Antibiotics (Abx) are the worlds most misused drugs. Antibiotics misuse occurs when the drug is administered in case of a non-bacterial infection (such as a viral infection) for which it is ineffective. Overall, it is estimated that 40-70% of the worldwide Abx courses are mis-prescribed. The financial and health consequences of Abx over-prescription include the direct cost of the drugs, as well as the indirect costs of their side effects, which are estimated at >$15 billion annually. Furthermore, over-prescription directly causes the emergence of Abx-resistant strains of bacteria, which are recognized as one of the major threats to public health today. This generates an immediate need for reliable diagnostics to assist physicians in correct Abx prescription, especially at the point-of-care (POC) where most Abx are prescribed. Accordingly, some aspects of the present invention provide methods using biomarkers for rapidly detecting the source of infection and administrating the appropriate treatment.

High affinity antibodies capable of binding to a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) of anti-CD70 antibody, for example, the scFv expressed on cell surface as a portion of a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Also provided herein are methods for producing such anti-scFv antibodies and methods of using the antibodies disclosed herein for detecting, for example, T cells expressing an anti-CD70 CAR that comprise the scFv as an extracellular domain.

A method of measuring risk assessment in a patient with appendicitis is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) measuring the TRAIL protein level in a blood sample of the patient; and (b) providing a risk assessment based on the TRAIL protein level.

The invention is directed to a method of detecting a biological substance in the nasal secretion and diagnosing a disease following the detection of the biological substance wherein the biological substance is not related to a respiratory disease. The invention also provides treatment of the diseases following the detection of the biological substance and/or diagnosis of the disease. In some embodiments, the diseases are cancer, hepatitis, smell loss, taste loss, diabetes, and leprosy. The invention also provides a kit for diagnosing a disease. The present invention includes methods of analyzing samples from the nose for the detection of biological substances. In particular, nasal secretion or nasal mucus is collected and analyzed for biological substances. The results of this analysis are then suitable for use in diagnosis, prognosis, and determination of suitability of therapeutic interventions.

High affinity antibodies capable of binding to a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) of anti-CD70 antibody, for example, the scFv expressed on cell surface as a portion of a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Also provided herein are methods for producing such anti-scFv antibodies and methods of using the antibodies disclosed herein for detecting, for example, T cells expressing an anti-CD70 CAR that comprise the scFv as an extracellular domain.

The present invention relates to the newly identified MIC-1 binding receptor, GFRAL. In vitro bioassays, for testing affinity and potency of GFRAL ligand, such as MIC- or MIC-1 variants, are provided.

Provided is an isolated TrkB agonist antibody that binds to an epitope contained in one of the extracellular domains of TrkB and is capable of activating TrkB, wherein the extracellular domains comprises extracellular D1, D2, D3, D4, D5 domains and juxtamembrane domain of TrkB. Methods of using the TrkB agonist antibody in treating or reducing the risk of a TrkB associated conditions in a subject, wherein said condition is selected from cell differentiation, synaptic development, neural injury repairing and/or neurite branching.

A method of determining a management course for treating a subject showing symptoms of a disease is disclosed. The method comprises measuring the TRAIL protein level in a blood sample of the subject, wherein when the TRAIL level is above a predetermined amount, the subject is treated as a low-risk patient.

The present invention provides a method of measuring the levels of BCMA in a biological sample, specifically upon the B cell surface. The diagnostic assays are useful in predicting an individual's likelihood of developing or currently suffering from an autoimmune disease, such as SLE, and for methods for treating an individual clinically diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. This diagnostic test serves to predict a patient's likelihood to respond to a specific drug treatment, in particular treatment with BLyS antagonists, either singly or in combination with other immune suppressive drugs

The invention provides for a RANKL-specific antagonistic agent recognizing human platelet-expressed receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (pRANKL), for use in treating a cancer patient to prevent or reduce premetastatic lesions in blood.