Abstract: A method for measuring polyamines in erythrocytes in which a polyamine oxidase having a substrate specificity to spermine and spermidine or a polyamine oxidase having a substrate specificity to spermine only is used, an eluate in erythrocytes separated and purified from blood is reacted with these enzymes, and hydrogen peroxide formed is determined with a highly sensitive chromogen1 such as a diphenylamine-based chromogen. A method for measuring amounts of polyamines in erythrocytes easily with high precision. The method is effective for diagnosis of certain disease conditions or physiological conditions or the like.

Abstract: Methods and systems for rapidly determining the level of platelet inhibition in whole blood, due to aspirin usage, with a single use arachidonic based assay device that can be stored at room temperature is provided. A lyophilized assay reagent that contains arachidonic acid at sufficient concentration to maximally activate platelets is utilized. An antioxidant within the same lyophilized assay reagent reduces the oxidation rate of arachidonic acid but does not interfere with platelet function. An oxygen absorber within the single use assay device packaging creates an inert environment within a short period of time after package is sealed. The assay device can have a housing with a plurality of channels and a common blood sample introduction port coupled to each of a channel of the plurality of channels. The assay device can also include a lyophilized assay reagent that contains arachidonic acid at sufficient concentration to maximally activate platelets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a screening method by which a prediabetic state can be more accurately determined and many test samples can be treated without physical burden on patients, and a diagnostic reagent used for it. By measuring a D-mannose concentration, preferably a D-mannose concentration and a glucose concentration, in a body fluid collected from a subject, and comparing them with their respective standard values, a patient in a prediabetic state can be detected. Further, the measurement of the mannose concentration is conducted by allowing an enzyme having an oxidizing activity on mannose by dehydrogenation to react on the mannose in a sample in the presence of an electron acceptor, and quantitatively determining the formed reductant of the electron acceptor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for assaying myeloperoxidase activity. In the assay, a sample containing myeloperoxidase or suspected of containing myeloperoxidase is contacted with substrate including serine, hydrogen peroxide, and a halide. If myeloperoxidase is present in the sample, serine is converted into glycolaldehyde, which is further converted into glycolate by a glycoaldehyde converting enzyme. The method then utilizes a cycling reaction system between glycolate and glyoxylate to generate a detectable signal that corresponds to the myeloperoxidase activity. Kits for assaying myeloperoxidases based on the same principle are also provided.

Abstract: This invention involves the new use of a diagnostic test to determine the risk of atherosclerotic diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke, particularly among individuals with no signs or symptoms of current disease and among nonsmokers. Further, this invention involves the new use of a diagnostic test to assist physicians in determining which individuals at risk will preferentially benefit from certain treatments designed either to prevent first or recurrent myocardial infarctions and strokes, or to treat acute and chronic cardiovascular disorders. Methods for treatment also are described.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a means for the measurement of amylase activity that exists in a biological sample such as saliva in a more convenient manner and particularly to provide a means (method and reagent) where a sample containing amylase in high concentration is directly measured without dilution. In the present invention, there has been found a method, which is an enzymatic method using a modified oligosaccharide substrate, comprising adding saccharide such as oligosaccharide that is competitive to the oligosaccharide substrate whereupon amylase activity in an amylase sample having a high activity value can be directly measured without dilution, and a result, the present invention has been achieved.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a means for measuring amylase activity existing in biological samples such as saliva in a more convenient manner and is particularly to provide a means (reagent for measurement, method for measurement and apparatus) by which a sample containing high concentrations of amylase is measured. There has been found a means (reagent for measurement, method for measurement and apparatus), whereby amylase activity in an amylase sample having a high activity value can be quite conveniently measured by making an oligosaccharide substrate carry on a support in an enzymatic method for measuring amylase activity using a modified oligosacharide substrate, whereupon the present invention has been achieved.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for measuring activity signals of a biological sample comprising: a measurement chamber (A) storing a target liquid containing a biological sample; a porous insulating substrate (5) provided with a measurement electrode (1) on at least one side; and a conveying device (8) which conveys the target liquid stored in the measurement chamber (A) and passes the target liquid through the porous insulating substrate (5) from the measurement electrode (1) side, wherein the conveying device (8) is operated to trap the biological sample contained in the target liquid onto the measurement electrode (1), so that the activity signals of the biological sample are measured through the measurement electrode (1). According to the apparatus, activity signals emitted from the biological sample can be detected easily, rapidly and accurately.

Abstract: LDL receptor-related proteins 1 and 2 (LRP-1 and LRP-2) and interaction between lactoferrin and LRP-1, LRP-2, or p42/44 MAP kinase in diagnosis and treatment of disorders such as bone or cartilage disorders. Also disclosed are methods of screening for related therapeutic compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for identifying abnormalities in TSC signaling pathways. In particular, the present invention relates to methods of diagnosing and treating disorders such as tuberous sclerosis, which are caused by mutations in the TSC genes. The present invention further relates to methods and compositions for treating cancers mediated by TSC signaling disorders.

Abstract: Polypeptides are electroblotted through a digestion membrane to a composite capture membrane that can be directly analyzed using mass spectrometry. The molecular weights of the fragments generated by the digestion membrane are then used to identify the polypeptide from which they originated. The digestion membrane contains an immobilized protease such as trypsin, which cleaves the electroblotted polypeptides into fragments during electroblotting with such high enzyme cleavage capacity and efficiency that one pass of the polypeptide through the membrane is sufficient. The peptide fragments are collected onto a composite capture membrane that is chemically treated, for example by adding a mixture of nitrocellulose and MALDI matrix, so as to absorb peptides near the surface to facilitate desportion, thereby increasing the sensitivity of subsequent analysis by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. A wide variety of application are disclosed including identifying proteins separated on a gel or within a tissue sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing, predicting and monitoring kidney disorders. In particular, the present invention relates to the diagnosis, prediction and monitoring of kidney disorders by detection of cytokines, cytokine-related compounds and chemokines in urine. The present invention further relates to methods and compositions for assessing the efficacy of agents and interventions used to treat kidney disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing, predicting and monitoring kidney diseases, including acute renal failure, renal tubular interstitial disease and glomerulonephritis. In particular, the present invention relates to the detection, prediction and monitoring of kidney diseases by detection of CXCR3 and CCL chemokines in urine. The present invention further relates to methods and compositions for assessing the efficacy of agents and interventions used to treat kidney diseases.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cytotoxic assay using a new established fish cell line. The invention attained according to the object is a cytotoxic assay, wherein an evaluation of toxicity of a specimen is performed on the basis of its toxicity to an established cell line originated from sturgeon, preferably a STIP-1 cell line (FERM BP-8421) and a STIP-3 cell line (FERM BP-8422). Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a new established cell line expected to be used in the diagnosis of viral infection disease of sturgeon and so on. The invention attained according to the object is an established cell line originated from a sturgeon eyeball, particularly a STIP-1 cell line (FERM BP-8421) and a STIP-3 cell line (FERM BP-8422).

Abstract: Methods of determining the potency, specificity, and toxicity of microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase inhibitors are provided that utilize one cell-based assay system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing residual enzymes when microencapsulating enzymes, and more particularly, for inactivating enzymes remaining in an uncapsulated form during microencapsulation of enzymes by treating dispersion fluid of microcapsules containing enzymes with ozone, together with removal of microorganisms harmful to human beings, where the ozone treatment is conducted for 1–10 min with 1–10 ppm of ozone generated from a UV lamp in a range from 150 to 200 nm wavelength.