Abstract: The present invention is a cytocidal agent including a peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 and a site selectively binding to a target molecule, in which the peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 is a peptide exclusively consisting of L-amino acids, a peptide in which, in amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, the first to the 14th amino acids are D-amino acids, and the 15th to 19th amino acids are L-amino acids, a peptide in which, in amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, the first to 14th amino acids are L-amino acids, and the 15th to the 19th amino acids are D-amino acids, or a peptide exclusively consisting of D-amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention is a cytocidal agent including a peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 and a site selectively binding to a target molecule, in which the peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 is a peptide exclusively consisting of L-amino acids, a peptide in which, in amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, the first to the 14th amino acids are D-amino acids, and the 15th to 19th amino acids are L-amino acids, a peptide in which, in amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, the first to 14th amino acids are L-amino acids, and the 15th to the 19th amino acids are D-amino acids, or a peptide exclusively consisting of D-amino acids.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a peptide drug that is able to selectively induce apoptosis in target cells. The present invention is a cytocidal agent containing a fusion peptide of an endosome escape peptide and an apoptosis-inducing peptide, which consists of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, and the said cytocidal agent as a therapeutic agent for a disease caused by abnormal proliferation of cells.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a peptide drug that is able to selectively induce apoptosis in target cells. The present invention is a cytocidal agent containing a fusion peptide of an endosome escape peptide and an apoptosis-inducing peptide, which consists of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, and the said cytocidal agent as a therapeutic agent for a disease caused by abnormal proliferation of cells.

Abstract: The present invention is a cytocidal agent including a peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 and a site selectively binding to a target molecule, in which the peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 is a peptide exclusively consisting of L-amino acids, a peptide in which, in amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, the first to the 14 amino acids are D-amino acids, and the 15th to 19th amino acids are L-amino acids, a peptide in which, in amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, the first to 14th amino acids are L-amino acids, and the 15th to the 1.9th amino acids are D-amino acids, or a peptide exclusively consisting of D-amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic agent for amniotic fluid embolism (AFE). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a therapeutic agent for AFE comprising a C1-inhibitor, particularly a human plasma-derived C1-inhibitor.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a risk for preterm delivery or miscarriage in a pregnant woman and preventing preterm delivery or miscarriage in the pregnant woman who has been determined to have the risk is provided. The method includes measuring plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity or level in plasma isolated from a pregnant woman. The method also includes determining that the pregnant woman has a risk for preterm delivery or miscarriage when the activity or the level is lower than that in the plasma of a normal pregnant woman. The method also includes administering plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 to the pregnant woman who has been determined to have the risk. A kit for the diagnosis of the degree of risk for preterm delivery or miscarriage also is provided. A pharmaceutical composition for the prevention of preterm delivery or miscarriage, comprising plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, also is provided.

Abstract: An accurate measurement can be made of the light absorbance of deep layer tissue such as in a human body or a fruit. The thickness of fat is computed. A first specific distance and a second specific distance corresponding to the computed fat thickness are computed based a predetermined relationship between the fat thickness, the first specific distance, and measurement sensitivity of a surface layer and measurement sensitivity of a deep layer when light is received at a position the first specific distance away from a light emitting means. A third specific distance and a fourth specific distance are computed corresponding to the computed fat thickness based on a predetermined relationship between the fat thickness, the third specific distance and a measurement sensitivity of an intervening layer and a measurement sensitivity of the deep layer when light is received at a position the third specific distance away from the light emitting means.

