Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for preparing ambrein, which can easily obtain the ambrein. The object can be solved by a mutated tetraprenyl-?-curcumene cyclase wherein a fourth amino acid residue of a DXDD motif, aspartic acid, is substituted with an amino acid other than aspartic acid, (a) having a QXXXGX(W/F) motif, and a QXXXX(G/A)X(F/W/Y) motif on the N-terminal side, and a QXXXGX(F/W/Y) motif, and a QXXXGXW motif and a QXXXGX(F/W) motif on the C-terminal side, and not having a QXXXGXW motif at a position separated by 170 amino acid residues or more on the C-terminal side, with respect to the DXDD motif, (b) having 40% or more identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 13, (c) exhibiting ambrein production activity using squalene as a substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a sheet for use in a tongue plaque cleaner, capable of reliably cutting loops of thread members provided at a given density, and forming thread members each having a shape with an arc portion sufficient enough to scrape off tongue plaque, through steps that are simple, low-cost and suitable for mass production. A method for manufacturing a sheet 1 for use in a tongue plaque cleaner for scraping off tongue plaque, includes: a step of heating a sheet material having multiple looped thread members 2 protruding from one surface of the sheet material, at a temperature below the melting point of the thread members 2; and a step of forming first thread members 3, 8 and second thread members 4, 9 by cutting loops of the thread members 2 heated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel peptide that acts directly on pancreatic cancer cells and tissues and has highly-shifted accumulation thereto. Disclosed is a peptide of the following (a) or (b): (a) a peptide containing an amino acid sequence including a sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:1, 2, 3, and 4; and (b) a peptide containing an amino acid sequence including a sequence having at least 60% identity with a sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:1, 2, 3, and 4, the peptide having highly-shifted accumulation to pancreatic cancer cells and tissues.

Abstract: The aminosilane-modified colloidal silica dispersion contains colloidal silica particles having surfaces to which there are bound a first silyl group represented by the following formula (1): R1aSi(OR2)3-aO— and a second silyl group represented by the following formula (2): R3bSi(OR4)3-bO— and, as a dispersion medium, a mixed solvent formed of a polar solvent S1 having a dielectric constant at 20° C. of 15 or higher and lower than 60 and a non-polar solvent S2 having a dielectric constant at 20° C. of 1 or higher and lower than 15, at a mass ratio (S1/S2) of 0.3 to 6.

Abstract: Provided is a pseudo visceral model having a specific texture. A model of viscera, tissues, or organs comprising a foam layer containing a hydrogel.

Abstract: A composition having excellent scorch resistance and storage stability, the composition containing composite particles and a fluoropolymer, and the composite particles including a polymer and inorganic particles dispersed in the polymer.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing ambrein, comprising reacting tetraprenyl-?-curcumene cyclase with 3-deoxyachilleol A to obtain ambrein.

Abstract: Providing a modified-graphene-like carbon material into which hydroxyl groups are introduced. By reacting a graphene-like carbon material with hydrogen peroxide, a hydroxyl group is introduced into the graphene-like carbon material.

Abstract: A heat receiver, a reactor, and a heater utilize the heat of concentrated solar light for thermal decomposition and/or chemical reaction of coals, etc. The heat receiver includes: a side portion forming a substantially cylindrical side surface; a substantially circular bottom portion connected to the lower edge of the side portion; and a ceiling connected to the upper edge of the side portion. A substantially circular aperture is formed in the center of the ceiling. The heat receiver has a substantially cylindrical cavity and the opening portion is open. When the cavity has a diameter of D and a length of L, and the aperture has a diameter of d, d=D/2 or less and L=2D or more. Concentrated solar light entering the heat receiver is to be contained in the heat receiver to effectively utilize the solar light.

Abstract: Provided is a test method for the detection of diabetic nephropathy at an early stage as compared to a conventional method. Specifically provided are: a test method for diabetic nephropathy, including detecting urinary podocalyxin; the test method, further including assessing diabetic nephropathy at at least Stage I; a test reagent for use in the test method; and a test reagent kit for use in the test method. The present invention is based on a finding that urinary podocalyxin reflects the development and condition of diabetic nephropathy with high sensitivity at an early stage as compared to urinary albumin.

