Abstract: Devices and methods incorporate mucolytic agents into a point-of-care testing device. The sample is loaded, and then the sample travels until it encounters one or more lysis agents and/or mucolytic agents. The mucolytic agent is preferably pre-loaded onto the collection device. In a preferred embodiment, the mucolytic agent is localized between the sample application zone and the conjugate zone. In embodiments with a sample compressor, one or more mucolytic agents may be pre-loaded and dried on the sample compressor, the sample collector, in various locations on the test strip, or in the running buffer.

Abstract: Diagnostic devices test markers for viral infection and markers for bacterial infection to effectively assist in the rapid differentiation of viral and bacterial infections, to differentiate between colonization and active infection, and to better diagnose microbiologically unconfirmed patients. In other embodiments, detecting a presence of MxA in combination with either the bacterial biomarker C-reactive protein or the bacterial biomarker procalcitonin increases the specificity of the bacterial biomarker with a concurrent improvement in sensitivity.

Abstract: Histatins may be used for corneal wound healing and as a treatment for ocular surface disease in humans and other animals. For example, histatins could be included in eye drops, eye gels, ointment, glue, or embedded in (polymer) contact lenses.

Abstract: A lateral flow assay is capable of detecting and differentiating viral and bacterial infections. A combined point of care diagnostic device tests markers for viral infection and markers for bacterial infection, to effectively assist in the rapid differentiation of viral and bacterial infections. In some preferred embodiments, bimodal methods and devices determine if an infection is bacterial and/or viral. A dual use two strip sample analysis device includes a first lateral flow chromatographic test strip to detect MxA and a low level of C-reactive protein and a second lateral flow chromatographic test strip to detect high levels of C-reactive protein. In some preferred embodiments, the sample is a fingerstick blood sample.

Abstract: A lateral flow assay is capable of detecting and differentiating viral and bacterial infections. A combined point of care diagnostic device tests markers for viral infection and markers for bacterial infection, to effectively assist in the rapid differentiation of viral and bacterial infections. In some preferred embodiments, bimodal methods and devices determine if an infection is bacterial and/or viral. A dual use two strip sample analysis device includes a first lateral flow chromatographic test strip to detect MxA and a low level of C-reactive protein and a second lateral flow chromatographic test strip to detect high levels of C-reactive protein. In some preferred embodiments, the sample is a fingerstick blood sample.

Abstract: A sample compressor applies pressure to a sample collector and a sample application zone of a test strip to transfer a sample from the sample collector and a binding partner of an analyte to the sample application zone in a lateral flow device. At least one of the binding partners of the analyte is not located on the test strip prior to use of the lateral flow device. The test strip may be a universal test strip with no molecule that specifically binds the analyte is located on the test strip. The sample compressor may be a universal sample compressor also with no molecule that specifically binds the analyte on the sample compressor. The lateral flow device may also include one or more enhancement elements, where the enhancement elements bind to the analyte sandwich to increase a detection signal in the test zone.

Abstract: A lateral flow assay detects and differentiates between viral and bacterial infections. A combined point of care diagnostic device tests markers for viral infection and markers for bacterial infection, to effectively assist in the rapid differentiation of viral and bacterial infections. In one preferred embodiment, the bacterial marker is CRP. In another preferred embodiment, the viral marker is MxA. In some embodiments, it is unnecessary to lyse the cells in the sample prior to applying it to the device.

Abstract: A lateral flow assay detects and differentiates between viral and bacterial infections. A combined point of care diagnostic device tests markers for viral infection and markers for bacterial infection, to effectively assist in the rapid differentiation of viral and bacterial infections. In one preferred embodiment, the bacterial marker is CRP. In another preferred embodiment, the viral marker is MxA. In some embodiments, it is unnecessary to lyse the cells in the sample prior to applying it to the device.

Abstract: Devices and methods incorporate mucolytic agents into a point-of-care testing device. The sample is loaded, and then the sample travels until it encounters one or more lysis agents and/or mucolytic agents. The mucolytic agent is preferably pre-loaded onto the collection device. In a preferred embodiment, the mucolytic agent is localized between the sample application zone and the conjugate zone. In embodiments with a sample compressor, one or more mucolytic agents may be pre-loaded and dried on the sample compressor, the sample collector, in various locations on the test strip, or in the running buffer.

Abstract: Devices and methods incorporate mucolytic agents into a point-of-care testing device. The sample is loaded, and then the sample travels until it encounters one or more lysis agents and/or mucolytic agents. The mucolytic agent is preferably pre-loaded onto the collection device. In a preferred embodiment, the mucolytic agent is localized between the sample application zone and the conjugate zone. In embodiments with a sample compressor, one or more mucolytic agents may be pre-loaded and dried on the sample compressor, the sample collector, in various locations on the test strip, or in the running buffer.

