Abstract: In a method for measuring an analyte, which comprises a reaction step of forming a reaction system including a sample containing whole blood, a first substance carried by a solid carrier and specifically binding to an analyte contained in the sample and a second substance specifically binding to the analyte and allowing the analyte to react with the first and second substances and a measurement step of measuring the formed reaction product, (1) the reaction step is performed in a state that blood cells are not disrupted, and (2) at least the reaction step is performed in the presence of a sufficient amount of a detergent that does not cause hemolysis, does not inhibit reactions of the analyte with the first and second substances specifically binding to the analyte and can prevent influence on the reaction system of a component existing in the reaction system.

Abstract: A method for measuring an analyte in a whole blood sample comprising the steps of (1) bringing the whole blood sample into contact with a first substance which is carried on an insoluble carrier and specifically binds to the analyte to be measured and a second substance which is labeled with an alkaline phosphatase and specifically binds to the analyte to be measured, and (2) measuring a resulting complex on the basis of an enzyme reaction of the alkaline phosphatase, the measuring step (2) being carried out in the presence of an inhibitor of endogenous alkaline phosphatases, is disclosed.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge for automatic measurement used in an automatic measuring device, capable of automatically performing measurement including heat treatment of a sample, and a measuring device using the cartridge. The present invention relates to a cartridge for use in measuring a component to be measured contained in a sample, comprising: at least a heat-treatment well for performing heat treatment of the sample; and a reaction well for reacting the component to be measured in the sample with a material specifically reacting therewith.

Abstract: In a method for measuring an analyte, which comprises a reaction step of forming a reaction system including a sample containing whole blood, a first substance carried by a solid carrier and specifically binding to an analyte contained in the sample and a second substance specifically binding to the analyte and allowing the analyte to react with the first and second substances and a measurement step of measuring the formed reaction product, (1) the reaction step is performed in a state that blood cells are not disrupted, and (2) at least the reaction step is performed in the presence of a sufficient amount of a detergent that does not cause hemolysis, does not inhibit reactions of the analyte with the first and second substances specifically binding to the analyte and can prevent influence on the reaction system of a component existing in the reaction system.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge for automatic measurement used for an automatic measuring instrument capable of being used for measuring a plurality of kinds of items to be analyzed requiring different dilutions in a sample without substantially increasing a measuring time even when these items are measured concurrently in an instrument having only mechanisms simplified as much as possible, and a measuring method using this cartridge.

Abstract: A complex molded body of carbon nanotubes includes a matrix and carbon nanotubes arranged in a given direction in the matrix. The matrix is at least one organic polymer selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, rubber, and thermoplastic elastomer. The complex molded body is produced by a method comprising the step of: providing a composition that includes a matrix and carbon nanotubes; applying a magnetic field to the composition to arrange the carbon nanotubes in a given direction; and hardening the composition to produce a complex molded body. The complex molded body has excellent anisotropy in terms of electrical property, thermal property, and mechanical property.

Abstract: The inhaler has a medicine atomizing means 10, a nozzle 12 for discharging medicine atomized by said medicine atomizing means 10, and a gripping casing 14. Said casing 14 has a small-diametered cylindrical section 14a, a large-diametered cylindrical section 14b, and a bottom 14c, and is formed so as to have a bottom with its upper end side open. Furthermore, the same has a roughly gourd-shaped cross-section which connects said small-diametered cylindrical section 14a and said large-diametered cylindrical section 14b at the side thereof. Said medicine atomizing means 10 is incorporated in the large-diametered cylindrical section 14b side of the casing 14, and has a piezoelectric vibrator 10a and a vibration liquid.

Abstract: A switch 70 is provided between the gripping casing of an atomizer and the cover thereof. Said switch 70 has a switch accommodating section 72 secured at the cover member 16, a switch operating section 74 protruding on the inner circumferential face of said cover, and a switch body 76 accommodated in said switch accommodating section 72. Said switch accommodating section 72 is formed to be square-tubular with both the ends thereof open, said switch operating section 74 is provided at the switch accommodating section 72 corresponding to the position thereof, and a waterproof cover 78 which is able to cover the outer circumference of the switch accommodating section 72 is provided at the lower end of the switch operating section 74. Said switch body 76 has a constantly open type switch mechanism 76a having a pair of contacts spaced from each other in a constant state, a rod 76b interlocked with the switch mechanism 76a and a spring 76c which presses the rod 76b upward.

Abstract: In order to produce a new substance having a diamond crystal structure, the following steps are taken in order. First, a graphite-like substance is prepared which contains boron (B), carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) as main elements. Then, the graphite-like substance is mixed with a metal powder to produce a mixture. Then, a pressure is applied to the mixture to produce a molded body, and then an explosion pressure is applied to the molded body.

Abstract: There are disclosed a hybridoma obtained by fusing a myeloma cell with an anti-thymosin .alpha.1 antibody-producing cell and selecting a hybridoma which produces a monoclonal antibody that recognizes the N-terminus of thymosin .alpha.1; an anti-thymosin .alpha.1 monoclonal antibody which is produced by the hybridoma, and a method for measuring thymosin .alpha.1 which comprises forming a three-component complex comprising thymosin .alpha.1, the anti-thymosin .alpha.1 monoclonal antibody (A), and an anti-thymosin .alpha.1 antibody (B) that recognizes a different site of thymosin .alpha.1 than antibody (A) does; forming a four-component complex of said three- component complex with a labeled substance (C) that specifically binds to antibody (A) or antibody (B) of the three-component complex; and detecting the labeled substance in said four-component complex.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for linearly pressurizing a cuff, affixed to the limb of a patient, with gas from a liquified gas tank, monitoring Korotkoff sounds that appear and disappear during cuff pressurization to ascertain approximate systolic and diastolic blood pressures as cuff pressurization is in process, halting pressurization at a point slightly higher than the approximate systolic blood pressure and then immediately depressurizing the cuff at a regulated rate to actually measure and determine true systolic blood pressure. Following the determination of systolic blood pressure, the cuff is depressurized at a rapid rate down to a point slightly higher than the approximate diastolic blood pressure and is then depressurized again at the regulated rate again to actually measure and determine true diastolic blood pressure.