Abstract: A foreign matter removal device 10 preliminary cleans the work 50 in a bucket 12 housed in an input tank 15, then further cleans the work 50 in buckets 13, 14 housed in cleaning tanks 16, 17 by agitating cleaning liquid while inverting the buckets to transfer the work to a subsequent bucket. Particularly, the bottom of the cleaning tank is formed such that the nearer to a center of the bottom, the deeper the bottom becomes. The cleaning liquid overflowing from the cleaning tanks are stored in auxiliary tanks 22, 23. First and second ejection units 29a, 29b are arranged at different heights in the cleaning tank to generate a circulating flow in the cleaning liquid.

Abstract: A foreign matter removal device 10 preliminary cleans the work 50 in a bucket 12 housed in an input tank 15, then further cleans the work 50 in buckets 13, 14 housed in cleaning tanks 16, 17 by agitating cleaning liquid while inverting the buckets to transfer the work to a subsequent bucket. Particularly, the bottom of the cleaning tank is formed such that the nearer to a center of the bottom, the deeper the bottom becomes. The cleaning liquid overflowing from the cleaning tanks are stored in auxiliary tanks 22, 23. First and second ejection units 29a, 29b are arranged at different heights in the cleaning tank to generate a circulating flow in the cleaning liquid.

Abstract: The present inventors found that a natural red pigment can be obtained from hemoglobin and myoglobin whose metalloporphyrin moiety is zinc protoporphyrin, and made meat products, whale meat products, fish meat products and fish paste products that were colored with the natural red pigment. Consequently, it was possible to obtain food products stable to oxidation and exhibiting an excellent color tone without the need to use a color fixative, e.g. nitrite.

Abstract: Remedies for dry eye and diseases associated with dry eye which contain as the active ingredient peptides represented by the general formula (I): H-His-Ser-Asp-Ala-Val-Phe-Thr-Asp-Asn-Tyr-Thr-Arg-Leu-Arg-X1-Gln-X2-Ala-Val-X3-X4-Tyr-Leu-X5-X6(SEQ ID NOS: 26-36) ??(I) wherein X1, X3 and X4 represent Lys or Arg, respectively; X2 represents Met, Leu or nLeu; X5 represents a chemical bond, Asn, Asn-Ser, Asn-Ser-Ile, Asn-Ser-Ile-Leu(SEQ ID NO: 37) or Asn-Ser-Ile-Leu-Asn-X7(SEQ ID NOS: 38-43) (wherein X7 represents a chemical bond, Gly, etc.); and X6 represents —OH or —NH2, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof:.

Abstract: Reaction vessel 1 for assaying of a subject substrate molecule comprises a translucent narrow tube 2 which has a liquid feed port 4 at one end, and which is intended to be packed with microparticles 5 as solid phase support on which a reagent molecule is bound thereto, in which said reagent is capable of binding to, adsorbing, or showing affinity with the subject substrate molecule, and a effluent collecting tube 3 in which a liquid absorbing member 13 is provided inside for absorbing the liquid poured into the narrow tube, and which is connected to the narrow tube 2 at its downstream via a communicating passage 11, and a current-controlling mechanism for controlling liquid current in the narrow tube so as to hold the liquid in the narrow tube 2 during a predetermined time.

Abstract: This invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a peptide derived from a PACAP or VIP peptide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. This invention provides a PACAP/VIP derivative that can inhibit tautomerization in a solution and that can be applied to clinical applications over a long period of time. Such peptides are useful for ameliorating symptoms of diseases, such as regressive neurodegenerative diseases, erectile dysfunction, and bronchial asthma.

Abstract: Reaction vessel 1 for assaying of a subject substrate molecule comprises a translucent narrow tube 2 which has a liquid feed port 4 at one end, and which is intended to be packed with microparticles 5 as solid phase support on which a reagent molecule is bound thereto, in which said reagent is capable of binding to, adsorbing, or showing affinity with the subject substrate molecule, and a effluent collecting tube 3 in which a liquid absorbing member 13 is provided inside for absorbing the liquid poured into the narrow tube, and which is connected to the narrow tube 2 at its downstream via a communicating passage 11, and a current-controlling mechanism for controlling liquid current in the narrow tube so as to hold the liquid in the narrow tube 2 during a predetermined time.

