Abstract: A vascular sap measurement sensor includes an indicator electrode probe, a reference electrode probe, and a supporting portion. The indicator electrode probe is an ion-sensitive field effect transistor. The reference electrode probe includes a solid reference electrode, the solid reference electrode including a base layer, a silver chloride layer, and a chloride layer, the base layer being formed of an electrically conductive body, the silver chloride layer being formed on a surface of the base layer, the chloride layer being formed on a surface of the silver chloride layer. The supporting portion supports the indicator electrode probe and the reference electrode probe arranged in parallel.

Abstract: Provided are a pulse wave signal analyzer and an analysis method capable of determining a state of atrial fibrillation. The analyzer comprises a pulse wave detection unit for non-invasively detecting a pulse wave signal according to heartbeat of a living body; a spectrum generation unit for generating a frequency spectrum by Fourier transforming signal detected by the pulse wave detection unit; and an atrial fibrillation detection unit for detecting a state of atrial fibrillation based on the frequency spectrum generated by the spectrum generation unit. The spectrum generation unit repeatedly performs Fourier transform of the pulse wave signal at a predetermined time frame while shifting the time frame in a range of 0.005 to 0.02 seconds. The analyzer further comprises a filter for filtering the signal detected by the pulse wave detection unit, and the spectrum generation unit generates the frequency spectrum from signal output from the filter.

Abstract: Provided is a grip tool that allows detecting a slip of an object. The grip tool includes a pair of grip portions that sandwiches to grip an object; an opening/closing mechanism that opens and closes the pair of grip portions; and at least one sensor unit disposed in one or both of the pair of grip portions. The sensor unit includes a plurality of force sensors disposed in a predetermined distribution. The plurality of force sensors each have a function of measuring forces in triaxial directions received from the object. The sensor unit can measure a load distribution received from the object. The slip of the object is detectable based on the load distribution.

Abstract: A vascular sap measurement sensor includes an indicator electrode probe, a reference electrode probe, and a supporting portion. The indicator electrode probe is an ion-sensitive field effect transistor. The reference electrode probe includes a solid reference electrode, the solid reference electrode including a base layer, a silver chloride layer, and a chloride layer, the base layer being formed of an electrically conductive body, the silver chloride layer being formed on a surface of the base layer, the chloride layer being formed on a surface of the silver chloride layer. The supporting portion supports the indicator electrode probe and the reference electrode probe arranged in parallel.

Abstract: Provided is a tactile sensor that allows restraining a decrease in spatial resolution and sensitivity of a sensor element and has waterproof and dust-proof properties. A tactile sensor includes a sensor element and a casing that houses the sensor element. The sensor element includes: a base portion; a contact having a contact end; a support body that supports the contact in a displaceable manner with respect to the base portion; and a displacement detector that detects a displacement of the contact with respect to the base portion. The casing includes a film having flexibility that covers at least the contact end among the sensor element, and the contact end is secured to an inner surface of the film.

Abstract: A tactile sensor includes a base portion, a displacement portion, a displacement portion support body that supports the displacement portion in a displaceable manner in a first direction with respect to the base portion, a hair in a straight line arranged along a second direction, a hair fixing portion to which a base end of the hair is fixed, a hair fixing portion support body that turnably supports the hair fixing portion with respect to the displacement portion, a displacement detector that detects a displacement of the displacement portion with respect to the base portion, and a turn detector that detects a turn of the hair fixing portion with respect to the displacement portion. The sensations specific to the hairy skin, such as perception of a liquid surface and static electricity, can be detected from a shearing force and a moment acting on the hair.

Abstract: Provided are a plant water content sensor and a plant water content measuring method configured to measure a water content of a plant in a non-destructive manner. A plant water content sensor includes a water content probe, which includes a readout electrode pair made of a pair of electrodes disposed at a predetermined interval thereof, a water sensitive film, which is bridged across the pair of electrodes, and a supporting portion, which supports the water content probe. A water content of the plant is measurable by sticking the water content probe into the plant and reading out impedance or an electrostatic capacity from the readout electrode pair.

