Abstract: The present invention provides methods which use induction phenomenon of production of interleukin 18 (IL-18) from keratinocyte (KC), and their usages. The methods are preferably applicable for understanding of pathogenic mechanisms of atopic dermatitis (AD) and AD-like symptoms, and for development of therapeutic drugs for AD and AD-like symptoms. For example, by applying, on skin of mice or the like, protein A (SpA) derived from Staphylococcus aureus, or transplanting, on mice, a skin graft which has developed an inflammatory skin disease like AD, it is possible to reproduce elevation of IgE to high level in serum, which elevation is generated in an AD-like lesion. As a result, it is possible, for example, to screen for an inhibitor which inhibits induction of production of IL-18 from KC.

Abstract: An enzyme which transfers N-acetylgalactosamine to N-acetylglucosamine via a ?1-4 linkage was isolated and the structure of its gene was explained. This led to the production of said enzyme or the like by genetic engineering techniques, the production of oligosaccharides using said enzyme, and the diagnosis of diseases on the basis of said gene or the like. The present invention uses a protein having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 26 or 27 in the Sequence Listing or a variant of said amino acid sequence wherein one or more acids are substituted or deleted, or one or more acids are inserted or added and having the activity of transferring N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) to N-acetylglucosamine serving as a substrate via a ?1-4 linkage and nucleic acids encoding said protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel Termamyl-like alpha-amylase, and Termamyl-like alpha-amylases comprising mutations in two, three, four, five or six regions/positions. The variants have increased thermostability at acidic pH and/or at low Ca2+ concentrations (relative to the parent).

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating the activation of nuclear factor ?B (NF-?B) are provided. The compositions comprise one or more agents that modulate ubiquitination of phosphorylated I?B? and/or I?B?. Such compositions may be used for treating diseases associated with NF-?B activation. Modulating agents include human E3 ubiquitin ligases, antibodies thereto and variants thereof, as well as related proteins.

Abstract: A method and a system for jointly determining the content of a first chromophorous and fluorescent compound and a second chromophorous compound in a biological tissue (30). The determination of the content of the chromophorous and fluorescent compound (33) is carried out by optical measurement of the differential absorption of this chromophorous and fluorescent compound (33) and the determination of the content of the second chromophorous compound (34) is carried out by optical measurement of the fluorescence of the chromophorous and fluorescent compound (33). Optical radiations (11-14) are utilized which are suitably chosen in combination with at least one operation of filtering these radiations suited to using single detection (21) and measurement element for the two determinations.

Abstract: Although it can be farnesylated, the mutant lamin A protein expressed in Hutchinson Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) cannot be defarnesylated because the characteristic mutation causes deletion of a cleavage site necessary for binding the protease ZMPSTE24 and effecting defarnesylation. The result is an aberrant farnesylated protein (called “progerin”) that alters normal lamin A function as a dominant negative, as well as assuming its own aberrant function through its association with the nuclear membrane. The retention of farnesylation, and potentially other abnormal properties of progerin and other abnormal lamin gene protein products, produces disease. Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) (both direct effectors and indirect inhibitors) will inhibit the formation of progerin, cause a decrease in lamin A protein, and/or an increase prelamin A protein. Decreasing the amount of aberrant protein improves cellular effects caused by and progerin expression.

Abstract: Black beans B are coated with a mineral layer 1 containing calcium powder and dolomite powder, a dough layer 2 formed by roasting a dough mixture containing flour, and an outside layer 3 formed by solidifying a seasoning mixture containing, for example, soymilk powder and powdered tea with hardened fat or oil. In 30 parts by weight of black beans, from 2 to 5, both inclusive, parts by weight of the calcium powder, from 30 to 45, both inclusive, parts by weight of the dolomite powder, and from 5 to 15, both inclusive, parts by weight of the soymilk powder, are contained.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to engineered penicillin G acylase (PGA) enzymes having improved properties, polynucleotides encoding such enzymes, compositions including the enzymes, and methods of using the enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of detecting hemoglobin in a test sample. These methods can be used to diagnose a subject suffering from a genetic disorder relating to hemoglobin metabolism, to determine the eligibility of a subject to be a blood donor, to determine the age of a stored blood sample or to identify a hemolyzed plasma sample. The present invention also relates to kits for use in the above described methods.

Abstract: The invention provides a biological method of producing isoprenoids.

Abstract: The invention provides a biological method of producing isoprenoids.

Abstract: Extremely minute amounts of live pathogens are rapidly detected using a piezoelectric cantilever sensor. A single pathogen is detectable in about 30 minutes. Pathogen-specific antibodies are immobilized on the sensor surface. The sensor is exposed to a medium that potentially contains the target pathogen. When target pathogens are contained in the medium, both dead and live pathogen cells bind to the immobilized antibody on the sensor surface. The attached target pathogen cells are exposed to a pathogen discriminator capable of discriminating between live cells and dead cells by increasing the mass of live cells. Example pathogens include Escherichia coli, Listeri monocytogene, and Salmonella enteritidis. Example antibodies include those that bind to the pathogenic bacteria designated as ATCC 43251, ATCC 700375, and ATCC 31194. Example pathogen discriminators include intracellular pH indicating molecules.

Abstract: A purine-derived substance is produced by culturing a bacterium belonging to the genus Bacillus which has an ability to produce a purine-derived substance and has been modified so that enzymatic activity of transaldolase is decreased in a medium to cause accumulation of a purine-derived substance in the medium or cells, and collecting the purine-derived substance from the medium or cells.

Abstract: Milled nanoparticles comprising a biologically active agent, at least one biopolymer and a coating containing at least one coating which is a polymer or ligand.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides having an amylase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the polypeptides of the invention can be used as amylases, for example, alpha amylases, to catalyze the hydrolysis of starch into sugars. In one aspect, the invention provides delayed release compositions comprising an desired ingredient coated by a latex polymer coating.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of measuring the viability of cultured cells by detecting one or more cell death-stable proteins or enzyme activities. Methods provided by the invention correlate viability to relative levels of enzyme activity in cell-containing and non-cell-containing fractions of a cell culture.

Abstract: A self-tanning aqueous gel composition containing: (a) a cosmetically acceptable support; (b) at least one monocarbonyl or polycarbonyl self-tanning agent; (c) at least one aqueous phase gelling agent comprising at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible, crosslinked or non-crosslinked polymer or copolymer; d) at least one tinting agent; and (e) optionally, at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible film-forming agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining kinase or phosphatase activity based on a three parts system. The method comprises contacting a binding partner which can bind phosphorylated peptides, a detection molecule and a substrate peptide. Determination of activities is achieved by measuring energy transfer between an energy donor and an energy acceptor that are present on the detection molecule and the substrate molecule.

Abstract: A sialyltransferase having the following physico-chemical properties: (1) Activity: transfers sialic acid from a sialic acid donor selectively to a 3-hydroxyl group of a galactose residue contained in lactosylceramide as a sialic acid acceptor to produce ganglioside GM3; (2) Optimal Reaction pH: 6.0 to 7.0; and (3) Inhibition and Activation: the activity increases at least 1.5 times with 10 mM of Mn2+ as compared with the case in the absence thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions to reduce growth of microbial colonies, including infections, and includes therapeutic compositions, methods for treatment of infections, and methods for identifying additional such compositions.