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

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay for determining net cholesterol flux from lipid loaded cells in the presence of an acceptor (e.g., serum). The present invention also relates to a method for evaluating efficacy of a therapeutic agent for stimulating or inhibiting net cholesterol flux. Also provided by the present invention are kits that are used to carry out the aforementioned assays and methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prediction method for lipidosis caused by a compound, which includes detecting (a) phenylacetylglycine and/or phenylacetylglutamine, or an optionally chosen metabolic intermediate in the metabolic pathway from phenylalanine to phenylacetylglycine or phenylacetylglutamine, and (b) hippuric acid or an optionally chosen metabolic intermediate in the metabolic pathway from phenylalanine to hippuric acid, in a sample collected from a mammal receiving the compound or a mammalian cell or tissue culture exposed to the compound, and predicting the compound's potential for inducing lipidosis with the quantitative ratio of the two as the index. The present invention also provides a diagnostic method for lipidosis and diseases related thereto, including detecting (a) and (b) above in a sample collected from a mammal, and making a diagnosis with the quantitative ratio of the two as the index.

Abstract: A diagnostic test and method is provided comprising mixing blood or another biological fluid sample with a test compound and spotting the blood on filter paper for subsequent analysis of the effect of the test compound on the blood. The biological fluid can be a cerebrospinal fluid, a peritoneal fluid, a cyst fluid, an amniotic fluid, a lavage fluid, a saliva, a cell extract or a tissue extract. The compound is chosen among an amino acid, a peptide, a protein, a carbohydrate, an oligosaccharide, a polysaccharide, a glycoprotein, a lipid, a lipoprotein, a glycosaminoglycan, a hormone, a steroid, a vitamin, a low molecular weight synthetic or natural compound which influences the blood to cause an alteration of its composition, e.g., a toxin, allergen, autoantigen, bacterial protein or polysaccharide, viral protein, fungal protein or polysaccharide, parasitic protein or polysaccharide, bacterial lipopolysaccharide or any other compound relevant to diseases.

Abstract: The discovery that apolipoprotein B exhibits spectral features in the mid IR spectrum that make it identifiable within blood serum leads to the invented use of a statistical correlation between a concentration of apolipoprotein-B (apoB) in a sample of blood serum and infrared spectral features of the blood serum sample to produce a test for apoB. A method for providing such a test, and tests produced by the method are taught.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of screening or patterning a biomaterial in terms of their specificities to sugar chains by performing real-time and comprehensive measurement of an interaction between sugar chains and the biomaterial concurrently with a very small amount of the biomaterial without labeling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing, monitoring, and assessing treatment effects for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases and disorders, such as Alzheimer's Disease, early in the course of clinical disease or prior to the onset of brain damage and clinical symptoms. Methods of measuring the in vivo metabolism of biomolecules produced in the CNS in a subject are provided.

Abstract: Articles and methods for using the articles are described. In one aspect, a chemical indicator test strip is provided, comprising: a substrate; and a coating comprising a leuco dye complex and surfactant on the substrate, the coating being insoluble in water and reactive with antimicrobial fatty acid monoester, the coating derived from a solution of leuco dye, developing agent and surfactant.

Abstract: A method for identifying a modulator of a biological process or a biomolecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of determining a human subject's risk for venous thrombosis based on the finding that venous thrombosis patients have significantly lower levels of large HDL particles, HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein AI and higher levels of small LDL particles, LDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein B. Genotyping showed that venous thrombosis patients differed significantly from controls in CETP genotype and that the CETP genotypes found in subjects with VTE are linked to elevated CETP mass and activity. Methods for determining the level of lipids or lipoproteins in plasma or serum samples to determine risk for venous thrombosis are provided. Methods for reducing the risk of venous thrombosis are also provided.

