Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a drug for preventing or treating a liver disease associated with fibrosis, the drug containing microRNAs as an active ingredient. A pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating a liver disease associated with fibrosis, the pharmaceutical composition containing at least one kind of microRNAs selected from miR 1237-5p, miR 204-3p, miR 7977, miR 6089, and miR 5787 as an active ingredient, is produced.

Abstract: A method in which carbon dioxide can be efficiently fixed, calcium carbonate that is a valuable can be efficiently produced from carbon dioxide, and a waste gypsum board can be effectively recycled without being wasted as it is by using the waste gypsum board for fixing carbon dioxide. This method includes: bringing a first solution containing an alkali metal hydroxide and gas containing carbon dioxide into contact with each other to produce a second solution containing an alkali metal salt; and bringing the second solution and a gypsum-containing material into contact with each other to produce calcium carbonate.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide: an anti-GPC3 antibody that recognizes an epitope different from that for existing antibodies (e.g., GC33 and GC199) and can specifically bind, even in the form of single chain antibody, to GPC3 localized on a cell membrane; CAR comprising the anti-GPC3 single chain antibody; an immunocompetent cell expressing the CAR; a gene of the anti-GPC3 antibody or a gene of the CAR; a vector comprising the anti-GPC3 antibody gene or the CAR gene; a host cell in which the vector has been introduced; a method for specifically detecting GPC3; and a kit for specifically detecting GPC3. An antibody comprising particular heavy chain CDR1 to CDR3 and particular light chain CDR1 to CDR3 defined in claim 1, and specifically binding to a human-derived GPC3 polypeptide specifically binds to GPC3 localized on a cell membrane. CAR-immunocompetent cells prepared on the basis of CAR comprising such single chain antibody are useful for cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract: Provided is a calcium carbonate generation method and system in which calcium carbonate having a high purity can be generated using a calcium-containing waste. Provided is a calcium carbonate generation method of generating calcium carbonate from a calcium-containing waste, the calcium carbonate generation method including: a calcium dissolution step of adding aqueous hydrochloric acid to a calcium-containing waste and dissolving calcium to generate an aqueous solution containing a calcium ion; a separation step of adjusting a hydrogen ion concentration index of the aqueous solution containing a calcium ion and separating a component containing at least one selected from the group consisting of Si, Al, Mg, and heavy metal from the aqueous solution; and a calcium carbonate collection step of generating calcium carbonate using an aqueous solution obtained in the separation step and an aqueous solution containing potassium carbonate and/or sodium carbonate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a composition comprising a nucleic acid delivery vehicle, a nucleic acid encoding interleukin-7 (IL-7), and a nucleic acid encoding chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 19 (CCL19), and its use thereof.

Abstract: It is to provide an immunocompetent cell that expresses regulatory factors of immunocompetent cell immune function and possesses all of proliferative potential, viability, and the ability to accumulate a T cell, and an expression vector of regulatory factors of immune function for generating the immunocompetent cell. An immunocompetent cell expressing a cell surface molecule specifically recognizing a cancer antigen, interleukin 7 (IL-7), and CCL19 is generated. Preferably, the cell surface molecule specifically recognizing a cancer antigen is T cell receptor specifically recognizing the cancer antigen, and the immunocompetent cell is a T cell.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing an inhibitor for retinochoroidal disorders, in particular, an inhibitor for retinochoroidal scar formation and retinochoroidal atrophy in an epiretinal, intraretinal or subretinal tissue. This problem can be solved by preparing an inhibitor for retinochoroidal disorders which comprises, as an active ingredient, (E)-4-(2-{3-[(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl]-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalene-2-yl}vinyl)benzoic acid, an ester thereof or a salt of the same. The inhibitor for retinochoroidal disorders can inhibit collagen atrophy of retinal pigment epithelium cells, fibroblasts, glial cells and the like and thus inhibit retinochoroidal disorders.

