Abstract: A composition for inhibiting the onset of arteriosclerosis is characterized by comprising D-psicose as an active ingredient for an antiatherogenic action. The antiatherogenic action as described above includes an action of inhibiting or reducing the expression of a chemokine or a cytokine related to arteriosclerosis in vivo and an action of promoting the expression of a receptor involved in the improvement of arteriosclerosis without affecting the expression of an arteriosclerosis inducer. This composition is used in the form of a product selected from the group consisting of sweeteners, seasonings, food additives, food materials, foods and drinks, health foods and drinks, drugs, quasi drugs and feeds blended with D-psicose and/or its derivative and/or a mixture thereof as the active ingredient. The method of inhibiting the onset of arteriosclerosis is a method of using the above composition.

Abstract: Object: To provide a thermostable L-ribose isomerase. Means for Resolution: The thermostable L-ribose isomerase with MW. 32,000 (by SDS-PAGE), optimal temperature of 45° C., optimal pH of pH 9.0 (glycine-NaOH buffer), and stable physicochemical properties such as temperature stability up to 45° C. during thermal treatment at pH 9.0 for 10 minutes, and with an action to isomerize L-ribose to generate L-ribulose or of inversely to isomerize L-ribulose to generate L-ribose.

Abstract: A Rankine cycle (6) of a waste heat utilization device includes a circulation path (7) for circulating a working fluid therethrough, an evaporator (12) for causing heat to transfer from cooling water delivered from an internal combustion engine (2) to the working fluid to evaporate the working fluid, a superheater (10) for causing heat to transfer from the cooling water delivered from an exhaust gas heat exchanger (8) to the working fluid delivered from the evaporator to superheat the working fluid, an expander (22) for expanding the working fluid delivered from the superheater to produce driving force, a condenser (24) for condensing the working fluid delivered from the expander, and a pump (28) for feeding the working fluid delivered from the condenser to the evaporator. The evaporator, the superheater, the expander, the condenser and the pump are successively inserted in the working fluid circulation path.

Abstract: A novel use of D-psicose (for suppressing the abnormal intra-day increase of blood glucose level) is provided. A composition containing D-psicose as the active component and for use in suppressing the abnormal intra-day increase of plasma glucose concentration. The composition is a composition in blend with D-psicose and/or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a compound having at least one selected from the group consisting of cell growth promoting activity, angiogenesis promoting activity, lumen formation promoting activity, cell migration promoting activity, and neurocyte growth promoting activity, which is a chemically stable low-molecular-weight substance that has high absorbability and can be supplied stably at a low cost because of its low molecular weight. A cyclobutyl purine derivative, a tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, or a salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof according to the present invention is a cyclobutyl purine derivative represented by the following general formula (1), a tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, or a salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof.

Abstract: A method of utilizing the physiological activity of a rare saccharide, wherein physiological-activity sensitive cells are treated with the rare saccharide to modify the function of the cells. A composition containing, as an active ingredient, a rare saccharide which is introduced into physiological-activity sensitive cells and has an effect of modifying the function of the cells. The cells are human cells. The composition is a functional food, a drug, or a cosmetic. The rare saccharide is a rare saccharide belonging to aldose and/or ketose. The aldose is D-allose, and the cells are selected from the group consisting of cancer-cell proliferation inhibitory activity sensitive cells and active-oxygen production inhibitory activity sensitive cells. The ketose is D-psicose, and the cells are selected from the group consisting of chemokine secretion inhibitory activity sensitive cells, microglia migration inhibitory activity sensitive cells, and hypoglycemic activity sensitive cells.

Abstract: A method of utilizing the physiological activity of a rare saccharide, wherein physiological-activity sensitive cells are treated with the rare saccharide to modify the function of the cells. A composition containing, as an active ingredient, a rare saccharide which is introduced into physiological-activity sensitive cells and has an effect of modifying the function of the cells. The cells are human cells. The composition is a functional food, a drug, or a cosmetic. The rare saccharide is a rare saccharide belonging to aldose and/or ketose. The aldose is D-allose, and the cells are selected from the group consisting of cancer-cell proliferation inhibitory activity sensitive cells and active-oxygen production inhibitory activity sensitive cells. The ketose is D-psicose, and the cells are selected from the group consisting of chemokine secretion inhibitory activity sensitive cells, microglia migration inhibitory activity sensitive cells, and hypoglycemic activity sensitive cells.

