Abstract: Provided are a novel therapeutic or prophylactic agent for graft-versus-host disease, a novel agent for inhibiting fibrocyte infiltration, and a novel agent for inhibiting a decrease in tear secretion and a decrease of goblet cells. A method of treating or preventing graft-versus-host disease comprises administering a phenylbutyric acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof to a patient in need of treatment or prevention of graft-versus-host disease. It is preferable that the graft-versus-host disease be a graft-versus-host disease that manifests after bone marrow transplantation. It is preferable that the graft-versus-host disease be ocular graft-versus-host disease.

Abstract: In the present invention, a starting material liquid including a carbon compound and a catalyst or a catalyst precursor, and a reaction vessel having a high-temperature zone heated to 900-1,300° C. are prepared. The starting material liquid is introduced into the reaction vessel, and a mixture is generated which comprises a gas including a carbon source, and catalyst microparticles dispersed in the gas. A carrier gas is then introduced in pulses into the reaction vessel, and the mixture is pushed out to the high-temperature zone. The carbon source and catalyst microparticles included in the mixture are then brought into contact with each other in the high-temperature zone, initial fibers are grown, and carbon fibers are subsequently grown in an environment in which the carrier gas is retained.

Abstract: In the present invention, a starting material liquid including a carbon compound and a catalyst or a catalyst precursor, and a reaction vessel having a high-temperature zone heated to 900-1,300° C. are prepared. The starting material liquid is introduced into the reaction vessel, and a mixture is generated which comprises a gas including a carbon source, and catalyst microparticles dispersed in the gas. A carrier gas is then introduced in pulses into the reaction vessel, and the mixture is pushed out to the high-temperature zone. The carbon source and catalyst microparticles included in the mixture are then brought into contact with each other in the high-temperature zone, initial fibers are grown, and carbon fibers are subsequently grown in an environment in which the carrier gas is retained.

Abstract: A composite honeycomb structure in which the honeycomb structure is highly functionalized and adapted to have catalytic function, considering pressure loss is provided. A honeycomb structure having average pore diameter of 5 to 200 ?m and specific surface area of 100 to 1500 m2/g is provided. Further, a translucent honeycomb structure and a photocatalyst-carrying translucent honeycomb structure having a photocatalyst carried on a surface of the translucent honeycomb structure and/or contained in the translucent honeycomb structure are provided. Further, an air cleaner and a water purifier using the honeycomb structure and the photocatalyst-carrying translucent honeycomb structure are provided.

Abstract: A composite honeycomb structure in which the honeycomb structure is highly functionalized and adapted to have catalytic function, considering pressure loss is provided. A honeycomb structure having average pore diameter of 5 to 200 ?m and specific surface area of 100 to 1500 m2/g is provided. Further, a translucent honeycomb structure and a photocatalyst-carrying translucent honeycomb structure having a photocatalyst carried on a surface of the translucent honeycomb structure and/or contained in the translucent honeycomb structure are provided. Further, an air cleaner and a water purifier using the honeycomb structure and the photocatalyst-carrying translucent honeycomb structure are provided.

Abstract: A novel porous honeycomb structure highly functionalized as compared with the conventional example, manufacturing method thereof and an air cleaner using the structure are provided. The functionalized porous honeycomb structure is a silica gel form, and fine powder for adding the function is dispersed in the form. Further the method of manufacturing in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of (a) preparing silica sol by mixing ion exchange resin in sodium silicate aqueous solution; (b) removing said ion exchange resin and adjusting pH; (c) dispersing fine powder for adding a function to the silica sol; (d) gelating the silica sol to provide silica wet gel; and (e) freezing the silica wet gel.