Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic agent for cartilaginous diseases, an accelerator for chondrocyte proliferation and an accelerator for proteoglycan production comprising HGF (hepatocyte growth factor) as an active component, and a treatment method for cartilaginous diseases of human or mammals comprising administering an effective amount of HGF. The active component HGF has an effect to promote the proliferation of chondrocytes and to promote the production of proteoglycan. Therefore, the therapeutic agent and accelerator of the present invention are useful for the prevention and treatment of various disorders caused by cartilaginous diseases.

Abstract: This invention provides cell-calcification inhibitory proteins as well as genes encoding the proteins. Based on the discovery of a novel isoform gene of the c-erg gene (herein referred to as “C-11 gene”) which is an erg gene derived from chickens, the nucleotide sequence of the gene has been determined, and then the expression of a protein encoded by such gene (herein referred to as “C-11 protein”) has been confirmed. Further, it has been discovered that when the c-erg or C-11 gene is introduced into osteoblasts, the calcification of the cells is inhibited.

Abstract: A toothpaste extruder capable of automatically supplying a toothbrush with toothpaste extruded from a tube fixed to a suction port of the extruder through a reciprocating movement of an incorporated piston imparted by pressing a toothbrush to a toothbrush receiver provided on the housing of the extruder, the amount of supply being predeterminable so that the extrusion amount can be increased or decreased in conformity with the need of the user.