Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing schizophrenia comprising measuring at least one parameter in a subject, the parameter being selected from the group consisting of (1) a genetic abnormality of glyoxalase I gene, (2) the expression level or activity of glyoxalase I in a biological sample, (3) the amount of a carbonyl-modified protein that is a protein modified with the carbonyl-compound, preferably pentosidine, in a biological sample, and (4) the amount of pyridoxal in a biological sample. The present further relates to a primer, a probe and a reagent for use in said method, as well as an AGE-reader and its use for measuring the amount of carbonyl-modified proteins.
Abstract:
The purpose of the present invention is to provide intervertebral disk nucleus pulposus stem cells or progenitor cells that may be used for treatment of intervertebral disk disorders. The present invention provides an intervertebral disk nucleus pulposus cell characterized by being isolated from the intervertebral disk nucleus pulposus of a vertebrate and being positive for at least one surface marker from among Tie2 and GD2. That is, the present invention provides an intervertebral disk nucleus pulposus stem cell characterized by being at least Tie2-positive for the surface marker and possessing self-renewal ability as well as multipotency capable of differentiating into adipocytes, osteocytes, chondrocytes and neurons. The present invention also provides an intervertebral disk nucleus pulposus progenitor cell characterized by being at least Tie2-negative and GD2-positive for the surface marker and capable of differentiating into any of adipocytes, osteocytes, chondrocytes and neurons.
Abstract:
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus capable of selectively damaging and killing tumor cells. In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for selectively damaging and killing tumor cells comprising a step of irradiating tumor cells with a pulse light having continuous emission spectra ranging at least from 230 to 270 nm (UV pulse flash), outside a living body of a human or a living body of a non-human animal or in a living body of a non-human animal. The UV pulse flash, preferably, has an accumulated irradiation amount per unit area that is achieved at a distance of 8 cm from a light source having an integrated output of, for example, 90, 180-7100 or 14200 J. In other words, the UV pulse flash, preferably, has an accumulated irradiation amount per unit area of, for example, 6, 12-480 or 960 J/cm 2 in terms of an energy originated from a wavelength of UVC. The step of irradiating with the UV pulse flash is preferably carried out, for example, within 1 minute. The UV pulse flash is preferably emitted from a xenon flash lamp. As another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for treating tumor tissues comprising a light source of the UV pulse flash.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a highly polymerizable diamine compound containing a phosphorylcholine group. Also disclosed is a high molecular weight polymer which uses the phosphorylcholine group-containing highly polymerizable diamine compound as one of the starting raw materials and is improved in mechanical strength, water resistance and heat resistance, while maintaining excellent biocompatibility and workability as an MPC polymer. Further disclosed is a method for producing such a high molecular weight polymer. Specifically disclosed is a specific diamine compound represented by the formula (I) below and containing a phosphorylcholine group. Also specifically disclosed is a polymer represented by the formula (II) below and having a number average molecular weight of not less than 5,000, while containing at least 1% by mole of a specific structural unit having a phosphorylcholine group. Further specifically disclosed is a method for producing such a polymer by using the diamine compound as one of the raw materials.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a carbon monoxide removal agent that can be easily administered to a patient by injection or orally. The carbon monoxide removal agent of the present invention contains, as an active ingredient, an inclusion complex in which a cyclodextrin dimer represented by chemical formula (1) below includes a water-soluble metalloporphyrin. (In the formula, m represents either of number 1 or 2 and n represents any of number 1, 2, or 3.)
Abstract:
A robot safety device, which is provided between a drive shaft of a robot and an actuator for driving the drive shaft and prevents unexpected action to a user positioned around the robot, and in which such a possibility that a robot damages a person is detected and the detection is utilized as a trigger to quickly stop the driving force for the robot. The device is provided with a transmission part which transmits to the drive shaft an output from the actuator, an acceleration operation corresponding part which mechanically generates corresponding to the transmission accelerating operation of the transmission part caused by the actuator, regulation auxiliary force for regulating the operation of the transmission part caused by the output from the actuator, and a regulation part which is driven by the regulation auxiliary force generated by the accelerating operation corresponding part and regulates the operation of the transmission part.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an electrochromic display device (100) comprising: a first and a second substrates (10,30); a first and a second electrodes (20,40); and an electrochromic composition layer (50), wherein the device is of a passive matrix drive where a display and an erasion are performed by an energization in reverse directions between the electrodes, the first and the second electrodes respectively comprise a plurality of electrodes, a pixel (60) is formed where the electrodes are in a grade separated crossing, and the display is performed by voltage application processing where: (i) the first electrode is set as negative, and the second electrode is set as positive, to apply a voltage of a first potential difference, immediately followed by (ii) the first electrode being set as positive, and the second electrode being set as negative, to apply a voltage of a second potential difference equal to or more than the first potential difference.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a bioartificial renal tubule that forms an artificial kidney together with a bioartificial glomerulus suitable for continuous hemofiltration. The bioartificial renal tubule includes an artificial membrane having an inner surface coated with renal tubular epithelial cells and a vessel containing the artificial membrane. The cells are prevented by the use of a MEK inhibitor from being stratified and therefore form a confluent monolayer on the artificial membrane. The renal tubular epithelial cells are characterized in that the contact inhibition thereof is maintained by the use of the MEK inhibitor. The MEK inhibitor is preferably U0126. The attachment of cells capable of reproducing the function of a kidney allows dialysis to be continuously performed for 24 hours with high efficiency and also allows the ability of a renal tubule to reabsorb useful substances to be achieved.