Abstract: The present invention provides an agent for protecting the liver and/or promoting liver regeneration, which contains a heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) or a partial peptide thereof, or a nucleic acid that encodes same, and an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of liver diseases. The present invention further provides a method for producing a cell for liver protection and/or promoting liver regeneration, and for the prophylaxis/treatment of a liver disease, which includes introducing a nucleic acid that encodes HB-EGF or a partial peptide thereof into a cell collected from an animal.

Abstract: The application describes methods for determining the concentration and/or particle number of a lipoprotein(a) subform in a biological sample using capillary isotachophoresis laser induced fluorescence (CE-ITP-LIF) and compositional analysis of lipoprotein(a) particles. The ability to measure the concentration and/or particle number of a lipoprotein(a) subform in a biological sample provides a useful diagnostic tool for assessing cardiovascular risk in a subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detection of abnormal PrP in a sample of blood or urine, said method comprising: (a) diluting the sample with buffer to comprise final concentrations of (i) 10 mM to 500 mM buffer agent; (ii) 1% to 10% w/v bovine serum albumin; and (iii) 1% to 8% w/v CHAPS; (b) adding steel particles and incubating to allow PrP binding; (c) washing the steel particles to remove diluted sample; and (d) detecting abnormal PrP captured on the steel particles using antibody capable of binding said abnormal PrP. The invention also provides compositions and kits.

Abstract: A panel for monitoring levels of biomarkers, including an assay having at least one inflammation monitoring test, at least one oxidative stress monitoring test, and at least one antioxidant activity monitoring test. A method of monitoring an individual's health, by collecting a sample from the individual, applying the sample to an assay panel, performing at least one inflammation monitoring test, at least one oxidative stress monitoring test, and at least one antioxidant activity monitoring test in the panel, and determining levels of biomarkers related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and antioxidant activity and therefore providing information regarding the individual's relative health and/or risk of developing one or more diseases.

Abstract: The present invention aims to present methods to detect nonalcoholic fatty liver disease including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by using a protein or its partial peptide that differs in presence or absence, or in quantity between healthy human subjects and patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or between patients with fatty liver and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and further aims to present biomarkers comprising said protein and said partial peptide to be used to detect nonalcoholic fatty liver disease including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Specifically, 35 kDa protein fragment consisting of amino acid sequence expressed by Sequence No. 2 and its partial peptide consisting of amino acid sequence expressed by Sequence No. 3 (including its glycated form) of inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 precursor consisting of amino acid sequence expressed by Sequence No.

Abstract: An imaging probe can include a photoluminescent carbon nanostructure configured to emit a wavelength of light detectable through living tissue, and a targeting moiety including a first binding partner configured to interact with a second binding partner.

Abstract: An observation apparatus and an observation method are provided. The observation apparatus includes a light source that emits illumination light used to observe a specimen to which a fluorescent substance that specifically binds to or is expressed in a stimulus target has been supplied, an illumination optical system that radiates the illumination light emitted from the light source 11 onto the specimen, a deflecting device that changes an area of the specimen to be irradiated with the illumination light, a wavelength selecting section that selects the wavelength of illumination light to be radiated onto the specimen, an observation optical system that collects light from the specimen, a detector that detects the light collected by the observation optical system, an image processing section that generates an image from the light detected by the detector, and a control section that controls these components.

Abstract: Herein are reported the cell lines DSM ACC3006, DSM ACC3007, and DSM ACC3008, as well as the antibodies obtained from the cell lines and the use of an antibody obtained from the cell lines in an immunoassay. Also are reported antibodies binding to human or chimpanzee IgG and not binding to canine and marmoset IgG and antibodies specifically binding to an IgG 1 that comprises a kappa light chain constant domain.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for diagnosing the presence or the risk of development or the therapy control of spondyloarthritis (Spa), in particular, of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis in a subject, in particular in mammals. In addition, the present invention relates to test kits for use in the diagnosis of the presence or the risk of development, or for the therapy control of Spa, like AS and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis, in a subject. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for diagnosing the presence or the risk of development, or for the therapy control of Spa, like AS and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis, in a subject analysing for the presence of autoantibodies against CD74 and/or IKBKB in a subject. The presence of autoantibodies against CD74 and/or IKBKB is indicative for the presence or the risk of development, or for the therapy control of Spa, like AS and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis.

