Abstract: A new manufacturing method produces an insole that fits a user's foot properly and that is manufactured in a shorter time at a lower cost. The manufacturing method includes steps of: acquiring information on a user's foot by a foot printer; selecting a basic part 2 based on the acquired information; attaching various modification parts 3 to the selected basic part 2 arranged in a trial shoe 1; determining whether the trial insole including a combination of the basic part 2 and modification parts 3 is properly fitted to the user's foot in walking and standing statuses; repeating the steps from selecting to determining until the most fitting combination of the basic part and modification parts is determined; reproducing the determined trial insole in a three-dimensional CAD based on the most fitting combination; and manufacturing an insole by cutting out material based on the reproduced trial insole in the three-dimensional CAD.

Abstract: An apparatus for restoring the alignment of the support socket with other structural components during the fabrication of a leg prosthesis comprising a stand with base, a means to secure the lower aspect of the leg prosthesis to the stand base, and a laser source attached to the top of the stand that emits visible cross-beams downward onto the leg prosthesis when the prosthesis is mounted on the stand base. The method of the invention uses the described apparatus with leg prosthesis mounted thereon to mark points on the inside of a check or test socket that coincide with the laser cross-beams; transferring these marks from the check socket to the permanent support socket; and re-aligning the permanent support socket with the lower aspect prosthetic components by mounting the leg prosthesis with permanent support socket on the alignment apparatus and matching the marks to the laser cross-beams.

Abstract: A compound or its salt that regulates (preferably inhibits) the activity of a protein comprising the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, a compound or its salt that regulates (preferably inhibits) the expression of a gene for the protein, an antisense polynucleotide comprising the entire or part of a base sequence complementary or substantially complementary to a base sequence of a polynucleotide encoding the protein or its partial peptide, an antibody against the protein, etc. can be used as a prophylactic/therapeutic agent for cancer, etc., an apoptosis inducing agent, or the like.

Abstract: The polypeptide of the present invention has an activity of binding specifically to the cis-element of Chondromodulin-I (ChM-I) gene promoter and promoting the transcription of the ChM-I gene. The polypeptide of the present invention is usable in screening for a compound that promotes or inhibits the activity of the polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel protein belonging to an ADAM family, a partial peptide thereof or a salt thereof, a DNA encoding the protein, a recombinant vector comprising the DNA, a transformant, a method for producing the protein, a medicine comprising the protein or the DNA, an antibody against the protein, a method/kit for screening for a compound or a salt thereof which promotes or inhibits the protease activity or the extracellular metric degrading enzyme activity (preferably, the peptidoglycan degrading enzyme activity) of the protein, a compound obtained by the screening, and a medicine comprising the compound. The present protein and a DNA encoding it can be used, for example, as an agent for treating or preventing various diseases such as disc herniation, ischialgia, glomerular nephritis, diabetic nephropathy, hepatic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis or osteopetrosis. In addition, the present antibody can be used for quantitating the present protein in a test solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel protein belonging to an ADAM family, a partial peptide thereof or a salt thereof, a DNA encoding the protein, a recombinant vector comprising the DNA, a transformant, a method for producing the protein, a medicine comprising the protein or the DNA, an antibody against the protein, a method/kit for screening for a compound or a salt thereof which promotes or inhibits the protease activity or the extracellular metric degrading enzyme activity (preferably, the peptidoglycan degrading enzyme activity) of the protein, a compound obtained by the screening, and a medicine comprising the compound. The present protein and a DNA encoding it can be used, for example, as an agent for treating or preventing various diseases such as disc herniation, ischialgia, glomerular nephritis, diabetic nephropathy, hepatic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis or osteopetrosis. In addition, the present antibody can be used for quantitating the present protein in a test solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel protein belonging to an ADAM family, a partial peptide thereof or a salt thereof, a DNA encoding the protein, a recombinant vector comprising the DNA, a transformant, a method for producing the protein, a medicine comprising the protein or the DNA, an antibody against the protein, a method/kit for screening for a compound or a salt thereof which promotes or inhibits the protease activity or the extracellular metric degrading enzyme activity (preferably, the peptidoglycan degrading enzyme activity) of the protein, a compound obtained by the screening, and a medicine comprising the compound. The present protein and a DNA encoding it can be used, for example, as an agent for treating or preventing various diseases such as disc herniation, ischialgia, glomerular nephritis, diabetic nephropathy, hepatic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis or osteopetrosis. In addition, the present antibody can be used for quantitating the present protein in a test solution.

Abstract: An apparatus for restoring the alignment of the support socket with other structural components during the fabrication of a leg prosthesis comprising a stand with base, a means to secure the lower aspect of the leg prosthesis to the stand base, and a laser source attached to the top of the stand that emits visible cross-beams downward onto the leg prosthesis when the prosthesis is mounted on the stand base. The method of the invention uses the described apparatus with leg prosthesis mounted thereon to mark points on the inside of a check or test socket that coincide with the laser cross-beams; transferring these marks from the check socket to the permanent support socket; and re-aligning the permanent support socket with the lower aspect prosthetic components by mounting the leg prosthesis with permanent support socket on the alignment apparatus and matching the marks to the laser cross-beams.

