Abstract: A bending and extending device 1 comprises an elastic hollow guide unit 2 and a movable part 3 to be movably inserted into the guide unit 2. The movable part 3 is constituted, either partially or entirely, of a plurality of belt-like flexible parts 30a and 30b, which extend in the axial direction of the guide unit 2 and the flexible parts 30a and 30b are connected at distal ends.

Abstract: A distance measurement system includes: a signal generator which generates a light emission signal that instructs light emission and an exposure signal that instructs exposure of reflected light; a first illumination and distance measurement light source which receives the light emission signal and, according to the signal received, performs the light emission for illumination without a purpose of distance measurement and the light emission with the purpose of distance measurement using the reflected light; an imaging device which receives the exposure signal, performs the exposure according to the signal received, and obtains an amount of light exposure of the reflected light; and a calculator which calculates distance information using the amount of light exposure and outputs the distance information, wherein the distance measurement system has operation modes including an illumination mode and a first distance measurement mode.

Abstract: Provided is a method for driving a solid-state imaging device including a unit pixel which includes at least a first pixel including: a photoelectric converter which receives reflected light from an object and converts the reflected light into charge; an exposure resetter which switches between exposure and discharge of the charge in the photoelectric converter; and a plurality of readers which read the charge from the photoelectric converter and include at least a first reader and a second reader. The method includes: performing a first exposure as the exposure that is performed in a first period in which a gate of the first reader is ON; and performing a second exposure as the exposure that is performed in a second period which is started in conjunction with the end of the first period and in which a gate of the second reader is ON.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods of use of cupredoxins, and variants, derivatives and structural equivalents of cupredoxins that interfere with the ephrin signaling system in mammalian cells. Specifically, the invention relates to compositions and methods that use cupredoxins, such as azurin, rusticyanin and plastocyanin, and variants, derivatives and structural equivalents thereof, to treat cancer in mammals.

Abstract: A plurality of pixels of a solid-state imaging device include: a photoelectric converter which receives light from an object and converts the light into charge; a plurality of readers which read the charge from the photoelectric converter; a plurality of charge accumulators which accumulate the charge of the photoelectric converter; and a transfer controller which performs a transfer control including controlling whether the charge is transferred or blocked from being transferred. The readers read the charge of the photoelectric converter to the charge accumulators, the plurality of pixels include at least a first pixel and a second pixel, and the transfer controller performs the transfer control to cause addition of the charge read from each of the first pixel and the second pixel.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and materials for killing and/or inhibiting the growth of a cancer cell via preferential entry of a cytotoxic compound. Preferential entry of the cytotoxic compound is accomplished by the use of protein transduction domains derived from cupredoxins, including the p18 and p28 truncations of azurin.

Abstract: A plurality of pixels of a solid-state imaging device include: a photoelectric converter which receives light from an object and converts the light into charge; a plurality of readers which read the charge from the photoelectric converter; a plurality of charge accumulators each of which accumulates the charge of the photoelectric converter read from the plurality of readers; and a transfer controller which performs a transfer control including controlling whether the charge accumulated in one of the plurality of charge accumulators is transferred or blocked from being transferred to another one of the plurality of charge accumulators. The transfer controller is disposed between the plurality of charge accumulators.

Abstract: Cytotoxic factors having use in modulating cell death, and their use in methods of treating necrosis or apoptosis-related conditions are disclosed. The invention also relates to methods for identifying active agents useful in treating conditions related to cell death or uncontrolled growth. The present inventors have found that different microorganisms produce different cytotoxic factor(s) having anticancer activity. The substantially pure cytotoxic factors can be used in a method of treating an infectious disease or a cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods comprising chemopreventive agents that may be cupredoxin(s) or variants, derivatives and structural equivalents of cupredoxins, and at least one other chemopreventive agent. Specifically, these compositions may comprise azurin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and/or the 50-77 residue region of azurin (p28). The compositions of the invention may be used to prevent or inhibit the development of premalignant lesions in mammalian cells, tissues and animals, and thus prevent cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cupredoxin, specifically Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin, and/or Pseudomonas aeruginosa cytochrome c551 and their use in inhibiting of viral infection, and in particular infection of mammalian cells by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The invention also relates to variants and derivatives of cupredoxin and cytochrome c that retain the ability to inhibit viral infection, and in particular infection by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The invention also relates to research methods for studying viral and bacterial infection in mammalian cells.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and materials for delivering a cargo compound into a cancer cell. Delivery of the cargo compound is accomplished by the use of protein transduction domains derived from cupredoxins. The invention further discloses methods for treating cancer and diagnosing cancer.

