Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for improving properties of an antibody such as an expression level and stability. A method for obtaining an antibody with an improved expression level and/or stability by modifying a human antibody or a humanized antibody, characterized by that at least any one of the amino acid residues at position 8, 12, 15 or 18 (according to Kabat numbering) in a light chain variable region (hereinafter referred to as “VL chain”) of a human antibody or a humanized antibody is substituted with a different amino acid other than proline or cysteine, and a human antibody or a humanized antibody or a human antibody fragment or a humanized antibody fragment with an improved expression level and/or stability which are obtained by said method.

Abstract: A human anti-amyloid ? peptide (hereinafter referred to as “A?”) antibody that binds to A? to thereby inhibit aggregation of A? molecules, and a fragment of said antibody are provided. The antibody and a fragment thereof according to the present invention, comprising a variable region of a human-derived anti-A? antibody, strongly reacts with A? to thereby inhibit its aggregation and hence may be used as a medicament for the prophylaxis and treatment of Alzheimer dementia.

Abstract: A superconducting circuit includes a first transformer to produce a first alternating-current output at a secondary-side inductor, a second transformer to produce a second alternating-current output at a secondary-side inductor, a first pulse generating circuit to produce a single flux quantum pulse responsive to the first alternating-current output, a second pulse generating circuit to produce a single flux quantum pulse responsive to the second alternating-current output, and a confluence buffer circuit to merge the single flux quantum pulses from the pulse generating circuits, wherein each of the pulse generating circuits includes a superconducting loop including the secondary-side inductor, a first Josephson junction situated in the superconducting loop to generate the single flux quantum pulse, and a second Josephson junction situated in the superconducting loop, a threshold value of the second Josephson junction for an electric current flowing through the secondary-side inductor being different from tha

Abstract: A nanosize heater-mounted nozzle is configured of a nozzle for locally supplying a source gas toward a substrate W; a pair of electrodes located on a side face of the nozzle; and a nanosize heater formed of carbon nanotube or the like, in which the nanosize heater is connected between the electrodes so as to pass over the opening of the nozzle, for heating the source gas by current flowing, whereby easily realizing localized deposition within a limited region on a substrate.

Abstract: Novel infectious bursal disease (IBD) virus not protectable by the conventional IBD vaccines was isolated and a novel vaccine efficacious to said virus is provided. Novel IBD virus TY2 strain was isolated and its passage strains were obtained. TY2 strain has a distinct genetic type from those of the known IBD viral strains wherein a hypervariable region in VP2, a major host protective antigenic region of said virus, is cleaved with neither TaqI nor SspI but cleaved with MvaI into fragments of about 52 bp and about 422 bp. TY2 strain or the passage strain of said virus allows for production of an excellent vaccine to IBD.

Abstract: This invention is intended to isolate and identify a vWF-specific cleaving protease. The vWF-specific cleaving protease cleaves a bond between residues Tyr 842 and Met 843 of vWF and comprises a polypeptide chain having Leu-Leu-Val-Ala-Val (SEQ ID NO: 1) as a partial sequence, and more preferably comprises a polypeptide chain having the partial N-terminal amino acid sequence of a mature protein, Ala-Ala-Gly-Gly-Ile-Leu-His-Leu-Glu-Leu-Leu-Val-Ala-Val (SEQ ID NO: 2), and having a molecular weight of 105 to 160 kDa in SDS-PAGE under reducing or non-reducing conditions. Isolation and identification of this vWF-specific cleaving protease have led to the possibility of replacement therapy for patients having diseases resulting from a deficiency of the protease, such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA fragment exhibiting a potent promoter activity when used in the yeast.

Abstract: A novel hemostatic composition and a hemostatic pharmaceutical preparation are provided. A pharmaceutically stable hemostatic liquid composition comprising a mixed solution of activated blood coagulation factor VII (FVIIa) and blood coagulation factor X (FX) in a single container. The mixed solution is maintained at pH ranging from 5.0 to 6.5.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gene encoding a protein from merozoite of Babesia caballi, a recombinant protein of Babesia caballi, and an antibody capable specifically binding to a 48 kDa protein of rhoptry of Babesia caballi merozoite. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to stably prepare the 48 kDa protein of rhoptry of Babesia caballi and the gene encoding said protein in a large amount with the recombinant DNA technique. The present invention also provides a method for diagnosing equine babesiasis which comprises either specifically detecting anti-Babesia caballi antibody present in equine blood by using the recombinant protein of present invention as an antigen or detecting the presence of Babesia caballi merozoite in equine blood by using the antibody of the present invention.

Abstract: A high-temperature superconductive device is disclosed, including a ramp-edge junction. The ramp-edge junction includes a first electrode layer (5) that defines the size of the ramp-edge junction and a second electrode layer (6). The width of the second electrode layer (6) is greater than the width of the first electrode layer (5). The first electrode layer (5) and the second electrode layer (6) touch in part, and are separated via a first insulation layer (7) in remaining part. Because the ramp-edge junction includes the first electrode layer (5) and the second electrode layer (6), the inductance of the ramp-edge junction can be reduced with the critical current density Jc being kept at a high level.

