Abstract: The present invention is directed to the treatment of diabetic nephropathy with a) a phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, b) a combination of a phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor with an AT1 angiotensin II receptor antagonist or c) a combination of a phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a chassis, an absorbent structure placed on the chassis and elastic elements attached under tension to the chassis so as to extend across an absorbent structure region of the chassis occupied by the absorbent structure and to extend outward beyond opposite side edges of the absorbent structure. An elongation percentage of the elastic elements 6 is relatively low in the absorbent structure region as well as in first side regions outside opposite side edges of the absorbent structure and the elongation percentage is relatively high in second side regions outside the first side region and gradually increases as the elastic elements draw away from the first side regions toward the second side regions.

Abstract: A disposable wearing article is provided with leg elastic elements. The leg elastic elements include first leg elastic elements extending from transversely opposite margins of a front waist region to a front half of a crotch region and second leg elastic elements extending from transversely opposite margins of a rear waist region toward a rear half of the crotch region across a rear half of the crotch region. The first elastic elements extend generally in a transverse direction while the second elastic elements extend in a direction orthogonal to a transverse center line in such a manner that these elastic elements get nearer to a longitudinal center line as these elastic element extend from the rear waist region toward the crotch region.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a chassis, an absorbent structure placed on the chassis and elastic elements attached under tension to the chassis so as to extend across an absorbent structure region of the chassis occupied by the absorbent structure and to extend outward beyond opposite side edges of the absorbent structure. An elongation percentage of the elastic elements 6 is relatively low in the absorbent structure region as well as in first side regions outside opposite side edges of the absorbent structure and the elongation percentage is relatively high in second side regions outside the first side region and gradually increases as the elastic elements draw away from the first side regions toward the second side regions.

Abstract: A disposable wearing article is provided with leg elastic elements. The leg elastic elements include first leg elastic elements extending from transversely opposite margins of a front waist region to a front half of a crotch region and second leg elastic elements extending from transversely opposite margins of a rear waist region toward a rear half of the crotch region across a rear half of the crotch region. The first elastic elements extend generally in a transverse direction while the second elastic elements extend in a direction orthogonal to a transverse center line in such a manner that these elastic elements get nearer to a longitudinal center line as these elastic element extend from the rear waist region toward the crotch region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a screening method for a prophylactic or therapeutic substance for a disease associated with a protein comprising the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO:2 or a salt thereof, for example, a renal disease or diabetes, which comprises using the protein or a partial peptide thereof or a salt thereof, or a polynucleotide that encodes the protein or a partial peptide thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a screening method for a prophylactic and therapeutic substance for diseases associated with a protein or salts thereof comprising the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as that represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, which is characterized by using the protein or salts thereof.