Abstract: A method for detecting a cardiac failure patient is provided. The method comprises (1) measuring a value of CKAP4 in a blood sample collected from a subject; (2) comparing the measured value of CKAP4 with a predetermined standard value; and (3) determining the subject as being a cardiac failure patient when the measured value of CKAP4 in the blood sample of the subject is lower than the predetermined standard value.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a biomarker for diabetes, which is not affected by a meal or the like, and is hardly metabolized during storage after blood collection. In addition, it is an object to provide a method of detecting the presence or absence of activation of immunoglobulin-producing cells in a diabetic patient. The concentrations of a kappa chain and a lambda chain, which are included in free immunoglobulin light chains, are measured, and when the ratio of the concentration of the kappa chain to the concentration of the lambda chain, or the absolute value of a difference between the concentration of the kappa chain and the concentration of the lambda chain is lower than a threshold value, it is determined that diabetes is present and immunoglobulin-producing cells are activated.

Abstract: A method for detecting a cardiac failure patient is provided. The method comprises (1) measuring a value of CKAP4 in a blood sample collected from a subject; (2) comparing the measured value of CKAP4 with a predetermined standard value; and (3) determining the subject as being a cardiac failure patient when the measured value of CKAP4 in the blood sample of the subject is lower than the predetermined standard value.

Abstract: The invention relates to the following methods [1] to [3] and to a kit for carrying out the methods: [1] a method for detecting heart disease, characterized in that the method comprises determining a free immunoglobulin kappa light chain level and/or a free immunoglobulin lambda light chain level of a specimen and comparing at least one value of the kappa chain level, the lambda chain level, and a kappa/lambda ratio with that of a healthy subject; [2] a method for detecting a complication of viral infection in a patient with heart disease, characterized in that the method comprises determining a free immunoglobulin kappa light chain level and/or a free immunoglobulin lambda light chain level of a specimen and comparing at least one value of the kappa chain level, the lambda chain level, and a kappa/lambda ratio with that of a healthy subject; [3] A method for detecting severity of heart disease, characterized in that the method comprises determining a free immunoglobulin kappa light chain level and/or a free

Abstract: To provide a therapeutic agent for viral myocarditis and viral myocarditis-related viral diseases by treating the occurrence of cell damage in various organs regardless of the type of virus. A therapeutic agent for viral myocarditis and viral myocarditis-related viral diseases is provided that has as an active ingredient 2-[4-(dipehnylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]-acetic acid, amide derivative, individual optical isomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a pharmaceutical composition for the prophylaxis or treatment, irrespective of the kind of virus, of viral myocarditis or viral diseases induced by viral myocarditis, by the treatment or prevention of the onset of cytotoxicity in various organs, and a method of the prophylaxis or treatment. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the prophylaxis or treatment of viral myocarditis or viral diseases induced by viral myocarditis, which contains 2-amino-2-(2-(4-octylphenyl)ethyl)propane-1,3-diol or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient. The present invention further relates to a method for the prophylaxis or treatment of viral myocarditis or viral diseases induced by viral myocarditis, which includes administering an effective amount of the aforementioned compound or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to the following methods [1] to [3] and to a kit for carrying out the methods: [1] a method for detecting heart disease, characterized in that the method comprises determining a free immunoglobulin kappa light chain level and/or a free immunoglobulin lambda light chain level of a specimen and comparing at least one value of the kappa chain level, the lambda chain level, and a kappa/lambda ratio with that of a healthy subject; [2] a method for detecting a complication of viral infection in a patient with heart disease, characterized in that the method comprises determining a free immunoglobulin kappa light chain level and/or a free immunoglobulin lambda light chain level of a specimen and comparing at least one value of the kappa chain level, the lambda chain level, and a kappa/lambda ratio with that of a healthy subject; [3] A method for detecting severity of heart disease, characterized in that the method comprises determining a free immunoglobulin kappa light chain level and/or a fre

Abstract: The invention relates to the following methods [1] to [3] and to a kit for carrying out the methods: [1] a method for detecting heart disease, characterized in that the method comprises determining a free immunoglobulin kappa light chain level and/or a free immunoglobulin lambda light chain level of a specimen and comparing at least one value of the kappa chain level, the lambda chain level, and a kappa/lambda ratio with that of a healthy subject; [2] a method for detecting a complication of viral infection in a patient with heart disease, characterized in that the method comprises determining a free immunoglobulin kappa light chain level and/or a free immunoglobulin lambda light chain level of a specimen and comparing at least one value of the kappa chain level, the lambda chain level, and a kappa/lambda ratio with that of a healthy subject; [3] A method for detecting severity of heart disease, characterized in that the method comprises determining a free immunoglobulin kappa light chain level and/or a free

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, a preventive agent for and a prevention method for HCV infection, a method for treating HCV infection, and a method for screening anti-HCV drug candidates. The HCV diagnostic method of the present invention comprises the detection of HCV proteins present in leukocytes. The preventive agent for HCV infection comprises an antibody against HCV proteins as an active component. The method for treating HCV infection comprises performing leukopheresis or reduction therapy on an HCV-infected patient. Further, the method for screening anti-HCV drug candidates comprises selecting, from test substances, a substance that is able to inhibit HCV infection in monocytes or is able to reduce the amount of HCV antigens to HCV-infected monocytes.

