Abstract: The present invention provides a mitochondrial function-improving agent containing a lactic acid bacterium belonging to Lactobacillus farciminis or Pediococcus acidilactici, a culture of the lactic acid bacterium, or a culture supernatant of the lactic acid bacterium.

Abstract: Provided is a technique for using an optical microscope image of an area on a sample to collect area-specific information characterizing each kind of biological tissue from imaging mass analysis data. On an optical image of a two-dimensional target area on a sample, a difference is examined in the kind of tissue or other features and areas are specified, each regarded as the same kind of tissue. When data processing is initiated, peak information is extracted, for each specified area, from mass spectrum data of all the measurement points. A peak method is applied to each area to extract peak information. Then, when a command to compare a set of areas is given, the peak information of those areas is collected. By comparing the peak information of different areas by a machine learning algorithm or similar judging technique, area-specific peak information is obtained, and this information is stored in memory.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a drug that contains a compound for inhibiting neutral lipid accumulation in cardiovascular tissue or cells and has an excellent prophylactic or therapeutic effect on cardiovascular complications of diabetes. The present invention relates to a prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent for cardiovascular complications of diabetes, the agent containing a compound (preferably a medium-chain fatty acid and/or a medium-chain triglyceride) for inhibiting neutral lipid accumulation.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a drug that contains a compound for inhibiting neutral lipid accumulation in cardiovascular tissue or cells and has an excellent prophylactic or therapeutic effect on cardiovascular complications of diabetes. The present invention relates to a prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent for cardiovascular complications of diabetes, the agent containing a compound (preferably a medium-chain fatty acid and/or a medium-chain triglyceride) for inhibiting neutral lipid accumulation.

Abstract: A sample stage (2) on which a sample (4) is placed can be reciprocally moved along a guide (5) by a driving mechanism (6). A cutter (9) which is moved in an X-Y plane by a driving mechanism (10) is placed at a sample cutting position (B). When the sample stage (2) is moved to the sample cutting position (B) and the cutter is driven with the height of the sample stage (2) being appropriately adjusted, an upper portion of the sample 4 is horizontally cut off with a predetermined thickness and a new sample analysis surface which was inside the sample 4 is exposed. Hence, by repeating a mass analysis for a predetermined measurement area at an analysis position (C) and a partial cutting of the sample 4 at the sample cutting position (B), it is possible to achieve a three-dimensional mass analysis imaging of the sample (4) without removing the sample (4) from the sample stage (2).

Abstract: In an imaging mass analysis, image information of a sample allows users to grasp specific information about the sample, such as distribution of a portion with a particular function or effect. The mass spectrum intensity data are normalized for each pixel so that the sum of the intensities over the entire mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) is one. Entropy is calculated by totaling the product of the intensity normalizing at each m/z and the logarithm of that intensity over the entire m/z range. After the entropy is calculated for each pixel, the pixels are colored according to their entropy values to display a two-dimensional color image of entropy distribution. The entropy of a cancerous portion is relatively small because of a high content of a specific kind of substance and the simplified composition of the substances. Thus, the cancerous part and the normal part of the entropy image can be distinguished.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer capable of obtaining a clear microscopic observation image with high spatial resolution in real time, even during a mass analysis, without affecting the analysis is provided. An aperture 1a is formed in a stage 1 on which a sample plate 2 to be placed. The sample plate 2 is transparent or translucent. A microscopic observation unit, including an observation optical system 20 and a CCD camera 21, is provided below the stage 1 to observe the reverse side of the sample 3 through the aperture 1a of the stage 1 as well as the transparent sample plate 2. The observed image is displayed on the screen of a display unit 27. If the sample 3 is a slice of biological tissue, the sample image taken from the reverse side will be substantially the same as an image taken from the obverse side.

Abstract: Provided is a technique for using an optical microscope image of an area on a sample to collect area-specific information characterizing each kind of biological tissue from imaging mass analysis data. On an optical image of a two-dimensional target area on a sample, a difference is examined in the kind of tissue or other features and areas are specified, each regarded as the same kind of tissue. When data processing is initiated, peak information is extracted, for each specified area, from mass spectrum data of all the measurement points. A peak method is applied to each area to extract peak information. Then, when a command to compare a set of areas is given, the peak information of those areas is collected. By comparing the peak information of different areas by a machine learning algorithm or similar judging technique, area-specific peak information is obtained, and this information is stored in memory.

