Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of detecting IgG4 and Smad1 in a biological sample from a subject with onset or a risk of onset of diabetic nephropathy.

Abstract: The present invention provides mammalian cell expression vectors that impart to mammalian host cells an ability to produce high levels of foreign gene-derived proteins. A ubiquitously acting chromatin opening element (UCOE) is introduced into an expression vector that has a plasmid DNA integrated into a transcriptional hot spot on the chromosome of a dihydrofolate reductase gene-deficient host cell so that it allows for selection of strains that grow in hypoxanthine-thymidine (hereinafter denoted as HT)-free medium, whereby transformants will produce a protein of interest in increased amounts.

Abstract: A detection reagent for comprehensively detecting an oxidized state and a glycated state of a low-density lipoprotein. While an oxidized low-density lipoprotein and a glycated low-density lipoprotein are detected with a fluolophore-labelled antibody, a lipid radical is detected with a fluorescent nitroxide 2,2,6-trimethyl-4-(4-nitrobenzo[1,2,5]oxadiazol-7-ylamino)-6-pentylpiperadine-1-oxyl (NBD-Pen).

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-PD-L1 antibody capable of staining tumor cells such as melanoma cells. An anti-PD-L1 antibody comprising (a) a light chain comprising CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of KSISKY (SEQ ID NO: 1), CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SGS and CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of QQHNEYPLT (SEQ ID NO: 2) and (b) a heavy chain comprising CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of GYTFTDYI (SEQ ID NO: 3), CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of INPDSGGN (SEQ ID NO: 4) and CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of ARGITMMVVISHWKFDP (SEQ ID NO: 5). A composition for detecting PD-L1, comprising the above antibody as an active ingredient. A method for preparing the above antibody is also provided.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a method of scavenging an unstable radical derived from a lipid and analyzing structures of those radicals. [Means for solution] A fluorescent nitroxide (NBD-Pen) is made to act to scavenge a lipid radical or a fragment radical thereof, and fluorescent detection liquid chromatography (LC/FL) and mass spectrometry (MS) are combined to identify lipid-derived radicals contained in a lipid extract.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, m and n are as defined in the specification, with an inhibitory effect of PD-L1 expression and an inhibitory effect of reduced production of IL-2 and a medicament useful for the treatment of a disease associated with the reduced immune function caused by the formation of PD-1/PD-L1 binding.

Abstract: The present invention provides: an assay method that uses a compound represented by formula (I) as a fluorescent probe molecule and that is for detecting the lipid peroxidation suppression activity of a test compound; an assay kit that uses the assay method; a screening method that uses the assay method; and a pharmaceutical composition that is for the treatment, etc. of diseases (such as age-related macular degeneration) that are induced by lipid peroxidation reactions.

Abstract: A new analgesic has been developed for T-type calcium channels as therapeutic targets. The present invention provides a T-type calcium channel inhibitor which is a compound represented by formula (1): wherein each of R1 and R2 independently represents —H or —OH; R3 represents —OH; R4 represents —OH or —H; R5 represents a straight or branched alkyl or cycloalkyl-alkyl group having one to ten carbon atoms or a straight or branched alkenyl or cycloalkyl-alkenyl group having two to ten carbon atoms, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. The present invention also provides this T-type calcium channel inhibitor, a medicament containing the T-type calcium channel inhibitor, and a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for a disease having an effective T-type calcium channel inhibitory action.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a novel reservoir assembly for providing a cardioplegic solution and a method for manufacturing the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-PD-L1 antibody capable of repeated administration even to animals other than rat. An anti-PD-L1 antibody comprising (a) a light chain comprising a light chain variable region containing CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of QSLLYSENQKDY (SEQ ID NO: 37), CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of WAT and CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of GQYLVYPFT (SEQ ID NO: 38) and the light chain constant region of an antibody of an animal other than rat; and (b) a heavy chain comprising a heavy chain variable region containing CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of GYTFTSNF (SEQ ID NO: 39), CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of IYPEYGNT (SEQ ID NO: 40) and CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of ASEEAVISLVY (SEQ ID NO: 41) and the heavy chain constant region of an antibody of an animal other than rat. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the above anti-PD-L1 antibody as an active ingredient. A method for preparing the above anti-PD-L1 antibody is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-LAG-3 antibody capable of repeated administration even to animals other than rat. An anti-LAG-3 antibody comprising (a) a light chain comprising a light chain variable region containing CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of QSLLDSDGNTY (SEQ ID NO: 16), CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SVS and CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of MQATHVPFT (SEQ ID NO: 17) and the light chain constant region of an antibody of an animal other than rat; and (b) a heavy chain comprising a heavy chain variable region containing CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of GFDFDTYP (SEQ ID NO: 18), CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of ITIKTHNYAT (SEQ ID NO: 19) and CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of NREDFDY (SEQ ID NO: 20) and the heavy chain constant region of an antibody of an animal other than rat. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the above anti-LAG-3 antibody as an active ingredient. A method for preparing the above anti-LAG-3 antibody is also provided.

