Abstract: Primer sets for amplifying target regions containing sites to be detected in the UGT1A1 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 consisting of the base sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 4 or 81, 21, and 42 as well as reverse primers consisting of the base sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 13 or 91, 29 and 48, respectively. The use of these primer sets makes it possible to amplify three target regions including parts where three types of polymorphisms (UGT1A1*6, UGT1A1*27, and UGT1A1*28) of the UGT1A1 gene are generated, respectively, in the same reaction solution at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a test piece having a simple structure, by which HDL cholesterol can be measured easily using a small amount of specimen. A reagent layer (2) is formed on a support (1), and an enzyme reagent for measuring cholesterol, a first surfactant that makes a solubility of a high-density lipoprotein (HDL) higher than that of a lipoprotein other than the HDL, and a second surfactant that inhibits the lipoprotein other than the HDL from dissolving are contained in the reagent layer (2).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of analyzing hemoglobin by capillary electrophoresis involving electrophoresing a hemoglobin-containing sample in the presence of chaotropic anion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a kit holding adapter (X1) for holding an analyzer (4) for analyzing a target analyte in a sample together with a sampling tool (5) used for taking a sample. The kit holding adapter (X1) includes a first holding portion (1) for holding the analyzer (4) and a second holding portion (2) for holding the sampling tool (5), for example. At least one of the first and second holding portions (1, 2) is preferably designed to expose a part of the analyzer (4) or the sampling tool (5) for performing the analysis of the sample with the analyzer (4) or for performing the sampling with the sampling tool (5) while the analyzer (4) or the sampling tool (5) are held by the adapter. The kit holding adapter (X1) may further include an article holding portion (3) for containing articles (45) used for at least one of the analyzer (4) and the sampling tool (5), or other articles used in conjunction with the analysis of the sample or the sampling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glucose sensor (2) including an electrode (32) which includes a conductive component and glucose dehydrogenase immobilized to the conductive component. As the glucose dehydrogenase, use is made of a protein complex including a catalytic activity subunit which has glucose dehydrogenase activity, and an electron mediator subunit for supplying an electron donated from the catalytic activity subunit to the conductive component. Preferably, the glucose sensor (2) is designed to continuously measure the glucose level or successively measure the glucose level a plurality of times.

Abstract: Detection probes are provided that are capable of detecting a sequence to be detected containing a mutation even when a sequence not to be detected containing no mutation coexists with the sequence to be detected containing a mutation, which are different only in a single base from each other. At least one oligonucleotide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2˜16 is used as a probe. Even in a sample containing an abl gene in which a mutation has occurred and an abl gene in which no mutation has occurred, the use of such probes in, for example, Tm analysis allows the mutation to be detected.

Abstract: An hole-opening implement (5 or 50) for opening a hole in a soft material (2) has a first cutting part and a second cutting part. To pierce the soft material with the hole-opening implement, both cutting parts advances in the soft material while cutting the soft material. Such a state that the second cutting part remains in the soft material just after the first cutting part is passed through the soft material is assured so that a cut piece as bound to the soft material can remain after the opening. The first cutting part is formed at a tip of the hole-opening implement, and the second cutting part is disposed behind the first cutting part in the piercing direction of the hole-opening implement. Otherwise, the hole-opening implement may be constructed so that the first cutting part is sharp in section and the second cutting part is formed so as to have lower cutting force than the first cutting part.

Abstract: The present invention provides a calorimetric method that can perform a simple and reliable analysis in a short time. The method includes transferring an electron from an analyte to a coloring reagent that produces color by reduction via a mediator by using an oxidoreductase; and performing qualitative or quantitative analysis of the analyte by measuring color produced in the coloring reagent. The enzyme reaction of this method is a single stage reaction, and the color production reaction occurs via the mediator. Therefore, the measurement can be performed in a short time. Since this reaction requires neither hydrogen peroxide nor oxygen, the measured values are highly reliable.

Abstract: A liquid feeding method for feeding liquid in a minute flow path is provided. The minute flow path includes flow paths 43a, 43c, 43d connected to each other directly at respective first ends. The liquid feeding direction of blood S in the minute flow path is controlled by creating a high-pressure state at a second end of the flow path 43a located across the blood S, while creating a low-pressure state or a closed state at a second end of the flow paths 43d, 43c.

Abstract: The present invention provides a blood cell separation membrane for separating blood into serum or plasma and blood cells while preventing hemolysis of the blood cells. Such a blood cell separation membrane can be obtained by impregnating a porous membrane for separating blood cells from blood supplied thereto with a solution containing a hydrophobic aminocarboxylic acid, a protein derived from silk, Tris, TES, ?-aminohexanoic acid, tranexanmic acid, or heparin and then drying the membrane.

