Abstract: An apparatus comprising (a) a steam-induction-heating apparatus, which comprises a first container having an inlet and an outlet, a high-frequency induction coil wound around said first container, and a member or members placed in said first container with steam permitted to pass therethrough for being induction-heated by said high-frequency induction coil; and (b) an electric discharge treatment apparatus located downstream of said induction-heating apparatus, which comprises a second container having an inlet and an outlet, and at least a pair of electrodes disposed in said second container for subjecting induction-heated steam to an electric discharge treatment; superheated steam exiting from the outlet of said induction-heating apparatus being converted to the activated steam by an electric discharge treatment in said electric discharge treatment apparatus.

Abstract: To provide a novel compound which inhibits the generation of AGE and an AGE generation inhibitor containing the compound. A compound represented by the following formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a medicinal composition containing the compound or such a salt thereof, and an additive composition containing the compound.

Abstract: An agent for removing a circulatory dysfunction factor, which is effective for ameliorating a circulatory dysfunction, particularly a heart failure, and for treating or preventing circulatory diseases, for example, heart diseases, such as a cardiac failure or a congestive cardiac failure, or a phlebemphraxis is provided. The agent for removing the circulatory dysfunction factor contains a spherical activated carbon as an effective ingredient.

Abstract: An agent for treating or preventing low-turnover bone diseases, comprising as an active ingredient a spherical activated carbon, is disclosed. The low-turnover bone diseases include renal osteodystrophy and adynamic bone disease, caused by a low-turnover bone. The adynamic bone disease includes adynamic bone disease in conservative chronic kidney disease, and renal osteodystrophy in a patient under treatment with dialysis.

Abstract: An adsorbent for an oral administration, comprising a porous spherical carbonaceous substance wherein a diameter is 0.01 to 1 mm, a specific surface area determined by a BET method is 700 m2/g or more, a volume of pores having a pore diameter of 20 to 15000 nm is from not less than 0.04 mL/g to less than 0.10 mL/g, a total amount of acidic groups is 0.30 to 1.20 meq/g, and a total amount of basic groups is 0.20 to 1.00 meq/g, is disclosed.

Abstract: An adsorbent for an oral administration, comprising a porous spherical carbonaceous substance wherein a diameter is 0.01 to 1 mm, a specific surface area determined by a BET method is 700 m2/g or more, a volume of pores having a pore diameter of 20 to 15000 nm is from not less than 0.04 mL/g to less than 0.10 mL/g, a total amount of acidic groups is 0.30 to 1.20 meq/g, and a total amount of basic groups is 0.20 to 1.00 meq/g, is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for preventing senescence and increasing bone mass namely, bone volume and bone strength which method comprises administering 24,25-dihydroxy cholecalciferol in a pharmaceutically effective amount, and also use of 24,25-dihydroxy cholecalciferol for preparing anti-senescent compositions and compositions for increasing bone mass.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for inhibiting the formation of urinary calculus by the administration of 24,25-dihydroxycholecarciferol.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pharmaceutical composition in dosage unit form, which comprises a dosage effective for treating nephritic disease of a compound of 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol as an active ingredient and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pharmaceutical composition in dosage unit form, which comprises a dosage effective for treating osteoporosis of a compound of 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition in dosage unit form which comprises a dosage effective for the treatment of pains and pyrexia, hypertension, hypotension, hyperlipemia, inflammatory diseases or diseases due to the functional accentuation of thrombocytes of a compound of 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier or diluent therefor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition in dosage unit form which comprises a dosage effective for the treatment of myodystrophia of a compound of 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier or diluent therefor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition in dosage unit form which comprises a dosage effective for the treatment of pains and pyrexia, hypertension, hypotension, hyperlipemia, inflammatory diseases or diseases due to the functional accentuation of thrombocytes of a compound of 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier or diluent therefor.