Abstract: There is provided a gene encoding a protein derived from, for example, snapdragons and petunias, said protein having an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, 8, and 10, and having an activity of transferring a glycosyl group to aurones, and a method of producing said protein using said gene. By introducing this gene into plants that do not have said gene, a yellow pigment aurone can be stabilized and plants having yellow flowers can be obtained.

Abstract: Drug or foods and drink for prevention or treatment of diseases caused by abnormalities in cartilage tissues in which said drugs or foods and drinks have omega-9 unsaturated fatty acid as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A method for producing temperature-tolerant plants, which comprises transforming a plant with a recombinant vector carrying a gene encoding choline oxidase, as well as temperature-tolerant plants produced by said method or progenies thereof having the same properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for imaging a liquid-filling container in which a plurality of imaging devices each comprising a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit are provided. Light from each light emitting unit is irradiated onto a liquid-filling container and this light transmitted through the container is received by each light receiving unit. The object of the present invention is to provide such method and an apparatus for imaging a liquid-filling container. This method or apparatus allows for simultaneous and highly reliable imaging of two or more kinds of condition of the container. For accomplishing this object, according to the present invention, wavelengths of the lights emitted by the respective light emitting units and received by the respective light receiving units of the imaging devices for imaging the liquid-filling containers are different from each other.

Abstract: A process for controlling the mycelial morphology of a microorganism belonging to the genus Mortierella during culturing and a process for producing unsaturated fatty acids and a lipid containing them by using a culture medium for culturing a microorganism in which phosphate ions, potassium ions, sodium ions, magnesium ions, and calcium ions in the culture medium are in the range of 5 to 60 mM, 5 to 60 mM, 2 to 50 mM, 0.5 to 9 mM, and 0.5 to 12 mM, respectively, characterized in that the microorganism belonging to the genus Mortierella is cultured in a culture medium containing phosphate ions in the range of 5 to 60 mM, potassium ions in the range of 5 to 60 mM, sodium ions in the range of 2 to 50 mM, magnesium ions in the range of 0.5 to 9 mM, and calcium ions in the range of 0.

Abstract: A DNA construct comprising: (1) a selective marker gene, (2) a galactose-inducible growth inhibition sequence, (3) a pair of FRT sequences in the same orientation flanking (1) and (2), and (4) a DNA fragment capable of recombining with a yeast chromosomal DNA located at each end of (3), wherein said FRT sequences contain the following sequence: 5′-GAAGTTCCTATAC TTTCTAGA GAATAGGAACTTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 1) inverted spacer inverted repeat (1) sequence repeat (2) or a sequence substantially identical to said sequence.

Abstract: A method for effectively causing charge-remote fragmentation (CRF) when the structural analysis of an nitrogen-containing organic compound is performed using a high-energy collisional-induced dissociation-mass/mass spectrum (CID-MS/MS spectrum), a reagent to be used in such a method, and a method for analyzing an organic compound by the induction of CRF are provided. The method for the induction of charge-remote fragmentation (CRF) using a high-energy collisional-induced dissociation-mass/mass spectrum (CID-MS/MS spectrum) has the step of: introducing a squaric acid residue into an end of a nitrogen-containing organic compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antialopecia agent which is a drug for protecting, reducing or preventing alopecia frequently occurring as the side effect of anticancer agents, wherein the drug inflicts neither any pain nor unpleasantness on patients under the treatment with anticancer agents and has a high safety; and foods or beverages containing this antialopecia agent. The antialopecia agent of the present invention is characterized by containing oolong tea extract as the active ingredient.

Abstract: The invention provides a peptide capable of blocking voltage-gated K+ channels and inhibiting IL-2 production, which is represented by an amino acid sequence of: Ala-Ser-Cys-Arg-Thr-Pro-Lys-Asp-Cys-Ala-Asp-Pro-Cys-Arg-Lys-Glu-Thr-Gly-Cys-Pro-Tyr-Gly-Lys-Cys-Met-Asn-Arg-Lys-Cys-Lys-Cys-Asn-Arg-Cys; in which the C-terminal is amidated and four disulfide bridges are present in the molecule, and their related peptides isolated from the venom gland of a scorpion Heterometrus spinnifer. The peptides provided by the present invention are neuropeptides which can block voltage-gated K+ channels and inhibit IL-2 production at an extremely low concentration and, therefore, are expected to contribute to application of scorpion toxins to medicines and so on.