Abstract: A method for the determination of the amount of cholesterol in high density lipoproteins in a high density lipoprotein containing sample, the method comprising reacting the sample with a PEG-ylated protein to selectively complex non-HDL lipoproteins in the sample with the PEG-ylated protein, or with a PEG-ylated enzyme capable of selective reaction with high density lipoproteins, and subsequently measuring the amount of cholesterol in the high density lipoproteins, for example using an electrochemical technique.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining the concentration of cholesterol in a sample (e.g. a blood sample). The method comprising the steps of adding to the sample reagents which cause the Liebermann-Burchard (L-B) reaction; and then determining the total cholesterol concentration in the sample using fluorescence analysis. The invention also relates to apparatus, and particularly apparatus in the form of a reader and cartridge, for conducting the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method for preparing organic nanotubules in an aqueous medium including preparing a basic solution with a pH from 10 to 14, adding an organic compound of the formula: wherein R1 is a C17-C20 polycyclic radical with fused rings optionally including alkyl substituents, R2 is a C3-C20 linear or branched alkylene group, and R3 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C20 alkyl or C6-C30 aromatic group, and submitting the solution to stirring for sufficient time in order to form stable tubules of the organic compound in the solution; and nanotubules prepared by the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for analyzing glycomolecules such as glycoproteins, and glycan structures associated with preparations of such glycomolecules.

Abstract: Bioanalytical device that includes a biofunctional component and an optional sensor component. The device includes arrays of addressable, durable, asymmetric biofunctional membranes containing protein transducers capable of unidirectional transport of analytes. Suitable protein transducers include members of the ATP-binding cassette family, such as P-glycoprotein.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of medical devices. Specifically, the present invention provides portable medical devices that allow detection of analytes from a biological fluid. The methods and devices are particularly useful for providing point-of-care testing for a variety of medical applications.

Abstract: A Gpbar1-deficient mouse is constructed and it is examined whether or not Gpbar1 participates in the regulation of bile acid homeostasis and lipid metabolism. As a result, the total bile acid pool is decreased in the Gpbar1-deficient mouse without showing any change in the fecal bile acid level. A female Gpbar1-deficient mouse having been fed with a high fat feed shows a significant increase in body weight compared with a wild type mouse, which is caused by an increase in fat. These facts suggest that Gpbar1 contributes to the regulation of bile acid homeostasis and lipid metabolism.

Abstract: A method for screening for compounds or salts thereof, in particular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory compounds or salts thereof, that are safe for gastric mucosa and cause little gastrointestinal side effects. The method uses a particular liposome to serve as a cell membrane model. The liposome encapsulates a fluorescent dye, in particular, calcein and is formed of phospholipids, such as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylinositol. A test compound is allowed to react with the liposome and the leakage of the fluorescent dye from the liposome is evaluated. As a result, compounds safe for gastric mucosa, in particular, anti-inflammatory compounds can be screened.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for labeling a molecule by contacting a sample molecule with a solid support coupled to a chemical group comprising a cleavable functional group, one or more functional groups, and a reactive group for the sample molecule, under conditions allowing the sample molecule to covalently bind to the reactive group; and cleaving the cleavable functional group, thereby releasing the sample molecule comprising the one or more functional groups, which can be a tag. The invention also provides a solid support covalently coupled to a chemical group comprising a cleavable functional group, a mass spectrometry tag and a reactive group for covalently attaching a sample molecule, wherein the cleavable functional group, the tag and the reactive group are positioned relative to each other to allow transfer of the tag to the sample molecule upon cleavage of the cleavable functional group.

