Abstract: A probe for detecting a polymorphism at position ?1639 of the VKORC1 gene, the probe comprising an oligonucleotide having a nucleotide sequence having a length of 10 to 50 nucleotides, which nucleotide sequence comprises the nucleotides 80 to 89 of SEQ ID NO:1 or 2 and has a homology to SEQ ID NO:1 or 2 except that the nucleotide corresponding to the nucleotide at position 80 in SEQ ID NO:1 or 2 is cytosine, which nucleotide corresponding to the nucleotide at position 80 is labeled with a fluorescent dye.

Abstract: Provided are a simple method for producing a nucleic acid sample that does not need to use high-risk chaotropic salt in large amounts, does not need to use a limited special carrier, and offers a superior level of safety; and a method for producing a nucleic acid amplification product using the same. With respect to a cell sample containing cells, by releasing nucleic acid complexes from the cells and bringing this treatment liquid into contact with a carrier, the nucleic acid complexes are held in the carrier. Further, in the presence of a dispersion medium, by applying heat treatment to the carrier, DNAs such as genomic DNA and mitochondrial DNA, and RNA are released. Thereby, a nucleic acid sample can be recovered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an analytical tool cartridge comprising a case having therein a storage space and a retrieval port that communicates the storage space with an external space, and a plurality of analytical tools stored in the storage space in a stacked state. This analytical tool cartridge further has a retrieval mechanism for retrieving the analytical tools one at a time from the case via the retrieval port. The analytical tool cartridge may also further have an opening/closing mechanism for opening and closing the retrieval port. The present invention also provides a set of the analytical tool cartridge, and an analyzer that is constituted so as to have installed therein an analytical tool retrieved from the analytical tool cartridge, and analyze a specific component in a specimen liquid supplied onto the analytical tool.

Abstract: A measuring device (1) is provided, comprising a measurement section (5) for measuring a specific constituent in a biological sample, an input accepting section (2) for accepting an input of an estimated value of subject's, measurement result, a coincidence degree determining section (61) for referencing data of an estimated value whose input is accepted at the input accepting section (2), and determining a degree of coincidence of a measured value obtained at the measurement section and the estimated value, and output sections (3, 4) for outputting a determined result obtained at the coincidence degree determining section (61).

Abstract: A biosensor includes a first working electrode that a biocatalyst, which has a property that reacts on a specified ground substance, is disposed, a second working electrode that the biocatalyst, which the property is lost, is disposed, and at least one counter electrode for respectively applying a voltage to the first working electrode and the second working electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for stabilizing a labeled antibody in a solution, in which the labeled antibody is stabilized by allowing the labeled antibody to be present together with at least one of amino acid and a derivative thereof in the solution.

Abstract: A lancing unit (U1) includes a lancing member (2), an auxiliary part (3) which is separate from the lancing member (2), and a supporter (1) detachably supporting these. Preferably, the lancing unit (U1) further includes a cap (29) which covers a needle (21) of the lancing member (2) and which is detachable from the lancing member (2), and the lancing member (2) is supported by the supporter (1) via the cap (29).

Abstract: A biological information measurement device that measures biological information of a user includes: a device main body; a fitting-removal section which is provided in the device main body, and to/from which a sensor that measures the biological information is fitted/removed; a light source section that is provided within the device main body at a position spaced apart from the fitting-removal section and that functions as a light source for components of the biological information measurement device other than the fitting-removal section; and a light guide member that guides light emitted by the light source section to a predetermined position in the vicinity of the fitting-removal section to/from which the sensor is fitted/removed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control detection method for easily detecting a positive control and a negative control simultaneously in one reaction system. An amplification reaction is carried out by adding a control template nucleic acid to a reaction system for detecting controls. The template nucleic acid can be amplified by a primer capable of amplifying an objective target sequence. An amplification region of the control template nucleic acid amplified by the primer can be hybridized with a detection probe capable of hybridizing to the target sequence. A Tm value (TmC) of a double-stranded nucleic acid composed of the amplification region of the control template nucleic acid amplified by the primer and the detection probe is set different from a Tm value (TmA) of a double-stranded nucleic acid composed of the target sequence and the detection probe.

Abstract: A pellet 4 for use in spectrometry includes a first powder 41 of a light transmitting material in a compression-molded form, and a second powder 42 which is hydrophilic and water-insoluble and is dispersedly mixed in the first powder. A sample 40 to be subjected to spectrometry is e.g. in a powdery form and dispersedly mixed in the first and the second powders 41 and 42. When the sample 40 is a hydrate, the second powder 42 exerts the effect of accelerating dehydration of the sample 40, so that stable spectrum data on the sample in the dehydrated state is obtained early. This makes it possible to perform a processing such as identification of the sample 40 early and precisely.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of measuring a glycated protein in a sample using a redox reaction, by which the glycated protein can be measured accurately with high sensitivity. In order to remove a glycated amino acid present in the sample other than the glycated protein, the glycated amino acid is degraded in advance by causing a fructosyl amino acid oxidase to act thereon, and thereafter, a fructosyl amino acid oxidase is caused to act on the glycated protein in the presence of a tetrazolium compound and sodium azide to cause a redox reaction. The amount of the glycated protein is determined by measuring the redox reaction. As the glycated protein, glycated hemoglobin is preferable.

