Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED The present invention is intended to provide a burdock fruit extract comprising arctigenin and arctiin at a definite ratio and a method for producing the same. More particularly, the present invention is intended to provide a method for producing a burdock fruit extract comprising arctigenin and arctiin at a weight ratio of approximately 1:1. SOLUTION A method for producing a burdock fruit extract comprising arctigenin and arctiin at a weight ratio of arctigenin/arctiin=0.7 to 1.3 is provided, including the steps of: cutting a burdock fruit and converting arctiin which is inherent in the burdock fruit into arctigenin by enzymatic conversion by beta-glucosidase which is inherent in the burdock fruit, wherein the enzymatic conversion includes reaction at a temperature from 20° C. to 50° C. Also provided is the method further including a step of extracting an extract comprising arctigenin and arctiin by adding an organic solvent and heating to reflux.

Abstract: Provided is a method for selectively obtaining, for a given target gene, a “joined DNA fragment” wherein just a target gene fragment is joined with desired other DNA fragments, regardless of whether a DNA fragment containing a target gene sequence has been purified. In the provided method, a double-stranded joining DNA fragment containing a sequence A and/or a sequence B is selectively joined to the ends of a target gene fragment. A mixture of a double-stranded gene fragment, the 3? end of which is protruding, and the double-stranded joining DNA fragment, which are related in a prescribed manner, undergoes at least two cycles of thermal denaturation, reassociation, and DNA synthesis, resulting in a “joined DNA fragment,” which is a double-stranded DNA fragment including at least one instance of a sequence resulting from joining sequence A, the target gene sequence, and sequence B. A “single-side joined DNA fragment” can also be obtained, by a similar method.

Abstract: Provided is a device and a method whereby plural kinds of reaction operations and washing operations can be conducted in parallel without washing or replacing an instrument used in transferring a solution in each operation. A reaction device having a plurality of projecting barriers provided in a line on one surface of a substrate. The projecting barrier has a cutoff portion and an inner space capable of holding a droplet and having a contact angle to pure water of from 90 to 150 degrees. A reaction method using the reaction device wherein a substance immobilized on magnetic beads is sequentially transferred in and between droplets of a solution containing a surface tension reducing agent that are held in the spaces for holding a droplet by means of a magnet located on the opposite surface of the substrate to thereby conduct reactions and washings.

Abstract: A composition for controlled release of a physiologically active substance can release a physiologically active substance in vivo at the desired timing. The composition includes an inner layer that is formed of a biodegradable substance that supports a physiologically active substance, and an outer layer that is formed of a biodegradable substance that differs from that of the inner layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method which can achieve the homologous recombination of a gene of interest selectively, and a recombinant DNA molecule produced by the method. A homologous recombination method which uses a PCR product and a linearized vector is disclosed. The PCR product comprises a sequence for a target gene and amplification primer sequences P1 and P2 on both terminal ends. The vector contains homologous recombination regions VP1 and VP2 which respectively comprise nucleotide sequences homologous to P1 and P2, and at least one a homologous recombination region VT (VT1 and/or VT2), which comprises a nucleotide sequence homologous to a sequence T (T1 and/or T2), T sequences are sequence parts internal to P1 and/or P2 as well as sequence parts on the terminal side of VP1 and/or VP2 (provided that at least one T sequence has a nucleotide sequence specific to the target gene).

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a burdock fruit extract comprising arctigenin and arctiin at a definite ratio and a method for producing the same. More particularly, the present invention is intended to provide a method for producing a burdock fruit extract comprising arctigenin and arctiin at a weight ratio of approximately 1:1. A method for producing a burdock fruit extract comprising arctigenin and arctiin at a weight ratio of arctigenin/arctiin =0.7 to 1.3 is provided, including the steps of: cutting a burdock fruit and converting arctiin which is inherent in the burdock fruit into arctigenin by enzymatic conversion by beta-glucosidase which is inherent in the burdock fruit, wherein the enzymatic conversion includes reaction at a temperature from 20° C. to 50° C. Also provided is the method further including a step of extracting an extract comprising arctigenin and arctiin by adding an organic solvent and heating to reflux.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a method that efficiently produces antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies from a wide range of animal species, and to provide a new antigen-specific monoclonal antibody using this technique. [Solution] A nonhuman animal is immunized with a target antigen, lymph fluid or the like is collected from the immunized nonhuman animal, or lymph fluid or the like is collected from a human having antibodies to the target antigen, the collected lymph fluid or the like is combined with (1) a labeled target antigen and (2) a marker that can selectively binds to plasma cells and/or plasmablasts, and cells that have bound to (1) the labeled target antigen and (2) the marker are then selected.

