Abstract: To provide an ion exchange membrane for alkali chloride electrolysis for which membrane strength is increased while membrane resistance is reduced to reduce electrolysis voltage during alkali chloride electrolysis and which prevents peeling between layers (S) and a layer (C). The ion exchange membrane for alkali chloride electrolysis comprises a layer (C) which comprises a fluorinated polymer having carboxylic acid functional groups, at least two layers (S) which comprise a fluorinated polymer having sulfonic acid functional groups, and a reinforcing material, wherein the layers (S) include a layer (Sa) and a layer (Sb), the layer (Sa) is a layer which is adjacent to the layer (C), the layer (Sb) is a layer which is not adjacent to the layer (C), the reinforcing material is disposed in the layer (Sb) substantially in parallel to the layer (Sb) in a state not in contact with the layer (Sa), and the ion exchange capacity of the layer (Sa) is lower than the ion exchange capacity of the layer (Sb).

Abstract: The position of a metal marker 5 relative to an optical fiber 6 is fixed, and the metal marker 5 can be moved up close to a target site such as a thrombus. It is preferable that the position, in an optical fiber longitudinal direction, of a front-end face of the optical fiber 6 is coincident with the position, in an optical fiber longitudinal direction, of a front-end face of the metal marker 5. More specifically, since the distance between the target site and the front end of the optical fiber 6 is known by radiography, it becomes unnecessary to use a large quantity of contrast agent and irradiate a laser beam depending on skill and intuition, and therefore an effective laser beam irradiation becomes possible.

Abstract: To provide an ion exchange membrane for alkali chloride electrolysis for which membrane strength is increased while membrane resistance is reduced to reduce electrolysis voltage during alkali chloride electrolysis and which prevents peeling between layers (S) and a layer (C). The ion exchange membrane for alkali chloride electrolysis comprises a layer (C) which comprises a fluorinated polymer having carboxylic acid functional groups, at least two layers (S) which comprise a fluorinated polymer having sulfonic acid functional groups, and a reinforcing material, wherein the layers (S) include a layer (Sa) and a layer (Sb), the layer (Sa) is a layer which is adjacent to the layer (C), the layer (Sb) is a layer which is not adjacent to the layer (C), the reinforcing material is disposed in the layer (Sb) substantially in parallel to the layer (Sb) in a state not in contact with the layer (Sa), and the ion exchange capacity of the layer (Sa) is lower than the ion exchange capacity of the layer (Sb).

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing a fluorinated copolymer which is capable of providing an ion exchange membrane which can suppress a decrease in current efficiency by impurities in an aqueous alkali chloride solution as a raw material on electrolysis of the alkali chloride aqueous solution. Also provided is a process for producing a fluorinated copolymer that comprises washing a fluorinated copolymer comprising a fluorinated monomer having a carboxylic acid type functional group and a fluorinated olefin, with a washing solvent containing a fluorinated solvent at a temperature of at least 40° C. and at most a boiling point of the washing solvent.

Abstract: A process for producing a fluorinated copolymer includes polymerizing a fluorinated monomer having a carboxylic acid functional group or a sulfonic acid functional group and a fluorinated olefin by a solution polymerization method in a polymerization medium to obtain a mixture containing a fluorinated copolymer, an unreacted monomer and the polymerization medium. The mixture is continuously or intermittently transferred to an evaporation vessel provided with a stirrer and heating the mixture with stirring in the evaporation vessel to evaporate and recover the unreacted monomer and the polymerization medium.

