Abstract: The ?-glucan-binding protein contains an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: A ?-1,6-glucanase mutant which is a mutant of ?-1,6-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.75), wherein a Glu residue located at a position corresponding to Glu (E)-321 in SEQ ID NO: 1 is substituted by an amino acid residue X or a Glu (E) residue located at a position corresponding to each of Glu (E)-225 and Glu (E)-321 in SEQ ID NO: 1 is substituted by an amino acid residue X, wherein the amino acid residue (X) is selected from the group consisting of Gln (Q), Gly (G), Ala (A), Leu (L), Tyr (Y), Met (M), Ser (S), Asn (N), and His (H); and a method for measuring ?-1,6-glucan, including measuring ?-1,6-glucan bonded to the mutant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for quantitatively detecting ?-1,3-1,6-glucan separately from ?-1,3-glucan and ?-1,3-1,4-glucan. The present invention is a method for measuring ?-1,3-1,6-glucan, the method including: a step for mixing ?-glucan in a test sample, a molecule that specifically binds to a ?-(1?3) bond, and a molecule that specifically binds to a ?-(1?6) bond to form a complex containing the molecule that specifically binds to a ?-(1?3) bond and the molecule that specifically binds to a ?-(1?6) bond; a step for detecting the complex; and a step for measuring the amount of ?-1,3-1,6-glucan in the test sample, on the basis of the results of the detection.

Abstract: The ?-glucan-binding protein contains an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: A ?-1,6-glucanase mutant which is a mutant of ?-1,6-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.75), wherein a Glu residue located at a position corresponding to Glu (E)-321 in SEQ ID NO: 1 is substituted by an amino acid residue X or a Glu (E) residue located at a position corresponding to each of Glu (E)-225 and Glu (E)-321 in SEQ ID NO: 1 is substituted by an amino acid residue X, wherein the amino acid residue (X) is selected from the group consisting of Gln (Q), Gly (G), Ala (A), Leu (L), Tyr (Y), Met (M), Ser (S), Asn (N), and His (H); and a method for measuring ?-1,6-glucan, including measuring ?-1,6-glucan bonded to the mutant.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a separator for a fuel cell has a separator body arrangement process for arranging, through the use of a molding die equipped with a first die having a sealing member recess portion and a second die having a rib projection portion, a separator body in the second die before formation of a reinforcing rib, a die clamping for clamping the first die and the second die with the first die superimposed on the second die, and a sealing member molding for crosslinking an elastomer material into a sealing member and integrating the sealing member with a first surface of the separator body by injecting the elastomer material into the sealing member recess portion and heating the molding die. The reinforcing rib is formed on the separator body along the shape of the rib projection portion, between the die clamping and the sealing member molding.

Abstract: A growth enhancer for Lactobacillus murinus, Lactobacillus salivarius, or a bacterium that belongs to the genus Lactobacillus and that has a homology of 16S rDNA of 90% or higher with Lactobacillus murinus or Lactobacillus salivarius includes a ?-glucan having a molecular weight of from 0.2 K to 50 K. A regulatory T-cell number increasing agent, a method of enhancing growth of a lactic acid bacterium, a method of increasing the number of regulatory T-cells, a method of evaluating a regulatory T-cell number increasing effect, and a method of evaluating a growth enhancing effect on a lactic acid bacterium are also provided.

Abstract: A growth enhancer for Lactobacillus murinus, Lactobacillus salivarius, or a bacterium that belongs to the genus Lactobacillus and that has a homology of 16S rDNA of 90% or higher with Lactobacillus murinus or Lactobacillus salivarius includes a ?-glucan having a molecular weight of from 0.2 K to 50 K. A regulatory T-cell number increasing agent, a method of enhancing growth of a lactic acid bacterium, a method of increasing the number of regulatory T-cells, a method of evaluating a regulatory T-cell number increasing effect, and a method of evaluating a growth enhancing effect on a lactic acid bacterium are also provided.

Abstract: A hybridoma capable of producing a monoclonal antibody against dectin-1, and a monoclonal antibody which specifically reacts with dectin-1.

Abstract: A hybridoma capable of producing a monoclonal antibody against dectin-1, and a monoclonal antibody which specifically reacts with dectin-1.

Abstract: What is provided is an agent for the prevention or treatment of septicemia caused by the infection of microorganism. The agent for the prevention and/or treatment of septicemia caused by the infection of microorganism has (1) a soybean extract or soybean fermented product as an effective; (2) or isoflavone as an effective component. Also, (3) a food and drink, medicine, or cosmetic has the agent according to (1) or (2). The agent has a high suppressing activity of the abnormal production of TNF-? is useful in the fields of medicines, cosmetics and foods, especially for the profundus mycosis patient.

Abstract: A glucan extracted by oxidation treatment of microorganism cells belonging to the genus Aspergillus under alkaline conditions; a glucan obtained by dissolving an aqueous solvent-insoluble fraction of the glucan in an aprotic polar solvent; a glucan obtained by dissolving the glucan in a urea solution; methods for obtaining the glucan; a method for measuring an amount of (1?3)-?-D-glucan in a sample using the glucan; and a (1?3)-?-D-glucan measuring kit containing the glucan.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide methods for producing recombinant polyclonal immunoglobulins using recombinant DNA techniques, which provides constant supply of immunoglobulin preparations with minimum risk of infection.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to provide an agent for the prevention or treatment of septicemia caused by the infection of microorganism. The present invention relates to: (1) an agent for the prevention and/or treatment of septicemia caused by the infection of microorganism, comprising soybean extract or soybean fermented product as an effective; (2) An agent for the prevention and/or treatment of septicemia caused by the infection of microorganism, comprising isoflavone as an effective component; and (3) Food and drink, medicine, or cosmetics, comprising the agent for the prevention and/or treatment according to the above (1) or (2). The agent according to the present invention, which has a high suppressing activity of the abnormal production of TNF-?, is useful in the fields of medicines, cosmetics and foods, especially for the profundus mycosis patient.

Abstract: A glucan extracted by oxidation treatment of microorganism cells belonging to the genus Aspergillus under alkaline conditions; a glucan obtained by dissolving an aqueous solvent-insoluble fraction of the glucan in an aprotic polar solvent; a glucan obtained by dissolving the glucan in a urea solution; methods for obtaining the glucan; a method for measuring an amount of (1→3)-&bgr;-D-glucan in a sample using the glucan; and a (1→3)-&bgr;-D-glucan measuring kit containing the glucan.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody which recognizes lipopolysaccharide binding site of macrophage cell surface receptor CD14 and has binding activity to monocyte or macrophage cells. The monoclonal antibody suppresses the production of an inflammatory mediator such as TNF, IL-6 or NO at early stages by recognizing CD14, and competitively inhibiting its binding with LPS. Therefore, it is useful for pathology analysis and the treatment of sepsis.