Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the likelihood of an individual transitioning to a first episode of psychosis (FEP), the method comprising determining the level of selected markers in a bodily fluid sample from the individual, wherein the increase or decrease in the markers is predictive of the individual transitioning to a first episode of psychosis (FEP). The invention also relates to a method of predicting the functional outcome for an individual following a first episode of psychosis (FEP), the method comprising determining the level of selected markers in a bodily fluid sample from the individual, wherein the increase or decrease in the markers is predictive of an increased risk of functional disability outcome for the individual.

Abstract: This invention describes the use of peptide profiling to identify, characterize, and classify biological samples. In complex samples, many thousands of different peptides will be present at varying concentrations. The invention uses liquid chromatography and similar methods to separate peptides, which are then identified and quantified using mass spectrometry. By identification it is meant that the correct sequence of the peptide is established through comparisons with genome sequence databases, since the majority of peptides and proteins are unannotated and have no ascribed name or function. Quantification means an estimate of the absolute or relative abundance of the peptide species using mass spectrometry and related techniques including, but not limited to, pre- or post-experimental stable or unstable isotope incorporation, molecular mass tagging, is differential mass tagging, and amino acid analysis.

Abstract: This invention relates to proteins (e.g., peptides) that are capable of facilitating transport of an active agent through a human or animal gastro-intestinal tissue, and derivatives (e.g., fragments) and analogs thereof, and nucleotide sequences coding for said proteins and derivatives. The proteins of the invention have use in facilitating transport of active agents from the lumenal side of the GIT into the systemic blood system, and/or in targeting active agents to the GIT. Thus, for example, by binding (covalently or noncovalently) a protein of the invention to an orally administered drug, the drug can be targeted to specific receptor sites or transport pathways which are known to operate in the human gastrointestinal tract, thus facilitating its absorption into the systemic system.

Abstract: This invention describes the use of peptide profiling to identify, characterize, and classify biological samples. In complex samples, many thousands of different peptides will be present at varying concentrations. The invention uses liquid chromatography and similar methods to separate peptides, which are then identified and quantified using mass spectrometry. By identification it is meant that the correct sequence of the peptide is established through comparisons with genome sequence databases, since the majority of peptides and proteins are unannotated and have no ascribed name or function. Quantification means an estimate of the absolute or relative abundance of the peptide species using mass spectrometry and related techniques including, but not limited to, pre- or post-experimental stable or unstable isotope incorporation, molecular mass tagging, differential mass tagging, and amino acid analysis.

Abstract: A composition and method for enhancing paracellular transport across cell layers in an animal comprising an antisense oligonucleotide hybridizable with a region of the messenger RNA coding for the protein occludin which, when hybridized to the occludin mRNA, interferes with its translation such that occludin function is disrupted and paracellular permeability is increased across an epithelial cell layer or and endothelial cell layer in an animal.