Abstract: The present invention provides a titanium oxide photocatalytic thin film having a surface layer containing silicon oxide and titanium oxide and a production method for producing a titanium oxide photocatalytic thin film having a surface layer containing silicon oxide and titanium oxide and comprising a step of radiating excimer beam to the titanium oxide thin film while heating substrate on which the titanium oxide thin film is disposed in vacuum or gas atmosphere in the presence of a silicon-including compound.

Abstract: The object is to isolate and identify human and mouse adiponectin receptors, to provide a novel protein having adiponectin binding ability, and to provide a screening method and screening kit for a ligand, agonist and antagonist to an adiponectin receptor using such protein. To achieve this object, a protein is used, as novel protein having adiponectin binding ability, that is (a) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence according to Seq. No. 2, 4, 6 or 8, or (b) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence according to Seq. No. 2, 4, 6 or 8 with one or more amino acids deleted, replaced or added, and having adiponectin binding ability.

Abstract: An optical tactile sensor and an image information integrating method capable of measuring large area force vector distribution are provided. The optical tactile sensor comprises a tactile section comprising a transparent elastic body (1) and a plurality of markers (3, 4) provided therein, and a plurality of imaging devices (6, 6) for obtaining a marker image by photographing the behavior of the markers when an object (5) contacts the tactile face (2) of the transparent elastic body (1). The method comprises a step of obtaining a partial image by photographing the partial regions A, B, C and D of the transparent resilient body (1) using the plurality of imaging devices (6, 6) such that each imaging device (6) has an overlapped photograph region (11), and a step of integrating the partial images obtained by each imaging device (6) such that the identical markers in the overlapped photograph region match.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to acquire 3-dimensional image data that correctly express a structural configuration of the subject by processing the projected image data obtained by projecting the subject toward the plural angles . A shape computing unit 260 calculates shape data which represent a outline of the subject, using a plurality of 1st image data of the subject obtained by projecting the subject toward the plural angles. A distributing unit 220 generates gray-scale density-distributions by spreading and distributing densities shown in gray-scale image of the subject respectively within angles along which said gray-scale image was captured. A second integrating unit 240 generates 3-dimensional gray-scale data, which expresses the subject with the 3-dimensional image data, by integrating a plurality of said gray-scale density-distributions generated from a plurality of gray-scale image captured from a plurality of angles.

Abstract: Kits and methods for selectively assaying a target adiponectin multimer in a biological sample. Such methods accurately evaluate the relationship between a disease and adiponectin through selective assay of adiponectin multimers and provide information that cannot be obtained through measurement of the total amount of adiponectin alone. A method for selectively assaying a target adiponectin multimer in a biological sample comprising distinguishing target adiponectin multimer from the other adiponectin multimers by using a protease and/or an antibody.

Abstract: Methods for selectively assaying a target adiponectin multimer in a biological sample. Such methods accurately evaluate the relationship between a disease and adiponectin through selective assay of adiponectin multimers and provide information that cannot be obtained through measurement of the total amount of adiponectin alone. A method for selectively assaying of a target adiponectin multimer in a biological sample comprising distinguishing target adiponectin multimer from the other adiponectin multimers by using a protease and/or an antibody.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a novel aromatic prenyltransferase, Orf2 from Streptomyces sp. strain CL190, involved in naphterpin biosynthesis has been identified and the structure thereof elucidated. This prenyltransferase catalyzes the formation of a C—C bond between a prenyl group and a compound containing an aromatic nucleus, and also displays C—O bond formation activity. Numerous crystallographic structures of the prenyltransferase have been solved and refined, e.g., (1) prenyltransferase complexed with a buffer molecule (TAPS), (2) prenyltransferase as a binary complex with geranyl diphosphate (GPP) and Mg2+, and prenyltransferase as ternary complexes with a non-hydrolyzable substrate analogue, geranyl S-thiolodiphosphate (GSPP) and either (3) 1,6-dihydroxynaphthalene (1,6-DHN), or (4) flaviolin (i.e., 2,5,7-trihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, which is the oxidized product of 1,3,6,8-tetrahydroxynaphthalene (THN)). These structures have been solved and refined to 1.5 ?, 2.25 ?, 1.95 ? and 2.

