Abstract: Disclosed is a gene carrier composed of a hydrogen-bonding polymer having a polymer chain with hydrogen-bonding sites formed on the polymer chain, in which the polymer chain has a conformation similar to the conformation of a nucleic acid, and particularly, the polymer chain has helix parameters similar to the helix parameters of a nucleic acid of a helix structure. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrogen-bonding polymer is composed of ?-1,3-glucan such as schizophyllan. The carrier can be expected to be applied as a vector and a separator for nucleic acids because it is capable of interacting with a nucleic acid to form a complex with the nucleic acid and thus carrying the nucleic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gene carrier composed of a hydrogen-bonding polymer having a polymer chain with hydrogen-bonding sites formed on the polymer chain, in which the polymer chain has a conformation similar to the conformation of a nucleic acid, and particularly, the polymer chain has helix parameters similar to the helix parameters of a nucleic acid of a helix structure. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrogen-bonding polymer is composed of &bgr;-1,3-glucan such as schizophyllan. The carrier can be expected to be applied as a vector and a separator for nucleic acids because it is capable of interacting with a nucleic acid to form a complex with the nucleic acid and thus carrying the nucleic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of 2-amino-2-[2-(4-C2-20-alkyl-phenyl)ethyl]propane-1,3-diols.

Abstract: A process for preparing 2-amino malonic acid derivatives of formula (1): wherein A is linear or branched chain alkylene having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, R1 is linear or branched chain alkyl having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, R2 and R3 are the same or different, and are lower alkyl or aralkyl, and R4 is a protecting group, which process comprises the steps of reducing a compound of formula (6): wherein A is linear or branched chain alkylene having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, R1 is linear or branched chain alkyl having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, R2 and R3 are the same or different, and are lower alkyl or aralkyl, and R4 is a protecting group.

Abstract: 2-Amino-1,3-propanediol compounds of the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R is an optionally substituted straight- or branched carbon chain, an optionally substituted aryl, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl or the like, and R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are the same or different and each is a hydrogen, an alkyl, an aralkyl, an acyl or an alkoxycarbonyl, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and immunosuppressants comprising these compounds as active ingredients.The 2-amino-1,3-propanediol compounds of the present invention show immunosuppressive action and are useful for suppressing rejection in organ or bone marrow tranplantation, prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases or as reagents for use in medicinal and pharmaceutical fields.

Abstract: A 2-amino-1,3-propanediol compound represented by general formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and an immunosuppressant containing the same as the active ingredient. In said formula R represents optionally substituted linear or branched carbon chain, optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted cycloalkyl; and R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5, which may be the same or different from one another, represent each hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, acyl or alkoxycarbonyl. The compound is immunodepressant and useful as an inhibitor against rejection in organ or bone marrow transplantation, as a preventive or remedy for autoimmune diseases and so forth, or a reagent in the medical and pharmaceutical fields.

Abstract: A preventive agent against infectious diseases of crustacea, which comprises a glucan having a main chain consisting essentially of beta-1,3-glucopyranosyl residues and/or mycelia of the glucan-producible fungus as an effective component.

Abstract: 2-Amino-1,3-propanediol compounds of the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R is an optionally substituted straight- or branched carbon chain, an optionally substituted aryl, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl or the like, and R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are the same or different and each is a hydrogen, an alkyl, an aralkyl, an acyl or an alkoxycarbonyl, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and immunosuppressants comprising these compounds as active ingredients.The 2-amino-1,3-propanediol compounds of the present invention show immunosuppressive action and are useful for suppressing rejection in organ or bone marrow tranplantation, prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases or as reagents for use in medicinal and pharmaceutical fields.

Abstract: An oral anti-virus agent containing a polysaccharide having the following chemical structure as an active component, ##STR1## (wherein n is an integer of at least 16).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunosuppressive agent which comprises at least one compound selected from the compounds of formula ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or an acyl, Y represents carbonyl or hydroxymethylene and represents a single bond or a double bond and their lactones, in an effective amount and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; a method of prophylaxis and therapy for suppressing rejection or autoimmune diseases which comprises administering the above-mentioned compound or its lactone in an effective amount; and a novel compound of formula ##STR2## or its lactone.

Abstract: A method to stimulate the immune system of fish that comprises administering to the fish a .beta.-1,3-glucan having a .beta.-1,3-linked main chain with .beta.-1,6-linked single glucose side chains.

Abstract: A process and composition to enhance the efficacy of a fish vaccine. A .beta.-1,3-glucan having a .beta.-1,3-linked main chain with .beta.-1,6-linked single glucose side chains is administered to a fish treated with the vaccine.

Abstract: Device for releasing a remaining gas which can easily puncture a hole without involving danger and a cap of a pressure can container which removably stores such a device. The remaining gas releasing device has a flexible sponge plate, a push pin member with its pin portion fitted into the center of one of the surfaces of the sponge plate, a center hole rigid sheet member positioned around the push pin member, a gas-impermeable rigid sheet plate bonded to the surfaces of the center hole rigid plate member, an adhesive sheet plate bonded to the other surface of the sponge plate so that the other surface is covered therewith and having a small hole at its center, and a release sheet plate peelably bonded to the adhesive sheet plate.

Abstract: There are disclosed 2-aminopentanoic acid compounds represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R is as defined in the specification, their optical isomers, their pharmacologically acceptable salts and their use as an immunosuppressant.

Abstract: An anti-AIDS virus agent comprising a sulfate of a polysaccharide having repeating units of the formula: ##STR1## and having a molecular weight of at most 1,000,000 (n.ltoreq.1544).

Abstract: The description describes a process for depolymerization of a polysaccharide having a rod-like helical structure, comprising a step for forcing a solution of the polysaccharide in a solvent (solvent A) through a capillary at a high shear rate, to produce a lower molecular weight degraded polysaccharide, which has the same repeating unit and the same helical structure, as those of the original polysaccharide.

Abstract: Novel nitrogen-containing monoterpene derivatives having pyrindine skeleton and dimers, trimers and higher polymers thereof as low toxic and efficient dyestuffs. Their pharmacological effects are expected.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/JP78/00054 PCT Filed Dec. 14, 1978 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 9, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 9, 1979 PCT Pub. No. WO79/00394 PCT Pub. Date Jul. 12, 1979.Novel reddish coloring compounds of varying hue and the method for its production, obtained by reaction between iridoid compounds contained in biological substances, where if necessary, by pretreatment with chemical or enzymic means to form --COOH at the C-4 position, and in the case of glycosides by hydrolysis of iridoid compounds to aglycones with chemical or microbial or enzymic means, and a substance possessing a primary amino group under acidic condition.

Abstract: Novel nitrogen-containing monoterpene derivatives having pyrindine skeleton synthesized by, for example, substitution of an oxygen atom in an iridoid skeleton for a nitrogen atom as low toxic and efficient dyestuffs. Their pharmacological effects are expected.

Abstract: Neoschizophyllan is produced by an ultrasonication of Schizophyllan which is extracted from a culture solution of Schizophyllum commune Fries or a fruit body thereof.