Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of compositions for use in diagnostic methods. In particular, the present invention relates to a composition for use in a diagnostic method wherein the composition is a nutritional composition comprising 15-70 g fat, 60-90 g carbohydrates and 15-35 g protein. The diagnostic method may be a method to predict the risk of atheroma plaque presence in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nutritional composition for use in a weight loss dietary intervention or maintenance of weight, particularly following a dietary intervention, preferably a low caloric diet intervention. The nutritional composition comprises one or more amino acids, or combinations thereof, selected from the group consisting of: proline, histidine, glycine, and/or hydroxyproline, that can be used to help the weight loss in obese subjects that are resistant to weight loss by caloric restricted dietary interventions alone. In addition, the nutritional composition of the invention can be used to help maintain the weight loss, particularly after dietary intervention.

Abstract: An agent capable of decreasing the activity of NKX6.3 for use in (i) reducing fat accumulation and/or (ii) preserving or increasing fat free mass in a subject. A method for predicting the degree of reduction in fat accumulation by applying one or more dietary interventions to a subject and/or predicting the degree of preservation or increase in fat free mass by applying one or more dietary interventions is also provided.

Abstract: A method for assessing the predisposition of a subject to weight loss attainable by applying one or more dietary interventions to a subject and/or the predisposition of a subject to maintenance of weight loss following one or more dietary interventions which method comprises determining the nucleotide of the subject at one or more polymorphic positions selected from: (i) position 101 of SEQ ID NO:1 (rs953211) (ii) position 101 of SEQ ID NO:2 (rs1509290) (iii) position 101 of SEQ ID NO:3 (rs1509289) and/or detecting one or more biomarkers genetically linked to said polymorphic positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for predicting the degree of weight loss attainable by applying one or more dietary interventions to a subject and/or the degree of maintenance of weight loss following one or more dietary interventions; which method comprises determining the level of microRNA-486 (miR-486) in one or more samples obtained from the subject; and/or determining the nucleotide of the subject at one or more polymorphic positions genetically linked to miR-486.

Abstract: A method for predicting the degree of weight loss attainable by applying one or more dietary interventions to a subject, said method comprising determining the level of one or more biomarkers in one or more samples obtained from the subject, wherein the biomarkers are selected from fructosamine and factor VII.

Abstract: This application is directed to the use of biomarkers for predicting the sensitivity to treatment with an FGF-18 compound of a patient having a cartilage disorder, such as osteoarthritis, cartilage injury, fractures affecting joint cartilage or surgical procedures with impact on joint cartilage (e.g., microfracture), in order to reduce the risk of adverse events and increase the overall benefit after therapy.

Abstract: This application is directed to the use of biomarkers for predicting the sensitivity to treatment with an FGF-18 compound of a patient having a cartilage disorder, such as osteoarthritis, cartilage injury, fractures affecting joint cartilage or surgical procedures with impact on joint cartilage (e.g., microfracture), in order to reduce the risk of adverse events and increase the overall benefit after therapy.

Abstract: A method for predicting the degree of weight loss attainable by applying one or more dietary interventions to a subject, said method comprising determining the level of one or more biomarkers in one or more samples obtained from the subject, wherein the biomarkers are selected from fructosamine and factor VII.

Abstract: A method for assessing the predisposition of a subject to weight loss attainable by applying one or more dietary interventions to a subject and/or the predisposition of a subject to maintenance of weight loss following one or more dietary interventions which method comprises determining the nucleotide of the subject at one or more polymorphic positions selected from: (i) position 101 of SEQ ID NO:1 (rs953211) (ii) position 101 of SEQ ID NO:2 (rs1509290) (iii) position 101 of SEQ ID NO:3 (rs1509289) and/or detecting one or more biomarkers genetically linked to said polymorphic positions.

Abstract: This application is directed to the use of biomarkers for predicting the sensitivity to treatment with an FGF-18 compound in a patient having a cartilage disorder, such as osteoarthritis, cartilage injury, fractures affecting joint cartilage or surgical procedures with impact on joint cartilage (e.g., microfracture), in order to reduce the risk of adverse events and increase the overall benefit after therapy.

Abstract: This application is directed to the use of biomarkers for prognosing disease severity in a subject having a cartilage disorder, such as osteoarthritis, cartilage injury, fractures affecting joint cartilage or surgical procedures with impact on joint cartilage (e.g., microfracture). It also describes a method of predicting sensitivity to a drug prior to drug administration in a subject having a cartilage disorder, as well as clinical management based on the likelihood of said patients of being non-sensitive, sensitive or highly sensitive to a drug treatment.