Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and materials for more effectively treating patients with interferon. It is based on the discovery that clinical response to interferon (IFN) therapy is mediated in part by inhibition of activation of MDSC and such inhibition can be observed after a test dose of interferon; a significant decrease of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by MDSC (as a measure of their activation) after IFN therapy is predictive of overall response to immunotherapy in cancer patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to epilepsy-inducing brain somatic mutations which are associated with intractable epilepsy caused by malformations of cortical development, and uses thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to an mTOR (Mammalian target of rapamycin) gene having mutations in a nucleotide sequence or an mTOR protein having mutations in an amino acid sequence resulting from the mutations in the nucleotide sequence. Further, the present invention relates to a technique for diagnosing intractable epilepsy caused by malformations of cortical development using the gene or the protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of detecting mitochondrial dysfunction or acute kidney injury (AKI) by measuring the urinary protein levels of the ATP synthase (ATPS) beta subunit or cleavage products thereof in a subject.

Abstract: Labelled polypeptide constituted by: (i) a peptide fragment of 38 to 50 amino acids including a peptide of sequence SEQ ID NO: 1, and (ii) a label selected from the group constituted by radioactive groups, non-protein fluorophors, protein fluorophors, magnetic particles or a paramagnetic spin label, in order that when the label is a fluorophor protein, the labelled polypeptide further contains a peptide spacer of 3 to 15 amino acids, located between the peptide fragment and the label and use thereof as a diagnostic tool.

Abstract: The present invention provides native Goodpasture antigen binding protein isoforms, monoclonal antibodies directed against such proteins, and methods for their use.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for developing and using diagnoses of lymphosarcoma in feline subjects using thymidine kinase (TK) and haptoglobin (HP) as biomarkers. The invention provides a method for obtaining the level of each biomarker and computing an index for a feline subject. The invention provides predefined index ranges to which the index value may be matched in order to determine whether the subject has a high probability of being affected by lymphosarcoma, even when the subject shows apparent symptoms that may be common with inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions to detect expression of one or more biomarkers for identifying and treating patients who are likely to be responsive to VEGF antagonist therapy. The invention also provides kits and articles of manufacture for use in the methods.

Abstract: Provided is an activatable probe that undergoes intramolecular cyclization and subsequent aggregation in apoptotic tumor cells upon peptidase-initiated, and most advantageously caspase-3, activation. These caspase-sensitive nano-aggregation probes (C-SNAFs) are generally biocompatible, possess NIR spectral properties or may serve as PET or MRI imaging agents, and have a mechanism of target-mediated nanostructure self-assembly amenable to in vivo use. The probes encompass biocompatible condensation chemistry products that comprise D-cysteine and 2-cyano-6-hydroxyquinoline (CHQ) moieties linked to an amino-luciferin scaffold, and which can be activated by a two-step reaction requiring caspase-3/7-mediated cleavage of an aspartate-glutamate-valine-aspartate (L-DEVD) capping peptide and the free intracellular thiol-mediated reduction of the disulfide bond.

Abstract: The present invention, in some aspects, relates to systems and methods for determining oxidized proteins, including glutathionylated proteins such as S-glutathionylated proteins. The systems and methods of the invention can be used in vitro (e.g., in cell or tissue culture) or in vivo, for example, to diagnose a person having an oxidative stress condition. For instance, in some cases, the invention can be used to spatially determine the location and/or concentration of oxidized proteins within cells and/or tissues (e.g., through visual detection). In one set of embodiments, a glutathionylated or otherwise oxidized moiety on a protein may be reacted with a detection entity, which may be, for example, fluorescent, radioactive, electron-dense, able to bind to a signaling entity or a binding partner in order to produce a signal, etc.

