Abstract: The invention provides a method of efficiently producing corneal endothelial cells, particularly from corneal stroma or iPS cell-derived neural crest stem cells, a method of producing corneal endothelial cells stably in a large amount by inducing more efficient differentiation of stem cells into corneal endothelial cells, and a medicament containing corneal endothelial cells. The method of inducing differentiation of stem cells into corneal endothelial cells includes a step of culturing the stem cells in a differentiation induction medium containing a GSK3 inhibitor (preferably a GSK3? inhibitor) and retinoic acid, with the differentiation induction medium preferably further containing one or more of TGFb2, insulin, a ROCK inhibitor, and the like.

Abstract: Eyewear comprising a frame and a liquid storage portion that is disposed within the frame and that includes a cavity for storing liquid. The liquid storage portion includes a gas passing section that allows gas to pass therethrough from the cavity to an inside surface of the frame, which is a surface facing a head of a wearer when the frame is worn on the head, but does not allow liquid to pass therethrough from the cavity to the inside surface of the frame. The liquid storage portion may be disposed such that an outer surface of the liquid storage portion is further inside the frame than an outer surface of the frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a novel metalloprotein, i.e., selenium-lactoferrin; and a process for producing the metalloprotein. Selenium-lactoferrin according to the present invention can be produced suitably by adding a selenium salt to a solution containing lactoferrin and/or apolactoferrin and then subjecting the resultant mixed solution to dialysis or ultrafiltration. Selenium-lactoferrin according to the present invention has an excellent therapeutic effect on corneal and conjunctival diseases, and is suitable for mass production on an industrial scale.

Abstract: A compound represented by formula (1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is effective as a therapeutic agent or a prophylactic agent for a corneal disease or sensory nerve damage due to corneal surgery, and as a regeneration accelerator for corneal sensory nerves: wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a carboxyl group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy group, R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a carboxyl group, and R4 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy group.

Abstract: A noninvasive method for measuring biological materials which is configured to enable an immediate diagnosis is used in an analytical absorption spectroscopy apparatus including a broadly tunable infrared laser oscillation device, a photodetection device, and an analysis device. The method applies an infrared ray to an analyte organism while tuning the wavelength from the laser oscillation device with or without the ray going through a nonlinear optical device. The photodetection device detects a reflected beam, a transmitted beam, or a scattering beam from the organism or ultrasound generated within the organism by using the detection device. The analysis device analyzes a signal input by the photodetection device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an effective and safe prophylactic and therapeutic pharmaceutical agent and supplement for corneal epithelium disorders and/or conjunctival epithelial disorders. This is a therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent for corneal epithelium disorders and/or conjunctival epithelial disorders comprising eicosapentaenoic acid and/or docosahexaenoic acid, a glycerin ester or phospholipid comprising these fatty acids as constituent fatty acids, or a lower alcohol ester of these fatty acids as active ingredients. These preferably comprise EPA and/or DHA in the form of a refined fish oil or refined krill oil. A total of at least approximately 50 to 5,000 mg of EPA and/or DHA or the esters thereof are taken daily, thereby easing corneal epithelium disorders and/or conjunctival epithelial disorders. In addition, the amount of tears may be recovered.

Abstract: Eyewear comprising a frame and a liquid storage portion that is disposed within the frame and that includes a cavity for storing liquid. The liquid storage portion includes a gas passing section that allows gas to pass therethrough from the cavity to an inside surface of the frame, which is a surface facing a head of a wearer when the frame is worn on the head, but does not allow liquid to pass therethrough from the cavity to the inside surface of the frame. The liquid storage portion may be disposed such that an outer surface of the liquid storage portion is further inside the frame than an outer surface of the frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel composition for the treatment of a corneal/conjunctival disease. A prophylactic or therapeutic agent for a corneal/conjunctival disease comprising selenoprotein P as an active ingredient, more specifically a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for a corneal/conjunctival disease such as dry eye, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, superficial punctate keratopathy, corneal erosion or corneal ulcer comprising selenoprotein P as an active ingredient, particularly a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for a corneal/conjuncrtival disease such as dry eye, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, superficial punctate keratopathy, corneal erosion or corneal ulcer accompanied by a corneal/conjunctival epithelial discorder.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a feeder cell with less variation in quality. The present invention relates to a feeder cell derived from a tissue stem and/or progenitor cell. A method of preparation of the feeder cell, a method of preparation of a cultured cell using the feeder cell, and a cell culturing kit are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for measuring operating vision. An optotype mark is displayed (step 103). A subject's response to the optotype mark is accepted via an input device (step 104). A determination is made as to whether or not the response is correct (step 105). When the current response of the subject is correct and the previous response or one of the previous response and the last-but-one response is incorrect, an optotype mark corresponding to the same visual acuity is presented (step 112). When the previous response is correct or both the previous response and the last-but-one response are correct, an optotype mark corresponding to a visual acuity one level higher is presented (step 110). When the current response is incorrect, an optotype mark corresponding to a visual acuity one level lower is presented (step 111).

