Abstract: The present inventors conducted dedicated studies, and as a result discovered that propionic acid bacteria fermentation products have a preventive/therapeutic effect on functional gastrointestinal disorders in in vitro tests and tests using patients with irritable bowel syndrome, and completed the present invention. Specifically, the present inventors discovered, in in vitro tests, that the products have an effect of increasing the intestinal contraction frequency without changing the intestinal contractile force in a distal colon-specific manner. Moreover, effects of improving the defecation condition, general abdominal condition, and health-related QOL in patients with irritable bowel syndrome were also found. Furthermore, propionic acid bacteria fermentation products can be taken in large amounts. Therefore, the propionic acid bacteria fermentation products can be expected to have an effect of preventing/treating functional gastrointestinal disorders safely.

Abstract: The present inventors conducted dedicated studies, and as a result discovered that propionic acid bacteria fermentation products have a preventive/therapeutic effect on functional gastrointestinal disorders in in vitro tests and tests using patients with irritable bowel syndrome, and completed the present invention. Specifically, the present inventors discovered, in in vitro tests, that the products have an effect of increasing the intestinal contraction frequency without changing the intestinal contractile force in a distal colon-specific manner. Moreover, effects of improving the defecation condition, general abdominal condition, and health-related QOL in patients with irritable bowel syndrome were also found. Furthermore, propionic acid bacteria fermentation products can be taken in large amounts. Therefore, the propionic acid bacteria fermentation products can be expected to have an effect of preventing/treating functional gastrointestinal disorders safely.

Abstract: NOx concentration in the exhaust gas is reduced by supplying an extremely rich air-fuel mixture to half of the cylinders and an extremely lean mixture to the remaining cylinders. HC and CO in the exhaust are oxidized in a reactor due to existence of excess air left after combustion of the lean mixture.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a new internal combustion engine which is operable on a fuel which is combusted with the agency of an oxidizing gas containing hydrogen peroxide or oxygen gas so that exhaust gases emitted from the engine contains no nitrogen oxides in the absence of the element nitrogen in the oxidizing gas. Where the hydrogen peroxide in particular is utilized, the hydrogen peroxide exothermically decomposes into a hot mixture of water and oxygen so that the fuel is combusted at a high temperature so that the exhaust gases are clear of not only the nitrogen oxides but unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. Since no air is used as the oxidizing gas for the fuel, the internal combustion engine is suitable for use in operations in those environments in which air is extremely thin although the engine can be successfully incorporated in various power driven vehicles.