Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for measuring the cell concentration in a sample, comprising the following steps: (1) measuring the concentrations of cells in standard samples each having a known concentration using a flow cytometer; (2) preparing a calibration curve based on the values measured in step (1) and the known concentrations; (3) measuring the concentration of cells in a sample having an unknown concentration using a flow cytometer; and (4) determining the concentration of cells from the value measured in step (3) based on the calibration curve prepared in step (2).

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for supplying dietary fiber to food and drink and/or for improving quality of food and drink, which includes a partially hydrolyzed substance of glucomannan. This partially hydrolyzed substance of glucomannan has a viscosity in a 1% aqueous solution which is in a range of 1,000 to 10,000 mPa·s and a weight average molecular weight which is in a range of 100,000 to 800,000. Because an aqueous solution thereof is lowly viscous, not only the composition can be added to food and drink, in a comparatively high concentration, but also upon adding the composition to an emulsified food such as an ice cream, even by heating, a shape of the food before heating can be retained.

Abstract: A sustained release solid dosage preparation is provided comprising an active ingredient admixed with an excipient. At least part of the excipient consists of glucomannan microparticles having an average particle size less than 50 ?m. The glucomannan microparticles forms, when absorbing water, a hydrogel matrix for the active ingredient capable releasing the active ingredient almost entirely up about 6 hours.

Abstract: A sustained release solid dosage preparation is provided comprising an active ingredient admixed with an excipient. At least part of the excipient consists of glucomannan microparticles having an average particle size less than 50 ?m. The glucomannan microparticles forms, when absorbing water, a hydrogel matrix for the active ingredient capable releasing the active ingredient almost entirely up about 6 hours.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a means and a method whereby a molecule for DNA detection at an elevated accuracy can be provided, different form the existing DNA detection system with the use of a molecular beacon. A molecular beacon wherein fluorescent organic groups capable of forming an excimer are bonded to the 3? and 5? ends of a single-stranded oligonucleotide to be hybridizable with a subject oligonucleotide and the switching of monomer emission/excimer emission is utilized; and a method of detecting SNP by using this molecular beacon.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a dietary fiber composition containing Amorphophallus konjac as an ingredient for an easy-to-take functional food, a controlled-release drug or the like, and it is obtained by adding and mixing water in Amorphophallus konjac with an average molecular weight of 50,000 or more purified using an alcohol from a matter in which starch is separated and removed from a tuber of Amorphophallus konjac plant and an inclusion agent which suppresses a water-absorbing property of Amorphophallus konjac. Further, it can also be obtained by adding and mixing water in one or more members selected from polysaccharide thickeners consisting of Amorphophallus konjac, seed coat of Plantago ovata (psyllium), carrageenan, xanthan gum, curdlan, pectin, gum Arabic, chitin, chitosan, guar gum, gellan gum, tara gum, tamarind gum, tragacanth gum and pullulan and an inclusion agent which suppresses a water-absorbing property of the polysaccharide thickeners.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a means and a method whereby a molecule for DNA detection at an elevated accuracy can be provided, different form the existing DNA detection system with the use of a molecular beacon. A molecular beacon wherein fluorescent organic groups capable of forming an excimer are bonded to the 3? and 5? ends of a single-stranded oligonucleotide to be hybridizable with a subject oligonucleotide and the switching of monomer emission/excimer emission is utilized; and a method of detecting SNP by using this molecular beacon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mashed potato that permits ingestion as much as that adaptable to fully demonstrate functional properties of konjak mannan to be attained, and is rich in water retentiveness, shape maintainability and flavors or tastes etc. The mashed potato according to the present invention is characterized in that addition of konjak mannan containing not less than 50% by weight of konjak mannan components to mashed potato dough is required, and no addition of a coagulant is required. An average particle size of the konjak mannan is not more than 177 ?m. A blend of about 100 or more parts by weight of water per one part by weight of konjak mannan is prepared, and the amount of konjak mannan added is in the range of 0.2 to 30% by weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a body weight reduction method by ingestion of glucomannan, in which a diet effect is realized with safety without being affected in one's body or health. The method of the present invention permits a reduction in body weight of one whose Body Mass Index (BMI) is high by giving, to the above one within 40 minutes before each meal, a diet food mainly containing glucomannan obtained through extraction from an arum root, specifically, glucomannan having an average molecular weight of 50,000 or more. The above diet food contains 50% or more of the glucomannan, and an intake of the diet food is preferably within the range of 3.5 g to 8.0 g per day. The Body Mass Index (BMI) of one supposed to take in the diet food is limited to 23 or more.