Abstract: A method of assaying a glycated protein in a sample with the use of redox reaction, in which highly reliable measurement can be obtained. A sample containing a glycated protein is treated with protease in the presence of a sulfonic acid compound, so that the glycated protein is degraded. The glycated portion of the resultant glycated protein degradation product is reacted with fructosyl amino acid oxidase, and this redox reaction is measured, thereby determining the amount of glycated protein. Sodium lauryl sulfate can be used as the sulfonic acid compound.

Abstract: Primer sets for amplifying target regions containing sites to be detected in the obesity gene (the ?2AR gene, the ?3AR gene, and the UCP1 gene) by a gene amplification method are provided, wherein the primer sets can amplify the regions specifically. Three pairs of primer sets are used including forward primers composed of the base sequences of SEQ ID NO: 9 or SEQ ID NO: 109, SEQ ID NO: 25, and SEQ ID NO:43 as well as reverse primers composed of the base sequences of SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 30, and SEQ ID NO: 63, respectively. The use of these primer sets makes it possible to specifically amplify a target region including a site where a polymorphism to be detected is generated in the ?2AR gene, the ?3AR gene, and the UCP1 gene, in the same reaction solution at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus that measure the concentration of glycated hemoglobin by an optical technique. A wavelength in which the molecular extinction coefficient of oxyhemoglobin agrees or substantially agrees with the molecular extinction coefficient of deoxyhemoglobin is adopted as a measurement wavelength. Preferably, the measurement wavelength is set at from 417 to 421 nm. In the present invention, the concentration of glycated hemoglobin is measured by making use of column chromatography and of using a sample prepared from red blood cells in blood.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lancet (X1) which includes a case (1) including an internal space (10), and a lancing unit (2) which includes a lancing needle (20) and which is movable within the internal space (10) in an advancing direction from a wait position to an advanced position. The case (1) includes a main body (11) accommodating the lancing unit (2), and a cap (12) which is molded integral with the main body (11) and detachable from the main body (11). The lancing unit (2) includes a cover portion (22) for covering a portion of the lancing needle (20) on the advancing side, for example. The cover portion (22) is detachable together with the cap (12) by exerting a rotational force for rotating the cap (12) and a pulling force for causing relative movement of the cap (12) in the advancing direction for exposing a front end of the lancing needle (20).

Abstract: The present invention provides a lancing apparatus (A) which includes a lancet (3) which is movable to advance in a first direction from a deeper portion in a housing (2) toward a front end of a cylindrical member (8) and an analysis component (4) disposed in the cylindrical member (8). The analysis component (4) is movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction upon receiving a force in the second direction. When skin (S) bulges, the analysis component (4) moves in the second direction following the bulging of the skin, whereby blood (b) bleeding from the skin (S) is properly introduced to the analysis component (4).

Abstract: A technique is provided, which makes it possible to easily judge whether or not an analysis tool to be used for an analysis process for a sample is authentic and which makes it possible to secure the reliability of an analysis result thereby. An identification apparatus for identifying an analysis tool having a reagent portion to be used for an analysis process for a sample is provided, wherein the analysis tool further includes an identifying marker portion which is formed by using an invisible substance, the identification apparatus comprising a light emitter which emits a light toward the identifying marker portion, a light receiver which receives a light emitted by the invisible substance for forming the identifying marker portion exposed with the emitted light emitted by the light emitter, and an identification unit which identifies the analysis tool on the basis of a light-receiving result obtained by the light receiver.

Abstract: Substrate specificity for glucose of a glucose dehydrogenase having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13 is improved by substituting another amino acid residue for the amino acid residue at position 472 and/or 475.

Abstract: A method of measuring HbA1c is provided that, even with a whole blood sample after storage, measurement accuracy substantially equal to a whole blood sample right after collection can be maintained. Whole blood is stored in a presence of a glycolytic inhibitor and protease is added to the stored whole blood sample to cleave hemoglobin in the whole blood sample. Then a glycated part of a hemoglobin fragment thereby obtained is treated with fructosyl amine oxidase. Thereafter, a glycation degree of HbA1c is determined by measuring a redox reaction between the glycated part and the fructosyl amine oxidase. Further, instead of storage of the whole blood in a presence of the glycolytic inhibitor, a strong electrolyte substance such as KCl, K2SO4, KNO, NaCl, Na2SO4, NaNO, MgCl2, MgSO4, Mg(NO)2, etc. is added to the whole blood after storage and a protease treatment is performed in a presence of the strong electrolyte substance.

Abstract: A molecular probe for use in imaging of pancreatic islets is provided. The molecular probe comprises a polypeptide represented by the following formula (1), (2), or (3), or a polypeptide having homology with the foregoing polypeptide, (SEQ?ID?NO.?1) Z-HGEGTFTSDLSXQMEEEAVRLFIEWLKNGGPSSGAPPPS-NH2?(1) (SEQ?ID?NO.?2) Z-HGEGTFTSDLSKQMEEEAVRLFIEWLXNGGPSSGAPPPS-NH2?(2) (SEQ?ID?NO.?3) B-HGEGTFTSDLSKQMEEEAVRLFIEWLKNGGPSSGAPPPS-NH2?(3) where, in the formulae (1) and (2), “X” represents a lysine residue, an amino group of a side chain of the lysine residue being labeled with a radioactive nuclide, and “Z—” indicates that an ?-amino group at an N-terminus is not modified, or is modified with a modifying group having no electric charge; in the formula (3), “B—” indicates that an ?-amino group at an N-terminus is labeled with a radioactive nuclide; and in the formulae (1), (2), and (3), “—NH2” indicates that a carboxyl group at a C-terminus is amidated.