Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and kits for diagnosing a disease condition characterized by non-physiological levels of hepcidin protein, including prohepcidin and fragments thereof, comprising obtaining a tissue or fluid sample from a subject; contacting the sample with an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to a polypeptide corresponding to the mid-portion or C terminus of a hepcidin protein, and quantifying the hepcidin level using an assay based on binding of the antibody and the polypeptide; wherein the non-physiological level of hepcidin is indicative of the disease condition. The present invention also concerns diagnostic methods and kits for applications in genetic technological approaches, such as for overexpressing or down-regulating hepcidin. The present invention further concerns therapeutic treatment of certain diseases by treatment of subjects with hepcidin and agonists or antagonists of hepcidin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of assessing the risk of suffering from atherosclerosis in an individual comprising removing anti-lipoprotein immune complexes from a sample from the individual, measuring the level of cholesterol/lipoprotein associated with said anti-lipoprotein immune complexes, and determining thereby the risk of atherosclerosis in the individual.

Abstract: The present invention in one embodiment is an early detection marker for chronic or acute inflammatory-associated diseases. Chronic diseases may include atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory diseases of the bowel such as Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis, Irritable bowel syndrome and Inflammatory bowel disease. Acute diseases may include sepsis, acute systemic infections, acute lung injury, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and kits for diagnosing a disease condition characterized by non-physiological levels of hepcidin protein, including prohepcidin and fragments thereof, comprising obtaining a tissue or fluid sample from a subject; contacting the sample with an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to a polypeptide corresponding to the amino acid sequence between and including amino acids 25 and 49 of a hepcidin precursor protein, and quantifying the hepcidin precursor level using an assay based on binding of the antibody and the polypeptide; wherein the non-physiological level of prohepcidin is indicative of the disease condition. The present invention also concerns diagnostic methods and kits for applications in genetic technological approaches, such as for overexpressing or downregulating hepcidin.

Abstract: Methods for operating a sensor device are provided, which may include (a) providing at a site (e.g., implanting in a patient) a device which comprises at least first and second reservoirs, a first sensor and corresponding first reference sensor located within the first reservoir, a second sensor and corresponding second reference sensor located within the second reservoir, a first reservoir cap closing an opening in the first reservoir and a second reservoir cap closing an opening in the second reservoir, and a power source, control circuitry, and electrodes for selectively disintegrating each reservoir cap; (b) disintegrating the first reservoir cap and operating the first sensor and reference sensor; and (c) using the first reference sensor to determine whether the first sensor is operating properly. If not operating properly, then the control circuitry initiates disintegration of the second reservoir cap and operation of the second sensor and reference sensor.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for identifying and treating obesity and obesity-induced metabolic disorders are provided. One aspect provides a method for the evaluation of risk and progression of glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes in mammalian subjects. The method includes measuring the concentration of circulating lipocalin-2 in a subject and comparing the measured level to lipocalin-2 to a reference level. Another aspect provides methods of treating insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and other related complications by administering to a patient a composition that can reduce the circulating levels of lipocalin-2, for example a lipocalin-2 antagonist.

Abstract: Surfaces coated with a target-induced fluorescent compound are used to detect target elements, especially trace elements. The target-induced fluorescent compound does not fluoresce when excited at a specific wavelength until it has bound a target element. The use of these coated surfaces provides several benefits including reduced background for greater sensitivity and eliminating the need to separate target-induced fluorescent compound that has not bound target element from target-induced fluorescent compound that has bound target element. Coated nanoparticles are especially useful for detection of target elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting autoantibodies in a subject which reacts with a GP73 antigen. Increased levels of GP73-specific autoantibodies in a sample from the subject which bind to GP73 antigen are indicative of liver disease in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method identifying a risk for a thrombogenic disorder, to a method for selecting patients with a risk for a thrombogenic disorder, to a method for identifying a pharmaceutical for the therapy or prophylaxis of a thrombogenic disorder as well as to a method for producing a medicament and a diagnostic by employing the TAFI-Ile347 polymorphism.

