Abstract: An object of the present invention is to enable the repair and regeneration of articular cartilage, which could not be achieved by conventional therapies, and to provide a safe and inexpensive agent that is effective for the treatment of joint diseases such as osteoarthritis. According to the present invention, a combined formulation for simultaneously, separately, or sequentially administering a hyaluronic acid and an animal mucin-type glycoprotein for the treatment of joint diseases is provided.

Abstract: A method of making a stent, including preparing a solution containing a composition, the composition comprising a biodegradable polymer and a vascular intimal hyperplasia inhibitor of a kind, including argatroban, which does not inhibit proliferation of endothelial cells, the weight compositional ratio of the polymer to the vascular intimal hyperplasia inhibitor being within the range of 8:2 to 3:7, the composition dissolved in a solvent selected from the group consisting of a mixture of a lower alkyl ketone and methanol, a mixture of a lower alkyl ester and methanol or a mixture of a lower halogenated hydrocarbon and methanol; coating at least an outer surface of a stent body of a cylindrical configuration having outer and inner surfaces with a diamond-like thin film coated on the surfaces; and after the coating, removing the solvent to complete a first coated layer.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting vascular intimal hyperplasia including: placing a stent within a blood vessel, the stent having a stent body of a cylindrical configuration having outer and inner surfaces with a diamond-like thin film coated on the surfaces, a first coated layer coating at least the outer surface of the stent body, the first coated layer being prepared of a first composition comprising a biodegradable polymer and a vascular intimal hyperplasia inhibitor of a kind, comprising argatroban, which does not inhibit proliferation of endothelial cells, the weight composition ratio of the polymer to the vascular intimal hyperplasia inhibitor being within the range of 8:2 to 7:3, and a second coated layer; and causing argatroban to be released from the stent to thereby inhibit the vascular intimal hyperplasia without inhibiting proliferation of endothelial cells.

Abstract: A velocity-image creating unit creates a velocity image that indicates a distribution of velocity components with respect to each of a plurality of images obtained by repeating a plurality of number of times Echo Planar Imaging (EPI) that is capable of obtaining velocity components of a Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) flowing inside a subject. A velocity-variance image creating unit calculates variance of velocity components along the time sequence by same position on velocity images by using a plurality of created velocity images. A superimposed-image processing unit then superimposes the distribution of the variance of the velocity components according to the velocity-variance image on an average absolute-value image, and an image display unit displays a superimposed image.

Abstract: A velocity-image creating unit creates a velocity image that indicates a distribution of velocity components with respect to each of a plurality of images obtained by repeating a plurality of number of times Echo Planar Imaging (EPI) that is capable of obtaining velocity components of a Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) flowing inside a subject. A velocity-variance image creating unit calculates variance of velocity components along the time sequence by same position on velocity images by using a plurality of created velocity images. A superimposed-image processing unit then superimposes the distribution of the variance of the velocity components according to the velocity-variance image on an average absolute-value image, and an image display unit displays a superimposed image.

Abstract: A vaccine preparation characterized in that Neospora caninum-derived dense granule protein 7 or apical membrane antigen 1 or an immunologically active variant or derivative thereof is included in liposomes each having an oligosaccharide capable of binding to a carbohydrate recognition molecule on the surface of antigen-presenting cells on the surface of the liposome.

Abstract: A stent includes a stent body of a cylindrical configuration having outer and inner surfaces, a first coated layer coating at least the outer surface, and a second coated layer coating substantially completely over the first coated layer. The first coated layer is prepared of a first composition comprising a polymer and a vascular intimal hyperplasia inhibitor (preferably argatroban) of a kind, which does not inhibit proliferation of endothelial cells, the weight compositional ratio of the polymer to the inhibitor being within the range of 8:2 to 3:7. On the other hand, the second coated layer is prepared of a polymer alone or a second composition comprising a polymer and a drug, the weight compositional ratio of the drug to 80% by weight of the polymer being less than 20% by weight.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining sleep apnea includes: an expiratory gas collector which is configured to collect an expiratory gas of a subject; an analyzer which is configured to analyze a constituent and a concentration of the constituent in the collected expiratory gas; and a determiner which is configured to determine whether the subject is in sleep apnea or not, based on a concentration of at least VOC in the analyzed expiratory gas.

Abstract: The present invention provides an oral medicinal composition for peritoneal dialysis patients to suppress an increase of carbonyl compounds and/or advanced glycation/lipoxidation end products (AGEs) in the peritoneal cavity and peritoneal tissue after intraperitoneal administration of a glucose-containing peritoneal dialysis fluid, the oral medicinal composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of pyridoxamine as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrochromic display device comprising: a first and a second substrates; a first and a second electrodes; and an electrochromic composition layer, wherein the device is of a passive matrix drive where the a display and an erasion are performed by an energization in reverse directions between the electrodes, the first and the second electrodes respectively comprise a plurality of electrodes, a pixel is formed where the electrodes are in a grade separated crossing, and the display is performed by voltage application processing where: (i) the first electrode is set as negative, and the second electrode is set as positive, to apply a voltage of a first potential difference, immediately followed by (ii) the first electrode being set as positive, and the second electrode being set as negative, to apply a voltage of a second potential difference equal to or more than the first potential difference.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for expanding an endothelial progenitor cell in vitro. More particularly, the present invention provides a method for culturing a hemangioblast comprising incubating a hemangioblast in a serum-free culture medium containing one or more factors selected from the group consisting of stem cell growth factor, interleukin-6, FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 and thrombopoietin, and a vascular endothelial cell produced by the method; and a serum-free culture medium containing one or more factors selected from the group consisting of stem cell growth factor, interleukin-6, FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand and thrombopoietin, and a kit for the preparation of the serum-free culture medium and the like.

