Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for evaluating whether coronary artery disease has progressed in a patient previously diagnosed as having the disease, wherein the method includes: (a) obtaining a biological sample from the patient at a first time point and a second time point; (b) detecting the level of platelet-derived microparticles (PDMPs) or a fragment thereof, in the first time point sample and the second time point sample with an antibody to PDMPs or a fragment thereof; wherein an increase in a level of the PDMPs in the second time point sample in comparison to a level in the first time point sample is indicative of progression of coronary artery disease.

Abstract: There is provided a plasma generation device capable of suppressing arc discharge in which discharge is localized to cause a high temperature, and allowing atmospheric discharge plasma to be stably generated with a high generation efficiency in a low temperature at about a room temperature without being spatially biased. The plasma generation device arranged with a plurality of electrodes facing each other includes a discharge position control unit, which is arranged between each of the plurality of electrodes, and is formed by containing an inverse characteristic material composed of a fluid having polarizability and a property that dielectric constant decreases with an increase in temperature, in a container formed of a dielectric material, wherein the inverse characteristic material is spaced apart from each of the plurality of electrodes.

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: A device for manufacturing a support for fixing cells of the present invention is capable of easily manufacturing a support that has needle-like bodies arranged on a base. The manufacturing device 2 is provided with a base 10, a holder 4, an insertion guide 6 and an alignment mechanism. The base 10 is retained by a holder 4. The base 10 is provided with a plurality of openings 15, into which needle-like bodies 20 are inserted and fixed. An insertion guide 6 is provided next to the holder 4 and includes slots 12 for placing a plurality of needle-like bodies 20 generally parallel to each other. The insertion guide 6 is provided with a plurality of slots 12 for placing the needle-like bodies 20 at corresponding positions to the openings 15, so that the alignment mechanism moves the insertion guide 6 such that the feed openings 12a are positioned adjacent to the openings 15.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting chronic sinusitis, which comprises measuring the concentration of a periostin protein in blood or nasal secretion collected from a test subject. Thereby, a method for detecting chronic sinusitis, which is capable of detecting chronic sinusitis more simply, more promptly and less invasively, is provided.

Abstract: There is provided a steam power cycle system in which steam power cycles using pure materials as a working fluid is used in a multiple stage to reduce pressure loss in the flow channels in the respective heat exchanger so that the fluid serving as heat sources has been caused to make an effective heat exchange with the working fluid. More specifically, not only that the respective flow channels for the fluid serving as heat sources in the evaporator and the condenser in the respective steam power cycle units are connected in series to each other, but the evaporator and the condenser comprise a cross-flow type heat exchanger and are arranged respectively in a flowing direction of the fluid serving as heat source. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the length of the flow channels to the minimum necessary, simplify the flow channel structure, and reduce the pressure loss.

Abstract: There is provided a steam power cycle system that permits to perform an appropriate heat exchange between a working fluid that is a non-azeotropic mixture and a heat source, to enhance the performance of the whole system. More specifically, a plurality of condensers are provided so as to be connected to each other in series, and the working fluid in a gas phase from the expander is introduced into the respective condensers. Consequently, the ratio of a low boiling point substance of the working fluid becomes higher toward the posterior condenser, it is possible to make the condensation temperature of the working fluid lower than that of the anterior condenser. It is therefore possible to make the temperature of the working fluid possibly close to the temperature of the low-temperature fluid, thus permitting an effective use of the difference in temperature of the heat source.

Abstract: A chair includes: a backrest with a waist support projecting part; a horizontal forward seat; a backward seat pivotally supported so as to be able to swing downward relative to the forward seat; a leg support pivotally supported at a front end of the forward seat; links for changing a positional relation between the rear end of the backward seat and the lower end of the backrest so that a distance from the waist support projecting part to the backward seat is reduced from a standing posture to a tilted posture as the backrest is tilted backward; and a connection link for connecting the lower end of the backrest and a part of the leg support lower than the upper end of the leg support so as to cause the leg support to swing forward as the backrest is tilted backward.

Abstract: A plasma sterilizing device has a container for a long tubule to be sterilized, having an adjustable internal pressure, and an electrode provided at at least one end of the long tubule. The device is configured so that plasma is generated inside the long tubule by applying an alternating current voltage to the electrode in such a state that the pressure inside and outside of the long tubule can be adjusted, so that there is a predetermined difference in pressure between the inside and the outside of the long tubule.

