The present invention is directed to a method for identifying an individual who is at risk for developing metastatic liver disease that involves measuring, in a sample isolated from the individual, exosomal levels of one or more markers of metastatic liver disease. Kits for carrying out this method are also disclosed. The present invention also relates to a method of preventing metastatic liver disease in an individual who are at risk for developing the disease that involves administering one or more inhibitors of liver pre-metastatic niche formation.

The present invention provides methods and compositions for identifying leukemic stem cells.

Methods for treating chronic wounds with an amniotic fluid having a therapeutically effective amount of tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are described. The amniotic fluid can be obtained from a female donor during a period of gestation when the concentration of endogenous TIMPs are at or near their maximum level. The methods described herein are particularly useful for promoting wound healing in chronic wounds having elevated protease activity, such as increased amounts or specific activity of matrix metalloproteinases.

The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for identifying a subject at risk for traumatic brain injury. In particular, the instant disclosure is directed to identification of the levels of the proteins MMP-9 (Matrix Metallopeptidase 9), NSE (Neuron Specific Enolase) and VCAM-1 (Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1) in a subject sample, and correlation of these protein levels with the presence of intracranial injury. In certain embodiments, subject age, gender and hemoglobin level are also correlated with the presence of intracranial injury.

A method for assessing the ability of a chemical substance or of a chemical composition to prevent or to slow the appearance of signs of aging of the human skin or of the lips or even to eliminate the signs; the method including: —a step a) of bringing the chemical substance or the chemical composition into contact with fibroblast cells of the “young” human dermis taken from a culture medium at the passage R6; —a step b) of bringing senescent cells of fibroblasts of the human dermis into contact with the cells of “young” fibroblasts from step a); and—a step c) of measuring the senescence input of the cells of “young” fibroblasts and of comparing it with a reference value.

An in-vitro method for the prediction, prognosis and/or diagnosis of an inflammatory response associated with a condition or disease such as schizophrenia in a subject, the method comprising determining in a sample of a subject the level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3, preferably in combination with the level of least one biomarker wherein the at least one biomarker is selected from innate chemokine (IL-8) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9); and comparing the levels of said 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 and at least one biomarker to a control level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 and the at least one biomarker respectively in order to determine a positive or negative prediction, prognosis and/or diagnosis of said inflammatory response indicating an associated condition or disease, such as schizophrenia.

A nanoparticle activity sensor containing a reporter and at least one tuning domain that modifies a distribution or residence time of the activity sensor when administered to a patient. When administered to the patient, the activity sensor enters cells or tissue where it is cleaved by enzymes specific to a physiological state such as a disease to release a detectable analyte. The tuning domains include molecular structures that modulate distribution or decay by protecting the particle from premature cleavage and indiscriminate hydrolysis, shielding the particle from immune detection and clearance, or by targeting the particle to specific tissue, bodily fluids, or cell types.

Provided are methods of analysing markers of eosinophil levels and/or markers of neutrophil levels in a blood sample from a patient suffering from an exacerbation of inflammation of a respiratory condition to determine the levels of eosinophils and/or neutrophils respectively. The methods may involve selecting an appropriate treatment. Systems and kits for performing the analysis are also provided.

The present invention relates to an in vitro method for assessing cholangiocarcinoma in a patient sample, comprising the steps of: a) determining the level of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP1) in the patient sample, wherein the patient sample is selected from a group consisting of serum, plasma and whole blood sample from an individual, b) comparing the level of TIMP1 determined in step (a) with a reference level of TIMP1, and c) assessing cholangiocarcinoma in the patient sample by comparing the level determined in step (a) to the reference level of TIMP1, wherein an increased level of TIMP1 compared to the reference level of TIMP1 is indicative for cholangiocarcinoma in the patient sample. Further, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for assessing cholangiocarcinoma comprising TIMP1 and MMP2, the use of TIMP1 and optionally MMP2 in the in vitro assessment of CCA, and a kit for performing the said methods.

Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing whether a human subject has periodontitis. The method comprises detecting, in a sample of saliva from said subject, the concentrations of the proteins Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) and Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8). Based on the concentrations determined, and adding age, and possibly other demographic markers such as sex and/or BMI, a testing value reflecting the joint concentrations is determined for said proteins, in combination with one or more demographic markers. The testing value is compared with a threshold value. The threshold reflects in the same manner the joint concentrations and the age, and possibly other demographic markers, as associated with periodontitis and may be seen as an upper limit of testing values as seen in a population of subjects without periodontitis. Thereby a testing value at or above the threshold value is indicative for periodontitis in said subject.