Abstract: The T-cell epitope site on a Japanese cypress (hinoki) pollen allergen molecule has been identified by stimulating a T-cell line established from a patient suffering from Japanese cypress pollen allergy with an overlap peptide covering the primary structure of the Japanese cypress pollen allergen. The peptide is useful in peptide-based immunotherapy for patients with spring tree pollinosis including patients with Japanese cypress pollinosis having cross reactivity with Japanese cypress pollen. The peptide is also useful for diagnosing spring tree pollinosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a monomolecular multi-epitope peptide prepared by binding T cell epitope regions derived from different allergen molecules with each other. A peptide-based immunotherapeutic agent containing an effective amount of the multi-epitope peptide can treat a wide range of allergic diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel use of the MK family that is used alone as an agent for proliferating hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoietic precursor cells. The invention also provides an agent for remarkably enhancing the above-described effect for promoting the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoietic precursor cells, comprising the MK family in combination with known hematopoietic factors such as IL-3, IL-6, G-CSF, GM-CSF, M-CSF, SCF, and EPO.

Abstract: A method for preparing a gel composition, such as alginate gel beads, using a proper concentration of calcium pantothenate or calcium ascorbate as a gelling agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel use of the MK family that is used alone as an agent for proliferating hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoietic precursor cells. The invention also provides an agent for remarkably enhancing the above-described effect for promoting the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoietic precursor cells, comprising the MK family in combination with known hematopoietic factors such as IL-3, IL-6, G-CSF, GM-CSF, M-CSF, SCF, and EPO.

Abstract: Preventives and remedies for intestinal mucosal disorders and diseases caused thereby which contain as the active ingredient a member selected from the group consisting of ethanolamine, phosphoethanolamine, phosphoglycerolethanolamine and salts thereof. These preventives and remedies inhibit shrinkage of the intestinal mucosa and have a beneficial effect on various functions of the intestinal tract.

Abstract: An amino acid-trehalose composition comprising an amino acid composition which comprises proline, alanine, glycine, valine, threonine, leucine, histidine, lysine, isoleucine, arginine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan; and trehalose. The amino acid-trehalose composition has effects of compensating the reduction of the blood level of amino acids associated with severe exercise, of improving the exercise, of reducing the degree of fatigue after exercise and of recovering from fatigue. In addition, the administration of the composition permits the inhibition of the consumption of amino acids associated with exercise and any induction of fatigue accompanied by exercise.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sustained-release composition obtained by gelating a compound such as a drug together with an oil or polysaccharide. This composition enables excellent sustained release of a contained compound such as a drug. Orally administered, the gel composition can stay in the stomach for a prolonged period by adjusting its specific gravity by varying the amount of oil or polysaccharide in the composition.

Abstract: Described is a cyclohexenone long-chain alcohol represented by the formula (1): wherein R1, R2 and R3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and X represents a C10-18 alkylene or alkenylene group. The cyclohexanone long-chain alcohol according to the present invention has excellent neurite growth stimulating effects and is therefore useful as a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: An amino acid composition comprising the following amino acids at the following molar ratio: proline (12.6 to 23.4), alanine (8.4 to 15.6), glycine (13.3 to 24.9), valine (8.2 to 15.4), threonine (5.0 to 9.4), eucine (4.3 to 8.1), histidine (1.8 to 11.9), serine (1.7 to 3.3), lysine (6.0 to 11.2), isoleucine (3.1 to 5.9), glutamic acid (2.2 to 10.4), arginine (2.4 to 4.6), phenylalanine (2.6 to 5.0), tyrosine (4.2 to 7.8) and trypsin (1.5 to 2.9). The composition supplements blood amino acids reduced during hard exercise and shows effects to improve motor function, to reduce fatigue after exercise and to help recovery from the fatigue.

Abstract: A method of culturing avian cells in a medium with a pH value of 7.8 or above, whereby avian cells can be subcultured stably for long. Since avian cells have been incapable of subculture heretofore, it has been impossible to effect in vitro cell or gene manipulation therewith. Now that such a manipulation becomes possible by the invention method, the way is opened for the industrial utilization of avian cells in the creation of transgenic birds and the production of vaccines.

Abstract: An anti-ulcer composition is provided, which comprises as an active ingredient at least one of MK protein, its derivative having biological activity of MK protein, and their fragment having biological activity of MK protein, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition exhibits an effect for treating ulcer by promoting autotherapy without recurrence of ulcer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for the treatment of liver diseases, comprising administering an effective amount of an aminoalcohol of the following formula (1) or a salt thereof: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a phosphono group, R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a group --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --OR.sup.1, and n represents an integer between 2 and 5 inclusive. The present invention also relates to the use of the compound in the manufacture of a remedy for the treatment of liver diseases. This compound exhibits hepatocyte proliferation activity and liver disorder restoring effect, and thus is useful for the treatment of acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis, etc.

Abstract: Fabricated rice containing whey protein in the range of 0.1-10% by weight, and optionally sodium alginate and calcium, and a process for preparing the same by mixing starches, whey protein(s), and optionally sodium alginate and a calcium salt with water, followed by heating and shaping.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for the treatment of liver diseases, comprising administering an effective amount of an aminoalcohol of the following formula (1) or a salt thereof: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a phosphono group, R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a group--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --OR.sup.1, and n represents an integer between 2 and 5 inclusive. The present invention also relates to the use of the compound in the manufacture of a remedy for the treatment of liver diseases. This compound exhibits hepatocyte proliferation activity and liver disorder restoring effect, and thus is useful for the treatment of acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a complex formed by the coordination between a thiol group-containing compound and a silver ion; an antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agent containing the same as the active agent; and an antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral composition containing the above agent and a vehicle or a carrier.The agent has a wide antibacterial and antifungal spectrum and an antiviral activity, is well compatible with various vehicles and carriers, sustains its activity for long, and has reduced peroral toxicity, skin irritation and mucosa irritation.

Abstract: A gene to be integrated is bound to pAM.beta.1 plasmid to construct an integration plasmid, which is conjugally transferred into chromosomal DNA of a strain of Lactobacillus delbrueckii species. Integration of only the objective gene occurs through homologous recombination events (double crossing-over). According to this method, an arbitrary gene can be integrated into chromosomal DNA of a strain of Lactobacillus delbrueckii species and the DNA sequence derived from the vector, pAM.beta.1, can be completely removed. Therefore, the obtained gene integrant is widely applicable to the production of foods, medicines, feeds and the like.

Abstract: A progesterone compound represented by the following formula (1): ##STR1## ?wherein R.sup.1 represents a C1-C23 hydrocarbon group!, and a neovascularization inhibitor containing the same as the active ingredient.The compound (1) has a potent neovascularization inhibitory effect and is hence useful in the treatment of malignant tumors, diabetic retinitis, rheumatism, etc.

Abstract: A method for treating retinal diseases includes administering an effective amount of midkine to patients suffering from retinal diseases. The method of the invention is effective in ameliorating optical disorders of retinas and is quite safe.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anti-HIV agent comprising, as an active ingredient, at least one porphyrin derivative selected from the following derivatives (A) and (B):(A) porphyrins modified with a compound selected from carbodiimides, alkylenediamines and alcohols; and(B) complexes of a plasma protein or a chemically modified plasma protein and a porphyrin which may have been modified with a compound selected from carbodiimides, alkylenediamines and alcohols.This anti-HIV agent is excellent in killing effect on HIV-infected cells, inhibitory effect on cytopathy due to HIV infection and HIV-replication inhibiting effect, and high in safety.