Abstract: A waste heat utilization device for an internal combustion engine (2) comprising a cooling water circuit (4) including a radiator (12) for cooling cooling-water by means of outside air drawn to pass through the radiator, a Rankine cycle (6) including a first condenser (24) for condensing a refrigerant, and a refrigeration cycle (8) including a second condenser (36) for condensing a refrigerant, wherein the first and second condensers (24, 36) are water-cooled heat exchangers, and the waste heat utilization device includes a water circuit (44) including an air-cooled heat exchanger (46) for cooling water that has passed through the first and second condensers (24, 36), by means of outside air drawn to pass through the air-cooled heat exchanger, and a heat exchange unit composed of the air-cooled heat exchanger (46) and the radiator (12).

Abstract: [Object] To provide a composition for inhibiting the onset of arteriosclerosis by using a rare sugar D-psicose and a method of inhibiting the onset of arteriosclerosis. [Means for Resolution] The composition for inhibiting the onset of arteriosclerosis is characterized by comprising D-psicose as an active ingredient for an antiatherogenic action. The antiatherogenic action as described above includes an action of inhibiting or reducing the expression of a chemokine or a cytokine related to arteriosclerosis in vivo and an action of promoting the expression of a receptor involved in the improvement of arteriosclerosis without affecting the expression of an arteriosclerosis inducer. This composition is used in the form of a product selected from the group consisting of sweeteners, seasonings, food additives, food materials, foods and drinks, health foods and drinks, drugs, quasi drugs and feeds blended with D-psicose and/or its derivative and/or a mixture thereof as the active ingredient.

Abstract: A specific rare sugar having effects of inhibiting the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells and lumen formation is disclosed. This rare sugar is provided as a preventive/remedy for diseases with angiogenesis, a cosmetic or a functional food. The proliferation of vascular endothelial cells is controlled utilizing the vascular endothelial cell proliferation-controlling effect of D-mannose, D-allose, 2-deloxy-D-glucose, 3-deoxy-D-glucose, L-sorbose, 2-deoxy-D-ribose and/or 2-deoxy-L-ribose. Lumen formation of vascular endothelial cells is inhibited by utilizing the vascular endothelial cell lumen formation-inhibiting effect of D-allose, D-altrose, D-glucose, D-talose, L-allose, 2-deloxy-D-glucose, 3-deoxy-D-glucose, D-ribose, L-ribose, 2-deoxy-D-ribose and/or 2-deoxy-L-ribose.

Abstract: Problem: To provide a microorganism with an ability to produce deoxy polyol dehydrogenase. Means for Resolution: A microorganism belonging to genus Enterobacter with an ability to produce a dehydrogenase for deoxy polyol of the same structure at the positions C2 and C3 as that of ribitol or L-iditol. The bacterial cell IK7 of the genus Enterobacter (accession No. NITE P-271). A method for producing deoxy ketose comprising allowing a culture containing the deoxy polyol dehydrogenase obtained by the culturing of the microorganism of the invention or allowing the deoxy polyol dehydrogenase to react with a solution containing deoxy polyol of the same structure at the positions C2 and C3 as that of ribitol or L-iditol to oxidize deoxy polyol to produce the corresponding deoxy ketose and then collecting the deoxy ketose. The deoxy polyol is 1-deoxy-D-allitol, while the corresponding deoxy ketose is 1-deoxy-L-psicose.

Abstract: Object: To provide a composition for preventing periodontal diseases (prophylactic agent of periodontal diseases), the composition having an excellent cariostatic property, being safe and stable for prolonged use and having less effects on flavor. Means for Resolution: A non-cariogenic material prepared by blending a rare sugar in the D form as selected from the group consisting of D-psicose, D-sorbose and D-tagatose, a rare sugar in the L form as selected from L-fructose, L-psicose and L-tagatose, or allitol as a rare sugar derivative, singly or in combination. A cariostatic agent comprising D-psicose, D-sorbose, D-tagatose, L-fructose, L-psicose and/or L-tagatose. A cariostatic agent in combination with catechins.

Abstract: Screening for a glucokinase-activating substance among rare sugars and providing a composition for treating disordered conditions in association with glucokinase activity, the composition containing the glucokinase-activating substance as the active ingredient. A promoting agent of glucokinase transfer from nucleus to cytoplasm, the promoting agent containing D-psicose and/or D-tagatose as the active ingredient, or a composition for preventing the onset of disordered conditions in association with glucokinase activity or for therapeutically treating the disordered conditions, which is in a form selected from a group consisting of food additives, food materials, drinks and foods, health drinks and foods, pharmaceutical product and feeds in blend with D-psicose and/or D-tagatose as the active ingredient for use in preventing the onset of disordered conditions in association with glucokinase activity or for therapeutically treating the disordered conditions.

