Abstract: Methods for extracting high quality nucleic acids from a heterogenous collection of nucleic acid-containing materials from a biological sample are disclosed. The heterogenous collection of nucleic-acid containing materials may contain cells or microvesicles, or both. The extractions obtained by the methods described herein are characterized by high yield and high integrity, making the extracted nucleic acids useful for various applications in which high quality nucleic acid extractions are preferred, e.g., a diagnosis, prognosis, or therapy evaluation for a medical condition.

Abstract: The present invention features a method and kit for isolating microvesicles or extracting microvesicle nucleic acids from a biological sample by using a control particle. The present invention provides control particles that are viruses or virus-like particles, such as bacteriophages, that contain control nucleic acids that can be detected to assess the accuracy, reliability, and efficiency of the microvesicle isolation or nucleic acid extraction steps. The methods described herein may further comprise the analysis of the presence, absence, or level of at least one biomarker associated with a disease or medical condition for diagnosing, prognosing, or monitoring the disease or medical condition.

Abstract: The present invention features a method and kit for isolating microvesicles or extracting microvesicle nucleic acids from a biological sample by using a control particle. The present invention provides control particles that are viruses or virus-like particles, such as bacteriophages, that contain control nucleic acids that can be detected to assess the accuracy, reliability, and efficiency of the microvesicle isolation or nucleic acid extraction steps. The methods described herein may further comprise the analysis of the presence, absence, or level of at least one biomarker associated with a disease or medical condition for diagnosing, prognosing, or monitoring the disease or medical condition.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods associated with haptoglobin related protein (HRP), including compositions and methods associated with diagnosis and treatment of renal salt wasting (RSW) and the syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), as well as diuretic compositions and associated methods.

Abstract: Methods for extracting high quality nucleic acids from a heterogenous collection of nucleic acid-containing materials from a biological sample are disclosed. The heterogenous collection of nucleic-acid containing materials may contain cells or microvesicles, or both. The extractions obtained by the methods described herein are characterized by high yield and high integrity, making the extracted nucleic acids useful for various applications in which high quality nucleic acid extractions are preferred, e.g., a diagnosis, prognosis, or therapy evaluation for a medical condition.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for diagnosing or prognosing a disease or medical condition in a subject by detecting the presence or absence of BRAF mutant nucleic acids from nucleic acids extracted from microvesicles from a biological sample. The present invention also discloses methods for assessing the responsiveness or determining a treatment regimen for a subject in need thereof by detecting the presence or absence of BRAF mutant nucleic acids from nucleic acids extracted from microvesicles from a biological sample. Methods for isolating microvesicles and extracting DNA and/or RNA from the microvesicles are also described.

Abstract: Methods for extracting high quality nucleic acids from a heterogenous collection of nucleic acid-containing materials from a biological sample are disclosed. The heterogenous collection of nucleic-acid containing materials may contain cells or microvesicles, or both. The extractions obtained by the methods described herein are characterized by high yield and high integrity, making the extracted nucleic acids useful for various applications in which high quality nucleic acid extractions are preferred, e.g., a diagnosis, prognosis, or therapy evaluation for a medical condition.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating or preventing acute or chronic viral infection over a short time interval in mammals with sulfated polysaccharides wherein the polysaccharides have a percent of sulfur with respect to the sugar residue effective to enable maximal interaction of constituent sulfate groups with the microbe which causes the infection and wherein the sulfated polysaccharide is not substantially endocytosed or degraded by cell receptor binding in the mammal and thereby retains antiviral activity in vivo.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating or preventing microbial infection in mammals with sulfated polysaccharides wherein the polysaccharides have a degree of sulfation effective to enable maximal interaction of constituent sulfate groups with the microbe which causes the infection and wherein the sulfated polysaccharide is not substantially endocytosed or degraded by cell receptor binding in the mammal and thereby retains antimicrobial activity in vivo.

Abstract: A test strip for semi-quantitatively measuring amount of albumin in a urine sample is provided. The test strip contains Coomassie Brilliant Blue on a test pad area which is wetted with the urine sample, providing a color change in the presence of protein. The color that develops at the test pad area is compared to a color reference determined by correlating the amount of total protein detected in a standard sample by Bradford assay with the amount of total albumin determined in the sample by HPLC.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating or preventing microbial infection in mammals with sulfated polysaccharides wherein the polysaccharides have a degree of sulfation effective to enable maximal interaction of constituent sulfate groups with the microbe which causes the infection and wherein the sulfated polysaccharide is not substantially endocytosed or degraded by cell receptor binding in the mammal and thereby retains antimicrobial activity in vivo.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing early stage renal disease and/or renal complications of a disease in which intact modified albumin is an indicator of the renal disease and/or complications.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing early stage renal disease and/or renal complications of a disease in which intact albumin is an indicator of the renal disease and/or complications. The method includes an isolated intact protein, an anti-intact protein antibody thereto, and methods for preparing the same.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for treating, preventing or managing a viral infection in a subject comprising administering one or more sulfated polysaccharides, wherein the polysaccharides have a percent of sulfur with respect to the sugar residue effective to enable maximal interaction of constituent sulfate groups with the microbe which causes the infection and wherein the sulfated polysaccharide is not substantially endocytosed or degraded by cell receptor binding in the mammal and thereby retains antimicrobial activity in vivo. The invention also provides methods and compositions for treating, preventing or managing a non-viral. microbial infection in a subject comprising administering one or more substituted polysaccharides.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for treating, preventing or managing coronavirus infections in mammals using sulfated polysaccharides. More particularly, this invention relates to methods of treating, preventing or managing infection by coronaviruses, particularly viral infections leading to or causing diseases such as the newly discovered Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (“SARS”). The invention involves the use of sulfated polysaccharides which are abundant, non-toxic and inexpensive and which are potent antivirals in vivo.