Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition, and a method using the composition, for prevention and/or treatment of fatty liver or hepatic disease, the composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a compound of the formula (1): where R1 is a hydrogen atom, an acyl group, or an arylalkoxycarbonyl group; and R2 and R3 are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group, or R2 and R3 may combine to form a cycloalkyl group.

Abstract: A method for judging effectiveness of a drug having protease inhibitory activity, which comprises the steps of: (1) bringing a biosample isolated or collected from a patient with a disease in which participation of a protease is suspected into contact with a thin membrane containing a protease substrate and formed on a surface of a support; (2) detecting a trace of digestion formed on the thin membrane by action of a protease; and (3) judging that a drug having protease inhibitory activity is effective for the patient when a trace of digestion is formed on the thin membrane. The method enables accurate judgment as to whether or not a drug having protease inhibitory activity is effective for a patient with a disease in which participation of a protease is suspected such as rheumatoid arthritis and cancer before administration of the drug.

Abstract: A split-phase starter for an electric motor having a casing made up of a casing body and a lid secured to the casing body, the casing body having a first casing and a second casing, a relay contact mechanism being arranged in the casing body, and a positive temperature coefficient thermistor being arranged in the second casing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator oil composition which comprises 70 to 98 wt % of a paraffin base oil having a pour point of not more than -35.degree. C., a sulfur content of not more than 50 ppm (parts per million), and a kinematic viscosity at 40.degree. C. of 5 to 500 cSt (centistrokes) and 30 to 2 wt % of a naphthene base oil having a pour point of not more than -35.degree. C., a sulfur content of 0.05 to 1 wt % and a kinematic viscosity at 40.degree. C. of 5 to 500 cSt, and in which the sulfur content is 0.01 to 0.10 wt %.The refrigerator oil composition of the present invention effectively prevents the formation of valve sludge. The refrigerator oil composition of the present invention is also excellent in anti-wear properties. Furthermore the refrigerator oil composition of the present invention is excellent in stability and baking resistance in the condition that is in contact with the refrigerant (Furon) and further is excellent in low temperature solubility.