Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide CAR-expressing T cells that coexpress a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and a T cell immune function-enhancing factor and have a high immunity-inducing effect and antitumor activity, and to provide a CAR expression vector for the preparation of the CAR-expressing T cells. A CAR expression vector comprises a nucleic acid encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and a nucleic acid encoding a T cell immune function-enhancing factor, wherein the nucleic acid encoding an immune function-enhancing factor is a nucleic acid encoding interleukin-7 and a nucleic acid encoding CCL19, a nucleic acid encoding a dominant negative mutant of SHP-1, or a nucleic acid encoding a dominant negative mutant of SHP-2, or a CAR-expressing T cell introduced with the CAR expression vector are prepared.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an enhancer for endogenous T-cells or B-cells having a memory function and a malignant tumor recurrence inhibitor in order to continue to reject malignant tumor over a long period of time. An enhancer for T-cells or B-cells having a memory function in an administration subject, 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 an inducer for inducing a memory function in T-cells or B-cells in an administration subject, are prepared. Also, a malignant tumor recurrence inhibitor comprising a nucleic acid delivery vehicle, a nucleic acid encoding interleukin-7 (IL-7), and a nucleic acid encoding CCL19, is prepared.

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: 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: A method for evaluating the activity level of mesenchymal stem cells, and a method for culturing mesenchymal stem cells using the evaluation method in the field of culturing mesenchymal stem cells for regenerative medicine, and further, a method for producing a therapeutic agent for liver dysfunction and a therapeutic agent for liver dysfunction. This method for evaluating mesenchymal stem cell activity has an assay step for assaying the amount of adenylate kinase 4 (AK4) in the mesenchymal stem cells; and a determination step for determining the activity level of the mesenchymal stem cells from the assayed amount of adenylate kinase 4.

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: A plurality of branch bars is provided on opposing sides of paired strut pieces connected by links in a strut to protrude from one towards the other side, and a plurality of ratchet teeth is formed on the side of the branch bars respectively. When a stent made of polymer material having a cylindrical constitution in which a plurality of struts is connected by links is deformed to enlarge its diameter, the paired struts are deformed to come near to each other, so that the branch bars overlap each other with the ratchet teeth formed thereon engaging with each other. As the effect of engagement of the ratchet teeth with each other, while deformation of the struts so as to enlarge the diameter of the stent is allowed, deformation so as to reduce the diameter of the stent is inhibited.

Abstract: Provided is a thickening/stabilizing agent that thickens, gelatinizes, and/or stabilizes a fluid organic substance to a desired viscosity. The thickening/stabilizing agent according to the present invention contains a compound (1) represented by Formula (i) and a compound (2) represented by Formula (ii), in a mole ratio of the compound (1) to the compound (2) of 95:5 to 25:75. The four R1s in Formula (i) represent, identically in each occurrence, a C12-C18 aliphatic hydrocarbon group; and the four R2s in Formula (ii) represent, identically in each occurrence, an C4-C10 aliphatic hydrocarbon group.

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: The present invention easily identifies a genotype for gene mutations related to myeloproliferative neoplasms. The present invention comprises a mutant probe that specifically hybridizes with a gene mutation related to myeloproliferative neoplasms in JAK2, a mutant probe that specifically hybridizes with a gene mutation related to myeloproliferative neoplasms in CALR, and a mutant probe that specifically hybridizes with a gene mutation related to myeloproliferative neoplasms in MPL.

