Abstract: The present invention chiefly aims to provide a process for directly inducing cardiomyocytes from somatic cells without performing artificial gene transfer, a cardiomyocyte obtained thereby, and a composition comprising a combination of chemical compounds capable of using for the said process. The present invention can include a process for producing a cardiomyocyte by inducing differentiation directly from a somatic cell, the process comprising a step of culturing the somatic cell in the presence of a MEK inhibitor and a cAMP inducer, and a cardiomyocyte obtained thereby, and then a composition for producing a cardiomyocyte by inducing differentiation directly from a somatic cell, the composition comprising a MEK inhibitor and a cAMP inducer. The cardiomyocytes obtained according to the present invention are useful in regenerative medicine and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is primarily directed to provide a new composition for a medium which can be used for differentiation induction from somatic cells to brown adipocytes. The present invention can include, for example, a composition for a medium used in differentiation induction from somatic cells to brown adipocytes, wherein the composition comprises the following seven components: a thyroid hormone receptor agonist, a glucocorticoid receptor agonist, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, insulin, an ascorbic acid derivative, albumin, and an antibiotic. According to the present invention, direct differentiation induction from somatic cells to brown adipocytes can be effectively performed. In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to effectively maintain brown adipocytes.

Abstract: The present invention is primarily directed to provide a new process capable of performing direct conversion of or induction from a somatic cell to brown adipocytes with low molecular weight compounds, without performing artificial gene transfer. The present invention includes, for example, a process for producing brown adipocytes by direct differentiation induction from somatic cells, comprising a step of culturing a somatic cell in a serum-free differentiation induction medium in the presence of a selective PPAR? agonist and a cAMP inducer. According to the present invention, direct conversion of or induction from somatic cells to brown adipocytes can be effectively performed without gene transfer. The brown adipocytes obtained by the present invention are useful as regenerative medicine, models of human brown adipocytes and human beige cells, and the like.

Abstract: It is a main object of the present invention to provide a new producing method capable of efficiently performing direct conversion or induction from a somatic cell to an insulin-producing cell. The present invention can include, for example, a process for producing an insulin-producing cell by direct differentiation induction from a somatic cell, comprising a step of culturing a somatic cell in a serum-free differentiation induction medium, or a step of culturing a somatic cell in a differentiation induction medium containing 5 ?g/mL or more of insulin. According to the present invention, insulin-producing cells having a high insulin secretion ability can be produced directly and efficiently from a somatic cell. The insulin-producing cells obtained according to the present invention are useful in regenerative medicine and the like.

Abstract: It is a main object of the present invention to provide a process for producing an insulin-producing cell from a somatic cell without performing artificial gene transfer, an insulin-producing cell obtained from the process, or a composition comprising a combination of chemical substances that can be used for the process. The present invention can include, for example: a process for producing an insulin-producing cell from a somatic cell by direct differentiation induction, comprising a step of culturing a somatic cell in the presence of an RSK inhibitor; an insulin-producing cell obtained from the process; and a composition for producing an insulin-producing cell from a somatic cell by directly inducing differentiation, comprising an RSK inhibitor. The insulin-producing cells obtained according to the present invention are useful in regenerative medicine and the like.

Abstract: The present invention chiefly aims to provide a process for directly inducing insulin-producing cells from somatic cells without performing artificial gene transfer. The present invention can include a process for producing an insulin-producing cell by inducing differentiation directly from a somatic cell, the process comprising a step of culturing the somatic cell in the presence of a cAMP inducer, and six members selected from the group consisting of a GSK3 inhibitor, a TGF-? inhibitor, a BMP inhibitor, a p53 inhibitor, a PI3K inhibitor, a Notch inhibitor and a RAR agonist, or all members thereof. The insulin-producing cells obtained by the present invention are useful in regenerative medicine and the like.

Abstract: The present invention chiefly aims to provide a process for directly inducing cardiomyocytes from somatic cells without performing artificial gene transfer, a cardiomyocyte obtained thereby, and a composition comprising a combination of chemical compounds capable of using for the said process. The present invention can include a process for producing a cardiomyocyte by inducing differentiation directly from a somatic cell, the process comprising a step of culturing the somatic cell in the presence of a MEK inhibitor and a cAMP inducer, and a cardiomyocyte obtained thereby, and then a composition for producing a cardiomyocyte by inducing differentiation directly from a somatic cell, the composition comprising a MEK inhibitor and a cAMP inducer. The cardiomyocytes obtained according to the present invention are useful in regenerative medicine and the like.

Abstract: A small steam generator uses a cylindrical steam generation vessel having a steam generation portion formed to store an amount of water for generating steam and a steam passage portion formed on the upper end of the steam generation portion for spouting steam generated in the steam generation portion. A heater element is disposed within the steam generation vessel, and an induction heating coil is wound around the periphery of the steam generation vessel for energizing the heater element. The heater element is energized by supply of electric power to the heating coil so that steam generated by boiling of the water in the steam generation portion spouts upward from the steam passage.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is to provide a steam generator constructed small in size. A steam generator 20 of the present invention is composed of a cylindrical steam generation vessel 30 having a steam generation portion 31 formed to store an amount of water for generating steam and a steam passage 32 formed on the upper end of the steam generation portion for spouting steam generated in the steam generation portion, a heater element 40 disposed within the steam generation vessel 30, and an induction heating coil wound around the periphery of the steam generation vessel 30 for energizing the heater element. The heater element 40 is energized by supply of electric power to the heating coil so that steam generated by boiling of the water in the steam generation portion spouts upward from the steam passage.

