The present invention relates to the use of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D values in ratio with PTH as a prognostic biomarker. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for predicting or stratifying the risk of worsening renal function (WRF) in a patient at risk of renal injury or affected by renal injury. Levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH).sub.2D) are measured in a biological sample and taken together with parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels to provide a ratio indicative of the risk of worsening renal function.

Provided concerns a blood biomarker for discerning the cerebral deposition of amyloid beta, which is a causative material of Alzheimer's dementia. A marker according to the subject matter can conveniently and rapidly predictive of cerebral amyloid beta accumulation by use of a blood and can be effectively used in diagnosing relevant diseases including mild cognitive impairment at a preclinical level.

Provided concerns a blood biomarker for discerning the cerebral deposition of amyloid beta, which is a causative material of Alzheimer's dementia. A marker according to the subject matter can conveniently and rapidly predictive of cerebral amyloid beta accumulation by use of a blood and can be effectively used in diagnosing relevant diseases including mild cognitive impairment at a preclinical level.

The present application relates to methods of treating HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) and/or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) using endothelin-1 (ET-1) antagonists. The application further relates to a composition for the treatment of HIVAN and/or FSGS. A kit for detecting the presence of ET-1 or ET-1-associated biomarker in a biological sample is also disclosed.

The present application relates to methods of treating HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) and/or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) using endothelin-1 (ET-1) antagonists. The application further relates to a composition for the treatment of HIVAN and/or FSGS. A kit for detecting the presence of ET-1 or ET-1-associated biomarker in a biological sample is also disclosed.

Disclosed are a measurement method and a measurement reagent for thyroglobulin, which measurement method and measurement reagent enable more accurate measurement of the thyroglobulin level by a single test without being influenced by interference of anti-thyroglobulin antibody, and which measurement method and measurement reagent allow use of even an antibody less resistant to an acidifier and/or a surfactant in an immunoassay. A method of measuring, by an immunoassay, thyroglobulin in a sample separated from a living body includes a pretreatment step of mixing the sample separated from the living body with a pretreatment liquid containing an alkaline substance.

A measurement method and a measurement reagent for thyroglobulin, which enable measurement of a more accurate amount of thyroglobulin by a single test without being influenced by interference of anti-thyroglobulin antibody, are disclosed. The measurement method for thyroglobulin, wherein thyroglobulin in a sample separated from a body is measured by an immunoassay, includes a pretreatment step of mixing the sample separated from a body with a pretreatment liquid containing one or both of a surfactant and an acidifier. The reagent for immunoassay of thyroglobulin includes a pretreatment liquid containing one or both of a surfactant and an acidifier.

A measurement method and a measurement reagent for thyroglobulin, which enable measurement of a more accurate amount of thyroglobulin by a single test without being influenced by interference of anti-thyroglobulin antibody, are disclosed. The measurement method for thyroglobulin, wherein thyroglobulin in a sample separated from a body is measured by an immunoassay, includes a pretreatment step of mixing the sample separated from a body with a pretreatment liquid containing one or both of a surfactant and an acidifier. The reagent for immunoassay of thyroglobulin includes a pretreatment liquid containing one or both of a surfactant and an acidifier.

A testing device for locating parathyroid glands comprises a module for receiving an aspirated sample of fluid and tissue taken from a suspected parathyroid gland. The module contains a first membrane containing an anti-parathyroid antibody conjugated to nanoparticles for receiving the aspirated sample, resulting in the formation of a sample/conjugate mixture. That mixture flows across adjacent membranes to a test location containing anti-parathyroid and an indicator for parathormone. Presence of a sufficient quantity of parathormone in the conjugate of aspirated sample reaching the test line is evidenced by a readable change in the test line appearance.

A testing device for locating parathyroid glands comprises a module for receiving an aspirated sample of fluid and tissue taken from a suspected parathyroid gland. The module contains a first membrane containing an anti-parathyroid antibody conjugated to nanoparticles for receiving the aspirated sample, resulting in the formation of a sample/conjugate mixture. That mixture flows across adjacent membranes to a test location containing anti-parathyroid and an indicator for parathormone. Presence of a sufficient quantity of parathormone in the conjugate of aspirated sample reaching the test line is evidenced by a readable change in the test line appearance.