Abstract: The present invention provides a phenothiazine-derivative color-measuring method that can detect a phenothiazine-derivative color even at a wavelength longer than the wavelength that exhibits maximum absorption.

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: An LDL cholesterol measurement method that can be used with a test piece is provided. The LDL cholesterol measurement method for measuring LDL cholesterol in a sample has (A) a step of providing a total-cholesterol measurement portion and a non-LDL cholesterol measurement portion for measuring non-LDL cholesterol, which is cholesterol other than LDL cholesterol; (B) a step of measuring the total cholesterol in the sample in the total-cholesterol measurement portion; (C) a step of measuring the non-LDL cholesterol in the sample in the non-LDL cholesterol measurement portion; and (D) a step of obtaining the LDL cholesterol level in the sample by subtracting the non-LDL cholesterol value measured in the step (C) from the total-cholesterol value measured in the step (B).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an analytical tool (X) which includes a substrate (1), a flow path for moving a sample along the substrate (1), a reagent portion (14) provided in the flow path, and an insulating film (13) covering the substrate (1) and including an opening (15a) for defining a region for forming the reagent portion (14). The insulating film (13) further includes at least one additional opening (15b) positioned in a longitudinal direction (N1) relative to the opening (15a). For instance, the flow path is configured to move the sample by capillary force.

Abstract: A mutant glucose dehydrogenase having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 including substitution, deletion, insertion or addition of one or more amino acid residues other than the amino acid residue at the 365th position and having glucose dehydrogenase activity, wherein an amino acid residue at a position corresponding to the 365th position of, the amino acid sequence is replaced with another amino acid residue, and the mutant glucose dehydrogenase shows an improved substrate specificity to glucose.

Abstract: A cartridge is provided that can remove a residual liquid all around the leading end of a pipette, without requiring any new equipment, regardless of the viscosity of the residual liquid. This cartridge includes a plurality of tanks, each of which has an upper opening, and a liquid is introduced into or led out from at least one of the plurality of tanks 110 to 119 with a pipette. The cartridge further includes waste liquid tanks 120 to 122. The waste liquid tanks 120 to 122 each includes a capillary phenomenon generation portion. A residual liquid present at the leading end of the pipette is brought into contact with the capillary phenomenon generation portion of the waste liquid tanks, and the residual liquid is transferred to the capillary phenomenon generation portion through the capillary phenomenon to be removed from the pipette.

Abstract: A probe for detecting a mutation in the JAK2 gene is provided that can detect a target sequence containing a mutation even when the target sequence containing the mutation and a non-target sequence containing no mutation coexist, which are different only in a single base from each other. The probe to be used is an oligonucleotide that is at least one oligonucleotide having a sequence identical to that of a region extending from a cytosine base (C) at position 84 to be considered as the first base to any one of the 17th to 22nd bases in the direction toward the 5? end in exon 12 of the JAK2 gene consisting of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, with the cytosine base (C) being the 3? end. Even in the case of a sample containing both the JAK2 genes with a mutation that has occurred and without a mutation that has occurred, the use of such a probe in, for example, Tm analysis allows the former mutation to be detected. Preferably, the probe is labeled with a fluorescent dye.

Abstract: An analysis chip that enables an apparatus to be small, analysis to be simple, analysis time to be short and analysis of both glycosylated hemoglobin and glucose to be highly accurate is provided. The electrophoresis chip includes an upper substrate 4, a lower substrate 1, a first introduction reservoir 2a, a first recovery reservoir 2b and a capillary channel for sample analysis 3x; the first introduction reservoir 2a and the first recovery reservoir 2b are formed in the lower substrate 1; and the first introduction reservoir 2a and the first recovery reservoir 2b are in communication with each other via the capillary channel for sample analysis 3x.

Abstract: A specimen supplying tool in which structure is simple, and a liquid specimen and air bubbles do not remain within a through-bore for introduction of a specimen, is provided. The specimen supplying tool includes a substrate 11 and a through-bore 13 provided in the substrate 11. One opening of the through-bore 13 is a specimen inflow port, and the other opening of the through-bore 13 is a specimen outflow port. The specimen supplying tool further includes a projection portion 14 projecting from a part p of a marginal part of the specimen outflow port. A liquid specimen is introduced from the specimen inflow port to the through-bore 13. When the introduced liquid specimen is discharged from the specimen outflow port, and supplied to a specimen analyzing instrument, the liquid specimen is drawn to the projection portion 14, led by the projection portion 14, and supplied to the specimen analyzing instrument.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an analytical tool (X) which includes a substrate (1), a flow path for moving a sample along the substrate (1), a reagent portion (14) provided in the flow path, and an insulating film (13) covering the substrate (1) and including an opening (15a) for defining a region for forming the reagent portion (14). The insulating film (13) further includes at least one additional opening (15b) positioned in a longitudinal direction (N1) relative to the opening (15a). For instance, the flow path is configured to move the sample by capillary force.

