Abstract: Provided is a general-purpose technique capable of measuring the HbA1c content, which is comparable to the IFCC reference method. An antibody which reacts with a peptide or a protein having an amino acid sequence of VHLTPE (SEQ ID NO: 1) at the N-terminus in which the N-terminal valine is not modified, but does not react with a peptide or a protein in which the N-terminal valine of the relevant polypeptide or protein is modified.

Abstract: It is intended to provide an antibody which inhibits the function of midkine. An antibody which recognizes an epitope consisting of amino acid residues 62 to 104 of midkine or a fragment thereof; DNA encoding the antibody or a fragment thereof; a recombinant vector which contains the DNA; a transformant which has the vector or a hybridoma which produces the antibody; a method for producing the antibody by allowing the transformant or hybridoma to produce the antibody or a fragment thereof and collecting the resulting antibody or fragment thereof; a pharmaceutical composition containing the antibody or a fragment thereof as an active ingredient; and a diagnostic agent containing the antibody or a fragment thereof as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for production or detection of a cardiomyocyte(s) and/or cardiac progenitor cell(s), comprises extracting a cardiomyocyte(s) and/or cardiac progenitor cell(s) from a cell population comprising cardiomyocytes and/or cardiac progenitor cells using as an index VCAM1 positivity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for combining the output obtained from redundant sensor elements in a sensor array.

Abstract: Hemoglobin in a sample solution is quickly and reliably denatured; at the same time, quick and accurate measurement of hemoglobin and a hemoglobin derivative is realized. In a method for measuring hemoglobin and a hemoglobin derivative, and a reagent composition, a measurement kit, an analysis device, and an analysis system used in the method, a sample solution containing a blood component is treated with a nonionic surfactant, an oxidizing agent, and a metal salt to denature hemoglobin in the sample solution to measure the hemoglobin, and thereafter the amount of a hemoglobin derivative in the sample is measured by an immunological method using an antibody specifically binding to a denatured site of the denatured hemoglobin derivative.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for detecting antigen responsive cells in a sample using multidimensional labeled antigen presenting compounds, such as antigen-major histocompatibility complexes (NHC). Further, the present invention relates to the use of the present multidimensional labeled antigen presenting compounds, such as antigen-major histocompatibility complexes (MHC), for detecting antigen responsive cells in a sample, preferably a single sample, such as a blood sample. The present method allows high-throughput analysis of specific antigen responsive cells, such as T- and B-cells, thereby providing, for example, high-throughput methods for monitoring of diseases or conditions and the development of immunotherapeutics, vaccines, or the identification epitopes or immunogenic amino acid sequences.

Abstract: Subpopulations of spore-like cells expressing specific cell surface and gene expression markers are provided. In one embodiment, the cells express at least one cell surface or gene expression marker selected from the group consisting of Oct4, nanog, Zfp296, cripto, Gdf3, UtF1, Ecat1, Esg1, Sox2, Pax6, nestin, SCA-1, CD29, CD34, CD90, B1 integrin, cKit, SP-C, CC10, SF1, DAX1, and SCG10. Also provided are methods for purifying a subpopulation of spore-like cells of interest from a population of spore-like cells, and methods for inducing differentiation of the isolated spore-like cells into cells of endodermal, mesodermal or ectodermal origin. The spore-like cells can be used to generate cells originating from all three germ layers and can be used to treat a patient who has a deficiency of functional cells in any of a wide variety of tissues, including the retina, intestine, bladder, kidney, liver, lung, nervous system, or endocrine system.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method which is capable of carrying out detection and evaluation of the vascular endothelial damage with a high degree of accuracy. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for testing vascular endothelial damage with respect to a blood sample collected from living organism comprising the steps of: 1) detecting or determining quantitatively vascular endothelial cell-derived microparticle; and 2) detecting or determining quantitatively tissue factor-containing microparticle. Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a testing kit of vascular endothelial damage comprising a first antibody which specifically recognizes the vascular endothelium-derived microparticle, and a second antibody which specifically recognizes the tissue factor-containing microparticle.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an immunological test for determining NT-proBNP comprising at least two antibodies to NT-proBNP, wherein at least one of the antibodies to NT-proBNP is a monoclonal antibody. The epitopes recognized by the antibodies can slightly overlap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting an antibody against a small protein encoded by the intermediate stage transcript of HHV-6 (SITH-1) in a biological sample. The method of the present invention includes the following steps: 1) providing the SITH-1 protein; 2) binding the SITH-1 protein provided in step 1) to a carrier; and 3) contacting the biological sample with the SITH-1 protein-bound carrier prepared in step 2) to detect the SITH-1 protein antibody.