Abstract: Object A cooking apparatus, wherein, independent of the quantity and the temperature of the foodstuff contained in a cooking chamber of the cooking apparatus, the food stuff can be cooked in a consistent time period by initial-heating processing and main-heating processing. Means of Solution A cooking device is provided with a controller for performing initial-heating processing before a transition to main-heating processing.

Abstract: Object Provide a cooking device with a steam generating device having a reduced size and capable of producing steam in a short time. Means of Solution A cooking apparatus comprising a cooking chamber for accommodating foodstuff in its interior for cooking, a heater for heating interior of said cooking chamber and an electric fan for generating convectional flow of air heated by said heater in said cooking chamber, characterized in that, an induction heating type steam generating device for supply steam into said cooking chamber is disposed on the side wall of said cooking chamber, wherein said steam generating device comprises a steam generating vessel which store prescribed amount of water, an induction heater body disposed in said steam generating vessel for heating water and an induction heating coil wound around outer peripheral of said steam generating vessel for heating said induction heater.

Abstract: An error monitoring apparatus in a refrigerator including a plurality of sensors for detecting plural errors in the refrigerator and an indicator for displaying the detected errors, wherein the indicator is controlled to display the detected errors in a predetermined order of priority and is further controlled to successively switch over the display of the detected errors in the predetermined order of priority upon each operation of an error recognition switch.

Abstract: An electric appliance such as a refrigerator equipped with an operation switch, an indicator and an electric controller for controlling operation of the appliance when connected to a source of electric power, wherein the electric controller is designed to memorize a data indicative of the type of the electric controller for activating the indicator to display the type of the electric controller for a predetermined time based on the memorized data when the electric appliance is connected to the source of electric power in a condition where the operation switch was closed and for disabling the indicator to display the type of the electric controller when the electric appliance is connected to the source of electric power in a condition where the operation switch is maintained in an open position.

Abstract: An electric control apparatus for an ice making machine includes an initial water supply cycle control device for opening a water valve for a predetermined time, and a water level sensor mounted within a water tank for detecting whether or not a level of water in the water tank is more than a predetermined level. A first check-up device is provided for permitting operation of a defrost/water supply cycle and an ice making cycle when the level of water in the water tank exceeds the predetermined level after an initial water supply cycle is conducted under control of an initial water supply control device. The first check-up device also repeats operation at the initial water supply cycle when the level of water in the water tank is less than the predetermined level.

Abstract: In an ice making machine having an upright ice making plate 12 arranged above a water tank 11, refrigeration circuit for circulating refrigerant to an evaporator 13 attached to the ice making plate 12, a hot gas valve 18 disposed within a bypass line of the refrigeration circuit to be opened to supply a hot gas to the evaporator 13 at a defrost cycle, a water pump 25 arranged to supply the ice making water from the water tank 11 to an upper portion of the front surface 12a of the ice making plate 11 at an ice making cycle, and a water valve 23 arranged to supply a defrost water from an external source of water to an upper portion of the rear surface 12b of the ice making plate 12 at the defrost cycle, the electric control apparatus includes a thermal sensor 73 arranged to detect a temperature at the outlet portion of the evaporator 13, and is designed to start measurement of a predetermined time when the temperature detected by the sensor 73 rises to a predetermined temperature at the defrost cycle after the

Abstract: A dishwashing machine having a washing chamber, a wash tank provided at a bottom of the washing chamber to store an amount of hot wash water therein, a wash pump mounted to a bottom portion of the tank to pump up the wash water therefrom, a pair of wash arms supplied with the wash water by the wash pump, a rinse pump arranged to pump up fresh hot water supplied thereto from a source of hot water, and a pair of rinse arms supplied with the fresh hot water by the rinse pump, a drain box arranged within an upper portion of the tank and associated with a side wall of the tank to form an opening in communication with the bottom portion of the tank, a drain pipe connected to a bottom wall of the drain box and being extended outwardly through the bottom wall of the tank to drain the wash water received by the drain box, an overflow pipe secured to the bottom wall of the drain box to permit the upward flow of wash water from the bottom of the tank, and a tiltable plate arranged above the drain box to introduce the wa

Abstract: An electric control apparatus for an icecream-making machine wherein a stirring paddle is settled in an icecream-forming container in conditions for thermal exchange with an evaporator of a refrigerating system and is driven by an electric motor to whip icecream ingredients stored in the container. The electric control apparatus is arranged to detect the rotational speed of the paddle for producing a pulse signal at a period inversely proportional to the detected rotational speed, to produce an output signal when 1/n of the period of the pulse signal is more than a predetermined period of time and to cease production of the output signal when 1/n of the period of the pulse signal becomes less than the predetermined period of time, and to permit supply of an electric power to the motor when production of the output signal is ceased and to cut off the supply of the electric power to the motor in response to the output signal.

Abstract: A defrosting apparatus including a housing defining a space for accommodating therein articles to be defrosted, a heater for heating the air within the housing, and an air circulation fan for circulating the heated air so that it flows through the space. The apparatus further includes a first temperature sensor disposed on the air outlet side of the circulation fan for sensing the temperature of the outlet air flowing out from the circulation fan to produce a first detection signal, a second temperature sensor disposed at the air inlet side of the circulation fan for detecting the temperature of the air flowing into the circulation fan to produce a second detection signal and a controller coupled to the first and second sensors for receiving the first and second detection signals, respectively, to thereby control the operation of the defrosting apparatus.