Abstract: Very simple, highly sensitive detection or quantification of target nucleic acids of interest has been achieved by: hybridizing mask oligonucleotides to regions in a single-stranded region of a nucleic acid to be assayed between which a region to be hybridized by an oligonucleotide probe is positioned, thereby opening the probe-hybridizing region and keeping the single-stranded region of the target nucleic acid stable, and then subjecting this nucleic acid having the single-stranded region to nucleic acid chromatography.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies that show specific reactivity to disulfide-type HMGB1. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods for specifically measuring disulfide-type HMGB1 using the antibodies, and kits or reagents for the measurement. The present invention also provides methods for measuring total HMGB1 using such an antibody and an antibody that binds to both disulfide-type HMGB1 and reduced-type HMGB1 but does not bind to des-HMGB1, and kits or reagents for the measurement.

Abstract: The present invention has demonstrated that microorganisms present in a liver can be killed by washing the bile duct and the portal vein with hot water, and then disinfecting the liver using a chlorine-based disinfectant. It has also been demonstrated that sterilizing effects can be enhanced by freezing the liver after disinfection with a chlorine-based disinfectant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a test method which enables specific diagnosis of early-stage pathology of diabetic nephropathy. There is provided a method of detecting onset or a risk of onset of diabetic nephropathy, comprising measuring IgG4 in a biological sample derived from a subject. This method may further comprise measuring Smad1 in the biological sample derived from the subject. Preferably, both IgG4 and Smad1 are measured.

Abstract: The present invention provides mammalian cell expression vectors that impart to mammalian host cells an ability to produce high levels of foreign gene-derived proteins. A ubiquitously acting chromatin opening element (UCOE) is introduced into an expression vector that has a plasmid DNA integrated into a transcriptional hot spot on the chromosome of a dihydrofolate reductase gene-deficient host cell so that it allows for selection of strains that grow in hypoxanthine-thymidine (hereinafter denoted as HT)-free medium, whereby transformants will produce a protein of interest in increased amounts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a useful medicament for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a disease associated with the enhancement of OPN production including cancer, which comprises a compound of formula: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, m, n, p, X, and Y are as defined in the specification, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-PD-L1 antibody capable of staining tumor cells such as melanoma cells. An anti-PD-L1 antibody comprising (a) a light chain comprising CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of KSISKY (SEQ ID NO: 1), CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SGS and CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of QQHNEYPLT (SEQ ID NO: 2) and (b) a heavy chain comprising CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of GYTFTDYI (SEQ ID NO: 3), CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of INPDSGGN (SEQ ID NO: 4) and CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of ARGITMMVVISHWKFDF (SEQ ID NO: 5). A composition for detecting PD-L1, comprising the above antibody as an active ingredient. A method for preparing the above antibody is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drug capable of preventing or treating diabetic nephropathy. The present invention relates to a prophylactic and/or therapeutic drug for diabetic nephropathy, comprising a RAR? agonist as an active ingredient. The present invention also provides a prophylactic and/or therapeutic drug for renal anemia; a drug inhibiting the expression of type IV collagen in mesangial cells; a drug inhibiting the expression of BMP4 in mesangial cells; and a drug inhibiting fibrosis in the renal tubulointerstitium.

Abstract: A novel highly stable sodium diacetate crystal, in which the volatilization of acetic acid can be suppressed for a long period. More specifically, a sodium diacetate crystal having a median diameter in the range of 300 to 3000 ?m.