Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting lipid absorption through the small intestine, which comprises administering a compound having a CETP inhibitory activity to an administration subject, and an inhibitor of lipid absorption through the small intestine characterized in that it comprises a compound having a CETP inhibitory activity as an active ingredient. The lipid absorption inhibitor of the present invention can prevent and/or treat diseases such as for example hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis, coronary artery diseases, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome by inhibiting lipid absorption through the small intestine.

Abstract: A method of monitoring cell culture which comprises digitizing an image of cultured cells inputted to an image processing equipment through a TV camera connected with an observing means and measuring the number and cell proliferation of cultured cells by a processing with using a spatial filter, can treat a large amount of cells in a short time and give a precise number of the cells.

Abstract: A method of detecting undesired microorganisms when cells are cultured in a light permeable container is disclosed. TV camera monitors the image of a well containing microorganisms through a microscope. The output of the TV camera is processed by a picture digital processor so as to count the number of cultured living cells. On the other hand, change of the light absorption of the visible light by the cultured solution is measured. Then the number of undesired microorganisms can be calculated by the number of the living cells and change of the light absorption.