Abstract: This invention provides a method of altering the metabolism of sphingolipids in a cell comprising contacting the cell with a fumonisin, or an analog thereof. The invention also provides a method of detecting the consumption of a fumonisin or a fumonisin analog in a subject comprising (A) detecting, in a sample from the subject, the state of the metabolic pathway of sphingolipids and (B) comparing the state of the metabolic pathway to that of a normal subject, the presence of a change in the state of the metabolic pathway indicating the consumption of a fumonisin or a fumonisin analog. Also provided is a method of detecting the presence of a fumonisin or fumonisin analog contamination in a sample from a food or feed comprising detecting a reaction of the metabolic pathway of sphingolipids, the presence of the reaction indicating the presence of a fumonisin or fumonisin analog contamination. Furthermore, novel fumonisin analogs and compositions comprising fumonisins and fumonisin analogs are provided.

Abstract: This invention provides novel assays that are prognostic and/or diagnostic for atherosclerosis or risk of atherosclerosis. It was discovered that high density lipoprotein (HDL) or components thereof can prevent the oxidation of lipids (e.g. lipids present in LDLs) and can also repair (reduce) already oxidized lipids and thereby reduce the inflammatory response associated with and characteristic of atherosclerotic plaque formation. Moreover it was a discovery of this invention that individuals vary in the ability of their HDL to afford such protection. Thus an assay of HDL protective and/or repair activity provides a highly effective assay for risk of atherosclerosis and its associated pathologies and such assays are provided herein.

Abstract: A novel monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes phosphatidylinositol-3,4-biphosphate (PI-3,4-P2) but does not cross-react with structurally similar phospholipid antigens is advantageous for PI-3,4-P2-specific immunoassay. The gene in the variable regions of the monoclonal antibody has been identified, which enables producing recombinant antibodies.

Abstract: A method of lipid assay characterized by assaying the lipids contained in a blood component in the presence of an organic silicon compound. The method can cause specific conditions for direct methods while satisfying requirements such as no influence on precision of assay, no burden on assay apparatus, and easy availability.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for identifying patients who will require multiple invasive cardiac procedures comprising measuring elevated LDL IVb levels in patients who have had or will have invasive heart surgery.

Abstract: A surface detector array device suitable for use with a biosensor is disclosed. The device is formed of a substrate having a surface defining a plurality of distinct bilayer-compatible surface regions separated by one or more bilayer barrier regions. The bilayer-compatible surface regions carry on them, separated by a film of aqueous, supported fluid bilayers. The bilayers may contain selected receptors or biomolecules. A bulk aqueous phase covers the bilayers on the substrate surface. Multiplexed assays using the surface detector array device of the present invention are disclosed, as are automated methods for making the surface detector array device that enable formation of arrays wherein the composition of the individual, addressable bilayer regions is unrestricted.

Abstract: Approaches are described for separating plasma from whole blood samples and include the use of magnetically attractable particles associated with an agglutinating agent. The magnetically attractable particles bind the cellular components in a whole blood sample. Application of a magnetic field gradient to a container with the blood sample and the magnetically attractable particles draws the particles to the surface of the container near the source of the magnetic field gradient. The plasma can be removed and stored or used for monitoring or detecting analytes in the plasma.

Abstract: A colorimetric detector for chemical and biological agents or toxins is made of a giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV) having a membrane bilayer which is polymerized to stabilize the giant unilamellar vesicle and to provide extended conjugated polymer backbone, and the GUV has at least one incorporated molecular recognition site for the chemical and biological agents or toxins. The GUVs are about 10-300 microns and preferably made of a polymerizable diacetylenic GUV where the acyl chains are crosslinked. When the agents or toxins bind to the recognition site the detector exhibits a color change. The detector can be used in a colorimetric detector apparatus where the samples can be present in air or in water.

