Abstract: A method is disclosed for obtaining an antibody or antibody fragment to a conformational epitope specific for misfolded inactive human parathyroid hormone and fragments thereof. The method includes the steps of a) immunizing an animal with an immunogen which comprises oxidized parathyroid hormone or an oxidized fragment of parathyroid hormone, or both; and b) recovering an antibody, antibody fragments, or single chain antibody. The complementary determining region of the recovered antibody, antibody fragment or single chain antibody is capable of specifically recognizing a conformational epitope (antigenic determinant) which is present on oxidized parathyroid hormone and fragments thereof only but not regular bioactive human parathyroid hormone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel therapy concept based on a removal of circulation BSP (bone sialoprotein) from the plasma of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), preferably by plasmapheresis or an administration of antibodies against BSP in plasma. The present invention further provides a BSP absorber material for plasmapheresis and a pharmaceutical composition namely in form of anti-BSP antibodies for direct administration which are biocompatible in humans. The beneficial effects of this therapy have been proven by the observed correspondence between levels of circulating free BSP levels and mortality of CKD patients.

Abstract: Method of diagnosis and prognosis of contrast media induced nephropathy (CIN) including the steps of i) taking a urine sample from a patient exposed to the application of contrast media, notably patients subjected to coronary angiography; ii) assessing the level of vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) in the urine sample obtained in step (i); iii) relating the urinary vitamin D binding protein level determined in step (ii) to a pre-selected threshold level. A urinary vitamin D binding protein level higher than the pre-selected threshold level indicates that the patient is at risk of renal failure and in need of a dialysis treatment.

Abstract: Method of diagnosis and prognosis of contrast media induced nephropathy (CIN) comprising the steps of i) taking a urine sample from a patient exposed to the application of contrast media, notably patients subjected to coronary angiography; ii) assessing the level of vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) in the urine sample obtained in step (i); iii) relating the urinary vitamin D binding protein level determined in step (ii) to a pre-selected threshold level, wherein a urinary vitamin D binding level higher than said pre-selected threshold level indicates that the patient is at risk of renal failure and in need of a dialysis treatment.

Abstract: A new method of in vitro monitoring and assessing the need of a medication which interferes with the regulation of the parathyroid hormone level in a kidney patient subject to oxidative stress, notably hemodialysis patients. FIG. 1 shows the distribution of n-oxPTH concentrations in 340 hemodialysis patients (224 men and 116 women) with a median age of 66 years (IQR, 56 to 75 years), a median time since initiation of dialysis (dialysis vintage) of 266 days (IQR, 31 to 1209 days), and a median dialysis dose (kt/V) of 1.2 (IQR, 1.1 to 1.3). The cause of chronic kidney disease was nephrosclerosis in 113 cases (33%), diabetic nephropathy in 107 cases (31%), chronic glomerular nephritis in 29 cases (9%), polycystic kidney disease in 9 cases (3%) and other/unknown in 82 cases (24%). The median n-oxPTH concentration was 5.9 ng/L (IQR, 2.4 to 14.0 ng/L). n-oxPTH concentrations were not different in men and women (5.9 ng/L; IQR, 2.4 to 14.2 ng/L; n=224; vs. 5.5 ng/L; IQR, 2.4 to 14.0 ng/L; n=1 16; p=0.915).

Abstract: Method and test kit for quantitative determination of Vitamin D metabolites in blood, wherein a predetermined amount of blood is pre-analytically immobilized on a solid sorption material. Thereby, hemolysis of the blood has no effect on the analysis of vitamin D metabolites. For quantitative analysis the dried blood spot on the sorption material is dissolved with an aqueous solvent buffer containing detergent, pH 7.0 to 10.0, and the vitamin D metabolites are eluted with a protic organic solution having a permittivity of less than 35. The eluate is analyzed for vitamin D metabolites using conventional methods.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for treatment for of r afflicted or in risk of becoming of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and/or type-2 it comprising an effective amount of relaxin for protecting beta-cells and beta-cell function against the effects of high blood glucose (glucotoxicity). Treatment of persons of disglycaemias, and protection of beta cells of the islets of Langerhans and beta-cell function in patients having type-2 diabetes, is diclosed.

