Disclosed are compositions and methods for determining aberrant cardiac function or a predisposition to aberrant cardiac function, said method comprising detecting a fragment of βII spectrin associated with aberrant cardiac function or a predisposition to aberrant cardiac function in a sample derived from a subject, wherein the detection is indicative of aberrant cardiac function in the subject.

The invention pertains to the use of a specific biomarker of elastin degradation (desmosine) that measures the extent and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition to potentially serving as a screening procedure for COPD, it provides a real-time measure of COPD drug efficacy and may therefore supersede the use of less sensitive tests such as pulmonary function studies and computed tomography. Equally important, the current invention constitutes a marked improvement for measuring desmosine in tissues and body fluids by greatly shortening the time for detection of this molecule in liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) assays that are the gold standard for such measurements. Unlike previous methods, the invention allows for the use of LC-MS-MS without modification, so the method can be applied to any laboratory that uses this equipment for other measurements. This would include forensic facilities that need to determine if undiagnosed COPD played a role in the loss of life.

The invention provides methods of assessing unbound PCSK9 or effective PCSK9 activity in a subject based on the novel insights of the inventors that high levels of PCSK9 are bound to HDL in vivo and that this HDL can activate PCSK9 function. Specifically depleting HDL from a sample from a subject allows improved assessment of the level of unbound PCSK9. The invention provides such analytical methods, plus also associated methods of treatment and related kits.

Described herein are decellularized extracellular matrix for mechanically supporting engineered vascular grafts. Methods are provided for fabricating all-natural, non-immunogenic, strong products that do not rely on common plastic supports. Also provided are bench-top models of atherosclerosis. Embodiments provide completely inclusive models that contain all steps of atherosclerosis, including late-stage disease processes. Example models utilize tissue engineered blood vessels (TEBV); stages of atherosclerosis are induced for instance by application of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDLs) (early-stage), followed by macrophage introduction (early-stage), and induction of calcification using calcified protein particles (CPPs; late-stage). Also provided are kits useful to investigate disease processes and better patient treatment options, including new drug development.

Provided are novel human-derived antibodies specific for Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP), preferably capable of selectively inhibiting the enzymatic activity of FAP, as well as methods related thereto. In addition, methods of diagnosing and/or monitoring diseases and treatments thereof which are associated with FAP are provided. Assays and kits related to antibodies specific for FAP are also disclosed. The novel anti-FAP antibodies can be used in pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions for FAP-targeted immunotherapy and diagnostics.

The present invention pertains to a silkworm-type biotinylated CTLD14 or sRAGE and a method for manufacturing the same. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing biotinylated proteins, wherein the method includes A) a step for inserting a nucleic acid molecule for coding biotin ligase and protein in a coexpressable manner into a silkworm or a living organism that imparts sugar chains that are the same as the sugar chains of the silkworm, B) a step for causing the biotin ligase and protein to be expressed by disposing the silkworm or the living organism that imparts sugar chains that are the same as the sugar chains of the silkworm to conditions with which the nucleic acid molecule will carry out expression, and C) a step for administering biotin to the living organism and obtaining the biotinylated protein.

The invention relates to a method for predicting or diagnosing a risk of bioprosthetic valve degeneration. Further, the invention relates to a medical device, in particular a bioprosthetic valve coated with EPCR less prone to degeneration and/or calcification once implanted.

The present inventors have surprisingly found that a deoxyhypusine synthase (DHPS) gene, which was previously reported to correlate with prostate cancer and cervical cancer, is highly responsive to arteriosclerosis or digestive system cancer, whereby the gene can be used as a desired marker for arteriosclerosis or digestive system cancer. The present invention has been accomplished on the basis of this finding. Specifically, the present invention provides a method for determining arteriosclerosis or digestive system cancer, which method includes detecting expression of a deoxyhypusine synthase gene in a test sample (preferably a blood sample), and determining arteriosclerosis or digestive system cancer of a test subject from which the test sample has been obtained, on the basis of an increase in the gene expression as an index.

Cell surface Raman spectroscopy and a quantitative measure of cell surface integrin from monocytes isolated from peripheral blood provide a measure of active inflammation. Patients with elevated lipid profiles and inflammatory status are at high risk for plaque producing atherosclerosis and candidates for aggressive treatment and clinical follow-up.

Provided is a method of selecting a stent for implantation in the circulatory system of a human being. The method comprises obtaining a blood sample from a patient who requires implantation of a stent and testing said blood sample to determine a platelet coagulability level. The determined platelet coagulability level of said blood sample is compared with a threshold level of blood platelet coagulability. A determined platelet coagulability level above said threshold level indicates that a risk of restenosis is relatively high. If the determined platelet coagulability level is below said threshold level, a bare metal stent is selected. If the determined platelet coagulability level is at or above said threshold level, a drug-eluting stent is selected.