Abstract: A compound or its salt that regulates (preferably inhibits) the activity of a protein comprising the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, a compound or its salt that regulates (preferably inhibits) the expression of a gene for the protein, an antisense polynucleotide comprising the entire or part of a base sequence complementary or substantially complementary to a base sequence of a polynucleotide encoding the protein or its partial peptide, an antibody against the protein, etc. can be used as a prophylactic/therapeutic agent for cancer, etc., an apoptosis inducing agent, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel protein belonging to an ADAM family, a partial peptide thereof or a salt thereof, a DNA encoding the protein, a recombinant vector comprising the DNA, a transformant, a method for producing the protein, a medicine comprising the protein or the DNA, an antibody against the protein, a method/kit for screening for a compound or a salt thereof which promotes or inhibits the protease activity or the extracellular metric degrading enzyme activity (preferably, the peptidoglycan degrading enzyme activity) of the protein, a compound obtained by the screening, and a medicine comprising the compound. The present protein and a DNA encoding it can be used, for example, as an agent for treating or preventing various diseases such as disc herniation, ischialgia, glomerular nephritis, diabetic nephropathy, hepatic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis or osteopetrosis. In addition, the present antibody can be used for quantitating the present protein in a test solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds or salts thereof that regulate the activity of a protein comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 11 or SEQ ID NO: 13, and antisense polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence, or a part thereof, complementary or substantially complementary to the nucleotide sequence of a DNA encoding a protein, or a partial peptide thereof, comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 11 or SEQ ID NO: 13. These compounds, salts and antisense poly nucleotides may be used as prophylactic and/or therapeutic agents for bone and/or arthropathy diseases such as arthritis.

Abstract: An above-knee prosthesis that allows the user to control the resistance of knee flexion or extension, and to voluntary lock and release the knee joint, at any and all bending angles, comprising a thigh frame assembly that receives a thigh stump; a leg frame assembly with foot attached; a hinge interconnecting the thigh frame and leg frame assemblies to form an artificial knee joint; a closed hydraulic system further interconnecting the thigh frame and leg frame assemblies to provide resistance to the bending of said artificial knee joint, a means to vary the resistance provided by said closed hydraulic system, and a means to translate the AP movement of said thigh stump into the degree of resistance provided by said closed hydraulic system. In its preferred embodiments, the AP movement of the thigh stump is communicated by means of a linkage, sliding or screw assembly, to a flow rate control valve.

Abstract: A compound or its salt that regulates the activities of a protein having the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, an antisense nucleotide containing a base sequence or a part thereof which is complementary or substantially complementary io the base sequence of a DNA encoding a protein or its partial peptide having the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, etc. can be used as preventive/therapeutic agents for cancer, etc.

Abstract: An above-knee prosthesis that allows the user to control the resistance of knee flexion or extension, and to voluntary lock and release the knee joint, at any and all bending angles, comprising a thigh frame assembly that receives a thigh stump; a leg frame assembly with foot attached; a hinge interconnecting the thigh frame and leg frame assemblies to form an artificial knee joint; a closed hydraulic system further interconnecting the thigh frame and leg frame assemblies to provide resistance to the bending of said artificial knee joint, a means to vary the resistance provided by said closed hydraulic system, and a means to translate the AP movement of said thigh stump into the degree of resistance provided by said closed hydraulic system. In its preferred embodiments, the AP movement of the thigh stump is communicated by means of a linkage, sliding or screw assembly, to a flow rate control valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel protein belonging to an ADAM family, a partial peptide thereof or a salt thereof, a DNA encoding the protein, a recombinant vector comprising the DNA, a transformant, a method for producing the protein, a medicine comprising the protein or the DNA, an antibody against the protein, a method/kit for screening for a compound or a salt thereof which promotes or inhibits the protease activity or the extracellular metric degrading enzyme activity (preferably, the peptidoglycan degrading enzyme activity) of the protein, a compound obtained by the screening, and a medicine comprising the compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel protein belonging to an ADAM family, a partial peptide thereof or a salt thereof, a DNA encoding the protein, a recombinant vector comprising the DNA, a transformant, a method for producing the protein, a medicine comprising the protein or the DNA, an antibody against the protein, a method/kit for screening for a compound or a salt thereof which promotes or inhibits the protease activity or the extracellular metric degrading enzyme activity (preferably, the peptidoglycan degrading enzyme activity) of the protein, a compound obtained by the screening, and a medicine comprising the compound. The present protein and a DNA encoding it can be used, for example, as an agent for treating or preventing various diseases such as disc herniation, ischialgia, glomerular nephritis, diabetic nephropathy, hepatic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis or osteopetrosis. In addition, the present antibody can be used for quantitating the present protein in a test solution.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing D-pantoic acid or D-pantothenic acid utilizing the capability of the microorganism to synthesize D-pantoic acid or D-pantothenic acid. According to this process, (a) D-pantoic acid is biosynthesized from various carbon sources such as glucose to accumulate it in the culture medium, or (b) .beta.-alanine is contacted with the microorganism by, for example, adding .beta.-alanine to the culture medium, to cause condensation of the biosynthesized D-pantoic acid with .beta.-alanine to accumulate D-pantothenic acid in the medium.

Abstract: A method of producing D-pantothenic acid or a salt thereof characterized by bring a microbe belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae having resistance to salicylic acid and capable of producing D-pantothenic acid in the presence of .beta.-alanine in contact with .beta.-alanine, preferably wherein a microbe resistant to .alpha.-ketoisovaleric acid and/or .alpha.-ketobutyric acid, and/or .alpha.-aminobutyric acid and/or .beta.-hydroxy-aspartic acid and/or O-methyl-threonine or a microbe transformed with a plasmid DNA carrying the region of a gene involved in biosynthesis of pantothenic acid or a salt thereof or a part thereof, is used, and a method of producing D-pantoic acid or a salt thereof characterized by culturing a microbe resistant to salicylic acid, .alpha.-ketoisovaleric acid and/or .alpha.-ketobutyric acid and/or .alpha.-aminobutyric acid and/or .beta.