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: A reaction container, a light source unit including light emitting devices that are different in wavelength of an emitted light beam and output dichroic mirrors that are different in wavelength range of a reflectible light beam, and a photoreceptive unit including photoreceptors and photoreceptive dichroic mirrors that are different in wavelength range of a reflectible light beam are used. The light emitting devices are arranged so that output directions thereof may be in parallel, and the output dichroic mirrors are arranged so that the reflected light beams may pass through the same optical path in the same direction. The photoreceptors are arranged so that photoreceptive surfaces may be in parallel, and the photoreceptive dichroic mirrors are arranged so that output light beams from the reaction container may be reflected by the photoreceptive dichroic mirrors and may enter the photoreceptors, according to wavelengths of the output light beams.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lancing apparatus (A) comprising an apparatus body (1) including a housing (5) and a movable member for advancing a needle (40b), the movable member being arranged movably in the housing (5), and a plurality of front end covers (2, 3) each for coming into contact with a portion to be lanced in lancing. Preferably, the plurality of front end covers (2, 3) have different structures adapted for lancing different portions and are removably attachable to a same portion of the apparatus body (1) individually. A suitable cover (2 or 3) for the portion to be lanced is selectable from the front end covers (2, 3), and the selected front end cover (2 or 3) is attached to the apparatus body (1) in use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an analyzer (1) which includes a placement part (11) for placing an analysis piece, and a photometric measurer (7) for photometric measurement of the analysis piece (2). In the analyzer (1), the placement part (11) holds the analysis piece (2) in such a way that a row of reagent pad (20) on the analysis piece (1) lie in right-and-left directions (D3, D4). The photometric measurer (7) is farther from a front than the placement part (11). The analysis piece (2) placed on the placement part (11) is conveyed from front toward rear (Direction D1), with the row of reagent pads (20) laid in right-and-left directions (D3, D4), toward the photometric measurer (7).

Abstract: When a network connection request is sent from a user's personal computer (2) to a server (1) on the Internet (5), the server (1) sends an authentication confirmation number generated by a random number generating unit (13) to the personal computer (2) of the connection requester. The connection requester connects a portable telephone (3) to a modem (4) and enters the authentication confirmation number displayed on the personal computer (2) through operation of keys of the portable telephone (3). An authentication unit (16) authenticates the connection request of the connection requester to set up connection to the network if the telephone number of the portable telephone (3) stored in a user information storage unit (12) agrees with the telephone number sent to the modem (4) and if the authentication confirmation number entered through the portable telephone (3) is correct.

Abstract: The present invention relates to analytical apparatus comprising: a passage (45) in which an analytical tool (2) is moved from above to below; and a movement block (51), made capable of reciprocatory movement in the horizontal directions (D1, D2), for moving the analytical tool (2) incoming through the passage (45) in the direction (D1). This analytical apparatus is constructed such that, by erecting the analytical tool (2) on the movement block (51) positioned directly below the outlet (45B) of the passage (45) and causing the movement block (51) to move in the D1 or D2 direction, the analytical tool (2) is tipped over, and the analytical tool (2) is placed in a horizontal condition on the movement block (51).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an analyzer (1) to be used with an analytical tool (2) mounted thereto and used for analyzing a particular component contained in a sample supplied to the analytical tool (2). The analyzer (1) includes at least one detection terminal pair (11, 12) including a first and a second detection terminals (11A, 11B, 12A, 12B) which are capable of selecting a mutually contacting state and a non-contacting state, a detector (15) for detecting the state of contact of the first and the second detection terminals (11A, 11B, 12A, 12B), and an abnormality detector (16) for detecting an abnormality of the at least one detection terminal pair (11, 12) based on the detection result by the detector (15).

Abstract: A linearizing correction unit (104) carries out a linearizing correction process on the output of an image sensor (8) based upon linearizing correction data stored in a linearizing correction data holding unit (102), and a light-irregularity correction unit (108) carries out a light-irregularity correction process on the image sensor output that has been subjected to the linearizing correction process based upon light-irregularity correction data stored in a light-irregularity correction data holding unit (106). A refection factor calculation unit (110) calculates an integral value of the in-plane reflection factor of a test piece by using the output that has been subjected to the linearizing correction and light-irregularity correction with respect to pixel outputs of the image sensor (8) obtained when the test piece having in-plane density irregularities is measured.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) activator, which is free from the problem of side effects, can be taken over a long term and has no characteristics taste. ?-cryptoxantine is employed as a PPAR activator. ?-cryptoxantine, which is contained in a large amount in the pulp of citrus fruits (in particular, mandarin-type citrus fruits) such as satsuma oranges, for example, has been consumed for many years. Thus, it is free from any problem in safety and has a low calorie content. Therefore, it can be taken over a long term. Because of being tasteless and odorless, moreover, ?-cryptoxantine would not damage the unique taste when added to a food. Therefore, it can be added to foods and taken.

