Abstract: The present invention provides mammalian cell expression vectors that impart to mammalian host cells an ability to produce high levels of foreign gene-derived proteins. A ubiquitously acting chromatin opening element (UCOE) is introduced into an expression vector that has a plasmid DNA integrated into a transcriptional hot spot on the chromosome of a dihydrofolate reductase gene-deficient host cell so that it allows for selection of strains that grow in hypoxanthine-thymidine (hereinafter denoted as HT)-free medium, whereby transformants will produce a protein of interest in increased amounts.

Abstract: The present invention provides mammalian cell expression vectors that impart to mammalian host cells an ability to produce high levels of foreign gene-derived proteins. A ubiquitously acting chromatin opening element (UCOE) is introduced into an expression vector that has a plasmid DNA integrated into a transcriptional hot spot on the chromosome of a dihydrofolate reductase gene-deficient host cell so that it allows for selection of strains that grow in hypoxanthine-thymidine (hereinafter denoted as HT)-free medium, whereby transformants will produce a protein of interest in increased amounts.

Abstract: An airway is secured without obstructing sleep even when the lingual radix falls into the airway. An airway expansion apparatus is configured to include a pillow portion that supports a cranial portion, a pair of left and right mandible holding portions that hold the mandible coupled to the cranial portion at the temporomandibular joint, a first actuation mechanism that causes the mandible holding portions to come into contact with the mandible, and a second actuation mechanism that lifts the mandible holding portions with respect to the pillow portion with the mandible holding portions kept in contact with the mandible, in which the mandible is kept lifted.

Abstract: The present inventors conducted dedicated studies and successfully constructed expression vectors that enable high-level production of foreign gene-derived proteins in mammalian host cells, which comprise a translation-impaired dihydrofolate reductase gene cistron whose expression has been attenuated by altering the codons to the least frequently used codons in mammals; and a gene cassette which has a cloning site for incorporation of a foreign gene between a highly transcriptionally active promoter and a highly stable polyadenylation signal.

Abstract: A respiratory tract widening tool capable of reliably managing a respiratory tract in a supine posture and freely changing the posture, and a respiratory tract widening unit provided therewith are provided.

Abstract: As a result of dedicated research, the present inventors have successfully invented a collagen gene construct which can be easily purified and maintains a triple helix structure equivalent to that of naturally-occurring collagen while having a low molecular weight. Specifically, one-step purification by affinity purification is enabled because CR-D (a signal peptide) has a carbohydrate recognition domain. By substituting a portion of a human collagen structural gene of the present invention with the collagen-like structural gene portion of MBL, a low-molecular-weight collagen which maintains a triple helix structure and is thermally stable can be obtained with high purity and in large quantities.

Abstract: A respiratory tract widening tool capable of reliably managing a respiratory tract in a supine posture and freely changing the posture, and a respiratory tract widening unit provided therewith are provided.

Abstract: The present inventors conducted dedicated studies and successfully constructed expression vectors that enable high-level production of foreign gene-derived proteins in mammalian host cells, which comprise a translation-impaired dihydrofolate reductase gene cistron whose expression has been attenuated by altering the codons to the least frequently used codons in mammals; and a gene cassette which has a cloning site for incorporation of a foreign gene between a highly transcriptionally active promoter and a highly stable polyadenylation signal.

Abstract: As a result of dedicated research, the present inventors have successfully invented a collagen gene construct which can be easily purified and maintains a triple helix structure equivalent to that of naturally-occurring collagen while having a low molecular weight. Specifically, one-step purification by affinity purification is enabled because CR-D (a signal peptide) has a carbohydrate recognition domain. By substituting a portion of a human collagen structural gene of the present invention with the collagen-like structural gene portion of MBL, a low-molecular-weight collagen which maintains a triple helix structure and is thermally stable can be obtained with high purity and in large quantities.