Abstract: A tear meniscus test device 1 includes a body part 2 having a elongated shape, which comprises a synthetic resin material or a synthetic rubber material, wherein a groove 3 is formed along the length direction of the elongated shape, and a water absorbing member 4 arranged in the groove 3.

Abstract: [Object] A medical material that improves therapeutic effects in epithelial cells such as keratoconjunctival epithelial cells with the use of an amnion, and a process for producing the same are provided. [Solving Means] A medical material includes an amnion, which is a placental tissue, a polymer film bonded to one surface of the amnion and crosslinked, and cells adhered to the other surface of the amnion. A process for producing the medical material includes the steps of preparing an amnion from which the spongy layer is removed, bonding a biocompatible polymer film to one surface of the amnion followed by crosslinking, adhering epithelial stem cells to the other surface of the amnion, and proliferating epithelial cells from the epithelial stem cells on the surface of the amnion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for measuring operating vision. An optotype mark is displayed (step 103). A subject's response to the optotype mark is accepted via an input device (step 104). A determination is made as to whether or not the response is correct (step 105). When the current response of the subject is correct and the previous response or one of the previous response and the last-but-one response is incorrect, an optotype mark corresponding to the same visual acuity is presented (step 112). When the previous response is correct or both the previous response and the last-but-one response are correct, an optotype mark corresponding to a visual acuity one level higher is presented (step 110). When the current response is incorrect, an optotype mark corresponding to a visual acuity one level lower is presented (step 111).

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for manufacturing a cell sheet, comprising culturing cells on a fibrin-coated surface of a substrate until the cells reach confluency, continuing the cultivation of the cells for a sufficient time period to cause the degradation of fibrin at the bottom of the cells, and detaching the cultured cells from the substrate surface in a sheet-like form to give a cell sheet; a substrate for cell sheet preparation, a surface of which is coated with fibrin; and a composition for use in coating with fibrin a surface of a substrate for cell sheet preparation, the composition comprising fibrinogen and thrombin. The invention enables to cell sheets to be manufactured by a simple manipulation using a substrate coated with a commercial, commonly available material of which safety has been confirmed.

Abstract: A tear secretion quantity examination system for evaluating simply and non-invasively the tear secretion quantity has: a moisture evaporation quantity detection unit for detecting the moisture evaporation quantity from a subject's eye with a humidity sensor; and an operation unit for computing evaluation parameters of the tear secretion quantity based on a detection signal of the moisture evaporation quantity detection unit. The operation means approximates an attenuation portion of saw-tooth responses appearing for each blink in a tear evaporation profile in which the detection value obtained with the humidity sensor is plotted against the time.

Abstract: A sample fluid collecting device includes a capillary tube for collecting a sample fluid; and an air reservoir portion 5 having an air hole 10 capable of being closed, which is located at one end of the capillary tube, the capillary tube being formed by two or more supporting members 2, 3 arranged with one or more gap portions 1 being provided in the lengthwise direction; and at least two transparent films 6, 9 lapped on the supporting members 2, 3 so as to cover the gap portion 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating a subject having a condition or disease involving apoptosis, which comprises administering an effective amount of albumin to the subject. The apoptosis inhibiting activity of albumin can be increased by administering a cell growth factor such as epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor and nerve growth factor and/or vitamin A together with albumin.

Abstract: A tear secretion quantity examination system for evaluating simply and non-invasively the tear secretion quantity has: a moisture evaporation quantity detection unit for detecting the moisture evaporation quantity from a subject's eye with a humidity sensor; and an operation unit for computing evaluation parameters of the tear secretion quantity based on a detection signal of the moisture evaporation quantity detection unit. The operation means approximates an attenuation portion of saw-tooth responses appearing for each blink in a tear evaporation profile in which the detection value obtained with the humidity sensor is plotted against the time.

Abstract: An agent for treating exocrine gland disorders by inhibiting the production and/or an activity of interleukin-10; and a transgenic mouse useful for screening the same wherein interleukin-10 is specifically expressed in its exocrine glands.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating a subject having a condition or disease involving apoptosis, which comprises administering an effective amount of albumin to the subject. The apoptosis inhibiting activity of albumin can be increased by administering a cell growth factor such as epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor and nerve growth factor and/or vitamin A together with albumin.