Abstract: Provided are methods and kits for analyzing biomarkers in one or more signal transduction pathways in a cell. In some embodiments, the methods and kits of the invention permit simultaneous analysis of more than one biomarker and/or more than one signal transduction pathway. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods for detecting whether a cell treated with an agent targeting a targeted biomarker is responding to the agent, or whether the cell is developing resistance to the agent. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods for determining which biomarker to target in a diseased or damaged cell, or which pathway an agent is targeting in an agent-treated cell. The invention provides kits for carrying out the described methods.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using fibrosis biomarkers associated with a prolonged period of physical inactivity are provided. Also provided is a method of reducing the effect of prolonged physical inactivity on the development of fibrosis in a subject who is experiencing or is expected to experience prolonged physical inactivity in the near future by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a leucine metabolite (e.g., ?-hydroxy-?-methylbutyric acid (HMB)) to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and methods for assaying activities of enzymes such as histone deacetylases and histone acetyltransferases. In some embodiments, the methods may be performed in one step. The compounds described herein features peptide-based compounds having at least one blocked lysine or arginine residue which are coupled to reporter moieties. The methods described herein involve reacting a compound described herein with an enzyme, such as a histone deacetylase enzyme or a histone acetyltransferase enzyme, and an endopeptidase that recognizes basic amino acids to release the reporter moiety which may be subsequently detected.

Abstract: Cloning and characterization of a TgIF2? kinase from Toxoplasma gondii designated TgIF2K-D illustrates that this protein is related to GCN2, an eIF2? kinase known to respond to nutrient starvation in other organisms. TgIF2K-D is present in the cytosol of both intra- and extracellular Toxoplasma and facilitates translational control through TgIF2? phosphorylation in extracellular parasites. Both a TgIF2K-D knockout parasite and a parasite harboring the TgIF2? mutant (S71A substitution) exhibited loss of eIF2? kinase activity which manifested itself as significant fitness defect. Accordingly, eIF2? phosphorylation and translational control are an important mechanism by which vulnerable extracellular parasites protect themselves which searching for a new host cell. TgIF2K-D is an excellent target for development of compounds and therapies that can be used to treat infections caused by Toxoplasma and other eukaryotic parasites, especially parasites that have high homology or identity to TgIF2K-D.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing, treating, and preventing catabolism-related vitamin D deficiency and related disorders, related compositions, apparatus and kits, are disclosed. A method involves measuring CYP24 expression and/or activity, or a proxy thereof such as FGF23 level, in a patient and correlating abnormally elevated CYP24 expression and/or activity with catabolism-related vitamin D deficiency or with susceptibility for catabolism-related vitamin D deficiency. In response to abnormally elevated CYP24 expression and/or activity, the method further includes administering a CYP24 inhibitor to the vitamin D deficient or at-risk patient, and preferably avoiding activation of the vitamin D binding receptor, such as by avoiding administration of active vitamin D compounds to such patients. Optionally, a vitamin D prohormone or prohormone can be administered.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for identifying and detecting modulators of Ras protein conformational states through the use of second harmonic generation (SHG) technology. Also provided herein are methods for detecting a conformational changes in the three dimensional structure of a protein bound to a supported lipid bilayer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of biomarkers. More specifically, the present invention relates to biomarkers useful in diagnosing brain injuries. Brain injury can include overt or traumatic brain injury, as well as subclinical brain injury (SCI). In one embodiment, a method for diagnosing SCI in a patient comprises (a) collecting a sample from the patient, (b) measuring the levels of a panel of biomarkers in the sample collected from the patient, wherein the panel of biomarkers comprises ASTN1, BAI3, CNDP1, ERMIN, GFAP, GRM3, KLH32, MAGE2, NRG3, NRGN, OMG, SLC39A12, RTN1, and MT3; and (c) comparing the levels of the panel of biomarkers with predefined levels of the same panel of biomarkers than correlate to a patient having SCI and predefined levels of the same panel of biomarkers that correlate to a patient not having SCI, wherein a correlation to one of the predefined levels provides the diagnosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for detecting, screening, diagnosing or determining the progression of, regression of and/or survival from a proliferative disease or condition, specifically breast cancer. The invention also provides new assays and kits for the staging or stratifying breast cancer patients or patients suspected of having breast cancer.

