Abstract: Disclosed is a physiologically active complex which comprises a proteinaceous part with TNF activity and a high molecular part bound artificially to the N-terminus of the proteinaceous part. The proteinaceous part in the complex has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 where Xaa is a member selected from the group consisting of asparagine, alanine, arginine, serine, threonine, proline, methionine, and leucine; while the high molecular part in the complex is a homopolymer of polyethylene glycol, copolymer of polyethylene glycol, or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: A crystalline ?-D-glucosyl ?-D-galactoside which has a melting point of 119–123° C.; a saccharide composition comprising the same; a process for producing the same or the saccharide composition comprising the same, which comprises (i) crystallizing ?-D-glucosyl ?-D-galactoside from its solution and (ii) collecting the grown crystalline ?-D-glucosyl ?-D-galactoside; a method for converting amorphous ?-D-glucosyl ?-D-galactoside to crystalline ?-D-glucosyl ?-D-galactoside in the presence of moisture; and a composition comprising the crystalline ?-D-glucosyl ?-D-galactoside or the saccharide composition comprising the same.

Abstract: Disclosed are a receptor protein which recognize a novel cytokine, i.e., interleukin-18, a monoclonal antibody specific to the protein, and uses thereof. The receptor protein is useful as pharmaceutical to treat and prevent autoimmune and allergic disease because it suppresses and regulates excessive immunoreaction. The monoclonal antibody specifically reacts with interleukin-18, exhibiting efficacy in purification, detection and inhibition of interleukin-18.

Abstract: A human IFN-? inducing polypeptide and its nucleotide sequence was isolated, purified and characterized. Pharmaceutical compositions containing this novel IFN-? inducing polypeptide or active fragments thereof are formulated and monoclonal antibodies are raised against this polypeptide or antigenic fragments thereof. The polypeptide can be used in a method for treating diseases susceptive to treatment with IFN-?, and methods for enhancing the cytotoxicity of NK cells or for inducing the formation of LAK cells, such as to treat tumors and malignant pathologies.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a novel process for producing isomaltose and isomaltitol, and uses thereof, and it solves the object by establishing a process for producing isomaltose comprising a step of contacting a saccharide, having the ?-1,4 glucosidic linkage as the linkage of non-reducing end and a glucose polymerization degree of at least two, with an ?-isomaltosyl-transferring enzyme and an ?-isomaltosylglucosaccharide-forming enzyme derived from a specific microorganism; a process for producing isomaltitol using the isomaltose produced by the above process; saccharide compositions comprising the isomaltose and/or the isomaltitol produced by the above processes; and uses thereof.

Abstract: The objectives of this invention are to extend the range of choosing materials to use in the preparation of photopolymerizable compositions by providing a novel organic compound which absorbs a visible light; or to provide an organic material which is useful as host compound in organic electroluminescent devices, as well as its uses: The objectives are attainable by providing an aromatic tertiary amine compound bearing within the same molecule one or more specific atomic groups, a luminescent agent directed to use in organic electroluminescent devices comprising it, and an organic electroluminescent device using such amine compound, as well as its uses.

Abstract: Disclosed is an agent for inducing receptor potential, which comprises an organic dye compound capable of inducing/evoking receptor potential in response to photostimulation in the optic nerve, wherein the organic dye compound is a polymethine organic dye compound. Also disclosed is a substituent material for the retina comprising the agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are a novel hedgehog protein, i.e., a Desert hedgehog protein of human origin including mature and precursor forms, a DNA encoding the protein, a monoclonal antibody recognizing the protein, a process for producing the protein, and a method for detecting the protein. The hedgehog protein is useful in establishment of hybridomas which produce antibodies recognizing the protein, and the monoclonal antibody is useful in detection and purification of the protein. The hedgehog protein, DNA, and monoclonal antibody of this invention have efficacy in elucidation of hereditary morphological abnormalities in humans to establish their treatments and diagnoses.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a polypeptide which can be used to produce a saccharide having a structure of cyclo{?6)-?-D-glucopyranosyl-(1?3)-?-D-glucopyranosyl-(1?6)-?-D-glucopyranosyl-(1?3)-?-D-glucopyranosyl-(1?}, a DNA encoding the polypeptide, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inhibitory agent for, kneaded meat and process for producing fish and meat paste products, especially, kamabokos, and fish sausages. The inhibitory agent comprises (i) a member selected from sorbitol, trehalose, mixture thereof, and another saccharide(s) containing sorbitol and/or trehalose; and (ii) a pH-controlling agent which adjusts a kneaded meat to an alkaline pH. The agent effectively inhibits the protein denaturation of kneaded meat, and fish- and meat-paste products without using phosphate.

