Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a casein-derived peptide by fermentation of a lactic acid bacterium. The present invention also relates to a composition containing the peptide, and a method for preparing a functional food.

Abstract: Provided are a composition for improving the brain function, which can be orally taken at a low dose, and a method therefor. The composition for improving the brain function contains, as the active ingredient, X-Pro-Pro-Leu-Thr-Gln-Thr-Pro-Val-Val-Val-Pro-Pro-Phe-Leu-Gln-Pro-Glu-Y (wherein X is nil or represents Ile or Asn-Ile; and Y is nil or represents Val-Met), X-Val-Val-Val-Pro-Pro-Phe-Leu-Gln-Pro-Glu-Y (wherein X is abscent or represents Thr-Gln-Thr-Pro, Pro-Leu-Thr-Gln-Thr-Pro, Leu-Thr-Gln-Thr-Pro or Pro; and Y is abscent or represents Val-Met), or a salt of the same. The method for improving the brain function comprises administering said peptide or a salt of the same.

Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] Provided is a method for producing a medium which decreases loss of nutritional components due to an interaction between the medium nutritional components, which interaction is mediated by a Maillard reaction, etc. [Solution] A method for producing a medium for culturing microbes is used, the method including the steps of: (1) sterilizing a solution comprising a sugar source material; (2) sterilizing a solution comprising a nitrogen source material; and (3) blending the two solutions as obtained in steps (1) and (2).

Abstract: A ligation tool for endoscope includes an overtube having an insertion lumen 21a made of a flexible material, which permits an insertion portion 11 of the endoscope to be inserted therethrough so as to advance and retreat, an O-ring 22 for ligation attached to a distal end of the overtube, and a operation wire 24 which is locked to the O-ring for ligation, has a distal portion extending to the proximal side of the overtube, and is operated to be pulled or pushed at its proximal side, thereby separating the O-ring for ligation from the tip of the overtube. According to this ligation tool for endoscope, time and effort taken to set the ligation tool for endoscope in the endoscope becomes unnecessary, a sufficient field of vision of the endoscope can be secured, and the curving performance of the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope does not deteriorate. Furthermore, this ligation tool is also advantageous when endoscopic sclerotherapy is performed together.

Abstract: A high-quality oxygen-absorbing resin composition which is obtained without suffering resin scorching. Also provided are pellets for the oxygen-absorbing resin composition which comprise a thermoplastic resin (A) and an oxidation catalyst. After the pellets are mixed with a trigger resin and a thermoplastic resin (C), the trigger resin functions as a trigger to cause the oxidation of the thermoplastic resins (A) and (C) to proceed. As a result, the resultant composition absorbs oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention herein provides a plastic multi-layer structure which comprises an oxygen-barrier layer (A-1), an oxygen absorptive layer (B), and a thermoplastic resin layer (C) containing a high silica type zeolite material having a silica/alumina ratio of not less than 80; and a packaging material such as bottles for accommodating foods, for instance, a beverage and medical and pharmaceutical products. The plastic multi-layer structure possesses oxidation-barrier characteristics and the structure would permit the considerable reduction of the quantity of the oxidation by-products generated from the structure, even when used under a high humidity atmosphere.

Abstract: An incision tool includes a sheath; a plurality of wires that are inserted through an internal space of the sheath, and that, as a result of a portion thereof being inserted through both first wire insertion through holes that are provided in a distal end portion of the sheath and second wire insertion through holes that are provided on the sheath distal end side of the first wire insertion through holes, are exposed on the outside of the sheath between the first wire insertion through holes and the second wire insertion through holes, and that receive high-frequency current; and an operating unit that is connected to a base end side of the wires and that adjusts the length of the exposed portions of the wires which are exposed on the outside of the sheath by moving forwards or backwards relatively to the sheath in the longitudinal direction of the wires.

Abstract: A wireless communication device or an access point includes: a main unit; an external antenna unit; a throughput check module; and a notification controller, a notice applying circuit and a notice generating circuit. The main unit is for including a communication control circuit. The external antenna unit is for including an antenna and is electrically connected with the main unit via a cable. The throughput check module is for checking throughput of communication with another wireless communication device or a station. The notification controller, the notice applying circuit and the notice generating circuit are for notifying a user of system information based on check result by the throughput check module, by using the external antenna unit. This configuration improves the work efficiency of antenna adjustment at the wireless communication device using the external antenna unit.

Abstract: A multi-layer structure comprising a functional resin layer obtained by covering a core layer of a base body resin or a second functional resin with a shell layer of a first functional resin, and a base body resin layer containing the functional resin layer therein. The layers of the functional resins are formed at positions where they are allowed to exhibit their functions to a sufficient degree, a plurality of functions can be imparted, and a molten resin mass having the above multi-layer structure can be formed by the compression-forming.

Abstract: A stent delivery system 1 for supplying a stent to a body cavity which includes an endoscope 6 that has an insertion portion 5 with a curvature portion 3 disposed at the distal end thereof, a sheath 7 that is disposed with the insertion portion 5 inserted in the inside thereof and a stent 2 placed on the outer surface of the distal end side thereof; and a regulating portion 8 that regulates the relative movement of the stent 2 to the proximal end side of the sheath 7, with the sheath 7 formed of a length that allows the distal end of the insertion portion 5 that is inserted in the sheath 7 to protrude from the distal end of the sheath 7. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to provide a stent delivery system that can place a stent by endoscope observation without the need of excessive diametrical contraction or additional expansion of the stent.

