Abstract: The present invention relates to Nephronophthisis, in particular to the NPHP5 protein (nephrocystin-5) and nucleic acids encoding the NPHP5 protein. The present invention also provides assays for the detection of NPHP5 polymorphisms and mutations associated with disease states.

Abstract: Novels immuno-interactive fragments of the (alpha)C portion of a mammalian inhibin alpha subunit are disclosed, together with their variants and derivatives for producing antigen-binding molecules that are interactive with said (alpha)C portion, which are chemically well defined and which can be produced in commercially significant quantities. The antigen-binding molecules of the invention can be used for the detection of a mammalian inhibin and for the treatment and/or prevention of conditions associated with aberrant levels of a mammalian inhibin.

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. One of these antibodies is directed at least against parts of the epitope of NT-proBNP comprising the amino acids 38 to 50. In addition, one of these antibodies is directed at least against parts of the epitope of NT-proBNP comprising the amino acids 1 to 37 or 43 to 76. The epitope recognized by the antibodies can slightly overlap.

Abstract: The invention concerns a kit for the detection of protein ESM-1 in a sample, comprising: a) a first antibody specifically binding to the N-terminal region of protein ESM-1 contained between the amino acid in position 20 and the amino acid in position 78 of the amino acid sequence of this protein; and b) a second antibody specifically binding to the C-terminal region contained between the amino acid in position 79 and the amino acid in position 184 of the amino acid sequence of protein ESM-1.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antibody which specifically recognizes a CNS tau protein but not a peripheral tau protein. More specifically, the present invention provides an antibody obtainable by using a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of a connective portion between the amino acid sequence encoded by Exon 4 of a gene encoding a tau protein and the amino acid sequence encoded by Exon 5 thereof as an epitope specific to the isoform of tau protein predominantly existing in central nervous tissues. The present invention further provides a method of detecting Alzheimer's disease and a reagent kit using the antibody.

Abstract: An assay method for determining presence of a target antibody or antigen in a specimen qualitatively or quantitatively by mixing the specimen with an antigen or antibody immunologically reactive with the target antibody or antigen, and assaying the level of the immunological agglutination reaction, wherein the reactive antigen or antibody is effectively immobilized on the carrier via an amino acid sequence capable of binding to the carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the generation and characterization of anti-huntingtin antibodies binding an epitope on the Huntington's disease protein. The invention further relates to the use of such anti-huntingtin antibodies in the diagnosis and treatment of Huntington's disease.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies are provided which bind to heat-treated proteins of meats. The antibodies are useful in detecting the presence of an exogenous meat in a cooked or raw meat sample. Furthermore, the antibodies can be used to determine the end point temperature of a meat sample.

Abstract: Isolated strains of supercapsulated streptococci band at a density of no greater than 1.03 g/cm3 in a Percoll gradient and are capable of producing hyaluronic acid with molecular weight exceeding 6 million Da. Methods of producing high molecular weight hyaluronic acid employ a supercapsulated strain of streptococcus which bands at a density of no greater than 1.03 g/cm3 in a Percoll gradient. Methods of selecting streptococcus strains capable of producing hyaluronic acid with a molecular weight exceeding 6 million Da comprise, inter alia, cultivating supercapsulated strains of streptococci which band at a density of no greater than 1.03 g/cm3 in a Percoll gradient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel allergen from timothy grass (Phleum pretense) pollen, Phl p11 as disclosed in SEQ ID NO:2, and use thereof as a reagent and in a diagnositic kit as well as for immunotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies specifically binding to native proBNP, a method for specific detection of native proBNP, a method of correlating the level of native proBNP to the diagnosis of heart failure, a kit for detection of native proBNP and to a hybridoma cell line producing an antibody to native proBNP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies specifically binding to native proBNP, a method for specific detection of native proBNP, a method of correlating the level of native proBNP to the diagnosis of heart failure, a kit for detection of native proBNP and to a hybridoma cell line producing an antibody to native proBNP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to identification of polypeptides useful for generating antibodies specific for non-human IgE, particularly equine IgE. The invention, therefore, also relates to antibodies that specifically bind to IgE and methods to detect IgE using the antibodies. The invention also provides a kit for detection of IgE.

