Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of adjusting a flow rate sensor 52 for measuring a travel time of a sample passing through a resistive body. The flow rate sensor 52 includes a straight tube 56, and plural photo sensors 52A to 52E for detecting interfaces 82A, 82B between a gas 80 and a liquid 81 traveling in the straight tube 56. Respective positions of the plural photo sensors 52A to 52E are adjusted by detecting the interfaces 82A, 82B by using such photo sensors 52A to 52E.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of pretreating a specimen, which allows measurement according to an immunoassay to be carried out on a specimen from nasal secretion while preventing non-specific reactions. According to this method, the specimen from nasal secretion is treated with a protease beforehand and then an immunoassay is performed. As the protease, it is preferable to use semi-alkaline protease (EC 3.4.21.63). Furthermore, it is preferable that a substance to be pretreated by the pretreatment method according to the present invention is an influenza virus contained in the specimen from nasal secretion. The immunoassay preferably is an immunoagglutination assay. Examples of the immunoagglutination assay include a turbidimetric immunoassay, a latex turbidimetric immunoassay, and a latex agglutination assay that is performed on a slide glass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an analyzing instrument (X1) provided with a capillary (5) for moving a sample liquid. The analyzing instrument (X1) includes a dehumidification region for maintaining a constant moisture content in the capillary (5). Preferably, the dehumidification region has a hygroscopicity of no less than 2%. Preferably, at least part of an inner surface of the capillary (5) extends in the moving direction of the sample liquid and is a water-insoluble high-wettability region having a wettability of no less than 57 mN/m. The dehumidification region and the high-wettability region may be made of Vinylon, for example. Preferably, the analyzing instrument (X1) includes a liquid pooling portion (4) communicating with the capillary (5) and having a portion wider than the capillary (5).

Abstract: An analysis device of performing predetermined analysis processing to a sample. The analysis device includes: a first analysis unit, a second analysis unit and a simple analysis unit to perform at first analysis process to the sample, a second analysis process to the sample and a short-time analysis process to the sample, by which an analysis result is given in a shorter time than by the first analysis process, respectively; and a judging unit to judge, before a result of the first analysis process is given, whether or not to perform the second analysis process on a basis of a result of the first analysis process.

Abstract: A method for analyzing hemoglobin in a sample by separation analysis while suppressing the denaturation of the hemoglobin includes separating hemoglobin in the presence of at least one of a sulfurous acid compound and a dithionous acid compound.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a probe for detecting a polymorphism, a method of detecting a polymorphism, a method of evaluating the efficacy of a drug, and a reagent kit for detecting a polymorphism.

Abstract: This invention relates to a technique for adjusting the temperature of a liquid held on an analyzing instrument (1) to a target value. The invention provides a temperature control method wherein thermal energy is supplied to liquid (10) by passing a magnetic flux across an analyzing instrument (1) for raising the temperature of the liquid. The invention also provides an analyzing instrument (1) and analyzing apparatus (X) which are suited to raising the temperature of a liquid (10) using a magnetic flux.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of recovering a heavy metal by which the variation in heavy metal recovery rate among samples can be suppressed. A mixture of a sample and a chelating agent capable of chelating with a heavy metal is prepared. A complex between a heavy metal being in the sample and the chelating agent is formed in the presence of a masking agent for a thiol group in the mixture. The heavy metal in the sample is recovered by recovering the complex. By this method, a heavy metal can be recovered with suppressing the variation in the recovery rate among samples. The chelating agent preferably is 1,5-diphenyl-3-thiocarbazone (dithizone). As the masking agent, N-ethylmaleimide, iodoacetamide, iodoacetic acid, or the like can be used.

Abstract: A lactate sensor capable of accurately measuring a lactate concentration in a short period of time. The lactate sensor includes an insulating substrate, an electrode system including at least a working electrode and a counter electrode provided on the substrate, and a reagent layer provided on the electrode system. The reagent layer contains lactate oxidase, it mediator, and N-(2-acetamide)-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid.

Abstract: Provided is a glucose sensor that is capable of measuring a glucose concentration even in the case where Aspergillus oryzae type FAD-GDH (flavin adenine dinucleotide-glucose dehyrogenase) and a ruthenium compound are used in combination. The glucose sensor includes an insulative substrate, an electrode system having a working electrode and a counter electrode provided on the substrate, and a reagent layer provided on the electrode system, wherein the reagent layer contains Aspergillus oryzae type FAD-GDH, a ruthenium compound, and PMS (phenazine methosulfate).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a probe for detecting a polymorphism, a method of detecting a polymorphism, a method of evaluating the efficacy of a drug, and a reagent kit for detecting a polymorphism.

