Abstract: An osteosynthesis device is provided, which, while being a single device, is wide in a range of fixing positions or fixing methods that can be selected in a repositioning operation, enables firm fixation of an affected portion, and alleviates feeling of discomfort felt at the affected portion after the operation. An osteosynthesis device D1 is a device used, in case of fracture of an olecranon side of an ulna, to fix and reposition respective bone fragments and includes an intramedullary nail 1 inserted into the ulna 3, an end plate 2a mounted on an outer surface of the ulna at the olecranon 31 side, and a threaded screw N1 arranged to screw on the end plate to the intramedullary nail. Screws S are used in combination with the osteosynthesis device D1 to fix, etc., the inserted intramedullary nail 1 onto the ulna 3.

Abstract: A suction puncture device includes a puncture needle having an outer tube that has an opening edge of a first front end formed in the shape of a blade, and a stopper member that has a second front end disposed within the outer tube at a position separated from the first front end of the outer tube by a predetermined distance. A sample containing portion is formed between the second front end of the stopper member and the first front end of the outer tube. A ventilation passage is formed around the stopper member within the outer tube, a suction unit is connected to a first base end side of the outer tube, and the suction unit is communicated with and connected to the sample containing portion via the ventilation passage.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a circular DNA which consists of a circular DNA formed from a single-molecule DNA and which does not comprise circular DNA formed from multiple-molecule DNA. According to the method of the present invention, a circular DNA molecule formed only from a single-molecule DNA can be reliably produced.

Abstract: An eyelids opening device with a drape comprising a flexible upper ring (1) applied in contact with the face while surrounding eyelids, a lower ring (2) inserted into a conjunctiva sac and applied in contact with the eyelids conjunctiva side, and an elastic sheet (3) of soft tubular thin film located to extend from the face side to the eyelids conjunctiva side and used to fix one end to the upper ring and to fix the other end to the lower ring by expanding, wherein the outside diameter at the smallest portion of the elastic sheet is substantially equal to or longer than the interpalpebral length (between upper and lower eyelids). Difference in size of conjunctiva sac or interpalpebral length of individuals is absorbed even by an appliance of one size, the eyelids can be opened by fitting the eyelids opening device to the eyelids or the face while burden on the eyeball is reduced and high safety is ensured.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a reagent for measuring periostin contained in a sample with improved accuracy, a method for improving accuracy in measurement of periostin, and a method of testing for pulmonary fibrosis or interstitial pneumonia with improved accuracy. The antibody of the present invention binds to at least one region selected from the group consisting of an EMI region, an R1 region, an R2 region, and an R3 region of periostin or a cleavage product thereof. The method and the reagent for measuring periostin and the method for improving accuracy in periostin measurement of the present invention is characterized by detecting at least one region selected from the group consisting of an EMI region, an R1 region, an R2 region, and an R3 region of periostin.

Abstract: The present invention provides an embedding resin composition for electron microscopy having satisfactory performance as an embedding medium, including embedding performance and sectioning quality, and exhibiting excellent antistatic performance; and a method for observing a sample with an electron microscope using the composition. The embedding resin composition for electron microscopy of the present invention having antistatic performance comprises an ionic liquid and an embedding medium comprising an epoxy-based resin, a methacrylate resin or an unsaturated polyester resin. Preferably, the ionic liquid comprising a quaternary ammonium compound based on the formula (I): and an anion selected from the group consisting of BF4?, PF6?, (CF3SO2)2N?, a halide ion, a conjugate base of carboxylic acid, a conjugate base of sulfonic acid and a conjugate base of an inorganic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an agent for potentiating an antitumor activity of a chemotherapeutic agent against a cancer containing cancer stem cells, which contains at least one kind of branched chain amino acid selected from isoleucine, leucine and valine, or a salt thereof. In addition, the present invention relates to an agent for treating a cancer containing cancer stem cells, which contains a combination of a chemotherapeutic agent and at least one kind of branched chain amino acid selected from isoleucine, leucine and valine, or a salt thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an agent for preventing metastasis or recurrence of a cancer containing cancer stem cells, which contains a combination of a chemotherapeutic agent and at least one kind of branched chain amino acid selected from isoleucine, leucine and valine, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, which comprises measuring the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in a biological sample. Thereby, a method for detecting idiopathic interstitial pneumonia using a marker is provided.

Abstract: A surgical appliance for taking out a transplant-use tendon in surgery and assisting reconstruction of the tendon after take out. The surgical appliance has a tendon cutter, guide tube, a grip portion and a guide needle. The guide tube is a hollow thin tube having open opposing ends, wherein a distal end opening constitutes a discharger port of the guide needle. A through hole is formed in the grip portion in the direction of a central axis, and the proximal end side outlet of the through hole constitutes an insertion port. The guide needle is provided with a sharp conical tip on a distal end side and a threading hole on a proximal end. The guide needle is inserted into the guide tube, such that the opposite ends may be exposed from the discharge port and the insertion port when it is inserted into the guide tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, which comprises measuring the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in a biological sample. Thereby, a method for detecting idiopathic interstitial pneumonia using a marker is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for predicting effect of immunotherapy on a cancer patient and/or prognosis of the cancer patient after the immunotherapy, and a gene set and a kit for use in the method.

