Abstract: Induced pluripotent stem cells are produced from human somatic cells by co-culturing human somatic cells having a reprogrammed nucleus with human cells as feeder cells. Induced pluripotent stem cells are produced from somatic cells by co-culturing somatic cells having a reprogrammed nucleus with autologous cells as feeder cells. Induced pluripotent stem cells are cultured with culture supernatant of somatic cells.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment comprises a feed guide forming a feed path of a sheet and having an end portion movable between a closed position and an open position by rotating around a shaft, wherein the end portion is positioned above the shaft when the feed guide is in the open position, and the feed guide is configured to provide access for removal of a jammed sheet when in the open position. The image forming apparatus further comprises a holding unit configured to releasably hold the end portion of the feed guide in the open position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selecting human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells which can be safely used for transplantation. That is, the present invention provides a method for selecting human iPS cells having reduced differentiation resistance, comprising the steps of: (1) inducing differentiation of human iPS cells; (2) detecting remaining undifferentiated cells after the step (1); and (3) selecting human iPS cells whose rate of remaining undifferentiated cells detected in step (2) is equivalent to or not more than that of control cells.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fuser includes a fixing belt including a conductive layer, an induction-current generating section to electromagnetically induction-heat the conductive layer, an opposed section to form a nip in cooperation with the fixing belt, an auxiliary heat generating section electromagnetically induction-heated by the induction-current generating section, and a moving section to move the auxiliary heat generating section with respect to the fixing belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes: an image erasing section including a first member which has an elastic layer and heats a recording medium having a thermally decolorizable toner image on the toner image side and a second member which erases the toner image by allowing the recording medium in cooperation with the first member; an image forming section which transfers a thermally decolorizable toner image onto the recording medium on which the toner image is erased to form an unfixed toner image; and an image fixing section including a third member which does not have an elastic layer and heats the recording medium on the unfixed toner image side and a fourth member which fixes the unfixed toner image by allowing the recording medium in cooperation with the third member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for screening for iPS cells exhibiting differentiation resistance using a marker identified as lincRNA or mRNA that is specifically expressed in an iPS cell line exhibiting differentiation resistance, and such markers.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fuser includes a fixing belt including a conductive layer, an induction-current generating section to electromagnetically induction-heat the conductive layer, an opposed section to form a nip in cooperation with the fixing belt, an auxiliary heat generating section electromagnetically induction-heated by the induction-current generating section, and a moving section to move the auxiliary heat generating section with respect to the fixing belt.

Abstract: A fuser is equipped with a heating roller, fixing belt, pressure roller, pad, and spring. The heating roller is located on the downstream side of the fixing belt with respect to the sheet conveyance direction, and as the heating roller rotates, contacts the sheet toner side of a sheet, heating the sheet. The fixing belt contacts the side of the sheet opposite to the toner side of the sheet. The pressure roller comes into contact with the heating roller via the fixing belt. The pad is of a softer material than the fixing belt, and, as the pad exerts a force on the heating roller by pressing on the fixing belt, a downstream side of the pad with respect to the sheet conveyance direction is inclined away from the pressure roller. Springs urge the pad toward the pressure roller and the heating roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment comprises a feed guide forming a feed path of a sheet and having an end portion movable between a closed position and an open position by rotating around a shaft, wherein the end portion is positioned above the shaft when the feed guide is in the open position, and the feed guide is configured to provide access for removal of a jammed sheet when in the open position. The image forming apparatus further comprises a holding unit configured to releasably hold the end portion of the feed guide in the open position.

Abstract: A medium transport unit includes: a transport roller; a transport belt which transports a loaded medium by driving of the transport roller; a sensor array which includes a plurality of imaging elements arranged vertically to a transport direction of the medium and outputs reading signals which are detected and output by the plurality of imaging elements and indicate a density value of the medium on the transport belt; a comparator which outputs a digitalized signal of HIGH if the reading signal exceeds a threshold signal; and a signal output circuit which receives the digitalized signal and outputs a first value if the digitalized signal is transitioned from LOW to HIGH.

Abstract: The invention provides an in vitro method of improving the efficiency of establishment of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. The method comprises contacting an isolated somatic cell being reprogrammed into an iPS cell with an inhibitor of p53 function. The invention also provides an in vitro method of producing iPS cells. The method comprises bringing (a) nuclear reprogramming substances or nucleic acids encoding the nuclear reprogramming substances and (b) an inhibitor of p53 function into contact with a somatic cell.

