Abstract: The objects of the present invention are to provide semiconductor layers for obtaining solar cells having a relatively high energy conversion efficiency, solar cells using the same, and their production methods and uses; all of which are solved by providing semiconductor layers that are used in solar cells and constructed by semiconductor particle groups having a plurality of peaks in particle size distribution, solar cells using the same, and their production methods and uses.

Abstract: A reduction inhibitory agent for active oxygen eliminating activity which comprises cyclotetrasaccharide i.e., cyclo{6}-?-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 3)-?-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 6)-?-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 3)-?-D-glucopyranosyl-(1), as an effective ingredient, a method for inhibiting the reduction of active oxygen eliminating activity which comprises incorporating either cyclotetrasaccharide or the reduction inhibitory agent into plant edible products and/or plant antioxidants, and a composition where the reduction of active oxygen eliminating activity of the plant edible products and/or plant antioxidants has been satisfactorily inhibited by the method.

Abstract: An osteoclastgenic inhibitory agent which comprises an interleukin-18 and/or its functional equivalent. The agent can be arbitrarily used as an ingredient for cell culture and agents for regulating bone resorption and for osteoclast-related diseases, directed to treat and/or prevent hypercalcemia, osteoclastoma, osteoporosis, etc.

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: Disclosed are a reduction inhibitory agent for active oxygen eliminating activity, comprising: (a) at least 10% (w/w) of a cyclotetrasaccharide having a basic cyclic structure in Chemical Formula 1, on a dry solid basis; and Chemical Formula 1: (b) at least one member selected from the group consisting of saccharides and edible fibers; a method for inhibiting the reduction of active oxygen eliminating activity, comprising a step of incorporating at least one percent (w/w) of a cyclotetrasaccharide having a basic cyclic structure in Chemical Formula 1 to a plant substance, on a dry solid basis, into said plant substance with active oxygen eliminating activity in an aqueous system; and a composition obtainable by incorporating at least one percent (w/w) of a cyclotetrasaccharide having a basic cyclic structure in Chemical Formula 1 to said plant substance, on a dry solid basis, into a plant substance with active oxygen eliminating activity to inhibit the reduction of the activity of said plant substance.

Abstract: Disclosed are a mammalian trehalose receptor which comprises a protein comprising any of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3 and 5; or a protein comprising any of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 4 and 5; and a method for detecting trehalose using an animal cell in which the trehalose receptor has been expressed.

Abstract: A method for non-fry cooking, comprising a step of heating and dehydrating a food material using an aqueous trehalose solution with a relatively-high temperature and concentration; a non-fried food product having a satisfactory mouth feel, flavor, taste and being substantially free of an excessive intake of lipids; and an agent for non-fry cooking comprising trehalose as an effective ingredient.

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: Disclosed is a genomic DNA encoding a polypeptide capable of inducing the production of interferon-&ggr; by immunocompetent cells. The genomic DNA efficiently expresses the polypeptide with high biological activities of such as inducing the production of interferon-&ggr; immunocompetent cells, enhancing killer cells' cytotoxicity and inducing killer cells' formation, when introduced into mammalian host cells. The high biological activities of the polypeptide facilitate its uses to treat and/or prevent malignant tumors, viral diseases, bacterial infectious diseases and immune diseases without serious side effects when administered to humans.

Abstract: A thermoplastic shaped-body of trehalose obtainable by concentrating a trehalose solution by heating either to lower the moister content of the solution to a level of not higher than about 8.3 w/w % in the presence of a substance capable of lowering the adhesion of a trehalose solution, or to lower the moisture content of the trehalose solution to a level of not higher than about 2.4 w/w %.

Abstract: The objects of the present invention are to reveal a specific combination of human interferon-&agr; subtypes that remarkably enhances the expression of protein synthesis inhibitory genes, and to provide an expression enhancer comprising as effective ingredients interferon-&agr; subtypes in such a combination and uses thereof. The above objects are solved by providing an expression enhancer for protein synthesis inhibitory genes which comprises as effective ingredients interferon-&agr;2 and interferon-&agr;8 subtypes of human interferon-&agr;, and uses thereof including pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a genomic DNA encoding a polypeptide capable of inducing the production of interferon-&ggr; by immunocompetent cells. The genomic DNA efficiently expresses the polypeptide with high biological activities of such as inducing the production of interferon-&ggr; by immunocompetent cells, enhancing killer cells' cytotoxicity and inducing killer cells' formation, when introduced into mammalian host cells. The high biological activities of the polypeptide facilitate its uses to treat and/or prevent malignant tumors, viral diseases, bacterial infectious diseases and immune diseases without serious side effects when administered to humans.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel trimethine cyanine dyes, light absorbents, light-resistant improvers, and optical recording media which comprise the trimethine cyanine dyes. The cyanine dyes exert satisfactory solubility and heat resistance when used in high-density optical recording media.

Abstract: The objects of the present invention are to reveal a specific combination of human interferon-&agr; subtypes that remarkably enhances the expression of protein synthesis inhibitory genes, and to provide an expression enhancer comprising as effective ingredients interferon-&agr; subtypes in such a combination and uses thereof. The above objects are solved by providing an expression enhancer for protein synthesis inhibitory genes which comprises as effective ingredients interferon-&agr;2 and interferon-&agr;8 subtypes of human interferon-&agr;, and uses thereof including pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: A polypeptide having &bgr;-fructofuranosidase activity is obtained by the expression of a microbial gene, which polypeptide contains the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2 in whole or in part as an amino acid sequence. This polypeptide is useful for producing fructofuranosyl transferred saccharides.

Abstract: A mucosal immunoregulatory agent comprising trehalose, which has neither excessive stress nor care for side effects even when administrated repeatedly, is administered and provides mucosal immunoregulatory activity.

Abstract: Optical recording media using mixtures of benzoindolenic trimethine cyanine dyes, where the first benzoindolenic trimethine cyanine dye bears a heterocyclic azo dye metal complex as the counterion and the second benzoindolenic trimethine cyanine dye has a different type of counterion. This combination of these benzoindolenic trimethine cyanine dyes coated on a substrate results in high density media, where the dyes have a high solubility and heat resistance.

Abstract: Disclosed are a crystalline trehalose dehydrate which has an elongated crystalline structure with a proportion of the length in the c axis to that in the b axis less than 2.0, its preparation and uses. The crystal has insubstantial hygroscopicity and solidification, and satisfactory stability, free-flowing ability, and handleability; it can be easily processed without fracture in the drying and sieving steps.

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 DNA which encodes murine trehalase, a polypeptide expressed by the DNA, and a transgenic- and knockout- animals which have been genetically engineered with the DNA. The DNA comprises a part or the whole of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.