Abstract: A method for quantitative determination of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in feed is described. The method includes the steps of adding a defined amount of an internal standard which has a mass different from 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and a polarity similar to that compound, e.g., 26,27-hexadeutero-25-hydroxycholecalciferol, to an aqueous dispersion of the feed, extracting the aqueous dispersion with tert.butyl methyl ether and further processing the extract by HPLC and mass spectrometry as described in the specification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule comprising a chromosomal region contributing to or indicative of hyperlipidemias and/or dyslipidemias or defective carbohydrate metabolism, wherein said nucleic acid molecule is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a nucleic acid molecule having or comprising the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein said nucleic acid sequence has one or more mutations having an effect on USFI function; (b) a nucleic acid molecule having or comprising the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein said nucleic acid sequence is characterized by comprising a guanine or an adenine residue in position 3966 in intron 7 of the USF1 sequence; and/or (c) a nucleic acid molecule having or comprising the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein said nucleic acid sequence is characterized by comprising a cytosine or a thymine residue in position 5205 in, exon 11 of the USF1 sequence; wherein said nucleic molecule extends, at a maximum, 50000 nucleotides ov

Abstract: A new lipoprotein analysis procedure based on the CDC gold standard, analytical ultra centrifugation, having dramatically reduced the time and cost to obtain a result with a self generating continuous gradient. The method allows quantification of the risk factors of cardiovascular disease based on particle numbers of the particles of various groups and subgroups of lipoproteins.

Abstract: A new lipoprotein analysis procedure based on the CDC gold standard, analytical ultra centrifugation, having dramatically reduced the time and cost to obtain a result with a self generating continuous gradient. The method allows quantification of the risk factors of cardiovascular disease based on particle numbers of the particles of various groups and subgroups of lipoproteins.

Abstract: A method for the rapid analysis of the fatty acid components present in a fat and/or oil-containing material is provided wherein the levels and types of fatty acids present in a sample are determined using Fourier Transform Near Infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy. The FT-NIR technique is developed by preparing a calibration matrix based on FT-NIR and Gas Chromatography (GC) analysis of known standards, and subsequently using the calibration matrix to analyze the FT-NIR spectral data obtained from a sample to be tested.

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: Methods and compositions for delivering pharmaceutical agents into cells, in particular urothelial cells of the bladder, are provided. In the methods and compositions of the invention, a solubilized cholesterol composition is used to facilitate delivery of pharmaceutical agents. Preferably, the cholesterol is solubilized by a cyclodextrin (e.g., methyl-?-cyclodextrin) and the pharmaceutical agent comprises a polynucleotide and either a cationic lipid, a cationic polymer or a dendrimer. Improved methods for transfecting polynucleotides into cells thus are also provided, using cationic lipids, cationic polymers or dendrimers and solubilized cholesterol, wherein the transfection efficiency is enhanced compared to use of cationic lipids, cationic polymers or dendrimers alone.

Abstract: A method for determination of at least one of the triglyceride molecular species in a biological sample comprising the subjecting sample to lipid extraction to obtain a lipid extract and subjecting the resulting lipid extract to 2D electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI/MS/MS) with neutral loss scanning of all naturally occurring aliphatic chains and contour analysis of 2D intercept peaks. A method for determination of tricylglyceride content and/or TG molecular species directly from a lipid extract of a biological sample comprising subjecting said lipid extract to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

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: The present invention relates to methods of assessing the health of skin. Biomarkers are used to evaluate skin samples. Using metabonomics approaches, samples taken from different skin sites or at different times during a treatment are used to diagnose skin conditions or to appraise various skin treatments for efficacy.

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 amount of lipid associated sialoprotein (LSP) in body fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid, peritoneal fluid, pleural fluid, bronchial washings, saliva and sputum samples, may be determined by a method which may be automated, involving the following steps to be performed on the sample: adding a mixture of a chlorinated lower alkyl alcohol; centrifuging to yield a substantially clear upper phase; recovering the upper phase and adding to it a protein precipitating agent; mixing the resulting admixture; recovering the resulting precipitate; washing the precipitate with saline solution; centrifuging to recover the precipitate; dissolving the precipitate in water; mixing; adding to the resulting mixture an hydrolysis agent; heating; and determining the amount of lipid associated sialoprotein present by determining the optical density of the sample.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic method and instrumentation system for analyzing noncovalently bonded agglomerated biological particles is described. The method and system comprises: a method of preparation for the biological particles; an electrospray generator; an alpha particle radiation source; a differential mobility analyzer; a particle counter; and data acquisition and analysis means. The medical device is useful for the assessment of human diseases, such as cardiac disease risk and hyperlipidemia, by rapid quantitative analysis of lipoprotein fraction densities. Initially, purification procedures are described to reduce an initial blood sample to an analytical input to the instrument. The measured sizes from the analytical sample are correlated with densities, resulting in a spectrum of lipoprotein densities. The lipoprotein density distribution can then be used to characterize cardiac and other lipid-related health risks.

