Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a specified ?-amino acid, the method including allowing a specified ?-amino acid amide and water to react with each other in the presence of a zirconium compound which contains zirconium and at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of lithium, nickel, copper, zinc, cesium, barium, hafnium, tantalum, cerium, and dysprosium.

Abstract: A regulatory T cell activator including a substance that inhibits the binding between DNAX accessory molecule-1 (DNAM-1) and CD155.

Abstract: A tocopherol phosphoric acid ester salt in which the tocopherol phosphoric acid ester salt is represented by Formula (1), and in the Formula (1), “R1”, “R2”, and “R3” each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, “M” represents an alkali metal, and “a” is 1.10 or more and 2.00 or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides medicaments for allergic diseases (atopic dermatitis, asthma, and the like), and a tool useful for pathology analysis of allergic diseases. A medicament containing as an effective component an activity modulator for suppressing inhibitory signal transduction of a CD300a-expressing myeloid cell, which activity modulator contains a substance that inhibits binding of CD300a to phosphatidyl serine, can be used for treatment or prophylaxis of an allergic disease. A CD300a gene-deficient mouse can be used as a model mouse in which the allergic disease is hardly induced after administration of a substance that induces the allergic disease, which may be used for carrying out pathology analysis of an allergic disease, or for screening of a possible candidate substance for an effective component of a therapeutic agent or prophylactic agent for the disease.

Abstract: An ene-thiol based curable composition according to the present invention includes: (A) a thiol compound having two or more groups represented by a following general formula (1) in the molecule; and (B) an ene oligomer having an alicyclic or aromatic ring structure and two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups in the molecule, with a number average molecular weight of 500 to 20,000 in terms of polystyrene. In the following general formula (1), each of R1 and R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or an aromatic group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms; a is an integer of 0 to 2; and b is 0 or 1.

Abstract: An ene-thiol based curable composition according to the present invention includes: (A) a thiol compound having two or more groups represented by a following general formula (1) in the molecule; and (B) an ene oligomer having an alicyclic or aromatic ring structure and two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups in the molecule, with a number average molecular weight of 500 to 20,000 in terms of polystyrene. In the following general formula (1), each of R1 and R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or an aromatic group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms; a is an integer of 0 to 2; and b is 0 or 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides medicaments for allergic diseases (atopic dermatitis, asthma, and the like), and a tool useful for pathology analysis of allergic diseases. A medicament containing as an effective component an activity modulator for suppressing inhibitory signal transduction of a CD300a-expressing myeloid cell, which activity modulator contains a substance that inhibits binding of CD300a to phosphatidyl serine, can be used for treatment or prophylaxis of an allergic disease. A CD300a gene-deficient mouse can be used as a model mouse in which the allergic disease is hardly induced after administration of a substance that induces the allergic disease, which may be used for carrying out pathology analysis of an allergic disease, or for screening of a possible candidate substance for an effective component of a therapeutic agent or prophylactic agent for the disease.

Abstract: Provided are hair processing agents capable of permanent waving hair even at a neutral to weakly acidic pH range that causes less irritation to the skin, and hair processing agents in which an unpleasant odor is masked. Hair processing agents contain at least one compound represented by the formula (2). Hair processing agents contain a compound of the formula (2) and at least one compound (ii) selected from thioglycolic acid, thiolactic acid, cysteine, acetylcysteine, cysteamine, acylcysteamine, salts thereof and ester derivatives thereof. Hair processing agents contain a compound of the formula (2), a surfactant and water, and are emulsified. Hair processing agents contain a compound of the formula (2) and a specific perfume.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide: an immunostimulant useful for maintaining, enhancing or suppressing an immune function associated with CD300a activation signaling, or an immunomodulator as an immunosuppressant useful for suppressing the immune function; use of a CD300a gene-deficient mouse for pathology analysis and the like; an anti-CD300a antibody; and the like.

Abstract: A test method that provides data useful in predicting the probability of onset of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is described along with a kit for performing the method, and a pharmaceutical preparation and a molecular targeted therapy for treating or preventing GVHD. The test method includes measuring the blood DNAM-1 concentration of a patient of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from bone marrow or the like over a period after the transplantation to provide data concerning the transition of the concentration to an abnormally high level deviating from the normal range, whereby the probability of the development of acute graft-versus-host disease is predicted, the risk of the development is estimated, or therapeutic effects after the development are evaluated.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for industrially producing ?-mercapto carboxylic acids that are useful as synthetic raw materials for medicines and agrochemicals or as additives for polymer compounds from easily available ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acids in high yields and productivity. The present invention is characterized in that a solvent having an amide group and represented by the formula (1) is used when the ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acids are reacted with hydrogen sulfides to produce the ?-mercapto carboxylic acids. Particularly, it is more preferable to carry out the reaction at a pH range of 6.0 to 8.

