Abstract: It is intended to provide a rapid, convenient, and highly accurate method for determining the prognosis of cancer. The present invention provides a method for determining a tissue having renal cell carcinoma, comprising: (1) subjecting sample DNA to ion exchange chromatography, wherein the sample DNA is obtained by treating target genomic DNA prepared from a renal tissue of a subject with bisulfite, followed by PCR amplification; (2) calculating a derivative value of a detection signal of the chromatography; and (3) determining the renal tissue as being a tissue having renal cell carcinoma having poor prognosis when the derivative value calculated in the step (2) has two or more maximums.

Abstract: A method may assess the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Such a method may be for detecting hepatocytes or tissue including hepatocytes having a risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. The method may include detecting DNA methylation level of a target CpG site in genomic DNA derived from hepatocytes or tissue comprising hepatocytes with NASH, and detecting hepatocytes or tissue comprising hepatocytes having a risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, from the detected DNA methylation level.

Abstract: Provided is a method for diagnosing upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma with low invasiveness and high reliability. A method for identifying a cell or tissue having upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma, comprising: detecting the DNA methylation level of at least one of specific CpG sites in genomic DNA derived from an upper urinary tract urothelial cell or a tissue containing the upper urinary tract urothelial cell; and determining whether the cell or tissue containing such a cell has upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma on the basis of the detected DNA methylation level.

Abstract: A problem to be solved is to perform an immunoassay method for BG in a biological sample having a sensitivity equivalent to and a reactivity similar to a Limulus amebocyte lysate reagent. The problem can be solved by an immunoassay method for ?-D-glucan in a biological sample, comprising assaying ?-D-glucan in the biological sample by using a monoclonal antibody binding to (1?3)-?-D-glucan having a degree of polymerization of 4.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a method for determining a tumor. The method for determining a tumor comprises: (1) treating genomic DNA prepared from a subject tissue or cell with bisulfite (the subject tissue or cell is derived from a patient who is affected by a tumor and is determined as (i) having MSI-H of the tumor in MSI examination and/or no or reduced expression of MLH1 in the tumor in immunohistochemical examination, and (ii) having no mutation in MLH1 in genetic examination); 2) amplifying, by PCR, DNA comprising a portion or the whole of MLH1 promoter region from the bisulfite-treated DNA; 3) subjecting the PCR amplification product to ion exchange chromatography to obtain a detection signal; 4) determining whether or not the peak of the detection signal is a peak indicating highly methylated DNA; and 5) determining the tumor as a tumor derived from a patient without Lynch syndrome when the peak is determined as a peak indicating highly methylated DNA.

Abstract: A problem to be solved is to perform an immunoassay method for BG in a biological sample simply operated and having a sensitivity equivalent to that of a Limulus reagent. The problem can be solved by combining a pretreatment of a biological samples with an alkaline solution and a use of anti-BG monoclonal antibody specifically reacting with BG.

Abstract: Provided is a method for separating and detecting various hemoglobins including abnormal hemoglobins and thalassemia markers. A method for analyzing hemoglobins, comprising separating hemoglobins in a sample by cation exchange chromatography, wherein an eluent having a pH of 8.1 or more and an osmotic pressure of 40 mOsm/kg or less is used for separation of the hemoglobins.

Abstract: It is intended to provide highly sensitive and specific, rapid, and convenient method for evaluating a risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. The method for evaluating a risk of hepatocellular carcinoma comprises: (1) amplifying bisulfite-treated DNA derived from a liver tissue of a subject, wherein the DNA comprises a CpG site of an exon region of MGRN1 gene; (2) subjecting the obtained amplification product to ion exchange chromatography; and (3) determining whether or not the DNA is DNA obtained from a subject having a high risk of development of hepatocellular carcinoma on the basis of a peak shape of a detection signal of the chromatography.

Abstract: Provided is a chromatography packing that can detect methylated DNA with high accuracy. An ion-exchange chromatography packing for separation and/or detection of methylated DNA, containing a base particle consisting of a hydrophobic crosslinked copolymer particle having a cationic functional group on a surface, wherein a hydrophobic crosslinked copolymer contains a divinyl aromatic monomer.

Abstract: Provided is a rapid and simple method of detecting methylated DNA. The method of detecting methylated DNA includes the following steps of: (1) treating sample DNA with a hydrogen sulfite; (2) amplifying the sample DNA treated with the hydrogen sulfite by PCR; and (3) subjecting the resultant PCR amplification product to ion-exchange chromatography.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a rapid, convenient, and highly accurate method for determining the prognosis of cancer. The present invention provides a method for determining a tissue having renal cell carcinoma, comprising: (1) subjecting sample DNA to ion exchange chromatography, wherein the sample DNA is obtained by treating target genomic DNA prepared from a renal tissue of a subject with bisulfite, followed by PCR amplification; (2) calculating a derivative value of a detection signal of the chromatography; and (3) determining the renal tissue as being a tissue having renal cell carcinoma having poor prognosis when the derivative value calculated in the step (2) has two or more maximums.