Abstract: An albumin denaturing agent for digesting an albumin by a protease efficiently is provided. The albumin denaturing agent contains quaternary ammonium having a hydrocarbon group with a carbon number of 12 or more, or a salt of the quaternary ammonium. The albumin in a sample is digested by the protease in the presence of the albumin denaturing agent, a glycated part of the thus obtained albumin digestion product and a FAOD effect a reaction, and a redox reaction between the glycated part and the FAOD is measured, thereby determining a ratio (GA (%)) of the glycated albumin of the glycated albumin with respect to the albumin.

Abstract: This invention relates to a technique for analyzing a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an analytical tool 1 which includes a flow path for moving a sample, and a working electrode 15 and a counter electrode 16 including active portions 15c, 16c, 16d for coming into contact with the sample supplied to the flow path and which is mounted in use to an analytical apparatus. The active portions 16c, 16d of the counter electrode 16 include a first active portion 16c and a second active portion 16d divided within the flow path. The working electrode 15 and the counter electrode 16 include contact ends 15a, 16a for coming into contact with terminals of an analytical apparatus when the analytical tool 1 is mounted to the analytical apparatus. At least one of the working electrode 15 and the counter electrode 16 includes a first electrode portion 16B which includes the contact end 16a and the first active portion 16c and a second electrode portion 16C which includes the second active portion 16d.

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 cartridge A to be mounted to a separate apparatus is provided. The cartridge includes a liquid introduction port 3 for introducing a sample liquid, and a diluter 4 including a diluent tank 41 for storing a diluent 40 for diluting the sample liquid, a sample liquid measurer 43 for separating a predetermined amount of sample liquid from the sample liquid introduced from the liquid introduction port 3, and a dilution tank 42A for mixing at least part of the sample liquid and at least part of the diluent. The sample liquid measurer 4 includes an introduction flow path 43a extending from the liquid introduction port 3, and a measurement flow path 43c and, an overflow path 43d which are connected to the introduction flow path 43a via a branch portion 43b. The measurement flow path 43c extends toward the dilution tank 42A.

Abstract: A suppressor of the expression of MCP-1 is provided that is excellent in safety and is widely applicable to, for example, foods. The suppressor of the expression of MCP-1 according to the present invention is characterized by containing auraptene. Auraptene is contained in citrus fruits such as Hassaku, Amanatsu, Natsumikan, and grapefruit. Since these citrus fruits have been eaten for a long time, the present invention has no problem in safety. Furthermore, even when added to, for example, foods, auraptene does not impair the flavor thereof because it is substantially tasteless and odorless. Since auraptene has a low calorific value, for example, an obese person or a diabetic patient can ingest it over a long period of time. Auraptene suppresses the expression of MCP-1 at a genetic level (see FIG. 1) and a protein level.

Abstract: A method is provided in which with respect to an optical detection apparatus including an optical detection unit and a temperature control unit, whether optical signal detection and temperature control are performed accurately, i.e. the performance thereof, can be verified simply with high reliability. With respect to an optical detection apparatus including an optical detection unit for detecting an optical signal of a sample and a temperature control unit for controlling temperature of the sample, the optical signal detection performance and temperature control performance are verified by the following method. First, a standard sample containing a nucleic acid sequence and a strand complementary thereto that have a known optical signal intensity and Tm value is provided, the temperature of the standard sample is increased or decreased with the temperature control unit, and optical signal intensity of the standard sample is measured with the detection unit.

Abstract: A measuring instrument (A) includes: a storage (1) which has an insertion port (10) for insertion of measuring articles (S) and is capable of storing the measuring articles stacked in a direction of the insertion; and movable members (2A, 2B) for a movement of dispensing a predetermined quantity of the measuring articles (S) out of the storage (1) toward a measuring position (P). With such an arrangement, refilling of the measuring articles (S) to the measuring instrument (A) becomes easy, and the measuring instrument (A) can be always loaded suitably with a quantity of the measuring articles.

Abstract: An analyzer in which optical measurement is performed with respect to a sample placed in optically transparent cells of an analysis tool includes a light source unit, a light-receiving unit, a tray on which the tool is placed, and a drive mechanism for driving the tray. The tray includes a holding section that holds the tool in a predetermined position. The drive mechanism reciprocates the tray between a first position where the tool placed on the tray is exposed to the outside of the analyzer and a second position where the tool is accommodated inside the analyzer. The light source unit is disposed so that emitted light is incident on a cell of the tool when the tray is located in the second position. The light-receiving unit is disposed so as to receive light transmitted through the cell when the tray is located in the second position.