Abstract: Disclosed is a method for assessing the prognosis of idiopathic membranous nephropathy in a body fluid sample from a human subject, based on profiling PLA2R1 epitopes recognized by autoantibodies in the sample. The method further relates to analysis of PLA2R1 epitope spreading amongst three PLA2R1 domains (Cys R, CTLD1 and CTLD7) that are recognized by anti-PLA2R1 autoantibodies, two of which (CTLD1 and CTLD7) are more closely associated with active idiopathic membranous nephropathy and likely linked by a mechanism of epitope spreading.

Abstract: A method of determining a macromolecular analyte in a sample suspected of containing the macromolecular analyte is disclosed. The sample and a conjugate reagent comprising a small molecule and a binding partner for the macromolecular analyte are combined in a medium. The conjugate reagent and a labeled binding partner for the small molecule are combined. The conjugate reagent or the medium is examined for an amount of labeled binding partner for the small molecule that is bound to the small molecule, which is related to the amount of the macromolecular analyte in the sample.

Abstract: The invention provides diagnostic markers of immunosenescence and methods of identifying individuals with impaired immune function based on the expression level of a combination of such markers in a biological sample obtained from said individual. Such combination of markers is useful for determining the susceptibility to nosocomial infections of an individual. Such combination of markers is also useful for predicting whether an individual will respond to active vaccination and become protected against recurring diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method for the diagnosis, prediction or risk stratification for mortality and/or disease outcome of a subject that has or is suspected to have sepsis, comprising determining the presence and/or level of antitrypsin (ATT) or fragments thereof in a sample taken from said subject and/or determining the presence and/or level of transthyretin (TTR) or fragments thereof, wherein the presence and/or level of ATT and/or TTR or fragments thereof is correlated with an increased risk of mortality and, wherein said increased risk of mortality and/or poor disease outcome is given if the level of ATT is below a certain cut-off value and/or the level of fragments thereof is above a certain cut-off value and/or said increased risk of mortality and/or poor disease outcome is given if the level of TTR is below a certain cut-off value and/or the level of fragments thereof is below a certain cut-off value.

Abstract: A method for detecting an analyte concentration of the present invention includes performing a competitive reaction between a first complex and an analyte standard or an analyte sample, so that the first complex may combine with a metal nanoparticle, and a second complex of a control group and a third complex of a sample group are respectively formed. Then, a difference of heat diffusivity of the second complex and the third complex may determine an analyte sample concentration of the sample group is higher or lower than a pre-determined analyte standard concentration of the control group.

Abstract: The present description relates to a method for identifying a patient who is eligible for an intensification of heart failure therapy. Furthermore, the description relates to a method for optimizing B type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and/or N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)-type peptide guided heart failure therapy. The methods are based on the measurement of the level of at least one marker in a sample from a patient who has heart failure and who receives B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and/or N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)-type peptide guided heart failure therapy. Further described are kits and devices adapted to carry out the described method.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing follicular thyroid carcinoma is described. The method measures protein expression levels of an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (ARS) or an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex-interacting multifunctional protein (AIMP) in a sample, such as a thyroid tissue sample, from a subject suspected of having follicular thyroid carcinoma. The protein expression levels of ARS or AIMP are compared to the measured protein expression levels in a control.

Abstract: A technique can be used to detect and/or quantify allergens in foods. In some examples, the technique involves adding magnetic particles that carry antibodies and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) tags complexed with antibodies to the sample. The antibodies associated with both the magnetic particles and the SERS tags can be selected to bind to one or more antigens that correspond to allergens being investigated. After adding magnetic particles to the sample, a magnetic field can be applied to the sample to concentrate antigens in the sample, including any SERS tags bound to the antigens. The concentrated sample can be analyzed with SERS and a concentration of the mammalian allergen determined based on the SERS response.

Abstract: Methods, kits and compositions for diagnosing and treating autoimmue diseases such as rheumatiodi arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates use of encapsulated aqueous and non-aqueous reagents, solutions and solvents and their use in laboratory procedures. These encapsulated aqueous or non-aqueous reagents, solutions and solvents can be completely contained or encapsulated in microcapsules or nanocapsules that can be added to an aqueous or non-aqueous carrier solution or liquid required for medical and research laboratory testing of biological or non-biological specimens.

