Abstract: An illumination optical system of a projector apparatus includes a rod lens which equalizes illuminance of illumination light incident on a micromirror device from lamps, and a plurality of light-shielding plates that shields unnecessary light not incident on the rod lens among the illumination light. The plurality of light-shielding plates is disposed on the incidence side of the rod lens such that each light-shielding plate is provided at a predetermined gap in an optical axis direction of the rod lens. Openings of each light-shielding plate are formed such that a light-shielding plate disposed on an emission side has a smaller passage area of illumination light than on an incidence side.

Abstract: An illumination optical system of a projector apparatus includes a rod lens which equalizes illuminance of illumination light incident on a micromirror device from lamps, and a plurality of light-shielding plates that shields unnecessary light not incident on the rod lens among the illumination light. The plurality of light-shielding plates is disposed on the incidence side of the rod lens such that each light-shielding plate is provided at a predetermined gap in an optical axis direction of the rod lens. Openings of each light-shielding plate are formed such that a light-shielding plate disposed on an emission side has a smaller passage area of illumination light than on an incidence side.

Abstract: A therapeutic or prophylactic agent for diabetes includes a thiazolidine derivative as a PPAR-? agonist as an effective component which exhibits a reduced side effect of the PPAR-? agonist. The therapeutic or prophylactic agent for diabetes includes a particular IP agonist such as beraprost sodium (BPS), and a thiazolidine derivative such as pioglitazone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Since the therapeutic or prophylactic agent exhibits a sufficiently effective hypoglycemic action without being accompanied by side effects characteristic to PPAR-? agonists, the agent is useful as a highly safe and effective therapeutic or prophylactic agent for diabetes.

Abstract: A therapeutic or prophylactic agent for diabetes includes a thiazolidine derivative as a PPAR-? agonist as an effective component which exhibits a reduced side effect of the PPAR-? agonist. The therapeutic or prophylactic agent for diabetes includes a particular IP agonist such as beraprost sodium (BPS), and a thiazolidine derivative such as pioglitazone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Since the therapeutic or prophylactic agent exhibits a sufficiently effective hypoglycemic action without being accompanied by side effects characteristic to PPAR-? agonists, the agent is useful as a highly safe and effective therapeutic or prophylactic agent for diabetes.

Abstract: When an amount of visceral fat is measured using ultrasonic waves during medical examination of metabolic syndrome, three contact positions are defined on the surface of the abdominal region, and three distances inside the living body are measured by bringing a probe into contact with the surface of the abdominal region at the contact positions. Specifically, three measurement paths having a starting point at the center of the descending aorta are set, and the distances from the center to a surface of the fat layer adjacent to the surface of the body (inner surface of the subcutaneous layer) in the measurement paths are observed. An approximate area of a visceral fat region can be determined from the three distances and two angles defined by the three measurement paths, and an index value is calculated on the basis of the area. A probe holder having three holding portions is desirably used.

Abstract: A scavenger receptor A expression down-regulator and a drug for preventing or treating arteriosclerosis which contain, as the active ingredient, a C-terminal globular domain of adiponectin, adiponectin, or a gene encoding the domain or adiponectin. According to the present invention, there is provided a preventive or therapeutic agent capable of directly preventing intimal thickening, which constitutes an essential feature of arteriosclerosis. This effect can be attained through arresting the onset and development of arteriosclerosis by reducing the expression level of scavenger receptor A in arterial walls and preventing lipid buildup in macrophages.

Abstract: A scavenger receptor A expression down-regulator and a drug for preventing or treating arteriosclerosis which contain, as the active ingredient, a C-terminal globular domain of adiponectin, adiponectin, or a gene encoding the domain or adiponectin. According to the present invention, there is provided a preventive or therapeutic agent capable of directly preventing intimal thickening, which constitutes an essential feature of arteriosclerosis. This effect can be attained through arresting the onset and development of arteriosclerosis by reducing the expression level of scavenger receptor A in arterial walls and preventing lipid buildup in macrophages.

Abstract: A scavenger receptor A expression down-regulator and a drug for preventing or treating arteriosclerosis which contain, as the active ingredient, a C-terminal globular domain of adiponectin, adiponectin, or a gene encoding the domain or adiponectin. According to the present invention, there is provided a preventive or therapeutic agent capable of directly preventing intimal thickening, which constitutes an essential feature of arteriosclerosis. This effect can be attained through arresting the onset and development of arteriosclerosis by reducing the expression level of scavenger receptor A in arterial walls and preventing lipid buildup in macrophages.

Abstract: The animals of the present invention enable elucidation of the onset mechanisms of obesity, diabetes, and arteriosclerosis. Moreover, they are useful for screening preventive and therapeutic drugs for treating any of these diseases.