Abstract: The present invention relates to a synapse formation promoter and a brain plasticity promoter comprising CD24-negative mesenchymal stem cells prepared from a patient's own bone marrow aspirate and treatment of dementia, chronic-phase cerebral infarction, chronic-phase spinal cord injury, mental diseases, and the like using the synapse formation promoter and brain plasticity promoter.

Abstract: A nodular graphite cast iron for pistons according to an embodiment contains, in mass %, C: 2.7 to 4.3%, Si: 2.0 to 3.5%, Mn: 0.3 to 0.8%, Mg: 0.02 to 0.10%, Cu: 0.3 to 1.0%, Cr: 0.05 to 0.90%, and Mo: 0.05 to 1.00% with the balance being composed of Fe and inevitable impurities. Then, the C content and the Si content fall within a composition range defined by a line sequentially joining respective points of point A (2.7%, 3.5%), point B (3.2%, 2.0%), point C (4.3%, 2.0%), and point D (3.8%, 3.5%) indicated by (the C content and the Si content) in a graph illustrating the relation between the C content and the Si content.

Abstract: A method of detecting a change in current is provided which includes irradiating light on at least one photoelectric conversion material layer, and detecting an increased change in current generated in the photoelectric conversion material layer. A photoelectric conversion apparatus is also provided and includes a photoelectric conversion element including a photoelectric conversion material layer, and a current detection circuit electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion element. In the photoelectric conversion apparatus, the current detection circuit detects an increased change in current generated in the photoelectric conversion material layer.

Abstract: A method of detecting a change in current is provided which includes irradiating light on at least one photoelectric conversion material layer, and detecting an increased change in current generated in the photoelectric conversion material layer. A photoelectric conversion apparatus is also provided and includes a photoelectric conversion element including a photoelectric conversion material layer, and a current detection circuit electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion element. In the photoelectric conversion apparatus, the current detection circuit detects an increased change in current generated in the photoelectric conversion material layer.

Abstract: A method of detecting a change in current is provided which includes irradiating light on at least one photoelectric conversion material layer, and detecting an increased change in current generated in the photoelectric conversion material layer. A photoelectric conversion apparatus is also provided and includes a photoelectric conversion element including a photoelectric conversion material layer, and a current detection circuit electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion element. In the photoelectric conversion apparatus, the current detection circuit detects an increased change in current generated in the photoelectric conversion material layer.

Abstract: A method of detecting a change in current is provided which includes irradiating light on at least one photoelectric conversion material layer, and detecting an increased change in current generated in the photoelectric conversion material layer. A photoelectric conversion apparatus is also provided and includes a photoelectric conversion element including a photoelectric conversion material layer, and a current detection circuit electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion element. In the photoelectric conversion apparatus, the current detection circuit detects an increased change in current generated in the photoelectric conversion material layer.

Abstract: With regard to a surface hardening method wherein a surface of an engine member is coated with an alloy layer having high abrasive resistance so as to improve the life of the member and a production method of a piston or the like wherein abrasive resistance of the member is improved by the hardening method, a surface of a metal base material is coated uniformly with a mixture including metal powder, a binder and a solvent so as to form a coat, and the coat is dried and applied thereon with a laser or electron beam so as to be sintered and dispersed for forming an alloy layer on a surface of the metal base material and for bonding the alloy layer to the metal base material.

Abstract: [Problems] To achieve a high-speed PCR which can be completed in a period of several minutes and thus can be used for a new application. [Means for Solving Problems] A method for practicing a high-speed PCR under a temperature change of 10° C./sec or more, characterized in that use is made of a heat-resistant DNA polymerase exhibiting a speed of synthesizing a deoxyribonucleic acid of 100 base/sec or higher, and a reagent kit for a high-speed PCR, or use in the method.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to (i) a gene isolated from Cellulomonas sp.JCM2471, the gene encoding a new glycerol kinase and (ii) a method for preparing the glycerol kinase by gene recombination technique, A Glycerol kinase which has high resistance against preservative, a recombinant vector comprising a gene encoding the glycerol kinase, a transformant prepared by transforming a host cell with the recombinant vector, and a method for producing the glycerol kinase, including culturing the transformant to produce glycerol kinase, and collecting the resulting glycerol kinase.

Abstract: With regard to a surface hardening method that a surface of an engine member is coated with an alloy layer having high abrasive resistance so as to improve life of the member and a production method of a piston or the like that abrasive resistance of the member is improved by the hardening method, a surface of a metal base material is coated uniformly with mixture including metal powder, a binder and solvent so as to form a coat, and the coat is dried and applied thereon with laser or electron beam so as to be sintered and dispersed for forming an alloy layer on a surface of the metal base material and for bonding the alloy layer to the metal base material.