Abstract: A samples stage (2) on which a sample (4) is placed can reciprocally move along a guide (5) by a driving mechanism. An image taken by an imaging unit (7) when the sample stage (2) is at an observation position (A) is processed by an image processor (34) and is displayed on a window of a display unit (38). When an analysis operator specifies a measurement area by an operation unit (37), a controller (3) moves, through a stage driver (33), the stage (2) to a sample operation position (B) and a matrix is applied to the specified measurement area by an ejector (9). After that, the stage (2) is moved to an analysis position (C) and a laser light is delivered onto the measurement area on the sample (4) to which the matrix was applied, and the ionization by the MALDI method is performed. This eliminates the need to take out the sample from the apparatus to apply the matrix after the measurement point or measurement area is determined based on a microscopic observation of the sample.

Abstract: In an imaging mass analysis, image information of a sample allows users to grasp specific information about the sample, such as distribution of a portion with a particular function or effect. The mass spectrum intensity data are normalized for each pixel so that the sum of the intensities over the entire mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) is one. Entropy is calculated by totaling the product of the intensity normalizing at each m/z and the logarithm of that intensity over the entire m/z range. After the entropy is calculated for each pixel, the pixels are colored according to their entropy values to display a two-dimensional color image of entropy distribution. The entropy of a cancerous portion is relatively small because of a high content of a specific kind of substance and the simplified composition of the substances. Thus, the cancerous part and the normal part of the entropy image can be distinguished.

Abstract: A sample stage (2) on which a sample (4) is placed can be reciprocally moved along a guide (5) by a driving mechanism (6). A cutter (9) which is moved in an X-Y plane by a driving mechanism (10) is placed at a sample cutting position (B). When the sample stage (2) is moved to the sample cutting position (B) and the cutter is driven with the height of the sample stage (2) being appropriately adjusted, an upper portion of the sample 4 is horizontally cut off with a predetermined thickness and a new sample analysis surface which was inside the sample 4 is exposed. Hence, by repeating a mass analysis for a predetermined measurement area at an analysis position (C) and a partial cutting of the sample 4 at the sample cutting position (B), it is possible to achieve a three-dimensional mass analysis imaging of the sample (4) without removing the sample (4) from the sample stage (2).

Abstract: A sample plate 3 with a sample 4 placed thereon is initially set on a stage 2, and a visual image of the sample is taken with a CCD camera 14. This image is stored in an image data memory 23. Then, an operator removes the sample plate 3, sprays a matrix for a MALDI process onto the sample 4 and replaces the plate onto the stage 2. After that, when a predetermined operation is made, a clear image of the sample taken before the application of the matrix is shown on a display unit 24. On this image, the operator specifies a point or area for the analysis. The sample 4 may have been displaced due to the removal and replacement of the plate 3. Accordingly, an image analyzer 44 calculates the direction and magnitude of the displacement, for example, by recognizing the position of the markings provided on the sample plate 3. A displacement corrector 42 computes coordinate values in which the displacement is corrected.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer capable of obtaining a clear microscopic observation image with high spatial resolution in real time, even during a mass analysis, without affecting the analysis is provided. An aperture 1a is formed in a stage 1 on which a sample plate 2 to be placed. The sample plate 2 is transparent or translucent. A microscopic observation unit, including an observation optical system 20 and a CCD camera 21, is provided below the stage 1 to observe the reverse side of the sample 3 through the aperture 1a of the stage 1 as well as the transparent sample plate 2. The observed image is displayed on the screen of a display unit 27. If the sample 3 is a slice of biological tissue, the sample image taken from the reverse side will be substantially the same as an image taken from the obverse side.

Abstract: In a mass spectrometer for carrying out mass analysis while microscopically observing a two-dimensional area of a sample 15, the observation position for selecting a target portion while observing an image of the sample 15 captured with a CCD camera 23 is separated from the analysis position for carrying out the mass analysis of the sample 15 by delivering laser light from the laser-delivering unit 20 onto the sample 15. The sample 15 is placed on a stage 13, which can be precisely moved between the observation position and the analysis position by a stage-driving mechanism 30. An observation optical system 24 can be set close to the sample 15 at the observation position, without impeding the flight of the ions generated from the sample 15 during the analysis or interfering with a laser-condensing optical system 22. Thus, the spatial resolution for observation is improved without deteriorating the ion-detecting efficiency.