Abstract: The present invention is related to provide a therapeutic drug for heart diseases and viral diseases. The invention provides a therapeutic drug for heart diseases and viral diseases, comprising a free immunoglobulin light chain or a constitutive polypeptide thereof as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The invention relates to the following methods [1] to [3] and to a kit for carrying out the methods: [1] a method for detecting heart disease, characterized in that the method comprises determining a free immunoglobulin kappa light chain level and/or a free immunoglobulin lambda light chain level of a specimen and comparing at least one value of the kappa chain level, the lambda chain level, and a kappa/lambda ratio with that of a healthy subject; [2] a method for detecting a complication of viral infection in a patient with heart disease, characterized in that the method comprises determining a free immunoglobulin kappa light chain level and/or a free immunoglobulin lambda light chain level of a specimen and comparing at least one value of the kappa chain level, the lambda chain level, and a kappa/lambda ratio with that of a healthy subject; [3] A method for detecting severity of heart disease, characterized in that the method comprises determining a free immunoglobulin kappa light chain level and/or a fre

Abstract: To provide a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for viral myocarditis and viral myocarditis-related viral diseases by preventing or treating the occurrence of cell damage in various organs regardless of the type of virus. A prophylactic or therapeutic agent for viral myocarditis and via myocarditis-related via diseases is provided that comprises as an active ingredient 2-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]-acetic acid, amide derivative, individual optical isomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a pharmaceutical composition for the prophylaxis or treatment, irrespective of the kind of virus, of viral myocarditis or viral diseases induced by viral myocarditis, by the treatment or prevention of the onset of cytotoxicity in various organs, and a method of the prophylaxis or treatment. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the prophylaxis or treatment of viral myocarditis or viral diseases induced by viral myocarditis, which contains 2-amino-2-(2-(4-octylphenyl)ethyl)propane-1,3-diol or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient. The present invention further relates to a method for the prophylaxis or treatment of viral myocarditis or viral diseases induced by viral myocarditis, which includes administering an effective amount of the aforementioned compound or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition for modulating immunity, which comprises a benzimidazole, represented by the following general formula (I), a 3H tautomer, an optically active enantiomer or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition salt thereof wherein, R represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a hydroxyphenyl group or a methoxyphenyl group.

Abstract: A method for prevention or treating myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment a NF-&kgr;B inhibitor in a therapeutically effective amount, wherein said NF-&kgr;B inhibitor is a benzoquinone derivative represented by the following formula (I): wherein R1, R2 and R3 are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbons or an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbons; R4 is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxymethyl group, an alkyl group, or a carboxyl group which is optionally esterified or amidated; Z is and n is an integer from 0 to 6, or its hydroquinone form, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is provided.

Abstract: A method for measuring hemodynamics of an experimental animal enabling repeated measurements, the method comprising the following steps: (i) ligating at least two parts of an artery, between which a part to be incised is located, of the experimental animal, the parts comprising at least one proximal ligated part and at least one distal ligated part, and then incising a part between the ligated parts; (ii) inserting through the incised part a blood pressure-volume simultaneously measuring catheter provided with multiple conductance electrodes and at least one pressure sensor; (iii) loosening the distal ligated part so as to allow an insertion of the catheter and not to cause bleeding in the opened part; (iv) further inserting the catheter so as to introduce the multiple conductance electrodes and the pressure sensor(s) into the heart ventricle; and (v) simultaneously measuring pressure and volume of the heart.

Abstract: A method for measuring hemodynamics of an experimental animal enabling repeated measurements, the method comprising the following steps:

Abstract: Disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition for modulating immunity, which comprises a benzimidazole, represented by the following general formula (I), a 3H tautomer, an optically active enantiomer or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition salt thereof wherein, R represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a hydroxyphenyl group or a methoxyphenyl group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of cardiac disease resulting from a viral infection of the cardiac tissue with human hepatitis C virus or EMC virus comprising administering an antiviral agent to a subject. The antiviral agent is useful in the treatment of myocarditis and cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting and diagnosing myocardial infarction which detects myocardial infarction by immunoassay using a monoclonal antibody having specific reactivity for human hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) as obtained by using human HGF as immunogen as well as a disganostic agent for myocardial infarction which comprises, as essential component thereof, the monoclonal antibody mentioned above. The method of the present invention makes it possible to detect and diagnose patients with myocardial infarction.