Abstract: The present invention provides a drug for preventing or treating chronic pain and a method for preventing or treating chronic pain. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a serotonin-3 receptor agonist such as a compound represented by the following formula (I): [wherein: m is an integer of 1 to 4; and R1 is each independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a methyl group optionally substituted with 1 to 3 halogen atom(s), a methoxy group optionally substituted with 1 to 3 halogen atom(s), and a methylthio group optionally substituted with 1 to 3 halogen atom(s)] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is useful for preventing or treating chronic pain. The above pharmaceutical composition is also useful for preventing or treating acute pain. Further, the present invention provides a method for screening a compound for preventing or treating chronic pain, the method comprising measuring a serotonin-3 receptor agonist activity.

Abstract: An object is to provide a pharmaceutical or the like that can prevent or treat an oxidative stress-induced disease. Provided is a preventive or therapeutic agent for an oxidative stress-induced disease, pharmaceutical composition, medical device, hygienic product, food, or beverage containing silicon small particles. When the silicon small particles are orally administered or placed on a skin or a mucous membrane, the oxidative stress-induced disease can be prevented or treated. The oxidative stress-induced disease is an inflammatory disease, depression, or the like, and an excellent preventive and therapeutic effect thereon is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drug for preventing or treating chronic pain and a method for preventing or treating chronic pain. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a serotonin-3 receptor agonist such as a compound represented by the following formula (I): [wherein: m is an integer of 1 to 4; and R1 is each independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a methyl group optionally substituted with 1 to 3 halogen atom(s), a methoxy group optionally substituted with 1 to 3 halogen atom(s), and a methylthio group optionally substituted with 1 to 3 halogen atom(s)] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is useful for preventing or treating chronic pain. The above pharmaceutical composition is also useful for preventing or treating acute pain. Further, the present invention provides a method for screening a compound for preventing or treating chronic pain, the method comprising measuring a serotonin-3 receptor agonist activity.

Abstract: The present invention is to generate a binary halftone image by taking full advantage of high resolution dots and low resolution dots. A Laplacian filter is applied to the density data of an original image to determine filtered density data representing spatial frequencies of the original image. A dot selection signal SEL for selecting one of the high resolution dots and the low resolution dots is generated based on a comparison between the filtered density data and a threshold data. A dot generator 32 includes a first SPM 48 for storing a threshold pattern of the low resolution dots and a second SPM 50 for storing a threshold pattern of the high resolution dots. A selector 52 receives threshold data DTH1 and DTH2 output from the first and the second SPMs 48 and 50 and selects one of the threshold data DTH1 and DTH2 in response to the dot selection signal SEL. A comparator 54 compares image data D.sub.IM with the selected threshold data and generates a dot signal Sd to record a binary halftone image.

Abstract: The invention described in this disclosure relates to a cloned cDNA encoding the dopamine transporter protein usually found in certain neural cells. The invention is further directed to the purified dopamine transporter protein and its use as a biosensor material and immunogen for the production of anti-DAT1 antibodies. The disclosure also discusses methods for use of the cDNA for diagnostic and treatment applications, and methods for use of permanent cell lines transformed with the dopamine transporter cDNA for pharmaceutical screening. The use of anti-DAT1 antibodies as a diagnostic tool is also addressed.