Abstract: Provided is a test method for the assessment of the necessity of renal biopsy in a subject to be tested, who is suspected of having a renal disease. Specifically provided are a test method for a renal disease, including using urinary podocalyxin and one or more additional markers in combination, and a test reagent for use in the test method and a test reagent kit for use in the test method. The present invention allows the discrimination of a poor prognosis group even for poor prognosis cases with no overt findings in a conventional test method, and thus allows the assessment of a renal disease, the assessment of the necessity of renal biopsy, prognostic prediction, and the like to be performed exactly.

Abstract: There is provided a heptamer-type small guide nucleic acid that comprises any of the 7-base sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 15, and induces apoptosis of human leukemia cells. A leukemia therapeutic agent containing the heptamer-type small guide nucleic acid as an active ingredient is also provided. The novel heptamer-type sg nucleic acid can induce apoptosis of human leukemia cells.

Abstract: An anti-GAP43 antibody which is capable of distinguishing a non-phosphorylated threonine residue at position 89 (T89) from a phosphorylated threonine residue at position 89 (pT89) of mouse GAP43 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 13, and which is capable of specifically detecting a growth cone; an anti-GAP43 antibody which is capable of distinguishing a non-phosphorylated serine residue at position 96 (S96) from a phosphorylated serine residue at position 96 (pS96) of mouse GAP43, and which is capable of specifically detecting a growth cone; an anti-GAP43 antibody which is capable of distinguishing a non-phosphorylated threonine residue at position 172 (T172) from a phosphorylated threonine residue at position 172 (pT172) of mouse GAP43, and which is capable of specifically detecting a growth cone; and an immunological analysis method using these anti-GAP43 antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for retaining and expressing physiologically active substances in a target tissue-specific-manner, by administering the physiologically active substances to target submucous tissue. Specifically, the present inventors demonstrated that, when physiologically active substances were directly administered into submucous tissues without using a carrier, the physiologically active substances were effectively and safely retained at the administration sites over long periods without loss and diffusion, and produced the effect acting in a reservoir-like fashion. The physiologically active substances administered as described above were demonstrated to produce the therapeutic effect without having an influence on organs other than the administered organ.

Abstract: The present invention includes cilastatin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active component and a suppressant for renal impairment or inner ear disorders, induced via megalin by at least one megalin ligand which is selected from the group consisting of polymyxins, aminoglycoside antibiotics, glycopeptide antibiotics, cisplatin, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing ambrein, comprising reacting tetraprenyl-?-curcumene cyclase with 3-deoxyachilleol A to obtain ambrein.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating severe ischemic events including cerebral infarction, cardiac infarction, or pulmonary embolism, comprising a thrombolytic intervention including thrombolytic agents and an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-mediated signal transduction are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for evaluating atomic vacancies in a silicon wafer surface layer includes: element formation in which a pair of comb-shaped electrodes are formed on the same surface of a silicon sample over piezoelectric thin films; detection during which the sample is cooled and an ultrasonic pulse generated from one electrode while an external magnetic field is applied, the ultrasonic pulse being propagated through the sample surface and received by the other electrode, and a phase difference being detected between the ultrasonic pulse generated by the one electrode and the ultrasonic pulse received by the other electrode; and evaluation during which the sample surface elastic constant is determined on the basis of the phase difference, and the atomic vacancies in the sample surface are evaluated on the basis of changes in the elastic constant according to temperature or changes in the elastic constant according to the magnetic field intensity.

Abstract: Provided are a functional-group-modified carbon material modified with an isocyanate group or amino group, and a method for producing the material. The material is an isocyanate-group-modified carbon material in which an isocyanate group of a diisocyanate compound is bonded to a graphene-like carbon material, or an amino-group-modified carbon material in which a fragment obtained by radical-decomposing an amino-group-containing azo-type radical initiator is added to the graphene-like carbon material by radical-trapping. The method is a method for producing a functional-group-modified carbon material, including heating and stirring, in a solvent, a graphene-like carbon material, and a diisocyanate compound or an amino-group-containing azo-type radical initiator.

Abstract: Conventionally, it is impossible to detect an object to which a person feels a similar sense based on latent consciousness. Detection of an object to which a person feels a similar sense is realizable by a brain information processing apparatus using high-level brain activity information indicating a latent consciousness. The brain information processing apparatus has stored therein one or more pieces of brain information that includes brain activity information, which is information on a brain activation level, and object information, and includes: an accepting unit that accepts brain activity information; an object information acquisition unit that acquires one or more pieces of object information associated with one or more pieces of brain activity information that is approximate to the brain activity information to the extent of satisfying a predetermined condition; and an output unit that outputs the object information acquired by the object information acquisition unit.