Abstract: Histatin formulations include at least two different histatins. Histatins are used before or after laser surgery. Histatins are also used to treat ocular viruses, fungi or parasites. Histatins may be used for corneal wound healing and as a treatment for ocular surface disease in humans and other animals. Histatin formulations for treating ocular wounds or ocular surface disease include a first peptide comprising a first histatin and a second peptide comprising a second histatin. A method of performing corneal laser surgery on at least one eye of a patient includes cutting a cornea of the eye of the patient with a surgical laser and administering a therapeutic amount of at least one medicament comprising at least one peptide to an ocular surface of the eye.

Abstract: A lateral flow assay detects and differentiates between viral and bacterial infections. A combined point of care diagnostic device tests markers for viral infection and markers for bacterial infection, to effectively assist in the rapid differentiation of viral and bacterial infections. In one preferred embodiment, the bacterial marker is CRP. In another preferred embodiment, the viral marker is MxA. In some embodiments, it is unnecessary to lyse the cells in the sample prior to applying it to the device.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and devices for preventing interfering substances from affecting the accuracy of a lateral flow immunoassay. In preferred embodiments, a test strip includes a capturing zone that includes at least one mobile capturing reagent that separates at least one interfering substance from the analyte. The capturing zone is preferably located upstream of the sample application zone. In some embodiments, the reagent/conjugate zone is also located upstream of the sample application zone. The capturing zone may be located upstream, downstream, or overlapping with the reagent/conjugate zone in these embodiments. In other preferred embodiments, one or more mobile capturing reagents are included in the elution medium/running buffer. In yet other embodiments, the capturing reagent is incorporated into a sample collection device of a sample collection system, preferably separate from the chromatographic test strip. A lysis zone is also included in some preferred embodiments.

Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting a target enzyme include an anchored or trapped peptide complex. The peptide complex includes an anchor particle immobilized on a sample analysis device or trapped in a reaction receptacle including a filter, a peptide, with at least one enzyme cleavage site for a target enzyme, bound to the anchor particle, at least one detectable label, and at least one first tag bound to the peptide on a side of the enzyme cleavage site opposite the anchor particle. When the target enzyme is present in the sample, the enzyme cleaves the peptide at the enzyme cleavage site, permitting the cleaved peptide to reach the test zone of a sample analysis device such that the first tag binds to the immobilized second tag and a signal is detected at the test zone.

Abstract: Assays and methods including mobile tagged single stranded nucleic acid reagents pre-loaded on an analysis device, which are preferably tagged, but not labeled and are complementary to a strand (preferably the anti-sense strand in double stranded DNA targets) of the target nucleic acid. The assay also includes a running buffer that includes a dye or other detectable label that nonspecifically binds only to double stranded nucleic acids. In addition, the analysis device includes a detection zone including one or more test zones that have an immobilized tag that binds to the tag on the mobile nucleic acid reagent.

Abstract: The current invention relates to the use of a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence in the preparation of a medicament for the regeneration of tissue, preferably for the treatment of a wound. Further the invention relates to compositions comprising such peptides, and use of said peptides in both medical and nonmedical (cosmetic) applications.

Abstract: The current invention relates to the use of a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence in the preparation of a medicament for the regeneration of tissue, preferably for the treatment of a wound. Further the invention relates to compositions comprising such peptides, and use of said peptides in both medical and nonmedical (cosmetic) applications.

Abstract: A lateral flow device may include one or more enhancement elements, where the enhancement elements bind to the analyte sandwich to increase a detection signal in the test zone. In preferred embodiments, some or all of the enhancement elements are encapsulated.

Abstract: A lateral flow assay is capable of detecting and differentiating viral and bacterial infections. A combined point of care diagnostic device tests markers for viral infection and markers for bacterial infection, to effectively assist in the rapid differentiation of viral and bacterial infections. In some preferred embodiments, bimodal methods and devices determine if an infection is bacterial and/or viral. A dual use two strip sample analysis device includes a first lateral flow chromatographic test strip to detect MxA and a low level of C-reactive protein and a second lateral flow chromatographic test strip to detect high levels of C-reactive protein. In some preferred embodiments, the sample is a fingerstick blood sample.

Abstract: Rapid, point-of-care assays and methods detect clinically relevant organophosphate (OP) poisoning after low-level exposure to Sarin, Soman, Tabun, or VX chemical nerve agents. In some preferred embodiments, the assays are direct sandwich assays or direct correlation inhibition assays. The test preferably utilizes either a finger stick peripheral blood sample or plasma specimen.