Abstract: This invention provides an IFN inducer comprising, as an active ingredient, lactic acid bacteria and capable of inducing IFN production, an immunopotentiating agent or prophylactic agent against virus infection comprising such inducer, and a food or drink product comprising such IFN inducer and having IFN-inducing activity, immunopotentiating activity, or prophylactic activity against virus infection. The agent for inducing IFN production comprises, as active ingredients, lactic acid bacteria that can activate plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and promote IFN production, such as Lactococcus garvieae NBRC100934, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris JCM16167, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris NBRC100676, Lactococcus lactis subsp. hordniae JCM1180, Lactococcus lactis subsp. hordniae JCM11040, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NBRC12007, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NRIC1150, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis JCM5805, Lactococcus lactis subsp.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a composition for preventing visual dysfunction caused by exposure to light, such as so-called blue light. The present invention provides a composition comprising a lactic acid bacterium as an active ingredient for use in suppressing or improving conditions caused by retinal inflammation resulting from light damage. Eye discomfort is an exemplary condition caused by retinal inflammation resulting from light damage.

Abstract: Disclosed is an additive for imparting antimicrobial properties to a resin. The additive comprises a string polymer, at least one terminal of which has a positive charge, wherein the string polymer is a polymer containing structural units derived from a cationic polymerization initiator and a monomer containing a carbon-carbon double bond. By using this additive, it becomes possible to obtain an antibacterial resin molded body which can be prepared simply and inexpensively and which has high stability and safety.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a film coated tablet that has an excellent tablet slipperiness in an oral cavity and prevents delay in disintegration time of an uncoated tablet.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel composition which suppresses or improves depression. The present invention provides a composition for use in suppressing or improving depression, comprising Lactobacillus paracasei as an active ingredient. In the present invention, the depression can be a condition which occurs in daily life. The composition of the present invention can be provided as a food composition and a supplement, and can be provided to a human so that Lactobacillus paracasei is ingested in a daily amount of 1 mg or more in terms of dry cell mass or 10 to 1011 cells.

Abstract: This polyethylene furanoate has an intrinsic viscosity of 0.95 - 1.50 dl/g. Said intrinsic viscosity is measured (the Huggins constant is defined as 0.32) at 30° C. by using an Ubbelohde viscometer, after dissolving 0.25 g of the polyethylene furanoate in 50 ml of a solvent mixture of phenol/1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane = 50/50 (weight ratio).

Abstract: There is provided a method for introducing a temperature-sensitive probe comprising a copolymer, which comprises a thermoresponsive unit and a fluorescent unit, into a cell, and the method using the copolymer further comprising a cationic unit as the temperature-sensitive probe, and the method comprising the step of mixing the copolymer with the cell in a solvent. The copolymer can be preferably used as a fluorescence temperature sensor which measures intracellular temperature since the copolymer has a cationic group and thus enters into a cell without using a special method.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel composition that is, for example, effective in suppression of deterioration of mental function. The present invention provides a composition for use in suppressing deterioration of mental function, comprising a hop oxidation-reaction product. Conditions of deterioration of mental function include conditions selected from the group consisting of depression-related conditions and anxiety-related conditions. The composition of the present invention can be provided in the form of a food composition, and be ingested by subjects with deterioration of mental function or with a risk of deterioration of mental function. The S-fraction can be used as the hop oxidation-reaction product.

Abstract: An object is to provide a novel saccharide-reduced fruit beverage having an improved flavor. According to the present invention, provided is a fruit beverage containing citrus fruit and having a sucrose concentration of 1.4 g/100 mL or less in terms of Brix 11°, in which the beverage has an ethyl ester concentration of 25 to 50 ppb and/or a monoterpene derivative concentration of 600 to 3,000 ppb. The citrus fruit in the present invention can be selected from the group consisting of oranges, grapefruit, and Unshu mikan, and a proportion of a fruit juice in the beverage can be set to 30% or more.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method of preparing a sample for crystallographic analysis used for structure determination based on the crystalline sponge method. The present invention provides a method of preparing a sample for crystallographic analysis used for structure determination based on the crystalline sponge method, the method including the steps: (A) forming an ionic pair of a target compound of analysis with a counterionic compound, and (B) soaking the ionic pair of the compounds into a crystalline sponge, wherein the target compound of analysis is a basic compound or an acidic compound.