Abstract: A near-infrared oxygen concentration sensor for palpation 1 to be attached to a finger pad on a leading end side from a distal interphalangeal joint of a use's finger includes: a base material 2 to be attached to a finger pad; a light emitting unit 4 that is disposed on the base material and that emits light having at least two wavelengths, including near-infrared light, to a test subject; light receiving units 5a and 5b that are disposed on the base material and that receives a measurement light from the light emitting element through the test subject; and a light receiving unit 3 that is disposed at least between the light emitting unit or the light receiving unit and the finger pad and that prevents the measurement light having passed through the user's finger from being led to the light receiving unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic agent for amniotic fluid embolism (AFE). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a therapeutic agent for AFE comprising a C1-inhibitor, particularly a human plasma-derived C1-inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing the degree of risk for preterm delivery or miscarriage, comprising measuring plasminogen activator inhibitor activity or level in plasma. Specifically, the present invention relates to: a method for diagnosing the degree of risk for preterm delivery or miscarriage, wherein when the plasminogen activator inhibitor activity or level is lower than those of normal pregnant woman, the degree of risk for preterm delivery or miscarriage is determined to be high; a kit for the diagnosis of the degree of risk for preterm delivery or miscarriage; and a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention of preterm delivery or miscarriage, comprising plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.

Abstract: An accurate measurement can be made of the light absorbance of deep layer tissue such as in a human body or a fruit. The thickness of fat is computed. A first specific distance and a second specific distance corresponding to the computed fat thickness are computed based a predetermined relationship between the fat thickness, the first specific distance, and measurement sensitivity of a surface layer and measurement sensitivity of a deep layer when light is received at a position the first specific distance away from a light emitting means. A third specific distance and a fourth specific distance are computed corresponding to the computed fat thickness based on a predetermined relationship between the fat thickness, the third specific distance and a measurement sensitivity of an intervening layer and a measurement sensitivity of the deep layer when light is received at a position the third specific distance away from the light emitting means.

Abstract: To provide a novel photosensitive compound which is useful for a photodynamic therapy, an agent for the photodynamic therapy containing the same and a method for producing the same. A compound represented by the following formula 1 or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: The detecting unit 1 of the instrument of this invention comprises optic fibers 12 and 13 for sensing the inside of the uterus by using near-infrared light of multiple wavelengths, and also comprises a sensor fixture 11 made of a duralumin plate entirely coated with a light-absorbing paint and having a shape with a curvature that allows the fixture to come in close contact with the maternal abdominal wall. This detecting unit 1 is attached to the maternal abdominal wall. The weak light signals obtained as reflections from inside the uterus are converted to electric signals, and these electric signals are arithmetically operated at the measurement control unit 2. In this manner, the inside of the uterus is continuously monitored directly or indirectly by a non-invasive method to detect the intrauterine status of Hb and HbO2.

Abstract: The inventors provide an agent for potentiating the effect of interleukin-8, which comprises dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient. An agent for potentiating the effect of IL-8 of the present invention potentiates the effect of IL-8 by activating the receptor of IL-8 and increasing the number of receptors.

Abstract: Leukocyte chemotactic factors such as interleukin-8 and MCAF, and inductive substances therefor were revealed to have proconceptive activities. These activities include promoting ovum growth and fertilized ovum implantation, and are exhibited by a sole substance. Accordingly, it has been shown that such substances can be used in drugs concerning medical treatment for infertility, and further, can be used in veterinary and livestock industry fields such as reproduction of industrial animals or species preservation of rare animals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of diagnosing and treating a pregnant female at risk for impending preterm delivery. The method comprises the step of diagnosing imminent preterm delivery by testing with a method that has a sensitivity of at least 80% and a specificity of at least 80%, or by testing for fetal fibronectin in the female's vaginal or cervical secretions. If imminent preterm delivery is indicated by the test, the next step comprises administering to the female a combination of a tocolytic agent, at least one urinastatin-like compound, and at least one antibiotic. Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition of MGMTSRYFYNGTSMA (SEQ ID NO:1), RAFIQLWAFDAVKGK (SEQ ID NO:2) and an antibiotic.

Abstract: Even when the specimen contains human granulocyte elastase in the form of a mixture of free elastase with an elastase-inhibitor complex or complexes, the present invention enables the total quantity of elastase in that specimen to be precisely detected. The inhibitor is added to free elastase to convert it into an elastase-inhibitor complex, whereby the quantity of elastase can be measured by immunoassay as the total amount including the previously existing elastase-inhibitor complex. It is possible to precisely measure the total amount of elastase in mucus collected from the cervical canal of a pregnant woman, sputum or a rinsed solution of bronchovesicular lavage in which free elastase is mixed with an elastase-inhibitor complex.