Abstract: A testing unit and a method of testing a sterilization packaging unit for microbial contamination of sterilized objects after they have been sterilized are disclosed. The testing unit includes a dry matrix for accommodating a nutrient medium and a receptacle containing a liquid. By applying the liquid onto the matrix, the matrix is provided with a nutrient medium. In the method, the testing unit is inserted into the sterilization packaging unit which is sterilized and stored. At a desired point in time, the receptacle is opened in order to produce the nutrient medium in the matrix. After a possible multiplication of microbes on the matrix, an observation of microbes takes place. The invention also relates to a sterilization packaging unit which has a rigid outer casing and is suitable for the application of the method.

Abstract: A method for preparing a biofilm includes the steps of rinsing the biofilm. There is the step of staining the biofilm with potassium permanganate and water.

Abstract: A pretreatment agent for a sample to be subjected to Limulus assay comprising an alkali metal sulfate and/or an alkaline earth metal sulfate wherein the sulfate(s) has a final concentration of 20 mM or more when the sulfate(s) is allowed to contact with the sample, or an alkali metal halide and/or an alkaline earth metal halide wherein the halide(s) has a final concentration of from 0.4 M to 1.2 M or less when the halide(s) is allowed to contact with the sample, or a kit for Limulus assay reagent comprising thereof as a composing article.

Abstract: An instrument for verification of presence of image enhancing, contrasting agent in a biopsy sample which was obtained by imaging the lesion area with an imaging modality which is sensitive to the contrasting agent. In one embodiment of the invention, an optical spectrometer is used to analyze biopsy samples for the presence of gadolinium enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging contrasting agent which typically pools in breast tumors.

Abstract: Although it can be farnesylated, the mutant lamin A protein expressed in Hutchison Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) cannot be defarnesylated because the characteristic mutation causes deletion of a cleavage site necessary for binding the protease ZMPSTE24 and effecting defarnesylation. The result is an aberrant farnesylated protein (called “progerin”) that alters normal lamin A function as a dominant negative, as well as assuming its own aberrant function through its association with the nuclear membrane. The retention of farnesylation, and potentially other abnormal properties of progerin and other abnormal lamin gene protein products, produces disease. Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) (both direct effectors and indirect inhibitors) will inhibit the formation of progerin, cause a decrease in lamin A protein, and/or an increase prelamin A protein. Decreasing the amount of aberrant protein improves cellular effects caused by and progerin expression.

Abstract: A system for enumeration of cells in fluids by image cytometry is described for assessment of target populations such as leukocyte subsets in different bodily fluids or bacterial contamination in environmental samples, food products and bodily fluids. Briefly, fluorescently labeled target cells are linked to magnetic particles or beads. In one embodiment, a small, permanent magnet is inserted directly into the chamber containing the labeled cells. The magnets are coated with PDMS silicone rubber to provide a smooth and even surface which allows imaging on a single focal plane. The magnet is removed from the sample and illuminated with fluorescent light emitted by the target cells captured by a CCD camera. In another embodiment, a floater having a permanent magnet allows the target cells to line up along a single imaging plane within the sample solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides assays and kits for the screening of test compounds for their capability to induce cardiotoxicity in a subject. Said assays and kits are based on the finding that the interaction of astemizole with the HERG potassium channel can be exploited to predict cardiotoxicity of compounds during the development of new therapeutics and other agents.

Abstract: The illustrated embodiment comprises a biosensor utilizing plant cells and nutrient media for maintaining the plant cells in a live condition. A light source having desired optical characteristics is directed onto the plant cells and light spectra transmitted from the cells is detected by a photodetector. A controller analyzes signals from the photodetector to detect a state change in the plant cells in response to exposure to an agent.

Abstract: Methods and devices for applying hemodynamic patterns to human/animal cells in culture are described. Hemodynamic flow patterns are measured directly from the human circulation and translated to a motor that controls the rotation of a cone. The cone is submerged in fluid (i.e., cell culture media) and brought into close proximity to the cells. Rotation of the cone creates time-varying shear stresses. This model closely mimics the physiological hemodynamic forces imparted on endothelial cells in vivo. A TRANSWELL coculture dish (i.e., a coculture dish comprising an artificial porous membrane) may be incorporated, permitting two, three, or more different cell types to be physically separated within the culture dish environment. In-flow and out-flow tubing may be used to supply media, drugs, etc. separately and independently to both the inner and outer chambers. The physical separation of the cell types permits each cell type to be separately isolated for analysis.

