Abstract: Provided is a method for preventing the disturbance of vaginal bacterial flora during the menstrual period and improving the vaginal bacterial flora. One aspect of the present invention is a sanitary product carrying lactoferrin or a composition comprising lactoferrin and an auxiliary substance. Also provided is a kit comprising a sanitary product, and lactoferrin or the composition comprising lactoferrin and an auxiliary substance.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a measure for treating or preventing a disease or condition that involves AMPK dysregulation, particularly a cancer. The present invention provides a combination therapy using a compound presented by formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof with an immune checkpoint inhibitor.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide an agent for improving intrauterine bacterial flora, and a method for determining whether intrauterine bacterial flora has been improved or normalized. An aspect of the present invention is an agent for improving intrauterine bacterial flora that contains lactoferrin or a salt thereof as an active ingredient. Additionally provided are: an agent or composition for improving intrauterine flora or treating or preventing diseases caused by the imbalance of intrauterine bacterial flora, the agent or composition containing lactoferrin or a salt thereof; a method for treating or preventing diseases caused by imbalance of intrauterine bacterial flora, the method comprising administrating the agent or composition; and a method for determining whether intrauterine bacterial flora has been improved or normalized.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a measure for treating or preventing a disease or condition that involves AMPK dysregulation, particularly a cancer. The present invention provides a combination therapy using a compound presented by formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof with an immune checkpoint inhibitor.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel ascochlorin derivative which activates adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and is useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases or conditions that involve AMPK dysregulation. The present invention provides a compound presented by formula I, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel ascochlorin derivative which activates adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and is useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases or conditions that involve AMPK dysregulation. The present invention provides a compound presented by formula I, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof.

Abstract: A method of producing a membrane electrode assembly including an electrolyte film, including: a process of obtaining a membrane body by forming an electrolyte resin precursor which is a precursor of an electrolyte resin used in the electrolyte film into a film form; and a hydrolysis process of obtaining the electrolyte film by hydrolyzing the membrane body, wherein the hydrolysis process includes a process of passing the membrane body through a first tank in which an alkaline aqueous solution is accommodated and a process of passing the membrane body through second tanks in which an aqueous solution in which a water-soluble hydroxy radical elimination accelerator is dissolved in advance is accommodated after the membrane body is passed through the first tank.