Abstract: Provided are a sodium titanium phosphate salt and, additionally, at least one of a negative electrode active material that gives a sodium secondary battery having superior power characteristics as compared to conventional aqueous sodium secondary batteries and a sodium secondary battery including such a negative electrode active material. In particular, provided is a negative electrode active material that gives an aqueous sodium secondary battery having superior power characteristics as compared to conventional aqueous sodium secondary batteries including NASICON type NaTi2(PO4)3 as a negative electrode active material. A sodium titanium phosphate salt represented by the general formula Na1+xTi2(PO4)3 (where 0?x?2) includes a surface layer containing Na5Ti(PO4)3.

Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery includes a negative electrode including a mixture layer which contains a niobium titanium oxide as a negative electrode active material, and non-aqueous electrolyte containing lithium alkoxysulfonate represented by RSOOO?Li+ (where R is at least one selected from the group consisting of OCH3 and OC2H5).

Abstract: It is to provide an immunocompetent cell that expresses regulatory factors of immunocompetent cell immune function and possesses all of proliferative potential, viability, and the ability to accumulate a T cell, and an expression vector of regulatory factors of immune function for generating the immunocompetent cell. An immunocompetent cell expressing a cell surface molecule specifically recognizing a cancer antigen, interleukin 7 (IL-7), and CCL19 is generated. Preferably, the cell surface molecule specifically recognizing a cancer antigen is T cell receptor specifically recognizing the cancer antigen, and the immunocompetent cell is a T cell.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a D-mannose isomerase of membrane-bound form having the optimal reaction pH in acidic region. The membrane-bound D-mannose isomerase derived from acetic acid bacteria is produced. The acetic acid bacteria are preferably belong to the genera of Acetobacter, Gluconobacter, or Gluconacetobacter. Furthermore, the membrane-bound D-mannose isomerase from the acetic acid bacteria is used to produce D-fructose from D-mannose.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for amplifying a nucleic acid using a PCR reaction solution with a volume as large as 30 mL or more, and an apparatus for amplifying a nucleic acid using a PCR reaction solution with a volume as large as 30 mL or more. The present invention provides a method for amplifying a nucleic acid, comprising performing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by controlling a temperature of one or more reaction container(s) housing a reaction solution containing a DNA polymerase, deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs), a template DNA, a forward primer, a reverse primer, and a buffer solution, wherein the reaction solution is in an amount of 30 mL or more, and the polymerase chain reaction is performed while the reaction solution is stirred.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide: an anti-GPC3 antibody that recognizes an epitope different from that for existing antibodies (e.g., GC33 and GC199) and can specifically bind, even in the form of single chain antibody, to GPC3 localized on a cell membrane; CAR comprising the anti-GPC3 single chain antibody; an immunocompetent cell expressing the CAR; a gene of the anti-GPC3 antibody or a gene of the CAR; a vector comprising the anti-GPC3 antibody gene or the CAR gene; a host cell in which the vector has been introduced; a method for specifically detecting GPC3; and a kit for specifically detecting GPC3. An antibody comprising particular heavy chain CDR1 to CDR3 and particular light chain CDR1 to CDR3 defined in claim 1, and specifically binding to a human-derived GPC3 polypeptide specifically binds to GPC3 localized on a cell membrane. CAR-immunocompetent cells prepared on the basis of CAR comprising such single chain antibody are useful for cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising cells expressing a chimeric receptor, for use in combination with administration of an antigen-binding molecule, wherein the chimeric receptor comprises an extracellular domain, the extracellular domain comprises an extracellular domain of an immunoreceptor, an extracellular domain variant of an immunoreceptor, or a portion thereof, and the antigen-binding molecule is a multispecific antigen-binding molecule having a target antigen recognition site and an immunoreceptor recognition site which recognizes the immunoreceptor.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a reversible opening agent for the neural vascular barrier. As a solution, the reversible opening agent for the neural vascular barrier is prepared by including a ligand having an agonistic effect on basigin as an active ingredient. It is preferable that the above ligand contains a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or the like, or a salt thereof as the active ingredient or the above ligand is cyclophilin A lacking peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase activity.

