Abstract: A method for measuring the presence or absence and/or strength of the inhibitory activity of a test substance on binding between a ligand and a receptor thereof, which comprises the following steps (1) to (3): (1) immobilizing either of the test substance or the ligand on a solid support; (2) contacting the test substance and the ligand for a given period of time in the presence or absence of the receptor for the ligand; and (3) comparing the level of binding between the test substance and the ligand in the presence and absence of the receptor.

Abstract: A method for measuring the presence or absence and/or strength of the inhibitory activity of a test substance on binding between a ligand and a receptor thereof, which comprises the following steps (1) to (3): (1) immobilizing either of the test substance or the ligand on a solid support; (2) contacting the test substance and the ligand for a given period of time in the presence or absence of the receptor for the ligand; and (3) comparing the level of binding between the test substance and the ligand in the presence and absence of the receptor.

Abstract: In the case when there are two objective biological activities, and the aim is to isolate a compound having at least one biological activity, the present inventors developed an assay method wherein a common detection marker is utilized for separately detecting the presence or absence of each of the biological activities. The present inventors discovered that a compound having at least one of two or more distinct biological activities can be efficiently and conveniently detected by simultaneously assaying at least one test sample or more by the above-mentioned method. Furthermore, for a test sample that proved to be positive by the detection method, they found that it is possible to efficiently and conveniently screen for a test sample having an objective specific biological activity by combining with a method wherein an individual activity of a test sample can be detected to specify the biological activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for screening substances that promote oligomerization of receptor protein molecules or peptide fragments thereof, which comprises determining whether the receptor protein molecules or peptide fragments thereof are oligomerized when contacted with a test substance; a test kit for screening substances that promote the oligomerization of the receptor protein molecules or peptide fragments thereof, which comprises the receptor protein molecules or peptide fragments thereof and a buffer; and a substance identified by the above method, which promotes the oligomerization of the receptor protein molecules or peptide fragments thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for screening substances that promote oligomerization of receptor protein molecules or peptide fragments thereof, which comprises determining whether the receptor protein molecules or peptide fragments thereof are oligomerized when contacted with a test substance; a test kit for screening substances that promote the oligomerization of the receptor protein molecules or peptide fragments thereof, which comprises the receptor protein molecules or peptide fragments thereof and a buffer; and a substance identified by the above method, which promotes the oligomerization of the receptor protein molecules or peptide fragments thereof.

Abstract: In the case when there are two objective biological activities, and the aim is to isolate a compound having at least one biological activity, the present inventors developed an assay method wherein a common detection marker is utilized for separately detecting the presence or absence of each of the biological activities. The present inventors discovered that a compound having at least one of two or more distinct biological activities can be efficiently and conveniently detected by simultaneously assaying at least one test sample or more by the above-mentioned method. Furthermore, for a test sample that proved to be positive by the detection method, they found that it is possible to efficiently and conveniently screen for a test sample having an objective specific biological activity by combining with a method wherein an individual activity of a test sample can be detected to specify the biological activity.

Abstract: It has been revealed that human interleukin-15 (hIL-15) acts on the megakaryocyte-thrombocyte system to accelerate its differentiation, maturation and/or proliferation, thereby accelerating the formation of thrombocytes. The present invention provides a treatment using IL-15 for thrombocytopenia and diseases accompanied by thrombocyte dysfunctions.

Abstract: An external cover pipe is adapted to be fixedly fitted over a fluid transport pipe made of synthetic resin via an elastic seal. The cover pipe includes a plurality of split pipe members divided in the peripheral direction of the pipe which cooperate to compress the elastic seal in association with a fastening operation of a fastener for fastening and joining together the split pipe members disposed adjacent each other in the peripheral direction. Each split pipe member includes, in an inner peripheral face thereof, a deformation limiting face for coming into contact with an outer peripheral face of the fluid transport pipe in association with the fastening operation of the fastener so as to limit radial deformation of the fluid transport pipe. This deformation limiting face is provided at a portion in the inner peripheral face of the split pipe member located at a position axially offset toward an extreme axial end of the external cover pipe away from a portion thereof where the elastic seal is attached.

Abstract: A pipe connecting apparatus for connecting a first pipe with a second pipe inserted into the first pipe member is disclosed. The apparatus includes an elastic seal to be disposed within a gap formed between an inner peripheral face of the first pipe and an outer peripheral face of the second pipe, the elastic seal being compressed in an axial direction along the axis of the first pipe for sealing the gap, a press ring fitted on the second pipe, the press ring being movable on the outer peripheral face of the second pipe in the axial direction, and a retainer member fitted on the second pipe, the retainer member having a locked condition in which the retainer member is pressed against the second pipe and a released condition in which the retainer member is radially expanded to be released from the locked condition, the retainer member being switched over from the released condition to the locked condition in association with a movement thereof relative to the press ring.