Some embodiments relate to nanoparticle probes for the detection of disease states in a patient or for tissue engineering. In some embodiments, the nanoparticle probe comprises one or more slip bonds that bind to a cell surface structure. In some embodiments, the binding of the nanoparticle probe is selective. In some embodiments, the nanoparticle probe binds to cells having a certain maximum glycocalyx thickness.

Diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment methods, compositions, and kits for enhancing insulin secretion and beta cell numbers and functions, and controlling glycemia associated with diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, stroke, myocardial infarction, and other cardiovascular diseases, by modulating FKN/CX3CR1 expression levels or activities, and its downstream signaling pathways in a subject in need or at risk.

Provided herein are peptides and variant peptides that exhibit enhanced activity at the GLP-1 receptor, as compared to native glucagon.

Methods are described for diagnosing or prognosing insulin resistance in diabetic and pre-diabetic patients, the method comprising determining the amount of insulin and C-peptide in a sample. Provided herein are mass spectrometric methods for detecting and quantifying insulin and C-peptide in a biological sample utilizing enrichment and/or purification methods coupled with tandem mass spectrometric or high resolution/high accuracy mass spectrometric techniques.

This disclosure provides systems and methods for mapping and/or measuring a mechanical property of a medium. The mechanical property can be measured by Brillouin spectroscopy. The systems and methods can include a three-dimensional imaging modality that is co-registered with a Brillouin probe beam of a Brillouin spectrometer. The three-dimensional imaging modality can be optical coherence tomography or Scheimpflug camera imaging.

The invention is based, in part, on the discovery that a polypeptide, referred to herein as Betacam, is selectively expressed on the surface of pancreatic islet cells. Thus, in one aspect, the invention is directed to compositions comprising Betacam or that can be used to detect Betacam. In another aspect, the invention provides methods of detecting (e.g., non-invasively) pancreatic beta cells from a mammalian cell source. Another aspect of the invention is directed to cellular purification of pancreatic beta cells from a heterogeneous cell source of multiple kinds. In another aspect, the invention provides methods of identifying agents that modulate activity of Betacam. In yet another aspect, the invention provides for improved treatment and diagnosis of diabetes.

The method describes rapid screening of whole blood samples, pin prick and blood spot cards, subjected to MALDI-ToF Mass spectrometry. The spectra is generated and compared to those from normal healthy controls. Characteristic spectra are indicative of the presence of a hemoglobinopathy and the method can be used to screen/diagnose all sickle cell diseases, alpha and beta Thalassemias.

Non-limiting embodiments of methodologies for preparing diagnostic assay(s) calibrator(s), calibration material(s), and/or control(s), as well as kits, devices, and method(s) of calibration related thereto.

Therapeutic compositions comprising one or more agents that inhibit CXXC5-DVL interface, and methods of administering those therapeutic compositions to model, treat, reduce resistance to treatment, prevent, and diagnose a condition/disease associated with a metabolic disease or a related clinical condition thereof, are disclosed.

Provided are a novel internal standard useful in the measurement of androgens, a method capable of measuring the androgen in a highly selective and highly sensitive (accurate) manner using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry with simplified pretreatments, and a method for diagnosis of a disease using the androgen measurement method. The novel stable isotope-labeled compound is synthesized by performing reduction reaction in a specific solvent. An androgen is measured using this novel stable isotope-labeled compound as an IS.