Abstract: DNA obtained, for example, from snapdragon or torenia, encoding an enzyme that can convert flavanones directly to flavones, and its uses; the DNA and amino acid sequences for enzymes encoded thereby are listed as SEQ.ID. No. 1 & 2 and 3 & 4, for example. Introduction of the genes into plants can, for example, alter the flower colors of the plants.

Abstract: Novel proteins providing the new approach to development of the drugs and pesticides with the use or application of a hemolytic activity, and novel proteins having the following properties and the genes encoding thereof are provided: (1) having hemolytic activity; (2) having a molecular weight of about 50,000 Da (determined by SDS gel electrophoresis); (3) having an amino acid sequence represented by any of SEQ ID NO 1 to SEQ ID NO 3 as a partial amino acid sequence; and (4) having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO 5 as the full amino acid sequence.

Abstract: A food or beverage containing an effective amount of a fructose-6-phosphate-2-kinase inhibitor which is safe and effective in vivo, such as itaconic acid, and a pharmaceutical composition containing the inhibitor as an active ingredient are disclosed. This food, beverage or pharmaceutical composition safely exerts an antiobesity, antidiabetic, and an antilipemic effect.

Abstract: A method of effecting serotonin-2-receptor antagonism in a mammal in need thereof, which includes administering to the mammal an effective amount of the compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: 1

Abstract: DNA obtained, for example, from snapdragon or torenia, encoding an enzyme that can convert flavanones directly to flavones, and its uses; the DNA and amino acid sequences for enzymes encoded thereby are listed as SEQ.ID. No. 1 & 2 and 3 & 4, for example. Introduction of the genes into plants can, for example, alter the flower colors of the plants.

Abstract: A novel technique for relieving arachidonic acid deficient conditions and maintaining a good fatty acid balance in vivo. Utilizaiton of a DPA-containing material for relieving arachidonic acid deficient conditions and maintaining a good fatty acid balance in vivo; and compositions for relieving arachidonic acid deficient conditions and maintaining a good fatty acid balance in vivo which contain a DPA-containing material in an amount efficacious in relieving arachidonic acid deficient conditions and maintaining a good fatty acid balance in vivo per unit dose.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a Verbena plant which has an erect growth habit and good plant height. The plant abundantly forms flowers in a spike with a great profusion of blooms. The blooming period is late April to November and the flowering duration is long. The whole plant remains in bloom for a considerable period of time. The flower size is large and the petal color is vivid reddish purple without an eye. The plant is highly tolerant to heat and cold, and has high resistance to pests and diseases, particularly powdery mildew, and a high resistance to rain.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is new Nierembergia plant named ‘Sunnicobu’, having a compact and tufted habit with long internode stem. The stem color varies from grayish olive to grayish brown. Flowers are single and small. The petal is light purple with moderate purple center portion. The bottom color of the corolla throat is vivid yellow and the outside color of corolla tube is pale yellow green. The plant has a high resistance to rain, heat, diseases especially powdery mildew.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a verbena plant named ‘Sunmaref TP-SAP’ having a broad spreading growth habit and long stems. The plant has abundant branching and forms a large number of flowers in clusters with a great profusion of blooms. The blooming period is from April to November and the flowering duration is long with the entire plant remaining in bloom for a considerable period of time. The flower size is medium and the petal color is a strong purplish pink. The plant is highly tolerant to cold, drought, rain and heat, and exhibits high resistance to pests and diseases, particularly to powdery mildew.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a new and distinct variety of Petunia plant having a decumbent habit and long stems. The Petunia plant has abundant branching, and great profusion of blooms, the whole plant remaining in bloom for a considerable period of time. The flowers are single and medium size, the petals having a light purplish pink ground color with a vivid reddish purple vein pattern. The bottom color of the corolla throat is brilliant purple and the outside of the corolla tube is very pale violet. The plant exhibits high resistance to rain, heat and disease.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a Torenia plant which displays large globose flowers having vivid red purple petals and a vivid red purple floral tube. The plant has a semi-erect growth habit and medium branching. A great profusion of blooms is formed with the entire plant remaining in bloom for a considerable period of time.