Abstract: A novel endoglucanase derived from Staphylotrichum coccosporum, a polynucleotide encoding the endoglucanase, and a cellulase preparation containing the endoglucanase are disclosed. The endoglucanase or cellulase preparation is available for a washing use or fabric processing, such as a color clarification of a cellulose-containing fabric, a reduction of fuzz, an improvement of the touch feel and appearance of the fabric, providing a localized color change to the fabric, or a reduction of stiffness.

Abstract: A composition provided by the present invention for improving intestinal microflora includes 1-kestose as an active ingredient. The present invention further provides a lactic acid bacteria proliferating agent including 1-kestose as an active ingredient, which proliferates Bifidobacterium and lactic acid bacteria simultaneously. According to the present invention, intestinal microflora can be improved by growth of intestinal bacteria functioning beneficially to humans, especially both Bifidobacterium and lactic acid bacteria.

Abstract: This invention relates to a protein that is a Zygomycetes-derived endoglucanase lacking the cellulose-binding domain and exhibits endoglucanase activity, and a method for using the same. This invention can enhance effects of an endoglucanase enzyme on fabric treatment such as reduction of fuzzing, improvement in feel and appearance, color clarification, partial color change, and softening of cellulose-containing fabrics and on performance improvement in the deinking of waste paper and drainage of paper pulp.

Abstract: A novel endoglucanase derived from Staphylotrichum coccosporum, a polynucleotide encoding the endoglucanase, and a cellulase preparation containing the endoglucanase are disclosed. The endoglucanase or cellulase preparation is available for a washing use or fabric processing, such as a color clarification of a cellulose-containing fabric, a reduction of fuzz, an improvement of the touch feel and appearance of the fabric, providing a localized color change to the fabric, or a reduction of stiffness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cellulase preparation comprising nonionic surfactants together with endoglucanases derived from Zygomycetes; a detergent composition comprising the above cellulase preparation with detergent components; a method of treating fabric which comprises treating cellulose-containing fabric with the above cellulase preparation so as to improve the properties of the fabric; a method of deinking waster paper which comprises a step of treating waste paper with the above cellulase preparation together with a deinking agent; and a method of improving the freeness of paper pulp which comprises a step of treating paper pulp with the above cellulase preparation.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide enzymes that have high endoglucanase activity and yet exhibit high activity even under alkaline conditions, and genes encoding the same. The enzyme according to the invention has the following properties: a) exhibiting endoglucanase activity; and b) capable of completely removing fuzz from regenerated cellulose fabrics at a concentration of 1 mg of the protein/L or below. The enzyme of the invention having endoglucanase activity is a protein comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 or 11; a modified protein thereof exhibiting endoglucanase activity; or a homologue of the protein or the modified protein.

Abstract: This invention relates to a protein that is a Zygomycetes-derived endoglucanase lacking the cellulose-binding domain and exhibits endoglucanase activity, and a method for using the same. This invention can enhance effects of an endoglucanase enzyme on fabric treatment such as reduction of fuzzing, improvement in feel and appearance, color clarification, partial color change, and softening of cellulose-containing fabrics and on performance improvement in the deinking of waste paper and drainage of paper pulp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cellulase preparation comprising nonionic surfactants together with endoglucanases derived from Zygomycetes; a detergent composition comprising the above cellulase preparation with detergent components; a method of treating fabric which comprises treating cellulose-containing fabric with the above cellulase preparation so as to improve the properties of the fabric; a method of deinking waster paper which comprises a step of treating waste paper with the above cellulase preparation together with a deinking agent; and a method of improving the freeness of paper pulp which comprises a step of treating paper pulp with the above cellulase preparation.

Abstract: A novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene and a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase encoded by the gene, a process for isolating a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene using the novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene, and a novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase obtained by this isolation process are disclosed. A novel mold fungus having no &bgr;-fructofuranosidase activity suitable for the production of &bgr;-fructofuranosidase, and a system for producing a recombinant &bgr;-fructofuranosidase using the novel mold fungus as a host is disclosed. Further, a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase variant which selectively and efficiently produces a specific fructooligosaccharide such as 1-kestose from sucrose is disclosed.

