Abstract: The present invention provides a novel water-soluble keratin derivative and applications thereof. Water-soluble keratin produced by the alkali treatment of feathers, and modified keratin, gives the following useful materials: (1) a high energy wave absorber, (2) a luminescent substrate, (3) a material weatherproofness improver, (4) a water repellant, and (5) a foaming agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel water-soluble keratin derivative and applications thereof. Water-soluble keratin produced by the alkali treatment of feathers, and modified keratin, gives the following useful materials: (1) a high energy wave absorber, (2) a luminescent substrate, (3) a material weatherproofness improver, (4) a water repellant, and (5) a foaming agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel water-soluble keratin derivative and applications thereof. Water-soluble keratin produced by the alkali treatment of feathers, and modified keratin, gives the following useful materials: (1) a high energy wave absorber, (2) a luminescent substrate, (3) a material weatherproofness improver, (4) a water repellant, and (5) a foaming agent.

Abstract: There are provided a porous hollow fiber membrane capable of economically and efficiently recovering germanium which has heretofore been entirely disposed as a waste, and a method for recovery of germanium oxide using such a porous hollow fiber membrane.

Abstract: In view of the situation of the prior art, the present invention specifies the structure of a late-stage product of Mailard reaction in vivo having a close relation with various tissue disorders, and provides a diagnostic reagent for complications associated with diabetes or renal failure, containing the above compound as a main component.

Abstract: A process is provided which comprises isomerizing a compound having a ketose structure by the use of or in the presence of an organogermanium compound having a structural portion represented by formula (I): ##STR1## Due to the use or presence of the organogermanium compound, the process is free from the problems of the prior art, and is capable of isomerizing a compound having an aldose structure into a compound having a ketose structure at a high isomerization ratio without requiring any special apparatus or any complicated operation.

Abstract: An electric current is passed through a mixed solution containing a saccharide(s) and an organogermanium compound, in a compartment whose anode side is defined by an anion exchange membrane and whose cathode side is defined by a cation exchange membrane, to separate and remove said organogermanium compound. In the present invention, an organogermanium compound can be very effectively separated and recovered from a mixed solution containing a saccharide(s) and said organogermanium compound. The present invention is particularly effective for separation and recovery of an organogermanium compound from a reaction mixture obtained when a compound having an aldose structure is isomerized into a compound having a ketose structure in the presence of said organogermanium compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent for suppression or interception of the Mailard reaction, which comprises, as the active component, an organogermanium compound represented by formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 to R.sub.3 may be the same or different and each of them represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, or a phenyl group; and X represents a hydroxyl group, an O-lower alkyl group, an amino group, or a salt represented by OY (Y is a metal or a basic group-containing compound).Said agent can effectively suppress or intercept the Mailard reaction and has high safety even when administered for a long period of time.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a highly effective agent for preventing and treating opacity of lens, containing the organic germanium compound represented by the fornula (1); ##STR1## (wherein R1 to R3 represent hydrogen atoms, lower alkyl groups each of which may be the same or different and selected from the group consisting of methyl group, ethyl group, etc., or phenyl groups substituted or unsubstituted; X represents a hydroxyl group, an O-lower alkyl group, an amino group or O.sup.- Y.sup.+ {Y represents a metal such as sodium, potassium, etc., or a compound having a basic group such as lysozyme and basic amino acid, etc.})or (2) a combination of the organic germanium compound and aminoguanidien, or (3) a combination of the organic germanium compound specifically defined above and the specific phenoxazine derivative.

Abstract: The present invention relates to (a) novel organogermanium compounds represented by the general formula (1) ##STR1## (R.sub.1 to R.sub.6 are independently a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; X is a halogen atom; and Y.sub.1 and Y.sub.2 are independently a hydroxyl group or a group chemically equivalent thereto) or by the general formula (2) ##STR2## (R.sub.1 to R.sub.6 are independently a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and Z is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom), (b) processes for producing the above organogermanium compounds, and (c) an agent for inhibiting the activity of opioid peptide-degrading enzyme, containing the above organogermanium compounds as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention provides (1) an agent for improving the reduced functions of organs caused by inhibited blood circulation, characterized by containing, as an effective component, an organogermanium compound represented by the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 to R.sub.3 are each a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group such as methyl, ethyl or the like which may be the same or different, or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, and X is a hydroxyl group, an O-lower alkyl group, an amino group or O.sup.- Y.sup.+ (Y is a metal such as sodium, potassium or the like, or a basic group-containing compound such as lysozyme, basic amino acid or the like), and (2) a method for improving the reduced functions of organs caused by inhibited blood circulation, characterized by administering, in need of such treatment, an effective amount of an organogermanium compound represented by the above formula (I).

Abstract: The present invention provides (a) an activator for osteoblast comprising, as an active ingredient, a salt between (1) an organogermanium compound represented by the formula (I) ##STR1## [in the above formula (I), R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 which may be the same or different, are independently a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group such as methyl, ethyl or the like, or an aryl group] and (2) a basic group-containing compound, and (b) a method for activating osteoblasts, which comprises administering in need of such treatment an effective amount of a salt between an organogermanium compound represented by the above formula (I) and a basic group-containing compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides (1) a solution for washing and storing separated organs, characterized by containing, as an effective component, an organogermanium compound represented by the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 to R.sub.3 are each a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group such as methyl, ethyl or the like which may be the same or different, or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, and X is a hydroxyl group, an O-lower alkyl group, an amino group or O.sup.- Y.sup.+ (Y is a metal such as sodium, potassium or the like, or a basic group-containing compound such as lysozyme, basic amino acid or the like), and (2) a method for washing and storing separated organs with a solution containing, as an effective component, an organogermanium compound represented by the formula (I).

Abstract: The present invention provides (1) an agent for reducing the nephrotoxicity caused by cyclosporin administration, characterized by containing, as an effective component, an organogermanium compound represented by the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 to R.sub.3 are each a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group such as methyl, ethyl or the like which may be the same or different, or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, and X is a hydroxyl group, an O-lower alkyl group, an amino group or O.sup.- Y.sup.+ (Y is a metal such as sodium, potassium or the like, or a basic group-containing compound such as lysozyme, basic amino acid or the like), and (2) a method for reducing the nephrotoxicity caused by cyclosporin administration, characterized by administering, in need of such treatment, an effective amount of an organogermanium compound represented by the above formula (I).