Abstract: A sample plate 3 with a sample 4 placed thereon is initially set on a stage 2, and a visual image of the sample is taken with a CCD camera 14. This image is stored in an image data memory 23. Then, an operator removes the sample plate 3, sprays a matrix for a MALDI process onto the sample 4 and replaces the plate onto the stage 2. After that, when a predetermined operation is made, a clear image of the sample taken before the application of the matrix is shown on a display unit 24. On this image, the operator specifies a point or area for the analysis. The sample 4 may have been displaced due to the removal and replacement of the plate 3. Accordingly, an image analyzer 44 calculates the direction and magnitude of the displacement, for example, by recognizing the position of the markings provided on the sample plate 3. A displacement corrector 42 computes coordinate values in which the displacement is corrected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a specimen preparation method for mass spectrometry based on Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI), wherein the method enables to form microcrystals (cocrystals) between matrices and biological molecules (protein and the like) on a biological tissue to generate ions thereof highly efficiently and to perform highly sensitive measurement. Microcrystals are formed on the specimen containing biological molecules, i.e. objects of the measurement, by spraying matrix solution beforehand. Furthermore, dispensation of matrix solution on the microcrystals allows crystals to grow by making preformed micro-matrix crystals as crystal nuclei. Therefore, much finer and more homogeneous crystals (cocrystals) are prepared to enable to perform highly sensitive mass spectrometry based on MALDI.

Abstract: In a mass spectrometer for carrying out mass analysis while microscopically observing a two-dimensional area of a sample 15, the observation position for selecting a target portion while observing an image of the sample 15 captured with a CCD camera 23 is separated from the analysis position for carrying out the mass analysis of the sample 15 by delivering laser light from the laser-delivering unit 20 onto the sample 15. The sample 15 is placed on a stage 13, which can be precisely moved between the observation position and the analysis position by a stage-driving mechanism 30. An observation optical system 24 can be set close to the sample 15 at the observation position, without impeding the flight of the ions generated from the sample 15 during the analysis or interfering with a laser-condensing optical system 22. Thus, the spatial resolution for observation is improved without deteriorating the ion-detecting efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laser irradiation mass spectrometer capable of analyzing components of living tissue or living cells with high accuracy. It includes a laser unit for irradiating a sample with a beam of laser light and controlling the irradiation spot of the laser beam on the sample; and a mass analyzer for performing a mass analysis of the ions generated at the irradiation spot, where the mass analyzer uses a frequency-driven ion trap and a time-of-flight mass spectrometer to carry out the mass analysis. The ion trap of this system assuredly traps ions having large mass to charge ratios, and enables the system to carry out analyses on samples of large molecules. Preferably, a digital driving method is used to drive the aforementioned frequency-driven ion trap. Also, a multi-turn time-of-flight mass spectrometer may preferably be used as the aforementioned time-of-flight mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An imaging mass spectrometer, an image of a sample is generated, and a region in the image is selected in accordance with predetermined criteria. Then, a mass analysis of the region is performed while scanning the sample in the selected region with a laser beam spot. By computing the total or average of the results in the region, a high precision analytical value in the region can be obtained. In a biological sample, by preliminarily performing a staining process on the biological sample using a certain dye, only the objective tissues can be analyzed. Also, a fluorescence microscope can be used.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laser irradiation mass spectrometer capable of analyzing components of living tissue or living cells with high accuracy. It includes a laser unit for irradiating a sample with a beam of laser light and controlling the irradiation spot of the laser beam on the sample; and a mass analyzer for performing a mass analysis of the ions generated at the irradiation spot, where the mass analyzer uses a frequency-driven ion trap and a time-of-flight mass spectrometer to carry out the mass analysis. The ion trap of this system assuredly traps ions having large mass to charge ratios, and enables the system to carry out analyses on samples of large molecules. Preferably, a digital driving method is used to drive the aforementioned frequency-driven ion trap. Also, a multi-turn time-of-flight mass spectrometer may preferably be used as the aforementioned time-of-flight mass spectrometer.