Abstract: A method of indicating the presence of the atherosclerosis (particularly coronary artery atherosclerosis) in a subject is provided, comprising comparing the level of Core 2 GlcNAc-T in a tissue sample from a subject with a reference level determined for the same tissue. A level of Core 2 GlcNAc-T in the tissue sample from a subject that is higher than that of the reference level being indicative that the subject is afflicted with atherosclerosis (particularly coronary artery atherosclerosis—coronary artery disease—CAD). In preferred embodiments, the sample consists of leukocytes and the protein level is determined as the enzymatic activity using radiolabeled UDP-GlcNAc and a Gal?(1,3)-GalNAc derivative.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compounds for detecting protease activity in a sample solution comprising contacting the sample solution with a protease substrate labelled with an electrochemically active marker, providing conditions under which any protease which may be present in the sample may degrade the protease substrate and electrochemically determining information relating to the electrochemically active marker.

Abstract: Decades of investigations were focused on finding “gold standard” for evaluation of plasma dilution and osmolality, blood loss evaluation and prediction of bleeding or transfusion induced changes in hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration. Addressing deficiencies of existing methods, the current invention created new combined mathematical-physiological model applicable to manually operated nomograms and software in medical monitors. The mathematical model HBS Trends is used in blood transfusion and infusion therapy nomogram—HBS Nomogram—which is based on blood hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit. It is also an easy and practical tool for recording and dynamical interpretation of plasma osmolality, blood hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. The HBS Nomogram is a practical system for organizing blood test results in a patient's medical records.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying and treating subjects in need of antithrombotic therapies but who are not responsive to aspirin.

Abstract: Devices, compositions, and methods for handling, separating, packaging, and utilization of spermatozoa (1) that can be derived from previously frozen sperm samples collected from a male mammal. Specifically, techniques to uniformly stain (2) spermatozoal DNA even when derived from previously frozen sperm and separation techniques to separate and isolate spermatozoa even when derived from previously frozen sperm samples into X-chromosome bearing and Y-chromosome bearing populations having high purity.

Abstract: To supply the reagent, medium, and method for detection of Alicyclobacilus acidoterrestris, with which acidoterrestris can be rapidly detected and easily distinguished from acidocaldarius. After a sample including fruit juice is added to the medium for detection of Alicyclobacilus acidoterrestris containing chlor-2,3,5-triphenyl-2H-tetrazolium, acidoterrestris bacteria are detected based upon color change to red of the colony on the medium, which is kept at the temperature of 40 to 50° C.

Abstract: A polymeric chip having at least one three-dimensional porous scaffold, a microfluidic channel inlet to the porous scaffold, and a microfluidic channel outlet from the porous scaffold. In one embodiment, the polymeric chip has two three-dimensional porous scaffolds: one scaffold comprises liver cells and the other scaffold comprises cancer cells. The chip can be used as a multi-organ tissue model system.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide novel compositions and methods useful for the growth, isolation and detection of microorganisms that have ?-glucosidase activity (e.g., the bacterium E. sakazakii). Certain embodiments provide a novel growth and/or plating media, comprising a fluorogenic ?-glucosidase substrate, which is both selective for and differential to E. sakazakii. In particular embodiments, the ?-glucosidase substrate comprises 4-methylumbelliferyl-?-D-glucoside. Additional embodiments relate to a selection media. Further embodiments relate to a selective medium that is based on Tryptone Bile agar. Still further embodiments relate to OK media as defined herein. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods for growing bacterial cultures on media that is selective for and differential to microorganisms that have ?-glucosidase activity (e.g., the bacterium E. sakazakii).

Abstract: An electrochemical method and a test strip for detecting hemoglobin in a specimen are provided. The method includes the steps of providing the specimen with a reagent including a buffer solution, a surfactant and an electron mediator, tetrathiafulvalene, modified by cyclodextrin; detecting electric current produced by reaction of the hemoglobin and the electron mediator in the specimen under a potentiostatic condition; and calculating a concentration of the hemoglobin in the specimen according to the detected electric current.

Abstract: A method for monitoring fluid media, such as a dynamic biological system, in a biological reactor containing developing culture fluid media. The method includes the step of directing light into the fluid media by way of one or more optical fibers to produce an illuminated fluid media and then measuring the intensity of light reflected from the illuminated fluid media by way of one or more optical fibers, the optical fibers being partitioned from the fluid media by a transparent window having inner and outer surfaces; the fibers having ends terminating adjacent to and confronting the inner surface of the window and extending in a direction away from the window, the corresponding ends of the fibers being radially and circumferentially spaced from one another, the corresponding ends of the fibers having converging and intersecting longitudinal projections therefrom, the intersecting longitudinal projections from the fibers being entirely within the window. Additionally, a fiber-optic probe is discussed.

Abstract: The present invention includes devices and methods for dynamically monitoring cell adhesion and cell spreading. Cells are added to a microelectronic cell sensor array operably connected to an impedance analyzer. The device also includes a coating including biological molecule or organic compound capable of interacting with the cell. Cell adhesion and cell mobility is determined by detecting changes in impedance and comparing impedance or cell index values between samples.