The present disclosure relates to polypeptides (also referred to herein as CXCR4 binding molecules or polypeptides) that are directed against the G-coupled protein receptor CXCR4, also known as Fusin or CD184. The invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides; to methods for preparing such polypeptide; to compositions, and in particular to pharmaceutical compositions that comprise such polypeptides and to uses of such polypeptides for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

A method includes determining at least one characteristic about a stenosis in a vessel of a patient from image data of the stenosis, mapping the characteristic to a predefined stenosis characteristic to fractional flow reserve value look up table, identifying the fractional flow reserve value in the look up table corresponding to the characteristic, and visually presenting the image data and the identified fractional flow reserve value. A system includes memory storing a pre-defined stenosis characteristic to fractional flow reserve value look up table, a metric determiner (118) that maps at least one characteristic about a stenosis in a vessel of a patient, which is determined from image data of the stenosis, to a characteristic in the look up table and identifies a fractional flow reserve value corresponding to the characteristic, and a display (116) that visually presents the image data and the identified fractional flow reserve value.

The present invention provides markers and methods for determining whether a subject, particularly a human subject, has or is at risk of developing, a disease such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, NAFLD (Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) or NASH (Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis) (e.g., within the ensuing year, two years, and/or three years). The present application also relates to the use of such markers and methods for monitoring the status of such diseases in a subject or the effects of therapeutic agents on subjects with such diseases.

The present invention relates to the use of a CD24 protein for lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, treating and preventing atherosclerosis, and for reducing risk of cardiovascular disease.

The present invention provides a method for measuring the trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) production capacity in a subject, which comprises the following steps: (a) making the subject intake a specific dosage of carnitine; and (b) obtaining a body fluid sample of the subject at a specific time point after the subject ingests the carnitine and detecting the TMAO content in the body fluid sample. Different from the general technical detection on the market that only detects the gut microbiome composition, the invention can directly detect the ability of gut microbiota to produce TMAO in the human body. In addition, compared with directly detecting the concentration of TMAO in the blood, the invention gives a better predictive effect of gut microbiota functional phenotypes.

Disclosed are methods of, and assay and kits for, detecting and diagnosing methods of detecting, diagnosing, vulnerable carotid artery disease capable of becoming acutely symptomatic using the levels of Resolvin D1 (RvD1), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid (AA). Also disclosed are methods of treating carotid artery disease and methods of identifying agents for use in the treatment of carotid artery disease.

Provided is a method of selecting a stent for implantation in the circulatory system of a human being. The method comprises obtaining a blood sample from a patient who requires implantation of a stent and testing said blood sample to determine a platelet coagulability level. The determined platelet coagulability level of said blood sample is compared with a threshold level of blood platelet coagulability. A determined platelet coagulability level above said threshold level indicates that a risk of restenosis is relatively high. If the determined platelet coagulability level is below said threshold level, a bare metal stent is selected. If the determined platelet coagulability level is at or above said threshold level, a drug-eluting stent is selected.

A cardiovascular event or disease is prevented or treated in a subject by measuring the expression level of soluble Triggering Receptors Expressed on Myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) level in a sample from the subject and comparing it to a reference level. Based on this comparison, subjects that are at risk of having or developing a cardiovascular event or disease are identified, and administered a suitable therapy.

A novel therapy concept based on a removal of circulating BSP (bone sialoprotein) from the plasma of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or highly at risk of developing arterial and vascular calcifications. The method comprises method of treatment of extracellular tissue and vascular calcifications, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, and arterial calcification. The beneficial effects of this therapy have been proven by the observed correspondence between levels of circulating free BSP levels and mortality of CKD patients as well as in animal models.

A method for detecting anti-deoxyhypusine synthase autoantibody in a subject, wherein the method includes detecting, in a blood, serum, or plasma sample from a test subject with digestive system cancer, the amount of anti-deoxyhypusine synthase autoantibody, wherein the autoantibody is able to bind to a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.