Abstract: The invention provides highly sensitive and rapid homogeneous assays which employ particle-enhanced assay formats in concert with capillary electrophoresis and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection to determine the concentration of an analyte of interest in a sample. Such a determination is made by measuring fluorescent signal(s) (i.e., an electropherogram) produced upon LIF of species present in the reaction mixture that are capable of producing such signals. The method of this invention produces simplified electropherograms by reducing the number of signals that must be separated and subsequently measured, and therefore increases the accuracy of the detection and/or quantification of target analyte concentration in a sample.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the detection and/or quantification of an analyte in a sample are provided. These are positive detection methods and devices, in that the more analyte is present in the sample, the stronger the signal that is provided. Devices of the invention include a mobilization zone including a mobile or mobilizable detectable analyte analog, a sample application area, primary and secondary capture areas each including an immobilized binding partner having a binding affinity for the analyte being tested for a detectable analyte analog. The mobilization zone, sample application area, primary and secondary capture area are in fluid continuous contact with each other. In these devices, the first immobilized binding partner has an equal or lower apparent affinity for the analyte than it has for the detectable analyte analog.

Abstract: The invention relates to lipid bilayer coated beads and methods of using those beads in immunoassays, in analytical assay and the like.

Abstract: A method and kit for quantitatively and/or qualitatively detecting one or more components in samples, including the use of metal-particle labelled reagents and an antibody conjugate are disclosed. The components are capable of binding to a probe. A kit and method for staining components in cell and tissue sections, based upon the detection method, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A homogeneous immunoassay method and system for quantitative determination of total immunoglobulin E and specific antibody levels to a plurality of allergens, in which a relatively small sampling of blood is required. The method utilizes relatively small microparticles in aqueous suspension. The immunoassay procedure is an immunometric sandwich procedure preferably utilizing biotin-streptavidin signal amplification techniques and R-phycoerytherin fluorescent labels.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of diagnosing early stages of atherosclerosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of quickly and accurately detecting and/or assaying an antigen using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), which involves a fluorescence-labeled antibody fragment and a non-fluorescence-labeled intact antibody that form a complex with the antigen. There is a significant difference in diffusion rate between the fluorescence-labeled antibody fragment not bonded to the antigen and the complex formed by the the fluorescence-labeled antibody fragment, the antigen, and the non-fluorescence-labeled intact antibody, and this diffusion rate can be determined using FCS. The antigen can be an antigenic protein, such as an abnormal prion or a harmful protein contained in a food material. According to this method, antigens over a wide scope can be assayed regardless of the shape or molecular weight.

Abstract: Methods for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample are provided. Aspects of the methods include mixing a sample with an indirectly-detectable labeled binding member that includes a label moiety. The mixing produces a first composition. Unbound labeled binding member is then separated from any resultant binding complexes to produce a second composition that includes the binding complexes. A second light emitted by a light wavelength converter that is excited by a first light generated by the labeled binding member of the binding complexes of the second composition is then detected to detect the presence of the analyte in the sample. Embodiments also include kits and systems that find use in practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of characterizing autoimmune diseases by detecting and measuring at least one analyte using multiplexed assay systems. According to one embodiment, a target is detected and measured by different bead sets having different reactants. According to another approach the ratio of self-antigen to autoantibody is measured by exposing a sample suspected of containing self-antigen and autoantibody to a bead set associated with monoclonal antibody specific for the self-antigen and a bead set associated with the self-antigen.

Abstract: Devices are provided for use in medical diagnostics which include a substrate, a plurality of discrete reservoirs located in the substrate, each reservoir having at least one opening, at least one diagnostic substance contained in each reservoir, and at least one non-degradable barrier layer covering each reservoir opening, the barrier layer being permeable to an agent to be detected, wherein the diagnostic substance remains inside the reservoirs and can react with the agent to be detected.

Abstract: Methods for detecting invasive trophoblast antigen (ITA) in biological samples comprise screening the samples for ITA using antibodies that bind to the ITA. The methods are useful to detect pregnancy, trophoblastic diseases, and Down's syndrome in fetuses of pregnant women. Some methods include screening the samples with a plurality of capture antibodies that specifically bind ITA. Chemiluminescent immunoassays are disclosed. The methods may be practiced with the diagnostic kits of the invention.