Abstract: The present invention provides a method comprising allowing a reaction of a sample, a reagent containing Factor C, which can be activated by binding with endotoxin, and a synthetic luminescent substrate comprising a luminescent substrate bound to a peptide, for release of the luminescent substrate from the synthetic luminescent substrate, allowing a luminescent enzyme to act on the luminescent substrate released in the luminescent substrate release step, for measurement of the luminescence intensity, and quantifying the level of endotoxin in the sample based on a measured value obtained in the luminescence measuring step, the method enabling endotoxin to be simply and quickly measured at a level that cannot be detected in conventional methods for endotoxin measurement, without use of any dedicated measuring device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prompt and easy asbestos detection method and a method for screening a candidate for an agent aiming at preventing or treating a disease for which asbestos is a causative or worsening factor. It is possible to quickly and easily detect asbestos in a sample by finding a protein capable of binding specifically to asbestos, allowing the protein or a fusion protein of the protein and a reporter protein to bind to asbestos in the sample, and then detecting the protein or the fusion protein having been bound to asbestos. A substance inhibiting the binding of actin to asbestos, which has been found out as a protein capable of binding specifically to asbestos, is a candidate for an agent aiming at preventing or treating a disease for which asbestos is a causative or worsening factor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for purifying a protein, includes the step of: contacting a fusion protein of a first protein and a second protein with a bivalent cation-containing solution, the fusion protein being adsorbed to a silicon oxide-containing substance, the first protein being capable of binding to the silicon oxide-containing substance in a solution containing 0.1M sodium chloride. With this arrangement, it is possible to easily produce large quantity of proteins which are high in purity without sacrificing activity of the proteins.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter control apparatus controls a DC-DC converter which has an inductor connected between an input terminal for a direct-current input voltage and an output terminal for a direct-current output voltage obtained by converting the direct-current input voltage, a capacitor connected to the inductor, and a switch configured to switch whether the direct-current input voltage is applied to the inductor. The DC-DC converter control apparatus has a subtractor configured to generate a differential voltage between the direct-current input voltage and a reference voltage, a comparator configured to generate a determining signal that indicates determination of a polarity of the differential voltage, and a delay part configured to delay the determining signal for a specific delay time.

Abstract: An easy-open end comprising a resin-coated metal plate obtained by coating a metal substrate with a anti-blocking agent-containing biaxially drawn film via a primer, wherein an important feature resides in that the anti-blocking agent in the biaxially drawn film is of a spherical shape having an average particle size of 0.5 to 2.5 ?m and an average particle size ratio (long diameter/short diameter) in a range of 1.0 to 1.2, and is contained at a ratio of 0.05 to 0.5% by weight in the biaxially drawn film. Even without forming a top-coat layer, therefore, the film is not scratched or the forming-tool is not damaged by the anti-blocking agent that adheres and deposits on the forming tool. Besides, the resin coating favorably adheres to the metal plate offering excellent advantage in production and in economy.

Abstract: The present invention offers resin-coated metal plates and methods of making, in which the resin-coated metal plates prevent wicket scars from occurring during processes of varnish, print and dry, and there are few scars on the resin-coated surface, the inner surface side of the can and that have superior corrosion resistance and workability, and drawn cans using these metal plates. Therefore, resin film that is applied to the metal plates, is comprised of two layers of a crystallized saturated polyester resin layer [A] and a layer composed of resin [B] that is comprised of saturated polyester resin (i) and ionomer resin (ii), wherein the layer composed of resin [B] is laminated on the above-mentioned metal plate to tightly contact with it, and on the polar surface of the saturated polyester resin layer that is crystallized [A] a highly crystallized layer (X) is formed. A drawn can is formed using the resin-coated metal plate.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel and excellent agent for treating or preventing dementia, schizophrenia, and the like, based on the serotonin 5-HT5A receptor modulating action. It was confirmed that a bicyclic acylguanidine derivative which has a characteristic structure that guanidine is bonded to one ring of a bicyclic structure such as chromene and dihydronaphthalene through a carbonyl group and a cyclic group is bonded on the other ring, has a potent 5-HT5A receptor modulating action and an excellent pharmacological action based on this mechanism. The present invention is useful as an excellent agent for treating or preventing dementia, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Abstract: The ATP amplification method is a method for amplifying and detecting a very trace amount of exogenous ATP by allowing a fusion protein (PPK-ADK) of a polyphosphate kinase and an adenylate kinase, the fusion protein not containing ADP, to act on a mixture of ATP, AMP, and a polyphosphate compound. Also provided is an ultrasensitive ATP amplification method by which ATP at a single cell level can be amplified and detected, and an ultrasensitive microbial assay based on this ATP amplification method.

