Abstract: A total body water content evaluation system including a calculation device that calculates a total body moisture loss amount per unit time from a local perspiration amount (mg/cm2/min) obtained using a perspiration meter and a following formula (1), total body moisture loss amount per unit time (mg/min)=local perspiration amount (mg/cm2/min)×correction coefficient for each measurement site×body surface area (cm2)??(1).

Abstract: A method for detecting a sentinel lymph node generating a microenvironment suitable for micrometastasis within the sentinel lymph node of carcinoma cells from a primary tumor or for detecting micrometastasis within the sentinel lymph node. A detecting agent is injected into the primary tumor, or tissue or a lymph node nearby the tumor, which allows the detecting agent to reach the sentinel lymph node by lymphatic circulation. The detecting agent includes colloid particles, an anti-ICAM-1 antibody or an ICAM-1 ligand exposed on an outer surface of the colloid particles, and a detectable label. Positive detection of the detectable label within the lymph vessel or the sentinel lymph node indicates that ICAM-1 is present, and the presence of ICAM-1 indicates that the sentinel lymph node is generating a microenvironment suitable for micrometastasis within the sentinel lymph node of carcinoma cells from the primary tumor or that micrometastasis is occurring within the lymph node.

Abstract: A kit for detecting cancer cells metastasizing into a sentinel lymph node which comprises a human lymph channel-origin endothelial cell line attached to a base material. A drug delivery agent toward to sentinel lymph node wherein an antibody against an adhesive molecule, which mediates the adhesion of metastatic cancer cells from a primary cancer lesion to lymph channel endothelial cells in the sentinel lymph node, is exposed on the surface of colloidal particles.

Abstract: In an venous distensibility evaluation index measuring apparatus, a pressure adjusting section generates a pressure to supply it to a venous occluding section; in response thereto the venous occluding section starts to press a vein in the upper arm; upon this operation, an electrode section causes a current to flow, while detecting a voltage at that time; an impedance conversion section converts this detected voltage in combination with the supplied current into an impedance; an impedance transition gradient calculating unit determines a gradient of a rate of change in impedance to the elapsed time; a venous distensibility evaluation index determining unit determines a venous age corresponding to said gradient of the rate of change in impedance to the elapsed time as well as a venous sclerosis level corresponding to the venous age based on the relation data stored previously in a storage section; and finally a display section indicates the venous age and the venous sclerosis level.

Abstract: In an venous distensibility evaluation index measuring apparatus, a pressure adjusting section generates a pressure to supply it to a venous occluding section; in response thereto the venous occluding section starts to press a vein in the upper arm; upon this operation, an electrode section causes a current to flow, while detecting a voltage at that time; an impedance conversion section converts this detected voltage in combination with the supplied current into an impedance; an impedance transition gradient calculating unit determines a gradient of a rate of change in impedance to the elapsed time; a venous distensibility evaluation index determining unit determines a venous age corresponding to said gradient of the rate of change in impedance to the elapsed time as well as a venous sclerosis level corresponding to the venous age based on the relation data stored previously in a storage section; and finally a display section indicates the venous age and the venous sclerosis level.

Abstract: To provide vascular relaxation agents and vascular relaxation inhibitors. Vascular relaxation agents comprising PTHrP or a fragment thereof and vascular relaxation inhibitors comprising a substance capable of inhibiting the binding between PTHrP and a receptor thereof.

Abstract: A device for continuously measuring the skin local sweating rate includes a capsule used for applying on a human skin at a measuring point and an air supply element for supplying dehumidified air to the capsule. A first chamber is formed between the capsule and the skin for receiving water vapor perspired from the skin and the dehumidified air supplied from the air supply element to produce the mixture of perspiration oriented water vapor through the skin and the dehumidified air. A second chamber is also formed within the capsule and connected with the first chamber through a communicating hole. The device further includes a humidity detecting element disposed in the second chamber. The humidity detecting element varies its electrical circuit constant according to the relative humidity of the mixture. A temperature detecting element is disposed in the second chamber for detecting the temperature in the second chamber and for outputting signals corresponding to the temperature.