Abstract: A therapeutic effect of irinotecan is predicted using a predetermined genetic polymorphism. A genetic polymorphism identified by rs1980576 in APCDD1L gene, or a genetic polymorphism in linkage disequilibrium with the above genetic polymorphism is analyzed, and determination is performed based on the genotype of the genetic polymorphism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound that thickens or gels a fluid organic substance to a desired viscosity, or uniformly stabilizes a composition containing a fluid organic substance. The compound of the present invention is a compound represented by Formula (1) below: wherein, R1 represents a monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 4 or more carbons; R2 represents a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 12 carbons; R3 represents a monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 12 carbons; m represents an integer from 0 to 10; and n represents an integer from 1 to 4; in a case where n is 1 or 2, (4?n) R1s may be the same or different; and in a case where n is from 2 to 4, n R2s, n R3s, and n m's each may be the same or different.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound that thickens or gels a fluid organic substance to a desired viscosity, or uniformly stabilizes a composition containing a fluid organic substance. The compound of the present invention is a compound represented by Formula (1) below: wherein, R1 represents a monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 4 or more carbons; R2 represents a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 12 carbons; R3 represents a monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 12 carbons; m represents an integer from 0 to 10; and n represents an integer from 1 to 4; in a case where n is 1 or 2, (4?n) R1s may be the same or different; and in a case where n is from 2 to 4, n R2s, n R3s, and n m's each may be the same or different.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing a novel therapeutic agent for keratoconjunctive disorders. As a means for solving the problem, a therapeutic agent for keratoconjunctive disorders which contains a RAR? agonist as an active ingredient is provided. The therapeutic agent exhibits an excellent ameliorating effect in a keratoconjunctive disorder model, and is therefore useful as a therapeutic agent for keratoconjunctive disorders such as corneal ulcer, corneal epithelial abrasion, keratitis, dry eye, conjunctivitis, chronic superficial keratitis, corneal erosion, persistent corneal disorders, superficial punctate keratopathy, corneal epithelial defects, conjunctival epithelial defects, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis, filamentary keratoconjunctivitis, infectious keratitis, noninfectious keratitis, infectious conjunctivitis and noninfectious conjunctivitis.

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: 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: A method of treating or reducing at least one inflammatory condition or the susceptibility to at least one inflammatory condition is provided involving administering at least one CD69 antagonist to a subject, wherein the subject has been diagnosed with at least one inflammatory condition, or a susceptibility to the same. CD69 antagonists can include one or more of an anti-CD69 antibody, an anti-CD69 aptamer, a CD69 mRNA antagonist, and a small molecule pharmaceutical.

Abstract: A buffer composition for hybridization of a target nucleic acid is provided. The nucleic acid can include a nucleotide to be detected with a nucleic acid probe. The probe can contain a nucleotide sequence complementary to the target nucleic acid. The buffer can include a blocking nucleic acid having a nucleotide sequence complementary to a non-target nucleic acid having a nucleotide not to be detected corresponding to the nucleotide to be detected. The buffer composition can suppress non-specific hybridization to the nucleic acid probe even when a non-target nucleic acid is present. The use of the buffer composition can achieve excellent detection efficiency of the target nucleic acid.

Abstract: There is provided a state-monitory system of a moving apparatus which is capable of deducing an abnormality and cause of breakdown of the moving apparatus by Equationematical analysis only by measuring vibration of a casing or object to be monitored and which requires no large-scaled apparatus. An equivalent model of the moving apparatus 1 is formed, which is adapted to replace the vibration of a monitored object of the moving apparatus 1 with the vibration of a viscoelastic member such as an elastic spring etc. and which is adapted to be capable of outputting virtual vibration data having synthesized vibration equivalent to the vibration of the viscoelastic member, and the equivalent model is Equationematically analyzed, thereby estimating the abnormality and cause of breakdown of the moving apparatus 1 only by measuring vibration of the casing 8 or a monitored object.

Abstract: Provided are: a compound, a thickening/stabilizing agent including the compound, a thickened/stabilized composition including the thickening/stabilizing agent and a fluid organic substance, and a method for producing the thickened/stabilized composition, where the compound effectively thickens the fluid organic substance to a desired viscosity and effectively uniformly stabilizes the formulation of the composition containing the fluid organic substance via thickening of the fluid organic substance. The thickening/stabilizing agent according to the present invention includes a compound represented by Formula (1): (R2—HNOC)4-n—R1—(CONH—R3)n??(1) where R1 is a group resulting from removing four hydrogen atoms from the structural formula of butane; R2 and R3 are different from each other and are aliphatic hydrocarbon groups each containing 4 or more carbon atoms; and n is an integer of 1 to 3.