Abstract: The present invention relates to TCF mutant having a novel amino acid sequence which is obtained by mutagenesis of one or more amino acid between N-terminus and the first kringle of the amino acid sequence of native TCF and has lowered affinity to heparin and/or elevated biological activity. The present TCF mutant is prepared by gene manipulation of TCF. The TCF mutants of the present invention have proliferative activity and/or growth stimulative activity in hepatocyte and beneficial as a therapeutic agent for various hepatic diseases and an antitumor agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a TCF mutant having a novel amino acid sequence which is obtained by mutagenesis of one or more amino acid between N-terminus and the first kringle of the amino acid sequence of native TCF and has lowered affinity to heparin and/or elevated biological activity. The present TCF mutant is prepared by gene manipulation of TCF. The TCF mutants of the present invention have proliferative activity and/or growth stimulative activity in hepatocyte and beneficial as a therapeutic agent for various hepatic diseases and an antitumor agent.

Abstract: A protein which inhibits osteoclast differentiation and/or maturation and a method of production of the protein. The protein is produced by human embryonic lung fibroblasts and has molecular weight of about 60 kD and about 120 kD under non-reducing conditions and about 60 kD under reducing conditions on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, respectively.

Abstract: A multi-beam image recording apparatus changes a diameter of a laser beam using a beam diameter changing board, an order in which the line data is to be read from the memory unit, a rotational speed of a polygon mirror, and a clock frequency employed when the image data is read in units of pixels, in accordance with the specified resolution. Accordingly, the multi-beam image recording apparatus can switch between the resolutions without changing a distance between the centers of two laser beams emitted from an optical system. The resolution switching can be achieved with high accuracy at low costs.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing metabolic bone diseases, especially osteoporosis and arthrosis characterized by determining the concentration of osteoclastgenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF) in humor.

Abstract: A protein is provided derived from human fibroblast having an N-terminal amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NOS: 1 and 2, having a molecular weight of approximately 15kD under reducing and non-reducing conditions by (dosium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis), and having an activity to stimulate growth of osteoblast. The protein is produced by gene engineering procedures, contains the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 9 and has osteoblast growth activity. Also provided is a method for preparing the protein by culturing human fibroblast and treating the conditioned medium for purification. The protein is utilized for the treatment of diseases characterized by decreased bone mass such as osteoporosis or is utilized as an antigen for immunological diagnosis of diseases.