Abstract: Provided is a new anti-cancer agent lower in cell toxicity. The present invention provides the compounds represented by the general formula of “Formula 1” or the salt thereof. The compounds are compounds having an organic group introduced on a particular ketone group of VST that functions to inhibit induction of GRP 78 expression, similarly to VST, and is applicable, for example, as an anti-cancer agent. The compounds are also advantageous in that it is less toxic than VST and has lower adverse reaction.

Abstract: The object is to isolate and identify human and mouse adiponectin receptors, to provide a novel protein having adiponectin binding ability, and to provide a screening method and screening kit for a ligand, agonist and antagonist to an adiponectin receptor using such protein. To achieve this object, a protein is used, as novel protein having adiponectin binding ability, that is (a) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence according to Seq. No. 2, 4, 6 or 8, or (b) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence according to Seq. No. 2, 4, 6 or 8 with one or more amino acids deleted, replaced or added, and having adiponectin binding ability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a technique for reducing computation time for force vector calculation. A force vector reconstruction method that uses an optical tactile sensor, comprises a step for obtaining a marker image by taking an image of behavior of colored markers when an object contacts a contact surface of an elastic body, a step of obtaining information relating to the marker behavior from the marker image, the information being more than the number of force vectors to be obtained, and a step of obtaining force vectors as outputs by inputting information relating to the obtained marker behavior to a transfer function. The step of obtaining force vectors comprises calculating force vectors using only information relating to behavior of markers neighboring region A1 of a position A where it is desired to obtain force vectors.

Abstract: Mouse PCLP1 was identified by expression cloning with the use of a monoclonal antibody against a surface antigen of a cell line derived from mouse AGM. By fractionating PCLP1-positive/CD45-negative cells and culturing them in vitro, it was clarified that these cells differentiate into endothelial-like cells, angioblast-like cells, and hematopoietic cells. By transferring the PCLP1-positive/CD45-negative cells into a mouse defective in the hematopoietic function, the hematopoietic system was reconstructed over a long period of time. These facts indicate that the PCLP1-positive/CD45-negative cells contain mammalian hemangioblasts capable of expressing the activity as long-term repopulating hematopoietic stem cells (LTR-HSC). The present invention provides a method for preparing a cell fraction containing hemangioblasts, the cell fraction prepared by the method, and use of this cell fraction.

Abstract: A technique for controlling membrane denaturation reactions other than physical shear force was developed. For example, the present invention provides, a method for causing membrane disruption at a specific site by reacting a stimulus such as light with a compound that is activated by the stimulus, where the reaction occurs on a membrane such as a biomembrane. It also provides a membrane structure such as cells in which a specific site has been disrupted, which are obtained by the present method. Introduction of substances such as genes also became possible by using this membrane structure. Further provided is a membrane-destroying member for disrupting a membrane at a specific site. Thus, the present invention enabled, for example, easy membrane penetration using components constituting microelectrodes, micromanipulators, and microinjectors, which were conventionally hardly usable in penetrating cell membranes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tactile sensor capable of obtaining information for a plurality of degrees of freedom at each point on a surface. An optical tactile sensor is provided with a sensing part and a photographing device, the sensing part comprising a transparent elastic body and a plurality of groups of markers provided inside the elastic body, each marker group being made up of a number of colored markers, with markers making up different marker groups having different colors for each group. The elastic body has an arbitrary curved surface. The behavior of the colored markers when an object touches the curved surface of the elastic body is obtained as image information of markers by photographing device. The sensor further comprises a force vector distribution reconstructing device for reconstructing forces applied to said surface from information as to the behavior of markers that is obtained from said image information of markers.

