The present invention relates to several biomarkers, including IL-1RA, IFN-? and GM-CSF, whose expressions at the mRNA level and at the protein level, correlate with chronic pathologies, such as Lyme disease, in particular the late chronic form of Lyme disease. More specifically, the invention provides methods and kits for the diagnosis of such chronic pathologies and for the assessment of a patient's response to a treatment, as well as methods and therapeutic agents for the treatment of such chronic pathologies.

A kit for determining whether a patient will develop severe dengue includes a binding partner for olfactomedin 4 and a binding partner for at least one member selected from the group consisting of dengue virus NS1 protein, platelet factor 4, and 2-macroglobulin. The kit may further include a label reagent capable of generating a detectable signal.

A method of obtaining a class of embryos having a higher implantation potential than from morphology selection alone by selecting from multiple embryos, obtained by fertilizing the plurality of oocytes, a class of embryos having a high implantation potential. The selection is determined from a level of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) present in the follicular fluid (FF) of each oocyte in the multiple oocytes.

The invention provides methods and systems for detecting a biomarker in a synovial fluid wherein the system also includes a control to ensure that the test sample is indeed synovial fluid. The biomarkers and the control for synovial fluid can be identified using proteomic methods, including but not limited to antibody based methods, such as an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA), a radioimmunoassay (RIA), or a lateral flow immunoassay.

Diagnostic screening tests that can be used to identify if a patient is a good candidates for an implantable vagus nerve stimulation device. One or more analyte, such as a cytokine or inflammatory molecule, can be measured from a blood sample taken prior to implantation of a vagus nerve stimulator to determine the patient's responsiveness to VNS for treatment of an inflammatory disorder.

A method is described to obtain a class of embryos having a higher implantation potential than from morphology selection alone by selecting from a plurality of embryos, obtained by fertilizing the plurality of oocytes, a class of embryos having a high implantation potential. The selection is determined from a level of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) present in the follicular fluid (FF) of each oocyte in the plurality of oocytes.

Provided are anti-GM-CSF antibodies or fragments thereof including humanized antibodies and fragments. Also provided are uses of the antibodies and fragments for therapeutic, diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Therapeutic uses of the antibodies and fragments, for example include the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and disorders.

Provided are anti-GM-CSF antibodies or fragments thereof including humanized antibodies and fragments. Also provided are uses of the antibodies and fragments for therapeutic, diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Therapeutic uses of the antibodies and fragments, for example include the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and disorders.

The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for the treatment and/or diagnosis of psoriasis. The invention includes a method for diagnosing psoriasis, comprising measuring a level or combination of levels of one or more of: IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, IL-13, IL-33, FGF-B, GMCSF, VEGF, IL-33, MCP-1, or IP-10, or combinations thereof, in a sample from a patient; comparing said measured level or combination of levels; and correlating said level or combination of levels with a manifestation of psoriasis within said patient. A medicinal composition comprising an herbal combination of Da Huang, Sheng Di Huang, and Jin Yin Hua for the treatment of psoriasis in a patient. A kit for diagnosing and/or prognosing psoriasis in a patient.

The invention provides methods and systems for detecting a biomarker in a synovial fluid wherein the system also includes a control to ensure that the test sample is indeed synovial fluid. The biomarkers and the control for synovial fluid can be identified using proteomic methods, including but not limited to antibody based methods, such as an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA), a radioimmunoassay (RIA), or a lateral flow immunoassay.