Abstract: As a technique enabling to simply and accurately diagnose human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) related disease, there is provided a diagnostic method for an HTLV-1 related disease based on an amount of tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) in a blood sample taken from a subject, wherein (1) it is determined based on an increase of the amount of TNFR2 that the subject suffers from, or is likely to develop, the HTLV-1 related disease; and/or (2) it is determined based on a decrease of the amount of TNFR2 that the subject is in remission, or is likely to be in remission, of the HTLV-1 related disease.

Abstract: An imaging sensor includes a photoelectric conversion element, and a plurality of transistors connected to the photoelectric conversion element. The plurality of transistors are configured to transmit charges generated by the photoelectric conversion element. The plurality of transistors includes at least one transistor that includes a silicon semiconductor layer and at least one other transistor that includes an oxide semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Provided is a metabolism improving agent that contains, for example, an alkalizing agent such as an acidosis improving agent or a urinary alkalizing agent as an active ingredient, and has actions such as improvement of insulin resistance, improvement of pituitary and adrenal functions, and reduction of visceral fat accumulation.

Abstract: Adipose-derived stem cells are isolated and extracted from an adipose tissue without using collagenase. An adipose tissue is covered with a nonwoven fabric sheet having sufficient interfiber space and pressed by an appropriate force. Thus, the adipose tissue infiltrates among fibers of the nonwoven fabric and then comes into contact with fibers surrounding the same. By immersing the nonwoven fabric as such in a culture medium, a number of adipose-derived stem cells are allowed to crawl out from the adipose tissue and then adhered to the fiber surface.

Abstract: A plasma sterilization apparatus includes a voltage-applying unit that applies a voltage to a sterilization target having conductivity; a pair of electrodes that apply, in a discharged state, the voltage applied by the voltage-applying unit to the sterilization target via a dielectric; and a position changing unit that changes a relative position between the pair of electrodes and the sterilization target.

Abstract: A method of treating fatty liver comprising administering an effective amount of a plant belonging to a genus Cirsium to a patient in need of the treatment.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a nepodin-containing extract containing a high concentration of nepodin with less contaminants present therein thereby being able to be readily carried out on an industrial scale, when compared to the conventional techniques.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a nepodin-containing extract containing a high concentration of nepodin with less contaminants present therein thereby being able to be readily carried out on an industrial scale, when compared to the conventional techniques.

Abstract: There is provided a plasma sterilization apparatus that permits plasma sterilization providing a uniform sterilization for even sterilization targets having various kinds of three-dimensional shape such as agricultural products, under mild conditions so as to prevent damage and quality deterioration of the targets. A plasma sterilization apparatus includes a voltage-applying unit that applies a voltage to a sterilization target having conductivity; a pair of electrodes that apply, in a discharged state, the voltage applied by said voltage-applying unit to the sterilization target via a dielectric; and a position changing unit that changes a relative position between the pair of electrodes and the sterilization target.

Abstract: A solar light (heat) absorption material which has an excellent solar light (heat) absorbing ability and a simple structure, and may be used as a low-cost and high-performance heat absorption/accumulation material. Also, a solar light (heat) absorption/control building component including the solar light (heat) absorption material that allows for easy change of its solar light (heat) absorption/control ability. The material includes particles dispersed into a liquid medium having a specific heat ranging from 0.4 to 1.4 cal/g/° C. and a melting point of 5° C. or lower. The dispersed particles have L*value of 30 or less as determined by the CIE-Lab color system (light source D65).

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a fraction containing nobiletin and tangeretin at high concentrations, which is excellent in terms of safety, economic efficiency, and the potential for industrialization.