Abstract: To provide a fluorinated copolymer which is capable of providing an ion exchange membrane having little adverse effect due to impurities in an alkali chloride aqueous solution on electrolysis of the alkali chloride aqueous solution. To use a fluorinated copolymer of a fluorinated monomer having a carboxylic acid type functional group with a fluorinated olefin, wherein the proportion of components having a common logarithm (log M) of a molecular weight M being from 2.0 to 3.5 is at most 10 mass % per 100 mass % of components having a common logarithm (log M) of a molecular weight M being at least 2.0, contained in a CClF2CF2CClFH soluble content.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a risk for preterm delivery or miscarriage in a pregnant woman and preventing preterm delivery or miscarriage in the pregnant woman who has been determined to have the risk is provided. The method includes measuring plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity or level in plasma isolated from a pregnant woman. The method also includes determining that the pregnant woman has a risk for preterm delivery or miscarriage when the activity or the level is lower than that in the plasma of a normal pregnant woman. The method also includes administering plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 to the pregnant woman who has been determined to have the risk. A kit for the diagnosis of the degree of risk for preterm delivery or miscarriage also is provided. A pharmaceutical composition for the prevention of preterm delivery or miscarriage, comprising plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, also is provided.

Abstract: To provide a coating composition which exhibits excellent followability to a difference in level in its application, and which is capable of forming a coating layer having a low refractive index in a short-wavelength region and exhibiting excellent solubility to an alkaline aqueous solution. A coating composition comprising a solvent and a fluorinated polymer (A) which has a unit represented by —[CX1X2—CY(—Rf—COOM)]— and has a number average molecular weight of from 1,000 to 7,500. X1 and X2 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom or a chlorine atom; Y is a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a methyl group or a trifluoromethyl group; Rf is a branched perfluoroalkylene group which may contain an etheric oxygen atom between carbon-carbon atoms, or a branched oxyperfluoroalkylene group which may contain an etheric oxygen atom between carbon-carbon atoms; and M is a hydrogen atom or an ammonium ion which may be substituted.

Abstract: Disclosed is the construction of a system capable of quickly and easily identifying patients having a risk for worsening inflammatory digestive tract disease by identifying a causal factor for the worsening of the inflammatory digestive tract disease. Specifically disclosed is a method for detecting oral bacteria that cause worsening of inflammatory digestive tract disease and/or a screening that targets high risk for worsening of inflammatory digestive tract disease and/or determining the risk for worsening of the inflammatory digestive tract disease by PA not being detected and/or CBP being detected, inclusive of the detection of PA, which is an oral bacteria protein antigen, and/or CBP, which is collagen binding protein, in samples. Also disclosed are a detection reagent and kit used for this method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing the degree of risk for preterm delivery or miscarriage, comprising measuring plasminogen activator inhibitor activity or level in plasma. Specifically, the present invention relates to: a method for diagnosing the degree of risk for preterm delivery or miscarriage, wherein when the plasminogen activator inhibitor activity or level is lower than those of normal pregnant woman, the degree of risk for preterm delivery or miscarriage is determined to be high; a kit for the diagnosis of the degree of risk for preterm delivery or miscarriage; and a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention of preterm delivery or miscarriage, comprising plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.

Abstract: To provide a process by which from a mixture containing a fluorinated copolymer, an unreacted monomer and a polymerization medium, the unreacted monomer and the polymerization medium can efficiently be recovered. A process for producing a fluorinated copolymer, which comprises (I) a step of polymerizing a fluorinated monomer having a carboxylic acid functional group or a sulfonic acid functional group and a fluorinated olefin in a polymerization medium to obtain a mixture containing a fluorinated copolymer, an unreacted monomer and the polymerization medium, and (II) a step of continuously or intermittently transferring the mixture to an evaporation vessel provided with a stirrer and heating it with stirring in the evaporation vessel to evaporate and recover the unreacted monomer and the polymerization medium.

Abstract: To provide a process for producing a fluorinated copolymer which is capable of providing an ion exchange membrane which can suppress a decrease in current efficiency by impurities in an aqueous alkali chloride solution as a raw material on e.g. electrolysis of the alkali chloride aqueous solution. A process for producing a fluorinated copolymer, which comprises a step of washing a fluorinated copolymer of a fluorinated monomer having a carboxylic acid type functional group with a fluorinated olefin, by a washing solvent containing a fluorinated solvent, at a temperature of at least 40° C. and at most a boiling point of the washing solvent.

