Abstract: Reference microorganisms are sealed into an interior cavity of a microporous membrane (14, 20). In one embodiment, the reference microbes are inoculated on a element (12) which is sealed in a microporous envelope (14) (FIG. 1). In another embodiment, the reference microbes (22) are loaded into an interior bore or cavity of a microporous plastic tube or envelope (20) (FIG. 3). The microporous membrane and the reference microbes, such as spores, are immersed concurrently with items to be microbially decontaminated separately into an anti-microbial fluid. The microporous membrane is constructed of a material which is sufficiently resistant to temperature, water, strong oxidants, and other anti-microbial agents or processes used for microbial decontamination or sterilization that it retains its integrity during the immersion in any common steam, gas, or liquid microbial decontamination or sterilization fluid or system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional cell culture system which can be used to culture a variety of different cells and tissues in vitro for prolonged periods of time. In accordance with the invention, cells derived from a desired tissue are inoculated and grown on a pre-established stromal support matrix. The stromal support matrix comprises stromal cells, such as fibroblasts actively growing on a three-dimensional matrix. Stromal cells may also include other cells found in loose connective tissue such as endothelial cells, macrophages/monocytes, adipocytes, pericytes, reticular cells found in bone marrow stroma, etc. The stromal matrix provides the support, growth factors, and regulatory factors necessary to sustain long-term active proliferation of cells in culture. When grown in this three-dimensional system, the proliferating cells mature and segregate properly to form components of adult tissues analogous to counterparts found in vivo.

Abstract: This invention relates to a module (1) for culturing and using metabolisms for maintaining microorganisms (9), particularly for cells or bacteria, comprising an outer casing (2), at least three independent membrane systems, whereof at least two are constructed as hollow fiber membranes (3) and are located in the inner space (4) of the module (1), and that the hollow fiber membranes (3) form a close packed, space network (5) and microorganisms (9) are located in the cavities of the network (5) and/or adhere to the hollow fiber membranes (3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional cell culture system which can be used to culture a variety of different cells and tissues in vitro for prolonged periods of time. In accordance with the invention, cells derived from a desired tissue are inoculated and grown on a pre-established stromal support matrix. The stromal support matrix comprises stromal cells, such as fibroblasts actively growing on a three-dimensional matrix. Stromal cells may also include other cells found in loose connective tissue such as endothelial cells, macrophages/monocytes, adipocytes, pericytes, reticular cells found in bone marrow stroma, etc. The stromal matrix provides the support, growth factors, and regulatory factors necessary to sustain long-term active proliferation of cells in culture. When grown in this three-dimensional system, the proliferating cells mature and segregate properly to form components of adult tissues analogous to counterparts found in vivo.

Abstract: The invention is a flow-through bioreactor for the retention and culture of cells in perfused media. The bioreactor is a generally rectangular vessel with inlet and outlet ports in the lid allowing for media flow along the longitudinal axis of the vessel. The inner surface of the bottom wall of the bioreactor has a plurality of generally rectangular grooves having a length, a depth, and a width. The grooves are positioned in the bottom wall such that their length is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vessel, allowing media flow across the width of the grooves. Cells settle into the grooves, where they proliferate and differentiate, without entering the bulk flow of media through the vessel, thus avoiding loss of cells due to media flow. The preferred grooves have a width to depth ratio of about 1:1 or 2:1. The preferred width of the grooves is about 50 .mu.m to about 5,000 .mu.m, and the preferred depth is about 50 .mu.m to about 5,000 .mu.m.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional cell culture system which can be used to culture a variety of different cells and tissues in vitro for prolonged periods of time. In accordance with the invention, cells derived from a desired tissue are inoculated and grown on a pre-established stromal support matrix. The stromal support matrix comprises stromal cells, such as fibroblasts actively growing on a three-dimensional matrix. Stromal cells may also include other cells found in loose connective tissue such as endothelial cells, macrophages/monocytes, adipocytes, pericytes, reticular cells found in bone marrow stroma, etc. The stromal matrix provides the support, growth factors, and regulatory factors necessary to sustain long-term active proliferation of cells in culture. When grown in this three-dimensional system, the proliferating cells mature and segregate properly to form components of adult tissues analogous to counterparts found in vivo.

Abstract: A method for continuously preparing a sterile culture medium comprises combining separate unsterilized fluid components in separate streams into a single mainstream. The mainstream is applied to a transverse flow filtration module having a membrane which separates the mainstream into a permeate and a retentate. The permeate is fed to a bioreactor and the retentate is diverted to a centrifuge to precipitate contaminants. The clarified retentate is returned into the mainstream upstream of the transverse flow filtration module.

Abstract: A fixative-stain system, which gives superior preservation of nuclear detail, is free from toxic mercury compounds, and which is simple and easy to use, includes a zinc salt and a cobalt salt, in combination, as a fixative, and at least one of Chlorazol Black E, Fast Green FCF and May-Grunwald stains, and preferably the three in admixture, as a staining composition. The fixative may also be used alone. The present fixative-stain system is suitable for fixing and staining all types of parasites such as enteric and other parasites which infect animals and humans.

