Abstract: Pharmaceutical preparations, Chinese herbal preparations, foods, and other compositions may contain, as an active ingredient, an ephedra extract, an ephedrine-alkaloid-free ephedra extract, or a polymercondensed tannin derived from an ephedra extract. Such compositions may be useful for preventing or treating COVID-19 infection (COVID-19). Such compositions are preferably provided in an orally ingestible form.

Abstract: Biomarkers for diagnosing the disease activity, disease severity or disease type of severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCARs) such as drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome and Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis are provided. Also provided is a method of testing SCARs, comprising measuring the expression of at least one protein selected from the group consisting of stratifin, TNF receptor superfamily member 8 (CD30/TNFRSF8), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), and TNF receptor superfamily member 6B (DcR3/TNFRSF6B) in a sample derived from a subject.

Abstract: A highly sensitive allergen measurement method is provided. A method for detecting an allergen in a sample, comprising: treating a sample with a protease; and detecting presence or absence of an allergen marker in the enzyme-treated sample by analysis that utilizes chromatographic separation. The allergen comprises buckwheat and wheat.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for decontaminating an object to be treated by reducing the activity of endotoxin in a simple manner. The decontamination method includes a step (a) of irradiating an object to be treated with ultraviolet light of a wavelength of less than 200 nm to reduce activity of endotoxin attached to the object to be treated.

Abstract: A method for accurate and precise measurement of target proteins such as food allergen proteins in the specific foods is provided. The method is a method for immunological measurement of a food allergen protein in a processed food using an antibody against the food allergen protein, comprising adding animal tropomyosin to an assay solution upon measurement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or consisting of an amino acid sequence wherein one or more amino acids are deleted, replaced or added in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and having cell growth inhibitory activity; DNA coding for the polypeptide; DNA hybridizing with DNA consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 or with an oligonucleotide probe prepared based on the nucleotide sequence; a recombinant vector comprising the DNA; a transformant obtained by introducing the recombinant vector into host cells; a process for producing the polypeptide by culturing the transformant of the present invention in a medium; a pharmaceutical composition, preferably an anti-tumor agent, comprising the polypeptide as an active ingredient; a method of preventing or treating tumors comprising administering an effective amount of the polypeptide; and use of the polypeptide for producing a pharmaceutical composition useful for preventing o