Abstract: With the present invention, glycoalbumin and hemoglobin A1c are measured in a blood sample, and the incidence of or the existence or non-existence of a development risk of Alzheimer's disease can then be determined based on the calculated glycoalbumin/hemoglobin A1c ratio. Compounds for treating or preventing Alzheimer's disease can also be selected using this glycoalbumin/hemoglobin A1c ratio.

Abstract: The present invention provides the following: a cardiovascular disease primary prevention agent, which comprises as the active ingredient at least one selected from the group consisting of EPA, salts thereof, and esters thereof and is for lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease by administration to subjects having a blood (serum or plasma) hs-CRP level of 1.0 mg/L or higher in spite of no history of cardiovascular disease; a combination marker comprising the blood hs-CRP value and serum EPA/AA ratio for evaluating the primary risk of cardiovascular disease in subjects having no history of cardiovascular disease; and a method for extracting subjects with high risk of cardiovascular disease and/or a method for preventing cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides the following: a cardiovascular disease primary prevention agent, which comprises as the active ingredient at least one selected from the group consisting of EPA, salts thereof, and esters thereof and is for lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease by administration to subjects having a blood (serum or plasma) hs-CRP level of 1.0 mg/L or higher in spite of no history of cardiovascular disease; a combination marker comprising the blood hs-CRP value and serum EPA/AA ratio for evaluating the primary risk of cardiovascular disease in subjects having no history of cardiovascular disease; and a method for extracting subjects with high risk of cardiovascular disease and/or a method for preventing cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides the following: a cardiovascular disease primary prevention agent, which comprises as the active ingredient at least one selected from the group consisting of EPA, salts thereof, and esters thereof and is for lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease by administration to subjects having a blood (serum or plasma) hs-CRP level of 1.0 mg/L or higher in spite of no history of cardiovascular disease; a combination marker comprising the blood hs-CRP value and serum EPA/AA ratio for evaluating the primary risk of cardiovascular disease in subjects having no history of cardiovascular disease; and a method for extracting subjects with high risk of cardiovascular disease and/or a method for preventing cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: A test method for diagnosing cerebral infarction, a test method for diagnosing the disease type of cerebral infarction, and a test method for predicting prognosis of cerebral infarction in a subject animal, which test methods comprise the step of measuring the amount of cartilage acidic protein 1 in a blood sample collected from the animal.

Abstract: Two genes implicated in arteriosclerotic diseases such as cerebral infarction were successfully identified by performing genome-wide correlation studies using SNPs by targeting the entire genome. Polymorphic mutations that can be used to examine the presence or absence of risk factors for arteriosclerotic diseases were successfully found on the genes. Subjects can be efficiently examined for the presence or absence of risk factors for arteriosclerotic diseases using the presence or absence of the polymorphic mutations as indicators. Furthermore, methods of screening for therapeutic agents for arteriosclerotic diseases are enabled by using expression or function of the genes as index.

Abstract: A writing instrument includes a hollow body, a depression mechanism including a grip unit having an outer periphery radially displaceable in accordance with a gripping force exerted by writer's fingers, the depression mechanism including an axially displaceable member which moves axially in accordance with an increase of a pressure of due to radial displacement of the grip unit and which returns to its original position in accordance with a decrease of a pressure of the grip unit, the axially displaceable member being provided in association with the grip unit, a writing member including lead with a writing tip, and a writing member actuating mechanism for moving the writing tip to a writing position. The writing member actuating mechanism includes a normally open chuck, a lead holder positioned between the chuck and tip for constantly holding the lead, and an axially moveable tightening mechanism for engaging with and disengaging from the chuck and disposed on a side of the chuck opposite the writing tip.