Abstract: Method for obtaining an antibody or antibody fragment to a conformational epitope specific for oxidized, inactive human parathyroid hormone and fragments thereof; a method for removal of oxidized, inactive human parathyroid hormone from a sample of body fluid; methods of determining the concentration of active parathyroid hormone in a sample, and an in vitro method of diagnosis of renal failure or secondary hyperthyroidism in patients on dialysis.

Abstract: Method and test kit for quantitative determination of Vitamin D metabolites in blood, wherein a predetermined amount of blood is pre-analytically immobilised on a solid sorption material. Thereby, hemolysis of the blood has no effect on the analysis of vitamin D metabolites. For quantitative analysis the dried blood spot on the sorption material is dissolved with an aqueous solvent buffer containing detergent, pH 7.0 to 10.0, and the vitamin D metabolites are eluted with a protic organic solution having a permittivity of less than 35. The eluate is analysed for vitamin D metabolites using conventional methods.

Abstract: The preparation of vitamin D compounds of formula (I) with a label attached to a spacer group in the 3 position is disclosed. In the above formula (I), O represents the oxygen atom of an ether group; Y represents hydrogen or hydroxy; A represents a label such as biotin, digoxigenin, or another vitamin D group; R represents a substituted hydrocarbon side-group of vitamin D or a vitamin D metabolite. Also disclosed is a method of measuring 25-hydroxy vitamin D metabolite and a 1?,25-dihydroxy vitamin D metabolite in a sample.

Abstract: A method for quantitating vitamin D metabolites directly in blood plasma or serum, without the need for prior purification of the vitamin D metabolites, comprising a digestion of the serum proteins with a serine protease such as proteinase K and sequence of steps for inhibiting the proteinase K activity in the competitive binding analysis. The advantages of this method are its high accuracy over the whole range of physiologically relevant values and that it can be easily adapted for a fully automated analysis of serum and plasma samples.

Abstract: Implant articles with improved osseointegrating properties, osteogenic implant materials, and process of inducing differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, proliferation of osteoblast and attachment of cells to implant surface, comprising the step of impregnating the surface with a solution containing osteoactive bone sialoprotein, recombinant human bone sialoprotein, recombinant His-Myc-Ek-BSP or substantive fragments thereof that have not been in contact with serum containing complement factor H or any other BSP processing material.

Abstract: Diagnosis system or immunoassay for the determination of the effective parathyroid hormone activity in a sample, and for a diagnosis and treatment of calcium metabolism disturbances, osteopathies and hyper- or hypoparathyroidisms. The parathyroid hormone activity is measured with the aid of an antibody which binds to an epitope in the region of the receptor binding structure 15 to 22 of the parathyroid hormone, and an antibody which recognises whether the amino-terminal end 1 to 3 of the parathyroid hormone is intact. The assay permits the antagonistic characteristics of some parathyroid hormone fragments to be taken into account.

Abstract: Immunoassay for the determination of parathyroid hormone activity in a sample, and for the diagnosis, etiology and treatment of calcium metabolism disturbances, osteopathies and hyper- or hypoparathyroidisms. The parathyroid hormone activity is measured with the aid of an antibody which binds to an epitope in the region of the receptor binding structure 15 to 22 of the parathyroid hormone, and an antibody which recognizes whether the amino-terminal end 1 to 3 of the parathyroid hormone is intact. The assay permits the antagonistic characteristics of some parathyroid hormone fragments to be taken into account.

Abstract: Vitamin D compounds of formula (I) with a label attached to a spacer group in the 3 position are disclosed. In the above formula (I), X is an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group with a length of 0.8-4.2 nm, optionally containing the heteroatoms S, O, N or P; Y is H or OH; A is a label capable of binding with high affinity to a protein; R is an optionally substituted hydrocarbon side chain of a D vitamin or a D vitamin metabolite. Also disclosed is the preparation of formula (I).