Abstract: As a nutritional composition and a composition for the prophylaxis or improvement of lower gastrointestinal function, which improve lower gastrointestinal function and are effective for the prophylaxis or improvement of diarrhea, gastroesophageal reflux or misswallowing caused by administration of a liquid nutritional supplement, the present invention provides a nutritional composition and a composition for the prophylaxis or improvement of lower gastrointestinal function, which comprise at least one kind selected from glutamic acid, 5?-nucleotide and a salt thereof, wherein, when glutamic acid alone is contained, the content thereof on administration is 0.0013-1.3 w/v % as free glutamic acid.

Abstract: Agents for the inhibition, suppression, or prevention of overeating include glutamic acid and/or at least one of its salts, as is or in a carrier or base, and have superior safety at a low price and further have a favorable flavor and are suited for long-term use. Such agents will amplify or sustain a sense of fullness and, further, are effective against appetite stimulation that arises regardless of a sense of fullness with respect to foods that are, for example, sweet or delicious, especially for a person who has a drive for thinness.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent and a food for the prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which contains, as an active ingredient, at least one kind selected from glutamic acid, 5?-nucleotide and a salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of visceral pain associated with gastrointestinal tract diseases, which contains lysine. Using the prophylactic or therapeutic agent, gastrointestinal tract diseases accompanying visceral pain, such as intestinal disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, gastro esophageal disease, functional abdominal pain syndrome, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and the like can be lo treated or prevented. In addition, pharmaceutical agent, food and drink and dietary supplement for the prophylaxis or treatment of visceral pain associated with such gastrointestinal tract diseases are provided. They are highly effective for visceral pain associated with gastrointestinal tract diseases as compared to existing pharmaceutical agents, show reduced side effects, and are highly effective.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent and a food for the prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which contains, as an active ingredient, at least one kind selected from glutamic acid, 5?-nucleotide and a salt thereof.

Abstract: As a nutritional composition and a composition for the prophylaxis or improvement of lower gastrointestinal function, which improve lower gastrointestinal function and are effective for the prophylaxis or improvement of diarrhea, gastroesophageal reflux or misswallowing caused by administration of a liquid nutritional supplement, the present invention provides a nutritional composition and a composition for the prophylaxis or improvement of lower gastrointestinal function, which comprise at least one kind selected from glutamic acid, 5?-nucleotide and a salt thereof, wherein, when glutamic acid alone is contained, the content thereof on administration is 0.0013-1.3 w/v % as free glutamic acid.

Abstract: An isolated DNA molecule which encodes a novel glutamate receptor and a transformed cell expressing the receptor are provided.

Abstract: Melatonin has an activity of treating or preventing brain edema. Thus, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising melatonin as an active ingredient. And, the invention relates to use of melatonin in the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition comprising melatonin as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to a glutamate receptor, DNA which encodes the receptor, a transformed cell expressing the receptor, a method for producing the receptor, a method for identifying an agonist, antagonist, or allosteric modulator for glutamic acid, a method for identifying an agonist for glutamic acid, an antibody to the receptor, and processes for making glutamate receptor modulators and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said modulator.

Abstract: An agonist or antagonist of glutamic acid or an allosteric modulator is screened by reacting a glutamic acid receptor protein having the following properties with a substance binding thereto in the presence of a test substance and detecting the inhibition or promotion of the reaction: (A) it has a transmembrane domain and an intracellular domain common to those of type 4 metabotropic glutamic acid receptor protein, or (B) it has an extracellular domain by about 316 or 327 amino acid residues shorter than that of the type 4 metabotropic glutamic acid receptor protein.