Abstract: Agents, compositions, and medicaments that pertain to modulating the activity of muscle specific kinase receptor (MuSK) and methods and uses thereof to modulate MuSK activity are encompassed herein. Also encompassed are screening assays to identify modulators of MuSK activity. Agents identified using the screening assays described herein are envisioned for use as therapeutics, alone or in compositions or in medicaments, to alleviate or delay motor dysfunction in subjects afflicted with a disorder associated with nerve terminal loss or fragmentation, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, sarcopenia, or anti-MuSK myasthenia gravis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for treating autism. Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for treating an autism spectrum disorder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-specific reaction inhibitor for use in an immunological measurement, comprising a complex of an antibody or a fragment of the antibody capable of specifically binding to a non-specific reaction factor, and a polymer. The non-specific reaction inhibitor can inhibit a non-specific reaction which may interfere with the accurate detection or quantification of a trace substance in an immunological measurement method.

Abstract: A method of preparing a sample for conducting an assay, the method including: providing an input sample including glycoproteins; capturing glycoproteins from the input sample on a solid support; and washing the sample support to remove unbound portions of the input sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and biomarkers for detection and characterization of mature T-cell neoplasias/leukemias (e.g., T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, Sezary syndrome) in biological samples (e.g., tissue samples, blood samples, plasma samples, cell samples, serum samples).

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits for detecting analytes of interest in a sample using electrogenerated chemiluminescence are provided. Compositions comprising at least one solid support that entraps or contains an electrogenerated chemiluminescent moiety also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a blood marker for renal cancer, more specifically, a blood marker that can be practically used for clinical diagnosis of renal cancer. The present invention also provides a blood marker that can be practically used for follow-up after treatment such as surgery and during treatment such as medication for renal cancer. A blood marker for renal cancer selected from the group consisting of Galectin-1, Galectin-3, and ?-enolase. Galectin-1 and/or Galectin-3 as a blood marker for renal cancer for use in an examination performed before diagnostic imaging. ?-Enolase as a blood marker for renal cancer for use in monitoring during and/or after treatment for renal cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to crystals of a type IB P-type ATPase having the space group P1 and methods for purification and growing said crystals. The invention also presents methods for identifying an inhibitor of a type IB P-type ATPase for example by determining binding interactions between an inhibitor and a set of binding interaction sites in said type IB P-type ATPase.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods useful for modulating angiogenesis and for inhibiting metastasis, tumors, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, and fibrosis in a mammalian tissue. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods include inhibitors of LOXL2 expression and activity, such as shRNA targeting LOXL2.

Abstract: A method for determining the amount of a specific analyte by photometric assays, wherein the specific analyte in a sample reacts with an analyte specific reaction partner in a reaction mixture. At least two calibration curves are generated, the first calibration curve recorded at a first wavelength is optimized for low concentrations of the specific analyte thereby maximizing the lower detection limit and, the second calibration curve recorded at a second wavelength is optimized for high concentrations of the specific analyte thereby maximizing the upper detection limit. The optimized lower detection limit and the optimized upper detection limit results in an extended dynamic range.

Abstract: Methods and kits are disclosed for detecting microorganisms that produce glucose oxidase. The method includes providing a culture medium and a hydrogen peroxide indicating reagent comprising a chromogenic substrate that can provide a detectable chromogenic reaction indicating the presence of a microorganism that produces glucose oxidase, and additional methods are disclosed for differentiating microorganisms by the detection of an additional chromogenic reaction.

