Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting autoantibodies to osteoprotegerin (OPG). The method comprises the step of providing a biological sample from a subject with, or at risk of osteoporosis and detecting whether or not any antibodies against osteoprotegerin (OPG) are present in said sample. In addition the invention provides methods useful in aiding the diagnosis/prognosis and/or therapeutic regimen for autoimmune and/or vascular disease in general.

Abstract: A grain moisture meter has a test cell for containing a sample of the particulate material to be tested. A single oscillator includes a variable frequency tuned circuit including the test cell as a capacitor, a calibrated variable standard capacitor, a calibrating capacitor and a variable trimming capacitor. A frequency monitor generates DC voltage outputs of opposite polarity according to whether the output frequency of the oscillator is greater than or less than the selected frequency and displays the frequency difference as zero when the circuit is tuned. The calibrating capacitor is operator adjustable and a fixed reference capacitor and a reference number are provided to allow the operator to set the calibrating capacitor.

Abstract: A meter is disclosed for measuring the dielectric constant of a particulate material, particularly grain, as a function of its moisture content. The meter includes a test cell for containing a sample of the particulate material to be tested. An oscillator includes a variable frequency tuned circuit for varying the frequency of the oscillator output The tuned circuit includes a test cell capacitor using a sample of material to be tested as a dielectric, a calibrated variable standard capacitor and a variable trimming capacitor. An indicator is coupled to the calibrated variable standard capacitor to display a value representing the capacitance setting of the calibrated variable standard capacitor. A frequency monitor compares the output frequency of the oscillator with a selected frequency and a null display displays the difference between the output frequency of the oscillator and the selected frequency.