Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel production method of a novel prostaglandin derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof useful as a medicament, and an intermediate therefor. According to the present invention, a production method of a novel prostaglandin derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof including a conversion step from a compound represented by the following formula 3 to a compound represented by the formula 1 can be provided: wherein each symbol is as defined in the DESCRIPTION.

Abstract: A method of producing a decellularized transplantation material, wherein the method includes the steps of (a) harvesting a branch-bearing blood vessel from a vertebrate animal (a donor); (b) decellularizing the blood vessel; and (c) adhering, by a protein denaturation treatment, a portion where a branch has been excised to close the vessel. Also, a graft composition consisting of a biocompatible material that contains the decellularized transplantation material.

Abstract: The present substrate processing method includes a pre-drying processing liquid supplying step of supplying, to a front surface of a substrate, a pre-drying processing liquid, having a freezing point lower than a freezing point of the solidified body forming substance, a solidified body forming step of solidifying a portion of the pre-drying processing liquid on the front surface of the substrate to form the solidified body, containing the solidified body forming substance, inside the pre-drying processing liquid, a liquid removing step of removing the pre-drying processing liquid on the front surface of the substrate while letting the solidified body remain on the front surface of the substrate, and a solid removing step of removing the solidified body, remaining on the front surface of the substrate, from the front surface of the substrate by making the solidified body change to a gas.

Abstract: A pre-drying processing liquid containing a sublimable substance that changes to gas without passing through to a liquid and a solvent in which the sublimable substance dissolves is supplied to a front surface of a substrate on which a pattern has been formed. Thereafter, the solvent is evaporated from the pre-drying processing liquid on the front surface of the substrate to thereby form a solidified body containing the sublimable substance on the front surface of the substrate. Thereafter, the solidified body is sublimated and thereby removed from the front surface of the substrate. A value acquired by multiplying a ratio of the thickness of the solidified body to the height of the pattern by 100 is greater than 76 and less than 219.

Abstract: A living radical polymerization initiator represented by the following: wherein, R1 represents an aromatic, an alkylcarbonyl, an alkoxycarbonyl, an aminocarbonyl, an alkylaminocarbonyl, a dialkylaminocarbonyl, an arylcarbonyl, an alkylsulfonyl, an aryl sulfonyl or combinations thereof; R2, R3, R4 and R5 are a hydrogen, an aliphatic, an aromatic, an alkylcarbonyl, an alkoxycarbonyl, an aminocarbonyl, an alkylaminocarbonyl, a dialkylaminocarbonyl, an arylcarbonyl, a carboxy, an alkylsulfonyl or an aryl sulfonyl; X and Y are a halogen; m and n are an integer of 1 or more, and are non-symmetrical so that X and Y have different reactivities to initiate a living radical polymerization.

Abstract: A sheet of biological tissue which includes on at least one side tapered edge portion thinning down in the thickness direction, towards an end thereof, a tubular structure obtained from the sheet, and an artificial blood vessel made up of the tubular structure are provided.

Abstract: A living radical polymerization initiator represented by the following: wherein, R1 represents an aromatic, an alkylcarbonyl, an alkoxycarbonyl, an aminocarbonyl, an alkylaminocarbonyl, a dialkylaminocarbonyl, an arylcarbonyl, an alkylsulfonyl, an aryl sulfonyl or combinations thereof; R2, R3, R4 and R5 are a hydrogen, an aliphatic, an aromatic, an alkylcarbonyl, an alkoxycarbonyl, an aminocarbonyl, an alkylaminocarbonyl, a dialkylaminocarbonyl, an arylcarbonyl, a carboxy, an alkylsulfonyl or an aryl sulfonyl; X and Y are a halogen; m and n are an integer of 1 or more, and are non-symmetrical so that X and Y have different reactivities to initiate a living radical polymerization.

Abstract: A polyester resin composition containing a phyllosilicate and a polyester, the phyllosilicate being subjected to an ion exchange with a quaternary onium cation having at one end of the molecule a structure that affords a silanol group (Si—OH) by hydrolysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating pathologies using Decorin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting an activity of a cell regulatory factor comprising contacting the cell regulatory factor with a purified polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide comprises the cell regulatory factor binding domain of a protein and wherein the protein is characterized by a leucine-rich repeat of about 24 amino acids. In a specific embodiment, the present invention relates to the ability of decorin, a 40,000 dalton protein that usually carries a glycosaminoglycan chain, to bind TGF-&bgr;. The invention also provides a novel cell regulatory factor designated MRF. Also provided are methods of identifying, detecting and purifying cell regulatory factors and proteins which bind and affect the activity of cell regulatory factors. The present invention further relates to methods for the prevention or reduction of scarring by administering decorin or a functional equivalent of decorin to a wound.

Abstract: A variable gain amplifying device that improves noise figure and third order intermodulation distortion over a wide range of gain. The device includes n stages (where n is an arbitrary natural number more than 1), each stage containing a variable gain amplifier capable of changing gain in accordance with a respective gain control signal. Through lines for bypassing a respective amplifier are arranged in parallel to the amplifiers. Input stage switches are provided at respective input sides of the variable gain amplifiers to change the output signal to be input to the variable gain amplifier or the through line based on the gain control signal. Output stage switches are provided at respective output sides of the variable gain amplifiers to change the signal to be output from the variable gain amplifier or the through line based on the gain control signal. A control circuit outputs the respective control signals to the stages.

Abstract: A method of suppressing cell proliferation of a mammalian cell by contacting the cell with decorin.

Abstract: A method of treating of glomerulonephritis in a patient by administering decorin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a substantially purified polypeptide, epitaxin, which is produced by fibroblasts and can stimulate migration of and DNA synthesis in a tumor cell. The invention also provides antibodies that are specifically reactive with epitaxin and cell lines that produce such antibodies. The invention also provides an active fragment antagonist of ETX activity, which can reduce or inhibit at least one activity of ETX. The invention further provides a method for controlling tumor cell migration and a method for controlling DNA synthesis in a tumor cell, comprising contacting the tumor cell with a composition of the invention. The invention also provides a method of increasing the sensitivity of a tumor cell to a cancer therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting an activity of TGF.beta. comprising contacting the TGF.beta. with a purified decorin. In a specific embodiment, the present invention relates to the ability of decorin, a 40,000 dalton protein that usually carries a glycosaminoglycan chain, to bind TGF.beta.. The invention also provides a novel cell regulatory factor designated MRF. Also provided are methods of identifying, detecting and purifying cell regulatory factors and proteins which bind and affect the activity of cell regulatory factors.