Abstract: A method for cryopreservation of cells characterized by the use of a solution containing, as essential components, a sodium salt, a potassium salt, a saccharide, a cryoprotectant, and a hydrogencarbonate salt and/or a carbonate salt, the solution further optionally containing a component selected from the group consisting of proteins, magnesium salts, and calcium salts. According to the present invention, a method for cryopreservation of cells capable of maintaining a high viability rate after thawing, and a cryopreservation solution used in the cryopreservation are provided. In addition, by using the method for cryopreservation, the cells can be preserved in a state of maintaining a high viability rate even after thawing, and also maintaining their physiological functions; further, a cell washing step after freezing and thawing is unnecessary, thereby making it very useful in the fundamental researches of cells and the application studies on the medical treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic agent or prophylactic agent for a disease accompanying an abnormality in an amount of insulin or insulin response, an insulin-mimetic action agent, a food, beverage, or feed, an agent for enhancement of glucose uptake into a cell, and an agent for inducing differentiation into an adipocyte, each comprising as an effective ingredient at least one compound selected from the group consisting of specified compounds having an insulin-mimetic action, derivatives thereof, and pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent and prophylactic agent for a disease accompanying an abnormality in an amount of insulin or insulin response, an agent for an insulin-mimetic action, a food, beverage and feed, an agent for enhancing glucose uptake into a cell, and an agent for inducing differentiation into an adipocyte, characterized in that each comprises as an effective ingredient at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a chalcone compound, an acetophenone compound, a coumarin compound, a phthalide compound, derivatives thereof, and pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: A universal method of searching for a nucleic acid capable of effectively inhibiting gene expression; a nucleic acid construct to be used in this method; a vector; and a kit for the above method. This method is characterized in that a nucleic acid construct, which is a nucleic acid construct having a promoter sequence, at least two gene sequences and a poly A signal sequence and in which the above-described at least two gene sequences are transcribed as a single molecule RNA and at least one gene sequence is in the translatable state while at least one gene sequence is encoded in the substantially untranslatable state, is constructed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic agent or prophylactic agent for a disease accompanying an abnormality in an amount of insulin or insulin response, an insulin-mimetic action agent, a food, beverage, or feed, an agent for enhancement of glucose uptake into a cell, and an agent for inducing differentiation into an adipocyte, each comprising as an effective ingredient at least one compound selected from the group consisting of specified compounds having an insulin-mimetic action, derivatives thereof, and pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: Accurate and highly reproducible means of detecting a base substitution mutation (for example, SNP), an insertion mutation or a deletion mutation with the use of a nucleic acid sample in a trace amount and a method of typing gene polymorphisms using the means.