Abstract: Device and methods for the removal of phospholipids from biological samples are disclosed and described. Removal of phospholipids may be desirable for the analysis of the phospholipids themselves, or to prevent the phospholipids from conflicting with and effectively masking other analytes in the sample for which identification or quantification is sought.

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: The invention describes materials useful for calibrating methods, and standards, calibration verification, linearity, and quality control materials for any method used to detect lipids and/or lipoproteins. This invention describes methods for producing, and compositions produced thereby, stable lipid controls, standards, and reagents including a stabilizing amount of TDPA, and further including a known amount of a substantially pure constituent of interest, including total cholesterol (CHOL), triglycerides (TRIG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), APO lipoprotein A (APO-A), APO Lipoprotein B (APO-B), low density lipoprotein (LDL), apolipoprotein a Lp(a) and other lipoprotein moieties useful for calibrating, standardizing, verifying, quality control, and the like, relating to use of an instrument for assessing the level of such constituents in a sample.

Abstract: A method was developed for the screening of antioxidant efficacy in food and feed matrices. The novel method uses radical initiators to accelerate the oxidation process. Consequently the screening of the oxidation process can be performed at significantly lower temperatures compared to the existing methods. The use of initiators improves the correlation between accelerated screening and real shelf life. This resolves an important issue that is frequently raised concerning the applicability of accelerated oxidation tests conducted at high temperatures. Furthermore feed and food products can be analyzed in their original states because lower temperatures have less influence on the product matrix.

Abstract: Immunoassays for malondialdehyde-modified low density lipoprotein (MDA-modified LDL) and oxidized low density lipoprotein (OxLDL), monoclonal antibodies (and the cell lines for them) for use in the assays, and a storage-stable standard (which may be used as a calibrator and/or control) are disclosed. MDA-modified LDL and OxLDL are implicated in atherosclerosis and its etiology.

Abstract: The invention provides novel methods for selecting an optimal diet and exercise regimen for a patient based on the consideration of several factors, including low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) subclass levels. Furthermore, the invention provides novel methods for treating a patient with cardiovascular disease (CVD) or at risk of developing CVD through selection of an optimal diet and exercise regimen, based on the measurement of risk factors, including LDL and HDL subclass levels.

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 method of assaying to determine the identity and/or concentration or relative concentration in a sample solution of a particular one of a number of different target molecule types, comprise the steps of: i) adding to the sample a probe substance which binds to the or each target molecule type and which when so bound fluoresces under appropriate excitation; ii) performing a time-resolved fluorescence measurement on the sample; and iii) making said determination from analysis of the time decay data obtained from said time-resolved fluorescence measurement.

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: A solid heparin tablet composition has a melting point of 25° C. or higher and is a continuous lipid component containing one or more polar lipids, one or more non-polar lipids, optionally one or several of water and mono- to trivalent alcohol in an amount of up to 15% by weight of the composition, and native heparin or fractionated heparin. Also described is a corresponding tablet, processes for production of the composition and the tablet, and a method of preventing or treating conditions amenable to preventive or therapeutic treatment by administration of the tablet.

