Abstract: The present invention provides oligonucleotide primers specifically hybridizing to an arbitrary nucleotide sequence designed from the nucleotide sequence of hemagglutinin of an H5 or H7 avian influenza virus, a nucleic acid amplification method using the primers, a method for diagnosis of infection with an H5 or H7 avian influenza virus by detection of nucleic acid amplification, and a kit for influenza diagnosis.

Abstract: A drug for promoting ceramide transport contains a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 as an effective component; the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:3; a method of measuring an activity for promoting ceramide release comprises mixing a lipid membrane containing ceramide with a drug promoting ceramide release, centrifuging the thus obtained mixture to give a supernatant and measuring the ceramide content in the supernatant; and a method of measuring an activity for promoting intermembrane ceramide transfer comprises mixing a receiving membrane, a drug for promoting ceramide transport and a donating membrane containing ceramide, adding a selective membrane aggregating agent thereto, then separating the receiving membrane from the donating membrane and measuring ceramide contents in the receiving membrane and in the donating membrane.