Abstract: Disclosed is the invention to conduct immuno-adsorption of free 25(OH) vitamin D from blood or blood components, notably serum or plasma, after which the absorbed material is measured. A fluoro-alkyl surfactant is used to enhance the solubility of Vitamin D and allow the measurement of free Vitamin D. The invention thus employs a binding protein to absorb the free 25(OH) vitamin D. Thereafter the binding protein comprising the 25-OH vitamin D is subjected to a competitive binding assay with a labeled vitamin D compound, preferably radiolabeled, fluorescent labeled, luminescent labeled, biotin labeled, gold labeled or enzyme labeled. Alternatively the immunocaptured 25-OH vitamin D can be quantitated by mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Herein is described a novel hybridoma cell line (RMH359) and its use as a cellular bioassay to determine the efficacy of cell conditioned media (CCM) as a supplement used to support cell survival and promote growth in culture. This bioassay is the first to provide a measure of CCM bioactivity in support of hybridoma cells used in the generation and production of monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: A microchip with flow-through inlet (104) and outlet (106) channels and test channels (108). The test channels (108) are in fluid communication with the inlet (104) and outlet (106) channels, through inlets (114) and outlets (116) respectively. Each test channel (108) has one test site therein for detection of specific molecules or molecular interactions. The inlet (114) in a test channel (108) is elevated from the outlet (116) of the test channel (108) and the outlet (116) is elevated from a fluid level (124) in the outlet channel (106). Back diffusion from outlet channel (106) to the test channels (108) and from the test channels (108) to the inlet channel (104) can thus be inhibited to reduce or eliminate cross-interference between different test sites. The microchip can be useful as a flow-through high density enzyme immunoassay array device with high-throughput.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems for and methods of capturing, detecting, quantifying, and characterizing target moieties that are characterized by having a lipophilic portion of sufficient size and chemical composition whereby the target moiety inserts (or partitions) into a lipid assembly. Examples of such assays employ synthetic lipid constructs such as supported bilayers which are used to capture target moieties; other example assays exploit the natural absorption of compounds into natural lipid constructs such as HDL or LDL particles or cell membranes to capture target moieties. In specific embodiments, the target moieties are bacterial pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP) molecules or compounds not yet identified as PAMP molecules.

Abstract: Described herein are murine monoclonal antibodies and methods useful for determining and quantitating the presence of Cry1Ca delta endotoxin. The claimed antibodies specifically bind the core toxin region making them suitable for detecting the native full length Cry1Ca toxin as well as the amino core toxin and N-terminal 29 residue truncated forms.

Abstract: The present invention is in the fields of cell biology, immunology and oncology. The invention provides humanized antibodies that recognize ?v?6 integrins, which antibodies comprise a variable region of nonhuman origin and at least a portion of an immunoglobulin of human origin. The invention also provides methods for preparation of such antibodies, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and methods of treating, diagnosing and/or preventing various diseases and disorders by administering the humanized anti-?v?6 antibodies of the invention. The invention also relates to the identification of differential expression of the integrin ?v?6 on the surfaces of tumor cells and tissues, the use of this differential expression in determining the metastatic potential of tumor cells, and methods of diagnosis and treatment/prevention of tumor metastasis and for elimination of residual metastatic tumor cells using ligands, particularly antibodies, that bind to integrin ?v?6.

Abstract: Subject matter of the invention are antibody-cytokine fusion proteins having proapoptotic and immune modulating properties, but wherein the cytokine moiety a priori has a bioactivity which is very low or restricted to certain receptor subtypes. These reagent exert their full biological activity via the corresponding cytokine receptor(s) only after antibody-mediated binding of the fusion protein to a specific cell membrane-expressed target molecule. By suitable choice of the antibody specificity, the cytokine activity is directed to the tissue, e.g. tumor tissue, to be treated, and a therapeutic agent can be produced being specifically designed/optimized for the respective indication/tumor entity.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to the chemokine receptor CCR4. This antibody is derived from Mab 1567 and recognizes the same epitope. Binding of the invented antibody to CCR4 inhibits ligand-mediated activities and is used to treat symptoms of cancer. Moreover, the antibody is used in combination with vaccines to suppress the activity of regulatory T cells.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for treating cancer in humans, the cancer being characterized by expression of Her-2/neu. The methods involve vaccinating a patient with an Ii-Key/MHC class II hybrid construct and thereby stimulating an immune response to the native Her-2/neu protein. The construct may be in the form of an Ii-Key hybrid peptide or a nucleic acid encoding an Ii-Key hybrid peptide. Methods are described wherein the cancer being treated is breast cancer. Also claimed is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an Ii-Key/MHC class II hybrid construct with and without an adjuvant. The adjuvant can include GM-CSF. The Ii-Key hybrid construct includes the LRMK (SEQ ID NO: 2) residues of Ii-Key protein and an MHC Class II epitope of a protein or portion thereof which is used in the vaccine or a DNA encoding the same hybrid peptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides anti-cytomegalovirus antibodies and related compositions and methods. These antibodies may be used in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cytomegalovirus infection.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for the treatment of diffuse large cell lymphoma by administration of an anti-CD20 antibody and chemotherapy. Particular embodiments include the administration of anti-CD20 antibody in combination with chemotherapy comprising CHOP (cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin/doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone/prednisolone) and/or in combination with a transplantation regimen.