Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for easily and efficiently evaluating the ability of test samples to trigger a foreign body reaction in the skin without using animals, a substance having an ability to inhibit a foreign body reaction in the skin, and a screening method for obtaining the substance.

Abstract: There has been a demand for a hair treatment composition that has a long-lasting effect and ensures safety for the purpose of improving hair quality in hair straightening, dyeing, and bleaching, improving hair quality in a wave perm and a straight perm, shampooing, and hair treatment. The present invention provides a hair treatment composition that contains, as an active ingredient, a complex composed of a dicarboxylic acid and a thiol, in which the dicarboxylic acid is one or more selected from adipic acid, muconic acid, and cosmetically acceptable salts thereof. Further provided is a method for treating hair using the hair treatment composition.

Abstract: A hair cosmetic according to the present invention contains, as an active ingredient, a composite of an amino thiol and an organic acid. The amino thiol is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of cysteamine and a salt thereof, and the organic acid is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of fumaric acid, fumarate, maleic acid, and maleate. Such amino thiol and organic acid have been conventionally used as cosmetic materials, and ensure improved safety for users.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a method that makes it possible to improve bilirubin oxidase (BOD) activity. The method for improving the BOD activity in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes the step of leaving, in a deoxygenated atmosphere, a BOD solution containing a BOD and a specific activity improving agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides A PPAR? activator comprising a butenolide compound represented by the formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a phosphate group, a fatty acid group, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and optionally having a substituent or a sugar residue optionally having a substituent, and R2 represents a phenyl group, a methylphenyl group, a dimethylphenyl group, an ethylphenyl group, a benzyl group, a methylbenzyl group, a dimethylbenzyl group, an ethylbenzyl group, a phenethyl group, a methylphenethyl group, a dimethylphenethyl group, or an ethylphenethyl group.

Abstract: The present invention provides A PPAR? activator comprising a butenolide compound represented by the formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a phosphate group, a fatty acid group, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and optionally having a substituent or a sugar residue optionally having a substituent, and R2 represents a phenyl group, a methylphenyl group, a dimethylphenyl group, an ethylphenyl group, a benzyl group, a methylbenzyl group, a dimethylbenzyl group, an ethylbenzyl group, a phenethyl group, a methylphenethyl group, a dimethylphenethyl group, or an ethylphenethyl group.

Abstract: An oral stain remover which can remove a stain or a dental plaque effectively without a need of brushing the surface of teeth with a toothbrush or the like, and an oral composition containing the stain remover. An oral stain remover contains a salt of ultraphosphoric acid, and an oral composition contains the oral stain remover.

Abstract: Modified CueO having excellent enzymatic activity and a composition for dyeing keratin fiber which contains the enzyme. A recombinant protein having an enzymatic activity for oxidizing p-phenylenediamine, the protein is obtained by removing from CueO at least one member selected from the group consisting of helix 5, helix 6, and helix 7; and the composition for dyeing keratin fiber containing the recombinant protein and an oxidation dye.

Abstract: Modified CueO having excellent enzymatic activity and a composition for dyeing keratin fiber which contains the enzyme. A recombinant protein having an enzymatic activity for oxidizing p-phenylenediamine, the protein is obtained by removing from CueO at least one member selected from the group consisting of helix 5, helix 6, and helix 7; and the composition for dyeing keratin fiber containing the recombinant protein and an oxidation dye.

Abstract: An oral stain remover which can remove a stain or a dental plaque effectively without a need of brushing the surface of teeth with a toothbrush or the like, and an oral composition containing the stain remover. An oral stain remover contains a salt of ultraphosphoric acid, and an oral composition contains the oral stain remover.

Abstract: It is intended to provide means of efficiently, economically and conveniently dyeing fibers or hair, bleaching pulp or fibers, removing phenol compounds from liquid wastes, degrading endocrine disruptors, producing phenolic resins, producing artificial lacquer coatings, improving wood qualities, etc. A culture of a strain belonging to the genus Flammulina; a culture originating in the above strain which is obtained by culturing the strain at a pH value exceeding 7 and has a phenol oxidase-like activity; a process for producing the culture; a dyeing method which comprises contacting a subject to be dyed with a dye in the presence of the above culture; and a dyeing composition containing the above culture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a neutral phenol oxidase showing small changes depending on a substrate in optimum pH for various substrates and having high enzymatic activity at pH around neutral region, a method for producing the same, and an antibody raised against the neutral phenol oxidase. According to the present invention, dyeing of fibers, coloring of hair or the like can be achieved. In addition, according to the present invention, effects on the environment, the human body, and the like can be reduced.

Abstract: It is intended to provide means of efficiently, economically and conveniently dyeing fibers or hair, bleaching pulp or fibers, removing phenol compounds from liquid wastes, degrading endocrine disruptors, producing phenolic resins, producing artificial lacquer coatings, improving wood qualities, etc. A culture of a strain belonging to the genus Flammulina; a culture originating in the above strain which is obtained by culturing the strain at a pH value exceeding 7 and has a phenol oxidase-like activity; a process for producing the culture; a dyeing method which comprises contacting a subject to be dyed with a dye in the presence of the above culture; and a dyeing composition containing the above culture.

Abstract: A second agent composition for permanent wave treatment having a dyeing effect and a method for dyeing the hair which has been permanently waved. More particularly, a second agent composition for permanent wave treatment comprising a cationic dye having a quaternary nitrogen atom, which is optionally delocalizable, and a —X?N— bond wherein X represents a nitrogen atom or a —CH— bond, and a method for dyeing the hair which has been subjected to a permanent wave treatment using the cationic dye.

Abstract: A one-package post-foaming oxidation hair dye composition containing uricase, uric acid, at least one oxidation dye, and at least one post-foaming agent is provided. The oxidation hair dye composition is packaged in a single package, and foams after spreading on hair.

Abstract: A one-package post-foaming oxidation hair dye composition containing uricase, uric acid, at least one oxidation dye, and at least one post-foaming agent is provided. The oxidation hair dye composition is packaged in a single package, and foams after spreading on hair.

Abstract: An aqueous cosmetic composition containing uric acid in a stably solubilized state together with an acrylic polymer is disclosed. The composition is adjusted to pH equal to or higher than pK.sub.1 of uric acid, in particular, pH 7 or higher by an alkali to solubilize uric acid. A method for stably solubilizing uric acid in an aqueous cosmetic composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: An aqueous cosmetic composition containing uric acid in a stably solubilized state together with 0.01 to 1.3% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants selected from the group consisting of (a) lauric acid amide propyl betaine, (b) alkyl carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl imidazolinium betaine, (c) coconut oil fatty acid amide propylmethylaminoacetic acid betaine, (d) sodium salt of coconut oil fatty acid acyl carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl ethylenediamine, (e) lauryl dimethylaminoacetic acid betaine and (f) coconut oil alkyl betaine, an alkali and water. The composition is adjusted to pH equal to or higher than pK.sub.1 of uric acid with the alkali to solubilize uric acid. A method for stably solubilizing uric acid in an aqueous cosmetic composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hair coloring composition comprising a coloring matter, a binder resin and an organic solvent, characterized in that the composition further contains an effective amount of at least one drying inhibitor selected from the group consisting of: a glyceryl stearate, a polyglyceryl stearate, a sorbitan stearate, a polyoxyethylene sorbitan stearate, a polyoxyethylene sorbitol stearate, a polyoxyethylene glyceryl stearate, and a propylene glycol stearate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hair preparation composition which contains, as an active ingredient, a dielectron reducing oxidase utilizing oxygen as an acceptor.