Abstract: Provided are an acid addition salt of (+)-2-[(inden-7-yloxy)methyl]morpholine (compound A) and a novel crystal thereof, which are for use as a medicament or a drug substance, and which has high storage stability, particularly high stability against humidity and light. An acid addition salt of the compound A with an acid selected from benzenesulfonic acid and hydrobromic acid is a compound which is isolated in the form of a crystal, is a solid at room temperature, exhibits no hygroscopicity at such a level that causes a problem for use as a medicament or a drug substance, has stability against humidity and light, and is therefore extremely useful as a medicament or a drug substance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for treating nociceptive pain, containing a morpholine derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as an active ingredient. The present invention is useful in providing an excellent pharmaceutical composition for treating nociceptive pain. In addition, the present invention is particularly useful in providing a pharmaceutical composition for treating pain accompanying a disease selected from the group consisting of rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis, osteoarthritis, spondylosis deformans, gouty arthritis, juvenile arthritis, scapulohumeral periarthritis, and cervical syndrome, lumbago, lumbago accompanying spondylosis deformans, menalgia, pain and tumentia after inflammation, operation or injury, pain after odontectomy, and cancer pain. In addition, the present invention is particularly useful for alleviating pain in a damaged cartilage region, and is particularly useful for osteoarthritis in which NSAIDs are not effective.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for immobilizing a target protein to the surface of silicon oxide-containing substance such as glass without modifying the surface of silicon oxide-containing substance by using a protein binding strongly to silicon oxide-containing substance. A protein capable binding strongly to silicon oxide-containing substance such as glass has been found, and thus a target protein can be directly bound and immobilized to the surface of silicon oxide-containing substance via the found protein. In addition, a fusion protein of the found protein and a target protein can be bound and immobilized to silicon oxide-containing substance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method comprising allowing a reaction of a sample, a reagent containing Factor C, which can be activated by binding with endotoxin, and a synthetic luminescent substrate comprising a luminescent substrate bound to a peptide, for release of the luminescent substrate from the synthetic luminescent substrate, allowing a luminescent enzyme to act on the luminescent substrate released in the luminescent substrate release step, for measurement of the luminescence intensity, and quantifying the level of endotoxin in the sample based on a measured value obtained in the luminescence measuring step, the method enabling endotoxin to be simply and quickly measured at a level that cannot be detected in conventional methods for endotoxin measurement, without use of any dedicated measuring device.

Abstract: The ATP amplification method is a method for amplifying and detecting a very trace amount of exogenous ATP by allowing a fusion protein (PPK-ADK) of a polyphosphate kinase and an adenylate kinase, the fusion protein not containing ADP, to act on a mixture of ATP, AMP, and a polyphosphate compound. Also provided is an ultrasensitive ATP amplification method by which ATP at a single cell level can be amplified and detected, and an ultrasensitive microbial assay based on this ATP amplification method.

