Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing a fundamental therapeutic method for renal diseases including glomerulonephritis such as IgA nephropathy. To solve this problem, the present invention pertains to an agent for increasing CD25-positive regulatory T cells in kidney, said agent comprising mesenchymal stem cells. The regulatory T cell-increasing agent of the present invention exerts a sufficient therapeutic effect even if further containing a cryopreservation liquid at a concentration of less than 5% (v/v).

Abstract: To provide an immunosuppressing agent having high therapeutic effect and uses thereof. The immunosuppressing agent includes adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells obtained by low-serum culture.

Abstract: A double exhaust pipe for an engine includes an inner pipe shell, and an outer pipe shell in which the inner pipe shell is accommodated. The inner pipe shell is secured at one end thereof to the outer pipe shell and slidably fitted at the other end thereof to an inner peripheral surface of the outer pipe shell. A heat-insulating space is provided between the inner and outer pipe shells to extend from the one end to the other end of the inner pipe shell. In this double exhaust pipe, the inner pipe shell has a bulged portion formed at the other end thereof. The bulged portion has a spherical outer surface slidably and oscillatably fitted to an inner peripheral surface of the outer pipe shell. Thus, even if the free end of the inner pipe shell is inclined upon thermal elongation of the inner pipe shell, the bulged portion at the free end can always be smoothly slipped on the inner peripheral surface of the outer pipe shell.

Abstract: An exhaust pipe assembly of two-passage and double-pipe construction has an inner pipe; a partition plate meeting the inner pipe at both diametrical meeting ends thereof so as to be elongated in a longitudinal direction of the inner pipe. Two passages divided across a diameter of said inner pipe are thus formed. The assembly also has an outer pipe which covers the inner pipe with a thermally insulating space around a periphery of the inner pipe. The outer pipe has on one longitudinal end thereof a connecting portion for connection with a mating member. One end of the inner pipe is fixedly connected to the outer pipe with a clearance between the periphery of the inner pipe near each of the meeting ends and an inner circumference of the outer pipe.

Abstract: A double exhaust pipe for an engine includes an inner pipe shell, and an outer pipe shell in which the inner pipe shell is accommodated. The inner pipe shell is secured at one end thereof to the outer pipe shell and slidably fitted at the other end thereof to an inner peripheral surface of the outer pipe shell. A heat-insulating space is provided between the inner and outer pipe shells to extend from the one end to the other end of the inner pipe shell. In this double exhaust pipe, the inner pipe shell has a bulged portion formed at the other end thereof. The bulged portion has a spherical outer surface slidably and oscillatably fitted to an inner peripheral surface of the outer pipe shell. Thus, even if the free end of the inner pipe shell is inclined upon thermal elongation of the inner pipe shell, the bulged portion at the free end can always be smoothly slipped on the inner peripheral surface of the outer pipe shell.

Abstract: An exhaust pipe assembly for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine is made up of a plurality of exhaust pipes made of steel whose upstream ends are connected to a flange provided for connection to a cylinder head, a collecting case to which downstream ends of the exhaust pipes are connected, and a coupling flange interposed between the exhaust pipes and the collecting case. The coupling flange is made of a thin steel plate and has upward burred portions which are circular in shape and into which respective downstream ends of the exhaust pipes are separately inserted for welding with the burred portions, and a downward bent portion whose peripheral edge portion is fitted onto an upper outside end portion of the collecting case for welding with the bent portion.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold M is comprised of a plurality of inner exhaust pipe shells secured to an upper flange, and a plurality of outer exhaust pipe shells secured to the upper flange to individually cover the inner exhaust pipe shells, wherein a downstream end of each of the corresponding inner exhaust pipe shells slidably contacts an annular bead bulging from an outer peripheral surface of the downstream end of the outer exhaust pipe shells. An inner collecting pipe shell communicates with the plurality of inner exhaust pipe shells and is secured at its upstream end to the plurality of outer exhaust pipe shells, and an outer collecting pipe shell which is secured at its upstream end to the plurality of outer exhaust pipe shells covers the inner collecting pipe shell. A downstream end of the inner collecting pipe shell slidably contacts an annular mesh member interposed therebetween.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold for an engine includes a manifold body 7 having a plurality of branch pipes and a common collecting chamber integrally connected to the branch pipes and communicating with an exhaust emission control device is divided into an upper half and a lower half at a boundary face extending in a direction of arrangement of the branch pipes. The upper and lower halves are made of steel plates and welded to each other. In the exhaust manifold, a welding mating coupler is formed by outer edges of the upper and lower halves, and a welding stepped superposing coupler is formed by inner edges of the upper and lower halves. Thus, during welding, it is possible to limit the misalignment of the upper and lower halves in a direction along the boundary face and the misalignment of the upper and lower halves in a direction perpendicular to the boundary face by cooperation of the mating coupler and the stepped superposing coupler.