Abstract: The present invention provides novel use of the MK family that is used alone as an agent for proliferating hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoietic precursor cells. The invention also provides an agent for remarkably enhancing the above-described effect for promoting the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoietic precursor cells, comprising the MK family in combination with known hematopoietic factors such as IL-3, IL-6, G-CSF, GM-CSF, M-CSF, SCF, and EPO.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating an inflammatory bowel disease, including administering an effective amount of 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flange coupling of two pipes, in particular the pipes of an exhaust system of a motor vehicle internal combustion engine. The coupling is characterized in that: each of the flanges is formed onto the corresponding pipe by the shaping of one of the pipe regions that form the respective flanges; a first of the two flanges is configured with a first connection pipe section, which engages radially in the interior of the second flange; a sealing ring is clamped between the flanges; the flanges are axially fixed by a clamping deice. The coupling is designed to be produced in an efficient manner, easy to mount and configured so that it functions reliably.

Abstract: A preventive and/or therapeutic agent for dysuria, which comprises as an effective ingredient a cyclohexenone long-chain alcoholic derivative represented by the following formula (1): [wherein, R1, R2 and R3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and X represents a linear or branched C10-28 alkylene or alkenylene group].

Abstract: The invention relates to: germinated brown rice having a degree of starch gelatinization of from 30 to 90%, a water content of from 20 to 70%, an &agr;-amylase activity of not greater than 5 IU/g, and a population of attached microorganisms of not greater than 10,000/g, which has good safety and low contamination by microorganisms and little or no fermentation odor or other unpleasant odors; a process for producing the per-germinated brown rice, comprising treating the germinated brown rice with hot water or steam; and a processed food prepared by processing the germinated brown rice.

Abstract: The present invention provides a TNF-&agr; production inhibitor containing a kavalactone as an active ingredient, which inhibitor has high safety, exerts an excellent effect of inhibiting TNF-&agr; production, and is useful as a drug or an animal drug for preventing, ameliorating, or treating diseases such as cachexia attributed to cancer or infectious diseases, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory diseases, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rejection during bone marrow transplantation, multiple organ failure, AIDS, meningitis, hepatitis, and type-II diabetes. The present invention also provides a preventive, ameliorating, or therapeutic agent for diseases caused by abnormal production of TNF-&agr;, the agent containing a kavalactone as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A food or drink product with a disinfection property of Helicobacter pylori and/or a protection property against infection with H. pylori, comprising as the effective ingredient Lactobacillus gasseri OLL 2716 (FERM BP-6999) with a high disinfection potency of H. pylori. The food or drink product prepared by using the lactic acid bacterium, such as acid milk and the like, is suitable for long-term ingestion as a food or drink product with a disinfection property of H. pylori and/or a protection property against infection with H. pylori.

Abstract: A self-supporting container formed by folding a shape-retaining paper sheet in substantially W-shape and joining opposite side edges of the inner surface thereof. At least one side wall of the container is provided with a see-through window and graduations for measuring the contents are formed at or adjacent to the window. By reading these graduations, the contents are easily measured. Supplementary graduations for measuring small amounts and auxiliary members for accurate measuring are also added.

Abstract: An amino acid-trehalose composition comprising an amino acid composition which comprises proline, alanine, glycine, valine, threonine, leucine, histidine, lysine, isoleucine, arginine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine; and trehalose. The amino acid-trehalose composition has effects of compensating the reduction of the blood level of amino acids associated with severe exercise, of improving the exercise, of reducing the degree of fatigue after exercise and of recovering from fatigue. In addition, the administration of the composition permits the inhibition of the consumption of amino acids associated with exercise and any induction of fatigue accompanied by exercise.

Abstract: The present invention provides a TNF-&agr; production inhibitor containing a kavalactone as an active ingredient, which inhibitor has high safety, exerts an excellent effect of inhibiting TNF-&agr; production, and is useful as a drug or an animal drug for preventing, ameliorating, or treating diseases such as cachexia attributed to cancer or infectious diseases, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory diseases, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rejection during bone marrow transplantation, multiple organ failure, AIDS, meningitis, hepatitis, and type-II diabetes. The present invention also provides a preventive, ameliorating, or therapeutic agent for diseases caused by abnormal production of TNF-&agr;, the agent containing a kavalactone as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention provides agents for alleviating symptoms resulting from inflammation, which have an activity to alleviate inflammatory symptoms caused by bacterial infection, particularly accumulation of body fluid such as bronchocavernous plasma exudation, ascites, etc., at the inflammatory site, or excessive increase of blood neutrophils; symptoms resulting from inflammation caused by bacterial infection, particularly accumulation of body fluid such as bronchocavernous plasma exudation ascites, etc., at the inflammatory site, or excessive increase of blood neutrophils, can be alleviated effectively by ingesting or administering orally or parenterally a composition containing human-type lactoferrin as an effective component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a TNF-&agr; production inhibitor containing a kavalactone as an active ingredient, which inhibitor has high safety, exerts an excellent effect of inhibiting TNF-&agr; production, and is useful as a drug or an animal drug for preventing, ameliorating, or treating diseases such as cachexia attributed to cancer or infectious diseases, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory diseases, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rejection during bone marrow transplantation, multiple organ failure, AIDS, meningitis, hepatitis, and type-II diabetes. The present invention also provides a preventive, ameliorating, or therapeutic agent for diseases caused by abnormal production of TNF-&agr;, the agent containing a kavalactone as an active ingredient.