Abstract: Problem: A malaria transmission blocker or a malaria parasite growth inhibitor is provided as a result of finding a druq which inhibits malaria parasite growth in the body of a vector mosquito. Solution: A malaria parasite growth inhibitor or transmission blocker containing a rare sugar such as D-allose or D-psicose as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Methods of delivering therapeutic agents by administering compositions including a bacterial collagen-binding polypeptide segment linked to the therapeutic agent to subjects in need of treatment with the therapeutic agent are provided. In these methods, the therapeutic agent is not a PTH/PTHrP receptor agonist or antagonist, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or epidermal growth factor (EGF). The bacterial collagen-binding polypeptide segment delivers the agent to sites of partially untwisted or under-twisted collagen. Methods of treating collagenopathies using a composition including a collagen-binding polypeptide and a PTH/PTHrP receptor agonist are also provided. In addition, methods of treating hyperparathyroidism, and hair loss using compositions comprising a collagen binding polypeptide and a PTH/PTHrP receptor agonist are provided. Finally, methods of reducing hair regrowth by administering a composition including a collagen binding polypeptide and a PTH/PTHrP receptor antagonist are provided.

Abstract: A readily-available brain function-improving agent or food composition having an A? intracerebral deposition suppressing effect or a learning function-improving effect is provided based on finding, as a result of orally administering Pantoea LPS to Alzheimer's disease model mice and studying the effects, that oral administration of Pantoea LPS significantly decreased intracerebral A? peptide accumulation and improved learning function.

Abstract: A tactile sensor includes a base portion, a displacement portion, a displacement portion support body that supports the displacement portion in a displaceable manner in a first direction with respect to the base portion, a hair in a straight line arranged along a second direction, a hair fixing portion to which a base end of the hair is fixed, a hair fixing portion support body that turnably supports the hair fixing portion with respect to the displacement portion, a displacement detector that detects a displacement of the displacement portion with respect to the base portion, and a turn detector that detects a turn of the hair fixing portion with respect to the displacement portion. The sensations specific to the hairy skin, such as perception of a liquid surface and static electricity, can be detected from a shearing force and a moment acting on the hair.

Abstract: Fusion proteins containing active agonist or antagonist fragments of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP) coupled to a collagen-binding domain are presented. The fusion proteins can be used to promote bone growth, to promote hair growth, to prevent cancer metastasis to bone, to promote immune reconstitution with a bone marrow stem cell transplant, to promote mobilization of bone marrow stem cells for collection for autologous stem cell transplant, and to treat renal osteodystrophy. Pharmaceutical agents comprising a collagen-binding polypeptide segment linked to a non-peptidyl PTH/PTHrP receptor agonist or antagonist are also presented.

Abstract: The present invention provides galectin-9 variant having substantially the same bioactivity as in wild-type galectin-9 and being superior in protease stability, solubility, and yield. The galectin-9 variant according to the present invention is a protein including the following NCRD and the following CCRD composed of an N-terminal region and a C-terminal region. The C terminus of the NCRD and the N terminus of the CCRD are directly or indirectly bound to each other. The NCRD is (N1) a peptide composed of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1. The N-terminal region of the CCRD is (C-N1) a peptide composed of an amino acid sequence obtained by deletion of 1 to 17 amino acids in an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 3. The C-terminal region is (C-C1) a peptide composed of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 5.

Abstract: Methods of delivering therapeutic agents by administering compositions including a bacterial collagen-binding polypeptide segment linked to the therapeutic agent to subjects in need of treatment with the therapeutic agent are provided. In these methods, the therapeutic agent is not a PTH/PTHrP receptor agonist or antagonist, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or epidermal growth factor (EGF). The bacterial collagen-binding polypeptide segment delivers the agent to sites of partially untwisted or under-twisted collagen. Methods of treating collagenopathies using a composition including a collagen-binding polypeptide and a PTH/PTHrP receptor agonist are also provided. In addition, methods of treating hyperparathyroidism, and hair loss using compositions comprising a collagen binding polypeptide and a PTH/PTHrP receptor agonist are provided. Finally, methods of reducing hair regrowth by administering a composition including a collagen binding polypeptide and a PTH/PTHrP receptor antagonist are provided.

