Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a method for detecting pancreatic cancer and a reagent that can be used for the method. The method is a method for detecting pancreatic cancer, characterized by comprising measuring the amount of TFPI2 in a body fluid collected from a subject. In addition, an antibody that specifically recognizes the TFPI2 processing polypeptide and intact TFPI2 is included in the reagent for detecting pancreatic cancer.

Abstract: An arithmetic operation device includes a performance calculation unit that is configured to calculate performance of a plant before introduction of a part and the performance of the plant after the introduction of the part for each of combinations of a plurality of loads in the plant and a plurality of atmospheric temperatures around the plant, a storage unit that is configured to store a data table indicating a percentage of an operating time of the plant for each of the combinations, and a performance improvement calculation unit that is configured to calculate, on the basis of a calculation result in the performance calculation unit and the data table, how much the performance of the plant is improved compared with the performance before the introduction of the part in a case where the part is introduced and the plant is operated at the percentage indicated by the data table.

Abstract: Disclosed are cyanoacrylate polymer particles which comprise an amino acid(s) and have an average particle diameter of less than 1000 nm. The amino acid-containing particles according to the present invention can kill cancer cells by inducing apoptosis-like cell death. The particles have an especially high affinity for cell lines derived from lymphomas such as T-cell lymphoma and B-cell lymphoma. The particles can also exhibit an antiproliferative effect against some kinds of pancreatic cancer-derived cell lines. Therefore, the particles according to the present invention are useful for prevention and/or treatment of cancers.

Abstract: Disclosed are cyanoacrylate polymer particles which comprise an amino acid(s) and have an average particle diameter of less than 1000 nm. The amino acid-containing particles according to the present invention can kill cancer cells by inducing apoptosis-like cell death. The particles have an especially high affinity for cell lines derived from lymphomas such as T-cell lymphoma and B-cell lymphoma. The particles can also exhibit an antiproliferative effect against some kinds of pancreatic cancer-derived cell lines. Therefore, the particles according to the present invention are useful for prevention and/or treatment of cancers.

Abstract: An erect movable objective lens type optical microscope includes a frame, an observation optical portion having an objective lens, a stage portion, a moving mechanism, and a vibration synchronizing mechanism. The observation optical portion is movably provided on the frame, and the stage portion is fixedly provided on the frame. The stage portion includes a specimen moving stage, and a stationary stage adapted to receive a manipulator for manipulating a specimen provided on the specimen moving stage. The moving mechanism is provided on the frame for moving the observation optical portion and the stage portion relative to each other, and the vibration synchronizing mechanism is provided for synchronizing a vibration system of the stationary stage and a vibration system of the specimen moving stage.

Abstract: An optical system switching apparatus for a reflected fluorescence microscope including a first turret having a plurality of first windows which are formed at an equal distance from a rotation center axis and on which absorption filters are mounted, a second turret having a plurality of second windows which are formed at an equal distance from the rotation center axis and on which excitation filters are mounted, a third turret having a plurality of mounting portions which are formed at an equal distance from the third rotation center axis and on which dichroic mirrors are mounted. The first to third turrets are assembled to be rotatable independently of each other, for optically aligning an arbitrary one of the excitation filters an arbitrary one of the dichroic mirrors, and an arbitrary one of the absorption filters at respective rotational positions.

Abstract: An inverted-design microscope provided with a micromanipulator so as to be movable along the optical axis in interlocking with the movement of the objective lens for focusing pricking in order that the micromanipulator may be operated minutely and simply on an object to be observed without preventing the illuminating system from being attached, detached, replaced or switched. The micromanipulator is so formed as to be able to prick the object along the optical axis of the objective lens in such a manner that the tip part of a stylus of the micromanipulator is always arranged slightly above a focus position of the objective lens.

Abstract: An inverted-design microscope provided with a micromanipulator so as to be movable along the optical axis in interlocking with the movement of the objective lens for focusing and pricing in order that the micromanipulator may be operated minutely and simply on an object to be observed without preventing the illuminating system from being attached, detached, replaced or switched. The micromanipulator is so formed as to be able to prick the object along the optical axis of the objective lens in such a manner that the tip part of a stylus of the micromanipulator is always arranged slightly above a focus position of the objective lens.

Abstract: A multiple-purpose microscope comprising: a stage for placing a specimen; a revolver for carrying a plurality of objective lenses; a differential interference unit mounted adjacent to the revolver so as to be moved into and out of a path of light beam; and two dichroic mirror units for reflecting fluorescence mounted so as to be moved into and out of the path of a light beam, whereby enabling its user to perform various different types of microscope examinations by a simplified examination mode changeover operation. The dichroic mirror unit for reflecting fluorescence is comprised of a dichroic mirror, an exciting filter and a barrier filter.

Abstract: A micromanipulator for an inverted design microscope comprises a needle carrier disposed between a stage and a condenser lens of the microscope for carrying a glass needle in the direction of an optical axis. It also includes a centering mechanism which causes a displacement of the glass needle in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis, a hydraulic drive mechanism disposed on the upper surface of the stage for supporting the needle carrier to cause a vertical movement of the glass needle carried by the carrier along the optical axis, and a hydraulic operator connected to the hydraulic drive mechanism through a hydraulic transmission tube.

Abstract: An inverted-design optical microscope wherein, in order to lower the level of stage and the total height of a microscope body and to simplify the switching operation between an observing light path and photographing light paths, a second optical means for leading a light from an object to be inspected to the observing light path is arranged below a first optical means for leading said light alternatively to a plurality of phtographing light paths, the second optical means and first optical means are arranged respectively as fixed and movably, and a plurality of optical elements forming the first optical means and so many focusing mirrors are moved integrally by a single operating handle.

Abstract: A heater for microscopes for heating a sample and maintaining the sample, which is mounted on a platform of the microscope, at a preset temperature during observation of the sample. The heater includes a platform for supporting thereon a sample container and a heater for heating at least part of the platform. A first heater box is fitted, open end down, over the platform and is connected thereto to form a first space which surrounds the sample container. A second heater box is then fitted over the first heater box in such a manner that a second space which surrounds the first heater box is formed. Heater means are provided for heating the second space. Accordingly, the temperatures in the first space and in the second space can be controlled independently to achieve better control over the temperature of the sample which is to be observed and to control condensation which may otherwise form in the sample holding container.

Abstract: An inverted-design microscope wherein, in order to make an effective micro-operation and microscope observation possible and to make it easy to set and replace system accessories and samples to be observed, holding means capable of holding a plurality of accessory devices together are mounted rotatably respectively a plane vertical to an optical axis and a plane parallel with the optical axis above a stage. The holding means are mounted so as to be movable in parallel with the optical axis by a manual operation.

Abstract: A turret wherein, in order that the assembly may be easy and a turret board may be stopped accurately in a predetermined position, the turret board provided with a plurality of notches is connected with a driving plate so as to be relatively rotatable in a slight range and the driving plate is so made as to be stopped by the cooperation of incisions provided in response to the respective notches in the turret board with a detecting element or the cooperation of a locking member with the detecting element just after the locking member engages with one of the notches. The detecting element is such photoelectric element as a photointerrupter.

Abstract: An electronic clock movement structure in which pressure to the contact plates by attachment of the upper case to the lower case does not electrically connect the contact plates with the circuit base plate but also holdingly attaches the gear train combination to the lower case.