Abstract: A mechanism for collecting a trace of a biological sample to be used for a biological sample analysis, and for preparing a diluted solution of the sample. A container for specimen preparation includes: a biological sample collecting device; and a container for sample dilution. The biological sample collecting device includes: a capillary tube having openings formed at both ends thereof; and a support member for supporting the capillary tube. The container for sample dilution includes: an opening; and a swirl flow generating member formed on an inner wall of the container for sample dilution. The capillary tube of the biological sample collecting device is arranged inside the container for sample dilution by the support member.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a method for determining a tumor. The method for determining a tumor comprises: (1) treating genomic DNA prepared from a subject tissue or cell with bisulfite (the subject tissue or cell is derived from a patient who is affected by a tumor and is determined as (i) having MSI-H of the tumor in MSI examination and/or no or reduced expression of MLH1 in the tumor in immunohistochemical examination, and (ii) having no mutation in MLH1 in genetic examination); 2) amplifying, by PCR, DNA comprising a portion or the whole of MLH1 promoter region from the bisulfite-treated DNA; 3) subjecting the PCR amplification product to ion exchange chromatography to obtain a detection signal; 4) determining whether or not the peak of the detection signal is a peak indicating highly methylated DNA; and 5) determining the tumor as a tumor derived from a patient without Lynch syndrome when the peak is determined as a peak indicating highly methylated DNA.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a rapid, convenient, and highly accurate method for determining the prognosis of cancer. The present invention provides a method for determining the prognosis of a renal cell carcinoma patient, comprising: (1) treating genomic DNA prepared from a renal tissue of a subject with bisulfite; (2) amplifying the bisulfite-treated DNA by PCR; (3) subjecting the obtained PCR amplification product to ion exchange chromatography; (4) obtaining the retention time of a detection signal obtained by the chromatography; and (5) determining the renal cell carcinoma of the subject as having poor prognosis when the result of the step (4) is shorter than a retention time serving as a reference.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a rapid, convenient, and highly accurate method for determining the prognosis of cancer. The present invention provides a method for determining the prognosis of a renal cell carcinoma patient, comprising: (1) treating genomic DNA prepared from a renal tissue of a subject with bisulfite; (2) amplifying the bisulfite-treated DNA by PCR; (3) subjecting the obtained PCR amplification product to ion exchange chromatography; (4) obtaining the retention time of a detection signal obtained by the chromatography; and (5) determining the renal cell carcinoma of the subject as having poor prognosis when the result of the step (4) is shorter than a retention time serving as a reference.

Abstract: A gradient liquid feed device allows reduction in size of a high performance liquid chromatography type sample analyzer. The gradient liquid feed device includes a plurality of carrier liquid reservoir tanks configured to store carrier liquids of mutually different compositions, a plurality of single plunger pumps capable of drawing and discharging the carrier liquid from the plurality of carrier liquid reservoir tanks, a mixer configured to mix the carrier liquids discharged from the plurality of liquid feed pumps and feed the mixed carrier liquid, and a pulse damper in communication with the mixer and configured to absorb pulsation that may occur during liquid feeding. The single plunger pumps have a function for variably setting a length of stroke for drawing and discharging the carrier liquid and a function for variably setting a ratio between the carrier liquid drawing time and the carrier liquid discharge time.

Abstract: Provided are a reagent supply method and device capable of using up a reagent in a container without a remnant to the extent possible, and supplying the reagent to an analysis device without mixing air bubbles even when the remaining amount of the reagent is extremely small. The reagent supply device includes: at least one reagent container including: a container body for storing a liquid reagent; and a reagent supply port arranged on the container body; and a support member for supporting the at least one reagent container so that the reagent supply port is positioned on a lower side of the container body. The reagent supply port is sealed by a plug including at least one nozzle penetration portion. The at least one nozzle penetration portion is formed of a material having a Shore hardness of from A5° to A90°.

Abstract: A switching valve includes: (A) a rotor including: (1) a center pipe connection port, (2) a first in-valve flow path in communication with the center pipe connection port, and (3) an arc-like second in-valve flow path; (B) a stator including: (4) a first pipe connection port group which is brought into communication independently with the center pipe connection port via the first in-valve flow path when the rotor is turned, and (5) a second pipe connection port group which is brought into mutual communication via the second in-valve flow path when the rotor is turned; and (C) an arrangement of the rotor and the stator satisfying the following relationship: the state of communication or non-communication among the second pipe connection port group via the second in-valve flow path is switched in accordance with the state of communication between the first pipe connection port group and the center pipe connection port.

Abstract: Provided is a sample injection device for flow-type analysis including a cylindrical needle (27) which penetrates through an upper wall and a lower wall of a sample injection portion (22) of a carrier-liquid channel through ring-like sealing members (25, 26). The needle (27) includes an inner hole (41) which is closed on a side of a lower end of the needle (27) and open on an outer peripheral surface as a horizontal hole (42). The needle moving unit (44) induces the needle (27) to move downward so that the horizontal hole (42) faces an inside of a sample vessel (40) to draw the sample to the inside of the needle (27). Then the moving unit (44) induces the needle (27) to move upward so that the horizontal hole (42) faces an inside of the sample injection portion (22) to inject the sample in the inside of the needle (27). At an intermediate position, washing liquid is discharged from the horizontal hole (42) of the needle (27), and the washing liquid is recovered via a discharge path (15).

Abstract: A cylindrical column body (101) holds a filler. A pair of end caps (105, 106) covers both ends of the column body (101) and has a flow hole for a carrier liquid (111, 112) arranged in the center thereof. An end surface on the side of a large diameter portion (113a, 114a) of a pair of columnar joint members (113, 114) contacts an end surface of the pair of end caps (105, 106) and also has a communication hole (115, 116) arranged in the center thereof. A sealing member (117, 118) is arranged on a contact surface between the end cap (105, 106) and the joint member (113, 114). A bottomed cylindrical case (121) accommodates the pair of end caps (105, 106) and a large diameter portion of the pair of joint members (113, 114) in an engaged state. A cover member (124) is detachably installed on a side of an opening of the case (121).