Abstract: Provided is a web carrier which can prevent creasing of a web by detecting a sign of creasing of a web during carriage of the web. The web carrier (1) for carrying a sheetlike web (10) by means of a plurality of rollers (2) detects the linear pattern of a waveform generated on the web (10) from an image picked up by means of a camera (imaging means) (3) using an image analysis means (73) in a controller (7), recognizes a state becoming the sign of creasing with the aid of the image and simultaneously analyzes the entering direction of the linear pattern into a guide roller (2c), drives the shaft (20c) of the guide roller (angle adjusting roller) (2c) in the direction of canceling the waveform (so that the web is not creased), and controls an alignment adjusting means (5) such that the web is not creased.

Abstract: A method of making a stent, including preparing a solution containing a composition, the composition comprising a biodegradable polymer and a vascular intimal hyperplasia inhibitor of a kind, including argatroban, which does not inhibit proliferation of endothelial cells, the weight compositional ratio of the polymer to the vascular intimal hyperplasia inhibitor being within the range of 8:2 to 3:7, the composition dissolved in a solvent selected from the group consisting of a mixture of a lower alkyl ketone and methanol, a mixture of a lower alkyl ester and methanol or a mixture of a lower halogenated hydrocarbon and methanol; coating at least an outer surface of a stent body of a cylindrical configuration having outer and inner surfaces with a diamond-like thin film coated on the surfaces; and after the coating, removing the solvent to complete a first coated layer.

Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory device comprises a tunnel insulating film on a semiconductor substrate, a charge storage film on the tunnel insulating film, a blocking insulating film on the charge storage film, a control gate electrode arranged on the blocking insulating film, and source/drain regions formed on the semiconductor substrate on the both sides of the control gate electrode, that the charge storage film is a silicon nitride film produced according to the catalytic chemical vapor deposition technique and that the ratio between the constituent elements: N/Si falls within the range of from 1.2 to 1.4.

Abstract: A stent includes a stent body of a cylindrical configuration having outer and inner surfaces, a first coated layer coating at least the outer surface, and a second coated layer coating substantially completely over the first coated layer. The first coated layer is prepared of a first composition comprising a polymer and a vascular intimal hyperplasia inhibitor (preferably argatroban) of a kind, which does not inhibit proliferation of endothelial cells, the weight compositional ratio of the polymer to the inhibitor being within the range of 8:2 to 3:7. On the other hand, the second coated layer is prepared of a polymer alone or a second composition comprising a polymer and a drug, the weight compositional ratio of the drug to 80% by weight of the polymer being less than 20% by weight.

Abstract: Provided are intervertebral disk nucleus pulposus stem cells or progenitor cells that may be used for treatment of intervertebral disk disorders. An intervertebral disk nucleus pulposus cell is characterized by being isolated from the intervertebral disk nucleus pulposus of a vertebrate and is positive for at least one surface marker from among Tie2 and GD2. That is, the intervertebral disk nucleus pulposus stem cell is characterized by being at least Tie2-positive for the surface marker and) possesses a self-renewal ability as well as multipotency capable of differentiating into adipocytes, osteocytes, chondrocytes and neurons. Also provided is an intervertebral disk nucleus pulposus progenitor cell characterized by being at least Tie2-negative and GD2-positive for the surface marker and capable of differentiating into any of adipocytes, osteocytes, chondrocytes and neurons.

Abstract: A plasma oxidation method includes the steps of: generating oxygen-containing plasma with a process gas containing oxygen; applying a bias voltage to a substrate placed on a stage; and radiating positive ions and negative ions in the oxygen-containing plasma onto the substrate so as to perform plasma oxidation of the substrate while controlling a bias potential of the substrate in such a manner that a maximum value Vmax and a minimum value Vmin of the bias potential and a plasma potential Vp satisfy a following relationship: Vmin<Vp<Vmax.

Abstract: A neutron measurement apparatus 1A includes a neutron detection unit 10, a photodetection unit 20 that detects scintillation light emitted from the neutron detection unit 10, a light guide optical system 15 that guides the scintillation light from the neutron detection unit 10 to the photodetection unit 20, and a shielding member 30 which is located between the neutron detection unit 10 and the photodetection unit 20 for shielding radiation passing in a direction toward the photodetection unit 20. Further, a scintillator formed of a lithium glass material in which PrF3 is doped to a glass material 20Al(PO3)3-80LiF is used as a neutron detection scintillator composing the neutron detection unit 10. Thereby, the neutron detection scintillator and the neutron measurement apparatus which are capable of suitably performing neutron measurement such as measurement of scattered neutrons from an implosion plasma can be realized.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus capable of selectively damaging and killing tumor cells includes a step of irradiating tumor cells with a UV pulse flash having continuous emission spectra ranging at least from 230 to 270 nm, outside a living body of a human or a living body of a non-human animal or in a living body of a non-human animal. The UV pulse flash may have an accumulated irradiation amount per unit area that is achieved at a distance of 8 cm from a light source having an integrated output of, for example, 90, 180-7100 or 14200 J.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting vascular intimal hyperplasia including: placing a stent within a blood vessel, the stent having a stent body of a cylindrical configuration having outer and inner surfaces with a diamond-like thin film coated on the surfaces, a first coated layer coating at least the outer surface of the stent body, the first coated layer being prepared of a first composition comprising a biodegradable polymer and a vascular intimal hyperplasia inhibitor of a kind, comprising argatroban, which does not inhibit proliferation of endothelial cells, the weight composition ratio of the polymer to the vascular intimal hyperplasia inhibitor being within the range of 8:2 to 7:3, and a second coated layer; and causing argatroban to be released from the stent to thereby inhibit the vascular intimal hyperplasia without inhibiting proliferation of endothelial cells.