Abstract: A test piece having a simple structure by which HDL cholesterol can be easily assayed by using a small amount of a specimen. A reagent layer (2) is formed on a support (1). This reagent layer (2) contains an enzyme reagent for assaying cholesterol, a first surfactant capable of highly solubilizing HDL (high density lipoprotein) compared with lipoproteins other than HDL, and a second surfactant inhibiting the dissolution of lipoproteins other than HDL.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay for determining the levels of sterols, stanols, steryl esters, fatty acid derivatives and combinations thereof in a starch-containing food product. The assay is particularly useful in supporting product health and/or nutritional claims in manufacturing products intended for human or animal consumption. The present invention describes a method for extracting sterols related compounds and uses as an internal standard a steryl ester, preferably cholesteryl oleate. By using the present extraction technique the process enables the recovery of substantially all of the sterol related compound in the sample.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing and monitoring subjects for hemostatic dysfunction, severe infection and systematic inflammatory response syndrome is provided whereby lipoproteins are examined for abnormalities, particularly for prothrominase enhancement, through quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Abstract: Methods for assessing a patient's risk of having or developing coronary heart disease based on lipoprotein measurements measure and identify values for lipoprotein subclass constituents and analyze according to predetermined test criteria to identify when there is an increased and/or decreased risk of having and/or developing coronary heart disease associated wit the measured lipoprotein subclass constituent values.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluorescent HPLC assay for detecting the presence and/or measuring the level of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) and other P-450 metabolites of arachidonic acid in a sample. P-450 metabolites of arachidonic acid are first extracted from the sample and then labeled with 2-(2,3-naphthalimino)ethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate. The labeling reaction is catalyzed by N,N-diisopropylethylamine. Next, the labeled P-450 metabolites are separated on a 4.5×250-mm, 5 &mgr;M particle size C18 reverse-phase HPLC column using a mobile phase of methanol:water:acetic acid (82:18:0.1, v/v/v) and an isocratic elution at a rate of about 1.3 ml per minute. Fluorescence intensities of the column eluent are monitored by a fluorescence detector. Quantitation of P-450 metabolites in a sample can be made by using an internal standard.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a process for determining the cytoprotective activity of plasma that prevents the destruction of endothelial cells and forestalls the development of a number of diseases such as atherosclerosis, preeclampsia, edema, nephrotic syndrome, and stroke. The present invention includes a method of diagnosing a patient's proclivity to develop a disease having a correlation to a reduction in the concentration of pI 5.6 albumin in the plasma by determining a value indicative of the concentration of the pI 5.6 albumin that is not bound to VLDL (“free pI 5.6 albumin”) in the patient's blood serum. The preferred embodiment of the process utilizes in vitro methods to obtain an indicator of the free pI 5.6 albumin instead of directly measuring the concentration of the free pI 5.6 albumin.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for identifying patients with normal NCEP lipid levels who are in need of treatment for cardiovascular disease comprising measuring one or more LDL or HDL particle subclass levels and identifying abnormal LDL or HDL subclass levels.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease even at early stages by assessing the levels of sulfatides or its metabolites in biological fluids is disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a method and kit for measuring the amount of an objective constituent contained in a specific lipoprotein in a biological sample such as serum and plasma, specifically for measuring the amount of cholesterol contained in high density lipoprotein, which can be applicable to clinical tests.

Abstract: A multilayer test strip and method of using the test strip for determining concentration of HDL cholesterol in a whole blood sample. The inventive test strip includes a two-stage blood separation mechanism, including a first glass fiber matrix which separates most of the blood cells and an adjacent, second matrix preferably also containing glass fibers that separates the remainder of the blood cells. The second layer also precipates and retains non-HDL cholesterol, thereby providing plasma that is substantially free of red blood cells and substantially free of non-HDL cholesterol to a reaction layer. Precipitation and retention on non-HDLs takes place by a vertical or dead-end filtration in a single layer. The reaction layer produces a color, the intensity of which is proportional to the concentration of HDL cholesterol in the blood sample which is applied to the test strip.

Abstract: A dry-phase triglycerides test strip that can be stored at room or elevated temperatures for several months without significant degradation in its effectiveness. The test strip includes a test membrane which receives plasma and forms a colored response in proportion to concentration of triglycerides in the plasma. The test membrane is impregnated with an aqueous solution containing lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and 4-aminoantipyrine (4AAP). The inventors have found that by reducing the pH of the impregnating solution to less than that of the recommended pH range for one of the key components (viz., less than pH 6.0), overall stability of the test strips was dramatically improved. The improvement in storage capability of these triglycerides test strips represents not just a difference in degree, but a difference in kind.

Abstract: A method of screening a subject for the presence of lipoprotein X includes the steps of: producing a measured lipid signal lineshape of an NMR spectrum of a blood plasma or serum sample obtained from a subject; generating a calculated lineshape for the sample, the calculated lineshape being based on derived concentrations of lipoprotein components potentially present in the sample, the derived concentration of each of the lipoprotein components being the function of a reference spectrum for that component and a calculated reference coefficient, wherein one of the lipoprotein components for which a concentration is calculated is lipoprotein X; and determining the degree of correlation between the calculated lineshape of the sample and the measured lineshape spectrum of the sample.

Abstract: An assay device and method for measuring the concentration of HDL-associated cholesterol in a blood-fluid sample are described. The assay design is such that removal of non-HDL lipoproteins from a sample and assay of HDL cholesterol in the sample occur without interruption of the assay. The device also prevents interference by reagents used for the HDL assay with other assays carried out on the same sample.

