Disclosed are methods and reagents for the enzymatic measurement of short-chain fatty acids, having 3 to 6 carbon atoms, in a sample. Methods include the use of recombinant butyrate kinases from multiple species, combined various reagents that includes ATP, to detect butyric acid in different types of samples via measurement of ATP consumption. Disclosed also are the reagents themselves.

The present invention provides a determination method, a fluorescence measurement device, and a test agent, each of which can easily determine a genotype of a microorganism responsible for causing a periodontal disease, based on enzyme activity. The determination method of determining a genotype of the microorganism responsible for periodontal disease includes the steps of: irradiating a liquid sample with excitation light, the liquid sample including a bacterial body or a bacterial body-based extractive matter of the microorganism responsible for periodontal disease and a reagent in which a substrate for an enzyme reaction by the microorganism responsible for periodontal disease is fluorescently labeled, the liquid sample having a pH value thereof having been adjusted to not lower than pH 7.0 and not higher than pH 8.5 and then having been subjected to the enzyme reaction; and determining the genotype based on an intensity of fluorescence emitted from the liquid sample.

The present invention relates to a novel MMP-8 activation product such as a MMP-8 middle-part activation product. The invention also relates to detecting such a MMP-8 activation product or activated MMP-8 fragments in a biological sample derived from a subject and to the use thereof for diagnosing diseases which relate to abnormal or elevated levels of activated MMP-8.

A toothbrush for brushing a user's teeth is a T-shaped member having a handle forming a lower part of the T and a head forming the upper, transverse part of the T. A plurality of bristles extends outwardly from a surface of the head. A combination of at least the head and the plurality of bristles together provides about a 45-degree brushing angle relative to a side surface of a tooth of a user.

A tongue sponge for improving oral care includes a wand, a carrier, and a sponge head. The wand has an attachment post positioned at one end thereof. The carrier is for removably and replaceably coupling to the attachment post of the wand. The sponge head has a receptacle for receiving the carrier in a fixed position, with an outwardly facing surface of the sponge extending outwardly around the entire carrier.

An orthodontic chew for use with braces includes an elongated tubular member made of a chewable food grade silicone and including an ingredient that improves oral health during usage of braces. A comfort tape for use with braces includes a strip of flexible and stretchable material that is infused with an ingredient to improve oral care during treatment with braces.

Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing the presence of gingivitis in a human subject. The method is based on the insight to determine a selection of three biomarker proteins. Accordingly, in a saliva sample of the subject the concentrations are measured of the proteins Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and at least one of C reactive protein (CRP) and Haemoglobin. Based on the concentrations as measured, a value is determined reflecting the joint concentrations for said proteins. This value is compared with a threshold value reflecting in the same manner the joint concentrations associated with the absence of gingivitis or periodontitis. The comparison allows to assessing whether the testing value is indicative of the presence of gingivitis in said subject. Thereby, typically, a testing value reflecting a joint concentration above the joint concentration reflected by the threshold, is indicative of the presence of gingivitis.

Described herein are methods used for the detection of gingivitis and the monitoring of gingivitis in a subject.

Described herein are methods used for the detection of gingivitis and the monitoring of gingivitis in a subject.

[Object] An object of the present technology to provide a diagnosing apparatus capable of providing, more accurately and simply, information for determining at least one item selected from the group consisting of a type of an illness that has developed in a subject, and a state of progress of the illness that has developed in the subject. Another object of the present technology is to provide an analysis method.

[Solving Means] There is provided a diagnosing apparatus including: a cell into which a sample solution including collected body fluid is introduced; at least two electrodes that are disposed in the cell and come into contact with the sample solution; a voltage applying unit that applies a voltage between the electrodes; a measuring unit that measures an electrochemical response when the voltage is applied; a storage unit that stores a reference; and an analysis output unit that compares a numerical value obtained from the response with the reference, and provides information for determining at least one item selected from the group consisting of a type of an illness that has developed in a subject, and a state of progress of the illness that has developed in the subject.