Abstract: A suction puncture device includes a puncture needle having an outer tube that has an opening edge of a first front end formed in the shape of a blade, and a stopper member that has a second front end disposed within the outer tube at a position separated from the first front end of the outer tube by a predetermined distance. A sample containing portion is formed between the second front end of the stopper member and the first front end of the outer tube. A ventilation passage is formed around the stopper member within the outer tube, a suction unit is connected to a first base end side of the outer tube, and the suction unit is communicated with and connected to the sample containing portion via the ventilation passage.

Abstract: Provided are a cutting guide device for preparing a texture section, which can prepare a texture section manually with a cutting tool such as a pathological knife, in a uniform thickness and in a regular section with neither experience nor skill, a texture section preparing device, and a method for preparing a texture section. The texture section preparing cutting guide device includes a placing base for placing a texture mass directly or indirectly thereon, and a cutting guide cover for preventing the texture mass placed directly or indirectly on the placing base from moving, by holding the texture mass downward. In at least such a portion of the cutting guide cover as to hold the texture mass, there are formed a plurality of slits, into which a knife to be used to cut the texture mass can be inserted. The slits have their intervals set to the thickness of a desired texture section.

Abstract: Provided is a squamous cell carcinoma antigen derived peptide which is capable of binding to an HLA-A24 molecule and recognized by the cellular immune system, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising said peptide for the treatment or prevention of squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract: An epitope peptide is provided, which is capable of binding specifically to an antibody characteristic of Crohn's disease that is specifically observed in patients with Crohn's disease, together with a test method for conveniently and rapidly determining whether a subject is affected by Crohn's disease by use of the above peptide. The epitope peptide to the Crohn's disease antibody comprises a peptide having an amino acid sequences represented by any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 3 or a salt thereof. A test reagent and a test method for Crohn's disease are provided, which comprise the peptide as an active ingredient.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a peptide derived from a glioma-associated antigen being useful for the specific immunotherapy for glioma patients. The invention provides a KIF-derived peptide which is capable of binding to an HLA-A24 molecule and recognized by the cellular immune system, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising said peptide for the treatment or prevention of glioma.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel polypeptide which can inhibit angiogenesis. Also disclosed is use of the polypeptide. The polypeptide comprises at least one amino acid sequence selected from the amino acid sequences depicted in SEQ ID NOs: 1-3, is composed of 120 or less amino acid residues, and has an anti-angiogenic activity. The polypeptide has an anti-angiogenic activity, has a lower molecular weight compared with that of PEDF, and has excellent penetration or absorption into a living body, particularly an affected part in a living body.

Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus for analyzing properties of living body based on image data of the living body is provided. The medical image processing apparatus executes a predetermined image analysis processing on the image data of the living body, to obtain shape image data obtained by extracting a profile of the living body, and pattern image data obtained by extracting the pattern on the interior of the profile of the living body. A fractal dimension DA of the shape image data is calculated and a fractal dimension DB of the pattern image data is calculated based on the obtained shape image data and the pattern image data, and then, the index value CI is calculated which substantially excludes information of the shape image data and substantially includes information of the pattern of the pattern image data to judge the properties of the living body.

Abstract: The present invention provides an RNA interference induction element containing a nucleotide sequence selected from among the nucleotide sequences (a) to (c) below: (a) a nucleotide sequence containing SEQ ID NO:1 or a sequence complementary thereto; (b) a nucleotide sequence containing at least 15 continuous nucleotides present in the nucleotide sequence (a) above, and possessing RNA interference induction potential; (c) a nucleotide sequence having a homology of at least 70% to any one of the nucleotide sequences (a) and (b) above, and possessing RNA interference induction potential. Using the RNA interference induction element of the present invention, it is easily possible to knock down a desired target gene, and to produce a siRNA for a desired target gene.

Abstract: Provided is an airway maintenance apparatus that draws the lower jaw forward to forcibly maintain an airway during sleep, designed to allow quick and easy setting of a drawing extent for the lower-jaw side attachment suitable for each patient. The airway maintenance apparatus contains an upper-jaw side attachment 1 to be attached to the upper jaw side in the oral cavity, and a lower-jaw side attachment 2 provided separately from the upper-jaw side attachment 1, and to be attached to the lower jaw side in the oral cavity, the lower-jaw side attachment 2 being connected to the upper-jaw side attachment 1 via a stepless adjusting device 3 capable of moving the lower-jaw side attachment 2 in a stepless manner in the direction of drawing the lower jaw forward relative to the upper-jaw side attachment 1.