Abstract: PQQGDH having an improved substrate specificity or having an improved specific activity in an assay system using ferricyanide ion as a mediator is provided. Modified PQQGDH having the enhanced substrate specificity by introducing an amino acid mutation in a particular region of PQQGDH, and a method of enhancing the specific activity compared with a wild type in the assay system using the ferricyanide ion as the mediator by deleting, substituting, or adding one or more amino acids in an amino acid sequence of the wild type pyrroloquinoline quinone dependent glucose dehydrogenase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified pyrroloquinoline quinone dependent glucose dehydrogenase (PQQGDH) having lower activity with respect to disaccharides and/or greater stability than wild-type PQQGDH.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, kits, and compositions for enhancing synthesis of DNA involving a carboxylate ion-supplying substance that is effective in promoting DNA synthesis in enzymatic DNA synthesis reactions. The invention further provides a thermostable DNA polymerase-related factor derived from Thermococcus species, which has an activity to promote the DNA synthesis activity of DNA polymerase or which binds to DNA polymerase.

Abstract: A protein having been modified by addition, deletion, insertion or substitution of at least one amino acid in an amino acid sequence constituting a protein having a sarcosine oxidase activity and still having the sarcosine oxidase activity, characterized by having an improved stability in the state of a liquid compared with the unmodified one and/or having a lowered action on L-proline compared with the unmodified one. A sarcosine oxidase having at least one of the following characteristics, i.e., an action on L-proline being 0.7% or less based on sarcosine and a Km value to L-proline being 150 mM or more, when measured at 37° C. and pH 8.0; a process for producing sarcosine oxidase having an excellent substrate specificity which comprises culturing a microorganism capable of producing sarcosine oxidase and collecting the sarcosine oxidase from the culture medium; and a reagent for measuring creatinine which contains the sarcosine oxidase.

Abstract: PQQGDH having an improved substrate specificity or having an improved specific activity in an assay system using ferricyanide ion as a mediator is provided. Modified PQQGDH having the enhanced substrate specificity by introducing an amino acid mutation in a particular region of PQQGDH, and a method of enhancing the specific activity compared with a wild type in the assay system using the ferricyanide ion as the mediator by deleting, substituting, or adding one or more amino acids in an amino acid sequence of the wild type pyrroloquinoline quinone dependent glucose dehydrogenase.

Abstract: A compound of formula (1) and an immunoassay method for quantitative determination of dioxins in a sample using as a standard the compound of the following formula (1): wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 may be the same or different and represent chlorine or hydrogen, n is an integer from 1 to 10, and Z represents an amino acid residue or peptide.

Abstract: A compound of formula (1) and an immunoassay method for quantitative determination of dioxins in a sample using as a standard the compound of the following formula (1): wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 may be the same or different and represent chlorine or hydrogen, n is an integer from 1 to 10, and Z represents an amino acid residue or peptide.

Abstract: Relating to a gene encoding a new glycerol kinase and a method for preparing the enzyme by gene recombination technique. A Glycerol kinase which has high resistance against preservative, a recombinant vector comprising a gene encoding the glycerol kinase, a transformant prepared by transforming a host cell with the recombinant vector, and a method for producing the glycerol kinase, including culturing the transformant to produce glycerol kinase, and collecting the resulting glycerol kinase.

Abstract: A protein having been modified by addition, deletion, insertion or substitution of at least one amino acid in an amino acid sequence constituting a protein having a sarcosine oxidase activity and still having the sarcosine oxidase activity, characterized by having an improved stability in the state of a liquid compared with the unmodified one and/or having a lowered action on L-proline compared with the unmodified one. A sarcosine oxidase having at least one of the following characteristics, i.e., an action on L-proline being 0.7% or less based on sarcosine and a Km value to L-proline being 150 mM or more, when measured at 37° C. and pH 8.0; a process for producing sarcosine oxidase having an excellent substrate specificity which comprises culturing a microorganism capable of producing sarcosine oxidase and collecting the sarcosine oxidase from the culture medium; and a reagent for measuring creatinine which contains the sarcosine oxidase.

Abstract: When insoluble magnetic carrier particles are used in immunoassay, a method is provided which is suitable for saving labor and for treating a large number of samples within a short time while avoiding problems including difficulties in the stability of sensitized insoluble magnetic particles and in their preparation. In assaying an antigenic substance in test samples, no use is made of insoluble magnetic particles carrying an antibody specific to the said antigenic substance but insoluble magnetic carrier particles are provided in a state free from adsorbing said antibody, etc. Then the antigenic substance per se to be assayed is adsorbed on the insoluble magnetic carrier particles followed by reaction with a labeled antibody specific to the said adsorbed antigenic substance. Thus, the antigenic substance in the test sample can be efficiently assayed in a mode suitable for automation.