Abstract: Demanded is an insulin secretagogue that alleviates side effects, such as acceleration of obesity and cells so as not to be detrimental to insulin secretion ? capability. The invention provides an insulin secretagogue agent not only dependent on glucose but also responsive to elevated blood sugar levels, comprising an effective amount of a substance having the activity of PPAR ? activation. This insulin secretagogue simultaneously exerts anti-obesity activity, serum cholesterol reducing activity useful for the treatment and prevention of arteriosclerosis, etc. and insulin resistance ameliorating activity.

Abstract: A method of perforating a membrane 10 and apparatus therefore is presented. The method comprises: bringing a membrane-denaturing substance into contact with or close proximity to at least a site of said membrane 10, said substance inducing a membrane-denaturing reaction by a stimulus; providing said stimulus to said substance so as to denature said membrane 10; perforating said membrane with a membrane-destroying member 1. The stimulus is carried through said membrane-destroying member 1. The present invention eliminates the influence of membrane-denaturing agent to the substance to be injected into the cell. The present invention also enables applying the stimulus locally, with a simple construction.

Abstract: A projection image data captured from a plurality of angles is processed, and a three-dimensional image data accurately indicating a three dimensional structure for an object is obtained. A shape computing unit 260 computes shape data indicating an outline of a subject using a plurality of first image data of the subject captured from a plurality of angles. A distributing unit 220 generates a gray-scale density-distribution by extending and distributing density indicated in a gray-scale image of the subject acquired by a projection image capturing apparatus to an angle at which the gray-scale image is captured. The second integrating unit 240 generates a three-dimensional gray-scale data indicating the subject with three-dimensional image data by integrating a plurality of gray-scale images acquired from a plurality of angles and a plurality of gray-scale density-distribution. The first integrating unit 280 integrates the three-dimensional gray-scale image and shape data.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a novel aromatic prenyltransferase, Orf2 from Streptomyces sp. strain CL190, involved in naphterpin biosynthesis has been identified and the structure thereof elucidated. This prenyltransferase catalyzes the formation of a C—C bond between a prenyl group and a compound containing an aromatic nucleus, and also displays C—O bond formation activity. Numerous crystallographic structures of the prenyltransferase have been solved and refined, e.g., (1) prenyltransferase complexed with a buffer molecule (TAPS), (2) prenyltransferase as a binary complex with geranyl diphosphate (GPP) and Mg2+, and prenyltransferase as ternary complexes with a non-hydrolyzable substrate analogue, geranyl S-thiolodiphosphate (GSPP) and either (3) 1,6-dihydroxynaphthalene (1,6-DHN), or (4) flaviolin (i.e., 2,5,7-trihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, which is the oxidized product of 1,3,6,8-tetrahydroxynaphthalene (THN)). These structures have been solved and refined to 1.5 ?, 2.25 ?, 1.95 ? and 2.

Abstract: The present inventors intended to search for substances that can regulate the expression of a molecular chaperone, GRP78, using the expression of GRP78 as an indicator. As a result, a novel tetronic acid derivative, versipelostatin compound (also known as JL68) shown in formula (I) having the activity of suppressing GRP78 expression was isolated from the metabolite of Streptomyces versipellis strain 4083-SVS6.

Abstract: A conventional direct methanol solid polymer fuel cell comprises a solid polymer electrolyte as an electrolyte. This type of cell involves some problems; methanol permeates the membrane; the electromotive force lowers because of direct oxidation; and the membrane melts at about 130° C. when the temperature is increased to enhance the catalyst activity.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to develop a technique for expressing a functional membrane-bound protein by using baculovirus and insect cell expression system. The present invention provides a method for expressing a functional membrane-bound receptor protein which comprises steps of culturing a host infected with at least one type of recombinant baculovirus which contains a gene encoding an interacting protein and a gene encoding a membrane-bound receptor protein which interacts with said interacting protein to perform its function, and co-expressing said interacting protein and said membrane-bound receptor protein in a budded baculovirus released from said host.