Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions to enhance the efficiency and sensitivity of molecular inversion probe (MIP) reactions. Probes include elements that allow MIP ends to abut for ligation while avoiding the possibility of polymerase strand displacement errors. Elements facilitate multiplexed detections, including MIP reaction product detections employing next generation sequencing (NGS) techniques.

Abstract: We provide a novel technological approach for quantitation of c-terminal fragment of uTF for the purpose of quantitation, diagnosis and population screening of cancer. We provide a rationale for measuring c-terminal fragment, methods for making assays, monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, together with accepted methods of sample preparation. Taken together these proposals and ideas constitute a novel approach for diagnosis and population screening for cancers using urine from cancer patients. In addition we believe that our approach may be useful in the diagnosis of other pathological conditions.

Abstract: A rapid analyte collection and testing device, said device comprising a) a casing, said casing having) a first casing section, said first casing section containing an encapsulated buffer section containing a buffer, and asecond casing section, said second casing section comprising a window on a side of said second section, a complementary mechanism for attachment to said first casing section, an opening at a proximal end of said second casing section; and a non permeable platform strip positioned lengthwise within and extending beyond the second casing section. The non-permeable platform further contains a swab, said swab positioned at the distal end of said non-permeable platform strip, a lateral flow assay positioned downstream from said swab, and a tag, positioned upstream from the capture reagent site.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of diagnostic screening and diagnostic assays. In particular, the present invention provides an improved, rapid, and efficient method of screening for antiphospholipid antibodies, such as lupus anticoagulants (LA). The invention also relates to a kit for screening plasma levels for antiphospholipid antibodies in subjects in need thereof, such as those at risk for or suffering from, inter alia, antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and systemic lupus erythromatosus (SLE).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of diagnostic screening and diagnostic assays. In particular, the present invention provides an improved, rapid, and efficient method of screening for antiphospholipid antibodies, such as lupus anticoagulants (LA). The invention also relates to a kit for screening plasma levels for antiphospholipid antibodies in subjects in need thereof, such as those at risk for or suffering from, inter alia, antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and systemic lupus erythromatosus (SLE).

Abstract: Provided are assays and kits to detect ADAMTS13 activity using peptide substrates and ADAMTS13/Factor XI complexes using ELISA. These assays and kits can be used for diagnostic applications and to evaluate treatment of thrombotic or hemostatic disorders, for example, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Also provided is a novel form of ADAMTS13 found on platelets, and anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of diagnostic screening and diagnostic assays. In particular, the present invention provides an improved, rapid, and efficient method of screening for antiphospholipid antibodies, such as lupus anticoagulants (LA). The invention also relates to a kit for screening plasma levels for antiphospholipid antibodies in subjects in need thereof, such as those at risk for or suffering from, inter alia, antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and systemic lupus erythromatosus (SLE).

Abstract: The invention relates to a diagnostic assay for selectively measuring levels of the 35kD form of thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFla or TAFlai), or a derivative or variant thereof, but not the TAFI proenzyme (TAFI) or the N-terminal activation peptide of TAFI.

Abstract: Provided are assays and kits to detect ADAMTS13 activity using peptide substrates and ADAMTS13/Factor XI complexes using ELISA. These assays and kits can be used for diagnostic applications and to evaluate treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Also provided is a novel form of ADAMTS13 found on platelets.

Abstract: Provided are assays to detect ADAMTS13 activity using peptide substrates. These assays can be used for diagnostic applications and to evaluate treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Also provided is a novel form of ADAMTS13 found on platelets.

Abstract: Provided are methods of screening compounds for any aspirin-related activity other than TAFI inhibition, and also for non-inhibition of TAFI. Compounds identified by the screening methods can be used to treat, prevent or manage in a patient pain, fever, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer or an inflammatory, platelet aggregation, fibrinolytic or hemorrhagic disease or disorder. Also provided is a method of evaluating test compounds for TAFI inhibitory activity wherein the TAFI inhibitory activity of these test compounds is compared to the TAFI inhibitory activity of aspirin or its derivatives or metabolites. Further provided is a method of treating, preventing or managing in a patient, a hemorrhagic or thrombotic disease or disorder with high dose aspirin or aspirin derivatives or metabolites.

Abstract: The invention is directed in part to a purified form of stabilized activated thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFIa). The invention is further directed to a method of producing stabilized TAFIa. The invention is also directed to methods for therapeutic use of stabilized TAFIa such as in the treatment, prevention or management of diseases via an anti-coagulant effect. The invention is also directed to methods for therapeutic use of inhibitors of TAFIa such as in the treatment, prevention or management of diseases via a procoagulant effect. The invention is also directed to methods of diagnostic use of stabilized TAFIa such as a standard in a chromogenic or a fluorometric carboxypeptidase activity assay. The present invention is also directed to kits comprising stabilized TAFIa useful in measuring carboxypepetidase activity.

Abstract: Cheese curd is compressed into blocks by feeding the curd into the top of a hollow tower having a perforated lining while the tower is at a sub-atmospheric pressure to form a pillar of curd supported on a guillotine blade at the bottom of the tower, the guillotine blade is then withdrawn, the pillar of curd lowered by an elevator, and the guillotine blade returned to the closed position so as to cut off a block of curd from the bottom of the pillar of curd. The tower comprises a tubular casing, and the perforated lining comprises a pre-form tube formed as an integral structure prior to the fitting of the tube into the tower. The tube is spaced from the wall of the tower to form a drainage passage for whey pressed out from the curd in the pillar by the weight of superimposed curd, the whey passing into the drainage passage through apertures in the tube.