Abstract: A polypeptide contains laminin beta-4 and a carrier contains the polypeptide. An antibody, preferably autoantibody, is against laminin beta-4. Furthermore, use of the polypeptide, carrier or autoantibody for the diagnosis of a disease, and a method with the step of detecting an autoantibody against laminin beta-4 in a sample are described.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a limbic encephalitis, PNS, encephaloymyelitis, leukoencephalopathy, retinitis or optic atrophy, includes detecting a bornavirus in a sample, preferably from the group comprising mammalian 2 bornavirus, even more preferably VSBV-1, and mammalian 1 bornavirus, even more preferably BoDV-1; to a carrier containing a means for the capture of an antibody against at least one polypeptide selected from the group of BoDV-1-N, BoDV-1-P, VSBV-N and VSBV-P. A kit contains the carrier and a means for the detection of a captured antibody and a control for the detection of the presence of a sample. The carrier or kit or of a primer can be used for the detection of a bornavirus or a probe can be used for the diagnosis of an encephalitis, for the prognostication of post-transplantation complications, for the monitoring of a therapy of an encephalitis or of post-transplantation complications or for the differentiation between an autoimmune encephalitis and an encephalitis caused by infection.

Abstract: A polypeptide contains laminin beta-4 and a carrier contains the polypeptide. An antibody, preferably autoantibody, is against laminin beta-4. Furthermore, use of the polypeptide, carrier or autoantibody for the diagnosis of a disease, and a method with the step of detecting an autoantibody against laminin beta-4 in a sample are described.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a limbic encephalitis, PNS, encephaloymyelitis, leukoencephalopathy, retinitis or optic atrophy, includes detecting a bornavirus in a sample, preferably from the group comprising mammalian 2 bornavirus, even more preferably VSBV-1, and mammalian 1 bornavirus, even more preferably BoDV-1; to a carrier containing a means for the capture of an antibody against at least one polypeptide selected from the group of BoDV-1-N, BoDV-1-P, VSBV-N and VSBV-P. A kit contains the carrier and a means for the detection of a captured antibody and a control for the detection of the presence of a sample. The carrier or kit or of a primer can be used for the detection of a bornavirus or a probe can be used for the diagnosis of an encephalitis, for the prognostication of post-transplantation complications, for the monitoring of a therapy of an encephalitis or of post-transplantation complications or for the differentiation between an autoimmune encephalitis and an encephalitis caused by infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fusion peptides that are derived from components of gliadin, to a method and reagents for the serological diagnosis of celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis by way of assaying antibodies that are directed against modified gliadin. The invention also relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating said diseases by specific immunoabsorption of these antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fusion peptides that are derived from components of gliadin, to a method and reagents for the serological diagnosis of celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis by way of assaying antibodies that are directed against modified gliadin. The invention also relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating said diseases by specific immunoabsorption of these antibodies.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for decreasing blood glucose levels in an animal or for preventing or delaying the onset of a rise in blood glucose levels in an animal, comprising administering to the animal an antisense inhibitor of PTP1B expression in combination with at least one glucose-lowering drug. The present invention is also directed to compositions and methods for improving insulin sensitivity in an animal or for preventing or delaying the onset of insulin resistance in an animal. Also provided are compositions and methods for treating or preventing a metabolic condition in an animal. The metabolic condition may be, e.g., diabetes or obesity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a nucleosome preparation that is characterised by being suitable for use in immunofluorescence assays of specific antibodies directed against the nucleosomes in human samples and thus for a more specific diagnosis of disseminated lupus erythematosus (LED) compared with the state of the art.