetes, diabetic complications or obesity.

Abstract: There is provided a drug carrier which has solved the problems of conventional drug carriers, which can encapsulate a low molecular drug efficiently, which can control a sustained release period for a long term, which can control blood residence, which has high dispersibility in an aqueous solution, and which is not problematical in safety. A drug carrier, which comprises injectable fine particles minimal in agglomeration between the particles, and which has excellent biocompatibility, is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polyethylene glycol-conjugated erythropoietin (PEG-conjugated EPO) prepared by PEG conjugation on the lysine residue at position 52 of native erythropoietin (native EPO). In order to achieve more sustained efficacy without losing physiological activities of native EPO, a glycoprotein rich in sugar chains, there has been a need to develop a PEG-conjugated EPO with significantly sustained efficacy by introducing a controlled number of PEG molecules at controlled positions. This PEG-conjugated EPO addresses such a need and provides more sustained efficacy.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide completely biodegradable and biocompatible sustained-release carriers for proteins or peptides, which allow encapsulation of the proteins or peptides at high encapsulation rates without inhibiting their biological activity. The present invention provides a method for preparing a sustained-release carrier, wherein in a solution in the presence of a protein or a peptide, a hyaluronic acid derivative having an unsaturated bond(s) or a mercapto group(s) introduced into hyaluronic acid is chemically crosslinked with a mercapto group-containing compound or an unsaturated bond-containing compound, respectively, to give a hydrogel. The method of the present invention enables efficient encapsulation of proteins or peptides while retaining their biological activity.

Abstract: Protocol control devices each have a database for storing application information concerning each of a number of IP (Internet Protocol) terminals controlled by the protocol control device. A dedicated maintenance terminal has a database for temporarily storing application information possessed by each protocol control device. An IP-capable PBX receives the application information of a designated IP terminal from the relevant protocol control device in response to a back-up command from the dedicated maintenance terminal. The dedicated maintenance terminal receives this application information and saves it temporarily for back-up purposes in a database.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide PTH or a PTH derivative, which is modified to attain increased bioavailability without losing PTH activity and to have a reduced risk of side effects. PEG conjugation to PTH or a PTH derivative increases the bioavailability while maintaining PTH activity and also reduces side effects.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polyethylene glycol-conjugated erythropoietin (PEG-conjugated EPO) prepared by PEG conjugation on the lysine residue at position 52 of native erythropoietin (native EPO). In order to achieve more sustained efficacy without losing physiological activities of native EPO, a glycoprotein rich in sugar chains, there has been a need to develop a PEG-conjugated EPO with significantly sustained efficacy by introducing a controlled number of PEG molecules at controlled positions. This PEG-conjugated EPO addresses such a need and provides more sustained efficacy.

Abstract: The invention provides a transfer service method for a telephone network by which, even if physical accommodation position information of a telephone set of a transfer destination is not registered in an electronic exchange connected by a wire or wireless to a telephone set on the originating side from which a telephone call is to be transferred, a transfer service to the telephone set of the transfer destination corresponding to a logic number can be enjoyed.

Abstract: An interface connected to a local area network is mounted in each of data transfer circuits 19, 1a to 1c, 28, 29 and 36 for establishing logical connection of exchanges to one another such that it can connect a plurality of data transfer circuits provided in each exchange to one another. It is thus possible to obtain joint establishment of a logical mesh structure by individual data transfer circuits and, when a data transfer circuit receives data to be transferred to a different exchange from its own, obtain alleviation of the load in the own exchange with a process of data transfer between the data transfer circuits that is executed by using the local area network side interface.

Abstract: The invention provides a transfer service method for a telephone network by which, even if physical accommodation position information of a telephone set of a transfer destination is not registered in an electronic exchange connected by a wire or wireless to a telephone set on the originating side from which a telephone call is to be transferred, a transfer service to the telephone set of the transfer destination corresponding to a logic number can be enjoyed.

Abstract: This invention provides a heterotelechelic oligomer or polymer which is represented by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein A denotes a sugar residue, L denotes a linkage group represented by the following formula ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently denote lower alkyl, aralkyl or aryl,X denotes a single bond or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, Z denotes a group forming an unsaturated ester or ether, or a functional group such as halogen which binds to --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, n denotes an integer of 5-10,000, and m denotes an integer of 0 or 2-10,000.This invention also provides a process to produce the above oligomer or polymer, and further a high molecular-micelle with use of a polyethylene oxide-polyester block polymer which has a sugar residue at its terminal. Said oligomer or polymer is expected to exhibit excellent bioavailability, and is also expected to be utilized in the field such as carriers for drug delivery or diagnostic reagents.

Abstract: A submerged motor pump (4) has an auxiliary bearing assembly (19, 20) for supporting a rotatable main shaft (9) when the submerged motor pump is not in an operating condition or operates in a transient condition. The submerged motor pump includes a pump casing (6), at least one impeller (12), a motor (10,11), and a thrust balancing mechanism (15) for balancing thrust forces. The submerged motor pump further includes hydrostatic bearings (16, 17, 18) for supporting the main shaft at axially spaced locations by a pressurized fluid pumped by the submerged motor pump. The auxiliary bearing assembly has tapered support surfaces (FL, FU) for supporting the main shaft at the axially spaced locations.

Abstract: This invention provides a heterotelechelic oligomer or polymer which is represented by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein A denotes a sugar residue, L denotes a linkage group represented by the following formula ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently denote lower alkyl, aralkyl or aryl,X denotes a single bond or --CH.sub.2 CH--, Z denotes a group forming an unsaturated ester or ether, or a functional group such as halogen which binds to --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, n denotes an integer of 5-10,000, and m denotes an integer of 0 or 2-10,000.This invention also provides a process to produce the above oligomer or polymer, and further a high molecular-micelle with use of a polyethylene oxide-polyester block polymer which has a sugar residue at its terminal. Said oligomer or polymer is expected to exhibit excellent bioavailability, and is also expected to be utilized in the field such as carriers for drug delivery or diagnostic reagents.

Abstract: The fermentation apparatus according to the invention is of a vertically oriented, multistage type comprising one or more fermentation tanks, an outlet port provided at the top of the fermentation tank, a maturation tank disposed below the fermentation tank, and a preliminary fermentation tank disposed below the maturation tank. Each fermentation tank includes a support member rotatable in the circumferential direction, an agitation member removably connected to the support member and including a plurality of agitation blades rotatable in the horizontal direction relative to the bottom surface of the fermentation apparatus, a gas intake device disposed below the agitation member, a transfer opening member for open-close movement, and a filter member provided at the top of the fermentation tank.