Abstract: Disclosed is a highly effective macrophage phagocytosis-activating composition and/or composition promoting cytokine production in macrophages using an active component derived from natural products. A culture obtained by culturing microorganisms belonging to the genus Aureobasidium (Aureobasidium sp.) is used as the active component of the macrophage phagocytosis-activating composition and/or composition promoting cytokine production in macrophages. By means of the macrophage phagocytosis-activating composition and/or composition promoting cytokine production in macrophages, macrophage phagocytosis can be activated, and cytokine production in macrophages can be promoted. In particular, a macrophage phagocytosis-activating composition can activate the phagocytosis of cancer cells or cells damaged or destroyed by anticancer drugs.

Abstract: Provided is a therapeutic agent for an influenza virus infectious disease, which utilizes an active ingredient derived from a natural product and has an excellent effect. The therapeutic agent for an influenza virus infectious disease includes, as an active ingredient, a ?-glucan-containing composition obtained from a culture of a microorganism belonging to Aureobasidium sp. The therapeutic agent is capable of preventing an influenza virus infectious disease from becoming serious and is capable of promoting the healing of the influenza virus infectious disease.

Abstract: Disclosed is a highly effective macrophage phagocytosis-activating composition and/or composition promoting cytokine production in macrophages using an active component derived from natural products. A culture obtained by culturing microorganisms belonging to the genus Aureobasidium (Aureobasidium sp.) is used as the active component of the macrophage phagocytosis-activating composition and/or composition promoting cytokine production in macrophages. By means of the macrophage phagocytosis-activating composition and/or composition promoting cytokine production in macrophages, macrophage phagocytosis can be activated, and cytokine production in macrophages can be promoted. In particular, a macrophage phagocytosis-activating composition can activate the phagocytosis of cancer cells or cells damaged or destroyed by anticancer drugs.

Abstract: Provided is a therapeutic agent for an influenza virus infectious disease, which utilizes an active ingredient derived from a natural product and has an excellent effect. The therapeutic agent for an influenza virus infectious disease includes, as an active ingredient, a ?-glucan-containing composition obtained from a culture of a microorganism belonging to Aureobasidium sp. The therapeutic agent is capable of preventing an influenza virus infectious disease from becoming serious and is capable of promoting the healing of the influenza virus infectious disease.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a silicon carbide sintered body of high purity which has a content of 1 ppm or less of each atom harmful to the manufacture of semiconductor equipment including the step of shaping a silicon carbide powder, calcining the shaped body in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to form a porous body, and subjecting the porous body to reaction sintering while being impregnated with molten metallic silicon. The starting silicon carbide powder also has a content of 1 ppm or less of each harmful atom and it has a free carbon content of not greater than 20% by weight and an average particle diameter of 0.5-20 .mu.m.

Abstract: There is provided a polyaniline having a thickness of 0.3 to 5 mm which is suitable for an electronic material, particularly for an electrode material in a cell. Also provided is a cell comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte in which the polyaniline having a thickness of 0.3 to 5 mm is employed in at least one of the positive and negative electrodes, the cell having a high energy density and good cell performance stable for a long period of time.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a positive electrode of vanadium pentoxide, a negative electrode of lithium-doped carbonaceous material, and an organic electrolyte liquid containing a lithium salt. The electric capacities of the positive and negative materials are selected such that the electric capacity of the carbonaceous material at a potential of 1 volt or lower vs. lithium counter electrode is 0.8 to 1.8 times the electric capacity of vanadium pentoxide at a potential of 2.5 volts or higher vs. lithium counter electrode. Graphitized mesophase microspheres resulting from carbonization of pitch is preferred carbonaceous material. The battery is improved in both charge/discharge cycle and overdischarge properties.

Abstract: A secondary cell comprising a positive electrode of an active material in the form of a lithium-containing vanadium oxide Li.sub.1+x V.sub.3 O.sub.8+y which forms a solid solution with silicon or aluminum, a negative electrode of lithium or a lithium alloy, and a nonaqueous electrolytic solution containing lithium ions, the positive electrode has an increased capacity and improved cycle performance.

Abstract: A method for treating or preventing periodontal disease which comprises administering ofloxacin or salts thereof locally to periodontal tissue are disclosed. The method is excellent on the treatment of periodontal disease in small dose without disturbance of bacterial flora.

Abstract: A secondary cell comprising a metal oxide positive electrode, a lithium negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte containing lithium ions exhibits a high capacity and a long cycle life when the positive electrode has a limited capacity per unit area.

Abstract: An electric cell comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte containing a lithium salt is provided wherein the negative electrode has a two-layer structure of a lithium-aluminum alloy layer and an aluminum layer. The cell is fabricated by placing a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte in a cell container comprising positive and negative electrode casings, and forming a seal between the positive and negative electrode casings. The negative electrode is electrochemically formed in situ in the cell container from a lithium-clad aluminum substrate.

Abstract: In a nonaqueous electrolyte cell comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte containing an alkali metal ion, an electrolytic manganese dioxide which is prepared by subjecting a manganese dioxide-forming electrolytic solution to electrolysis while introducing a gas therein is used as an active material for the positive electrode.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell is provided which comprises a positive electrode active material of a modified vanadium pentoxide, a negative electrode active material of lithium or lithium alloy, and a non-aqueous electrolyte.