Abstract: A vibration sensor mounted on a tree on the earth outputs a signal voltage corresponding to a sound from the earth. The signal voltage is continuously measured by a sound observing device and read into a data processing device. The data processing device has a forecasting unit for forecasting a slope failure based on a change in the measured sounds from the earth. Specifically, the forecasting unit measures sounds from the earth simultaneously in a plurality of sites, and calculates a position in which the sounds from the earth are produced based on simultaneous observation of sounds from multiple sites. The forecasting unit also includes a system for capturing a ground surface image, and slope failures are forecast based on a change in the measured sounds from the earth and a change in the captured ground surface image.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to novel glutamate receptors and utilization thereof; more specifically to a glutamate receptor, DNA which encodes the receptor, a transformed cell expressing the receptor, a method for producing the receptor, a method for identifying an agonist, antagonist, or allosteric modulator for glutamic acid, a method for identifying an agonist for glutamic acid, an antibody to the receptor, and processes for making glutamate receptor modulators and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said modulator.

Abstract: It is intended to disclose a glutamate sensor in taste sensation and digestion and provide techniques using the same. A glutamate-receptor protein having the following characteristics is reacted with a substance binding thereto in the presence of a test substance and thus the inhibition or acceleration of the reaction is detected to thereby search for a glutamate agonist or antagonist or an allosteric modulator: (1) having a transmembrane domain and an intracellular domain common to a type 1 metabolic glutamate receptor protein; and (2) having an extracellular domain shorter by about 409 or 481 amino acid residues than the type 1 metabolic glutamate receptor protein.

Abstract: A vibration sensor mounted on a tree on the earth outputs a signal voltage corresponding to a sound from the earth. The signal voltage is continuously measured by a sound observing device and read into a data processing device. The data processing device has a forecasting unit which performs a long-term weather forecasting process based on the value of the signal voltage, i.e., a sound pressure level representing the magnitude of the sound pressure of the sound from the earth. Specifically, the forecasting unit forecasts long-term weather conditions such as warm and cold climates related to high and low temperatures three and six months after the measurement of the sound from the earth, based on changes in the sound pressure level of the measured sound.

Abstract: The present invention provides animal model of chronic stress diseases produced by feeding lysine deficient diet to the animals and a method for producing the animal model. The effect of medicine on chronic stress diseases can be judged with the animal model. Effective compounds in preventing chronic stress diseases and/or treating patients suffering from chronic stress diseases can be screened by using the animal model.

Abstract: An agonist or antagonist of glutamic acid or an allosteric modulator is screened by reacting a glutamic acid receptor protein having the following properties with a substance binding thereto in the presence of a test substance and detecting the inhibition or promotion of the reaction: (A) it has a transmembrane domain and an intracellular domain common to those of type 4 metabotropic glutamic acid receptor protein, or (B) it has an extracellular domain by about 316 or 327 amino acid residues shorter than that of the type 4 metabotropic glutamic acid receptor protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an agent for treating and/or preventing stress-induced diseases, and a pharmaceutical composition (pharmaceutical product), a food, drink, or a feed containing the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to an agent (pharmaceutical drug) containing lysine as the active (effective) ingredient, and a pharmaceutical product, a food, a drink, or a feed containing the agent (pharmaceutical drug). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for suppressing stress, and a method for the therapeutic treatment, amelioration and/or prevention of stress-induced diseases, as well as a use of lysine for anti-stress agents or stress suppressor.

Abstract: A vibration sensor mounted on a tree on the earth outputs a signal voltage corresponding to a sound from the earth. The signal voltage is continuously measured by a sound observing device and read into a data processing device. The data processing device has a forecasting unit which performs a long-term weather forecasting process based on the value of the signal voltage, i.e., a sound pressure level representing the magnitude of the sound pressure of the sound from the earth. Specifically, the forecasting unit forecasts long-term weather conditions such as warm and cold climates related to high and low temperatures three and six months after the measurement of the sound from the earth, based on changes in the sound pressure level of the measured sound.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for peeling cells from a vital tissue by applying vibration to a part of the vital tissue. The method and apparatus for peeling cells close to in-vivo cells applies vibration to a part of a vital tissue. Accordingly, the use of the cells peeled by the method and apparatus is quite effective for clarifying a biological structure, developing medications, and the like.

Abstract: Melatonin has an activity of treating or preventing brain edema. Thus, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising melatonin as an active ingredient. And, the invention relates to use of melatonin in the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition comprising melatonin as an active ingredient.