Abstract: The immunoassay method of this invention measures the content of a subject substance in a sample. The method includes the steps of: (a) preparing a mixed solution by mixing the sample and an antibody solution including a first monoclonal antibody and a second monoclonal antibody capable of specifically binding to the subject substance; and (b) measuring an optical property of the mixed solution. The first monoclonal antibody is capable of binding to a first epitope of the subject substance, and the second monoclonal antibody is capable of binding to a second epitope of the subject substance different from the first epitope. Each of the first and second epitopes exists singly in the subject substance.

Abstract: This invention is about a method for the prenatal diagnosis of preterm delivery, fetal infection, and fetal damage, and diagnostic reagent system and diagnostic kit for the diagnosis. The method, diagnostic reagent system, and kit are based on the finding that the level of MMP-8 in the amniotic fluid is significantly higher when the pregnant woman is at risk for preterm delivery, intrauterine infection, and fetal damage. The diagnostic reagent system and kit can be applied to patients with or without clinical signs of preterm labor or premature rupture of fetal membranes. With its superiority in sensitivity and specificity as well as its less invasiveness compared to the conventional method of measuring fetal blood cytokine levels, this diagnostic reagent system and kit is very useful in the prenatal diagnosis of preterm delivery, fetal infection, and fetal damage.

Abstract: The invention provides monoclonal antibodies that selectively bind to ectodermally- and endodermally-derived stem cells and methods for the diagnosis of a neoplasm in a subject by contacting a tissue sample from the subject with the antibodies. Also disclosed are methods for isolating such stem cells from a heterogeneous cell population by contacting the population with antibodies which selectively bind to stem cells.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively detecting an antigen which comprises (1) a first step of providing an Fab? antibody having a uniform isoelectric point, said antibody forming an immune complex with an antigen in an analytical sample and being modified by adding an amino acid sequence comprising a charged amino acid residue and by being labeled with a fluorescent dye, (2) a second step of mixing the Fab? antibody having a uniform isoelectric point with the analytical sample containing the antigen to obtain a mixture comprising the immune complex, (3) a third step of separating the mixture by performing electrophoresis in a carrier, (4) a fourth step of irradiating an excitation light which excites the fluorescent dye to the mixture separated in the third step to cause fluorescence in the immune complex, and (5) a fifth step of detecting the fluorescence.

Abstract: High affinity monoclonal antibodies for recognizing estrogen receptor (clone SP1) with immunohistochemistry and methods for creating such an antibody are disclosed. The lagomorph derived ER antibody provides a significant advantage over the currently available mouse ER antibodies in that there is no need for target retrieval when performing immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the very low background when the lagomorph derived ER antibody is used in immunohistochemistry is also impressive. The immunohistochemistry comparative study with about fifty clinical specimens showed that the new ER (clone SP1) antibody had favorable results when compared to mouse monoclonal ER antibodies (clone 1D5). The lagomorph derived ER antibody may prove of great value in the assessment of ER status in human breast cancer. Humanized versions of the ER antibody may also provide therapeutic benefits.

Abstract: A method and kit of diagnosing endometriosis in a female patient suspected of having endometriosis. The method includes obtaining a sample from the patient. The sample is analyzed to detect the presence of a purified and isolated endometriotic haptoglobin designated ENDO-I and functional analogs thereof. A therapeutic for treating endometriosis by modulating the expression of a purified and isolated endometriotic haptoglobin designated ENDO-I and functional analogs thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A method for determining a soluble human ST2 in a sample conveniently at a high sensitivity and an assay kit are provided. By an immunological method comprising a step for bringing a sample into contact with an immobilized antibody formed by binding to an insoluble support a first anti-human ST2 antibody which binds specifically to a non-denatured human ST2, a step for labelling a first reaction product generated in the previous step by reacting said first reaction product with a second anti-human ST2 antibody which binds specifically to a non-denatured human ST2 by recognizing a site different from the site on ST2 where said first anti-human ST2 antibody binds and which is labelled with a label, and a step for determining the amount of the label on said first reaction product which has been labelled, a soluble human ST2 in a sample is determined. In addition, a recombinant ST2 is employed as a standard to prepare a calibration curve, based on which the ST2 in a sample is quantified.