Abstract: An in vitro method for diagnosing and treating sepsis in a patient is provided, the method including: contacting at least a portion of a biological sample from the patient consisting essentially of microparticles isolated via differential centrifugation with reagents for detection and/or quantification of neutrophil-derived microparticles; determining a level of neutrophil-derived microparticles based on the contacting step; diagnosing sepsis in the patient when the determined level of neutrophil-derived microparticles is elevated relative to a cutoff value of the neutrophil-derived microparticles; and treating the diagnosed patient for sepsis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for diagnosing a subject with loss and/or distortion of taste or smell, e.g., hyposmia, dysosmia, anosmia, phantosmia, hypogeusia, dysgeusia, phantogeusia, and/or ageusia. Also disclosed herein are methods and compositions for treating a subject for loss and/or distortion of taste or smell, e.g., hyposmia, dysosmia, anosmia, phantosmia, hypogeusia, dysgeusia, phantogeusia, and/or ageusia.

Abstract: Methods of measuring the activity of Factor D, the key driver in the activation of the alternative complement pathway, methods of determining the potency of Factor D inhibitors, and methods of screening for Factor D inhibitors are provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for determining post-transfusion survival or toxicity of red blood cells and the suitability of red blood cell units for transfusion by measuring the levels of one or more markers in a red blood cell sample are provided.

Abstract: Described is a method for predicting the risk of a subject of rapidly progressing to chronic heart failure and/or of hospitalization due to chronic heart failure and/or death. The method is based on the determination of at least one biomarker selected from B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), IGFBP7 (IGF binding protein 7), a cardiac Troponin, soluble ST2 (sST2), FGF-23 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 23), and Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF-15), in a sample of a subject along with the assessment of the presence or absence of (i) abnormal midwall fractional shortening or (ii) left ventricular hypertrophy.

Abstract: A method of quantifying an autoantibody includes the steps of reacting a biological sample containing the autoantibody as a test substance with an antigen that is specifically recognized by and bound to the autoantibody, in competition with a known amount of a competition antibody that competes with the autoantibody for binding to the antigen; reacting the autoantibody bound to the antigen with a detection antibody that recognizes and binds to the autoantibody, but does not recognize the competition antibody; measuring a signal derived from the detection antibody bound to the autoantibody; and calculating an amount of the autoantibody contained in the biological sample by utilizing, as an index therefor, an amount of the competition antibody that provides 50% reduction of the signal derived from the detection antibody which is bound to the autoantibody in absence of the competition antibody.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, kits and systems for detecting and/or capturing a target entity in a sample are disclosed. In particular, the methods, compositions and kits described herein can be used for pretreatment of target-binding agents with a blocking agent to reduce non-target binding in a complex matrix (e.g., blood). Methods and compositions for detecting and/or capturing a microbe in a test sample, including bodily fluids such as blood and tissues of a subject, food, water, and environmental surfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for determining concentrations of a target molecule and a variant thereof in a sample. The sample can comprise or be suspected to comprise a target molecule and at least one variant thereof and is exposed to one or more recognition elements that bind to the target molecule and/or the at least one variant. A signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the target molecule and/or a signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the at least one variant to the one or more recognition elements. The concentration of the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof is determined based on the signals. The system can comprise a receiver adapted to receive a sample comprising or suspected to comprise a target molecule and the at least one variant thereof, the receiver comprising one or more recognition elements that bind to one or more epitopes in the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof.

Abstract: Antibodies against citrullinated protein antigens (ACPA) have shown their relevance for the diagnosis and possibly pathogenesis in arthritis. Described are means and methods for determining antibodies against homocitrulline-containing proteins or carbamylated proteins/peptides (anti-CarP) for the classification of individuals suffering from, or at risk of suffering from, arthritis.

Abstract: In various implementations, a noninvasive, food sensitivity test may be utilized to identify one or more food sensitivities. A fecal sample may be obtained. The food sensitivity test may be performed on the obtained fecal sample. One or more food sensitivities may be identified based on the food sensitivity test.