Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting a mutation capable of detecting a mutation with high sensitivity and high reliability in one reaction system. Using primers (Xmt) and (Xwt), a target nucleic acid sequence whose objective base to be detected is a mutant-type is amplified with amplification efficiency higher than a target nucleic acid sequence whose objective base to be detected is a normal-type. The (Xmt) is a primer that is complementary to a region including a mutant-type base in the template nucleic acid and has a base complementary to a mutant-type base at a 3? region, and the (Xwt) is a primer that is complementary to a region including a normal-type base in the template nucleic acid and has a base complementary to a normal-type base at a 3? region. It is preferable that amplification efficiency by the (Xmt) with reference to a mutant-type template nucleic acid is higher than that by the (Xwt) with reference to a normal-type template nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifugal separator (5) including a rotor (51) which pivotally supports a container (9) including an upper opening (90B) and which is to be rotated to apply a centrifugal force to the container (9). The rotor (51) includes an evaporation preventer (55A) for preventing separation target liquid contained in the container (9) from evaporating when the rotor (51) is rotated. The evaporation preventer (55A) includes a standing wall (55Ab) which is positioned in front of the upper opening (90B) when the container (9) is pivoted by rotating the rotor (51).

Abstract: A method of effecting lysis of acid-fast bacteria, comprising heating acid-fast bacteria in a liquid containing a non-ionic surfactant at a temperature of below the boiling point of the liquid. This method enables accomplishing secure lysis of acid-fast bacteria in a simple manner within a short period of time without the use of special apparatus and agent and enables extracting genes. The heating is preferably conducted at 96° C. for 10 min. As the nonionic surfactant, use can be made of a d-sorbitol fatty acid ester, a polyoxyethylene glycol sorbitan alkyl ester, a polyoxyethylene glycol p-t-octylphenyl ether or the like. The pH value of the liquid is preferably 8, and the liquid preferably contains EDTA. It is also preferred that before the heating, the acid-fast bacteria be treated with lipase.

Abstract: A sensor cartridge for supplying a sensor is used. The sensor cartridge includes a casing within which the plurality of sensors can be arranged, and that allows a sample to be introduced to a sensor located at a preset location, and a connection structure. The connection structure electrically connects an external device and a sensor electrode of the sensor located at the preset location. The casing is formed so as to be held by the external device when the external device and the sensor electrode of the sensor are electrically connected via the connection structure.

Abstract: A molecular probe for imaging of pancreatic islets is provided. The molecular probe includes a polypeptide represented by the following formula (1), or a polypeptide that has a homology with the foregoing polypeptide. (SEQ?ID?NO.?1) Z-HGEGTFTSDLSKQMEEEAVRLFIEWLKNGGPSSGAPPPSX-NH2?(1) Wherein “X” represents a lysine residue, an amino group of a side chain of the lysine residue being labeled with a group represented by the following chemical formula (I), wherein A represents an aromatic hydrocarbon group or an aromatic heterocyclic group; R1 represents a substituent that contains 11C, 13N, 15O, 18F, 64Cu, 67Ga, 68Ga, 75Br, 76Br, 77Br, 99mTc, 111In, 123I, 124I, 125I, or 131I; R2 represents either a hydrogen atom, or a substituent different from that represented by R1; and R3 represents any one of a bond, an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and an oxyalkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a method for measuring a target component in an erythrocyte-containing specimen with high reliability while suppressing the influence of the Ht value of the specimen. [Solution to Problem] In the measurement method of the present invention, first, prior to measurement, a relationship between amounts of the target component and a plurality of signals corresponding thereto is provided. Then, a plurality of signals derived from the target component in the erythrocyte-containing specimen are acquired with a biosensor. With reference to the relationship, the amount of the target component in the specimen is determined based on the thus-acquired plurality of signals.

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: 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 an analytical tool pack (1) including an analytical tool (13) accommodated in one or between a plurality of sealing sheets (12a, 12b). The analytical tool pack (1) includes a stopper portion (146) for holding the analytical tool (13) with the analytical tool (13) caused to project from the sealing sheets (12a, 12b). Preferably, the analytical tool pack (1) further comprises a base film (14) bonded to the sealing sheets (12a, 12b). For example, the stopper portion (146) comprises the bonded portion of the sealing sheets (12a, 12b) and the base film (14). The present invention further relates to an analyzer which uses the analytical tool pack (1). The analyzer comprises an opening mechanism for making a cut (15) in the analytical tool pack (1), and a pushing mechanism for moving the analytical tool (13) relative to the sealing sheets (12a, 12b) to cause the analytical tool (13) to project through the cut (15).