Abstract: This-layer chromatography is used to separate, identify and quantity hydrophobic protein, hydrophobic protein fragment, hydrophobic modified protein and hydrophobic peptide. A method is thus provided for determination of proteins and peptides which, due to their low solubility in an aqueous solvent system, cannot be determined by conventional methods, such as ELISA, which are based on aqueous solvent systems.

Abstract: This invention provides novel assays that are prognostic and/or diagnostic for atherosclerosis or risk of atherosclerosis. It was discovered that high density lipoprotein (HDL) or components thereof can prevent the oxidation of lipids (e.g. lipids present in LDLs) and can also repair (reduce) already oxidized lipids and thereby reduce the inflammatory response associated with and characteristic of atherosclerotic plaque formation. Moreover it was a discovery of this invention that individuals vary in the ability of their HDL to afford such protection. Thus an assay of HDL protective and/or repair activity provides a highly effective assay for risk of atherosclerosis and its associated pathologies and such assays are provided herein.

Abstract: Methods of forming a density gradient by applying a centrifugal field to a solution of one or more metal ion chelate complexes are disclosed. The density gradients are self-forming equilibrium gradients and are useful for separating biological particles by ultracentrifugation. Also disclosed are methods of separating biological particles according to their density. Also disclosed are density gradients of lipoprotein particles and one or more metal ion chelate complexes, wherein the lipoprotein particles are partitioned along the density gradient according to their particle density.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining various biological characteristics of in vitro fertilized embryos, including overall embryo health, implantability, and increased likelihood of developing successfully to term. More specifically, the present invention concerns analyzing media specimens of in vitro fertilization cultures for levels of bioactive lipids in order to determine these characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed are unique methods for identifying the lowest, yet optimal, aspirin doses for patients. These methods are also characterized as having little to no aspirin-related side-effects. These methods may be used pre-as well as post-thrombotic event, and employs a patient's urinary thromboxane B2 metabolic levels (e.g., 11-dehydrothromboxane B2), to identify the patient's platelet activation level. A patient's urinary thromboxane B2 metabolic level is then used to calculate and appropriate and individualized treatment effective for utilizing platelet activation. Kits for utilizing this technique are also provided. In yet another particular aspect, the invention provides a method for utilizing a random urine sample obtained from a patient to determine whether a patient or particular individual's current dosage of aspirin is providing an adequate and appropriate level of inhibition of platelet activation levels, as compared to inhibition levels observed in individuals not taking aspirin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for directly measuring apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB) or cholesterol associated with very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) in a fluid sample. In one embodiment the method involves the specific capture of intact VLDL particles from a fluid sample with a specific VLDL binding agent. The quantity of VLDL-apoB present in the sample is then measured by detecting the amount of VLDL-apoB bound to the binding agent-VLDL complexes formed in the reaction. In an alternative embodiment of the method, intact VLDL particles from a fluid sample are also captured with a specific VLDL binding agent and thereafter the cholesterol associated with the bound VLDL is determined. The cholesterol contained in the binding-agent-VLDL complexes can be detected by reacting the complexes with labeled cholesterol specific binding agents and measuring the amount of label bound therto, or by releasing the cholesterol in the complexes and measuring the amount of cholesterol released.

Abstract: Methods for assessing a patient's risk of having or developing coronary heart disease based on lipoprotein measurements include: (a) generating an NMR spectroscopic signal of a blood plasma or serum sample of a patient; (b) measuring the values of a plurality of selected lipoprotein subclass constituents in the sample; (c) analyzing the measured values of the lipoprotein subclass constituents according to predetermined test criteria to identify when there is an increased and/or decreased risk of having and/or developing coronary heart disease associated with the measured lipoprotein subclass constituent values; (d) outputting the measured lipoprotein subclass values onto a report; (e) providing a plurality of risk analysis portions that depicts the identified risk of the measured lipoprotein subclass values from the predetermined test criteria analysis, a respective one for each measured lipoprotein subclass value, wherein each risk analysis portion defines a plurality of risk segments that are associated wit

Abstract: The present invention relates to the study and control of atherosclerosis through the modulation of LDL-proteoglycan binding at Site B (amino acids 3359-3369) of the apo-B100 protein in LDL. The invention encompasses methods of identifying compounds which modulate LDL-proteoglycan binding, methods of identifying compounds which modulate atherosclerotic lesion formation, and methods of modulating the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. The invention also encompasses mutant apo-B100 proteins and LDL which exhibit reduced proteoglycan binding while maintaining LDL-receptor binding, polynucleotides which encode these apo-B100 proteins, as well as cells and animals which express the mutant apo-B100 proteins.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a patient's risk of coronary heart disease by determining the presence of NMR-derived or based lipoprotein constituent value abnormalities includes determining the presence of atherogenic dyslipidemia based on the existence of a clustering of lipoprotein constituent abnormalities as defined by predetermined test criteria. Computer program products and automatically produced reports for presenting NMR-derived lipoprotein risk assessment based on patient-specific lipoprotein subclass results present the measurement results adjacent to a segmented reference risk analysis portion. The actual measured results are visually aligned and enhanced within the risk analysis portion to provide easy reference and understanding of the results relative to a risk of developing coronary heart disease.