Abstract: In a process of fabricating a tissue array, a tissue block is sliced to obtain sheet-form pieces of tissue, and each of the sheet-form pieces is closely rolled around a guide member to form a spiral shape tissue around the guide member. Then, the spiral shape tissues are inserted in an axial direction into holes arrayed in a base block.

Abstract: A three-dimensional guide for a wire for forming a pedicle screw insertion hole is produced based on a CT image of a spine, and includes a contact surface section that comes in surface contact with a morphological surface of a bone at an insertion site, and a guide block section that is provided upright from the contact surface section. The guide block section has a guide hole that restricts the insertion direction of the wire. The guide hole has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the wire. The guide hole has a length of 15 to 30 mm to restrict the insertion position and the insertion direction of the wire.

Abstract: The dried amniotic membrane is produced by drying a fresh amniotic membrane, which envelopes an embryo of an animal including human, and can be used as a substitute membrane for a membrane tissue in a living body; the dried amniotic membrane is dehydrated and dried so that the dried amniotic membrane can be stored in a dry air in a sterile state; when hydrated again by immersing in water or a buffer solution, the amniotic membrane still has an epithelial cell, a basement membrane and a connective tissue which constitute the fresh amniotic membrane. The dried amniotic membrane is useful as a medical substitute membrane for a membrane tissue in a living body such as a dura mater, a meninx, a pericardium, a pleura and a peritoneum.

Abstract: In a conventional Bagley polygon power divider of a planar configuration, a length of transmission lines from an input port to output ports adjacent thereto on both sides is determined to be a quarter wavelength and a geometry thereof is an odd regular polygon with each side being a length equal to half of a wavelength at a designed frequency, which is large in size. Since the output ports are located at vertices of the regular polygon, inconvenience can be caused, e.g., in arrangement of the output ports. The present invention is directed to a design wherein only a characteristic impedance of a transmission line is designated for achieving matching and wherein a length of the line is allowed to be arbitrarily selected. This permits the line length between adjacent output ports to be appropriately adjusted to a short one according to a design object, and also enables fabrication of a power divider in which output ports are aligned in a line.

Abstract: A method which can isolate plasma cells and plasmablasts efficiently and with high purity, from mammals and birds, without using a cell surface marker is provided. Further disclosed is a fluorescent probe wherein the staining selectivity for the endoplasmic reticulum of cells is higher than the staining selectivity for cell organelles other than the endoplasmic reticulum. Also disclosed is a method for identifying plasma cells and plasmablasts which includes staining cells derived from lymph node tissue or similar by using this probe, and identifying plasma cells and plasmablasts on the basis of the fluorescence intensity from the stained cells. Also disclosed is a fluorescent probe wherein the staining selectivity for cell nuclei is higher than the staining selectivity for cell organelles other than the cell nuclei.

Abstract: Provided is a method for selectively obtaining, for a given target gene, a “joined DNA fragment” wherein just a target gene fragment is joined with desired other DNA fragments, regardless of whether a DNA fragment containing a target gene sequence has been purified. In the provided method, a double-stranded joining DNA fragment containing a sequence A and/or a sequence B is selectively joined to the ends of a target gene fragment. A mixture of a double-stranded gene fragment, the 3? end of which is protruding, and the double-stranded joining DNA fragment, which are related in a prescribed manner, undergoes at least two cycles of thermal denaturation, reassociation, and DNA synthesis, resulting in a “joined DNA fragment,” which is a double-stranded DNA fragment including at least one instance of a sequence resulting from joining sequence A, the target gene sequence, and sequence B. A “single-side joined DNA fragment” can also be obtained, by a similar method.

