Abstract: This invention provides a method for measuring glucose metabolism ability of a subject and a composition that is suitably used in the method. The method for measuring glucose metabolism ability of the present invention is as follows: a method for measuring glucose metabolism ability of a subject, using a composition for measuring glucose metabolism ability, the composition comprising, as an active ingredient, glucose labeled with at least one isotope of C, wherein the glucose is converted in the body into labeled carbon dioxide that is excreted in expired air, the method comprising steps (a) and (b) below: (a) administering the composition to the subject and collecting expired air; and (b) determining the ratio of labeled CO2 amount to unlabeled CO2 amount or the ratio of labeled CO2 amount to total CO2 amount.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring and evaluating rapidly and with high accuracy a subject's glucose metabolism. The method uses a labeled C-breath test and a composition that is suitably used in the method. The composition contains as active ingredient glucose labeled with at least one isotope of C, wherein the glucose is converted in the subject to labeled carbon dioxide that is excreted in expired air. This method also allows for the determination of a stage of a patient in whom diabetes has developed as well as for a stage before the onset of diabetes, and monitors the state (diabetes condition including a state before onset of diabetes) over time.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody that does not show a crossreactivity with middle-molecular weight (MMW) adiponectin and specifically reacts with high-molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin alone is disclosed. The monoclonal antibody of the present invention can be produced by using HMW adiponectin as an antigen. According to the monoclonal antibody of the present invention, a convenient, high-accurate, and versatile reagent for analyzing HMW adiponectin can be provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measuring the gastric acidity of a mammal using a 13C-labeled carbonate compound. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for measuring the gastric acidity of a mammal including the following steps: (1) using, as a test sample, expired air of a mammalian subject excreted at any point in time within 30 minutes after oral administration of a predetermined amount of a 13C-labeled carbonate compound, measuring behavior of 13CO2 in the expired air; (2) comparing the behavior of 13CO2 (measured 13CO2 behavior) obtained in step (1) with the behavior of corresponding 13CO2 (reference 13CO2 behavior) that has been obtained beforehand in a control mammal; and (3) determining the gastric acidity of the mammalian subject based on a difference between the reference 13CO2 behavior and the measured 13CO2 behavior obtained above.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for measuring glucose metabolism ability of a subject and a composition that is suitably used in the method. The method for measuring glucose metabolism ability of the present invention is as follows: a method for measuring glucose metabolism ability of a subject, using a composition for measuring glucose metabolism ability, the composition comprising, as an active ingredient, glucose labeled with at least one isotope of C, wherein the glucose is converted in the body into labeled carbon dioxide that is excreted in expired air, the method comprising steps (a) and (b) below: (a) administering the composition to the subject and collecting expired air; and (b) determining the ratio of labeled CO2 amount to unlabeled CO2 amount or the ratio of labeled CO2 amount to total CO2 amount.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody that does not show a crossreactivity with middle-molecular weight (MMW) adiponectin and specifically reacts with high-molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin alone is disclosed. The monoclonal antibody of the present invention can be produced by using HMW adiponectin as an antigen. According to the monoclonal antibody of the present invention, a convenient, high-accurate, and versatile reagent for analyzing HMW adiponectin can be provided.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody that does not show a crossreactivity with middle-molecular weight (MMW) adiponectin and specifically reacts with high-molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin alone is disclosed. The monoclonal antibody of the present invention can be produced by using HMW adiponectin as an antigen. According to the monoclonal antibody of the present invention, a convenient, high-accurate, and versatile reagent for analyzing HMW adiponectin can be provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measuring the gastric acidity of a mammal using a 13C-labeled carbonate compound. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for measuring the gastric acidity of a mammal including the following steps: (1) using, as a test sample, expired air of a mammalian subject excreted at any point in time within 30 minutes after oral administration of a predetermined amount of a 13C-labeled carbonate compound, measuring behavior of 13CO2 in the expired air; (2) comparing the behavior of 13CO2 (measured 13CO2 behavior) obtained in step (1) with the behavior of corresponding 13CO2 (reference 13CO2 behavior) that has been obtained beforehand in a control mammal; and (3) determining the gastric acidity of the mammalian subject based on a difference between the reference 13CO2 behavior and the measured 13CO2 behavior obtained above.

Abstract: To provide an immunological detection method which can detect or quantify a pneumococcal antigen in a sample derived from a living body conveniently, rapidly, and with high sensitivity, and an antibody for use in the method. The present invention provides an antibody which specifically recognizes a pneumococcal F-antigen; a method for detecting or quantitating a pneumococcal antigen, characterized in that the method detects or quantitates a pneumococcal F-antigen in a sample derived from a living body through immunological assay employing the antibody; and a kit for detecting a pneumococcal antigen, the kit containing the antibody.

Abstract: Provided is a metal colloid having higher visibility and higher sensitivity than a gold colloid and a Au-core Pt-shell composite colloid and suitable as a labeling agent for use in a test such as an immunoassay. An alloyed Au/Pt composite colloid formed by mixing a gold salt and a platinum salt with at least one reducing agent selected from the group consisting of an amino acid and a derivative thereof, an oligopeptide and a derivative thereof, and an amino sugar in the presence of an alkali, thereby reducing the gold salt and platinum salt.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody that does not show a crossreactivity with middle-molecular weight (MMW) adiponectin and specifically reacts with high-molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin alone is disclosed. The monoclonal antibody of the present invention can be produced by using HMW adiponectin as an antigen. According to the monoclonal antibody of the present invention, a convenient, high-accurate, and versatile reagent for analyzing HMW adiponectin can be provided.

Abstract: To provide an immunological detection method which can detect or quantify a pneumococcal antigen in a sample derived from a living body conveniently, rapidly, and with high sensitivity, and an antibody for use in the method. The present invention provides an antibody which specifically recognizes a pneumococcal F-antigen; a method for detecting or quantitating a pneumococcal antigen, characterized in that the method detects or quantitates a pneumococcal F-antigen in a sample derived from a living body through immunological assay employing the antibody; and a kit for detecting a pneumococcal antigen, the kit containing the antibody.

Abstract: A latex reagent for analyzing adiponectin, comprising a suspension of latex particles carrying a substance which specifically binds to adiponectin, is disclosed. Further, a method for analyzing adiponectin, comprising (1) obtaining a biological liquid possibly containing adiponectin, and (2) bringing the biological liquid, while maintaining the state in which the biological liquid is obtained, into contact with a suspension of latex particles carrying a substance which specifically binds to adiponectin, and optically analyzing a degree of latex-particles-agglutination, is disclosed. According to the latex reagent and the method for analyzing adiponectin, a predilution or pretreatment of the biological liquid to be analyzed is not necessary. Further, the analysis can be performed rapidly and conveniently, and facilities therefor are not limited.

Abstract: A latex reagent for analyzing adiponectin, comprising a suspension of latex particles carrying a substance which specifically binds to adiponectin, is disclosed. Further, a method for analyzing adiponectin, comprising (1) obtaining a biological liquid possibly containing adiponectin, and (2) bringing the biological liquid, while maintaining the state in which the biological liquid is obtained, into contact with a suspension of latex particles carrying a substance which specifically binds to adiponectin, and optically analyzing a degree of latex-particles-agglutination, is disclosed. According to the latex reagent and the method for analyzing adiponectin, a predilution or pretreatment of the biological liquid to be analyzed is not necessary. Further, the analysis can be performed rapidly and conveniently, and facilities therefor are not limited.