Abstract: A novel lactic acid bacterium strain is found, which has a high IgA production-inducing ability and a high immunostimulating activity, and belongs to the genus Enterococcus. Thus, provided is an excellent lactic acid bacterium preparation for foods or feeds, which has a high enteric colonization rate. Specifically disclosed are: a novel lactic acid bacterium Enterococcus faecium NHRD IHARA (FERM BP-11090) which has a high IgA production-inducing ability and a high immunostimulating activity; and a lactic acid bacterium preparation for enhancing the production of immunoglobulin A, which comprises a culture of the bacterium strain, an extract of the bacterium strain, or a product of any treatment of cells of the bacterium strain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting food allergens, antibodies and antigens to prepare the antibodies. The antigens of this invention are a mixture comprising multiple native and/or heated food allergens that IgE antibodies of food-allergy patients recognize. The antibodies of this invention are prepared by immunizing animals with the above-mentioned antigens. The food allergen-detecting method of this invention relates to the above-mentioned antibodies. As the method can detect food allergens and food allergy-inducing foods, it can provide safety to food allergy patients.

Abstract: A novel lactic acid bacterium strain is found, which has a high IgA production-inducing ability and a high immunostimulating activity, and belongs to the genus Enterococcus. Thus, provided is an excellent lactic acid bacterium preparation for foods or feeds, which has a high enteric colonization rate. Specifically disclosed are: a novel lactic acid bacterium Enterococcus faecium NHRD IHARA (FERM BP-11090) which has a high IgA production-inducing ability and a high immunostimulating activity; and a lactic acid bacterium preparation for enhancing the production of immunoglobulin A, which comprises a culture of the bacterium strain, an extract of the bacterium strain, or a product of any treatment of cells of the bacterium strain.

Abstract: A method of extracting residual pesticides in an agricultural product and a kit to be used therein. Namely, a method of extracting residual pesticides which comprises: (1) a step of processing an agricultural product into a form allowing the extraction of the residual pesticides; (2) a step of treating the thus processed agricultural product with a dehydrating agent; and (3) a step of extracting the residual pesticides from the thus dehydrated agricultural product by using a hydrophobic solvent, which has an octanol/water partition coefficient (logPow) of from 0 to 4, or a mixed solvent of hydrophobic solvent and hydrophobic solvent. A kit to be used in the method as described above. By using the above method and kit, the procedure can be simplified and an effect of reducing the amount of extracted contaminants such as pigments can be established.

Abstract: A food for improving motor function comprising as effective components carnosine and/or anserine and a material for improving motor performance (a material for motor energy source, a material for promoting conversion into energy and/or an antioxidant) is provided. In the invention, by synergistic effect of these components, the motor function or stamina can be improved and recovery from fatigue can be promoted in humans and mammals. Further, any of the effective components of the food for improving motor function of the invention is a naturally occurring component, therefore, the food has a characteristic of high safety.

Abstract: A method of extracting residual pesticides from livestock meat fat and a kit to be used therefor. Namely, a method of extracting residual pesticides comprising; (1) a step of homogenizing livestock meat fat, which is a solidified state, in the presence of water and then separating the fat, (2) a step of treating the thus treated fat with a dehydrating agent, and (3) a step of dissolving the dehydrated fat in a solvent in which fat is soluble, re-dissolving the pesticides in a hydrophilic solvent and then concentrating the solution of the hydrophilic solvent to give a liquid sample for measuring the residual pesticides. A kit to be used in the above-described method. Use of the above method and kit makes it possible to simplify the procedure while achieving an effect of reducing the amount of impurities (an organic acid, etc) extracted.

