Abstract: A (e.g. hardenable dental) composition is described comprising (e.g. a first part comprising) an encapsulated material wherein the encapsulated material comprises a basic core material and an inorganic shell material comprising a metal oxide surrounding the core; and (e.g. a second part comprising) water or an acidic component. Also described is an encapsulated material (e.g. suitable for use in a biological carrier material) comprising a basic core material and an inorganic shell material comprising a metal oxide surrounding the core.

Abstract: A latent effervescent body comprising a selective agent is disclosed. A method of using the latent effervescent body in a method to selectively enrich a target microorganism is also disclosed. The method comprises providing a sample, a culture medium, and the latent effervescent body. The method further comprises contacting the sample, the culture medium, and the latent effervescent body under conditions to facilitate growth of the target microorganism. The method further comprises releasing the selective agent from the latent effervescent body. Optionally, the method includes detecting a microorganism.

Abstract: A self-contained anaerobic environment-generating culture device is provided. The culture device includes a first substrate having opposing inner and outer surfaces, a second substrate having opposing inner and outer surfaces, a growth region disposed between the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates, an effective amount of a substantially dry enzyme component of an enzyme-mediated oxygen depletion system, an effective amount of a substantially dry enzyme substrate component of the enzyme-mediated oxygen depletion system, and a dry, cold-water-soluble gelling agent disposed in the growth region. The enzyme and enzyme substrate components are disposed in coatings in the growth region. The first and second substrates are substantially nontransmissible to gaseous oxygen. Methods of making and using the culture device area also provided.

Abstract: A method of forming a fibrin hydrogel composition is described. The method comprises forming an aqueous solution comprising fibrinogen, fibrin-forming enzyme, and a fibrin hydrogel forming salt. The fibrin hydrogel forming salt concentration is greater than or equal to the threshold concentration to form a fibrin hydrogel. The method further comprises reducing the salt concentration below the threshold concentration to form a fibrin hydrogel. In some embodiments, the aqueous solution further comprises a plasticizer. A fibrin composition is also described comprising a fibrin hydrogel having a fibrin concentration ranging from 0.1 to 10 wt-%; and a fibrin hydrogel forming salt. The fibrin hydrogel forming salt has a concentration less than a threshold concentration to form the fibrin hydrogel. The fibrin hydrogel or dehydrated fibrin hydrogel can be in various physical forms such a sheet, foam, or plurality of pieces.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a culture device for enumerating colonies of microorganisms. The device can comprise a base, a coversheet, and a nonporous spacer member disposed therebetween. The spacer member comprises an aperture that defines a growth compartment. Disposed in the growth compartment are a cold water-soluble gelling agent, a dry oxygen-scavenging reagent, a dry buffer system, and an effective amount of a dry carbon dioxide-generating reagent. The buffer system is selected such that, when the growth compartment is hydrated with a predetermined volume of deionized water, an aqueous mixture with a pH less than or equal to 6.35 is formed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a culture device for enumerating colonies of microorganisms. The device can comprise a base, a coversheet, and a nonporous spacer member disposed therebetween. The spacer member comprises an aperture that defines a growth compartment. At least one adhesive layer is adhered to the base or the coversheet in the growth compartment. A cold water-soluble gelling agent and an effective amount of a dry carbon dioxide-generating reagent are adhered to the at least one adhesive layer. The carbon dioxide-generating reagent consists essentially of particles having a diameter of less than 106 microns.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a device. The device includes a body comprising a waterproof base, a waterproof coversheet attached to the base, and a channel disposed between the base and the coversheet. The channel has a perimeter and an opening that provides liquid access to the channel. A portion of the perimeter is defined by a waterproof seal. A dry first oxygen-scavenging reagent and an indicator reagent for detecting sulfate reduction by a sulfate-reducing bacterium are disposed in the device between the base and the coversheet. The waterproof base comprises a plurality of open microcompartment structures facing the coversheet.

Abstract: A device for culturing anaerobic microorganisms is provided. The device comprises a body comprising a waterproof base, a waterproof coversheet attached to the base, and a growth compartment disposed between the base and the coversheet. The growth compartment has a perimeter and an opening that provides liquid access to the growth compartment. A portion of the perimeter is defined by a waterproof seal. The portion includes >50% of the perimeter. A dry cold water-soluble gelling agent is adhered to the base in the growth compartment. A dry first oxygen-scavenging reagent is disposed in the growth compartment.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a culture device for enumerating colonies of microorganisms. The device can comprise a base, a coversheet, and a nonporous spacer member disposed therebetween. The spacer member comprises an aperture that defines a growth compartment. At least one adhesive layer adhered to the base or the coversheet in the growth compartment. A cold water-soluble gelling agent and a dry oxygen-scavenging reagent are adhered to the at least one adhesive layer. The oxygen-scavenging reagent consists essentially of particles having a diameter of less than 106 microns.

