Abstract: Non-allergic hypersensitivity reactions can be observed in a sample of cells from a subject in response to anaphylatoxins. Accordingly, methods are provided for detecting clinical conditions such as cellular hyper-reactivity, non-allergic hypersensitivity, asthma, inflammation, chronic or acute infection, bacterial infection, viral infection, parasite infection, adverse drug reaction, organ rejection, vasculitis, mastocytosis, eosinophilia, basophilia, leukemia, and/or C3a or C5a receptor defects in a subject. Also provided are kits for detecting such clinical conditions in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention is an application, composition, and method of using a pharmaceutically effective amount of aspartame or its primary metabolite aspartyl-phenylalanine in systematic and periodic application or dose as an aspirin (NSAID) substitute, treatment for osteoporosis, and or topical treatment for Rosacea.

Abstract: Diagnostic methods that rely on the use of one or more assays that assess cellular activation are provided. The assays are performed on whole blood or leukocytes, and indicate individually or in combination the level of cardiovascular cell activation, which is pivotal in many chronic and acute disease states. These results of the assays are used within a clinical framework to support therapeutic decisions such as: further testing for infectious agents, anti-oxidant or anti-adhesion therapy, postponement and optimal re-scheduling of high-risk surgeries, classifying susceptibility to and progression rates of chronic disease such as diabetes, atherogenesis, and venous insufficiency; extreme interventions in trauma cases of particularly high risk and activation-lowering therapies. Also provided is as composition derived from a pancreatic homogenate that contains circulating cell activating factors, which can serve as targets for drug screening to identify drug candidates for use in activation lowering therapies.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for detecting and monitoring liver damage in a subject. The methods and kits rely on the correlation between the presence or increase in a kallikrein-like peptidase in a sample from the subject and liver disease. Additionally, the present invention provides in vivo and in vitro methods for detecting toxicity of a therapeutic agent. Methods for detecting, diagnosing, or monitoring liver damage by measuring a panel of components, including kallikrein-like peptidase, along with other blood enzymes and/or complement components are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for measuring in vivo activation of the lectin pathway by measuring mannan-binding serine protease activity (MASP) are provided. The methods are accomplished by C3a and C4a levels in in vitro activated EDTA plasma. In particular, the increase in C3a and/or C4a as a function of time is an indicator of the amount of activated MASP in EDTA plasma. Methods are also provided for measuring the alternate and classical pathways of complement activation, exclusive of the lectin pathway, and thereby disorders associated therewith. To perform such measurements, Futhan or other serine protease inhibitor is added to blood or plasma, containing a divalent metal ion chelator, and C3a and C4a are measured.

Abstract: Provided herein are assays for measuring in vivo levels of activated mannan-binding protein-associated serine protease (MASP-1 and MASP-2) activity. Also provided are compounds that are useful for assessing the in vivo levels and for monitoring in vitro and in vivo complement-activation (C-activation).

Abstract: A peptide-specific monoclonal antibody derived from an immunogenic peptide from the extracellular hydrophilic region of the human C5 a receptor (C5aR) is useful for blocking C5a from binding to C5aR.

Abstract: Peptides containing at least four amino acid residues characterized by the presence of an amidino substituted .alpha.-amino acid such as arginine at the carboxyl terminus manifest activity to control smooth muscle contraction, histamine release and vascular permeability.