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 analytical tool (X1) including a first and a second plate elements (1, 3), a flow path (4) defined between the plate elements (1, 3) and an exhaust port (31) for discharging gas from the flow path (4). The exhaust port (31) is provided at the first plate element (3) and includes a portion which is offset in a thickness direction of the first plate element (3) from the main body (3A) of the first plate element (3). Preferably, the first plate element (3) includes a projection (51) integrally formed on the first plate element (3) and defining the exhaust port (31).

Abstract: To provide a molecular probe for imaging of pancreatic islets. A molecular probe for use in imaging of pancreatic islets is provided. The molecular probe includes any one of the following polypeptides; polypeptides represented by the following formulae (1), (5), and (9); and polypeptides having homology with the foregoing polypeptides; Z-DLSXQMEEEAVRLFIEWLKNGGPSSGAPPPS-NH2? (1) Z-DLSKQMEEEAVRLFIEWLXNGGPSSGAPPPS-NH2? (5) B-DLSKQMEEEAVRLFIEWLKNGGPSSGAPPPS-NH2? (9) where X in the formulae (1) and (5) and B—in the formula (9) indicate that an amino group is labeled with a group represented by the formula (I) below having an aromatic ring, wherein A represents either an aromatic hydrocarbon group or an aromatic heterocyclic group, R1 represents a substituent that contains radioactive iodine, R2 represents either a hydrogen atom or a substituent different from that represented by R1, and R3 represents any one of a bond, a methylene group, and an oxymethylene group.

Abstract: An optical measurement apparatus is provided for conducting a test by efficiently reading color development of a reagent after reaction by optical measurement. To the above end, an optical measurement apparatus is provided which is to be used with at least one test instrument mounted to the apparatus. The test instrument includes a carrier provided with at least one reagent retaining portion which retains a reagent, and a sample is applied to the carrier. The optical measurement apparatus includes a reader for reading color development of the reagent retaining portion, and a controller for performing driving control of the reader and determination. The controller performs the determination by utilizing data obtained by a reading operation P to read the color development of the reagent performed after the lapse of a reaction completion period Tr1-Tr6 from the mounting of the test instrument, and the reaction completion period depends on the reagent.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a test instrument and an optical measurement apparatus which enable easy matching of test results when tests by optical measurement are performed with respect to a large number of patients. To the above end, a test instrument B is provided, which includes reagent retaining portions 8A, 8B, 8C retaining a reagent which reacts with a sample to produce a color reaction. The test instrument B includes a patient information entry section 64 as an example of patient identifying information region in which patient identifying information is to be written.

Abstract: An object is to provide an optical measurement apparatus for performing an efficient test by optical measurement without incurring incorrect measurements. To this end, the measurement apparatus utilizes a test instrument mounted thereto and including a carrier with a reagent retaining portion for application of a sample. The measurement apparatus includes a reader for color development at the reagent retaining portion, and a controller for driving control of the reader and for required determination. The controller performs the determination by utilizing the data obtained by reading the color development of the reagent after a reaction completion period Tr1-Tr6 depending on the reagent and starting from the mounting of the test instrument. When detecting that the color development at the reagent retaining portion is completed before the lapse of the reaction completion period Tr1-Tr6 after the mounting of the test instrument, the controller stops the test for the test instrument.

Abstract: A sample collection implement S1 includes a container 1 having an accommodation portion 10 in which a liquid 5 for suspending or diluting a sample is accommodated, a sample collection stick 2 being able to be disposed in the accommodation portion 10, a filter 3 provided inside the container 1, and a movable member 4 that can be moved in a predetermined direction inside the container 1 and has a function of pushing the liquid 5 and causing the liquid to pass through the filter 3, when moved in the predetermined direction. With such a configuration, when the liquid 5 is filtered, it is not necessary to move the filter 3 by directly pushing it and a filter with a low mechanical strength can be used as the filter 3. In addition, it is not necessary to use a centrifugal apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an analyzing tool including: a plurality of electrodes 10, 11 and 12 formed in an annular shape with stacked on one another in an axial direction; and a specimen layer formed in an interior of at least one of the plurality of electrodes 10, 11 and 12. The analyzing tool according to the present invention may be configured to include: a first electrode formed in an annular shape; a second electrode formed in an annular shape and inserted through an interior of the first electrode with a space from an inner peripheral surface of the first electrode; and a specimen layer formed between the inner peripheral surface of the first electrode and an outer peripheral surface of the second electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for distinguishing between a sample and a control liquid in a system for analyzing a specific component in the sample by using an analyzing tool having a working electrode and an counter electrode. This discriminating method includes a first step of applying a voltage between the working electrode and the counter electrode, a second step of measuring a response current at certain intervals by use of the working electrode and the counter electrode, a third step of calculating a relative value for a peak value or an end value of the response current, a fourth step of calculating a change rate of the relative value, and a fifth step of distinguishing between the sample and the control liquid based on the change rate.