Abstract: The present invention offers resin-coated metal plates and methods of making, in which the resin-coated metal plates prevent wicket scars from occurring during processes of varnish, print and dry, and there are few scars on the resin-coated surface, the inner surface side of the can and that have superior corrosion resistance and workability, and drawn cans using these metal plates. Therefore, resin film that is applied to the metal plates, is comprised of two layers of a crystallized saturated polyester resin layer [A] and a layer composed of resin [B] that is comprised of saturated polyester resin (i) and ionomer resin (ii), wherein the layer composed of resin [B] is laminated on the above-mentioned metal plate to tightly contact with it, and on the polar surface of the saturated polyester resin layer that is crystallized [A] a highly crystallized layer (X) is formed. A drawn can is formed using the resin-coated metal plate.

Abstract: The ATP amplification method of the present invention is a method for amplifying and detecting a very trace amount of exogenous ATP by allowing a fusion protein (PPK-ADK) of a polyphosphate kinase and an adenylate kinase, the fusion protein not containing ADP, to act on a mixture of ATP, AMP, and a polyphosphate compound. The present invention also provides an ultrasensitive ATP amplification method by which ATP at a single cell level can be amplified and detected, and an ultrasensitive microbial assay based on this ATP amplification method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for purifying a protein, includes the step of: contacting a fusion protein of a first protein and a second protein with a bivalent cation-containing solution, the fusion protein being adsorbed to a silicon oxide-containing substance, the first protein being capable of binding to the silicon oxide-containing substance in a solution containing 0.1M sodium chloride. With this arrangement, it is possible to easily produce large quantity of proteins which are high in purity without sacrificing activity of the proteins.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for immobilizing a target protein to the surface of silicon oxide-containing substance such as glass without modifying the surface of silicon oxide-containing substance by using a protein binding strongly to silicon oxide-containing substance. A protein capable binding strongly to silicon oxide-containing substance such as glass has been found, and thus a target protein can be directly bound and immobilized to the surface of silicon oxide-containing substance via the found protein. In addition, a fusion protein of the found protein and a target protein can be bound and immobilized to silicon oxide-containing substance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prompt and easy asbestos detection method and a method for screening a candidate for an agent aiming at preventing or treating a disease for which asbestos is a causative or worsening factor. It is possible to quickly and easily detect asbestos in a sample by finding a protein capable of binding specifically to asbestos, allowing the protein or a fusion protein of the protein and a reporter protein to bind to asbestos in the sample, and then detecting the protein or the fusion protein having been bound to asbestos. A substance inhibiting the binding of actin to asbestos, which has been found out as a protein capable of binding specifically to asbestos, is a candidate for an agent aiming at preventing or treating a disease for which asbestos is a causative or worsening factor.

Abstract: An easy-open end comprising a resin-coated metal plate obtained by coating a metal substrate with a anti-blocking agent-containing biaxially drawn film via a primer, wherein an important feature resides in that the anti-blocking agent in the biaxially drawn film is of a spherical shape having an average particle size of 0.5 to 2.5 ?m and an average particle size ratio (long diameter/short diameter) in a range of 1.0 to 1.2, and is contained at a ratio of 0.05 to 0.5% by weight in the biaxially drawn film. Even without forming a top-coat layer, therefore, the film is not scratched or the forming-tool is not damaged by the anti-blocking agent that adheres and deposits on the forming tool. Besides, the resin coating favorably adheres to the metal plate offering excellent advantage in production and in economy.

Abstract: A ball marker is provided with a pivotal member (2) that is constituted by a hinged portion (5), a shaft piercing portion (6) and an insertion portion (7) and allowed to pivot, and a main body (3) that allows the pivotal member (2) to be inserted therein and shaft-engaged thereto, and in this structure, when the hinged portion (5) is raised upright on the surface of the main body (3), the insertion portion (7) is also raised upright on the back surface of the main body (3) cooperatively, and when the hinged portion (5) is laid down on the surface of the main body (3), the insertion portion (7) is also laid down on the back surface of the main body (3) cooperatively, so that a housing section used for housing the insertion portion (7) is formed on the back surface of the main body (3); thus, the insertion portion (7) is made virtually flush with the back surface of the main body, with the hinged portion (5) and the insertion (7) portion being laid down.