Abstract: The invention includes novel human periostin polypeptides and DNAs encoding them. Also embraced by the invention are human periostin specific antibodies, diagnostic assays for metastasis of breast cancer to bone, and preeclempsia.

Abstract: Monocolonal antibodies having a higher reactivity with tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP 5b) than tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5a (TRACP 5a) and having a higher specificity to TRACP 5b can be obtained by cell fusion using as antigens TRACP 5b purified from human osteoclasts. By using the monoclonal antibody, TRACP 5b in a sample can be detected specifically with a high sensitivity.

Abstract: Polypeptide molecules containing at least 10 consecutive amino acids of the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 2, representing the LSA3 antigen, the following peptides being excluded: RDELFNELLNSVDVNGEVKENILEESQVNDDIFNSLVKSVQQEQQHNVEE VEESVEENDEESVEENVEENVENNDDGSVASSVEESIASSVDESIDSSIE- ENVAPTVEEIVAPTVEEIVAPSVVEKCAPSVEESVAPSVEESVAEMLKER (729S) RDELFNELLNSVDVNGEVKENILEESQVNDDIFNSLVKSVQQEQQHN DELFNELLNSVDVNGEVKENILEESQ, (NRI) LEESQVNDDIFSNSLVKSVQQEQQHNV, (NRII) VESVAPSVEESVAPSVEESVAENVESSV.

Abstract: By allowing serum or plasma samples collected from humans to react with laminin-1 or a fragment thereof, and then determining whether or not anti-laminin-1 antibody, an auto-antibody against laminin-1, in the sample bound to laminin-1 to detect anti-laminin-1 antibody in the sample, gynecology-related diseases such as habitual abortion, sterility, infertility, and endometriosis can be diagnosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to determining the prethrombotic state, in particular determining an amount or presence of circulating microparticles and/or stimulated procoagulant cells.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions, kits and methods comprising a monoclonal antibody which shares key functional properties with the polyclonal antibodies which participate in the pathogenesis of heparin induced thrombocytopenia/thrombosis (HIT/HITT) in a mammal. The monoclonal antibody of the invention preferentially binds with a PF4/heparin complex relative to the binding of the antibody with PF4 or heparin alone. The monoclonal antibody of the invention also binds specifically with PF4 in a complex with other glycosaminoglycans besides heparin, and also activates platelets. The monoclonal antibody of the invention is useful in methods for diagnosing and treating HIT/HITT in a mammal. A humanized version of the monoclonal antibody of the invention is also included, along with a process for humanizing the monoclonal antibody of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant protein fabricated in a baculovirus system, of which the essential constitutive polypeptide sequence is that of a C-terminal fragment of 19 kilodalton (p19) of the surface protein 1 (protein MSP-1) of the merozoite parasite of the Plasmodium type, particularly Plasmodium falciparum, which is infectious for humans, said C-terminal fragment remaining normally anchored at the surface of the parasite at the end of its penetration phase into human erythrocytes, in the occurrence of an infectious cycle. Said recombinant protein is applicable to the production of vaccines against malaria.

Abstract: Simultaneous forward and reverse blood group testing is described using both a visual detection system and a fluorescent based labeling and detection system. Forward and reverse tests could be performed separately, but A and B agglutinates can be detected and discriminated simultaneously.

Abstract: A “cocktail” combination of two monoclonal antibodies respectively acting on different sites of the platelet GPIIb-IIIa complex has been disclosed. This “cocktail” combination can completely block receptor function of the GPIIb-IIIa complex, inhibit platelet aggregation and thereby efficiently inhibit thrombosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a specific C-peptide assay method which can eliminate all interference due to proinsulin and its intermediates, in particular des-31,32-proinsulin and/or des-64,65-proinsulin. It also relates to antibodies for carrying out this assay.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody which reacts strongly with uracil and thymine but scarcely with N-carbamyl-?-alanine; a hybridoma producing this monoclonal antibody; a method of immunochemically assaying uracil or thymine characterized by using the above-described monoclonal antibody; and diagnostics for DPD deficiency containing the above monoclonal antibody. Because of high sensitivity and specific reaction with uracil and thymine, the above-described monoclonal antibody enables convenient, quick, and selective assaying of uracil and thymine in a sample. The antibody is useful in screening patients with DPD deficient cancer with contraindication to the administration of pyrimidine fluoride-based antitumor agents.

Abstract: A method for judging an autoimmune disease by detecting the existence of an anti-Reg protein autoantibody in a specimen; and a method for judging insulin-dependent or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. A method for detecting an anti-Reg protein autoantibody by bringing into a specimen into contact with an antigen component and detecting the formation of an immune complex. A reagent for diagnosing autoimmune disease which contain an antigen component capable of binding specifically to the anti-Reg protein autoantibody; and a reagent for diagnosing insulin-dependent or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for qualitative determination of low molecular weight soluble CD14 proteins separately. The present invention also provides antibodies specific to high molecular weight soluble CD14 proteins. Further, the present invention provides a measurement method for specifically determining the quality or quantity of high molecular weight soluble CD14 proteins using the antibodies with high sensitivity, simplicity and specificity.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies which bind specifically to the extracellular domain of the SIRP cell surface glycoproteins, and which, in some cases, block the interaction of SIRP with the surface molecule CD47, are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunoassay for specifically measuring with high sensitivity PIVKA-II in serum or plasma through antigen-antibody reaction by adding an animal serum containing thrombin and/or an antibody reacting with human fibrin-like related substances to the reagents. The immunoassay of the invention comprises the steps of adding thrombin and/or an antibody reacting with human fibrin-like related substances to the reagents, and measuring PIVKA-II in serum or plasma.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for the isolation of neural progenitor cells.

Abstract: The invention provides immunological reagents (antibodies) capable of binding to plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC), to cell lines which express such antibodies and to a process for identifying and purifying plasmacytoid dendriticcells from tissues containing pDC using such antibodies.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of measuring oxidative response of cells without recourse to preparation of cell culture. The process involves: 1) preparing suspensions of cells from a living host in isotonic solutions, 2) preparing samples of test materials in isotonic solution containing tagged choline, 3) adding the cells suspension prepared in step 1 to the samples prepared in step 2, 4) incubating the product of step 3 with shaking for 2-90 minutes, 5) extracting and drying the lipid phase from the product of step 4, and 6) subjecting the product of step 5 to a scintillation counter to measure choline which has been incorporated into phosphatidylcholine (PC). An increase in incorporation of choline into PC in the short term indicates oxidative stress or free radical induced damage. Because the method of the invention using the cell isolates does not require the expense of cell culture with concomitant expense and possibility of cell change, it is particularly useful for clinical evaluation.

Abstract: The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) activity in a patient's bloodstream or other biological sample can serve as a diagnostic and prognostic index for cancer, diabetes, heart conditions, and other pathologies. Antibody-sandwich ELISA method and kits for VEGF as an antigen were developed to detect VEGF levels in biological samples from animal models and human patients and are used as a diagnostic/prognostic index.

Abstract: There are provided monoclonal antibodies to the LDL receptor which are useful for the identification and purification of LDL and in treatment of e.g. hepatitis C infection.