Abstract: The present invention provides a data processing system and a data collection method by which measurement data can be read in and transmitted easily, without connecting a terminal for transmitting data with various types of measurement apparatuses, and further provides a measurement apparatus to be used for the data processing system and the data collection method. The data processing system at least uses: a measurement apparatus (10) provided with a display screen (13); a terminal (20); and a server (30). The measurement apparatus (10) includes: a measurement portion for obtaining measurement data; a code transforming portion for transforming the measurement data into a bar code, a two-dimensional code (8) or a composite code; and a display portion for displaying the code on the display screen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) activator, which is free from the problem of side effects, can be taken over a long term and has no characteristics taste. Nobiletin is employed as a PPAR activator. Nobiletin has an excellent PPAR activity and has an excellent adiponectin secretion-promoting effect, and is contained in a large amount in citrus fruits, in particular, in Shiikuwasha (Citrus depressa HAYATA) indigenous to Okinawa (Japan). Since citrus fruits have been consumed for many years, the safety of nobiletin has been proven and besides, nobiletin has a low calorie content. Therefore, it can be taken over a long term. Moreover, because of being tasteless and odorless, nobiletin would not damage the unique taste of a food when added thereto. Therefore, it can be added to foods and taken.

Abstract: A measurement instrument for adequately correcting data in consideration of the deterioration of a reagent used for measurement over time. A deterioration correction data table where the variation of the sensitivity of each reagent from the date of manufacture of the reagent to the expiration date is recorded for each lot is stored in a deterioration correction data storage unit (3b). A bar code including information designating the lot and the date of manufacture is attached to the reagent. A CPU (1) designates the deterioration correction data table corresponding to the lot of the reagent used for measurement according to the reagent information read by the bar code reader of a nozzle derive unit (10), calculates the reagent sensitivity by interpolation on the measurement data with reference to the designated deterioration data table, and corrects the measurement data with respect to the deterioration of the reagent according to the calculated reagent sensitivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique for determining the position of each of reaction vessels (56) for retaining reaction liquid of a sample and a reagent in analytical instrument (Y) provided with a plurality of reaction vessels (56). The analytical instrument (Y) includes a reference portion (66) for enabling the determination of the position of a particular portion of the analytical instrument (Y). The reference portion (66) is optically detected and utilized as the basis for determining the position of each reaction vessel (56).

Abstract: A measuring instrument that comprises a light source unit 1 capable of emitting light having different wavelengths, a light receiving unit 2 that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to an intensity of transmitted light or radiated light from a sample 6 mixed with a plurality of coloring matters, and a calculation section 3, is used. The calculation section 3 uses a previously calculated correction coefficient to calculate the fluorescence intensity of transmitted light or radiated light for each coloring matter. The correction coefficient is calculated based on an electrical signal output by the light receiving unit 2 when a plurality of correction samples are irradiated with light having different wavelengths, each correction sample being mixed with any one of the coloring matters and the respective mixed coloring matters being different from one another.

Abstract: A position information system (101) obtains position information (latitude and longitude) of a dispatch location from a telephone number/address DB (113) or an address/position information DB (114) based on the sender telephone number of a telephone (103) of a customer or the like requesting the dispatch. A display control portion (132) obtains map images of the vicinity of the dispatch location from a map DB (138) based on the position information, and displays these on a display (136) with the display location in the center. Also, position information and the current status of each dispatch staff member is obtained at any time from portable terminals (104) of the dispatch staff members, and based on this information, markings representing the dispatch staff members in the vicinity of the dispatch location are displayed on the map, allowing a staff member to be dispatched to be quickly and appropriately selected.

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 mounter (3) integrally provided with a lancing element (47B) and analyzer includes a lancing member (47) provided with the lancing element (47B), a first member (4) including an accommodation portion (40) for holding the lancing member (47), and a second member (5) formed separately from the first member (4) for holding the analyzer (6). The accommodation portion (40) includes an accommodation space (43) communicable with the outside through a first opening (43a) and a second opening (43b). The lancing member (47) is held and hermetically sealed in the accommodation space (43) by closing the first opening (43a) and the second opening (43b) with a first seal member (44a) and a second seal member (44b).

Abstract: An analyzer measures the concentration of a specific component in a sample liquid supplied to a test piece equipped with first and second terminal parts. An analyzer (X1) includes a stage on which a test piece is placed, a first terminal (40a) for electrical connection with a first terminal part, a second terminal (40b) for electrical connection with a second terminal part, and an electric circuit (6) for measuring parameters required for calculating the concentration of a specific component. A check piece (4?), in place of the test piece, is placed on a stage to test the electric circuit (6). The test of the electric circuit (6) is performed based on a plurality of electric responses from the electric circuit (6) with a plurality of electric conditions applied to the check piece (4?).

Abstract: The invention relates to measuring the concentration of a target component in an object. The invention provides a component concentration measurement method including a first step in which light is irradiated onto a measurement object held in a first magnetic field state for detecting the light from the object, a second step in which light is irradiated onto the object held in a second magnetic field state different from the first state for detecting the light from the object, and a third step in which the concentration of the target component is calculated based on the detection results in the first and the second steps. The first magnetic field state may be a magnetic-field-modulated state, while the second state may be a non-magnetic-field-modulated state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an analyzing apparatus (1) for analyzing a sample using a container (2) accommodating reagents sealed therein, while raising the temperature of the reagents up to a predetermined temperature. The analyzing apparatus (1) comprises a first temperature measuring means (31) for measuring temperature of the container (2), a second temperature measuring means (32) for measuring temperature around the container (2), a heater (4) for supplying heat energy to the container (2), and a controller for controlling the heater (4) based on a measurement result at the first and second measuring means (31, 32).