Methods for determining whether certain compounds, in particular crystals, are present in a sample of a biological fluid that indicates an individual has a particular disease or condition, such as but not limited to gout, pseudogout or urinary tract stones. In some embodiments, the methods include the steps of digestion and filtration of a sample of synovial fluid in order to isolate, if present, monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU), calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD), or calcium phosphate crystals from the sample, wherein the filtrate is analyzed with a Raman device to ascertain the presence and type of the crystals. Devices for performing steps of the method are disclosed.

The present disclosure is directed to a kit and methods for using the same. The kit includes a plate including at least one well, wherein the well includes a silver nitrate and a catalyst. The method includes providing a sample of synovial fluid to a well of a plate, wherein the well includes a silver nitrate and a catalyst and determining a presence of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals, wherein the presence of MSU crystals indicates that gout is detected in the sample.

Antibodies against citrullinated protein antigens (ACPA) have shown their relevance for the diagnosis and possibly pathogenesis in arthritis. Described are means and methods for determining antibodies against homocitrulline-containing proteins or carbamylated proteins/peptides (anti-CarP) for the classification of individuals suffering from, or at risk of suffering from, arthritis.

Antibodies against citrullinated protein antigens (ACPA) have shown their relevance for the diagnosis and possibly pathogenesis in arthritis. Described are means and methods for determining antibodies against homocitrulline-containing proteins or carbamylated proteins/peptides (anti-CarP) for the classification of individuals suffering from, or at risk of suffering from, arthritis.

Provided are a uricase activator and a uricase activation method which are capable of highly activating uricase. Also provided are a uric acid measurement reagent and a uric acid measurement method which have a wide measurable concentration range. Further provided are a uricase activator comprising hydroxyisourate hydrolase, and a uric acid measurement reagent for use in measuring a uric acid concentration in a sample collected from a living body, comprising uricase and hydroxyisourate.

To specify a molecule associated with the onset of gout so as to provide a method for evaluating a diathesis of uric acid-related diseases and a diathesis of inflammation-related diseases, an evaluation kit for carrying out the method, an inspection object, and a drug, on the basis of the molecule specified above, for contributing to the early treatment and prevention of the uric acid-related diseases and inflammation-related diseases. The molecule includes any one protein and cDNA of CNIH2-PACS1, ALDH2, MYL2-CUX2, GCKR, MAP3K11, NPT4, ABCG2, HIST1H2BF/HIST1H4E, HIST1H2BE/HIST1H4D and FAM35A, or proteins of combination thereof with GLUT9, NPT1, URAT1, or NXRN2, and is capable of selectively inducing gout. A molecule includes protein and cDNA of an ABCG2 variant and is capable of selectively and ATP-dependently decreasing urate excretion.

Methods and kits for predicting infusion reaction risk and antibody-mediated loss of response during intravenous PEGylated uricase therapy in gout patients is provided. Routine SUA monitoring can be used to identify patients receiving PEGylated uricase who may no longer benefit from treatment and who are at greater risk for infusion reactions.

Methods and kits for predicting infusion reaction risk and antibody-mediated loss of response during intravenous PEGylated uricase therapy in gout patients is provided. Routine SUA monitoring can be used to identify patients receiving PEGylated uricase who may no longer benefit from treatment and who are at greater risk for infusion reactions.

Methods and kits for predicting infusion reaction risk and antibody-mediated loss of response during intravenous PEGylated uricase therapy in gout patients is provided. Routine SUA monitoring can be used to identify patients receiving PEGylated uricase who may no longer benefit from treatment and who are at greater risk for infusion reactions.

Antibodies against citrullinated protein antigens (ACPA) have shown their relevance for the diagnosis and possibly pathogenesis in arthritis. Described are means and methods for determining antibodies against homocitrulline-containing proteins or carbamylated proteins/peptides (anti-CarP) for the classification of individuals suffering from, or at risk of suffering from, arthritis.