Abstract: A latex reagent for analyzing adiponectin, comprising a suspension of latex particles carrying a substance which specifically binds to adiponectin, is disclosed. Further, a method for analyzing adiponectin, comprising (1) obtaining a biological liquid possibly containing adiponectin, and (2) bringing the biological liquid, while maintaining the state in which the biological liquid is obtained, into contact with a suspension of latex particles carrying a substance which specifically binds to adiponectin, and optically analyzing a degree of latex-particles-agglutination, is disclosed. According to the latex reagent and the method for analyzing adiponectin, a predilution or pretreatment of the biological liquid to be analyzed is not necessary. Further, the analysis can be performed rapidly and conveniently, and facilities therefor are not limited.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge for automatic measurement used in an automatic measuring device, capable of automatically performing measurement including heat treatment of a sample, and a measuring device using the cartridge. The present invention relates to a cartridge for use in measuring a component to be measured contained in a sample, comprising: at least a heat-treatment well for performing heat treatment of the sample; and a reaction well for reacting the component to be measured in the sample with a material specifically reacting therewith.

Abstract: For collecting magnetic particles, there is used a magnetic material including a plurality of magnets that are arranged in contact one with another in parallel to a direction of magnetization in such a manner that south and north poles of adjacent magnets are reversed alternately or a magnetic material having at least one peak of a magnetic force in a magnetic pole surface, and the peak magnetic force is 600 gausses or more.

Abstract: A core-shell particle including a signal-generating substance therein, wherein the core-shell particle consists of (1) a core portion substantially made of a water-insoluble polymer compound; and (2) a shell portion substantially made of a water-soluble polymer compound having a reactive functional group, and covering a surface of the core portion in the manner of bristles of a brush; and the core portion and the shell portion are, as a whole, a block copolymer of a water-insoluble polymer and a water-soluble polymer, characterized in that the signal-generating substance is included in the core portion, is disclosed, and a process for producing the same is also disclosed. The core-shell particle including a signal-generating substance therein is useful as a labeling substance in which neither radioisotopes having handling restrictions nor unstable enzymes are required, a high sensitivity superior to fluorescent substances is achieved, and nonspecific absorption does not occur.

Abstract: In a method for measuring an analyte, which comprises a reaction step of forming a reaction system including a sample containing whole blood, a first substance carried by a solid carrier and specifically binding to an analyte contained in the sample and a second substance specifically binding to the analyte and allowing the analyte to react with the first and second substances and a measurement step of measuring the formed reaction product, (1) the reaction step is performed in a state that blood cells are not disrupted, and (2) at least the reaction step is performed in the presence of a sufficient amount of a detergent that does not cause hemolysis, does not inhibit reactions of the analyte with the first and second substances specifically binding to the analyte and can prevent influence on the reaction system of a component existing in the reaction system.

Abstract: A light emitting method of an acridinium ester, comprising reacting said acridinium ester and a superoxide anion, and a method of detecting a substance to be examined, comprising detecting a light emitted by reacting a superoxide anion with an acridinium ester used as a label am described. It is possible to carry out the reaction not under strongly alkaline conditions but around the neutral point and to generate strong luminescence which is stable over a long period of time.