Abstract: A chimeric protein wherein HI-8 which is the C-terminal domain of human urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI) having a cancer cell metastasis inhibitory effect, is linked to a peptide containing the G domain of urokinase binding specifically to urokinase receptor expressed in a large amount in cancer cells.

Abstract: The inventors provide an agent for potentiating the effect of interleukin-8, which comprises dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient. An agent for potentiating the effect of IL-8 of the present invention potentiates the effect of IL-8 by activating the receptor of IL-8 and increasing the number of receptors.

Abstract: Leukocyte chemotactic factors such as interleukin-8 and MCAF, and inductive substances therefor were revealed to have proconceptive activities. These activities include promoting ovum growth and fertilized ovum implantation, and are exhibited by a sole substance. Accordingly, it has been shown that such substances can be used in drugs concerning medical treatment for infertility, and further, can be used in veterinary and livestock industry fields such as reproduction of industrial animals or species preservation of rare animals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of diagnosing and treating a pregnant female at risk for impending preterm delivery. The method comprises the step of diagnosing imminent preterm delivery by testing with a method that has a sensitivity of at least 80% and a specificity of at least 80%, or by testing for fetal fibronectin in the female's vaginal or cervical secretions. If imminent preterm delivery is indicated by the test, the next step comprises administering to the female a combination of a tocolytic agent, at least one urinastatin-like compound, and at least one antibiotic. Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition of MGMTSRYFYNGTSMA (SEQ ID NO:1), RAFIQLWAFDAVKGK (SEQ ID NO:2) and an antibiotic.

Abstract: Even when the specimen contains human granulocyte elastase in the form of a mixture of free elastase with an elastase-inhibitor complex or complexes, the present invention enables the total quantity of elastase in that specimen to be precisely detected. The inhibitor is added to free elastase to convert it into an elastase-inhibitor complex, whereby the quantity of elastase can be measured by immunoassay as the total amount including the previously existing elastase-inhibitor complex. It is possible to precisely measure the total amount of elastase in mucus collected from the cervical canal of a pregnant woman, sputum or a rinsed solution of bronchovesicular lavage in which free elastase is mixed with an elastase-inhibitor complex.