Abstract: Compositions, containing glycine and serine and having a content ratio of glycine to serine (glycine/serine) of not less than 0.6 in weight ratio are effective for improving cognitive function, and have an effective preventive or improving effect on a decline in cognitive function and cognitive dysfunction, are highly safe, and enable continuous ingestion or administration.

Abstract: According to the method of evaluating lung cancer, amino acid concentration data on the concentration value of amino acid in blood collected from a subject to be evaluated is measured, and a lung cancer state in the subject is evaluated based on the concentration value of at least one of Orn, Lys, ABA, Arg, Glu, His, Tau, Pro, Ala, Cit and Ile contained in the measured amino acid concentration data of the subject.

Abstract: A biological state-evaluating apparatus evaluates the biological state to be evaluated, based on generated evaluation function and the previously acquired metabolite concentration data to be evaluated. In the apparatus, a candidate evaluation function-generating unit generates a candidate evaluation function that is a candidate of the evaluation function from the biological state information according to a particular function-generating method. A candidate evaluation function-verifying unit verifies the candidate evaluation function prepared according to a particular verification method. A variable-selecting unit selects the combination of the metabolite concentration data contained in the biological state information to be used in preparing the candidate evaluation function by selecting a variable of the candidate evaluation function from the verification results according to a particular variable selection method.

Abstract: A nutritional composition for gastrostomy-tube patients who are at an increased development risk of aspiration pneumonia and require careful risk management, which can be more safely consumed by gastrostomy-tube patients while suppressing the development of aspiration pneumonia, is administered to those patients who require risk management for aspiration pneumonia, and contains a protein source, a carbohydrate source, and a lipid source, the protein source including only amino acids.

Abstract: According to the method of evaluating IBD of the present invention, amino acid concentration data on the concentration value of amino acid in blood collected from a subject to be evaluated is measured, and an inflammatory bowel disease state in the subject is evaluated based on the measured amino acid concentration data of the subject.

Abstract: According to the method of evaluating lung cancer, amino acid concentration data on the concentration value of amino acid in blood collected from a subject to be evaluated is measured, and a lung cancer state in the subject is evaluated based on the concentration value of at least one of Orn, Lys, ABA, Arg, Glu, His, Tau, Pro, Ala, Cit and Ile contained in the measured amino acid concentration data of the subject.

Abstract: A biological state-evaluating apparatus evaluates the biological state to be evaluated, based on generated evaluation function and the previously acquired metabolite concentration data to be evaluated. In the apparatus, a candidate evaluation function-generating unit generates a candidate evaluation function that is a candidate of the evaluation function from the biological state information according to a particular function-generating method. A candidate evaluation function-verifying unit verifies the candidate evaluation function prepared according to a particular verification method. A variable-selecting unit selects the combination of the metabolite concentration data contained in the biological state information to be used in preparing the candidate evaluation function by selecting a variable of the candidate evaluation function from the verification results according to a particular variable selection method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prophylactic/therapeutic agent for an allergic disease caused by Th2 cell-polarized activation, which comprises at least one kind selected from a branched amino acid, glycine, serine, arginine, a keto acid thereof and a salt thereof. Because the prophylactic/therapeutic agent of the present invention produces almost no side effects, it can be safely ingested routinely and can be taken for a long time. When the prophylactic/therapeutic agent of the present invention is used in combination with an anti-inflammatory drug, the dose of the anti-inflammatory drug can be reduced. Hence, the prophylactic/therapeutic agent of the present invention is useful for the prevention or treatment of an allergic disease caused by Th2 cell-polarized activation. The prophylactic/therapeutic agent of the present invention is particularly effective on bronchial asthma and pulmonary fibrosis that accompanies bronchial asthma.

Abstract: Compounds which have an agonist action on a glycine receptor and compounds capable of being present as glycine in living organisms are effective for the prophylaxis or treatment of snoring or respiratory disorders during sleep. Foods and diets which contain such a compound are also effective for the prophylaxis or palliation of snoring or respiratory disorders during sleep.