Abstract: For each (ij)-th tensor component, an equation ?F1(ij) using ?1 is computed based on a function W(F) of an inputted tensor amount F and a value (F=F?) of F. For each (kl)-th tensor component, an equation ˜?F2(kl) using ?1 and ?2 is computed based on the value (F=F?) of F. For each combination of an (ij)-th and a (kl)-th component, a function W(F?+?F1(ij)+˜?F2(kl)) is computed using the computed equations ?F1(ij) and ˜?F2(kl). For each (ij)-th component, a coefficient of ?1 in the function W(F?+?F1(ij)+˜?F2(kl)) is removed, and stress, based on a first order derivative with respect to the amount F of the function W(F), is computed. For each combination of an (ij)-th and a (kl)-th component, a coefficient of ?1·?2 in the function W(F?+?F1(ij)+˜?F2(kl)) is removed, and a material Jacobian, based on a second order derivative with respect to the amount F of the function W(F), is computed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent having anti-Helicobacter pylori activity that is effective for the treatment, prevention or improvement of diseases associated with Helicobacter pylori and contains as an active ingredient thereof an extract of a plant belonging to the Labiatae family. The agent having anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of the present invention has superior heat stability and allows the obtaining of elimination effects in a short period of time.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition for prevention or treatment of a disease associated with the production of an autoantibody. Specifically, it provides a composition for the prevention or treatment of a disease associated with the production of an autoantibody, which comprise royal jelly as an active ingredient.

Abstract: An objective of the invention is to provide a drug delivery vehicle capable of allowing a vaccine or adjuvant to reach a target cell or tissue efficiently while being capable of improving the immunogenicity of the vaccine or capable of enhancing the immunostimulating effect of the adjuvant as well as a vaccine or adjuvant utilizing the same. Said drug delivery vehicle contains a multimeric protein having a coiled coil structure and a ligand molecule to a receptor of an immune cell.

Abstract: To provide a pharmaceutical composition comprising a ceramide-related substance having little adverse side effects as an active ingredient by using a raw material that is highly safe to a human body and is inexpensive. A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one sphingoglycolipid derivative that is produced from a beer waste and is represented by the formula below as an active ingredient: wherein R3 represents H or OH; R4 is as defined by (a) or (b) (a) when R3 is H, R4 represents (CH2)13CH3 or (CH2)6CH?CHCH2CH?CH(CH2)4CH3; and (b) when R3 is OH, R4 represents (CH2)yCH3 (where Y represents an integer of 13 to 21) or (CH2)Z1CH?CH(CH2)Z2CH3 (where Z1 and Z2 independently represent 0 or a natural number, provided that Z1+Z2=19).

Abstract: A plasma generator in which the variation of the impedance in the cavity before and after plasma is ignited is less and hardly affected by the shape of the cavity, and the ignitability of the plasma is improved and a method of generating plasma using the plasma generator are provided. The plasma generator comprises a nonconductive gas flow pipe (1) for introducing a gas (9) for generating plasma and discharging it into the atmosphere and a conductive antenna pipe (2) surrounding the gas flow pipe. A microwave (7) is applied to the antenna pipe to change the gas in the gas flow pipe into plasma. The plasma generator is characterized in that a slit (3) with a predetermined length is formed in the antenna pipe (2) along the axial direction of the gas flow pipe. Preferably, the plasma generator is characterized in that the length of the slit is an integral multiple of the half-wave length of the applied microwave.

Abstract: An objective of the invention is to provide a drug delivery vehicle capable of allowing a vaccine or adjuvant to reach a target cell or tissue efficiently while being capable of improving the immunogenicity of the vaccine or capable of enhancing the immunostimulating effect of the adjuvant as well as a vaccine or adjuvant utilizing the same. Said drug delivery vehicle contains a multimeric protein having a coiled coil structure and a ligand molecule to a receptor of an immune cell.

Abstract: A solar light (heat) absorption material is provided which has an excellent solar light (heat) absorbing ability and a simple structure, and may be usable as a low-cost and high-performance heat absorption/accumulation material, the inventive material being usable also as a solar light (heat) absorption/control building component that allows easy change of its solar light (heat) absorption/control ability. The material comprises particles dispersed into a liquid medium having a specific heat ranging from 0.4 to 1.4 cal/g/° C. and a melting point of 5° C. or lower. The dispersed particles have L*value of 30 or less as determined by the CIE-Lab color system (light source D65).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an agent for ameliorating stress-induced immune function modulation which comprises royal jelly. In addition, the present invention provides an anti-stress agent, pharmaceutical, food or beverage, or food additive that contains royal jelly as an active ingredient thereof and prevents or alleviates various somatic symptoms caused by stress.