Methods, systems and kits for the early diagnosis or prediction of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) including sepsis in asymptomatic patients, such as patients undergoing a surgical intervention, are provided. Some embodiments include a method and system for the detection or diagnosis of SIRS, or detection or diagnosis of a risk to suffer from or develop SIRS, in an asymptomatic patient comprising the steps of determining the level of IL-6 (or a variant thereof) in a sample from the patient; comparing the level of IL-6 (or a variant thereof) to a reference level; detecting or diagnosing SIRS or diagnosing a risk to suffer from or develop SIRS, wherein the sample is isolated at least 2 times at short intervals and the determining and comparing steps are both repeated for each sample. Also provided are methods, systems and kits for therapy monitoring and mortality prediction.

The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing a recent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The method is based on the determination of the at least one marker selected from the group consisting of a cardiac Troponin, NT-proBNP (N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide), hsCRP, IL-6 (Interleukin-6) and IGFBP7 (Insulin like growth factor binding protein 7) in a sample from the subject, and on the comparison of the, thus, determined amount(s) with a reference amount (reference amounts). Further, the present invention relates to a method for identifying a subject being treatable with anticoagulation therapy. Further envisaged are systems, reagents and kits used in performing the methods disclosed herein.

Methods of categorisation of schizophrenia sufferers into subtypes based on changes in brain morphology, together with associated blood biomarkers are provided. The methods allow for more accurate treatment and diagnosis of schizophrenia.

A biosensor for monitoring surface binding events is disclosed. The biosensor comprises an array of nanoparticles and an analyte responsive polymer. The array of nanoparticles includes a plurality of nanoparticles distributed across the nanoparticle array. The analyte responsive polymer includes a recognition element at a first end of the polymer and a terminus at a second end of the polymer distal from the recognition element, the terminus end being conjugated to the nanoparticles in the array. When the recognition element reacts with an analyte, the analyte responsive polymer creates an electrochemical signal at the surface of the nanoparticle array which can be measured to monitor surface events of the analyte responsive polymer.

A method of diagnosis and treatment of primary biliary cholangitis is provided. Additionally, a pharmaceutical composition and a solid dosage form for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis, containing ursodeoxycholic and obeticholic acids, are provided. The technical contribution resides in obtaining a new all-purpose pharmaceutical composition and solid dosage form for the treatment of PBC, which includes both ursodeoxycholic and obeticholic acids, which is effective in use at all stages of PBC and has a complex mechanism of action. In particular, simultaneous blockage of the transport and synthesis of bile acids is achieved.

In one aspect, a system for detecting inflammation is disclosed, which includes at least one sensor comprising at least one port for receiving a biological sample, and at least one electrochemical cell in fluid communication with said at least one port for receiving said biological sample, said electrochemical cell comprising at least two electrically conductive electrodes, where at least one of said electrodes is functionalized with at least one probe exhibiting specific binding to at least one inflammation biomarker. The system may further include a circuitry for detecting a redox current flowing through said at least one electrode and/or an electrical impedance across said electrodes in response to interaction of the functionalized electrode with the sample, and generating signals in response to said detection. By way of example, the biological sample can be a subject's blood serum.

The present invention discloses a pencil-like optical fiber sensor probe, including an inner tube, a light screening casing, a clamping device, an optical fiber and an optical probe; a portable immunosensor, including the pencil-like optical fiber sensor probe, an immersion immune response reagent strip, a touch-screen computer, a compact battery-powered sensitive photon counting detector and a case; and a use of the immunosens in detecting inflammatory markers. The design of the pencil-like optical sensor probe greatly simplifies the immune analysis process by combining the immersion immune response reagent strip. Each optical probe allows for up to 10 immunoassays, which reduces the experimental cost and avoids frequent replacement of the probe. The integrated detecting system is powered by battery which is suitable for in-situ analysis and detection. The sensor also has a high stability and sensitivity.

A method for predicting sepsis or diagnosing systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and/or sepsis in a subject comprises determining levels of at least three markers selected from CCL23, A1AT, CRP, sICAM, PLA2, IL-6, procalcitonin, MMP8, TNFalpha, AcPGP, enzymatic MMP activity, TIMP1, sRAGE and desmosine in a sample taken from the subject. The combined levels of the at least three markers are used to predict or diagnose SIRS and/or sepsis. The methods may be performed on a subject with SIRS and which is used to identify an infection in the subject. A preferred panel of markers includes CCL23, A1AT, sICAM, sICAM/VCAM-1 and CRP. Corresponding products, methods of treatment and medical uses are provided.

A method for quantifying a plurality of target molecules in a sample may include releasing a target molecule from a non-covalent bond of a conjugate by using a fusion molecule. A kit may include a detection conjugate, a release reagent, nucleic acid amplification agents, and an amplification detection probe. A device may be designed to perform the methods.

Methods and compositions related to the selective, specific disruption of multiple ligand-receptor signaling interactions, such as ligand-receptor interactions implicated in disease, are disclosed. These interactions may involve multiple cytokines in a single receptor family or multiple ligand receptor interactions from at least two distinct ligand-receptor families. The compositions may comprise polypeptides having composite sequences that comprise sequence fragments of two or more ligand binding sites. The methods and compositions may involve sequence fragments of two or more ligand binding sites that are arranged to conserve the secondary structure of each of the ligands from which the sequence fragments were taken.