Abstract: The present invention provides methods for reducing the efflux of cholesterol and/or secreted A? in the brain, as well as methods for treating Alzheimer's disease, by inhibit the expression and/or activity of LXR and/or ABCA1. Compositions comprising agents for performing the methods also are provided.

Abstract: It is intended to provide agents for treating mild cognitive impairment which comprise compounds having an effect of inhibiting the production, secretion, aggregation, and/or accumulation of ?-amyloid proteins, prodrugs thereof or salts of the same and inhibit the progress of mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease using the same.

Abstract: An excellent &bgr; secretase inhibitor is provided, which comprises a compound of the general formula: 1

Abstract: A compound of the formula: 1

Abstract: A prophylactic or therapeutic agent for central nervous system diseases based on amyloid &bgr;40 secretion inhibitory activity of a compound having urotensin II receptor antagonistic activity or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: wherein Ar is an aromatic ring assembly group which may be substituted or a fused aromatic group which may be substituted; X is (i) a bond, (ii) —S—, —SO— or —SO2—, (iii) C1-6 alkylene, C2-6 alkenylene or C2-6 alkynylene, etc.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: wherein Ar is an aromatic group; X and Y are a bivalent group selected from —O—, —S—, —CO—, —SO2—, —NR8—, —CONR8—, SO2NR8 and —COO— (wherein R8 is H, a hydrocarbon group or acyl), or a bivalent C1-6 aliphatic hydrocarbon group which may contain one or two above bivalent groups; R1 and R2 are H or C1-6 alkyl, or R1 and R2 may form, together with the adjacent nitrogen atom, a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring; and ring A is a monocyclic aromatic ring, or a salt thereof or a prodrug thereof exhibits an excellent inhibitory activity of the production and/or the secretion of amyloid-&bgr; protein.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: 1

Abstract: A compound of the formula: wherein Ar is an aromatic ring assembly group which may be substituted or a fused aromatic group which may be substituted; X is (i) a bond, (ii) —S—, —SO— or —SO2—, (iii) C1-6 alkylene, C2-6 alkenylene or C2-6 alkynylene, etc.

Abstract: This invention provides a plant growth sheet structure which includes a base web layer and a core layer integrally coupled together in this order, a base web layer, a plant seed holding layer and a core layer integrally coupled together in this order, or a base web layer, a core layer, a plant seed holding layer and a cover web layer integrally coupled together in this order, and is provided at its surface with plant protection projections, and also provides a natural turf sheet structure including a natural turf grown on the plant growth sheet structure.

Abstract: An artificial turf of the invention is disclosed in which tufts of artificial grass filaments are implanted on a backing structure to form a pile surface, and tufts of assist filaments, which are shorter than the artificial grass filaments, are implanted between the tufts of the artificial grass filaments. This construction prevents the artificial grass filaments from folding for a long period of time since the assist filaments support the artificial grass filaments, so that a soft and resilient feel resembling natural turf can be obtained. When using longer lengths of artificial grass filaments, it is possible to obtain an appearance similar to natural turf and to enhance sliding characteristics on a turf surface, whereby sliding actions in a soccer game or the like can be performed readily.