Abstract: A lipid assay method, kit, and apparatus involving exposure of a protein, having a lipid recognition motif that interacts with a target lipid and a competing lipid, to a solution containing the competing lipid, and determining whether the target lipid is present in the solution. The target lipid has a stronger affinity to the lipid recognition motif than does the competing lipid. The lipid recognition motif is preferably a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, with the target lipid being a phosphoinositide. The assay determines activity of a lipid kinase, the target lipid being a phosphorylation product of a reaction between the lipid kinase and a substrate lipid. The assay can be a cancer screening method for detection of cancer cells, where detection of certain levels of a PI(3,4,5)P3 target lipid is an indicator of a cancer cell.

Abstract: A surface detector array device suitable for use with a biosensor is disclosed. The device is formed of a substrate having a surface defining a plurality of distinct bilayer-compatible surface regions separated by one or more bilayer barrier regions. The bilayer-compatible surface regions carry on them, separated by a film of aqueous, supported fluid bilayers. The bilayers may contain selected receptors or biomolecules. A bulk aqueous phase covers the bilayers on the substrate surface. Multiplexed assays using the surface detector array device of the present invention are disclosed, as are automated methods for making the surface detector array device that enable formation of arrays wherein the composition of the individual, addressable bilayer regions is unrestricted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and kits useful in the diagnosis of a pancreatic-based fat malabsorption disorder in a mammal.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed which separate and identify lipoproteins in biological samples. An ultracentrifuge density gradient is used to separate lipoprotein fractions. The fractions are visualized, resulting in a lipoprotein profile. The fractions can be further analyzed by a wide array of laboratory and clinical methods. The lipoprotein profile can be used in clinical diagnoses and other medical applications.

Abstract: A method and device for generating droplets of immiscible fluids are provided. Extremely fine droplets may be generated, on the order of 1 picoliter or less, using focused acoustic energy to eject the droplets from a reservoir containing two or more immiscible fluids. Optionally, the droplets may be ejected onto discrete sites on a substrate surface so as to form an array thereon.

Abstract: A non-invasive, in vivo method for measuring sub-clinical or clinical inflammation or irritation of mammalian skin from exposure of the skin to a topical skin care product, exposure to an external aggression or combinations thereof is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of collecting eicosanoid from the skin using a non-invasive collection device and analyzing levels of eicosanoid collected from the skin. A kit for measuring a marker of skin irritation or inflammation is also disclosed. The kit includes a non-invasive collection device for collecting secretions from the skin surface, and an immunoassay for measuring level of eicosanoid in the secretions.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for detecting complications, or abnormal conditions occurring during pregnancy, including placental abnormalities, eclampsia, or preelcampsia. The present invention comprises the steps of obtaining a sample from a patient, assaying the specimen to determine the level of bioactive lipids and comparing levels in the sample to control values or levels in normal samples, and correlating alterations to disease. The invention includes measuring panels of bioactive lipids to screen patients for disease and to monitor the progress of disease for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: This invention relates to the diagnosis and monitoring of ischemia, including but not limited to myocardial and cerebral ischemia, by measuring the concentration of molecules that do not originate from the ischemic tissue but whose concentration in the blood and other fluids changes as a consequence of the ischemic state.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of detecting a corticosteroid in a sample by adding an internal standard to a sample suspected of containing a corticosteroid; removing interfering compounds from the sample; placing the sample on an HPLC column equilibrated with a NH4OAc:MeOH solution and collecting an eluent; and analyzing the eluent of the HPLC column with a MS, wherein if contained in the sample, the corticosteroid forms an adduct that is detected by the MS.

Abstract: A method of screening a subject for the presence of lipoprotein X includes the steps of: producing a measured lipid signal lineshape of an NMR spectrum of a blood plasma or serum sample obtained from a subject; generating a calculated lineshape for the sample, the calculated lineshape being based on derived concentrations of lipoprotein components potentially present in the sample, the derived concentration of each of the lipoprotein components being the function of a reference spectrum for that component and a calculated reference coefficient, wherein one of the lipoprotein components for which a concentration is calculated is lipoprotein X; and determining the degree of correlation between the calculated lineshape of the sample and the measured lineshape spectrum of the sample.