Abstract: Disclosed are artificially produced peptide capable of neutralizing the biological activities of IL-18, which comprises a part or the whole of the variable regions in anti interleukin 18 antibody, including single chain variable region fragments and humanized antibodies, a process of producing the peptide, and uses thereof. The peptide is useful as pharmaceutical to treat and prevent diseases such as autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases, where the biological activities of interleukin-18 are involved.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing processed foods, which effectively exert the inherent flavor and taste of food materials, provide superior preservative stability, and keep the original form and color of the food materials; and to provide processed foods produced by the process. The object is solved by establishing the process for producing processed foods which is characterized in that it comprises the steps of contacting raw food materials with a saccharide to accrete and/or penitrate the saccharide to and/or into an intact food material without blanching and then heating the resulting mixture by one or more heating methods selected from the group consisting of steaming, baking, frying, and microwaving to effectively exert the inherent flavor and taste of the food material, and to provide superior preservative stability; and processed foods produced by the process.

Abstract: Disclosed are created stable polypeptides which are capable of inducing the production of interferon-gamma by immunocompetent cells. The present polypeptides contain specific amino acid sequences usually derived from the wild-type polypeptides, being capable of the production of interferon-gamma, by replacing the cysteine(s) with different amino acid(s). The present polypeptides possess a stability and an activity of inducing the production of IFN-? by immunocompetent cells, both of which are significantly higher than those of the wild-type polypeptides. In addition to the activity, the present polypeptides can exhibit remarkable activities of inducing the formation of killer cells and enhancing thier cytotoxicities. The present polypeptides are easily obtainable by the process according to the present invention using recombinant DNA techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed are an antibody specific to interleukin 18 (IL-18) precursor, preparation processes therefor, and uses thereof. The antibody includes immunoglobulins in both forms of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies which exhibits an immunoreactivity against IL-18 precursor at an intensity higher than against other substances. The antibody is useful in detection and purification of IL-18 precursor and in elimination and detoxification of the precursor accumulated in vivo. The detection method using the antibody is effective in qualitative and quantitative analyses for the precursor as well as in correction of imprecise results caused by assays using anti-IL-18 antibody which exhibits a cross reactivity against the precursor.

Abstract: Disclosed are a novel hedgehog protein, i.e., a Desert hedgehog protein of human origin including mature and precursor forms, a DNA encoding the protein, a monoclonal antibody recognizing the protein, a process for producing the protein, and a method for detecting the protein. The hedgehog protein is useful in establishment of hybridomas which produce antibodies recognizing the protein, and the monoclonal antibody is useful in detection and purification of the protein. The hedgehog protein, DNA, and monoclonal antibody of this invention have efficacy in elucidation of hereditary morphological abnormalities in humans to establish their treatments and diagnoses.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a composition which exerts a higher effect on recovering health from articular disorders than that attained by amino sugars and glycosaminoglycans. The present invention solves the object by providing an agent for treating articular disorders, comprising an amino sugar and trehalose as effective ingredients.

Abstract: A method of utilizing the physiological activity of a rare saccharide, wherein physiological-activity sensitive cells are treated with the rare saccharide to modify the function of the cells. A composition containing, as an active ingredient, a rare saccharide which is introduced into physiological-activity sensitive cells and has an effect of modifying the function of the cells. The cells are human cells. The composition is a functional food, a drug, or a cosmetic. The rare saccharide is a rare saccharide belonging to aldose and/or ketose. The aldose is D-allose, and the cells are selected from the group consisting of cancer-cell proliferation inhibitory activity sensitive cells and active-oxygen production inhibitory activity sensitive cells. The ketose is D-psicose, and the cells are selected from the group consisting of chemokine secretion inhibitory activity sensitive cells, microglia migration inhibitory activity sensitive cells, and hypoglycemic activity sensitive cells.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a powdery product comprising crystalline ?-maltose monohydrate which is powderized by spray method, and has a high-solubility in aqueous solvents and a satisfactory handleability, and to its preparation and uses.

Abstract: The objects of this invention are to provide a substance which suppresses the physiological activities of IL-18 through binding to IL-18, uses of the substance, and a DNA encoding the substance; this invention attains these objects by providing an IL-18-binding protein comprising a specific amino acid sequence, a DNA encoding this protein, and an IL-18-suppressor as well as agent for susceptive diseases containing as an effective ingredient this IL-18-binding protein.

Abstract: On the production of bakery products using rice flour as a major material, the first object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing bakery products with improved qualities such as appearance, crumb, taste, and preservability, as well as satisfactory handleability. The second object of the present invention is to provide such bakery products having excellent qualities, which are obtainable thereby. The third object of the present invention is to provide premixed flours for producing the bakery products with improved qualities. The fourth object of the present invention is to provide fermented doughs for producing the excellent bakery products.