Abstract: A method is disclosed whereby the concentration of a blood substitute, such as cross-linked hemoglobin, in a serum or plasma specimen is rapidly and accurately identified and quantified. The method further takes the measured concentration of the blood substitute and uses it to correct for its effect, if any, on a measured analyte concentration, e.g., serum/plasma total protein. Further, the method allows for the determination of the concentration of true hemoglobin in the presence of blood substitutes. The method is carried out in respect of samples contained in a primary or secondary labelled tube, or a pipette tip used to dispense serum or plasma in a blood analyzer.

Abstract: An assay pad for measuring the concentration of HDL-associated cholesterol in a sample, a method for using the pad, and a diagnostic assay device for carrying out the method are described. The assay pad includes a polymer adhesive or heat laminate bond. The assay design prevents interference by reagents used for such removal with the HDL quantification reaction or with other assays carried out on the same sample. If desired, removal of non-HDL lipoproteins and assay of HDL cholesterol can be carried out without interruption of the assay.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-invasive assay for the detection of a SLOS affected individual by determining the ratio of at least one of the specific SLOS steroid analytes, dehydro-estriol (8-DHE3) and a dehydro-pregnanetriol (7-DHPT) to their normal steroid counterparts estriol (E3) and pregnanetriol (PT), respectively. 8-DHE3 and 7-DHPT represent metabolites which accumulate in the blood and urine of an individual with SLOS or an individual carrying a SLOS affected fetus. The invention provides for a reliable and reproducible method of screening women for SLOS affected fetuses early on in pregnancy.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for labeling a molecule by contacting a sample molecule with a solid support coupled to a chemical group comprising a cleavable functional group, one or more functional groups, and a reactive group for the sample molecule, under conditions allowing the sample molecule to covalently bind to the reactive group; and cleaving the cleavable functional group, thereby releasing the sample molecule comprising the one or more functional groups, which can be a tag. The invention also provides a solid support covalently coupled to a chemical group comprising a cleavable functional group, a mass spectrometry tag and a reactive group for covalently attaching a sample molecule, wherein the cleavable functional group, the tag and the reactive group are positioned relative to each other to allow transfer of the tag to the sample molecule upon cleavage of the cleavable functional group.

Abstract: A method having clinically sufficient degree of diagnostic accuracy for detecting the presence of coronary artery disease in a human patient from the general population and for distinguishing between the stages of the disease in that patient is disclosed. The stages are, first, the non-acute stage, which is either asymptomatic coronary artery disease or stable angina, second, the acute stage known as unstable angina, and, third, the acute stage known as acute myocardial infarction. The diseased state (as opposed to the non-diseased state) is indicated by the clinically significant presence of a first marker in a sample from the patient. The presence of one of the two acute stages, unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction, is indicated by the clinically significant presence of a second marker in a sample from the patient. The presence of the more severe acute stage known as acute myocardial infarction is indicated by the clinically significant presence of a third marker in a sample from the patient.

Abstract: Heart and brain fatty acid binding proteins (H-FABP, B-FABP) are markers for stroke. The invention provides a diagnostic assay for either of these markers, preferably by ELISA using anti-H-FABP or B-FABP antibody. Since H-FABP is also a marker for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), to distinguish stroke from AMI requires an assay specific to AMI, e.g. using troponin-I or creatine kinase-MB as a marker, also to be carried out.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for evaluating the affinity of one or more ligands of interest are provided. In particular, a ligand sensor device (LSD) comprising a sensor coupled to a peptide of interest is provided. Assays using the LSD allow detection of ligand-peptide interactions directly in tissue samples and thus provide an in vitro assay to characterize peptide ligands. The LSD and assays find particular use in characterizing cell-specific peptides isolated from in vivo screening in animals to determine their suitability for use in human therapy.

Abstract: Methods, devices and kits for facilitating medical diagnostic assays and reducing the time required for taking of such assays. The methods comprise initiating a reaction, obtaining at least three measurements, at three different time points, of a value or level of an observable associated with the reaction, and estimating an end point value for the observable from the measurements.