Abstract: Provided are: a composition having an excellent anti-norovirus effect; use of a theaflavin compound for the preparation of the composition; and a method for preventing infection with a norovirus using a theaflavin compound. A theaflavin compound is used as an active ingredient for preventing infection with a norovirus. The theaflavin compound is preferably used together with an alcohol. The theaflavin compound is preferably one or more members selected from the group consisting of theaflavin, theaflavin-3-O-gallate, theaflavin-3?-O-gallate and theaflavin-3,3?-O-digallate that are derived from tea components.

Abstract: Provided are: a composition having an excellent anti-norovirus effect; use of a theaflavin compound for the preparation of the composition; and a method for preventing infection with a norovirus using a theaflavin compound. A theaflavin compound is used as an active ingredient for preventing infection with a norovirus. The theaflavin compound is preferably used together with an alcohol. The theaflavin compound is preferably one or more members selected from the group consisting of theaflavin, theaflavin-3-O-gallate, theaflavin-3?-O-gallate and theaflavin-3,3?-O-digallate that are derived from tea components.

Abstract: To provide an adiponectin secretion regulator whereby the effect of adiponectin can be efficiently expressed while the adverse effect of appetite increase associated with adiponectin is avoided, and to provide a food/drink product, a functional food product, a cosmetic, a pharmaceutical, and an animal feed having such adiponectin secretion regulating effects. In the present invention, fucose or a precursor thereof is used as an active ingredient of the adiponectin secretion regulator. A food/drink product, a functional food product, a cosmetic, a pharmaceutical, or an animal feed having adiponectin secretion regulating effects is obtained by compounding a specific amount of fucose or a precursor thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical composition which, in autotransplantation which is the only method that can induce the epithelialization even in a widespread full-thickness skin defect, enables the fixation of an autotransplantation skin graft in a simple manner and can increase the efficiency of epithelialization to promote the regeneration of the skin. The present invention elates to a medical composition comprising a photo-crosslinkable chitosan derivative and an amino acid and/or a saccharide. The amino acid is preferably an essential amino acid, and the saccharide is preferably a neutral saccharide selected from glucose, galactose, mannose and fucose.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid composition to make the mucous membrane bulge during endoscopic surgery characterized in that it comprises a chitosan derivative containing carbohydrate chains. The use of the composition of the present invention as a liquid for bulging the mucous membrane during endoscopic surgery, maintain the bulge of the mucous membrane for a long period, and prevent perforation, resulting in the improved reliability of endoscopic surgery. The composition of the present invention also demonstrates prevention and inhibition of bleeding from the incised portion. The introduction of a photo-reactive group to the above chitosan derivative with carbohydrate chains allows the easy formation of a hydrogel through photo-crosslinking, leading to the further improvement in retention of the bulge and prevention of bleeding.

Abstract: A taste improving agent for food and beverage containing potassium chloride that can effectively relieve unpleasant tastes, such as bitter taste and harsh taste, attributed to potassium chloride without detriment to the flavor of the food and beverage; a process for producing a food and beverage containing potassium chloride of high palatability having the bitter taste and harsh taste of potassium chloride suppressed; and a food and beverage containing potassium chloride produced by the production process. Use is made of a taste improving agent comprising a basic amino acid and/or a basic peptide as an active ingredient. It is preferred that the basic amino acid be at least one member selected from among histidine, arginine and lysine and the basic peptide at least one member selected from among anserine, carnosine and balenine. This taste improving agent is added to a food and beverage containing potassium chloride, thereby obtaining a food and beverage containing potassium chloride with improved taste.

