Abstract: Conventionally, it has not been possible to easily know the user's blood sugar constitution type. It is possible to easily know the user's blood sugar constitution type using a blood sugar constitution determination device including: a storage unit that stores one or more pieces of question information that are used to judge a blood sugar constitution type and include a question regarding lifestyle; an output unit that outputs the one or more pieces of question information; an acceptance unit that accepts, from a user, answer information corresponding to the one or more pieces of question information; a processing unit that determines a blood sugar constitution type of the user, using the one or more pieces of answer information accepted by the acceptance unit; and an information output unit that outputs output information regarding the blood sugar constitution type.

Abstract: In a system, a server establishes a session for verification of drawing information and implements information communication between clients connected to the session. The verification in the session is performed by laying out rendering object information used to render an object of the drawing information in a virtual 3D space based on layout information. The system comprises: establishing, upon receiving a session start request from one of the clients storing a verification target drawing information, the session to which the client storing the drawing information is able to connect; managing state information indicating a state of the 3D space for the session; receiving information of a verification input made at the clients; changing the state information upon receiving the verification input; and transmitting, to the connected clients, shared information necessary to render the 3D space.

Abstract: In a system, a server establishes a session for verification of drawing information and implements information communication between clients connected to the session. The verification in the session is performed by laying out rendering object information used to render an object of the drawing information in a virtual 3D space based on layout information. The system comprises: establishing, upon receiving a session start request from one of the clients storing a verification target drawing information, the session to which the client storing the drawing information is able to connect; managing state information indicating a state of the 3D space for the session; receiving information of a verification input made at the clients; changing the state information upon receiving the verification input; and transmitting, to the connected clients, shared information necessary to render the 3D space.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a Thermo-Acidophilic Bacilli inhibitor, a method of preventing contamination by Thermo-Acidophilic Bacilli, and a beverage, which utilize as an active ingredient a substance having the effect of inhibiting the growth of Thermo-Acidophilic Bacilli. The present invention relates to a Thermo-Acidophilic Bacilli inhibitor containing xanthohumol as an active ingredient, a method of preventing contamination by Thermo-Acidophilic Bacilli using the same, and a beverage containing the same.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a growth inhibitor for microorganisms, a method of preventing contamination by microorganisms, and, a beverage, each of which utilizes as an active ingredient a thermally stable substance having antibacterial action against various microorganisms. The present invention relates to a growth inhibitor for microorganisms containing isoxanthohumol as an active ingredient, a method of preventing contamination by microorganisms using the same, and a beverage containing the same.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a composition for suppressing an increase in blood glucose level, containing a thermally stable substance as an active ingredient; a composition for suppressing an increase in blood glucose level, the composition being capable of suppressing an increase in postprandial blood glucose level regardless of the timing of intake, whether before, during, or after meals; and a method of suppressing an increase in blood glucose level. The present invention relates to, for example, a composition for suppressing an increase in blood glucose level, containing isoxanthohumol as an active ingredient.

Abstract: There are provided a flavor enhancing agent which is capable of selectively enhancing the flavor of a flavoring of interest, as well as a flavoring composition and a drink that contain the agent and which are enhanced in flavor. Specifically, a polymerized catechin is used with a flavoring.

Abstract: There are provided a flavor enhancing agent which is capable of selectively enhancing the flavor of a flavoring of interest, as well as a flavoring composition and a drink that contain the agent and which are enhanced in flavor. Specifically, a polymerized catechin is used with a flavoring.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a food or drink having an improved sharpness in an aftertaste without reduction in its peak sweetness. According to the present invention, a food or drink containing a sweetener in which sweetness persisting as an unpalatable aftertaste is suppressed, and which retains a nearly intact degree of sweetness of the sweetener at its peak can be obtained by adding a polymerized polyphenol, particularly, a polymerized catechin, which is a polymerized polyphenol derived from tea, to the food or drink.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aspartame-containing acidic beverages, and also relates to acidic beverages designed to prevent a storage-induced reduction in the sweetness of aspartame, which comprise a polymerized polyphenol (particularly a polymerized catechin). The present invention further relates to a method for preventing a storage-induced reduction in the sweetness of aspartame in aspartame-containing acidic beverages by using a polymerized polyphenol (particularly a polymerized catechin).