Abstract: In a consumables supply management system in which clinical test analysis devices (1) in medical institutions (A, B, . . . ) and a computer (2) of a consumables supplier (C) are connected via a communications line (10), operation status data including information on the status of consumption of the consumables in the clinical test analysis device (1) are transmitted to the computer (2) via the communications line (10). The computer (2) has previously stored data on the inventory of consumables in each medical institution, and determines the quantity of consumables consumed in each medical institution based on the operation status data that are received, updates the consumables inventory data, and if necessary, carries out the procedures for supplying an appropriate quantity of consumables.

Abstract: Polymorphism detection probes that can distinguish polymorphisms that have only one different base are provided. At least one oligonucleotide selected from the group consisting of the oligonucleotides of SEQ ID NOS. 4, 23, 30, 47, 57 and 64 is used as a probe in a Tm analysis. A Tm analysis using such probes allows easy detection of specific polymorphisms of the FCGR3A gene, the FCGR2A gene, the IL-10 gene, the TNF ? gene and the TNF 8 gene that have an effect on the pharmaceutical effects of antibody drugs or the like. Moreover, such probes allow detection of two or more types of polymorphisms in a single reaction system by introducing two or more types of the probes concomitantly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor/lancet integrated device 1 including a lancet including a needle part 14 for puncturing skin, and a sensor including a reagent part 17. The lancet is integrally molded with the needle part 14. The device 1 preferably further includes a capillary 15 for supplying to the reagent part 17. Preferably, the needle part 14 is formed to a hollow form, and has the interior communicated to an introduction port. The needle part 14 may be formed projecting from a location different from the introduction port.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for analyzing hemoglobin by capillary electrophoresis, that allows the apparatus to be smaller in size, allows a highly precise analysis to be obtained, and allows the analysis to be performed in a short period of time.

Abstract: An electrophoresis chip that enables an apparatus to be small, analysis time to be short and glycosylated hemoglobin to be analyzed highly accurately is provided. The electrophoresis chip includes an upper substrate 4, a lower substrate 1, a first introduction reservoir 2a, a first recovery reservoir 2b and a capillary channel for sample analysis 3x; the first introduction reservoir 2a and the first recovery reservoir 2b are formed in the lower substrate 1; and the first introduction reservoir 2a and the first recovery reservoir 2b are in communication with each other via the capillary channel for sample analysis 3x.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an analytical device (X1) including a mounting portion (10) for mounting an analytical tool (2) capable of outputting information for computation, a computation unit for conducting computation for analyzing a sample based on the information for computation, and a temperature detection unit (12) for outputting the temperature information. The temperature detection unit (12) is disposed in the mounting portion (10). The analytical device (X1) preferably further includes a temperature correction unit for correcting the computation results obtained in the computation unit, based on the temperature information. The temperature detection unit (12) includes, for example, a contact type temperature sensor (12A). In this case, the contact type temperature detection unit (12) may include a thermally conductive portion (12B) having a contact surface (12b) to be brought into contact with the temperature sensor (12A) and the analytical tool (2).

Abstract: A flavor improving agent using material that has dietary history, i.e. material that has been eaten as food is provided, wherein the flavor improving agent suppresses peculiar smell of food and beverage. A composition containing extract from at least one plant selected from the group consisting of genus Crataegus of the family Rosaceae, genus Houttuynia of the family Saururaceae, genus Vitis of the family Vitaceae, genus Anthemis of the family Compositae, and genus Matricaria of the family Compositae is provided as the flavor improving agent for food and beverage. One of the extracts may be used alone or two or more of them may be used in combination. For example, a mixture of the extracts of the aforementioned four plants is preferable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a test tool (X1) attached to an analyzing device (1) for analyzing a sample. The test tool (X1) includes a pinching portion (6) for attachment to the analyzing device (1) or removal from the analyzing device (1). The pinching portion (6) may include recesses or projections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for automatically discriminating a control solution from a sample in a measurement system for measuring a target ingredient in the sample by using a measurement wavelength and a reference wavelength, wherein as the control solution, a control solution having a response value lower than a lower limit value (threshold) of a response value, such as absorbance, supposed when luminance of the sample is measured at the reference wavelength and having a response value higher than an upper limit value (threshold) of a response value supposed when luminance of the sample is measured at the detection wavelength for detecting whether the sample is supplied is used.

Abstract: A new orally administerable DHEA production promoter is provided. A composition containing an extract of at least one selected from the group consisting of plants of Rosaceae Crataegus, Saururaceae Houttuynia, Vitaceae Vitis, and Compositae Anthemis is provided as a DHEA production promoter. The extract may be of one of the plants or extracts of two or more of them may be used in combination. A specific example is preferably a mixture of extracts of all four of the aforementioned plants. This DHEA production promoter also can be used as, for example, an anti-aging agent such as a skin improver as well as a pharmaceutical agent such as an immunostimulator, an antidiabetic agent, an anti-osteoporosis agent, an antiarteriosclerotic agent, an anti-obesity agent, a sleep-promoting agent, and a central nervous system depressant.