Abstract: A system for culturing a cell mass comprising: handling means for handling the cell mass; a first container for reserving the cell mass supplied from the handling means, the first container having micropores that allow communication of a culture fluid with the external area; a second container for accommodating the first container, where a culture fluid fills around the first container in an excessive amount as compared to the amount of the culture fluid in the first container; and liquid removal means for removing a droplet or foam remaining in the handling means after supplying the cell mass into the first container.

Abstract: A novel substance exhibiting physiologically active effects is produced from a tea leaf. A novel polyphenol derivative is produced, for example, by subjecting a microbially fermented tea leaf obtained by culturing Aspergillus sp. (PK-1) with a tea leaf, to an extraction treatment.

Abstract: To provide a radical sterilization apparatus which can generate hydroxy (OH) radical and oxygen (O) radical at a high density to thereby surely and economically sterilize a subject to be treated. While maintaining a storage unit in which a medical instrument is stored at a low pressure by using a low pressure-maintaining unit, vapor is supplied form a vapor-supplying unit into the storage unit. Then, oxygen in this vapor is converted into radicals by a radical-forming unit to give hydroxy (OH) radical and oxygen (O) radical. Thus, the hydroxy radical and the oxygen (O) radical can be maintained each as a single radical over a long period of time and can be generated at a high density, which makes it possible to surely and economically sterilize the medical instrument.

Abstract: An adsorbent contains a carbohydrate having an ether linkage. Alternatively, an adsorbent contains a carbohydrate having a cross-linkage formation produced by a dehydration reaction using a strong acid. In collection of a precious metal using the adsorbent, the adsorbent selectively adsorbs a precious metal dissolved in a solution.

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: Provided is a bioimplant superior in antimicrobial action and safety in the body. The bioimplant according to the present invention comprises a base material of metal, ceramic, or plastic and a thermal spraying film of a calcium phosphate-based material formed at least partially thereon and the silver concentration in the thermal spraying film is 0.02 wt % to 3.00 wt %.

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: An operation assisting system. When an operator manipulates an operation instrument to perform an operation for a joint surgery including a hip replacement, the operation assisting system provides the operator with information on the orientation of a bone such as a pelvis and an appropriate direction of the operation instrument relative to the bone to assist the operator so as to complete the operation in an easy and accurate manner, which ensures a high degree of operation accuracy and reduces the cost of the system.

Abstract: Provided is a plasma oxidation-reduction method with which it is possible to control the structure of amino acids and proteins with high and stable reproducibility, by using plasma in order to control the amino acids and proteins that make up a living body, particularly by using plasma in order to oxidize or reduce amino acids and proteins. Also provided are a method for promoting plant/animal growth using the plasma oxidation-reduction method, and a plasma-generating device for use in the method for promoting plant/animal growth. Amino acids or proteins are oxidized or reduced in the plasma oxidation-reduction method by using an active oxygen species or active hydrogen in the plasma. Preferably, the active oxygen species comprises any one of singlet oxygen atoms, excited oxygen molecules, or hydroxyl radicals, and the active hydrogen comprises excited hydrogen atoms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flowering inducer comprising any one of the following proteins (A)-(C). (A) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2; (B) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence having deletion, substitution and/or addition of one or several amino acids in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2 and having a flowering-inducing activity; and (C) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence having an identity of 60% or more with the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2 and having a flowering-inducing activity. This flowering inducer can be administered into a plant body from outside.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To provide a semiconductor element manufacturing method by which a semiconductor element having high accuracy and high function can be manufactured by controlling diffusion depth and diffusion concentration in a pn junction region with high accuracy. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A diffusion control layer (2) composed of a thin film of a substance having a smaller diffusion coefficient than that of a diffusion source (3) is formed between a surface of a substrate (1) and the diffusion source (3), and an element of the diffusion source (3) is permitted to thermally diffuse through the diffusion control layer (2). Thus, the diffusion depth and the diffusion concentration in the semiconductor region, which is formed on the surface portion of the substrate and has a conductivity type different from that of the substrate, can be highly accurately controlled, and the semiconductor element having high accuracy and high function can be manufactured.