Abstract: To provide a fluorinated copolymer which is capable of providing an ion exchange membrane having little adverse effect due to impurities in an alkali chloride aqueous solution on electrolysis of the alkali chloride aqueous solution. To use a fluorinated copolymer of a fluorinated monomer having a carboxylic acid type functional group with a fluorinated olefin, wherein the proportion of components having a common logarithm (log M) of a molecular weight M being from 2.0 to 3.5 is at most 10 mass % per 100 mass % of components having a common logarithm (log M) of a molecular weight M being at least 2.0, contained in a CClF2CF2CClFH soluble content.

Abstract: To provide an ion exchange membrane for alkaline chloride electrolysis having a low electric resistance and further having a sufficient mechanical strength. To employ an ion exchange membrane containing a polymer having units (U1). Q1, Q2=a perfluoroalkylene group or the like; Rf1, Rf2=a perfluoroalkyl group or the like; X1=an oxygen atom or the like; a=0 or the like; Y1=a fluorine atom or the like; r=0 or 1; and M=a hydrogen atom or an alkali metal atom.

Abstract: Disclosed is the construction of a system capable of quickly and easily identifying patients having a risk for worsening inflammatory digestive tract disease by identifying a causal factor for the worsening of the inflammatory digestive tract disease. Specifically disclosed is a method for detecting oral bacteria that cause worsening of inflammatory digestive tract disease and/or a screening that targets high risk for worsening of inflammatory digestive tract disease and/or determining the risk for worsening of the inflammatory digestive tract disease by PA not being detected and/or CBP being detected, inclusive of the detection of PA, which is an oral bacteria protein antigen, and/or CBP, which is collagen binding protein, in samples. Also disclosed are a detection reagent and kit used for this method.

Abstract: A polymerization medium having small ozone depletion potential and small global warming potential and having a small chain transfer constant is used, to efficiently produce a fluoropolymer having a high molecular weight and having excellent heat resistance, solvent resistance, chemical resistance, etc. A process for producing a fluoropolymer, which comprises polymerizing a fluoromonomer having a carboxylic acid type functional group and a fluoroolefin using a hydrofluorocarbon as a medium, wherein the hydrofluorocarbon as the medium has 4 to 10 carbon atoms and has a ratio (molar basis) of the number of hydrogen atoms/the number of fluorine atoms (H/F ratio) of from 0.05 to 20.

Abstract: A cation exchange membrane which shows suppressed deterioration of the strength of the membrane in the upper portion of an electrolytic cell when the membrane is employed in the electrolytic cell and used for a long term, which can perform electrolysis with good production efficiency, and which can be produced simply with low cost; its production process and; such an electrolytic cell; are provided.

Abstract: Provided is a method that involves the detection of protein antigen (PA) and/or collagen-binding protein (CBP) of oral cavity bacteria in a sample, and in which oral cavity bacteria that exacerbate hemolysis are detected for and/or subjects at high-risk for hemolysis aggravation are screened anchor the level of risk of the hemolysis aggravation in a subject is assessed if a PA is not detected anchor a CBP is detected in the sample. Also provided are a detection reagent and kit for use in the method.

Abstract: A cation exchange membrane which shows suppressed deterioration of the strength of the membrane in the upper portion of an electrolytic cell when the membrane is employed in the electrolytic cell and used for a long term, which can perform electrolysis with good production efficiency, and which can be produced simply with low cost; its production process and; such an electrolytic cell; are provided.

Abstract: A polymerization medium having small ozone depletion potential and small global warming potential and having a small chain transfer constant is used, to efficiently produce a fluoropolymer having a high molecular weight and having excellent heat resistance, solvent resistance, chemical resistance, etc. A process for producing a fluoropolymer, which comprises polymerizing a fluoromonomer having a carboxylic acid type functional group and a fluoroolefin using a hydrofluorocarbon as a medium, wherein the hydrofluorocarbon as the medium has 4 to 10 carbon atoms and has a ratio (molar basis) of the number of hydrogen atoms/the number of fluorine atoms (H/F ratio) of from 0.05 to 20.