Abstract: A novel medicament for ameliorating neurotransmission dysfunction diseases is provided. A medicament for ameliorating neurotransmission dysfunction diseases comprising as a main active ingredient preferably a selenocysteine-containing protein such as Selenoprotein P or a selenocysteine-containing peptide that consists of said protein or a series of said peptides. A medicament suited for ameliorating neurotransmission dysfunction diseases caused by various pathological conditions is provided.

Abstract: To provide a composition for a thick oxide superconducting film containing a copper salt of a branched saturated aliphatic carboxylic acid having 6 or more carbon atoms and/or a copper salt of an alicyclic carboxylic acid having 6 or more carbon atoms, which is suitable for producing thick copper based oxide superconducting films by the MOD process and which can be subjected to film formation with uniformity at a high speed, and an oxide superconductor in the form of a thick film tape which is subjected to film formation with uniformity at a high speed using the subject composition for a thick oxide superconducting film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a superconducting device including a substrate, a first superconducting pattern formed on the substrate, an insulating pattern formed on the first superconducting pattern, and a second superconducting pattern formed at the uppermost level in the multilayered superconducting pattern. A barrier layer of a Josephson junction is formed on the lower side of, or within the second superconducting pattern. The second superconducting pattern constitutes a circuit element on the insulating pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue sealant which is safe and effective.

Abstract: A circuit includes a latch circuit including a Josephson junction and configured to perform a latch operation based on a hysteresis characteristic in response to a single flux quantum, a load circuit including load inductance and load resistance and coupled to an output of the latch circuit, and a reset circuit provided between the output of the latch circuit and the load circuit and configured to reset the latch circuit a predetermined time after the latch operation by the latch circuit, wherein the Josephson junction is driven by a direct current.

Abstract: RE superconductive layer excelling in Jc and Tc is formed on an interlayer capable of preventing cracking and diffusion of substrate-constituting Ni element into YBCO layer and excelling in crystallinity and surface smoothness. The interlayer is formed by coating a surface of metal substrate with a mixed solution composed of an organometallic acid salt of cerium, an organometallic acid salt of a solid solution formation element capable of forming a solid solution with cerium and an organometallic acid salt of a charge compensation element capable of compensating for a charge mismatch attributed to a difference between the electron valences of respective ions of cerium and the solid solution formation element and subsequently carrying out heat treatment in a reducing atmosphere of 900 to 1200° C. whose pressure ranges from 0.1 Pa to below atmospheric pressure. Thereafter, a rare earth oxide superconductive layer is formed on the interlayer.

Abstract: A novel prophylactic/remedy for immunopathy is provided which is not neutralized by a neutralizing antibody to Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), known as one of superantigens, and may effectively act as a superantigen. A modified SEB having a reduced reactivity with a neutralizing antibody to SEB (anti-SEB antibody) and a prophylactic/remedy for immunopathy comprising as an active ingredient said modified SEB. The modified SEB of the present invention may be prepared with the evolutionary molecular engineering technique by introducing amino acid substitution in the amino acid sequence of SEB, especially at an epitope recognition site of the anti-SEB antibody in the amino acid sequence of SEB.

Abstract: A recombinant antibody in which at least the constant regions in the heavy chain and the light chain have been converted into human-origin regions and which inhibits the binding of an integrin recognizing the RGD sequence to osteopontin or its fragment and inhibits the binding of an integrin recognizing the SVVYGLR sequence or a sequence corresponding thereto to osteopontin or its fragment. This antibody is useful as a remedy for autoimmune diseases and a remedy for rheumatism or rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, a method of treating autoimmune diseases, rheumatism or rheumatoid arthritis is provided. This osteopontin antibody is useful in a diagnostic for rheumatism and a method of diagnosing rheumatism too.

Abstract: The present invention is configured such that, in a low AC loss oxide superconductor constituted by providing an oxide superconducting layer 6 on a substrate 1, said oxide superconducting layer 6 is separated into a plurality of filament conductors 2 in parallel to the lengthwise direction of said substrate 1 by dividing grooves 3 plurally formed in the widthwise direction of said substrate, and a high-resistance oxide 8 is formed in said dividing grooves 3. Because of the invention, it is possible to increase the insulation properties of individually divided mated filament conductors, and to obtain an oxide superconductor that has low AC loss.

Abstract: A method of fabrication of an RE-Ba-Cu—O-based oxide superconductor, characterized by using an RE-Ba-O-based compound (RE being one type or two types or more of rare earth elements) and a Ba-Cu-O-based material for liquid phase as a starting material, melting the material for liquid phase, then growing the crystal.