Abstract: A pharmaceutical agent comprising an ascorbic acid, a derivative thereof or a salt thereof (ascorbic acids) as an active ingredient, for selectively inducing apoptosis of unnecessary or pathogenic cells to thereby prevent and/or treat diseases caused by said cells; a method for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of diseases caused by unnecessary or pathogenic cells, comprising selectively inducing apoptosis of said cells by the use of ascorbic acids; and use of ascorbic acids for the production of a pharmaceutical agent for selectively inducing apoptosis of unnecessary or pathogenic cells to thereby prevent and/or treat diseases caused by said cells. The ascorbic acids are low toxic and selectively induce apoptosis of unnecessary or pathogenic cells. Therefore, they are useful for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of the diseases caused by said cells.

Abstract: A first pair of optical fibers are held and fixed to a supporting member in a cantilever form, and oppositely connected to a second pair of the optical fibers that are fixed to a square hole of the alignment material. A magnetic body is adhered to each of the first pair of optical fibers. Around the magnetic bodies, there are aligned hollow solenoid coils, and one pair or two pairs of permanent magnets respectively are oppositely aligned so as to have opposite polarities to each other.

Abstract: An intercalation compound obtained by intercalating a halide of sodium or an element belonging to the group IV of the periodic table such as NaBr, SiCl.sub.4, etc., in a layer crystal substance such as graphite is suitable as an optical resonator in a device for emitting coherent radiation together with an exciting energy supplying means which can radiate synchroton radiation or plasma focus X-rays, particularly in an X-ray laser for emitting X-rays having a wavelength of 10 .ANG. or less.