Abstract: A nucleic acid amplification apparatus for amplifying a target nucleic acid derived from living organism, comprising: a measurement unit for amplifying the target nucleic acid in a measuring sample prepared from the living organism, and measuring a product of the amplification of the target nucleic acid; a measurement value obtaining unit for obtaining a measurement value related to an amount of the product of the amplification; and a judging unit for judging whether amplification inhibition of the target nucleic acid occur or not based on a first measurement value and a second measurement value, the first measurement value obtained from a first measurement sample and the second measurement value obtained from a second measurement sample having a difference dilution ratio from the first measurement sample.

Abstract: It is intended to provide novel primers to be used in gene amplification reactions for detecting human cytokeratins (Human CK). A primer containing an oligonucleotide comprising a base sequence which is selected from among the the 270- to 1375-th regions of the base sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1 and the regions of complementary strands thereof and represented by, for example, any of SEQ ID NOS:2 to 341 is constructed. Further, a primer containing an oligonucleotide comprising a base sequence which is selected from among the 270- to 930-th regions of the base sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:342 and the regions of complementary strands thereof and represented by, for example, any of SEQ ID NOS:343 to 434 is constructed.

Abstract: A nucleic acid amplification apparatus for amplifying a target nucleic acid derived from living organism, comprising: a measurement unit for amplifying the target nucleic acid in a measuring sample prepared from the living organism, and measuring a product of the amplification of the target nucleic acid; a measurement value obtaining unit for obtaining a measurement value related to an amount of the product of the amplification; and a judging unit for judging whether amplification inhibition of the target nucleic acid occur or not based on a first measurement value and a second measurement value, the first measurement value obtained from a first measurement sample and the second measurement value obtained from a second measurement sample having a difference dilution ratio from the first measurement sample.

Abstract: Methods for detecting a malaria parasite are described that include: releasing the malaria parasite by allowing an erythrocyte in a specimen to undergo hemolysis; staining the released malaria parasite with a fluorescent dye to prepare a measurement sample; detecting optical information from the measurement sample; and distinguishing the malaria parasite based on the optical information obtained. Apparatuses and reagent kits are also described.

Abstract: It is intended to provide novel primers to be used in gene amplification reactions for detecting human cytokeratins (Human CK). A primer containing an oligonucleotide comprising a base sequence which is selected from among the the 270- to 1375-th regions of the base sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1 and the regions of complementary strands thereof and represented by, for example, any of SEQ ID NOS:2 to 341 is constructed. Further, a primer containing an oligonucleotide comprising a base sequence which is selected from among the 270- to 930-th regions of the base sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:342 and the regions of complementary strands thereof and represented by, for example, any of SEQ ID NOS:343 to 434 is constructed.

Abstract: Methods for detecting a malaria parasite are described that include: releasing the malaria parasite by allowing an erythrocyte in a specimen to undergo hemolysis; staining the released malaria parasite with a fluorescent dye to prepare a measurement sample; detecting optical information from the measurement sample; and distinguishing the malaria parasite based on the optical information obtained. Apparatuses and reagent kits are also described.

Abstract: An anticoagulant for blood cell counting containing at least two kinds of the following antiplatelet agents: theophyllines, adenosines and dipyridamoles. The anticoagulant also contains citric acid, an alkali metal salt thereof or a mixture of citric acid and an alkali metal salt thereof.

Abstract: A reagent for measuring reticulocytes which has at least one dye which specifically stains reticulocytes and at least one dye which specifically stains leukocytes.

Abstract: A compound represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are independently hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a lower alkoxy groups; R.sub.4 is hydrogen atom, an acyl group or a lower alkyl group; R.sub.5 is hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted lower alkyl group; Z is sulfur atom, oxygen atom or carbon atom substituted with a lower alkyl group; n is 1 or 2; and X.sup.- is an anion.

Abstract: A method for classifying and counting leukocytes which includes the steps of (i) adding a first reagent used for classifying leukocytes into four groups which contains, (a) at least one ionic surfactant in a sufficient amount to lyse erythrocytes and to damage a part of cell membrane of leukocytes, (b) at least one organic compound having an anionic group in a sufficient amount to bond with a cationic component present in leukocytes to give morphological differences between leukocytes, (c) a nonionic surfactant, and (d) a buffer for adjusting pH, to a part of a blood sample to determine information on the cell size and morphological features in order to classify leukocytes into four groups consisting of three groups corresponding to lymphocytes, mononuclear cells and eosinophils and one group corresponding to neutrophils and basophils; (ii) adding a second reagent used for measuring basophils to another part of the blood sample to determine information on at least the cell size in order to classify basophils,

Abstract: A reagent for analyzing leukocytes having at least one nonionic surfactant having an addition polymerization molar number of polyoxyethylene of 3 to 9, at least one cationic surfactant, and a buffer adjusting a pH value to 2.5 to 4.0, which can determine a cell size of and the morphological features of leukocytes contained in the blood sample.