Abstract: A high-quality oxygen-absorbing resin composition which is obtained without suffering resin scorching. Also provided are pellets for the oxygen-absorbing resin composition which comprise a thermoplastic resin (A) and an oxidation catalyst. After the pellets are mixed with a trigger resin and a thermoplastic resin (C), the trigger resin functions as a trigger to cause the oxidation of the thermoplastic resins (A) and (C) to proceed. As a result, the resultant composition absorbs oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention herein provides an oxygen-absorbing resin composition which is excellent in the oxygen-absorbability and which can inhibit any deterioration through oxidation during the molding operations of the composition and does not accordingly undergo any coloration during the molding operations. The present invention thus provides an oxygen-absorbing resin composition characterized in that it comprises (A) a hydrogenated styrene-diene copolymer; (B) a thermoplastic resin including ethylenic structural units in its molecular structure; and (C) a transition metal catalyst, wherein the oxidation of the thermoplastic resin (B) proceeds while the copolymer (A) serves as a trigger and the composition thus absorbs oxygen. In this respect, the copolymer (A) comprises carbon-carbon double bonds derived from the diene in an amount ranging from 1×10.5 to 1×10.2 eq/g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to resin pellets which comprises a thermoplastic resin (A) and an oxidation catalyst (B) which is not supported by any carrier, wherein if the peak area in the vicinity of 1715 cm?1 is defined to be Ic and the peak area observed in the vicinity of 1470 cm?1 is defined to be Im in the IR spectroscopic measurement of the pellets, the ratio: Ic/Im observed for the surface of the pellet is greater than that observed for the interior thereof. The pellets are thermoplastic resin pellets excellent in the oxygen-absorbing capacity and accordingly, they can suitably used as pellets for molding an oxygen absorptive resin article.

Abstract: The invention provides oxygen-absorbing resin compositions which are reduced in the quantity of by-product oxides and are excellent in oxygen-absorbing capacity, more specifically, an oxygen-absorbing resin composition which comprises a styrene resin, a thermoplastic resin having ethylene structure in the molecular structure, and a transition metal catalyst and in which the oxidation of the thermoplastic resin proceeds by the action of the styrene resin as a trigger to attain oxygen absorption, wherein the styrene resin comprises two kinds of styrene resins (A) and (B) different in styrene content and the styrene content of the resin (A) is higher than that of the resin (B); and an oxygen-absorbing resin composition comprising polyethylene, a resin other than polyethylene which is capable of acting as a trigger in the oxidation of polyethylene, and a transition metal catalyst, wherein the polyethylene comprises two or more kinds of polyethylenes and at least one of them is a linear low-density polyethylene ob

Abstract: An endoscopic incision system includes: an endoscope; a cylindrical member for covering at least a distal end of an insertion section of the endoscope; and at least an incision section for incising a living tissue, the incision section being provided to a distal end of the cylindrical member and being capable of being exposed from the distal end of the cylindrical member outwardly. In this configuration, the radially expanding incision section will not be twisted or bent, and the incision section prevented from inadvertent fall-off can maintain the desirable shape when it is operated and rotated.

Abstract: A stent delivery device is provided with a stent and a pusher tube. A proximal end portion of a linear member is located at a proximal side of the stent. An engagement member is provided at the distal end of the linear member. In response to axial movement of a guide catheter, the engagement member is switched from a first state where it is engaged with the stent to a second state where it is disengaged from the stent.

Abstract: An endoscope treatment system includes: an endoscope; and a treatment tool that has a sheath that is inserted in a channel of an insertion portion of the endoscope, in which projection portions that project outward from the sheath in the radial direction are provided, and engagement portions that engage the projection portions are provided near the channel of the endoscope.

Abstract: A ligation tool for endoscope includes an overtube having an insertion lumen 21a made of a flexible material, which permits an insertion portion 11 of the endoscope to be inserted therethrough so as to advance and retreat, an O-ring 22 for ligation attached to a distal end of the overtube, and a operation wire 24 which is locked to the O-ring for ligation, has a distal portion extending to the proximal side of the overtube, and is operated to be pulled or pushed at its proximal side, thereby separating the O-ring for ligation from the tip of the overtube. According to this ligation tool for endoscope, time and effort taken to set the ligation tool for endoscope in the endoscope becomes unnecessary, a sufficient field of vision of the endoscope can be secured, and the curving performance of the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope does not deteriorate. Furthermore, this ligation tool is also advantageous when endoscopic sclerotherapy is performed together.

Abstract: A method of performing diagnosis or treatment perendoscopically in which a guide catheter is inserted inside a body, and the guide catheter is made to protrude beyond a distal end portion of the endoscope; and in which a first diagnosis or treatment is performed by inserting a medical treatment device that performs the diagnosis or treatment of the body inside the guide catheter, and causing this medical treatment device to protrude by a first predetermined distance from the guide catheter; and in which the medical treatment device is extracted from the guide catheter; and in which a second diagnosis or treatment is performed by inserting a medical treatment device into the guide catheter, and causing the medical treatment device to protrude by a second distance which is adjusted in accordance with the first predetermined distance.

Abstract: A stent system 1 has a stent 2 having a hole and at least an anchor 3 having an arm 33. The stent 2 has a cylindrical shape, in which a sheet is rolled, and a plurality of holes 13 are provided thereon. A grasping portion 33A at the distal end of the arm 33 of the anchor 3 can be inserted into the holes 13. A grasping force X of the grip 3 is greater than a drag R that the holes of the stent 2 yield. The grip 3 deforms the stent 2, easily grasps the stent 2 and a biological tissue, whereby it is possible to fix the stent 2. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to reliably fix the stent in a hollow organ.