Abstract: A method for generating antibodies preferable to either a normal protein and a mutated form of the normal protein, respectively, where a mutation associated with the mutated form includes either a single point mutation or a small number of point mutations where the method includes creating first and second antigenic peptides of a predetermined length corresponding respectively to common regions of the normal target protein and the mutated form, where the common regions are identical to one another except for the point mutation of the mutated form, obtaining first and second antibodies by multiplying the first and second antigenic peptides via hybridoma methods, and identifying the respective affinities of the first and second antibodies for the normal target protein and the mutated form. Also included are methods of using the first and second antibodies to detect and quantify respective amounts of a normal target protein and a mutated form of the target protein.

Abstract: Methods are provided herein for determining antioxidant activity of a test sample in intact cells. The method includes determining the antioxidant capacity of a test sample in intact red blood cells, wherein the test sample is added to intact red blood cells and oxidative damage is measured by alteration of fluorescence intensity of an oxidation-sensitive fluorescent indicator dye.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for isolating target biomolecules or cells from samples, particularly biological samples. In particular, the device comprises a loading mixture, which contains the biological sample and a first binding entity that specifically binds to the target biomolecule or target cell; and a micro-channel coated with a second binding entity that binds directly or indirectly to the first binding entity. Methods of capturing, detecting, and/or evaluating target biomolecules or target cells (e.g. cancer cells) in biological samples are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining equine NT-proBNP, or fragments thereof, comprising the steps of: providing an equine sample, contacting the sample with at least one antibody which specifically binds to equine NT-proBNP, and determining the presence and/or concentration of the equine NT-proBNP or fragments thereof existing in the sample.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively measuring white blood cell (leukocyte) count and/or white blood cell (leukocyte) subsets count involves adding specific antibodies labeled with a marker to the biological fluid sample, capture of white blood cells from a fluid sample by a retainer, removal of other than leukocyte cells and other interfering substances by washing or using specific magnetic beads, and reading the result. The device for use in the present method includes a retainer for leukocyte cells and an absorption pad for taking up all excess washing solution flowing past the sample.

Abstract: The present invention is in the area of coagulation analysis and relates to antibodies which bind specifically to an immune complex of prothrombin fragment F2/F1+2 and an F2/F1+2 neoepitope-specific antibody fragment, and to the preparation and the use thereof in methods for determining F2/F1+2.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing and/or staging a hemoglobin disorder such as ?-thalassemia involves contacting a blood sample of a subject with an Alpha-Hemoglobin Stabilizing Protein which may be present on a solid support, and detecting and/or quantifying free ?-Hb. Detection or quantification can be achieved by photometry such as HTRF or immunological procedures such as EIA and ELISA. The free ?-Hb is compared to a reference value, and can be used to correlate with the diagnosis and/or staging of the hemoglobin disorder for the subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for producing conjugates comprising or consisting of a metallic nanoparticulate component and an organic component. Said method enables activated or reactive nanoparticles containing metal to be produced by irradiating a metal body with a laser beam and prevents the modification and damage of organic components of said conjugates by laser irradiation. Said nanoparticulate metallic component comprises plasmon resonant metal. According to the invention, the claimed method of production enables particles having a metal centre and a metal-oxide covering to be produced, in particular when using a carrier fluid containing oxygen, e.g. alcohol or water.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of determining the number and percent of tissue specific stem cells (TSSCs) in a sample of cells, a population of cells or a sample of tissue. The methods rely on detecting the pattern-specific asymmetric localization of asymmetric self-renewal associated (ASRA) proteins or cell cycle specific proteins (CSSP) in cell undergoing asymmetrical self-renewal, which is a characteristic of TSSCs. The methods can be applied to any situations in which the percent of TSSC is desired such as laboratory research on adult stem cells, in drug development tests, prognostic indicator and therapeutic index, as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator and in monitoring TSSC expansion, e.g., in cell manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to the SNAP motif and to the CLIP tag comprising CDRs with the amino acid sequences SEQ ID Nos. 3, 4, 5, and 8, 9, 10.