Abstract:
A culture system for culturing a microaerophilic or an anaerobic microorganism is provided. The culture system can include effective amounts of i) an enzyme of an oxidoreductase family and ii) a substrate for said enzyme, a container, and a predetermined volume of aqueous medium that supports growth of said anaerobic or microaerophilic microorganism. The enzyme can be selected from a group consisting of ascorbic acid oxidase and laccase. The effective amounts are effective to deplete dissolved oxygen in the predetermined volume to a concentration that facilitates growth of a microaerophilic microorganism or an obligately-anaerobic microorganism. A method of using the system is also provided.
Abstract:
In some embodiments, a sensor device includes a first electrode and a second electrode, each of the first and second electrodes being electrically coupled to an electrical bridge. The electrical bridge includes a conductive polymer having a first impedance state and a second impedance, the second impedance state being different than the first impedance sate. The sensor device also includes a latent base.
Abstract:
A composition for reducing the inhibitory effects of contaminants on nucleic acid amplification is provided. The composition includes a plurality of zirconium oxide particles, a non-ionic surfactant, and an organic iron-chelating reagent. The organic iron-chelating reagent has a first affinity constant greater than or equal to 10 4.2 with respect to ferric iron and a second affinity constant less than 10 3.8 with respect to magnesium, wherein the first affinity constant and the second affinity constant are determined in deionized water at pH 8.45 and 20° C. Optionally, the composition includes polyvinylpyrrolidone. Optionally, the composition comprises water. The composition has a pH of about 8.45 to 8.85. Methods of using the composition to prepare a sample for nucleic acid amplification are also provided.
Abstract:
A method of making a flowable, agglomerated nutrient medium is provided. The method comprises forming a nutrient medium composition by placing a powdered nutrient into a fluidized bed-type agglomeration chamber, flowing a fluidizing gas through the chamber, and contacting in the agglomeration chamber the powdered nutrient with an aerosol spray of an agglomeration liquid; and collecting the composition from the chamber. The nutrient component facilitates the growth of a microorganism. The composition formed by the method comprises a population of agglomerated nutrient medium particles and, optionally, nonagglomerated powdered nutrient. The population comprises at least about 30 weight percent agglomerated nutrient particles having an effective particle diameter of about 250-400 microns. Compositions, thin film culture devices, and kits comprising the flowable, dried agglomerated nutrient medium are also provided.
Abstract:
A chlorinated 4'-alkylumbelliferyl α-D-glucopyranoside represented by the structural formula (I) One of R1 and R2 is Cl and the other is H. R3 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms. A method of assessing efficacy of a sterilization process including the same is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method of disinfecting a medical device comprises three steps. First, a disinfectant is contacted with a process indicator and the medical device. The disinfectant comprises at least one aldehyde. The process indicator contains a synthetic amine-containing compound disposed on a substrate. The synthetic amine-containing compound comprises at least one of primary amino groups or secondary amino groups, and is reactive with the disinfectant to form at least one adduct. The synthetic amine-containing compound and the medical device are in fluid communication through the disinfectant. A predetermined disinfectant exposure criterion exists for contacting the disinfectant with the medical device. Second, the process indicator is spectrally observed and at least one parameter is obtained therefrom that is predictive of the predetermined disinfectant exposure criterion. The third step is determining that the predetermined disinfectant exposure criterion has been achieved.
Abstract:
An assembly for processing a sample is provided. The assembly comprises a first body having a plurality of spaced-apart conduits and a second body having a plurality of chambers wherein each conduit is fluidically connected to a separate chamber. The assembly forms a plurality of liquid flow paths, each flow path comprising a conduit and a chamber. An analyte capture element is detachably attached to a conduit and is in fluidic communication with the liquid flow path of the conduit. Optionally, the assembly further may comprise a third body comprising a plurality of reservoirs. The assembly can be used to process a liquid sample for detecting an analyte.
Abstract:
An apparatus and an assembly for processing a sample are provided. The apparatus comprises a plurality of spaced-apart reservoirs, a plurality of channels, and a plurality of outlets, each outlet comprising an effluent discharge opening. The apparatus forms a plurality of flow paths, each flow path comprising a reservoir, a channel, and an outlet. An analyte capture element can be slideably engaged in a channel in a position where it is in fluid communication with the flow path. The apparatus with the analyte capture element disposed in the flow path can be used to process a liquid sample. A method of detecting an analyte in the liquid sample is also provided.
Abstract:
Stable compositions comprising a nucleic acid binding support material comprising a substrate with functional groups attached to the substrate; a lysing enzyme; a water dispersible matrix material; and a saccharide, methods of using the compositions, and products and devices which include the compositions are disclosed.
Abstract:
A sensor device includes a first electrode and a second electrode. Each of the first and second electrodes are electrically coupled to an electrical bridge. The electrical bridge includes a conductive polymer having a first impedance state and a second impedance state that is different than the first impedance sate. The electrical bridge includes metal or metal containing particles.