Abstract: Disclosed is a device and methods for the rapid chemiluminescence assay of surfaces to detect the presence of microbial contamination. The device and methods are suitable for use by untrained personnel under the relatively harsh and variable conditions found in the field, for example in fast food restaurants and other food preparation areas. The chemiluminescence reaction that is the source of the analytical signal in the disclosed assay device and method is preferably based on a luciferase/luciferin system.

Abstract: A sample plate for mass spectrometric analysis of a specimen is provided comprising a substrate having an electrically conductive surface, a mask applied to the electrically conductive surface. The mask is applied to the substrate with a rough surface to form at least one sample site. The sample site comprises a central portion formed from the electrically conductive surface and a marginal portion formed from the mask where the marginal portion is more hydrophobic than the central portion.

Abstract: A method of scanning a sample plate surface mask in an area adjacent to a conductive area using mass spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a sample plate including a mask applied with a rough surface to the electrically conductive surface to produce a sample site comprising a central portion formed from the electrically conductive surface and a marginal portion of the mask, preparing an analyte comprising mixing a biomolecule with an organic solvent, an aqueous solution, and a matrix selected from the group of &agr;-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid and 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxycinnamic acid; applying the analyte to the sample site; forming at least one crystal of the analyte in an area on the mask adjacent to the conductive area, and scanning the area on the mask adjacent to the conductive area with a laser beam.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the chemiluminescent assay of a variety of analytes of interest. The methods are adaptable to the determination of microbial species in both liquid samples and on solid surfaces. The disclosed methods can be used with rapid, self-contained chemiluminescence assay devices, or can be used with novel sampling devices and conventional microbial analysis techniques involving growth of microbial samples on appropriate culturing media. The specificity of the methods can be enhanced with the use of immunospecific reagents. The sensitivity of the technique can be increased by 3 to 6 orders of magnitude by first converting all DNA in the sample to inorganic phosphates before generating the emission signal. The breadth of applicability of the disclosed methods can be enhanced through the selection of appropriate enzyme-catalyzed reactions where one of the products of enzymatic oxidation is hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device and methods for the rapid chemiluminescence assay of surfaces to detect the presence of microbial contamination. The device and methods are suitable for use by untrained personnel under the relatively harsh and variable conditions found in the field, for example in fast food restaurants and other food preparation areas. The chemiluminescence reaction that is the source of the analytical signal in the disclosed assay device and method is preferably based on a luciferase/luciferin system. The method for sampling disclosed herein comprises the steps of pre-wetting the sampling swab to a level below that of absorptive saturation; wiping a surface to be sampled with the swab with sufficient pressure to expel the wetting solution onto the surface; and, after reducing the pressure exerted on the sampling swab, further wiping the surface-to re-absorb the moisture from the surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device and methods for the rapid chemiluminescence assay of surfaces to detect the presence of microbial contamination. The device and methods are suitable for use by untrained personnel under the relatively harsh and variable conditions found in the field, for example in fast food restaurants and other food preparation areas. The chemiluminescence reaction that is the source of the analytical signal in the disclosed assay device and method is preferably based on a luciferase/luciferin system. The method for sampling disclosed herein comprises the steps of pre-wetting the sampling swab to a level below that of absorptive saturation; wiping a surface to be sampled with the swab with sufficient pressure to expel the wetting solution onto the surface; and, after reducing the pressure exerted on the sampling swab, further wiping the surface-to re-absorb the moisture from the surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device and methods for the rapid chemiluminescence assay of surfaces to detect the presence of microbial contamination. The device and methods are suitable for use by untrained personnel under the relatively harsh and variable conditions found in the field, for example in fast food restaurants and other food preparation areas. The chemiluminescence reaction that is the source of the analytical signal in the disclosed assay device and method is preferably based on a luciferase/luciferin system. The method for sampling disclosed herein comprises the steps of pre-wetting the sampling swab to a level below that of absorptive saturation; wiping a surface to be sampled with the swab with sufficient pressure to expel the wetting solution onto the surface; and, after reducing the pressure exerted on the sampling swab, further wiping the surface to re-absorb the moisture from the surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device and methods for the rapid chemiluminescence assay of surfaces to detect the presence of microbial contamination. The device and methods are suitable for use by untrained personnel under the relatively harsh and variable conditions found in the field, for example in fast food restaurants and other food preparation areas. The