Abstract: An elongated ferromagnetic anodic electrode is fixed to a tightly closable pipe shape vacuum casing so as to extend within the casing as a cantilever and magnetic field applying module is disposed so as to concentrate magnetic field at a tip side position of the ferromagnetic anodic electrode in an area of discharge optical emission when a high voltage is applied between the anodic electrode and the vacuum casing as a cathode electrode. In addition, a vacuum casing can be formed with a ferromagnetic and soft magnetic material for magnetic flux to be permeable well, or a tip side alone of an anodic electrode rather than the anodic electrode itself can be formed with a ferromagnetic material, or a ferromagnetic member can be disposed at a near position of an anodic electrode, so as to concentrate magnetic field in a vicinity of a tip of an anodic electrode.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing an inhibitor for retinochoroidal disorders, in particular, an inhibitor for retinochoroidal scar formation and retinochoroidal atrophy in an epiretinal, intraretinal or subretinal tissue. This problem can be solved by preparing an inhibitor for retinochoroidal disorders which comprises, as an active ingredient, (E)-4-(2-{3-[(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl]-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalene-2-yl}vinyl)benzoic acid, an ester thereof or a salt of the same. The inhibitor for retinochoroidal disorders can inhibit collagen atrophy of retinal pigment epithelium cells, fibroblasts, glial cells and the like and thus inhibit retinochoroidal disorders.

Abstract: For measuring the stress history in a simple form, which is widely applicable to various types of structural materials which the elastic modulus is different from each other, a large number of calcite particles is embedded as a stress sensor in a cement-based composite material that can be elastically deformed after receiving an external. A twin-crystal density of the calcite particles is measured after an external force is applied to the composite material, to convert the twin-crystal density to a strain by an approximate formula set in terms of a strain ? (%) generated in the composite material and a twin-crystal density Dtw (lines/mm) of the calcite particles, and further to convert this strain to a stress by the elastic modulus of the composite material, whereby to estimate the history of stress and strain. The approximate formula between strain and twin-crystal density is independent of the modulus of the composite material and is used in a common form.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide: an anti-GPC3 antibody that recognizes an epitope different from that for existing antibodies (e.g., GC33 and GC199) and can specifically bind, even in the form of single chain antibody, to GPC3 localized on a cell membrane; CAR comprising the anti-GPC3 single chain antibody; an immunocompetent cell expressing the CAR; a gene of the anti-GPC3 antibody or a gene of the CAR; a vector comprising the anti-GPC3 antibody gene or the CAR gene; a host cell in which the vector has been introduced; a method for specifically detecting GPC3; and a kit for specifically detecting GPC3. An antibody comprising particular heavy chain CDR1 to CDR3 and particular light chain CDR1 to CDR3 defined in claim 1, and specifically binding to a human-derived GPC3 polypeptide specifically binds to GPC3 localized on a cell membrane. CAR-immunocompetent cells prepared on the basis of CAR comprising such single chain antibody are useful for cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a simple and efficient device for predicting a risk of occurrence of a side effect of irinotecan by analyzing a single nucleotide polymorphism in a region encoding a specific gene. The prediction of the risk of the occurrence of a side effect of irinotecan is assisted by analyzing a single nucleotide polymorphism in a region encoding the APCDD1L gene, the R3HCC1 gene, the OR51I2 gene, the MKKS gene, the EDEM3 gene, or the ACOX1 gene which are present on genomic DNA in a biological sample collected from a test subject; or a single nucleotide polymorphism which is in linkage disequilibrium with or genetically linked to the single nucleotide polymorphism, and determining whether the single nucleotide polymorphism is homozygous for a variant type, heterozygous, or homozygous for a wild-type.