Abstract: In general, according to the embodiment, a light emitting panel includes a glass substrate, a light emitting element, metal wiring, and a mark. The glass substrate allows light to pass through. The light emitting element is present in any one of a first plane and a second plane which is a rear surface of the first plane, of the glass substrate. The metal wiring is present on one surface, and applies voltage to the light emitting element. The mark is present on one surface, and is formed of the same material as the metal wiring.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of improving the efficiency of establishment of induced pluripotent stem cells by increasing, in a nuclear reprogramming step of somatic cell, the level of activated form of one or more proteins selected from the group consisting of Ras family members, PI3 kinase, RalGEF, Raf, AKT family members, Rheb, TCL1 and S6K. The invention also provides a method of producing induced pluripotent stem cells by contacting a somatic cell with a nuclear reprogramming substance and one or more of such proteins and nucleic acids that encode such proteins. The invention further provides an induced pluripotent stem cell that has an exogenous nucleic acid encoding such a protein, as well as agents for use in the aforesaid methods.

Abstract: A method for efficiently preparing blood cells, such as mature megakaryocytes and platelets, from iPS cells is achieved in an in vitro culture system. A sac-like structure encloses hematopoietic progenitor cells, which is obtained by inoculating iPS cells onto feeder cells and then culturing the iPS cells under conditions suitable for inducing the differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Moreover, a method for producing various types of blood cells, comprises culturing hematopoietic progenitor cells enclosed in the sac-like structure under conditions suitable for inducing the differentiation of blood cells. Furthermore, a method for producing various types of blood cells, particularly megakaryocytes and platelets, is achieved without involving the sac-like structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of improving the efficiency of establishment of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, comprising inhibiting the p53 function in the step of somatic cell nuclear reprogramming. The inhibition of p53 function is achieved by bringing a substance selected from the group consisting of (1) chemical inhibitors of p53, (2) dominant negative mutants of p53 and nucleic acids that encode the same, (3) siRNAs and shRNAs against p53 and DNAs that encode the same, and (4) p53 pathway inhibitors, into contact with a somatic cell, and the like. The present invention also provides an agent for improving the efficiency of establishment of iPS cells, the agent comprising an inhibitor of p53 function, particularly (1) chemical inhibitors of p53, (2) dominant negative mutants of p53 and nucleic acids that encode the same, (3) siRNAs and shRNAs against p53 and DNAs that encode the same, and (4) p53 pathway inhibitors.

Abstract: Provided is a method of improving the efficiency of iPS cell establishment, comprising bringing one or more factors selected from the group consisting of proteins belonging to cyclin D family and nucleic acids that encode the same into contact with a somatic cell, in the step of nuclear reprogramming of the somatic cell. Also provided are a method of producing an iPS cell comprising the step of bringing the factor(s) and nuclear reprogramming substance(s) into contact with a somatic cell, an iPS cell comprising a nucleic acid that encodes a protein belonging to cyclin D family that can be obtained by the method of producing an iPS cell, and a method of somatic cell production by forcing the iPS cell to differentiate.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a developing device in which a decolorizable developing agent containing encapsulated colorant microparticles each including a core containing a color developable compound, a color developer, and a decolorizing agent is accommodated and a developing device in which a transparent developing agent containing a binder resin is accommodated are provided, respectively, and an image is formed by transferring a transparent developing agent image onto a region capable of covering a decolorizable developing agent image, followed by fusing the image. Further, in the second image formation and thereafter, the using amount of the transparent developing agent is decreased as compared with that in the first image formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selecting human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells which can be safely used for transplantation. That is, the present invention provides a method for selecting human iPS cells having reduced differentiation resistance, comprising the steps of: (1) inducing differentiation of human iPS cells; (2) detecting remaining undifferentiated cells after the step (1); and (3) selecting human iPS cells whose rate of remaining undifferentiated cells detected in step (2) is equivalent to or not more than that of control cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nuclear reprogramming factor having an action of reprogramming a differentiated somatic cell to derive an induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell. The present invention also relates to the aforementioned iPS cells, methods of generating and maintaining iPS cells, and methods of using iPS cells, including screening and testing methods as well as methods of stem cell therapy. The present invention also relates to somatic cells derived by inducing differentiation of the aforementioned iPS cells.

Abstract: A fuser is equipped with a heating roller, fixing belt, pressure roller, pad, and spring. The heating roller is located on the downstream side of the fixing belt with respect to the sheet conveyance direction, and as the heating roller rotates, contacts the sheet toner side of a sheet, heating the sheet. The fixing belt contacts the side of the sheet opposite to the toner side of the sheet. The pressure roller comes into contact with the heating roller via the fixing belt. The pad is of a softer material than the fixing belt, and, as the pad exerts a force on the heating roller by pressing on the fixing belt, a downstream side of the pad with respect to the sheet conveyance direction is inclined away from the pressure roller. Springs urge the pad toward the pressure roller and the heating roller.