Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid-polysaccharide complex that is highly stable and has reduced cytotoxicity in a high yield. That is, the present invention provides a nucleic acid-polysaccharide complex of an antisense DNA having polydeoxyadenine (dA) as a polysaccharide binding site and a polysaccharide having a ?-1,3-glucan skeleton wherein at least part of phosphodiester links of the polydeoxyadenine is phosphorothioated (provided that the phosphodiester links of the antisense DNA and the polydeoxyadenine are not entirely phosphorothioated).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a highly stable nucleic acid-polysaccharide complex of an siRNA and schizophyllan. A nucleic acid-polysaccharide complex is formed by adding polydeoxyadenine in which at least part of the phosphodiester link portion is phosphorothioated to an siRNA and allowing the siRNA and schizophyllan to form a complex.

Abstract: In a conventional compressor, since a motor and a mechanical section of the compressor are disposed in one and the same closed container, the motor is exposed to high-temperature coolant and heated, and the efficiency of the motor is lowered. Further, during the operation of the compressor, the coolant circulating in the refrigerating cycle conveys additional heat generated by the motor coil. Thus the efficiency of the refrigerating cycle is lowered. The compressor according to the present invention includes a compression chamber divided into a closed chamber and an open chamber separated by a magnetic induction plate from each other. The closed chamber is filled with high temperature and pressure coolant and the rotor of the motor is disposed in the closed chamber, and the stator of the motor is disposed in the open chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gene carrier composed of a hydrogen-bonding polymer having a polymer chain with hydrogen-bonding sites formed on the polymer chain, in which the polymer chain has a conformation similar to the conformation of a nucleic acid, and particularly, the polymer chain has helix parameters similar to the helix parameters of a nucleic acid of a helix structure. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrogen-bonding polymer is composed of ?-1,3-glucan such as schizophyllan. The carrier can be expected to be applied as a vector and a separator for nucleic acids because it is capable of interacting with a nucleic acid to form a complex with the nucleic acid and thus carrying the nucleic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gene carrier composed of a hydrogen-bonding polymer having a polymer chain with hydrogen-bonding sites formed on the polymer chain, in which the polymer chain has a conformation similar to the conformation of a nucleic acid, and particularly, the polymer chain has helix parameters similar to the helix parameters of a nucleic acid of a helix structure. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrogen-bonding polymer is composed of ?-1,3-glucan such as schizophyllan. The carrier can be expected to be applied as a vector and a separator for nucleic acids because it is capable of interacting with a nucleic acid to form a complex with the nucleic acid and thus carrying the nucleic acid.

Abstract: A microphone unit (1) has a first vibration plate. A support member (6) supports the microphone unit (1). A second vibration plate (5) is fixed to the support member (6) at a predetermined distance from the first vibration plate. An armoring body (2) covers the microphone unit (1), the support member (6) and the second vibration plate (5). A space surrounded by the support member (6), the first vibration plate and the second vibration plate (5) is a closed space (S1) with air kept therein.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide novel double-stranded RNA having an RNA interference effect, in which the cellular uptake and the resistance to enzymatic degradation are improved, without reducing the RNA interference effect.

Abstract: A scroll compressor is constructed by combining a stationary scroll and an orbiting scroll formed by erecting a scroll-shape wrap upright on a base plate meshing with each other. A scroll member constructing the stationary scroll or the orbiting scroll is constructed of an inner layer member 601 forming a core metal and an outer layer member 600 arranged so as to surround the inner layer member and forming an outer layer part, the inner layer member is constructed of a material with higher modulus of elasticity than that of the outer layer member, and separation prevention parts (uneven parts 603, depressions 604, or holes 605) preventing the inner layer member and the outer layer member from separating with each other due to difference in coefficient of thermal expansion thereof are arranged in the inner layer member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a complex which comprises a carbon nanotube and a modified polysaccharide having a backbone chain with the side thereof being introduced with monosaccharide or oligosaccharide residues. The polysaccharide is preferably ?-1,3-glucan. The complex is prepared by admixing a solution of the modified polysaccharide dissolved in an aprotic polar solvent or a strong alkali solution with an aqueous dispersion of the carbon nanotube, and incubating the mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new type of immunostimulating agent including an immunostimulating oligonucleotide complexed with a carrier which is safe and has a high transfection effect. The carrier complexed with the immunostimulating oligonucleotide to form the immunostimulating agent is a polysaccharide having ?-1,3-bonds (preferably ?-1,3-glucan such as schizophyllan). A preferred example of the immunostimulating oligonucleotide is one containing an unmethylated CpG motif. The polysaccharide for use is preferably modified with nucleic acid-binding functional group and/or cell membrane-affinitive functional group.

Abstract: Disclosed are gene carriers utilizing ?-1,3-glucan and methods of preparing the same. The ?-1,3-glucan has at least one 1,6-glucopyranoside branch and is chemically modified through periodate oxidation and reductive amination so as to impart nucleic acid-binding functional groups (for example, cationic functional groups) to at least some of the 1,6-glucopyranoside branches thereof. Triple helix ?-1,3-glucan is dissolved in a polar organic solvent to form single-stranded ?-1,3-glucan. By replacing, in the presence of a nucleic acid, the polar organic solvent for the solution containing the chemically modified single-stranded ?-1,3-glucan by water, a complex (gene carrier) is formed in which the nucleic acid is bound to double-stranded ?-1,3-glucan.

