The present invention features methods and compositions for the generation and use of conformation-specific antibodies or fragments thereof.

Methods for diagnosis to allow prediction of the likelihood of preterm birth based upon the concentration of lipocalin-type prostaglandin D2 synthase (L-PGDS) in cervical vaginal secretions. In addition, specific prostaglandin D2 receptor antagonists may represent novel tocolytic therapeutics.

Disclosed herein are methods of treating HIBM in a subject comprising identifying subject in need thereof; and administering to the subject a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, amide, glycol, peptidyl, or prodrug thereof, wherein the compound is a compound that is biosynthesized in a wild type individual along a biochemical pathway between glucose and sialic acid, inclusive. Also disclosed herein are vectors comprising a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a polypeptide having at least 80% sequence identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, recombinant cells comprising these vectors, and recombinant animals comprising the cells. In addition, methods of identifying a compound having therapeutic effect for HIBM are disclosed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel examination method for a cardiovascular disease. As means for achieving the object, provided is an examination method for a cardiovascular disease, the method including the steps of: measuring a concentration of cyclophilin A protein in a human blood sample; and determining a probability of development of a cardiovascular disease based on the measured concentration of cyclophilin A protein.

Methods and kits for diagnosing the presence of and prognosing the appearance of tissue remodelling-associated conditions, involving the presence of enzyme complexes in a biological sample, are disclosed. In particular, the method pertains to diagnosing the presence of or prognosing appearance of metastatic cancer by the identification of high molecular weight enzyme complexes comprising MMPs.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least three primary antibodies or fragments thereof, wherein the at least three antibodies or fragments thereof binds specifically to at least three different proteins, and wherein the at least three different proteins are AMCAR, CK 5/6, and HMWC. Methods for using the composition in diagnosis, prognosis, and assessing efficacy of treatment is further included as well as kits comprising said composition, and optionally, instructions of its use.

Devices and methods are provided for the detection of CSF in a biological sample. In certain embodiments the device is a lateral flow device comprising: a porous substrate; a sample addition zone disposed on or in said porous substrate; a detection zone disposed on or in said porous substrate where said detection zone comprises at least a first test line (T1) and a second test line (T2) each test line comprising binding moieties that bind a complex formed between beta-trace protein (betaTP) and an indicator attached to a betaTP binding molecule; wherein said porous substrate defines a flow path through which a sample applied to the sample addition zone flows under capillary action away from said sample addition zone into said detection zone.

Disclosed herein are methods of treating HIBM in a subject comprising identifying subject in need thereof; and administering to the subject a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, amide, glycol, peptidyl, or prodrug thereof, wherein the compound is a compound that is biosynthesized in a wild type individual along a biochemical pathway between glucose and sialic acid, inclusive. Also disclosed herein are vectors comprising a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a polypeptide having at least 80% sequence identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, recombinant cells comprising these vectors, and recombinant animals comprising the cells. In addition, methods of identifying a compound having therapeutic effect for HIBM are disclosed.

To provide a method for quickly and accurately evaluating a condition of skin dryness and a method for efficiently searching a substance to improve dry skin. A method for evaluating a condition of skin dryness, the method comprising measuring the expression levels of AGR2 and/or AGR3 in skin cells collected from subjects.

The present invention provides methods of negatively modulating the Werner protein (WRN) to inhibit proliferative cells characterized by high microsatellite instability (MSI-H), for example to treat proliferative diseases (such as cancer) characterized by high MSI (MSI-H). Further provided are compositions used in such methods.