Abstract: The present inventors found that a natural red pigment can be obtained from hemoglobin and myoglobin whose metalloporphyrin moiety is zinc protoporphyrin, and made meat products, whale meat products, fish meat products and fish paste products that were colored with the natural red pigment. Consequently, it was possible to obtain food products stable to oxidation and exhibiting an excellent color tone without the need to use a color fixative, e.g. nitrite.

Abstract: This invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a peptide derived from a PACAP or VIP peptide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. This invention provides a PACAP/VIP derivative that can inhibit tautomerization in a solution and that can be applied to clinical applications over a long period of time. Such peptides are useful for ameliorating symptoms of diseases, such as regressive neurodegenerative diseases, erectile dysfunction, and bronchial asthma.

Abstract: The invention relates to a DNA that enables co-expression of a protein disulfide isomerase and a polypeptide having disulfide bonds. The invention further relates to a process of producing polypeptides using the DNA and a process of enhancing the efficiency of formation of correct disulfide bond in an expression system of a gene recombinant polypeptide having disulfide bonds.

Abstract: This invention relates to a DNA encoding a fusion protein of formula (I) [Y]-[X1]-[B-chain]-[X2]-[Linker]-[X3]-[A-chain]??(I) wherein Y is a leader peptide sequence for the expression and secretion of the protein, comprising at least one amino acid residue; X1 is an amino acid sequence which is cleavable enzymatically or chemically; B-chain is the amino acid sequence of insulin B chain; X2 is an amino acid sequence which is cleavable enzymatically; Linker is a linker sequence comprising at least one amino acid residue; X3 is an amino acid sequence which is cleavable enzymatically; and A- chain is the amino acid sequence of insulin A chain, and to a method for producing insulin using an expression system containing the DNA in high efficiency and high yield.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing spinal cord of cattle in a short time without reducing a commercial value of meat and while inhibiting contamination, comprises a first nozzle 3 and a second nozzle 4 adapted to be inserted into a spinal cavity of the slaughtered cattle to suction the spinal cord, a detector 30 configured to detect size of the carcass of the slaughtered cattle, a first presser 21 configured to press one of a dorsal part and a thoracic part of the carcass of the slaughtered cattle, and a second presser 22 configured to press the other part, and the first and second pressers 21 and 22 are configured to, in response to a detection signal detected by the detector 30, move up and down by a distance corresponding to the detection signal to press predetermined proper parts of the carcass.

Abstract: A carcass tilting device equipped in a spinal cord removing apparatus for suctioning and removing spinal cord from spinal cavity of a carcass of slaughtered cattle, to facilitate removing spinal cord from the carcass suspended with its head down in a vertically narrow space, comprises a support column 21, a tilting member 23 pivotally mounted on the support column 21 and having a contact portion 25a with which the carcass makes contact, and a second cylinder 29 configured to cause the tilting member 23 to pivot to be tilted with respect to a vertical direction such that a lower end of the tilting member is raised. The tilting member 23 has an inner member 24 and an outer member 25 which are displaceable in the longitudinal direction from a position where the members 24 and 25 overlap each other, thereby causing the tilting member 23 to entirely extend.

