Abstract: The present invention provides a method of improving or treating inflammatory bowel disease through suppression of the expression of inflammatory cytokines based on the action mechanism of suppression of NF-?B activation by administering feruloyl serotonin to a subject in need of treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. The feruloyl serotonin of the present invention can be administered as a pharmaceutical agent or a food.

Abstract: A card connector (1) is disclosed. The card connector (1) comprises a housing (11), at least one terminal (51), a card guiding mechanism and an identification switch. The housing (11) is configured to accommodate a card adapter (101), in which a first card (201) is fitted, or a second card (301). Each of the at least one terminals (51) is attached to the housing (11). The card guiding mechanism includes an urging member (81). The urging member (81) is configured to urge the card adapter (101) or the second card (301) in a direction opposite to an insertion direction. The card guiding mechanism is configured to hold in a lock position the card adapter (101) or the second card (301) pushed in the insertion direction by way of push operation. The identification switch is formed by a first contact member (52) and a second contact member (53), and is arranged further inward in the insertion direction from an insertion direction front end (301a) of the second card (301) held in the lock position.

Abstract: There is provided an agent having at least one of an improving effect on vascular endothelial functions and an inhibitory effect on vascular intimal thickening, as well as a prophylactic of arteriosclerosis, which have excellent safety, improve functions associated with the vascular endothelium, have effects of preventing various diseases associated with vascular endothelial functions and of inhibiting vascular intimal thickening, and may be expected to provide prophylactic effect on arteriosclerosis or the like. The agents of the present invention contain, as an active component: (a) Xaa-Pro-Pro, (b) a hydrolysate of animal milk casein containing Xaa-Pro-Pro, or a concentrate thereof, or (c) a fermentation product containing Ile-Pro-Pro and/or Val-Pro-Pro obtained by fermenting a starting material containing milk protein with a bacterial strain of the species Lactobacillus helveticus.

Abstract: A card connector (1) is disclosed. The card connector (1) comprises a housing (11), at least one terminal (51), a card guiding mechanism and an identification switch. The housing (11) is configured to accommodate a card adapter (101), in which a first card (201) is fitted, or a second card (301). Each of the at least one terminals (51) is attached to the housing (11). The card guiding mechanism includes an urging member (81). The urging member (81) is configured to urge the card adapter (101) or the second card (301) in a direction opposite to an insertion direction. The card guiding mechanism is configured to hold in a lock position the card adapter (101) or the second card (301) pushed in the insertion direction by way of push operation. The identification switch is formed by a first contact member (52) and a second contact member (53), and is arranged further inward in the insertion direction from an insertion direction front end (301a) of the second card (301) held in the lock position.

Abstract: A card connector is adapted to receive first and second electronic cards, each having a plurality of contact pads. The second card being wider than the first card. The connector includes an insulative housing with a plurality of first and second terminals mounted therein for engaging respective ones of the contact pads of the electronic cards when the cards are inserted into the connector. A cover member is pivotally mounted on the housing to permit movement of the cover member between an open position at which one of said first and second electronic cards may be inserted and a closed position at which the electronic card inserted into the cover is operatively positioned within the connector. The cover member has first and second sets of positioning members configured to position and hold electronic cards exclusively at the desired location for such card and wherein some of the positioning members of the first set also act as positioning members of the second set.

Abstract: A card connector comprises a housing, an auxiliary urging member and a card guide mechanism. The housing is provided with connection terminals connected to a card housed therein. The auxiliary urging member is capable of urging the card in a direction opposite to an insertion direction of the card. The card guide mechanism is provided with an urging member capable of urging the card in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the card. The urging member and the auxiliary urging member are also configured to cooperate with each other to move the card.

Abstract: A card connector is adapted to receive first and second electronic cards, each having a plurality of contact pads. The second card being wider than the first card. The connector includes an insulative housing with a plurality of first and second terminals mounted therein for engaging respective ones of the contact pads of the electronic cards when the cards are inserted into the connector. A cover member is pivotally mounted on the housing to permit movement of the cover member between an open position at which one of said first and second electronic cards may be inserted and a closed position at which the electronic card inserted into the cover is operatively positioned within the connector. The cover member has first and second sets of positioning members configured to position and hold electronic cards exclusively at the desired location for such card and wherein some of the positioning members of the first set also act as positioning members of the second set.

Abstract: A card adapter (10) is configured to receive a first card (20) and to be inserted into a card connector (1) into which a second card may be mated. The card adapter includes a housing having first (120) and second (110) intermateable insulative plate members and a circuit member (130) arranged in the housing. The circuit member includes a plurality of adapter side contact pads (136), each being configured to contact a terminal of the card connector, and a plurality of conductive leads (133), each lead extending between one of the adapter side contact pads and a termination end (134, 135). A plurality of connection terminals (150) are provided with each being interconnected to one of the termination ends of the conductive leads and configured to engage a contact pad (251) of the first card. The first plate member may include a plurality of deformable projections (127) configured to engage a first surface of the circuit member and press the circuit member against the second plate member.