Abstract: A method of preventing inter-foodstuff migration of water and a coloring matter in combining more than two foodstuffs is provided, wherein, in preparation of foods obtainable by direct combination of more than one foodstuff at least including one foodstuff containing either or both of water and the coloring matter, a water/coloring matter migration-proof agent in the form of sol or gel consisting of thickening polysaccharide or a mixture of thickening polysaccharide, oils-and-fats, and water-insoluble food fibers is interposed between one foodstuff containing the water or the coloring matter and the other contacting the one foodstuff. The thickening polysaccharide may be arum root or glucomannan in the form of sol or dissolved-in-water of refined flour or pasted glucomannan. The water/coloring matter migration-proof agent may be a mixture of a coagulating agent and a substrate consisting of arum root or glucomannan in the form of powder, sol or dissolved-in-water, or pasted glucomannan.

Abstract: In a display device, a display surface portion includes a light emitting area on which a plurality of light emitting devices are arranged, and a nonluminous area formed on spaces among the arranged light emitting devices on the display surface portion. The nonluminous area is formed with a nonluminous image and the nonluminous image is displayed on the nonluminous area in color. An emission unit for selectively causing at least one of the light emitting elements to emit light so as to display an image on the display surface portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is an IgE antibody inhibitor containing glucomannan. Also disclosed is an IgE antibody inhibitory food containing glucomannan.

Abstract: An immunosuppressive agent and food, which can prevent type I allergic diseases, autoimmune diseases, rejections in organ transplant and improve morbid states even when these diseases are induced, and which are safe and easy to intake. The immunosuppressive agent and food contain a fine powder of a hydrophilic polysaccharide. Preferably, the fine powder of hydrophilic polysaccharide is in the form of glucomannan which is refined konjak flour, has a dietary fiber content of 90% or more, and is easily soluble in water. For making the glucomannan into an easily water-soluble state, it is preferably subjected to a pulverization treatment. Preferably, the glucomannan subjected to the pulverization treatment has a weight average molecular weight of 1,000,000 or more and an average particle diameter of 100 &mgr;m or less, and a period of time until 1% aqueous solution thereof reaches the viscosity peak at room temperature is within 30 minutes. As a fort, powder, capsule, tablet, pill or granule may be mentioned.

Abstract: Disclosed is an IgE antibody inhibitor containing glucomannan. Also disclosed is an IgE antibody inhibitory food containing glucomannan.

Abstract: In a display device, a display surface portion includes a light emitting area on which a plurality of light emitting devices are arranged, and a nonluminous area formed on spaces among the arranged light emitting devices on the display surface portion. The nonluminous area is formed with a nonluminous image and the nonluminous image is displayed on the nonluminous area in color. An emission unit for selectively causes at least one of the light emitting elements to emit light so as to display an image on the display surface portion.

Abstract: The fire extinguishing and smoke eliminating apparatus using water mist, including a water mist nozzle for spraying fine water particles with a designated particle diameter suitable for smoke generated from different types of objects existing in a section indicating a designated range of a fire extinguishing and smoke eliminating object or different types of smoke itself.

Abstract: A docking station box for functional expansion of portable electronic equipment that has a table with a vertically upstanding back wall to which is mounted a part of a connector corresponding to a connector part of the electronic equipment. The box includes at least one hook that is moved from a position below the table to one above the table to engage the electronic equipment to mount it securely thereon. The docking station box also includes a mechanism for thrusting the electronic equipment away from the position in which the connector parts of the box and the electronic equipment are engaged.

Abstract: A customer data processing system includes a host computer for managing customer data and a plurality of processors interconnected with the host computer through telecommunications lines. The host computer has a first storage unit for storing customer data and a customer data batch extracting unit for extracting customer data with a high frequency of use out of the customer data stored therein and for transmitting the extracted customer data in a batch to the processors at predetermined times. Each processor has a second storage unit for storing the customer data fed in a batch from the host computer and local updating unit for updating customer data stored in the second storage unit when a transaction with a customer is concluded. Each processor also has a remote updating unit for updating customer data stored in the host computer through the telecommunications line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fabrics having a special structure, methods of producing the fabrics, and various articles including clothes comprising such fabric. Specifically, the fabrics of the invention are characterized in that many narrow strips forming an overlapping structure are combined together so that each overlap between adjacent narrow strips provides an opening in the width direction of the strips. The methods of producing the fabrics are characterized in that narrow strips are put one on top of another while slightly shifting the positions thereof to form an overlapping structure, followed by combining the adjacent narrow strips while maintaining the overlap. Where used as material for clothes, for instance, these fabrics produce clothes that prevent the skin of the wearer from being exposed directly to sunlight and rain and have unique features including a high fashionability and a high air permeability ensuring a good ventilation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for producing nonwoven fabrics. Generally, in production of nonwoven fabrics, in order to obtain a nonwoven fabric with a wide width, it has been impossible to obtain a uniform nonwoven fabric unless a large number of spinnerets ejecting fibers are installed in the width direction of the nonwoven fabric. The present invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for producing nonwoven fabrics capable of easily increasing the width of the fabric even when only few spinnerets are used.