Abstract: The invention provides a method for the early detection of pregnancy failure, spontaneous abortion or premature birth by determinations of complement regulatory protein levels. A kit for use in rapid identification of these pregnancy complications is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides hapten derivatives useful for the preparation of antigens, antibodies and reagents for use in immunoassays for the detection of LSD and 2-oxo-3-hydroxy LSD. In the present invention, the 2-oxy LSD nucleus is derivatized out of the indole nitrogen to form an aminoalkyl derivative. The resulting haptens can then be further modified at this functionalized position for linking to appropriate immunogenic or labeling groups to provide reagents for immunoassays having substantially equal specificity for both LSD and 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for quantitatively measuring biomolecules by using magnetic nanoparticles. Through the use of the magnetic nanoparticles and the bioprobes coated to the magnetic nanoparticles, the biomolecules conjugated with the bioprobes result in the formation of particle clusters. By measuring the changes in magnetic properties resulting from the existence of the bio-targets, the amount of the bio-targets in a sample to be tested can be measured.

Abstract: Diagnostic methods for identifying a test subject who has or is at risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or an analogous disease associated with oxidation of DHA-containing lipids are provided. In one aspect, the methods comprise: assaying for the presence of elevated levels of 2-(?-carboxyethyl) pyrrole (CEP) adducts in a bodily fluid which has been obtained from the test subject. In a preferred embodiment, such methods comprise providing an antibody that is immunospecific for CEP, contacting a bodily fluid from the subject with the anti-CEP antibody, and assaying for the formation of a complex between the antibody and an antigen in the sample. In another aspect, the methods comprise assaying for the presence of elevated levels of an antibody that binds to or is immunospecific for a CEP adduct in the bodily fluid of the test subject. The present invention also relates to CEP protein and peptide adducts, an antibody reactive with a CEP adduct and a diagnostic kit comprising such antibody.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of analyzing a secreted protein from a cell encapsulated in a microdrop. The microdrop is formulated with biotinylated matrix molecules at a reduced ratio of biotin to matrix molecules compared with previous formulations. The reduced ratio is advantageous for improving the resolution of detection and allows simultaneous detection of multiple secreted proteins and/or multiple cell surface markers. The invention further provides inter alia methods of isolating IgG isotype antibodies that have switched from IgM isotype.

Abstract: A method for the early determination of the risk of death or heart failure in infarction patients, and the risk of death, relapse or complications in ictus patients, the method being based on the determination of PTX3 from plasma or blood.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting biomarkers in rare circulating cells by forming an enriched population of cells immunomagnetically followed by biomarker detection using binding compounds having releasable molecular tags. Preferably, biomarkers comprising one or more protein-protein complexes are detected in circulating cancer cells metastasized from a solid tumor. In the presence of biomarkers, the molecular tags of the binding compounds are released and separated from the assay mixture for detection and/or quantification.

Abstract: Assay systems and methods are provided for detecting a target antigen in a physiological fluid (e.g., blood, serum, or urine). The method includes linking via a first antibody a magnetic microparticle to the target antigen in the physiological fluid; linking via a second antibody a glucose molecule to the target antigen; utilizing a magnetic field to separate the magnetic microparticle-linked antigen from the physiological fluid to form a test sample; and detecting the glucose in the test sample to determine the concentration of target antigen in the physiological fluid. The target antigen can be a protein or marker resulting from cardiac tissue injury, which can be used to assess acute myocardial infarction. An exemplary target antigen is myoglobin. The glucose detection preferably is one that can be done rapidly, e.g., with a conventional glucometer, and may include measuring the electrical resistance, color, or pH of the test sample.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing a bioweapon-sensitive fibrous-network product, wherein the subject products exhibit a color change in response to exposure to a biological agent (or portion thereof) as used in a biological weapon. Also disclosed are fibrous-network products that contain units of biopolymeric material that impart a color change to the products in response to exposure to a biological agent (or portion thereof) as used in a biological weapon.

Abstract: Systems, including compositions, kits, and methods, particularly for photoluminescence applications. The systems may include, among others, (1) organic chelators, (2) complexes between the chelators and lanthanide ions, and (3) precursors, derivatives, and uses thereof. The chelators may include a 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane ring system, for example, having the formula: Here, R1, R2, and R3 are substituents of the tetraazacyclododecane ring system, that is further substituted at the 10-position by a sensitizer Z that is typically a polyheterocyclic ring system. The organic chelator may be capable of forming a luminescent complex with a lanthanide ion, and is optionally further substituted by a reactive functional group or a conjugated substance. The resulting lanthanide complex may be useful in luminescence-based assays, such as energy transfer assays, among others.

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 present invention relates to an immunological formulation and a diagnostic kit for cardiac disease using human mitochondrial adenylate kinase isozymes. The present invention provides an immunological formulation and a diagnostic kit for cardiac disease, which are featured by using mitochondrial adenylate kinase isozymes which exist in a myocardiac cell among muscle cells, but not in a skeletal muscular cell, as a diagnostic marker for cardiac disease and which enable more correct and easy diagnosis of cardiac disease.

Abstract: An analytical instrument for the immobilization of antigens to be detected in an immunoassay using mangetizable beads. The instrument includes a probe containing magnetizable particles and a plurality of magnetic devices for applying a magnetic field gradient to the particles in the probe reservoir. The probe is movable between the plurality of magnetic devices and at least one of the probe positions may be used to immobilize the magnetic particles in the fluid medium and at least another position may be used to resuspend the particles in a fluid medium.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying antibody preparations that can form a pair of antibodies that optimally detect a target antigen, for example, in a sandwich immunoassay. These methods provide high affinity and epitope-specific antibodies.

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 present invention relates to artificial receptors and arrays or microarrays of artificial receptors or candidate artificial receptors. Each member of the array includes a plurality of building block compounds, typically immobilized in a spot on a support. The present invention also includes the building blocks, combinations of building blocks, arrays of building blocks, and receptors constructed of these building blocks together with a support. The present invention also includes methods of making and using these arrays and receptors.

Abstract: Array scanning methods that focus on the far side and devices configured for use in the same are provided. In reading arrays according to the subject methods, an array is placed in a reading position of a scanning device so that the nominal focal plane of the scanning device is present within the array substrate at a predetermined fixed substrate thickness fraction distance from the far-side of the array, and the array is then read by the device. As such, the subject scanner devices of the present invention are configured to hold an array substrate in a reading position of the device in which the device's nominal focal plane is present within the array substrate. The subject methods and devices find use in a variety of different applications, including both genomic and proteomic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to artificial receptors, arrays or microarrays of artificial receptors or candidate artificial receptors, methods of and compositions for making them, and methods of using them. Each artificial receptor includes a plurality of building block compounds. In an embodiment, at least one of the building blocks includes a tether moiety. The tether can provide spacing or distance between the recognition element and the support or scaffold to which the building block is immobilized. A tether moiety can have any of a variety of characteristics or properties including flexibility, rigidity or stiffness, ability to bond to another tether moiety, and the like.

Abstract: A method for restoring immunoreactivity of a tissue, particularly decalcified tissue, fixed width an aldehyde fixative agent and embedded in an embedding medium, usually comprising celloidin, the method comprising the steps of contacting the tissue with an aldehyde releasing reagent solution comprising a solvent and an aldehyde releasing reagent and removing aldehyde released by the aldehyde releasing reagent from contact with the tissue by reacting the aldehyde in a substantially irreversible manner to form a non-aldehyde derivative, and removing excess base from the tissue. A preferred solution for celloidin-embedded decalcified tissue comprises methanolic sodium hydroxide at about one-third saturation.