chemiluminescence reaction that is the source of the analytical signal in the disclosed assay device and method is preferably based on a luciferase/luciferin system. The method for sampling disclosed herein comprises the steps of pre-wetting the sampling swab to a level below that of absorptive saturation; wiping a surface to be sampled with the swab with sufficient pressure to expel the wetting solution onto the surface; and, after reducing the pressure exerted on the sampling swab, further wiping the surface to re-absorb the moisture from the surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method to detect the presence of potentially inhibitory species that could interfere with a chemiluminescent assay procedure for determination of an analyte of interest. According to the disclosed method, a surface to be analyzed for the presence of an analyte of interest is first sampled by wiping the surface with a polymeric sampling swab. The sample thus obtain is mixed with a known amount of the analyte of interest and the chemiluminescence generated by a reaction with a suitable reactant system is measured. The resultant emission level is then compared with the expected level of emission based on the known amount of the analyte of interest mixed with the sample. If the emission level is below that expected based on the known amount of analyte, then the sampled surface is contaminated with inhibitory species.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a polymeric sampling swab for obtaining samples of an analyte of interest from solid surfaces or from liquid substances. The polymeric material of which the swab is composed is characterized by a high resistance to chemical and mechanical degradation. The sampling swab of the present invention is further characterized by a high internal void volume and a high absorptive capacity for fluids. The swab of the present invention is particularly suited for obtaining samples for use in chemiluminescent assays for, among other analytes of interest, microbial contamination. Also disclosed is a polymeric disc for loading with reagent mixtures suitable for use in bioluminescent assay procedures. The reagent disc of the invention is characterized by high resistance to chemical and mechanical degradation. In addition, the disc has a high void volume and high absorptive capacity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method to detect the presence of potentially inhibitory species that could interfere with a chemiluminescent assay procedure for determination of an analyte of interest. According to the disclosed method, a surface to be analyzed for the presence of an analyte of interest is first sampled by wiping the surface with a polymeric sampling swab. The sample thus obtain is mixed with a known amount of the analyte of interest and the chemiluminescence generated by a reaction with a suitable reactant system is measured. The resultant emission level is then compared with the expected level of emission based on the known amount of the analyte of interest mixed with the sample. If the emission level is below that expected based on the known amount of analyte, then the sampled surface is contaminated with inhibitory species.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device and methods for the rapid chemiluminescence assay of surfaces to detect the presence of microbial contamination. The device and methods are suitable for use by untrained personnel under the relatively harsh and variable conditions found in the field, for example in fast food restaurants and other food preparation areas. The chemiluminescence reaction that is the source of the analytical signal in the disclosed assay device and method is preferably based on a luciferase/luciferin system. The method for sampling disclosed herein comprises the steps of pre-wetting the sampling swab to a level below that of absorptive saturation; wiping a surface to be sampled with the swab with sufficient pressure to expel the wetting solution onto the surface; and, after reducing the pressure exerted on the sampling swab, further wiping the surface to re-absorb the moisture from the surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the chemiluminescent assay of a variety of analytes of interest. The methods are adaptable to the determination of microbial species in both liquid samples and on solid surfaces. The disclosed methods can be used with rapid, self-contained chemiluminescence assay devices, or can be used with novel sampling devices and conventional microbial analysis techniques involving growth of microbial samples on appropriate culturing media. The specificity of the methods can be enhanced with the use of immunospecific reagents. The sensitivity of the technique can be increased by 3 to 6 orders of magnitude by first converting all DNA in the sample to inorganic phosphates before generating the emission signal. The breadth of applicability of the disclosed methods can be enhanced through the selection of appropriate enzyme-catalyzed reactions where one of the products of enzymatic oxidation is hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for significantly enhancing the luciferase activity in a chemiluminescence assay technique. The disclosed method involves the use of trehalose, a-D-glucopyranosyl-a-D-glucopyranoside, in a chemiluminescent reactant system. By adding trehalose up to its saturation solubility level, increases in emission intensity of from 25-100%, or greater, can be attained.

Abstract: Constituents such as oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin are monitored non-invasively in an animal organ such as a brain with a spectrometric instrument by passing radiation through the organ. An input beam has a plurality of discrete wavelengths modulated with radio frequency. Output radiation is received by a detector from which output amplitude and output phase are determined for each wavelength. Absorption coefficient is computed from the amplitude and phase, and concentrations of constituents are thereby calculated.