Abstract: The present invention provides a fucoidan-derived low molecular weight compound with a good quality of taste, which has a specified structure and function and is free from problems in absorption, antigenicity, uniformity, an anticoagulant activity and so on, which problems arise when developing fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide having an extremely large molecular weight, as drugs or health foods. As a result of analyzing low molecular weight compounds obtained by acid hydrolysis of fucoidan, the inventors have identified fucoidan oligosaccharides (I) to (XI). Further, these oligosaccharides have been found to have anti-obesity and/or blood glucose elevation suppressing effects through inhibition of carbohydrate and/or lipid absorption as a result of ?-glucosidase inhibition and/or lipase inhibition.

Abstract: Novel compositions are provided that exhibit immunomodulatory actions such as an immunostimulating action and an anti-allergic action. Compositions are provided in which Kombu fermented with lactic acid bacteria is contained either alone or in combination with sesame and soybean(s) that have been fermented with lactic acid bacteria. The compositions enable nutrients to be absorbed in a balanced way, feature high safety, and have superior immunomodulatory actions.

Abstract: The invention provides novel lactic acid bacteria having immunoregulating activities and usable in food and drinks, medicaments, and other applications. Specifically, the invention provides novel lactic acid bacteria separated from “Shibazuke,” one kind of traditional Kyoto pickles, and having immunoregulating activities. The lactic acid bacteria of the present invention belong to Lactobacillus pentosus.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising novel lactic acid bacteria having immunoregulating activities. Specifically, the invention provides food, drinks or medicaments containing novel lactic acid bacteria separated from “Shibazuke,” one kind of traditional Kyoto pickles, and having immunoregulating activities. The lactic acid bacteria belong to Lactobacillus pentosus and have a weak assimilating activity or no assimilating activity for glycerol.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising novel lactic acid bacteria having immunoregulating activities. Specifically, the invention provides food, drinks or medicaments containing novel lactic acid bacteria separated from “Shibazuke,” one kind of traditional Kyoto pickles, and having immunoregulating activities. The lactic acid bacteria belong to Lactobacillus pentosus and have a weak assimilating activity or no assimilating activity for glycerol.

Abstract: The invention provides novel lactic acid bacteria having immunoregulating activities and usable in food and drinks, medicaments, and other applications. Specifically, the invention provides novel lactic acid bacteria separated from “Shibazuke,” one kind of traditional Kyoto pickles, and having immunoregulating activities. The lactic acid bacteria of the present invention belong to Lactobacillus pentosus.

Abstract: A propionic acid thiol ester derivative having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a cyano group, a trifluoromethyl group, a halogen atom or a nitro group,R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a cyano group,R.sub.3 is a thiazolin-2-yl group or a benzothiazol-2-yl group, andA is a methine group or a nitrogen atom.

Abstract: Fungicidal composition comprising a fungicidally effective amount of the N-pyridylcarbamate derivative having the formula (I) as an active ingredient: ##STR1## wherein X is 2-naphthyl, 5-indanyl, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl, 1,4-methano-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-naphthyl, 1,4-ethano-1,2,3,4,-tetrahydro-6-naphthyl, 2-quinolyl, or a phenyl group having one or two of the same or different substituents selected from the group of halogen atom, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkenyloxy, halogenated lower alkyl, lower alkylthio, lower alkyl-sulfonyl, lower alkylamino, nitro, and methylenedioxy; Y is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; Z is lower alkyl group; W is pyridyl group having one or two of the same substituents selected from the group of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkenyloxy, and lower alkylamino, and biologically inert carriers has excellent fungicidal activity against a variety of molds, and can be used to protect plants from fungal infections.

Abstract: 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives having selective herbicidal action in controlling broad leaf weeds and cyperaceous weeds without causing phytotoxicity to geraminous crop plants having the formula: ##STR1## wherein A is a methine group or a nitrogen atom; R.sub.1 is a chlorine atom or a methyl group; when A is a methine group, R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom if R.sub.1 is a methyl group, and a hydrogen atom or a methyl group if R.sub.1 is a chlorine atom, and when A is a nitrogen atom, R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom; R.sub.3 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having from 1 to 11 carbon atoms, a benzyl group unsubstituted or substituted by chlorine or methoxy; a phenoxymethyl group unsubstituted or substituted by chlorine or methyl, or a lower alkoxyalkyl group.

Abstract: A hydroxyacetic acid amide derivative having the formula: ##STR1## wherein each of R and R.sub.1 which may be the same or different, is an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or alkoxyalkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, provided that R and R.sub.1 are not simultaneously alkyl groups.