Abstract: This invention relates to a DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a fusion protein, wherein the fusion protein comprises: a sequence of signal peptide for Bacillus cell wall protein (CWP); a tag sequence for separation and purification of the fusion protein; a linker sequence; a sequence for chemical or enzymatic cleavage; and an exogenous polypeptide sequence, the sequences being linked in order, the signal peptide, tag and linker being optional sequences; and wherein the nucleotide sequence encoding a fusion protein is ligated to 3′-end of a nucleic acid sequence comprising a Bacillus promoter region; to a vector comprising the DNA; to a bacterium belonging to the genus Bacillus comprising the vector; and to a process for preparation of a useful polypeptide by culture of the bacterium.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing an LH-RH derivative, characterized in that a peptide fragment shown by general formula (1): pGlu-His-Trp-OR1 (where R1 denotes a lower alkyl) and a peptide fragment shown by general formula (2): H-Ser-Tyr-X-Leu-Arg-Pro-Y (where X denotes an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D-amino acids such as D-Leu, D-Ser(But), D-Trp, and (2-napthyl)-D-Ala, and Gly, and Y denotes Gly-NH2, Azgly(Azaglycine)-NH2 or NHR2 (R2 is lower alkyl)) are allowed to react in the presence of chymotrypsin or a chymotrypsin-like enzymes, to produce the LH-RH derivative shown by general formula (3): pGlu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-X-Leu-Arg-Pro-Y (where X and Y are as defined above). Since the method does not accompany a side reaction such as racemization, it enables simple separation and purification of LH-RH derivatives. Moreover the method enables to provide high yields, as well as recovery and recycling of unreacted peptide fragments, therefore it is valuable in industrial use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide having the amino acid sequence shown in the sequence listing; an agent for inhibiting elevations of triglyceride levels in blood comprising the above peptide, a peptide Val-Tyr-Pro and/or a peptide Val-Thr-Leu as an active component; a food for specified health use which is endowed with a function of inhibiting elevations of triglyceride levels in blood by comprising these peptides as an active component; and a feed which is endowed with a function of inhibiting elevations of triglyceride levels in blood by comprising these peptides as an active component. According to the present invention, it becomes possible to prevent or treat obesity and hyperlipemia in humans and animals as well as cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and arteriosclerosis associated therewith. Furthermore, it becomes possible to improve the meat quality of livestock and hatchery fish.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide having an amino acid sequence of Val-Val-Tyr-Pro as well as an agent for inhibiting elevation of triglyceride levels in blood, a food for specified health use (the so-called physiologically functional food) and a feed comprising the above peptide as an active component. According to the present invention, a peptide inhibiting elevation of triglyceride levels in blood as well as an agent for inhibiting elevation of triglyceride levels in blood, a physiologically functional food and a feed, all comprising the peptide as an active component are obtained. With these products of the invention, it becomes possible to prevent or treat obesity and hyperlipemia of human and animals as well as circulatory system diseases such as hypertension and arteriosclerosis associated therewith. Furthermore, the materials of the invention make it possible to improve the meat quality of livestock and hatchery fish.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide represented by the general formula (1): ##STR1## wherein A is Ala or Gly; B is Ile or Val; C is Asn or Ser; D is Thr or Ser; E is Leu or Tyr; each of F, I and J is Lys or Arg, and at least one of F, I and J is Arg; G is Met, Leu or Nle; K is Asn or Ala; L is Ser or Ala; M is Ile or Val; and N is --NH.sub.2 or Asn--NH.sub.2, excluding the combination where A is Ala, B is Val, C is Asn, D is Thr, E is Leu, K is Asn, L is Ser, M is Ile, and N is Asn--NH.sub.2, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as well as to a bronchus-expanding agent or a blood-flow-improving agent comprising said peptide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.

Abstract: This invention aims to provide a peptide having an amino acid sequence of Val-Tyr-Pro or Val-Thr-Leu and having the ability to inhibit adipocyte differentiations, adipocyte differentiation inhibiting agent incorporating therein as an active component the peptide or a proteolysate characterized by containing not less than 0.1% by weight of the peptide, a specific health food, and a feed. This invention permits prevention and therapy of obesity and cardiovascular diseases attendant on obesity such as hypertension and arteriosclerosis in men and animals. It also allows improvement of the meat quality in domestic animals and culured fish.

Abstract: The present invention provides PCR primers with which sexing of bovine embryos can be easily attained and provides a practical, rapid and reliable method for determining the sex of bovine embryos using these primers. The methods for determining the sex of the bovine embryos are characterized by discriminating PCR products which are obtained by amplifying specific DNA sequences by PCR with pairs of male-specific and gender-neutral primers. These primers are derived from DNAs which specifically hybridize to the bovine male genome and from DNAs which gender-neutrally hybridize to both bovine male and female genomes.