Abstract: A distance measurement system includes: a signal generator which generates a light emission signal that instructs light emission and an exposure signal that instructs exposure of reflected light; a first illumination and distance measurement light source which receives the light emission signal and, according to the signal received, performs the light emission for illumination without a purpose of distance measurement and the light emission with the purpose of distance measurement using the reflected light; an imaging device which receives the exposure signal, performs the exposure according to the signal received, and obtains an amount of light exposure of the reflected light; and a calculator which calculates distance information using the amount of light exposure and outputs the distance information, wherein the distance measurement system has operation modes including an illumination mode and a first distance measurement mode.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and materials for killing and/or inhibiting the growth of a cancer cell via preferential entry of a cytotoxic compound. Preferential entry of the cytotoxic compound is accomplished by the use of protein transduction domains derived from cupredoxins, including the p18 and p28 truncations of azurin.

Abstract: A distance measurement system includes: a signal generator which generates a light emission signal that instructs light emission and an exposure signal that instructs exposure of reflected light; a first illumination and distance measurement light source which receives the light emission signal and, according to the signal received, performs the light emission for illumination without a purpose of distance measurement and the light emission with the purpose of distance measurement using the reflected light; an imaging device which receives the exposure signal, performs the exposure according to the signal received, and obtains an amount of light exposure of the reflected light; and a calculator which calculates distance information using the amount of light exposure and outputs the distance information, wherein the distance measurement system has operation modes including an illumination mode and a first distance measurement mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods comprising chemopreventive agents that may be cupredoxin(s) or variants, derivatives and structural equivalents of cupredoxins, and at least one other chemopreventive agent. Specifically, these compositions may comprise azurin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and/or the 50-77 residue region of azurin (p28). The compositions of the invention may be used to prevent or inhibit the development of premalignant lesions in mammalian cells, tissues and animals, and thus prevent cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods of use of cupredoxins, and variants, derivatives and structural equivalents of cupredoxins that interfere with the ephrin signaling system in mammalian cells. Specifically, the invention relates to compositions and methods that use cupredoxins, such as azurin, rusticyanin and plastocyanin, and variants, derivatives and structural equivalents thereof, to treat cancer in mammals.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and materials for delivering a cargo compound into a cancer cell. Delivery of the cargo compound is accomplished by the use of protein transduction domains derived from cupredoxins. The cargo compound may be a nucleic acid and specifically a DNA, RNA or anti-sense. The invention further discloses methods for treating cancer and diagnosing cancer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and materials for delivering a cargo compound into a brain cancer cell and/or across the blood-brain barrier. Delivery of the cargo compound is accomplished by the use of protein transport peptides derived from Neisseria outer membrane proteins, such as Laz. The invention also provides synthetic transit peptides comprised of the pentapeptide AAEAP. The invention further discloses methods for treating cancer, and specifically brain cancer, as well as other brain-related conditions. Further, the invention provides methods of imaging and diagnosing cancer, particular brain cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods of use of cupredoxins, and variants, derivatives and structural equivalents of cupredoxins that interfere with the ephrin signaling system in mammalian cells. Specifically, the invention relates to compositions and methods that use cupredoxins, such as azurin, rusticyanin and plastocyanin, and variants, derivatives and structural equivalents thereof, to treat cancer in mammals. The invention specifically includes mutants with altered Eph binding constants and selectivities.

Abstract: A plurality of pixels of a solid-state imaging device include: a photoelectric converter which receives light from an object and converts the light into charge; a plurality of readers which read the charge from the photoelectric converter; a plurality of charge accumulators each of which accumulates the charge of the photoelectric converter read from the plurality of readers; and a transfer controller which performs a transfer control including controlling whether the charge accumulated in one of the plurality of charge accumulators is transferred or blocked from being transferred to another one of the plurality of charge accumulators. The transfer controller is disposed between the plurality of charge accumulators.