Abstract: A test method that provides data useful in predicting the probability of onset of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is described along with a kit for performing the method, and a pharmaceutical preparation and a molecular targeted therapy for treating or preventing GVHD. The test method includes measuring the blood DNAM-1 concentration of a patient of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from bone marrow or the like over a period after the transplantation to provide data concerning the transition of the concentration to an abnormally high level deviating from the normal range, whereby the probability of the development of acute graft-versus-host disease is predicted, the risk of the development is estimated, or therapeutic effects after the development are evaluated.

Abstract: A test method that provides data useful in predicting the probability of onset of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is described along with a kit for performing the method, and a pharmaceutical preparation and a molecular targeted therapy for treating or preventing GVHD. The test method includes measuring the blood DNAM-1 concentration of a patient of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from bone marrow or the like over a period after the transplantation to provide data concerning the transition of the concentration to an abnormally high level deviating from the normal range, whereby the probability of the development of acute graft-versus-host disease is predicted, the risk of the development is estimated, or therapeutic effects after the development are evaluated.

Abstract: Disclosed is an agent for permanent hair waving that can realize permanent hair waving even in the neutral to weakly acidic pH range in which irritation particularly to the skin is not significant. The agent for permanent hair waving includes at least one heterocyclic mercapto compound represented by formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; X represents —O—, —S—, —NH—, or —NR3—; R3 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; n is an integer of 0 to 2; and, when n is 2, group SH may be attached to any carbon atom of an alkylene group having 2 carbon atoms.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for industrially producing ?-mercapto carboxylic acids that are useful as synthetic raw materials for medicines and agrochemicals or as additives for polymer compounds from easily available ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acids in high yields and productivity. The present invention is characterized in that a solvent having an amide group and represented by the formula (1) is used when the ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acids are reacted with hydrogen sulfides to produce the ?-mercapto carboxylic acids. Particularly, it is more preferable to carry out the reaction at a pH range of 6.0 to 8.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for efficiently producing ?-mercaptocarboxylic acids using a solid acid catalyst such as zeolite, which product corresponds to respective starting materials selected from ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acids (?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester, ?,?-unsaturated amide, ?,?-unsaturated aldehide and ?,?-unsaturated ketone) and hydrogen sulfides (hydrogen sulfide, sulfide salt and hydrosulfide salt), wherein a solvent compatible with water is used in the reaction. According to the invention, ?-mercaptocarboxylic acids which are useful as additives in synthetic materials for pharmaceutical or agricultural agents and in polymer compounds can be industrially produced efficiently by using easily available ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid (such as crotonic acid) at high yield.

Abstract: Disclosed is an agent for permanent hair waving that can realize permanent hair waving even in the neutral to weakly acidic pH range in which irritation particularly to the skin is not significant. The agent for permanent hair waving includes at least one heterocyclic mercapto compound represented by formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; X represents —O—, —S—, —NH—, or —NR3—; R3 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; n is an integer of 0 to 2; and, when n is 2, group SH may be attached to any carbon atom of an alkylene group having 2 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A test method that provides data useful in predicting the probability of onset of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is described along with a kit for performing the method, and a pharmaceutical preparation and a molecular targeted therapy for treating or preventing GVHD. The test method includes measuring the blood DNAM-1 concentration of a patient of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from bone marrow or the like over a period after the transplantation to provide data concerning the transition of the concentration to an abnormally high level deviating from the normal range, whereby the probability of the development of acute graft-versus-host disease is predicted, the risk of the development is estimated, or therapeutic effects after the development are evaluated.

Abstract: A permanent waving agent is capable of permanent waving and coloring hair simultaneously. The permanent waving agent includes: (i) a perming first agent including at least one compound represented by Formula (1) below, and an acid dye and/or an oxidation dye: wherein X is a structure selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —NH— and —NR1—; R1 is an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R2 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; Y is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; and R is a divalent organic residue optionally having a mercapto group; and (ii) a perming second agent including an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A hair relaxer includes at least one specific mercapto compound such as 2-methoxyethyl 3-mercaptopropionate, 2-mercapto-4-butanolide and 2-mercapto-4-butyrolactam. The hair relaxer can achieve an excellent effect of shaping and relaxing hair over a wide range of pH values from weak acidity to weak alkalinity. In particular, the hair relaxer displays a more superior hair shaping and relaxing performance in a weakly acidic to neutral pH range. Consequently, the hair relaxer can drastically reduce the damage to the hair and skin and can reliably perform straightening, uncurling, curling and other hair processing.