Abstract: There is provided an agent having at least one of an improving effect on vascular endothelial functions and an inhibitory effect on vascular intimal thickening, as well as a prophylactic of arteriosclerosis, which have excellent safety, improve functions associated with the vascular endothelium, have effects of preventing various diseases associated with vascular endothelial functions and of inhibiting vascular intimal thickening, and may be expected to provide prophylactic effect on arteriosclerosis or the like. The agents of the present invention contain, as an active component: (a) Xaa-Pro-Pro, (b) a hydrolysate of animal milk casein containing Xaa-Pro-Pro, or a concentrate thereof, or (c) a fermentation product containing Ile-Pro-Pro and/or Val-Pro-Pro obtained by fermenting a starting material containing milk protein with a bacterial strain of the species Lactobacillus helveticus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of improving or preventing various conditions through suppression of the expression of inflammatory cytokines based on the action mechanism of suppression of NF-?B activation. The present invention provides a composition for suppressing NF-?B activation, containing a serotonin derivative such as feruloyl serotonin (N-feruloyl serotonin) and p-coumaroyl serotonin (N-(p-coumaroyl)serotonin), a composition for suppressing the expression of VCAM-1 and/or MCP-1 via NF-?B, containing the serotonin derivative and an anti-inflammatory composition containing the serotonin derivative. The composition of the present invention can be used as a pharmaceutical agent or a food.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a gene expression regulating agent which includes astaxanthin and/or its ester as an effective ingredient; and a food and drink having an effect of regulating gene expression which includes astaxanthin and/or its ester. Abnormal gene expression due to, for example, oxidative stress can be treated, improved, and/or prevented, and diseases caused by the abnormal gene expression can be treated, improved, and/or prevented. A gene expression regulating agent which includes astaxanthin and/or its ester as an effective ingredient; and a food and drink having an effect of regulating gene expression which includes astaxanthin and/or its ester are provided and are useful for treating, improving, and/or preventing the symptom caused by the abnormal gene expression, that is, excessive expression or suppression of expression.

Abstract: A supporter for exercise of golf swing minimizes a gap between a state in which the supporter is mounted and a state in which the supporter is not mounted, and is highly effective for exercising golf swing. The supporter 1 comprises a block-like space retaining body 10 which is closely attached on both wrists or both front arms within a triangle formed by both shoulders and a grip during golf swing and also having hardness and elasticity or a buffering function enough to prevent deformation against a pressing force by the both wrists and the both front arms during addressing and swinging, and a band 20 provided on the retaining body 10 and enabling amounting of the retaining body 10 on either one of the both wrists or the both front arms.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a gene expression regulating agent which includes astaxanthin and/or its ester as an effective ingredient; and a food and drink having an effect of regulating gene expression which includes astaxanthin and/or its ester. Abnormal gene expression due to, for example, oxidative stress can be treated, improved, and/or prevented, and diseases caused by the abnormal gene expression can be treated, improved, and/or prevented. A gene expression regulating agent which includes astaxanthin and/or its ester as an effective ingredient; and a food and drink having an effect of regulating gene expression which includes astaxanthin and/or its ester are provided and are useful for treating, improving, and/or preventing the symptom caused by the abnormal gene expression, that is, excessive expression or suppression of expression.

Abstract: A composite polymer electrolyte membrane is formed from a first polymer electrolyte comprising a sulfonated polyarytene polymer and a second polymer electrolyte comprising another hydrocarbon polymer electrolyte. In the first polymer electrolyte, 2-70 mol % constitutes an aromatic compound unit with an electron-attractive group in its principal chain, while 30-98 mol % constitutes an aromatic compound unit without an electron-attractive group in its principal chain. The second polymer electrolyte is a sulfonated polyether or sulfonated polysulfide polymer electrolyte.

Abstract: A composite polymer electrolyte membrane is formed from a first polymer electrolyte comprising a sulfonated polyarylene polymer and a second polymer electrolyte comprising another hydrocarbon polymer electrolyte. In the first polymer electrolyte, 2-70 mol % constitutes an aromatic compound unit with an electron-attractive group in its principal chain, while 30-98 mol % constitutes an aromatic compound unit without an electron-attractive group in its principal chain. The second polymer electrolyte is a sulfonated polyether or sulfonated polysulfide polymer electrolyte. The composite polymer electrolyte membrane is formed from a matrix comprising the first polymer electrolyte selected from among sulfonated polyarylene polymers and having an ion exchange capacity in excess of 1.5 meq/g but less than 3.0 meq/g, which is supported on a reinforcement comprising the second polymer electrolyte having an ion exchange capacity in excess of 0.5 meq/g but less than 1.5 meq/g.