Abstract: A primer set for amplifying a region including sites to be detected of SULT1A1*2 and SULT1A1*3 in the SULT1A1 gene by a gene amplification method is provided, wherein the primer set can amplify the region specifically. A pair of primer set is used including a forward primer consisting of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7 as well as a reverse primer consisting of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18. The use of this primer set makes it possible to specifically and efficiently amplify, a region including both sites where two types of polymorphisms (SULT1A1*2 and SULT1A1*3) of the SULT1A1 gene are generated.

Abstract: An analysis device includes determination means, capable of performing a first determination on whether a specific component in urine is positive or negative, on the basis of a color reaction between a reagent and the specific component in urine; and optical measurement means capable of working out data on light absorption characteristics of the urine itself with respect to light of a predefined wavelength region. When the data on the light absorption characteristics lies within a predefined range, and a result of the first determination is either positive or negative as established beforehand, the determination means changes the result of the first determination to a false positive or a false negative, or performs second determination to the effect that there is a likelihood of a false positive or a false negative.

Abstract: A technique is provided, wherein any influence, which would be otherwise exerted on a reaction of an objective substance caused by a reagent enzyme by an interfering substance contained in a specimen, is suppressed in relation to an electrochemical sensor for measuring the objective substance contained in the specimen. A sensor comprises a substrate; a detecting unit which is provided on the substrate and which detects an objective substance; a filter which covers the detecting unit, which permits permeation of the objective substance on one hand, and which regulates permeation of an interfering substance contained in a sample on the other hand; and removing unit which removes the interfering substance adhered to the filter.

Abstract: A microchannel 4 for transporting a specimen S using capillary phenomenon includes an analysis chamber 6 having a cross-sectional area larger than those of portions located in front of and behind the analysis chamber 6 in the direction of flow, an inflow opening 5 through which the specimen S flows into the analysis chamber 6, and a discharge portion 7 through which the specimen S is discharged from the analysis chamber 6. The discharge portion 7 includes a pair of discharge openings 71a and 71b located opposite to each other with respect to the inflow opening 5. With this structure, impairment of transport of the specimen S due to the presence of a residual air bubble is avoided.

Abstract: A method for taking a sample includes drawing blood into a vacuum blood collection tube and transferring at least part of the blood from the vacuum blood collection tube to a sample storage space of a dropper. The vacuum blood collection tube includes a sample storage portion and a stopper sealing the sample storage portion, and the drawing is performed by stabbing a hollow needle into the stopper. The dropper includes and internal space at least part of which is the sample storage space for storing a sample and which includes a volume changeable space defined, by an elastically deformable portion having flexibility. The dropper further includes an insertion portion including a through-hole connected to the internal space, and the transfer of the sample is performed by inserting the insertion portion into a through- formed in the stopper by the stabbing of the hollow needle into the stopper.

Abstract: A light reception section receives fluorescence emitted according to the amount of target nucleic acid that has been amplified by PCR due to a light source illuminating excitation light onto a reaction liquid. Electrical signals from the light reception section whose level depends on the received fluorescence intensity are amplified by plural amplification circuits having different amplification factors. A multiplexor selects an electrical signal amplified with an amplification factor in an initial stage of an amplification reaction and detects a fluorescence value for that cycle. A CPU acquires the largest fluorescence value in the initial stage and determines the amplification factor for a corrected stage and inputs a selection signal to the multiplexor to select the electrical signal amplified by the determined amplification factor. In the corrected stage the electrical signal amplified with the determined amplification factor is selected and fluorescence values detected.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunoassay analyzer capable of discriminating between normal coloring due to a specific immunoreaction and abnormal coloring due to a cause other than the specific immunoreaction in a measurement region of a sample analysis tool. An immunoassay analyzer 1 of the present invention includes an optical detection unit 4 and a determination unit 5. The optical detection unit 4 includes an optical signal measurement unit for measuring an optical signal at each of two or more different wavelengths including a main wavelength for detecting color change due to the specific immunoreaction and a sub-wavelength(s) other than the main wavelength. The determination unit 5 includes a discrimination unit for comparing the respective optical signals at the two or more different wavelengths and discriminating between the color change due to the specific immunoreaction and color change due to a cause other than the specific immunoreaction based on a comparison criterion determined previously.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a polypeptide.