Abstract: Provided is a method for forming resin film capable maximizing the effective width of the resin film while suppressing neck-in and so increasing the material utilization. The method includes: drawing molten resin extruded downward from a die exit by a cooling roll; blowing air to both ends of the molten resin from an air-blowing nozzle to cure the both ends of the molten resin while cooling the molten resin on a surface of the cooling roll for solidification. For an effective width of the resin film to be formed having a thickness in a predetermined thickness range, a target effective width is set. An amount of air to be blown and a distance from the air-blowing nozzle to the molten resin are set to form the resin film having an effective width of the target effective width or more. The resin film is formed while blowing air under the conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to newly identified genes that encode proteins that are involved in the synthesis of L-ascorbic acid (hereinafter also referred to as Vitamin C). The invention also features polynucleotides comprising the full-length polynucleotide sequences of the novel genes and fragments thereof, the novel polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides and fragments thereof, as well as their functional equivalents. The present invention also relates to the use of the polynucleotides and polypeptides as biotechnological tools in the production of Vitamin C from microorganisms, whereby a modification of the polynucleotides and/or encoded polypeptides has a direct or indirect impact on yield, production, and/or efficiency of production of the fermentation product in the microorganism. Also included are methods/processes of using the polynucleotides and modified polynucleotide sequences to transform host microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of recombinant microorganisms, in particular of the genus Gluconobacter, for production of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (2-KGA) and/or L-ascorbic acid (hereinafter also referred to as Vitamin C), wherein the microorganism has been modified to overexpress L-sorbose dehydrogenase (SDH). This overexpression has been achieved by introducing of one or more copies of a polynucleotide encoding SDH into the genome of the host microorganism resulting in enhanced yield, production, and/or efficiency of 2-KGA production and/or Vitamin C compared to a non-modified microorganism. Expression of said one or more extra-copies of sdh is dependent on the integration site. The invention also relates to genetically engineered microorganisms and their use for the production of 2-KGA and/or Vitamin C.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel cytochrome c oxidase complex, genetic materials useful for the preparation of the said complex, such as recombinant polypeptides involved in cytochrome c oxidase complex, recombinant DNA fragments, expression vectors, recombinant organisms and the like. Those novel cytochrome c oxidase complex and genetic materials may be originated from a microorganism having the identifying characteristics of Gluconobacter oxydans DSM 4025. The present invention also provides a method for the preparation of the said novel recombinant cytochrome c oxidase complex and a process for the production of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (2KGA).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biological process for producing carotenoids utilizing a microorganism which is capable of producing carotenoids and belonging to the genus Xanthophyllomyces (Phaffia) in the presence of an inhibitor for biosynthesis of sterols from farnesyl pyrophosphate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of vitamin C from a substrate, such as for instance L-sorbosone using a microorganism belonging to the genus Ketogulonicigenium.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated DNA encoding vitamin B6 phosphate phosphatase selected from the group consisting of: (a) a DNA sequence represented in SEQ ID NO:9; (b) a DNA sequence which encodes a polypeptide having vitamin B6 phosphate phosphatase activity and hybridizes under standard conditions to the DNA sequence defined in (a) or a fragment of thereof; (c) a DNA sequence which encodes a polypeptide having vitamin B6 phosphate phosphatase activity, wherein said polypeptide is at least 70% identical to the amino acid sequence represented in SEQ ID NO:10; (d) a DNA sequence which encodes a polypeptide having vitamin B6 phosphate phosphatase activity and is at least 70% identical to the DNA sequence represented in SEQ ID NO:9; (e) a degenerate DNA sequence of any one of (a) to (c).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of vitamin C from L sorbosone using an aldehyde dehydrogenase which is isolated from Gluconobacter oxydans DSM 4025 (FERM BP-3812), said enzyme having the following physicochemical properties: (a) molecular weight of 150,000±6,000 Da or 230,000±9,000 Da (consisting of 2 or 3 homologous subunits, each subunit having a molecular weight of 75,000±3,000 Da); (b) substrate specificity as active on aldehyde compounds; (c) Cofactors are pyrroloquinoline quinone and heme c; (d) Optimum pH between 6.4 and 8.2 for vitamin C production from L-sorbosone; and (e) as inhibitors Co2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, monoiodoacetate and ethylendiamine tetraacetic acid. The process is performed in the presence of a suitable electron acceptor and the vitamin C isolated from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to newly identified genes that encode proteins that are involved in the synthesis of L-ascorbic acid (hereinafter also referred to as Vitamin C). The invention also features polynucleotides comprising the full-length polynucleotide sequences of the novel genes and fragments thereof, the novel polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides and fragments thereof, as well as their functional equivalents. The present invention also relates to the use of said polynucleotides and polypeptides as biotechnological tools in the production of Vitamin C from microorganisms, whereby a modification of said polynucleotides and/or encoded polypeptides has a direct or indirect impact on yield, production, and/or efficiency of production of the fermentation product in said microorganism. Also included are methods/processes of using the polynucleotides and modified polynucleotide sequences to transform host microorganisms.

Abstract: A process for producing L-ascorbic acid from 2-keto-L-gulonic acid or D-erythorbic acid from 2-keto-D-gluconic acid by contacting 2-keto-L-gulonic acid or 2-keto-D-gluconic acid, respectively, with an enzym having ?-amylase activity in solution. The solvent for this reaction can be water, an aqueous alcohol, an organic solvent or a mixture thereof. In each case, the starting material can be in the form of the free acid, the sodium salt, or the calcium salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA encoding a novel flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-dependent D-erythronate 4-phosphate (EN4P) dehydrogenase originated from Sinorhizobium meliloti, which is involved in vitamin B6 biosynthesis, and a recombinant microorganism transformed with a vector having the DNA. It also relates to a process for production of vitamin B6 by using the recombinant microorganism. “Vitamin B6” as used in this invention includes pyridoxol (PN), pyridoxal and pyridoxamine. Vitamin B6 is a vitamin indispensable to human beings or other animals, and is used as a raw material of medicines or as feed additives.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fermentation method of astaxanthin using Phaffia rhodozyma comprising the steps of: (a) in the growing phase, feeding of a nutrient medium containing glucose or sucrose based on the specific growth rate (?) of Phaffia rhodozyma cells, and (b) in the astaxanthin production phase, feeding of the nutrient medium based on the astaxanthin production rate, while keeping the glucose concentration in the fermentation broth almost 0 g/L during the whole fermentation period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to newly identified genes that encode proteins that are involved in the synthesis of L-ascorbic acid (hereinafter also referred to as Vitamin C). The invention also features polynucleotides comprising the full-length polynucleotide sequences of the novel genes and fragments thereof, the novel polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides and fragments thereof, as well as their functional equivalents. The present invention also relates to the use of said polynucleotides and polypeptides as biotechnological tools in the production of Vitamin C from microorganisms, whereby a modification of said polynucleotides and/or encoded polypeptides has a direct or indirect impact on yield, production, and/or efficiency of production of the fermentation product in said microorganism. Also included are methods/processes of using the polynucleotides and modified polynucleotide sequences to transform host microorganisms.