Abstract: The object of this invention is to elucidate the factors involved in the regulation of AGE (advanced glycation endproducts, which are produced in a living body accompanied with diabetes and aging) and RAGE (the receptor for AGE), in order to facilitate investigation on the biological activities, physiological phenomenon and diseases related to AGE and RAGE. Plural molecular species are known to exist for RAGE, and among such molecular species, soluble RAGE exhibits the activity to modulate interaction between AGE and transmembrane-type RAGE. Using this soluble RAGE or a nucleic acid encoding it, the soluble RAGE can be measured, in addition, investigation on various physiological phenomenon, biological activities, and diseases related to interaction between AGE and RAGE can be performed to facilitate development a medicine having further efficacy.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to elucidate the factors involved in the regulation of AGE (advanced glycation endproducts, which are produced in a living body accompanied with diabetes and aging) and RAGE (the receptor for AGE), in order to facilitate investigation on the biological activities, physiological phenomenon and diseases related to AGE and RAGE. Plural molecular species are known to exist for RAGE, and among such molecular species, soluble RAGE exhibits the activity to modulate interaction between AGE and transmembrane-type RAGE. Using this soluble RAGE or a nucleic acid encoding it, the soluble RAGE can be measured, in addition, investigation on various physiological phenomenon, biological activities, and diseases related to interaction between AGE and RAGE can be performed to facilitate development a medicine having further efficacy.

Abstract: A glass ceramic sintered product obtained by sintering a mixture powder containing a BaO-containing glass, metal oxide particles having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion at 40 to 400° C. of not smaller than 6 ppm/°C., and a Zr compound and, particularly, containing the Zr compound in an amount of from 0.1 to 30% by weight calculated as Zr02, and exhibiting a coefficient of linear thermal expansion at 40 to 400° C. of from 8.5 to 18 ppm/°C. The glass ceramic sintered product exhibits excellent resistance against chemicals and does not discolor even when subjected to treatment with an acidic or alkaline solution in the step of plating. A wiring board using the glass ceramic sintered product as an insulating substrate exhibits a coefficient of linear thermal expansion substantially similar to that of an external circuit board, effectively suppressing the occurrence of thermal stress and cracking.

Abstract: A low-temperature calcined ceramic of the present invention comprises a sintered body obtained by calcining a mixture of a glass and an SiO.sub.2 filler such as quartz or cristobalite, wherein the sintered body contains an SiO.sub.2 crystal having an X-ray diffraction image that the peak at the (101) plane of quartz or cristobalite is shifted at least 0.05.degree. (2.theta.) to the lower angle side. The ceramic containing the shifted crystal of quarts or cristobalite does not have a region of abruptly changing the thermal expansion and has a substantially linear thermal expansion curve. Accordingly, when the ceramic is used as an insulating substrate of a wiring boad, there is no possibility of abruptly causing the thermal expansion by heating, etc., at mounting on an external electric circuit boad and the occurrence of the inferior connection, etc., by thermal expansion can be effectively prevented.

Abstract: In a circuit board obtained by providing a metallized layer of wiring on the surface or interior of an insulation substrate, the insulation substrate is, for example, a multi-layer circuit board or a package for semiconductor element, the insutating substrate obtained from a sintered body having a linear expansion coefficient of 8 to 18 ppm/.degree. C. at 40.degree. to 400.degree. C. which is prepared by sintering a molded body containing 20 to 80% of a glass having a liner expansion coefficient of 6 to 18 ppm/.degree. C. at 40.degree. to 400.degree. C. and 80 to 20% of a filler having a linear expansion coefficient of at least 6 ppm/.degree. C.

Abstract: A glass-ceramic sintered body containing Si, Al, Zn, element of Group 2a and Group 4a of the periodic table, and Boron and Oxygen, as constituent elements, and comprising a glass phase and crystalline phases, wherein the crystalline phase comprises a first crystalline phase of a composite oxide containing at least Si, Al and Ca or Sr, or, Si, Al, Ca and Sr, a second crystalline phase of ZrO.sub.2 crystalline and a third crystalline phase of spinel crystalline is presented. The glass-ceramic sintered body has a high dielectric constant of not smaller than 8.5 and have a fracture strength of not smaller than 20 kg/mm.sup.2 and preferred as an insulation substrate of a circuit board, a substrate board for mounting an integrated circuit or an electronic compornent part.

Abstract: A glass-ceramic sintered body comprising an SiO.sub.2 --Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --MgO--ZnO--B.sub.2 O.sub.3 type crystalline glass and alumina, said sintered body containing at least 10% by weight of a spinel crystalline phase; and a substrate composed of the sintered material. There is also provided a process for producing the glass-ceramic sintered body which comprises adding a binder to a mixed powder of an SiO.sub.2 --Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --MgO--ZnO--B.sub.2 O.sub.3 type crystalline glass and alumina, molding the mixture into a predetermined shape, and firing the mixture into a predetermined shape, and firing the molded mixture at a temperature of 925.degree. to 1000.degree. C. in a non-oxidizable atmosphere. The glass-ceramic sintered body and the substrate composed of it in accordance with the present invention have excellent mechanical strength and thereby have markedly increased metallizing adhesion strength.