Abstract: Providing 1- or 6-deoxy products corresponding to all of aldohexoses, ketohexoses and sugar alcohols, as based on Deoxy-Izumoring, as well as a method for systematically producing those products. A method for producing deoxyketohexose and a derivative thereof using a deoxyketohexose isomerase derived from Pseudomonas cichorii ST-24 (FERM BP-2736), comprising epimerizing 1-deoxy D-ketohexose or 6-deoxy D-ketohexose or 1-deoxy L-ketohexose or 6-deoxy L-ketohexose at position 3 to produce the individually corresponding 1-deoxy D-ketohexose or 6-deoxy D-ketohexose or 1-deoxy L-ketohexose or 6-deoxy L-ketohexose as an intended product.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated protein including an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2 and having an L-rhamnose isomerase activity. This novel enzyme has a higher reaction efficiency between D-psicose and D-allose and is excellent in thermal stability.

Abstract: Object: To provide a thermostable L-ribose isomerase. Means for Resolution: The thermostable L-ribose isomerase with MW. 32,000 (by SDS-PAGE), optimal temperature of 45° C., optimal pH of pH 9.0 (glycine-NaOH buffer), and stable physicochemical properties such as temperature stability up to 45° C. during thermal treatment at pH 9.0 for 10 minutes, and with an action to isomerize L-ribose to generate L-ribulose or of inversely to isomerize L-ribulose to generate L-ribose.

Abstract: Providing a D-psicose-containing sweetener with the modification of the taste of D-psicose, comprising D-psicose, a sugar alcohol and/or a high intensity sweetener, preferably containing D-psicose as the main component, particularly a low-calorie sweetener and/or a sweetener giving refreshing feel in the oral cavity, as well as foods and drinks obtained by using the D-psicose-containing sweetener with the modification of the taste of D-psicose, and other products given with sweetness. The sugar alcohol is one or more sugar alcohols selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, mannitol, lactitol, maltitol, xylitol and erythritol, while the high intensity sweetener is one or more high intensity sweeteners as selected from aspartame, acesulfame K, sodium cyclamate, sodium saccharin, Sucralose (under trade name), stevia sweetener, dulcin, taumatin, neotame and monellin.

Abstract: The object is to provide a novel application of D-allose (e.g., use for prevention of hypertension or hypercardia). Thus, disclosed is a composition for preventing the increase in blood pressure which comprises D-allose as an active ingredient; or a composition containing D-allose and/or a derivative thereof, preferably in an amount of 0.1 to 50% by weight. Preferably, the composition is in a form selected from the group consisting of a food additive, a food material, a beverage/food, a health beverage/food, a pharmaceutical and a feeding stuff which can be used for the prevention and treatment of a cardiovascular system disorder (e.g., hypertension, hypercardia). The increase in blood pressure may be caused by salt-sensitive hypertension. Also disclosed is use of D-allose for preventing the increase in blood pressure (excluding medical practices).

Abstract: A drug in the form of a solid preparation soluble or suspendable in water or an aqueous solution characterized by containing at least one biocompatible, gastric motility suppressing component such as triacetin, which is capable of transmitting ultrasonic wave to a target organ via the solution pooled in the body in a noninvasive examination (for example, an ultrasonic examination of an abdominal organ), identifying the area in which the solution exists, or clarifying the boundary of the solution and an organ in contact therewith, is employed as an auxiliary agent in the examination. In addition, triacetin can be extensively used as a gastric motility suppressor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a crystalline sugar comprising D-psicose and D-allose. Also disclosed is a process for producing the sugar. A complex crystalline sugar comprising D-psicose and D-allose. The compositional ratio between D-psicose and D-allose in the sugar is about 1:1 to 1:4. A process for producing a complex crystalline sugar comprising D-psicose and D-allose, the process comprising producing a complex crystalline sugar comprising D-psicose and D-allose from a sugar solution containing D-psicose and p-allose and collecting the complex crystalline sugar. The solvent of the sugar solution used in the production of the complex crystalline sugar is water or a mixture of water and ethanol. The sugar solution containing D-psicose and D-allose is produced by a process comprising reacting D-psicose with L-rhamnose isomerase to convert D-psicose into D-allose. The L-rhamnose isomerase is derived from a strain (IPOD FERM BP-08593) belonging to Pseudomonas stutzeri.