Methods and corresponding apparatus and systems for assessing cellular metabolic activity are disclosed. In one aspect, a cell can be illuminated with optical radiation in order to cause multi-photon excitation of at least one endogenous metabolic cofactor in that cell and cause the excited metabolic cofactor to emit fluorescent radiation. A detector can be used to detect the fluorescent radiation emitted by the excited endogenous metabolic cofactor. A computer processor can analyze the fluorescent radiation to derive the following parameters: (1) using a computer processor to analyze the intensity of the fluorescent radiation, (2) a fluorescence lifetime of at least one of the excited metabolic cofactor, (3) a parameter indicative of mitochondrial clustering in said cell. These parameters can be used to assess at least one metabolic process of the cell.

Method of utilizing ezetimibe-glucuronide (EZE-Gluc) as a diagnostic biomarker for a hepatic disorder is described herein. Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease, affecting 25% people worldwide and 64 million people in the United States. The initial stage of NAFLD is simple steatosis, which is characterized by microvesicular fat deposition. Approximately 10% of patients with steatosis progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which has significant clinical implications. At present, a liver biopsy is the only definitive way of diagnosing patients with NASH. Therefore, an alternate method of delineating NASH patients from those with steatosis is needed. EZE-Gluc can provide a non-invasive, specific, and selective way of identifying patients with NASH.

Methods of using isotopic biomarkers in determining the efficacy of a treatment for an organic acidemia in a subject are disclosed herein. Methods of using isotopic biomarkers in determining the efficacy of a liver-directed treatment for an organic acidemia in a subject are likewise disclosed herein.

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for generating a reproductive hormone profile of a subject. A method for generating a reproductive hormone profile of a subject may comprise (a) obtaining a hair sample of the subject; (b) processing the hair sample to generate data indicative of a presence of a reproductive hormone in the hair sample; and (c) processing at least some of the data of (b) using a reproductive hormone classifier to generate the reproductive hormone of the subject. The present disclosure also provides compositions and kits for performing methods described herein or using the systems described herein.

The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions for detecting mitochondrial dysfunction. In particular, the disclosure relates to reporter molecules that are cleavable by the zinc metalloprotease Metalloendopeptidase OMA1 (OMA1). In each embodiment, the reporter molecules of the invention are particularly useful for drug discovery and detection of diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.

Compositions and methods for determining post-transfusion survival or toxicity of red blood cells and the suitability of red blood cell units for transfusion by measuring the levels of one or more markers in a red blood cell sample are provided.

Models useful in determining whether fibroblast growth factor 19 variant polypeptides having glucose-lowering activity and/or anti-obesity activity also exhibit favorable oncology-related profiles, and methods and uses associated therewith. Also provided are methods of antagonizing the oncogenic activity of FGF19 in a subject and, in certain embodiments, methods of preventing or treating a disease, disorder or condition, such as a FGF19-dependent disease, disorder or condition, or a symptom thereof.

Compositions and methods for determining post-transfusion survival or toxicity of red blood cells and the suitability of red blood cell units for transfusion by measuring the levels of one or more markers in a red blood cell sample are provided.

Systems, techniques and methods for estimating the metabolic state or flux, e.g., the body energy state (BES) of a patient, are disclosed. The BES provides a deep insight into the nutritional needs of the patient, thus allowing for a sort of exquisite glycemic control with regard to the patient. The invention discloses systems and methods for estimating fractional gluconeogenesis. The invention also discloses systems and methods for estimating and targeting patient blood lactate concentration, both as a target itself and as an intermediate step to estimating and targeting patient fractional gluconeogenesis glucose production. Nutritional support methods and formulations are also disclosed. The invention is suitable for any sort of patient, including those who are injured, such as with traumatic brain injury, ill, or have other conditions that stress the metabolic system.

Compositions and methods for determining post-transfusion survival or toxicity of red blood cells and the suitability of red blood cell units for transfusion by measuring the levels of one or more markers in a red blood cell sample are provided.