The present invention relates to a method for assessing, evaluating and/monitoring the purity of a mesenchymal stem cells preparation, in particular of an adipose stem cells preparation, comprising measuring the expression level of at least one growth factor.

The present invention relates to a method of identifying a subject being susceptible to a cardiac intervention based on the determination of GDF-15 in a sample of a subject in need of a cardiac intervention. Moreover, the present invention pertains to a method for predicting the risk of mortality or a further acute cardiovascular event for a subject suffering from a cardiovascular complication based on the determination of GDF-15 and a natriuretic peptide and/or a cardiac troponin in a sample the said subject. Also encompassed by the present invention are devices and kits for carrying out the aforementioned methods.

The present invention provides devices and systems for use at the point of care. The methods devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device are modular to allow for flexibility and robustness of use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical applications.

Provided herein are methods of monitoring progression, regression, or stage of an AID in a subject, measuring a level of expression of a gene, an RNA, or a protein, or a combination thereof, in a sample obtained from a niche at the implantation site of a synthetic scaffold in the subject at a first time point and at a second time point, wherein the expression level measured at the first time point is compared to the expression level measured at the second time point, wherein the difference in the level of expression at the second time point relative to the level of expression at the first time point is indicative of progression, regression, or stage of the autoimmune disease. Related methods of detecting an AID, determining treatment for a subject with an AID, determining efficacy of an AID treatment, or treating an AID, are further provided.

The present invention relates to a sensor for the detection of Neurotrophic Factor (NF). The sensor, preferably a Screen Printed Electrochemical sensor (SPE), has a working electrode coated by a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP) imprinted by a NF. The invention also relates to a method for preparing such a sensor and comprising the steps of 1) formation of a cleavable linking layer on the working electrode of the sensor; 2) immobilization of NF molecules on the cleavable linking layer; 3) polymerization of m-PD on the working electrode of the sensor; and 4) cleavage of the cleavable linking layer thereby removing the NF molecules from the MIP layer.

The present invention is directed to a method of identifying a patient having heart failure as likely to respond to a therapy comprising a statin. The method is based on measuring the level of at least one marker selected from GDF-15 (Growth Differentiation Factor 15), Urea, SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin), Uric acid, PLGF (Placental Growth Factor), IL-6 (Interleukin-6), Transferrin, a cardiac Troponin, sFlt-1 (Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1), Prealbumin, Ferritin, Osteopontin, sST2 (soluble ST2), and hsCRP (high sensitivity C-reactive protein) in a sample from a patient. Further envisaged is a method of predicting the risk of a patient to suffer from death or hospitalization, wherein said patient has heart failure and undergoes a therapy comprising a statin. The method is also based on the measurement of the level of at least one of the aforementioned markers.

The present invention provides devices and systems for use at the point of care. The methods devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device are modular to allow for flexibility and robustness of use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical applications.

The present invention relates to biomarkers and diagnostic and prognostic methods for vascular diseases. In particular, proteins of platelet-derived exosomes have been identified as biomarkers that can be used to detect platelet activation associated with pathogenesis of vascular diseases, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The invention also provides compositions for detecting biomarkers as well as compositions and methods useful for treating vascular diseases.

Provided herein are methods and compositions for determining the susceptibility of Parkinson's disease patients to optimized drug therapy (ODT) and or deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy.

Disclosed are means, methods and compositions of matter useful for quantifying the potency of regenerative therapeutics based on utilization of immunotherapies to induce tissue repair. In one embodiment said immunotherapy with regenerative activity is a T regulatory cell based therapy for stroke whose potency is quantified by assessment of one or more from the following: a) basal production of regenerative factors; b) induced production of regenerative factors; c) ability to prevent apoptosis of a target cell of interest; d) ability to stimulation proliferation of a target cell; and e) ability to induce proliferation of a progenitor cell belonging to tissue type of which therapy is desired.