Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a detection method capable of detecting articular cartilage degeneration or damage in which the abnormality cannot be detected in a radiograph in a simple method and with high accuracy, a method of evaluating the rate of progression of articular cartilage degeneration or damage, and the like. The present invention as a means for achieving the object provides a method of detecting articular cartilage degeneration or damage which cannot be detected in a radiograph, by using the concentration of keratan sulfate in a sample derived from blood as an index, and the like. Further, the present invention provides a method of evaluating the rate of progression of articular cartilage degeneration or damage by using the concentration of keratan sulfate in a sample derived from blood as an index, and the like.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a detection method capable of detecting articular cartilage degeneration or damage in which the abnormality cannot be detected in a radiograph in a simple method and with high accuracy, a method of evaluating the rate of progression of articular cartilage degeneration or damage, and the like. The present invention as a means for achieving the object provides a method of detecting articular cartilage degeneration or damage which cannot be detected in a radiograph, by using the concentration of keratan sulfate in a sample derived from blood as an index, and the like. Further, the present invention provides a method of evaluating the rate of progression of articular cartilage degeneration or damage by using the concentration of keratan sulfate in a sample derived from blood as an index, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is a glycosaminoglycan-polycation complex as a matrix material for use in tissue regeneration, such as cartilage repair, and a preparation method thereof. The complex is synthesized by crosslinking glycosaminoglycan and polycation with a polyfunctional crosslinking agent under physiological conditions. In this method, the crosslinking agent consists of polyethyleneglycol having two or more electrophilic leaving groups (e.g. succinimidyl group or its derivatives) at the carboxyl terminal thereof, and the concentration of the crosslinking agent is in the range of 0.3 to 3 mM. According the present invention, the crosslinking reaction can be performed under physiological conditions to avoid conventional problems of adverse affect on cells (cell death) and the formation of a polyion complex (inhomogeneous precipitate) due to a crosslinking reaction in alcohol or water. Thus, the crosslinking reaction can be conducted in the presence of cells mixed to the glycosaminoglycan and polycation in advance.

Abstract: A glycosaminoglycan-modified protein wherein an amino group of a protein is bound to an aldehyde group, which has been formed by reducing and partially oxidizing the reducing terminal sugar moiety of a glycosaminoglycan, which has a high stability in vivo and can retain physiological activity of the protein for a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel polypeptide represented by the formula: ##STR1## (wherein Lys represents lysine, Trp tryptophan, Cys cystine, Phe phenylalanine, Arg arginine, Val valine, Tyr tyrosine, Gly glycine, Ile isoleucine and X a hydroxyl group or an amino group), its analogue and a method for preparing the same.The polypeptide exhibits strong affinity for lipolysaccharide, and is useful for removing endotoxin and as a therapeutic agent of bacterial infections.