Abstract: A method for controlling and/or optimising a process in which a biological system comprising mixed cultures of microorganisms, biodegradable material, one or more biogenic fluorophores and optionally other soluble and/or insoluble and/or suspended substances in an aqueous environment is subjected to one or several separation processes and/or to chemical reactions and/or to biological treatment so as to obtain as a final product purified water which has a substantially lower content of biodegradable matter than the biological system, which method comprises monitoring the microbiological activity of the biological system and/or fluctuations thereof by on-line measurement of fluorescent emission and/or variations therein for at least one of the fluorophores in the system when irradiated with light and controlling one or several parameters of the process by using results from the measurement as measured variable(s) in an on-line automatisation system.

Abstract: A hand-held portable sampler uses a vacuum to induce the flow of air into an air chamber and around a deflector plate mounted substantially transverse to the overall airflow pattern and with edges thereof close to the surface of nutrient material contained in culture containers between opposite sides of the enclosure and the deflector plate to define a constricted air passage. Particulates in the air are caused to impact the surface of nutrient material contained in culture containers as air is deflected through the constricted area. The venturi effect of the constricted area causes turbulence downstream to continue the process of impacting particulates in the nutrient material downstream from the constricted area of the air deflector.

Abstract: Biological indicators are provided for use in validating and routinely monitoring oxidizing gas sterilizations. The biological indicators are based on Bacillus circulans spores that are enclosed in packages with sufficient permeability to admit a sterilizing amount of vapor while being substantially bacteria impermeable.

Abstract: An automatic test apparatus for use in a test method to determine antimicrobial drugs. The test apparatus comprises a first aluminum, electrically heatable block with holes for the insertion of test containers and a separate, second cooling aluminum block adapted to be placed periodically in contact with the heated aluminum block to cool rapidly the heated block. The test apparatus includes timed signals existing therein to alert the test user. The test apparatus is adapted to provide for the timed sequential solid heating and cooling of one or more test containers containing a test sample.

Abstract: An assay useful for detecting the propensity of patients for thrombotic disease, especially patients having the lupus anticoagulant or antiphospholipid antibodies, is described. The assay is conducted on patient and control plasma in the presence and absence of exogenous Protein C with a membrane source comprising phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine. Patients at risk exhibit test results indicating activated Protein C function is inhibited.

Abstract: A method of speciating and identifying MAI in a specimen comprises placing a paraffin coated slide in a receptacle containing a sterile aqueous solution inoculated with the specimen, analyzing the slide after exposure to the specimen to determine the presence or absence of atypical Mycobacteria, and after the analysis step, if atypical Mycobacteria are determined to be present, performing at least one speciation assay to ascertain if the atypical Mycobacteria are MAI. A related apparatus is also disclosed for speciating and identifying MAI in a specimen comprising a paraffin-wax coated slide, a tube having a sterile aqueous solution contained therein, the tube adapted to hold the slide, and at least one speciation assay means for performing an assay to determine the presence or absence of MAI in the specimen after the specimen is introduced into the tube holding the solution and the slide.

Abstract: A sphere or globe of two hemispheric parts detachably secured together. One of the parts has a loading/unloading hole, and a cap snap-fitted in the hole to close it. Each part, except for the cap, is a one-piece molded article, and the cap is a one-piece molded article. The parts have ribs for strengthening and providing limited stability against rolling. The sphere can be rolled for stirring the contents therein, and for moving it to different locations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and media for the isolation and presumptive identification of various bacteria. In particular, the organisms commonly associated with urinary tract infections are distinguished based on their colonial morphology and color.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to products and processes used to determine the presence of microbes in a sample and particularly relates to a conditioned culture medium which may be used in products and processes to allow early detection and enumeration of such microbes. The conditioned culture medium preferably is a filtered broth made by inoculating viable microbes with gelatin, casein or animal peptones as well as lactose, sodium chloride, bile salts, guar gum and an indicator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a living skin replacement. In particular, it relates to a biosynthetic dressing material composed of a living stromal tissue prepared from stromal cells such as fibroblasts cultured upon a three-dimensional framework and a transitional covering which acts as an epidermal replacement. Such a living skin replacement provides long-term biologic coverage of full-thickness wound defects. Since human fibroblasts are known to be relatively non-antigenic when transferred to allogeneic hosts, a temporary living skin replacement made up of such cells attached to a transitional covering may replace the use of cadaveric skin allografts for achieving temporary wound closure in cases where the patients lack enough healthy skin for autografts.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method to determine susceptibility to antimicrobial agents of a majority of clinically significant Gram positive organisms. This invention also relates to a mixture of fluorogenic substrates used to detect the growth of Gram positive bacteria.

Abstract: A compost chamber includes a substantially cylindrical casing extending from a first cap closing an inlet end thereof to a second cap closing an outlet end thereof, the caps having a door therein for receiving and removing compost materials therethrough, respectively. The casing is pleated in a continuous spiral about a longitudinal axis thereof substantially from the inlet end to the outlet end. Thus, the casing is collapsible and expandible by folding and unfolding, respectively, of at least one of the pleats. Furthermore, when the casing is rotated about its longitudinal axis, the compost materials contained therein are transferred from the inlet end toward the outlet end.