Abstract: The present invention refers to monoclonal humanized antibodies, which bind to the extracellular domain of the AXL receptor tyrosine kinase and which at least partially inhibit AXL activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating diabetes or a complication of diabetes, which includes a TENC1 (tensin like C1 domain-containing phosphatase) expression or activity suppressor, and, more specifically, relates to a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating diabetes or a complication of diabetes, which either suppresses the degradation of IRS-1 (insulin receptor substrate-1) or suppresses the phosphorylation of IRS-1 due to the PTPase activity of TENC1.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for measuring the concentration of functional proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). A method of measuring functional PCSK9 in a sample is provided, by contacting the sample with a PCSK9-binding agent capable of binding to the LDL-R-binding region of a PCSK9; and measuring the amount of functional PCSK9 from the sample bound to the binding agent. Diagnostic methods, kits, and reagents for using the method are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and kits for diagnosing the presence of and prognosing the appearance of tissue remodelling-associated conditions, involving the presence of enzymes in a biological sample, are disclosed. In particular, the method pertains to diagnosing the presence of or prognosing appearance of cancer, metastatic cancer, and obstructive and degenerative conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means and a method for specifically measuring a substance such as a small substance with high sensitivity by a sandwich method. Specifically, the present invention provides an antibody capable of specifically binding to an affinity complex and a method of measuring of the affinity complex comprising measuring the affinity complex using the antibody capable of specifically binding to the affinity complex. The antibody of the present invention may be a full-length antibody. The antibody of the present invention may also have a region derived from an immunoglobulin from an animal having an ability of gene conversion (e.g., a complementarity-determining region, a framework region, or a variable region). Examples of at least one factor that constitutes the affinity complex include a small substance or a protein (e.g., antibody).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a biosensor that involves providing a substrate including a surface having a topographical pattern formed at one or more sites on or in the surface, coating the substrate with a solution including hydrogel particles, wherein the hydrogel particles self-assemble on the surface to mask the surface except at the one or more sites, and binding one or more capture molecules to the one or more sites to form the biosensor. Systems that include the biosensor, as well as methods of using the biosensor, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for the fermentative production of four carbon alcohols is provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably isobutanol is produced by the fermentative growth of a recombinant bacterium expressing an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway.

Abstract: Biomarkers useful for identifying treatments for and monitoring treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are provided, as well as methods for their identification, methods of diagnosing MS, relapse of MS patients and disease progression in MS patients.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide method and devices for predicting the likelihood of acute appendicitis without invasive exploratory medical procedures. Several protein biomarkers: leucine-rich ?-2-glycoprotein (LRG); S100-A8 (calgranulin); ?-1-acid glycoprotein 1 (ORM); plasminogen (PLG); mannan-binding lectin serine protease 2 (MASP2); zinc-?-2-glycoprotein (AZGP1); Apolipoprotein D (ApoD); and ?-1-antichymotrypsin (SERPINA3); are increased in the urine of patients with appendicitis. The method and devices comprise detecting the levels of these biomarkers and comparing with reference levels found in healthy individuals.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated UBA3, UAE, or UBA6, or other E1 enzyme variant nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel E1 enzyme variant proteins. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing UBA3, UAE, or UBA6, or other E1 enzyme variant nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a UBA3, UAE, or UBA6, or other E1 enzyme variant gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated UBA3, UAE, or UBA6, or other E1 enzyme variant proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-UBA3, UAE, or UBA6, or other E1 enzyme variant antibodies. The invention provides methods to identify agents that inhibit UBA3, UAE, or UBA6, or other E1 enzyme variant expression or activity. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides antibodies that specifically bind to botulinum neurotoxins (e.g., BoNT/A, BoNT/B, BoNT/C, BoNT/D, BoNT/E, BoNT/F, BoNT/G, etc.) and the epitopes bound by those antibodies. The antibodies and derivatives thereof that specifically bind to the neutralizing epitopes provided herein can be used to neutralize botulinum neurotoxin and are therefore also useful in the treatment of botulism.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for transforming primary mammalian cells using an oncogenic form of ALK wherein the transformed cells display features of that of a corresponding tumor cell isolated from a cancer subject. The invention also provides a method for immortalizing normal CD4+ T lymphocytes with a lymphoma-characteristic form of ALK such as NPM-ALK.

Abstract: There is provided a method of identifying candidate agents capable of modulating interaction between a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is ZO-2/TJP2 or a functional variant thereof and the second polypeptide is a Snail zinc finger transcription factor family member or a functional variant thereof.

