Abstract: A current cut-off device includes a first current cut-off circuit and a second current cut-off circuit. The first current cut-off circuit is physically cut off in response to a current having a predetermined value or more. The second current cut-off circuit includes at least one semiconductor switching device and is cut off in response to a current having a predetermined value or more. The first current cut-off circuit and the second current cut-off circuit are connected in parallel to each other. A ratio of a current flowing through the first current cut-off circuit to a current flowing through the second current cut-off circuit is set within a prescribed value set in advance, under predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A vaccine preparation characterized in that Neospora caninum-derived dense granule protein 7 or apical membrane antigen 1 or an immunologically active variant or derivative thereof is included in liposomes each having an oligosaccharide capable of binding to a carbohydrate recognition molecule on the surface of antigen-presenting cells on the surface of the liposome.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a liposome composition which is able to allow the MHC class I and class II molecules of antigen-presenting cells to efficiently present an antigen substance. The present invention provides a liposome composition, which comprises an oligosaccharide-coated liposome and an antigen substance and is used to cause the MHC class I and class II molecules of an antigen-presenting cell to present an antigen peptide.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a therapeutic agent for allergy which realizes enhancement of therapeutic efficacy and improvement in side effects such as anaphylaxis in a method for treating allergy by allergen administration (hyposensitization therapy). That is, the present invention provides the therapeutic agent for allergy comprising a liposome having on its surface an oligosaccharide capable of binding to a lectin derived from an antigen presenting cell and composed of 2 to 11 sugar residues, wherein an allergen is encapsulated in said liposome.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a drug delivery composition which allows efficient accumulation of an administered substance such as an anti-cancer drug and the like in a target site. The present invention provides a drug delivery liposome composition for delivering a substance to be administered to a target site, which comprises an oligosaccharide coated liposome and a substance to be administered.

Abstract: A first connector includes a first core member, and a first positioning-purpose fitting portion for the second connector. A second connector includes a second core member, in which an induction electromotive force is produced by the first core member, and a second positioning-purpose fitting portion for fitting in the first fitting portion. The first fitting portions, as well as the second fitting portions, may be arranged at opposite sides of the first core member in such a manner that the first core member are interposed between the first fitting portions. A shock-absorbing elastic member, which can be elastically deformed upon contact, may be provided at the first fitting portion (35) and/or the second fitting portion (44).

Abstract: A first connector (23) includes a first core member (26) and a first positioning-purpose fitting portion (35) for the second connector (25). A second connector (25) includes a second core member (28), in which an induction electromotive force is produced by the first core member (26), and a second positioning-purpose fitting portion (44) for fitting in the first fitting portion (35). The first fitting portions (35), as well as the second fitting portions (44), may be arranged at opposite sides of the first core member (26) in such a manner that the first core member (26) are interposed between the first fitting portions. A shock-absorbing elastic member, which can be elastically deformed upon contact, may be provided at the first fitting portion (35) and/or the second fitting portion (44).

Abstract: Novel GalNAc&agr;2,6-sialyltransferases P-B1 and P-B3; GalNAc&agr;2,6-sialyltransferase genes encoding the above GalNAc&agr;2,6-sialyltransferases P-B1 and P-B3; and an extracellularly releasable protein catalyzing GalNAc&agr;2,6-sialic acid transfer which comprises a polypeptide portion as being an active domain of the GalNAc&agr;2,6-sialyltransferase P-B1 or P-B3 together with a signal peptide are provided. Also provided is a process for preparing a sialyltransferases which enables efficient recovery of a sialyltransferase expressed in a large quantity in microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleotide sequence encoding Sia.alpha.2,3Gal.beta.1,4GlcNAc .alpha.2,8-sialyltransferase and an enzymatically active fragment thereof. The present invention also provides a nucleotide sequence encoding an extracellularly releasable protein capable of catalyzing Sia.alpha.2,3Gal.beta.1,4GlcNAc .alpha.2,8-sialyltransfer which comprises an enzymatically active fragment of the Sia.alpha.2,3Gal.beta.1,4GlcNAc .alpha.2,8-sialyltransferase together with a nucleotide sequence encoding at least one signal peptide. The present invention also provides recombinant vectors comprising nucleotide sequences encoding Sia.alpha.2,3Gal.beta.1,4GlcNAc .alpha.2,8-sialyltransferase. Processes for preparing extracellularly releasable polypeptide fragments of Sia.alpha.2,3Gal.beta.1,4GlcNAc .alpha.2,8-sialyltransferase are provided as well.

Abstract: Novel GalNAc .alpha. 2,6-sialyltransferases P-B1 and P-B3; GalNAc .alpha. 2,6-sialyltransferase genes encoding the above GalNAc .alpha. 2,6-sialyltransferases P-B1 and P-B3; and an extracellularly releasable protein catalyzing GalNAc .alpha. 2,6-sialic acid transfer which comprises a polypeptide portion as being an active domain of the GalNAc .alpha. 2,6-sialyltransferase P-B1 or P-B3 together with a signal peptide are provided. Also provided is a process for preparing a sialyltransferases which enables efficient recovery of a sialyltransferase expressed in a large quantity in microorganisms.

Abstract: The subject invention provides Sia.alpha.2,3 Gal.beta.1,4GlcNAc.alpha.2,8-sialyltransferase and an enzymatically active fragment thereof, and a nucleotide sequence encoding said sialyltransferase. The subject invention also provides an extracellularly releasable protein capable of catalyzing Sia.alpha.2,3Gal.beta.1,4GlcNAc.alpha.2,8-sialyltransfer which comprises the enzymatically active fragment of the Sia.alpha.2,3Gal.beta.1,4GlcNAc.alpha.2,8-sialyltransferase together with a signal peptide.

Abstract: An improved load control system for controlling loads such as electric motors in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes switching circuits, each associated with particular loads and placed in close proximity to the loads' respective switches. The system also includes several load control units which are placed in various locations inside the car, so as to minimize the possibility that all the control units will be damaged in a collision. Each of the switching circuits is capable of sending commands to each of the control units, and each of the control units is capable of controlling each of the loads in the car. Thus, when a failure occurs in a particular switching circuit, the associated loads can be controlled using another switching circuit.

Abstract: O-glycosylation and O-glycosylation extension inhibitors influence selectin-dependent interactions between cells and between cells and platelets.