Abstract: An object is to provide a novel saccharide-reduced fruit beverage having an improved flavor and a method for producing the same. According to the present invention, provided is a fruit beverage in which a ratio (saccharide concentration-to-acidity ratio) of a saccharide concentration to an acidity is 0.92 or less with respect to a saccharide concentration-to-acidity ratio of a straight fruit juice, the fruit beverage including: one or more carbohydrate components selected from the group consisting of starch, a starch decomposition product, and trehalose, and a method for producing the fruit beverage of the present invention, the method including: adding the carbohydrate components to a saccharide-reduced fruit juice.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound having a chemical structure (Xf? is a counter anion selected from the group consisting of Cl?, NO3?, Br?, I?, CH3SO3? and OH?) of the following general formula (I). By using this compound as a polymerization initiator, the amount of the aggregation formed in emulsion polymerization can be reduced.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel food material effective for improving skin conditions. The present invention provides a composition for use in improving skin conditions, comprising a Lactococcus bacterium as an active ingredient. Examples of the Lactococcus bacterium include Lactococcus lactis. The skin conditions are skin conditions deteriorated by light exposure, such as an increase in skin redness and a decrease in skin moisture content.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a composition for preventing visual dysfunction caused by exposure to light, such as so-called blue light. The present invention provides a composition comprising a lactic acid bacterium as an active ingredient for use in suppressing or improving conditions caused by retinal inflammation resulting from light damage. Eye discomfort is an exemplary condition caused by retinal inflammation resulting from light damage.

Abstract: An intracellular delivery vehicle of which surface is covered by a positive charge, an intracellular delivery complex in which a component or compound desired is loaded in the intracellular delivery vehicle, a temperature-sensitive probe comprising the intracellular delivery complex, and a method for measuring the intracellular temperature by the temperature-sensitive probe are disclosed. The intracellular delivery vehicle is useful on account of its capability of easily delivering the component or compound desired inside the cell without inhibiting cell proliferation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition containing a compound of formula 1 and a compound of formula 2. The present disclosure further relates to compositions containing a compound of formula 1 and a compound of formula 2, and which also contains one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. The compositions may be formulated for oral administration, including as a pill, capsule, or tablet.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a composition for preventing visual dysfunction caused by exposure to light, such as so-called blue light. The present invention provides a composition comprising a lactic acid bacterium as an active ingredient for use in suppressing or improving conditions caused by retinal inflammation resulting from light damage. Eye discomfort is an exemplary condition caused by retinal inflammation resulting from light damage.

Abstract: Provided is a pharmaceutical composition and food composition for treating or preventing a skin disease caused by abnormal growth of a skin bacterium or infection with a pathogenic microorganism. A composition comprising a lactic acid bacterium as an active ingredient, for suppressing bacterial abnormal growth, or preventing or ameliorating deterioration of skin condition caused by a bacterial abnormal growth, by oral intake thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides an IFN inducer comprising, as an active ingredient, lactic acid bacteria and capable of inducing IFN production, an immunopotentiating agent or prophylactic agent against virus infection comprising such inducer, and a food or drink product comprising such IFN inducer and having IFN-inducing activity, immunopotentiating activity, or prophylactic activity against virus infection. The agent for inducing IFN production comprises, as active ingredients, lactic acid bacteria that can activate plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and promote IFN production, such as Lactococcus garvieae NBRC100934, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris JCM16167, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris NBRC100676, Lactococcus lactis subsp. hordniae JCM1180, Lactococcus lactis subsp. hordniae JCM11040, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NBRC12007, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NRIC1150, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis JCM5805, Lactococcus lactis subsp.

Abstract: The present invention provides an extracted and fermented composition of coffee cherry pulp and skin having an increased ?-damascenone content and a method for producing the same. More specifically, in the method for producing an extracted and fermented composition of coffee cherry pulp and skin, a fermentation step using lactic acid bacteria is included.