Abstract: A negative thermal expansion material including an oxide represented by one of the general formula (1) Cu2-xRxV2-yPyO7 (R includes at least one element selected from Mg, Al, Si, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, and Sn, wherein 0?x?2, 0<y<2 are met), the general formula (2) Zn2-xTxP2-yAyO7 (T includes at least one element selected from Mg, Al, Si, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ga, Ge, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ag, In, Sn, Sb, La, Ta, W, and Bi, A includes at least one element selected from Al, Si, V, Ge, and Sn, wherein O?x<2, 0?y?2 are met except that (x,y)=(0,0) and (0,2) are excluded), and the general formula (3) Ti2-xMxO3 (M includes at least one element selected from Mg, Al, Si, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ag, In, Sn, Sb, La, Ta, W, and Bi, wherein O?x<2 is met) is provided.

Abstract: A cancer test device (1) is provided with: an application unit (40) for applying a staining agent (45), which can selectively stain a product of a cancer-relating gene in a living cell a chromatic color, onto a group of living cells; an imaging unit (10) for imaging the group of living cells having the staining agent (45) applied thereto; and a determination unit (52) for determining the level of malignancy of cancerization of the group of living cells on the basis of the state of the stained expression pattern of the cancer-relating gene in the group of living cells in an image obtained by the aforementioned imaging.

Abstract: A cancer test device (1) is provided with: an application unit (40) for applying a staining agent (45), which can selectively stain a product of a cancer-relating gene in a living cell a chromatic color, onto a group of living cells; an imaging unit (10) for imaging the group of living cells having the staining agent (45) applied thereto; and a determination unit (52) for determining the level of malignancy of cancerization of the group of living cells on the basis of the state of the stained expression pattern of the cancer-relating gene in the group of living cells in an image obtained by the aforementioned imaging.

Abstract: A cancer test device (1) is provided with: an application unit (40) for applying a staining agent (45), which can selectively stain a product of a cancer-relating gene in a living cell a chromatic color, onto a group of living cells; an imaging unit (10) for imaging the group of living cells having the staining agent (45) applied thereto; and a determination unit (52) for determining the level of malignancy of cancerization of the group of living cells on the basis of the state of the stained expression pattern of the cancer-relating gene in the group of living cells in an image obtained by the aforementioned imaging.

Abstract: A negative thermal expansion material according to an embodiment is represented by a general formula (1): Cu2-xRxV2O7 (R is at least one element selected from Zn, Ga, and Fe) and includes an oxide sintered compact whose linear expansion coefficient is ?10 ppm/K or less.

Abstract: A cancer test device (1) is provided with: an application unit (40) for applying a staining agent (45), which can selectively stain a product of a cancer-relating gene in a living cell a chromatic color, onto a group of living cells; an imaging unit (10) for imaging the group of living cells having the staining agent (45) applied thereto; and a determination unit (52) for determining the level of malignancy of cancerization of the group of living cells on the basis of the state of the stained expression pattern of the cancer-relating gene in the group of living cells in an image obtained by the aforementioned imaging.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing Langerhans cells from CD14-positive cells, which are human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This method comprises culturing human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the presence of Notch ligand, GM-CSF, and TGF-?.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing canthaxanthin by mixing &bgr;-carotene with an alkali metal chlorate or an alkali metal bromate in water and an organic solvent immiscible with water; adding an iodine halide or iodide; and adding a metal iodide whereby the &bgr;-carotene is oxidized to yield canthaxanthin.