Abstract: A method of stabilizing a reaction reagent for highly sensitively and specifically amplifying a target nucleic acid in a sample with the use of a chimeric oligonucleotide primer and a method of storing the same over a long time; and a method of highly sensitively detecting a pathogenic microorganism and a virus.

Abstract: Methods of amplifying a target nucleic acid whereby the target nucleic acid in a sample is highly sensitively and specifically amplified; and compositions and kits to be used in these methods.

Abstract: A method of forming a complex consisting of a double-stranded nucleic acid and oligonucleotide(s) characterized by comprising: the step of mixing a double-stranded nucleic acid with at least one oligonucleotide to give a reaction mixture, wherein the oligonucleotide is a chimeric oligonucleotide containing at least a member selected from among deoxyribonucleotides and nucleotide analogs and a ribonucleotide and having a sequence substantially complementary to the base sequence of one of the strands of the double-stranded nucleic acid as described above; and the step of incubating the reaction mixture to form a complex under such conditions that the above-described double-stranded nucleic acid is not denatured.

Abstract: A substance for inducing apoptosis represented by specific formulae. A pharmaceutical composition which can be used for an anticancer agent containing said substance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of screening a biologically active substance or a candidate substance for a biologically active substance, possessing an activity for controlling gene expression to the same extent to that of DGE; a gene controlling agent which is effective for maintaining homeostasis in a living body, for instance, purposed for mitigation or prevention of stress; and a method of controlling a gene.

Abstract: A modifier characterized by containing as the active ingredient a compound represented by the formula (I) (wherein X is OH, OSO3H, or OCH3 and R is a substituent excluding OH). The modifier is applied to a substance having reactivity with the compound.

Abstract: A product obtained by heating at least one substance selected from the following (a), (b) and (c).

Abstract: The present invention provides a suppressor for unbalance of gene expressions, characterized in that the suppressor comprises, as an effective ingredient, a specified compound; a therapeutic agent or prophylactic agent for a disease that requires modulating unbalance of expressions of a specified gene; and a method for modulating unbalance of gene expressions, characterized by administering to a mammal the above-mentioned compound.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions for treating or preventing diabetes, rheumatoid, diseases wherein inflammation should be inhibited, diseases wherein &agr;-glycosidase should be inhibited, diseases wherein the synthesis of prostaglandin should be inhibited, diseases wherein endotoxin shock should be inhibited, diseases wherein the production of interleukin should be inhibited, diseases wherein the production of heme oxygenase should be induced, and diseases wherein the production of tumor necrosis factor or carcinogenesis should be inhibited, which contain as the active ingredient at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 3,6-anhydrogalactopyranose represented by formula (I), its aldehyde, its hydrate and 2-O-methylated derivatives and 2-O-sulfated derivatives thereof.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions for treating, ameliorating or preventing diseases with sensitivity to 3,6-anhydrogalactopyranose are represented by formula (I): 1

Abstract: A convenient and effective method for amplifying a nucleic acid sequence characterized by effecting a DNA synthesis reaction in the presence of chimeric oligonucleotide primers; a method for supplying a large amount of DNA amplification fragments; an effective method for amplifying a nucleic acid sequence by combining the above method with another nucleic acid sequence amplification method; a method for detecting a nucleic acid sequence for detecting or quantitating a microorganism such as a virus, a bacterium, a fungus or a yeast; and a method for detecting a DNA amplification fragment obtained by the above method in situ.

Abstract: A substance for inducing apoptosis represented by specific formulae. A pharmaceutical composition which can be used for an anticancer agent containing said substance.

Abstract: Therapeutic or preventive agents for diseases requiring apoptosis induction, cancerous diseases, diseases requiring the inhibition of active oxygen production, those requiring the inhibition of nitrogen monoxide production, those requiring the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, those requiring the inhibition of synovial cell proliferation, those requiring the induction of heat shock protein production or those requiring the inhibition of &agr;-glycosidase, which contain as the active ingredient compounds selected from among compounds represented by general formula (I), (wherein X and Y are each H or CH2OH, provided that when X is CH2OH, Y is H, while when X is H, Y is CH2OH), those represented by general formula (II), (wherein R is a residue obtained by freeing a compound having an SH group from the SH group) and salts of both; and foods, drinks, cosmetics and so on, containing compounds selected from among compounds of general formula (I), those of general formula (II) and salts of both

Abstract: A substance for inducing apoptosis represented by specific formulae. A pharmaceutical composition which can be used for an anticancer agent containing said substance.

Abstract: Compounds represented by general formula (I) wherein X represents OH or OSO3H; and R represents a substituent other than OH which allows, after leaving, the induction of unsaturated bonds into the 3- and 4-positions of 3,6-anhydrogalactose or its sulfated derivative, and/or a substituent showing a tissue-specific affinity.

Abstract: A product obtained by heating at least one substance selected from the following (a), (b) and (c). (a) uronic acid or uronic acid derivative; (b) a saccharide compound containing uronic acid or a saccharide compound containing uronic acid derivative; and (c) a substance containing a saccharide compound containing uronic acid or a substance containing a saccharide compound containing uronic acid derivative; and food, beverage or a pharmaceutical agent which is characterized in containing the above-mentioned heat-treated product.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions for treating, ameliorating or preventing diseases with sensitivity to 3,6-anhydrogalactopyranose represented by formula (1): foods, drinks, cosmetics, etc. containing as the active ingredient at least one member selected from the group consisting of the above-mentioned compound, its aldehyde, its hydrate and 2-O-methylated derivatives thereof and soluble sugar compounds containing the above compound. This compound also shows, for example, an apoptosis-inducing activity, a carcinostatic activity and inhibitory activities on the production of active oxygen, lipid peroxide radicals and NO, which makes it useful also as the active ingredient of antioxidants and preservatives.

Abstract: An antirheumatic agent which is characterized in containing at least one compound selected from a group consisting of 4,5-dihydroxy-2-cyclopenten-l-one represented by the following formula [I] and an optically active substance and a salt thereof as an effective component.

Abstract: A compound represented by the following formula [I] or an optically active substance or a salt thereof. (In the formula, a bond shown by a dotted line in the five-membered ring means that said five-membered ring may be any of a cyclopentene ring having a double bond and a cyclopentane ring where said bond is saturated and, in the case of a cyclopentene ring, X is OH, Y is ═O and Z is H while, in the case of a cyclopentane ring, X is ═O, Y is OH and Z is OH. R is a residue after removal of an SH group from the SH-containing compound.

Abstract: 2,3,4-trihydroxycyclopentanone represented by the following formula [I], its optically active substance or salt thereof.