Abstract: This invention provides a nonhuman transgenic mammal carrying transgene comprising the regulatory genes capable of functioning in the hyperacute rejection-occurring local cells and gene encoding human N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT-III), or a nonhuman transgenic mammal carrying transgene comprising the regulatory genes and genes encoding GnT-III and the human complement inhibitor. Because of reduced ?-Gal antigens in the hyperacute rejection-occurring local cells or because of both reduced ?-Gal antigens and expression of the human complement inhibitor, the transgenic mammal of this invention can effectively inhibit the hyperacute rejection caused by discordant xenotransplantation. Consequently, this invention provides the transgenic mammal suitable for organ transplantation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an extracting solution for use in the extraction of a residual veterinary drug in livestock product or seafood. The extracting solution contains 0.05 to 1% of metaphosphoric acid and comprises a buffer solution of pH 5.5 to 7.5. The extracting solution can extract plural veterinary drugs at the same time, and can be used preferably used for the extraction when the residual veterinary drug is an antibacterial substance. By using the extracting solution, it becomes possible to extract plural veterinary drugs efficiently at the same time without impairment of stability because of its neutral pH range. Hence, the extracting solution enables to determine a residual veterinary drug in livestock product or seafood rapidly in a simple manner.

Abstract: This invention provides transgenic mammals other than man carrying the gene of the human complement inhibitor (DAF/CD55) and expressing the human complement inhibitor in their organs and tissues, particularly in their endothelial cells. This invention provides nonhuman transgenic mammals useful as laboratory animals in the medical and pharmacological fields and/or sources of organs, tissues, cells and the like for medical treatment of man.

Abstract: The present invention provides meat products comprising fat contents less than halves of those of conventional meat products and soy protein, and, possessing plasma-cholesterol-suppressing property. Due to reduced fat contents and addition of soy protein with the plasma-cholesterol-suppressing property, the meat products of the invention can improve plasma lipids without reducing favorable texture and taste of the meat products.

Abstract: This invention provides gelatin and gelatin hydrolysate peptide for food, medical and cosmetic use derived from such raw materials as poultry skins, bones and/or tendons, with an isoelectric point at pH 7-10, and characterized by no or low antigen-antibody reactivity to the serum of gelatin-allergic individuals. Since the gelatin and its hydrolysate peptide of the invention are hypoallergenic, they can safely be used for gelatin-allergic individuals and for food, medicine and cosmetics, for which the safety is particularly required.

Abstract: This invention is related to the DNA encoding the porcine complement inhibitor (pMCPcDNA), the porcine complement inhibitor expressed by the DNA, and a method for screening for the porcine complement inhibitor. pMCPcDNA can be obtained by preparing a cDNA library from porcine vascular endothelium and screening for cDNA encoding the porcine complement inhibitor. pMCPcDNA of this invention is useful for production of the porcine complement inhibitor by genetic recombination and for analysis for the promoter region of the porcine complement inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention provides the base sequence defined as Sequence No. 1, DNA comprising a part of the sequence, or DNA containing the sequence, and relates to a promoter gene of the porcine complement inhibitor. In generating transgenic pigs transformed with human complement inhibitor and/or such thrombosis-inhibiting factors as thrombomudulin (collectively termed the complement inhibitor), DNA of the invention can effectively be used to express the complement inhibitor by integrating the gene into the upstream part of the human complement-inhibitor gene. Since hyperacute rejection, which occurs on transplanting a porcine organ or tissue to man, can be prevented, xenotransplantaion of the porcine organs and tissues to man will become possible. Therefore, the problem of the lack of donors for transplantation can be solved.

Abstract: Oral drugs and functional foods of the present invention contain type-II collagen denatured (fragmented) under specific conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been considered to be an autoimmune disease against type-II collagen as an antigen. Since denatured type-II collagen of the invention induces high oral immune tolerance and inhibits immune responses against type-II collagen, it can prevent and treat RA. Particularly, RA can effectively be prevented and treated by simple oral administration of type-II collagen.

Abstract: An absorbable spun, cotton-like topical hemostat containing fibers entangled with each other and being made of atelcollagen obtained by reconstituting solubilized collagen. Each of the fibers has a diameter of 10 to 70 .mu.m and a length of 3 to 70 mn. At least a part of the collagen molecules constituting the fibers are crosslinked by heat at a temperature of 50.degree. to 200.degree. C. The hemostat is swellable upon contact with blood. In use, the hemostat readily adapts to the shape of the hemorrhagic site, has an adhesiveness to a bleeding surface and provides an effective suppression of hemorrhage.