Abstract: The method of the present invention for evaluating the risk of developing liver cancer in a subject includes (1) a step of measuring a GDF15 level of a subject and (2) a step of relating the GDF15 level to the risk of developing liver cancer. When the GDF15 level measured in step (1) is not less than a cutoff value set in advance, the GDF15 level becomes an indicator that the subject has a high risk of developing liver cancer, and when the GDF15 level is less than the cutoff value, it becomes an indicator that the risk of developing liver cancer is low. The present invention also provides a kit for measuring GDF15 levels in a subject for use in the method of the present invention, and a diagnostic agent for evaluating the risk of developing liver cancer in a subject, which contains an anti-GDF15-specific antibody.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a composition that suppresses the transdifferentiation of a mature hepatocyte or a composition that can treat cholangiocarcinoma, and it is another object to provide a method of screening a substance for the suppression of the transdifferentiation of a mature hepatocyte or a substance for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma. Provided is a composition that suppresses the transdifferentiation of a mature hepatocyte or a composition for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma, the composition including an NF-?B inducing kinase inhibitor (NIK inhibitor). Also provided is a method of screening a substance that suppresses the transdifferentiation of a mature hepatocyte or a substance that treats cholangiocarcinoma, the method including a step of measuring the activity of an NF-?B inducing kinase.

Abstract: A liquid heating apparatus 1 has a flow path 2 surrounded by a quartz glass tube 5 inside a tubular ceramic heater 4 which radiates infrared rays and has a PTC characteristic, and a flow path 3 which is formed between two quartz glass tubes 6, 7 which are disposed outside the tubular ceramics tube 4 in a coaxial manner. The liquid heating apparatus can effectively heat purified water used for manufacturing electronics-related products without contamination of the purified water, and provides a compact size while having a high heat capacity.

Abstract: In a joint structure for a tube support plate and a tube, a ceramic tube is provided aligned with a retaining hole of a tube support plate cooled by cooling medium and a bellows is placed in or near the retaining hole. An end of the bellows is fixed directly or indirectly to the tube support plate and the other end thereof is linked to the ceramic tube.

Abstract: In a joint structure for a tube support plate and a tube, a ceramic tube is provided aligned with a retaining hole of a tube support plate cooled by cooling medium and a bellows is placed in or near the retaining hole. An end of the bellows is fixed directly or indirectly to the tube support plate and the other end thereof is linked to the ceramic tube.

Abstract: A filter unit comprises a plurality of plates made of an air-permeable, porous material which define particulate-containing gas passages and clean gas passages. The clean gas passages are formed at one side of each of the air-permeable, porous plates and the particulate-containing gas passages are at the other side in the direction intersecting each other. Particulates in an exhaust gas from a diesel engine deposit and accumulate on the air-permeable, porous plate while the exhaust gas is passed from the particulate-containing gas passages through the air-permeable, porous plates to the clean gas passages. A nozzle is placed in an outlet conduit, which is connected to the discharging side of the clean gas passages, to eject gas for back washing to thereby peel off and drop the particulates on the air-permeable, porous plates. A particulate receiving plate is provided to collect the particulates, which are burnt by a heater provided in the particulate receiving plate.

Abstract: A ceramic heat exchanger element comprises a ceramic honeycomb body, fluid passages formed in the ceramic honeycomb body and ceramic tubes extending through and fixed to the ceramic honeycomb body so as to intersect the fluid passages. The ceramic of the honeycomb body, the fluid passages therein, and the tubes extending through and fixed thereto preferably have a thermal conductivity of 15 Kcal/m/hr/.degree.C. or higher.

Abstract: In a joint structure for a tube support plate and a tube, a ceramic tube is provided aligned with a retaining hole of a tube support plate cooled by cooling medium and a bellows is placed in or near the retaining hole. An end of the bellows is fixed directly or indirectly to the tube support plate and the other end thereof is linked to the ceramic tube.