Abstract: A method is described for the early detection of stroke which uses a reagent which includes a fluorescently modified fatty acid binding protein. A fluorescence difference is noted between the bound and unbound condition. Elevated levels of unbound free fatty acids from blood are used as indicators of stroke.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods, compositions, kits, and devices for detecting cardiac ischemia, hypoxia, or other causes of heart failure in a mammal by obtaining a test sample from a mammal, measuring a level of a non-polypeptidic cardiac marker in the test sample, and determining if the level of the cardiac marker measured in said test sample correlates with cardiac ischemia or hypoxia or another form of heart failure.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods, compositions, kits, and devices for detecting cardiac ischemia, hypoxia, or other causes of heart failure in a mammal by obtaining a test sample from a mammal, measuring a level of a non-polypeptidic cardiac marker in the test sample, and determining if the level of the cardiac marker measured in said test sample correlates with cardiac ischemia or hypoxia or another form of heart failure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining whether an individual is at risk for atherosclerosis, comprising the step of: measuring the level of carbamylated LDL in a sample obtained from said individual. Further provided is a method of reducing carbamylation in an individual in need of such reducing, comprising the step of:treating said individual with a monomeric amino acid or another enzymatic or non-enzymatic inhibitor of carbamylation. Also provided is a method of preventing carbamylation in an individual with normal renal function, comprising the step of: treating said individual with a monomeric amino acid. Further provided is a method of treating or preventing atherosclerosis in an individual in need of such reducing, comprising the step of: inhibiting aggregation and/or deposition of carbamylated LDL in said individual.

Abstract: A selective complex of a lipoprotein with hemoglobin or a hemoglobin analogue. A method of assaying hemoglobin or a hemoglobin analogue in a sample, comprising reacting the sample with a lipoprotein which is capable of selectively forming a complex with hemoglobin or a hemoglobin analogue. A kit for assaying hemoglobin or a hemoglobin analogue, comprising a lipoprotein which is capable of selectively forming a complex with hemoglobin or a hemoglobin analogue.

Abstract: A method and graphic representation for profiling various risk factors and protective factors relating to an individual's health are presented. The profiles include a bar graph having an optimal value range for at least one indicator substance used for assessing an individual's risk factor or protective factor, where the optimal value range represents optimal health status, as well as a range of values outside of the optimal value range, and an indicator substance value for a test individual or a patient where the test individual or patient indicator substance value is identified on or near the bar graph in relation to the value ranges of indicator substance represented by the bar graph.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nuclear transport agent, to a gene transfer system comprising said nuclear transport agent, to a method for transporting DNA into the nucleus of eukaryotic cells using said nuclear transport agent and to the use of said nuclear transport agent in gene therapy for treating cancer, viral infections, diseases of the nervous system, graft rejection and monogenic or polygenic hereditary diseases.

Abstract: Methods for assessing the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and other related disorders include obtaining an NMR derived reference spectrum for a known glucose concentration sample and storing this information as a reference standard. A patient blood sample is collected and NMR derived patient spectrums for the blood sample are obtained. The two NMR data sets (the reference and the patient) are compared and a glucose concentration is determined for the patient sample. The glucose concentration can be evaluated with a blood sample undergoing lipoprotein cholesterol evaluation. The NMR based test can be used to concurrently provide a glucose concentration and lipoprotein constituent values based on a single testing event. The disclosure also includes a multi-purpose test, i.e., a test which concurrently provides lipoprotein screening and coronary heart disease risk evaluation along with a diabetes screening and risk assessment for developing Type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: The use of cortisol agonist for preparing a system for diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome and related conditions as belly fatness, insulin resistancy including increased risk of developing senile diabetes, i.e. diabetes type II, high blood fats and high blood pressure, in which system the dose of cortisol agonist is in an interval where a difference is obtained in the inhibitory effect of the autoproduction of cortisol in individuals suffering from the metabolic syndrome, compared to normal values.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining alcohol intake or alcohol induced liver damage in a subject by quantifying the content of sialic acid in apolipoprotein J (Apo J). In particular the present invention involves the steps of (a) providing a sample containing Apo J from a subject; (b) purifying the Apo J from the sample; (c) determining sialylation index, i.e., moles of sialic acid peer mole of Apo J in the sample; and (d) evaluating whether the sialylation index is an indication of alcohol intake or alcohol related liver damage recovery from alcohol addiction or alcohol relapse in the subject.