Abstract: Provided herein are compositions that include a mixture of polyclonal antibodies obtained from the plasma of a plurality of individuals, and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to parathyroid hormone (PTH) antagonists. More particularly, the present invention provides for pharmaceutical compositions, kits and combinations comprising the PTH antagonist. The present invention also provides for methods for preventing, treating or delaying a disease or disorder associated with excessive bone mineral, e.g., calcium, loss or for preventing, treating or delaying the effect of a PTH agonist using the PTH antagonist. The present invention further provides for methods for identifying a subject having or at risk of having osteoporosis or decreased bone density, or for identifying a subject in need of PTH antagonist treatment, or for monitoring a subject undergoing treatment for osteoporosis or decreased bone density, by determining and/or monitoring PTH antagonist level or a comparative value between PTH agonist and PTH antagonist.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods and compositions useful for detecting whole parathyroid hormone at a physiological level and parathyroid fragments in a mammalian sample. Such detections may be useful to different parathyroid diseases or disorders in a subject, such as hyperparathyroidism and related bone diseases, from normal or non-disease states. One detects whole or non-fragmented (1 to 84) parathyroid hormone in a biological sample and optionally one or more of a selection of non-whole parathyroid hormone peptide fragments that may or may not function as a parathyroid hormone antagonists. By either comparing values or using independently the value of either the one or more of a selection of non-whole parathyroid hormone peptide fragments, the whole parathyroid hormone, or the combination of these values one is able to differentiate parathyroid and bone related disease states, as well as differentiate such states from normal states.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for measuring coagulation time. The device comprises a slide coupled to a sample carrier capable of sample flow from one end of the carrier to another end in a continuous back and forth motion until sample coagulates thereby preventing sample flow; a rocker or shaker means for moving sample inside the sample carrier; a light detector assembly for detecting light transmitted through said sample carrier; and a display means for indicating coagulation time corresponding to substantially no change in the amount of light transmitted as indicative of sample coagulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods and compositions useful for detecting whole parathyroid hormone at a physiological level and parathyroid fragments in a mammalian sample. Such detections may be useful to different parathyroid diseases or disorders in a subject, such as hyperparathyroidism and related bone diseases, from normal or non-disease states. One detects whole or non-fragmented (1 to 84) parathyroid hormone in a biological sample and optionally one or more of a selection of non-whole parathyroid hormone peptide fragments that may or may not function as a parathyroid hormone antagonists. By either comparing values or using independently the value of either the one or more of a selection of non-whole parathyroid hormone peptide fragments, the whole parathyroid hormone, or the combination of these values one is able to differentiate parathyroid and bone related disease states, as well as differentiate such states from normal states.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of generating anti-PTH antibodies and antibodies generated by the methods of the invention. The anti-PTH antibodies generated by the methods of the invention specifically bind to an epitope on a whole PTH (1-84) which includes one or more N-terminal amino acid residues of the whole PTH. The anti-PTH antibodies generated are useful for detecting whole PTH in a biological sample and for diagnosing parathyroid diseases or disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to kits for monitoring and guiding therapeutic suppression of parathyroid hormone in renal patients having secondary hyperparathyroidism. The kit provides means to measure the level of a PTH agonist and a PTH antagonist in a patient, and it further provides means for administering a PTH suppressing therapeutic to the patient so as to reduce the level of a PTH agonist and minimize the level of parathyroid hormone antagonist.

Abstract: The invention provides simple methods for detecting disorders of a subject's calcium homeostasis. The methods include administering a calcium salt to the subject and observing the effect of this dose of calcium on calcium levels in the subject's bodily fluids and/or tissues. The methods are useful to detect certain calcium homeostasis disorders or a predisposition for such disorders including adynamic bone disease and soft tissue calcification disorders, which are difficult to detect by other methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to identifying the risk of a subject developing renal stones utilizing an assessment of PTH agonist, antagonist and/or total PTH levels, optionally together with an assessment of serum and/or urine calcium levels and/or other analytes. The present description further relates to monitoring and guiding treatment for renal stones and kits useful therefore.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monitoring and treatment of adynamic bone disease and related disorders and the consequences of thereof. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for avoiding or reducing soft tissue calcification (or the risk thereof) in a subject afflicted with adynamic bone disease, using, inter alia, a calcimimetic. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a kit for avoiding or reducing soft tissue calcification (or the risk thereof) in a subject afflicted with adynamic bone disease, which kit comprises a calcimimetic and a means for assessing bone turnover rate and/or a means for assessing calcium, phosphate and/or calcium x phosphate level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for identifying and producing amino acid dependant antibodies to specific ligands and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detecting an analyte of interest in the presence of other analytes that may be of interest or moieties that interfere with normal assay protocols.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods and devices for differentiating in a patient parathyroid diseases, such as hyperparathyroidism and related bone diseases, from normal or non-disease states. One detects whole or non-fragmented (1 to 84) parathyroid hormone in a biological sample and also a large non-whole parathyroid hormone peptide fragment that can function as a parathyroid hormone antagonist. By either comparing values or using independently the value of either the large non-whole parathyroid hormone peptide fragment, the whole parathyroid hormone, or the combination of these values one is able to differentiate parathyroid and bone related disease states, as well as differentiate such states from normal states.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of control compositions and kits comprising such to evaluate and monitor the consistency of assays utilized to determine parathyroid hormone levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods and kits for monitoring the therapeutic inactivating capacity of a subject. Moreover, the present invention further relates to methods and kits for determining and/or monitoring a therapeutic protocol for a subject afflicted with auto antibodies specific for a natural substance, wherein these auto antibodies develop as a result of therapeutic administration of the natural substance or an analog thereof. These methods and kits can be used, for example, to initiate, terminate, or adjust the level of administration of any of a variety of therapeutic agents.