Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for classifying a patient at risk for heart failure, wherein the method comprises the steps of (i) measuring the concentration of IGFBP2 in a sample obtained from the patient and (ii) comparing the concentration of IGFBP2 measured in step (i) to a control value derived from the concentration of IGFBP2 in samples from patients who are at particular stages of heart failure and/or to a control value derived from the concentration of IGFBP2 in blood samples from healthy patients.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vector targeting thrombus, having t-PA binding property consisting of a thrombus targeting fucoidan moiety, which is covalently linked to one or more t-PA binding amino groups by the reducing end of the said fucoidan moiety.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of increasing vascularization in a tissue by administering a neublastin polypeptide to a mammal exhibiting impaired or inadequate blood flow in the tissue. The methods can be used to in the treatment or prevention of a disorder characterized by impaired or inadequate blood flow or to increase vascularization in an organ that has been transplanted into a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting leptin receptor ligands by measuring the energy transfer between fusion proteins comprising a leptin receptor and an energy donor protein or an energy acceptor acceptor protein proteins. The present invention also relates to fusion proteins for implementing said method.

Abstract: Nucleotide vector composition containing such vector and vaccine for immunization against hepatitis. Nucleotide vector comprising at least one gene or one complementary DNA coding for at least a portion of a virus, and a promoter providing for the expression of such gene in muscle cells. The gene may be the S gene of the hepatitis B virus. A nucleotide vector composition when administered to even chronic HBV carriers is capable of breaking T cell tolerance to the surface antigens of hepatitis B virus. A vaccine preparation containing said bare DNA is injected into the host previously treated with a substance capable of inducing a coagulating necrosis of the muscle fibers.