Abstract: In one non-limiting aspect, the invention provides a method for detecting the quality of a biological molecule comprising forming a first mixture of ingredients comprising: (i) a first binding agent that specifically binds to a tag, wherein the first binding agent is attached to a solid support; (ii) a decoy comprising a first portion comprising the tag attached to a second portion comprising an anchor; (iii) a sensor attached to a second binding agent that specifically binds to the anchor; and (iv) a sample suspected of containing a high quality biological molecule comprising a tag, wherein the tag of the high quality biological molecule is accessible; allowing interaction of the ingredients such that the sensor provides an output signal

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of biomarkers. More specifically, the present invention relates to biomarkers useful in diagnosing brain injury or neurodegeneration. In one embodiment, a method for diagnosing brain injury in a patient comprises the steps of (a) obtaining a sample from the patient; (b) determining the ratio of citrullinated to unmodified arginine residues at one or more arginine residues of one or more brain injury biomarker proteins; and (c) correlating the ratio to a patient having brain injury or to a patient not having brain injury, thereby providing the diagnosis.

Abstract: A magnetizable trap and flow system and process are detailed that uniformly disperse paramagnetic or superparamagnetic analyte capture beads within a scaffold of magnetizable beads or other magnetizable materials in a capture zone that provides selective capture of target analytes. A magnet placed or energized in proximity to the trap may magnetize the magnetizable scaffold and secure the paramagnetic or superparamagnetic analyte capture beads in their uniformly dispersed state within the magnetizable scaffold to provide selective capture of target analytes.

Abstract: Methods for detecting replication in or colonization of a host by a biological therapeutic, such as an oncolytic virus, cells administered for cell therapy and gene therapy vectors, are provided. In the methods, a product produced by the biological therapeutic is detected in a sample of tissue or body fluid distinct from the administered therapy or locus thereof, thereby permitting assessment of the therapy and/or monitoring its progress.

Abstract: The present invention relates to screening methods that make use of a histone deacetylase interacting with a myosin phosphatase for the identification of novel therapeutics useful for inhibiting or inducing apoptosis and for the treatment of pathological conditions, such as smooth muscle cell disorder, cardiac hypertrophy or asthma. Also disclosed are methods for inhibiting or inducing apoptosis and for treatment of a pathological condition by administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that inhibits or increases the dephosphorylation of a histone deacetylase by a myosin phosphatase or inhibits or increases the binding of a histone deacetylase to a myosin phosphatase.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compositions, reagents and methods for detecting and treating a neural tube defect in a fetus. One aspect of the invention provides a method including administrating a composition containing noggin or LDN-193189 to the fetus in utero. In certain embodiments, the composition is administrated if the maternal blood or amniotic fluid contains an elevated amount of BMP4 and/or a reduced amount of noggin. In another aspect of the invention, the method includes administrating a composition containing GDC-0449 to the fetus in utero. In certain embodiments, the GDC-0449 is administrated if the maternal blood or amniotic fluid contains an elevated amount of sonic hedgehog.

Abstract: This invention describes a design of a lateral flow assay device that detects dried chemicals or trice volume aqueous sample solutions, applicable for detecting body fluids and dried or liquid chemicals. The dried or aqueous samples on the sample loading area will contact with a secondary aqueous solution in described manner and flow to the reaction area. This invention enables a complete lateral flow assay while the sample volume itself is too small to accomplish a complete lateral flow test.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of marker for Akt2 activation in podocytes as a biomarker to predict toxicity of mTOR inhibitors. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for preventing graft rejection comprising administering a selective mTORC1 or Akt1 inhibitor in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing the efficacy of cancer therapies through modulation of BAL1 and/or BBAP. Also provided are methods for predicting the efficacy of cancer therapies or treating cancer in a subject through modulation of BAL1 and/or BBAP. Further provided are methods for identifying compounds that are capable of modulating BAL1-BBAP complexes.