Abstract: A system rapidly detects and identifies pathogenic bacteria responsible for infection (particularly septicemia), and selects an appropriate antimicrobial drug. A method according to the present invention for detecting and identifying pathogenic bacteria includes performing gene amplification such as real-time PCR, and analyzing the combination of the melting temperatures (Tm values) determined by gene amplification product melting curve analysis or the difference between the Tm values. Specifically, real-time PCR is performed using 4 to 16 primer sets including 1 to 7 primer sets for the 16S ribosomal RNA of bacteria, 1 to 6 primer sets for the 18S ribosomal RNA of fungi, and one primer set respectively for the spa gene and the mecA gene specific to MRSA, and the combination of the Tm values of the amplification product or the combination of the differences between the Tm values is compared with a database to identify pathogenic bacteria responsible for septicemia.

Abstract: A biomarker is provided for an allergic disease caused by an allergic reaction that is caused not exclusively by histamine release, such as pruritus, and use of the same. Use of Granzyme A as a biomarker makes it possible to provide an indication for chronic itching skin disease, for which existing antiallergic drugs have little effect, and easily and adequately allow diagnosis of the disease. It is possible to, for example, make a diagnosis of an allergic disease with an IV type allergy-like reaction not depending on the antigen-antibody reaction system. Screening with the use of Granzyme A enables the development of novel remedies for allergic diseases. Moreover, a drug capable of specifically controlling the action of a granzyme enables treatment of allergic disease with little side effect.

Abstract: A fused tricyclic compound having aldose reductase inhibitory activity and shown by the following formula, wherein R1 represents 1 to 3 atoms or substituents selected from a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkylene, or alkoxy group, and a protected or unprotected hydroxyl or carboxyl group, R2 represents a protected or unprotected carboxyl group, R3 represents 1 or 2 atoms or substituents selected from a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an oxo group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkoxy group, and a protected or unprotected carboxyl group, A represents an alkylene group, and B represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or a group shown by the following formula, wherein R4 represents an alkyl or aryl group substituted by an aryl, cycloalkyl, or heterocyclic group, and X represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, provided that, when B represents a group shown by the following formula: wherein R4 represents an alkyl or aryl group substituted

Abstract: An organic transistor includes a semiconductor section that includes a thin-film laminate in which a first organic thin film and a second organic thin film are alternately stacked. The thin-film laminate includes at least two layers of the first organic thin film. The first organic thin film is a pentacene thin film, and the second organic thin film is an amorphous organic thin film. The pentacene thin film may be a pentacene bilayer thin film, and the amorphous organic thin film may be a tetraaryldiamine thin film. The tetraaryldiamine thin film may be an ?-NPD thin film. The organic transistor has improved transistor characteristics (e.g., mobility, ON/OFF ratio, or threshold value control).

Abstract: A digital microphone comprises a ?? modulator. The ?? modulator has a resonator including a membrane which vibrates by receiving a sound wave and a wiring pattern disposed opposite to the membrane, an oscillator, including the resonator, for outputting an FM signal according to the vibration of the membrane, and a one-bit quantizer for outputting a one-bit quantized signal by sampling the FM signal with a high-frequency clock.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polyamine sheet which is usable for DNA chips or protein chips. Also disclosed are a photoreactive polyamine used for producing such a polyamine sheet, and a photoreactive compound which can be a raw material for such a photoreactive polyamine. Specifically disclosed are a photoreactive compound having a diazirine group as a photoreactive group, a photoreactive polyamine compound produced from such a photoreactive compound and a polyamine, a polyamine sheet using such a photoreactive polyamine compound, and a method for producing such a polyamine sheet.

Abstract: A tissue piece forming device suitable for forming a tissue piece required in the process of fabricating a novel tissue array chip having many benefits such as the one that the tissue array chip can be fabricated even if the tissue included in a tissue block has a small thickness. The tissue piece forming device (100) for forming a sheet-like tissue piece (S) into a roll shape includes a rotary shaft (1) to which one end of the sliced tissue piece (S) is secured and a drive means for rotating the rotary shaft (1). The tissue piece (S) can be formed into a tight roll shape while rotating the rotary shaft (1).