Abstract: It is intended to provide an N-acetylglucosamine tablet, with which N-acetylglucosamine can be taken in an amount at which a physiological activity can be expected in a small number of tablets, and which has an excellent disintegrating property and solubility in the oral cavity and has an adequate hardness to such an extent that it is not difficult to handle; and a process for producing the same. A saccharide having low moldability is mixed with or sprayed on N-acetylglucosamine to perform coating and/or granulation, and a saccharide having high moldability is mixed with the obtained granulated matter to perform molding, whereby the N-acetylglucosamine tablet disintegrating in oral cavity which has a tablet hardness of 5 to 20 kgf and a mass per tablet of 1,000 to 3,000 mg, and which rapidly disintegrates and dissolves in the oral cavity is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to offer a novel material which combines cell-adhesive proteins such as collagen with GAG polymers to construct an environment similar to an extracellular matrix, capable of controlling differentiation and proliferation of cells. The present invention offers a glycosaminoglycan-functionalized polymer protein composite produced by combining a cell-adhesive protein with a glycosaminoglycan-functionalized polymer obtained by incorporating a carbohydrate chain containing a structure corresponding to at least a portion of a glycosaminoglycan backbone into a vinyl polymer main chain, as well as a cell culture substrate and a material for tissue reconstruction treatments comprising the composite.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid composition to make the mucous membrane bulge during endoscopic surgery characterized in that it comprises a chitosan derivative containing carbohydrate chains. The use of the composition of the present invention as a liquid for bulging the mucous membrane during endoscopic surgery, maintain the bulge of the mucous membrane for a long period, and prevent perforation, resulting in the improved reliability of endoscopic surgery. The composition of the present invention also demonstrates prevention and inhibition of bleeding from the incised portion. The introduction of a photo-reactive group to the above chitosan derivative with carbohydrate chains allows the easy formation of a hydrogel through photo-crosslinking, leading to the further improvement in retention of the bulge and prevention of bleeding.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for skin care by orally administering a skin care agent comprising an ingestible carrier and natural-type N-acetylglucosamine obtainable by hydrolysis of chitin with an acid, an enzyme, or an acid and an enzyme, wherein the natural-type N-acetylglucosamine is contained in an amount of from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight, by which the moisture and tension of skin can be improved and the rough skin and fine wrinkles can be prevented or ameliorated. The skin care agent may be a skin care agent containing chitinoligosaccharide in an amount of from 0.1 to 20% by weight and natural-type N-acetylglucosamine in an amount of from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight; or a skin care agent containing collagen peptide in an amount of from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight and natural-type N-acetylglucosamine in an amount of from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight.

Abstract: An antifatigue composition for reducing muscular fatigue or the like during or after exercise, which includes an imidazole compound obtained from extracts of fishes, shelifishes, fowl, flesh or the like, as an active ingredient. The imidazole compound in the antifatigue composition is preferably at least one compound selected from the group consisting of histidine, anserine, carnosine, valenine and salts thereof. The antifatigue composition preferably further contains D-ribose as an active ingredient. By orally ingesting the antifatigue composition, the amount of lactic acid in plasma during or after exercise can be kept low, and therefore muscle fatigue caused by exercise can be controlled, and as a result, the ability to exercise can be improved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for skin care by orally administering a skin care agent comprising an ingestible carrier and natural-type N-acetylglucosamine obtainable by hydrolysis of chitin with an acid, an enzyme, or an acid and an enzyme, wherein the natural-type N-acetylglucosamine is contained in an amount of from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight, by which the moisture and tension of skin can be improved and the rough skin and fine wrinkles can be prevented or ameliorated. The skin care agent may be a skin care agent containing chitinoligosaccharide in an amount of from 0.1 to 20% by weight and natural-type N-acetylglucosamine in an amount of from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight; or a skin care agent containing collagen peptide in an amount of from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight and natural-type N-acetylglucosamine in an amount of from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides a skin care agent comprising N-acetylglucosamine as an active ingredient, and a method of skin care using it. The promoter is preferably in the form of tablets, capsules, powder such as dust or granules, liquid or past. The skin care agent of the present invention may be incorporated into foods such as confectioneries, powdered soup and beverages. By orally ingesting the skin care agent of the present invention, the N-acetylglucosamine as an active ingredient is rapidly absorbed, and by utilizing a part thereof as a starting material of acidic mucopolysaccharides such as hyaluronic acid or chondroitin sulfate, the moisture and tension of skin can be improved and the rough skin and fine wrinkles can be prevented or ameliorated.

Abstract: An antifatigue composition by which muscular fatigue or the like during or after exercise can be reduced, is obtained by incorporating an imidazole compound obtainable from extracts of fishes, shellfishes, fowl, flesh or the like, as an active ingredient. In the antifatigue composition, the imidazole compound is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of histidine, anserine, carnosine and valenine, and salts thereof. It is further preferred to contain D-ribose as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A method for treating liver dysfunction includes administering at least one member selected from a chitin oligosaccharide, a chitosan oligosaccharide and salts thereof, in an effective amount. As the chitin oligosaccharide, preferred is an oligosaccharide having a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 7. As the chitosan oligosaccharide, preferred is an oligosaccharide having a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 8. As the method for administration, it is preferred to add these oligosaccharides to foods, medicines or feeds, and to orally ingest them. However, when used as medicines, administration methods such as intravenous injection and muscular injection may be used.

Abstract: A method for treating and improving diabetes and liver dysfunction, can be obtained by administering at least one selected from a chitin oligosaccharide, a chitosan oligosaccharide and salts thereof, in an effective amount. As the chitin oligosaccharide, preferred is one having the degree of polymerization of from 2 to 7. As the chitosan oligosaccharide, preferred is one having the degree of polymerization of from 2 to 8. As the method for administration, it is preferred to add them to e.g. foods, medicines or feeds, and orally ingest them. However, when used as medicines, administration methods such as intravenous injection and muscular injection, may be used.