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 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: A self-contained system for testing for the presence of occult blood in a specimen has been provided. The system includes a housing holding a test element and a container for releasing a developing medium onto the test element. The housing includes a base portion encasing both the container and the test element, and a cover. The system further includes specimen openings and results openings having different configurations, one from the other, which provides enhanced visualization of test results. The system also includes structure, such as channels, effective to control a rate of flow of developing medium to the specimen openings.

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

Abstract: A self-contained system for testing for the presence of occult blood in a specimen has been provided. The system includes a housing holding a test element and a container for releasing a developing medium onto the test element. The housing includes a base portion encasing both the container and the test element, and a cover. The system further includes specimen openings and results openings having different configurations, one from the other, which provides enhanced visualization of test results. The system also includes structure, such as channels, effective to control a rate of flow of developing medium to the specimen openings.

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: A self-contained system for testing for the presence of occult blood in a specimen has been provided with features enhancing its ease of use. The system includes a housing holding a test matrix and a container for releasing a developing medium onto the test matrix. The housing includes a base portion encasing both the container and the test matrix, and a moveable cover for selectively covering and uncovering the base. The cover is provided with a tab which can be manipulated with a finger of one hand, and the base is provided with tabs which can be grasped easily with one or two other fingers of the same hand, thus allowing the cover to be easily opened and closed with one hand.

Abstract: A self-contained system for testing for the presence of occult blood in a specimen has been provided with features enhancing its ease of use. The system includes a housing holding a test matrix and a container for releasing a developing medium onto the test matrix. The housing includes a base portion encasing both the container and the test matrix, and a moveable cover for selectively covering and uncovering the base. The cover is provided with a tab which can be manipulated with a finger of one hand, and the base is provided with tabs which can be grasped easily with one or two other fingers of the same hand, thus allowing the cover to be easily opened and closed with one hand. Other ease-of-use features include an applicator with a tip configured for optimized retrieval and even spreading of the specimen on the test matrix, and indicia imprinted at various positions on the housing designating both the location and order in which the different steps of the testing procedure are to be performed.

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: Self-contained systems test for the presence of occult blood in a specimen. In one embodiment, the system has a test matrix comprising a testing portion spaced apart from a medium entrance portion, wherein the testing portion has a specimen placement area on a first side and a result area on an opposing second side. The system also has a container holding a developing medium, wherein the container is adapted to release the developing solution onto the solution entrance portion. A housing holds the test matrix and the container. The housing has a specimen opening at the specimen placement area and preferably is adapted to enable the result area to be observed. The developing medium preferably is a free standing liquid within the container. The developing medium is released from the container upon compression or breaking of the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of molecules capable of specifically binding a urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) as diagnostic reagents for the detection of metastases in vivo. Such metastases can include, but are not limited to, micrometastases.