Abstract: A novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene and a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase encoded by the gene, a process for isolating a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene using the novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene, and a novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase obtained by this isolation process are disclosed. A novel mold fungus having no &bgr;-fructofuranosidase activity suitable for the production of &bgr;-fructofuranosidase, and a system for producing a recombinant &bgr;-fructofuranosidase using the novel mold fungus as a host is disclosed. Further, a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase variant which selectively and efficiently produces a specific fructooligosaccharide such as 1-kestose from sucrose is disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a center hub cap for vehicle wheels, to be mounted on a wheel for covering a center hole therein. The cap is composed of a flexible material and includes a generally disc-like main body and a plurality of integral projections arranged on the rear side of the main body for engagement with the center hole. The main body on its rear surface has an annular wall projecting axially rearwardly therefrom and formed with cutout portions to define the projections. Each projection extends from a location which is remote from the main body, and has a free end in the form of a stepped portion which can be arranged close to the main body. The projection with a sufficient length provides an improved flexibility, and permits the cap to be used in combination with a wheel whose center hole has to be located close to the cap main body.

Abstract: An improved protective beam for automobile side door is disclosed, with a main body which includes a pair of elongate steel sheet members of corrugated cross-section. The steel sheet members are welded to each other along opposite groove portions such that a hollow space of box-like section is defined by each pair of opposite ridge portions of the steel sheet members. At least one steel sheet member has an end region as a mounting seat, where the beam is welded to the inner panel or pillar portion of the side door, and each ridge portion along the end region of the steel sheet member has a height which gradually decreases toward the end of the sheet member to form a generally flat mounting seat to be secured to a predetermined location of the side door.

Abstract: A wheel cover (1) for a vehicle includes outer and an inner peripheral portions (2, 3) and a plurality of spoke portions (4) connecting the outer and inner peripheral portions with each other. The outer and inner peripheral portions and the spoke portions are integrally formed into a one-piece structure. Longitudinal center lines (e, f) of the spoke portions cross each other, in front view, at the cross points (Q) which are radially outward beyond the inner peripheral surface (2a) of the outer peripheral portion (2) and/or at the cross points (P) which are radially inward beyond the outer peripheral surface (3a) of the inner peripheral portion (3).

Abstract: A mold for molding a wheel cover for a vehicle road wheel by injection molding of a synthetic resin or die casting of a light metal alloy, the wheel cover being a one-piece member having spoke-like portions extending obliquely with respect to both the center axis and radii of the wheel cover. To form the spoke-like portions each as a straightly extending portion, one of the two mold members which can be brought into contact with each other to provide cavities therebetween has a portion in the form of a truncated pyramid and the other is recessed to have a plurality of flat faces which are respectively opposite to and can mate with the flat side faces of the truncated pryamid, and these side faces or the flat faces in the opposite mold member, or both, are formed with elongate and straight grooves in which the spoke-like portions are formed.

Abstract: A wheel cover for a vehicle comprises first and second cover members (1, 2) each including an outer and an inner peripheral portion (12, 13, 21, 22) and a plurality of spoke portions (14, 15, 24, 25). The portions of each cover member are integrally formed into a one-piece structure. The first and the second cover members are axially superimposed on each other leaving a space (S) between the respective spoke portions of the first and second cover members. The first and the second cover members are connected together such that the spoke portions (14, 15) of the cover member (1) which is axially on the rear side are visible from outside.

Abstract: A wheel cover (1) for a vehicle includes outer and inner peripheral portions (2 and 3) and a plurality of spoke-resembling portions (4) connecting the outer and inner peripheral portions (2 and 3) with each other. The outer and inner peripheral portions (2 and 3) and the spoke-resembling portions (4) are integrally formed by a moulding, casting or die casting process as a one-piece structure.