Abstract: Fusion proteins containing active agonist or antagonist fragments of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP) coupled to a collagen-binding domain are presented. The fusion proteins can be used to promote bone growth, to promote hair growth, to prevent cancer metastasis to bone, to promote immune reconstitution with a bone marrow stem cell transplant, to promote mobilization of bone marrow stem cells for collection for autologous stem cell transplant, and to treat renal osteodystrophy. Pharmaceutical agents comprising a collagen-binding polypeptide segment linked to a non-peptidyl PTH/PTHrP receptor agonist or antagonist are also presented.

Abstract: Provided is a compound having at least one selected from the group consisting of cell growth promoting activity, angiogenesis promoting activity, lumen formation promoting activity, cell migration promoting activity, and neurocyte growth promoting activity, which is a chemically stable low-molecular-weight substance that has high absorbability and can be supplied stably at a low cost because of its low molecular weight. A cyclobutyl purine derivative, a tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, or a salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof according to the present invention is a cyclobutyl purine derivative represented by the following general formula (1), a tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, or a salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof.

Abstract: Fusion proteins containing active agonist or antagonist fragments of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP) coupled to a collagen-binding domain are presented. The fusion proteins can be used to promote bone growth, to promote hair growth, to prevent cancer metastasis to bone, to promote immune reconstitution with a bone marrow stem cell transplant, to promote mobilization of bone marrow stem cells for collection for autologous stem cell transplant, and to treat renal osteodystrophy. Pharmaceutical agents comprising a collagen-binding polypeptide segment linked to a non-peptidyl PTH/PTHrP receptor agonist or antagonist are also presented.

Abstract: Fusion proteins containing active agonist or antagonist fragments of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP) coupled to a collagen-binding domain are presented. The fusion proteins can be used to promote bone growth, to promote hair growth, to prevent cancer metastasis to bone, to promote immune reconstitution with a bone marrow stem cell transplant, to promote mobilization of bone marrow stem cells for collection for autologous stem cell transplant, and to treat renal osteodystrophy. Pharmaceutical agents comprising a collagen-binding polypeptide segment linked to a non-peptidyl PTH/PTHrP receptor agonist or antagonist are also presented.

Abstract: The present invention provides a perylene tetracarboxylic acid bisimide derivative which enables the formation of an n-type semiconductor having high carrier mobility and has superior solubility. The perylene tetracarboxylic acid bisimide derivative is a perylene tetracarboxylic acid bisimide derivative represented by the following chemical formula (I), a tautomer or stereoisomer of the perylene tetracarboxylic acid bisimide derivative, or a salt of the perylene tetracarboxylic acid bisimide derivative or the tautomer or stereoisomer, In the chemical formula (I), R1 to R6 each represents a hydrogen atom, organooligosiloxane, or any substituent, at least one of R1 to R6 represents a monovalent substituent derived from organooligosiloxane, L1 and L2 each represents a single bond or a linking group, R7 to R10 each represents a lower alkyl group or a halogen, and o, p, q, and r each represents an integer from 0 to 2.

Abstract: Multiple rays such as scattered lights and fluorescent lights emitted radially in a variety of directions from each bright point in a measurement area enter an objective lens, where the multiple rays are converted into a parallel beam. The parallel beam is reflected by both a reference mirror unit and an oblique mirror unit, and the reflected beams pass through an imaging lens to form an interference image on a light-receiving surface of a detection unit. The detection of the light intensity of the interference image on the light-receiving surface enables an acquisition of the interferogram (the waveform of the change of imaging intensity) in which the light intensity continuously changes. By Fourier-converting the interferogram, spectral characteristics can be obtained which show the relative intensities for each wavelength of the lights emitted from one bright point of an object to be measured.