Abstract: A microphone unit (1) has a first vibration plate. A support member (6) supports the microphone unit (1). A second vibration plate (5) is fixed to the support member (6) at a predetermined distance from the first vibration plate. An armoring body (2) covers the microphone unit (1), the support member (6) and the second vibration plate (5). A space surrounded by the support member (6), the first vibration plate and the second vibration plate (5) is a closed space (S1) with air kept therein.

Abstract: A scroll fluid machine is configured by engaging a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll having spiral bodies formed on base plates. A seal member is provided between a rear surface of the orbiting scroll and a frame member arranged opposite thereto to divide a rear side chamber into an inner space and an outer space. The inner space inside the seal member is subjected to a pressure substantially corresponding to a discharge pressure, and the outer space is subjected to a pressure lower than that of an inner back pressure chamber to press the orbiting scroll against the fixed scroll. The scroll members are formed such that the width of a groove and the thickness of a tooth of the spiral body formed inside the seal member are larger than those of the spiral body formed outside the seal member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new type of immunostimulating agent including an immunostimulating oligonucleotide complexed with a carrier which is safe and has a high transfection effect. The carrier complexed with the immunostimulating oligonucleotide to form the immunostimulating agent is a polysaccharide having ?-1,3-bonds (preferably ?-1,3-glucan such as schizophyllan). A preferred example of the immunostimulating oligonucleotide is one containing an unmethylated CpG motif. The polysaccharide for use is preferably modified with nucleic acid-binding functional group and/or cell membrane-affinitive functional group.

Abstract: Disclosed is a complex which comprises a carbon nanotube and a modified polysaccharide having a backbone chain with the side thereof being introduced with monosaccharide or oligosaccharide residues. The polysaccharide is preferably ?-1,3-glucan. The complex is prepared by admixing a solution of the modified polysaccharide dissolved in an aprotic polar solvent or a strong alkali solution with an aqueous dispersion of the carbon nanotube, and incubating the mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed are gene carriers utilizing ?-1,3-glucan and methods of preparing the same. The ?-1,3-glucan has at least one 1,6-glucopyranoside branch and is chemically modified through periodate oxidation and reductive amination so as to impart nucleic acid-binding functional groups (for example, cationic functional groups) to at least some of the 1,6-glucopyranoside branches thereof. Triple helix ?-1,3-glucan is dissolved in a polar organic solvent to form single-stranded ?-1,3-glucan. By replacing, in the presence of a nucleic acid, the polar organic solvent for the solution containing the chemically modified single-stranded ?-1,3-glucan by water, a complex (gene carrier) is formed in which the nucleic acid is bound to double-stranded ?-1,3-glucan.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method and apparatus where a pre-treatment which reduce interfacial level density is carried out before thin film deposition on a substrate utilizing a catalytic gas phase reaction. The catalytic gas phase reaction is generated with a treatment gas which is supplied with the substrate via a thermal catalysis body provided near the substrate surface. Thin film deposition on the substrate surface is carried out after this pre-treatment. The thermal catalysis body is made of tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum, titanium or vanadium, and is heated by a heater. And, this invention also discloses a semiconductor device having a semiconductor-insulator junction with its interfacial level density is 1012 eV −1cm−2 or less, which is brought by the above pre-treatment in the insulator film deposition process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gene carrier composed of a hydrogen-bonding polymer having a polymer chain with hydrogen-bonding sites formed on the polymer chain, in which the polymer chain has a conformation similar to the conformation of a nucleic acid, and particularly, the polymer chain has helix parameters similar to the helix parameters of a nucleic acid of a helix structure. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrogen-bonding polymer is composed of &bgr;-1,3-glucan such as schizophyllan. The carrier can be expected to be applied as a vector and a separator for nucleic acids because it is capable of interacting with a nucleic acid to form a complex with the nucleic acid and thus carrying the nucleic acid.

Abstract: An improved scroll compressor comprises a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll, as well as an Oldham's coupling which enables the orbiting scroll to have a orbital movement. The Oldham's ring of the Oldham's coupling is so formed that its sliding surfaces for counterpart members to slide thereon are formed by a base material containing silicon particles, while the surface of each silicon particle (remaining on the base material's surface serving as a slidable surface for counterpart members to slide thereon) is formed into a flat surface. In practice, a ratio of silicon portions formed into flat surfaces to an entire sliding area of the Oldham's coupling is in a range of 3% to 20%, preferably 5% to 15%. With the use of the scroll compressor of the present invention, it is possible to improve the wear resistance of the Oldham's ring of the Oldham's coupling and its counterpart members in the scroll compressor.

Abstract: An electrode for adsorption (17) is provided in the vicinity of the laser processing position, and an electrode (18) for detecting capacitance is provided on the outer periphery of the electrode for adsorption (17), so that the capacitance (C) between the electrode (18) for detecting capacitance and the workpiece (15) is detected, with a voltage being applied to between the electrode for adsorption (17) and the workpiece (15), to thereby control the focal position (12a) of the laser beam (12) based on the detected capacitance (C).