Abstract: The present invention provides a mutated histidine decarboxylase suitable for a practical use. Specifically, the present invention provides a mutated histidine decarboxylase having at least one amino acid residue mutated as compared to a wild-type histidine decarboxylase, and having higher histidine decarboxylase activity and/or stability than the wild-type histidine decarboxylase, and also a use thereof. The mutated histidine decarboxylase has Motifs (1) to (6), and an amino acid residue in at least one motif thereof can be mutated. The mutated histidine decarboxylase can also have a mutation of at least one amino acid residue in an amino acid sequence designated by SEQ ID NO: 3 and in a homologous sequence thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mutated histidine decarboxylase suitable for a practical use. Specifically, the present invention provides a mutated histidine decarboxylase having at least one amino acid residue mutated as compared to a wild-type histidine decarboxylase, and having higher histidine decarboxylase activity and/or stability than the wild-type histidine decarboxylase, and also a use thereof. The mutated histidine decarboxylase has Motifs (1) to (6), and an amino acid residue in at least one motif thereof can be mutated. The mutated histidine decarboxylase can also have a mutation of at least one amino acid residue in an amino acid sequence designated by SEQ ID NO: 3 and in a homologous sequence thereto.

Abstract: Measuring the amount of lipocalin 15 in an olfactory mucosa sample or an olfactory mucus sample taken from a mammal is useful for non-subjectively and objectively diagnosing olfactory sense and is easily applied to clinical practice.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mutated histidine decarboxylase suitable for a practical use. Specifically, the present invention provides a mutated histidine decarboxylase having at least one amino acid residue mutated as compared to a wild-type histidine decarboxylase, and having higher histidine decarboxylase activity and/or stability than the wild-type histidine decarboxylase, and also a use thereof. The mutated histidine decarboxylase has Motifs (1) to (6), and an amino acid residue in at least one motif thereof can be mutated. The mutated histidine decarboxylase can also have a mutation of at least one amino acid residue in an amino acid sequence designated by SEQ ID NO: 3 and in a homologous sequence thereto.

Abstract: The present application relates to a modified isoprene synthase that has an isoprene synthetic activity and has at least one mutation of an amino acid residue in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, an amino acid sequence having one or several amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions or additions in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or an amino acid sequence having 90% or more identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4. The modified isoprene synthase is useful for preparing isoprene monomers in improved yields.

Abstract: Modified isoprene synthases that have one or more mutations of a given amino acid residue(s) in any amino acid sequence of (a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, (b) an amino acid sequence having one or several amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions or additions in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, or (c) an amino acid sequence having 90% or more identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, and has an isoprene synthetic activity are useful for preparing isoprene monomer in improved yields.

Abstract: The present invention provides means useful for establishing an excellent isoprene monomer production system. Specifically, the present invention provides a polynucleotide of the following (a), (b), or (c): (a) a polynucleotide comprising (i) the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1, or (ii) the nucleotide sequence consisting of the nucleotide residues at positions 133 to 1785 in the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1; (b) a polynucleotide that comprises a nucleotide sequence having 90% or more identity to the nucleotide sequence of (i) or (ii) above, and encodes a protein having an isoprene synthase activity; or (c) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under a stringent condition with a polynucleotide consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to the nucleotide sequence of (i) or (ii) above, and encodes a protein having an isoprene synthase activity; and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides means useful for establishing an excellent isoprene monomer production system. Specifically, the present invention provides a polynucleotide of the following (a), (b), or (c): (a) a polynucleotide comprising (i) the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1, or (ii) the nucleotide sequence consisting of the nucleotide residues at positions 133 to 1785 in the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1; (b) a polynucleotide that comprises a nucleotide sequence having 90% or more identity to the nucleotide sequence of (i) or (ii) above, and encodes a protein having an isoprene synthase activity; or (c) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under a stringent condition with a polynucleotide consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to the nucleotide sequence of (i) or (ii) above, and encodes a protein having an isoprene synthase activity; and the like.

Abstract: A fire-resistant glass comprising:(a) at least two plate-shaped vitreous materials arranged parallel and apart, the sides of the plate-shaped vitreous materials facing each other being treated with a silane coupling agent,(b) a spacer provided between the plate-shaped vitreous materials at their peripheries via an adhesive,(c) a sealing agent adhered to the outer surface of the spacer, and(d) an aqueous gel filled into the space formed by the plate-shaped vitreous materials and the spacer, the aqueous gel comprising a polymer of a particular (meth)acrylamide derivative, a particulate metal oxide, an aqueous medium and an antifreezing agent.This fire-resistant glass has an excellent fire-resistant property; is stable over a long period of time and is unsusceptible to deterioration.

Abstract: A fire-resistant glass comprising:(a) at least two plate-shaped vitreous materials arranged parallel and apart, the sides of the plate-shaped vitreous materials facing each other being treated with a silane coupling agent,(b) a spacer provided between the plate-shaped vitreous materials at their peripheries via an adhesive,(c) a sealing agent adhered to the outer surface of the spacer, and(d) an aqueous gel filled into the space formed by the plate-shaped vitreous materials and the spacer, the aqueous gel comprising a poller of a particular (meth)acrylamide derivative, a particulate metal oxide, an aqueous medium and an antifreezing agent.This fire-resistant glass has an excellent fire-resistant property, is stable over a long period of time and is unsusceptible to deterioration.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically performing plural sequential spherical grinding operations on workpieces such as optical lenses includes a machine base, an index table mounted on the machine base for rotation about an axis, a plurality of chuck units supported by the index table at positions equally spaced about the axis for grasping respective work pieces, and a conveyor for sequentially moving the workpieces adjacent the index table. A positioning device is located adjacent the conveyor for positioning sequentially workpieces to be ground at a selected position on the conveyor. A transfer device is positioned adjacent the conveyor and the index table to sequentially grasp individual workpieces at the selected position and transfer such workpieces sequentially to respective of the chuck units as the index table is rotated about the axis. The chuck units grasp or chuck the respective workpieces. A plurality of grinding units are mounted on the machine base at positions above the chuck units.

Abstract: A method of coating a glass surface with a heat-reflecting titanium oxide film, which may optionally comprise other metal oxide(s), by thermal decomposition of a titanium compound contained in a solution applied onto the glass surface. The coating is achieved with improved heat reflectivity and adhesion strength by using an organic solvent solution comprising a chelated titanium compound having at least one propoxy group or butoxy group and at least one octyleneglycol chelate ligand.