Abstract: Genetically modified mammalian cells comprising a Tol2 transposon transferred into a chromosome can be obtained by co-transfecting mammalian cells with a Tol2 transposase encoded by a Tol2 transposon found in medaka fish, and a Tol2 transposon lacking this transposase.

Abstract: A scavenger receptor A expression down-regulator and a drug for preventing or treating arteriosclerosis which contain, as the active ingredient, a C-terminal globular domain of adiponectin, adiponectin, or a gene encoding the domain or adiponectin. According to the present invention, there is provided a preventive or therapeutic agent capable of directly preventing intimal thickening, which constitutes an essential feature of arteriosclerosis. This effect can be attained through arresting the onset and development of arteriosclerosis by reducing the expression level of scavenger receptor A in arterial walls and preventing lipid buildup in macrophages.

Abstract: A scavenger receptor A expression down-regulator and a drug for preventing or treating arteriosclerosis which contain, as the active ingredient, a C-terminal globular domain of adiponectin, adiponectin, or a gene encoding the domain or adiponectin. According to the present invention, there is provided a preventive or therapeutic agent capable of directly preventing intimal thickening, which constitutes an essential feature of arteriosclerosis. This effect can be attained through arresting the onset and development of arteriosclerosis by reducing the expression level of scavenger receptor A in arterial walls and preventing lipid buildup in macrophages.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for predicting the risk of the occurrence of granulocytopenia caused by paclitaxel therapy in a subject. The method of the present invention comprises identifying a genetic polymorphism in a gene isolated from the subject for five SNPs in CYP2C8 gene (IMS-JST111898 (SEQ ID NO: 1), IMS-JST105874 (SEQ ID NO: 2), IMS-JST082397 (SEQ ID NO: 3), IMS-JST071852 (SEQ ID NO: 4) and IMS-JST071853 (SEQ ID NO: 5)) and for five SNPs in BUB1b gene (IMS-JST074538 (SEQ ID NO: 6), IMS-JST079837 (SEQ ID NO: 7), IMS-JST044164 (SEQ ID NO: 8), IMS-JST 063023 (SEQ ID NO: 9) and IMS-JST042569 (SEQ ID NO: 10)). A kit comprising a reagent used in the method of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A scavenger receptor A expression down-regulator and a drug for preventing or treating arteriosclerosis which contain, as the active ingredient, a C-terminal globular domain of adiponectin, adiponectin, or a gene encoding the domain or adiponectin. According to the present invention, there is provided a preventive or therapeutic agent capable of directly preventing intimal thickening, which constitutes an essential feature of arteriosclerosis. This effect can be attained through arresting the onset and development of arteriosclerosis by reducing the expression level of scavenger receptor A in arterial walls and preventing lipid buildup in macrophages.

Abstract: The animals of the present invention enable elucidation of the onset mechanisms of obesity, diabetes, and arteriosclerosis. Moreover, they are useful for screening preventive and therapeutic drugs for treating any of these diseases.

Abstract: Non-human animals deficient in a function of a uridine phosphorylase gene on a chromosome, and their offspring. These non-human animals and their offspring make it possible to elucidate pathologic functions and activities of nucleic acid dysbolism and the like and also to predict utility of pyridine nucleoside antimetabolites in human, and are useful as experimental animals.

Abstract: A disc playing device including a magazine rotatably mounted on a base chassis, and a guide member attached to the base chassis so as to cover the magazine and permitting the rotation of the magazine. A pair of rollers are provided between a front panel and magazine. The disc is accommodated in the magazine by the rollers through a slit in the from panel. The magazine rotates to transport the disc to a playing portion, and the disc is pushed out by a kick-out member and then held between a clamp and a head mount assembly. The clamp and the assembly are pivotally movable by a slide plate.

Abstract: A disc player comprising a disc loading mechanism (2) for moving a tray (5) for placing a disc thereon from a disc discharge position to an intermediate position above a turntable (10) and then to a loading completed position below the intermediate position, a clamp mechanism (7) for pressing the disc into contact with the turntable (10), and signal recording-reproduction means for reproducing signals from the disc on the turntable (10) or recording signals on the disc. The clamp mechanism (7) comprises a clamp lever (71) movable toward and away from the turntable (10) with the movement of the tray (5) to thereby clamp the disc and release the disc from the clamp.

Abstract: A synthetic fiber having an uneven surface structure consisting of wrinkles having ridges and recesses of the surface of the fiber and not presenting specular luster, which may be used, for example, as artificial hair for wigs, can be produced easily and stably by melt-spinning a starting synthetic resin such as nylon and passing the spun monofilament through a cooling bath at a temperature not lower than 30.degree. C. for a period of time sufficient for developing wrinkles in its surface. Inclusion of a pigment such as carbon black in an appropriate amount in the starting material is effective in providing dense distribution of wrinkles.

Abstract: A disc player comprising a lift chassis 5 liftably supported on a main chassis 1 and having a signal reproduction unit 31 mounted thereon, and a drive slide 9 supported by the main chassis 1 and movable in a direction intersecting the direction of movement of the lift chassis 5. The drive slide 9 has a straight cam portion in engagement with a cam follower on the lift chassis 5 for reciprocatingly driving the lift chassis 5. An intermittent feed mechanism is provided between the drive slide 9 and a motor 23 for reciprocatingly moving the drive slide. The feed mechanism comprises a drive portion for receiving a torque directly from the motor, and a driven portion to be intermittently driven by the drive portion while the drive portion is in continuous rotation. The power given to the driven portion is delivered to the drive slide to thereby move the slide stepwise.

Abstract: A synthetic fiber having an uneven surface structure consisting of wrinkles having ridges and recesses of the surface of the fiber and not presenting specular luster, which may be used, for example, as artificial hair for wigs, can be produced easily and stably by melt-spinning a starting synthetic resin such as nylon and passing the spun mono-filament through a cooling bath at a temperature not lower than 30.degree. C. for a period of time sufficient for developing wrinkles in its surface. Inclusion of a pigment such as carbon black in an appropriate amount in the starting material is effective in providing dense distribution of wrinkles.