Abstract: Methods for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are disclosed, using measurement of the CCL8 protein level in a test sample from a subject. Testing for CCL8 as an indicator of RA can be combined with testing for other indicators of RA, including clinical assessments, imaging or other RA markers such as Rheumatoid factor (RF). CCL8 testing can be used for discriminating RA from other diseases or conditions, evaluating the severity of RA. Related diagnostic reagents, kits, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for identifying a candidate substance as a therapeutic agent for treating rheumatoid arthritis are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample. The methods include contacting the sample, in the presence of a polymerase and an endonuclease, with a first oligonucleotide comprising, in the 5? to 3? direction, a first signal DNA generation sequence, an endonuclease recognition site, and a sequence complementary to the 3? end of a target nucleic acid; a second oligonucleotide comprising, in the 5? to 3? direction, a second signal DNA generation sequence, an endonuclease recognition site, and a sequence that is homologous to the first signal DNA generation sequence of the first oligonucleotide; a third oligonucleotide comprising, in the 5? to 3? direction, a third signal DNA generation sequence, an endonuclease recognition site, and a sequence that is homologous to the second signal DNA generation sequence of the second oligonucleotide.

Abstract: To provide a more convenient and more accurate method of assaying ProGRP by improving the stability of ProGRP which is known to be unstable in a biological sample. By using a blood sample in a condition in which a blood coagulation factor is not activated is used as a sample, the degradation of ProGRP is suppressed, whereby it is possible to store a sample for a long period of time and to improve the accuracy of an assay.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample. The methods include contacting said sample, in the presence of a polymerase and an endonuclease, with a sequence conversion oligonucleotide. Also disclosed are methods for detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample in which said sample is contacted, in the presence of a polymerase and an endonuclease, with a sequence conversion oligonucleotide and a signal amplifier oligonucleotide. The disclosure also provides compositions and kits comprising such sequence conversion and signal amplifier oligonucleotides.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample. The methods include contacting said sample, in the presence of a polymerase and an endonuclease, with a sequence conversion oligonucleotide having locked nucleic acids at select positions sufficient to decrease non-specific background signal amplification. Also disclosed are methods for detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample in which said sample is contacted, in the presence of a polymerase and an endonuclease, with a sequence conversion oligonucleotide and a signal amplifier oligonucleotide, both having locked nucleic acids at select positions sufficient to decrease non-specific background signal amplification. The disclosure also provides compositions and kits comprising such sequence conversion and signal amplifier oligonucleotides.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to antibodies and immunoassay methods for use in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver cancer and related conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for detecting a target nucleic acid in sample, which include contacting the sample with an oligonucleotide having a hairpin structure, where the oligonucleotide includes, in the 5? to 3? direction, an arbitrary sequence, an endonuclease recognition site for a nicking reaction, a sequence complementary to the arbitrary sequence, and a sequence complementary to the target nucleic acid; a polymerase; and an endonuclease capable of nicking the endonuclease recognition site. The disclosure also provides compositions and kits comprising an oligonucleotide having a hairpin structure, where the oligonucleotide includes, in the 5? to 3? direction an arbitrary sequence, an endonuclease recognition site for a nicking reaction, a sequence complementary to the arbitrary sequence, and a sequence complementary to a target nucleic acid.

Abstract: To provide a more convenient and more accurate method of assaying ProGRP by improving the stability of ProGRP which is known to be unstable in a biological sample. By using a blood sample in a condition in which a blood coagulation factor is not activated is used as a sample, the degradation of ProGRP is suppressed, whereby it is possible to store a sample for a long period of time and to improve the accuracy of an assay.

Abstract: Provided are methods of diagnosing cancer in a patient by detecting the presence and/or amount of a biomarker of cancer in a sample from the patient. The methods and biomarkers may be used to develop an accurate prognosis for a patient having cancer or suspected of having cancer, or to accurately diagnose a patient having, or suspected of having cancer. The methods and biomarkers may be used to identify and/or classify a patient as a candidate for a cancer therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies or binding proteins which bind to PIVKA II and may be used, for example, in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver cancer and related conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies or binding proteins which bind to PIVKA II and may be used, for example, in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver cancer and related conditions.

Abstract: Methods and kits for reducing non-specific binding in an immunoassay for PIVKA-II in a test sample are described, in which the test sample is reacted with an anti-prothrombin antibody in the presence of one or more of the following additives: skim milk, saponin, CaCl2, MgCl2, and a sulfobetaine zwitterionic detergent.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and kits for reducing interferences in immunoassays performed on solid phase and on samples containing serum or plasma, by adding an effective amount of a polycationic derivative of dextran to the assay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies that may be used, for example, in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of haepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver cancer and related conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to antibodies and immunoassay methods for use in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver cancer and related conditions.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are disclosed, using measurement of the CCL8 protein level in a test sample from a subject. Testing for CCL8 as an indicator of RA can be combined with testing for other indicators of RA, including clinical assessments, imaging or other RA markers such as Rheumatoid factor (RF). CCL8 testing can be used for discriminating RA from other diseases or conditions, evaluating the severity of RA. Related diagnostic reagents, kits, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for identifying a candidate substance as a therapeutic agent for treating rheumatoid arthritis are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies that may be used, for example, in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of haepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver cancer and related conditions.

Abstract: To provide a more convenient and more accurate method of assaying ProGRP by improving the stability of ProGRP which is known to be unstable in a biological sample. By using a blood sample in a condition in which a blood coagulation factor is not activated is used as a sample, the degradation of ProGRP is suppressed, whereby it is possible to store a sample for a long period of time and to improve the accuracy of an assay.

Abstract: In immunoassays such as homocysteine immunoassays, it is known that the measured values can be dispersed due to the influence of inhibiting substances present in a biological sample on the immunoreaction. The present invention provides among other things a method whereby the influence of the immunoreaction inhibiting substances is easily and efficiently suppressed or eliminated, and also provides a kit used for such a method. The influence of the immunoreaction inhibiting substances is suppressed or eliminated when the analyte (e.g., homocysteine) contained in the biological sample is reacted with the antibody in the presence of extrinsic polyanion.

Abstract: In immunoassays such as homocysteine immunoassays, it is known that the measured values can be dispersed due to the influence of inhibiting substances present in a biological sample on the immunoreaction. The present invention provides among other things a method whereby the influence of the immunoreaction inhibiting substances is easily and efficiently suppressed or eliminated, and also provides a kit used for such a method. The influence of the immunoreaction inhibiting substances is suppressed or eliminated when the analyte (e.g., homocysteine) contained in the biological sample is reacted with the antibody in the presence of extrinsic polyanion.