Abstract: Compounds are provided that are either fluorogenic or fluorophoric. Compositions and articles that include the compounds are also provided. Additionally, methods of detecting a microorganism using the compounds are provided. The compounds are fluorinated and can be used advantageously under acidic conditions.

Abstract: A method of forming a fibrin hydrogel composition is described. The method comprises forming an aqueous solution comprising fibrinogen, fibrin-forming enzyme, and a fibrin hydrogel forming salt. The fibrin hydrogel forming salt concentration is greater than or equal to the threshold concentration to form a fibrin hydrogel. The method further comprises reducing the salt concentration below the threshold concentration to form a fibrin hydrogel. In some embodiments, the aqueous solution further comprises a plasticizer. A fibrin composition is also described comprising a fibrin hydrogel having a fibrin concentration ranging from 0.1 to 10 wt-%; and a fibrin hydrogel forming salt. The fibrin hydrogel forming salt has a concentration less than a threshold concentration to form the fibrin hydrogel. The fibrin hydrogel or dehydrated fibrin hydrogel can be in various physical forms such a sheet, foam, or plurality of pieces.

Abstract: The disclosure provides culture devices and methods useful for detecting acid-producing bacteria in a sample. The devices include a nutrient medium and a pH indicator to detect and differentiate acid-producing microorganisms, such as lactic acid bacteria. Methods of use include detecting or enumerating acid-producing microorganisms. The methods further provide for the detection of gas-producing acid-producing bacteria.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a culture device for enumerating colonies of sulfate-reducing microorganisms. The device includes a body having a waterproof base, a waterproof coversheet attached to the base, and a growth compartment disposed therebetween. The growth compartment has a perimeter and an opening. A portion of the perimeter is defined by a waterproof seal. The portion can include >50% of the perimeter. Disposed in the growth compartment are a dry cold water-soluble gelling agent, a dry culture medium selected to facilitate growth of a sulfate-reducing bacterium or indicator reagent for detecting hydrogen sulfide production by a sulfate-reducing bacterium, and a dry first oxygen-scavenging reagent.

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: Compounds are provided that are either fluorogenic or fluorophoric. Compositions and articles that include the compounds are also provided. Additionally, methods of detecting a microorganism using the compounds are provided. The compounds are fluorinated and can be used advantageously under acidic conditions.

Abstract: A self-contained anaerobic environment-generating culture device is provided. The culture device includes a first substrate having opposing inner and outer surfaces, a second substrate having opposing inner and outer surfaces, a growth region disposed between the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates, an effective amount of a substantially dry enzyme component of an enzyme-mediated oxygen depletion system, an effective amount of a substantially dry enzyme substrate component of the enzyme-mediated oxygen depletion system, and a dry, cold-water-soluble gelling agent disposed in the growth region. The enzyme and enzyme substrate components are disposed in coatings in the growth region. The first and second substrates are substantially nontransmissible to gaseous oxygen. Methods of making and using the culture device area also provided.

Abstract: Compositions that comprise water, a first indicator reagent that can be converted by a first biological activity to a first biological derivative, and a plurality of particles are provided. The first indicator reagent can comprise a fluorogenic enzyme substrate having a fluorophore selected from the group consisting of umbelliferone, 7-aminocoumarin, ?-naphthylamine, ?-naphthol, fluorescein, resorufin, 9H-(1,3-dichloro-9,9-dimethyl acridin-2-one), rhodamine 110, a derivative of any of the foregoing fluorophores, and a combination of any of the foregoing fluorophores. The particles are capable of receiving and retaining the first biological derivative from an aqueous liquid. The first biological derivative can be indicative of a microorganism. The compositions further can comprise a gelling agent. Methods of using the compositions to detect the presence or absence of a microorganism in a sample are also provided.

Abstract: Compounds are provided that are either fluorogenic or fluorophoric. Compositions and articles that include the compounds are also provided. Additionally, methods of detecting a microorganism using the compounds are provided. The compounds are fluorinated and can be used advantageously under acidic conditions.

Abstract: A fibrin-coated wound dressing article having a flexible film layer, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed on the flexible film layer, and a fibrin powder layer disposed on a surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer opposite the flexible film layer. Methods of making and using fibrin-coated wound dressing articles are included.

Abstract: A latent effervescent body comprising a selective agent is disclosed. A method of using the latent effervescent body in a method to selectively enrich a target microorganism is also disclosed. The method comprises providing a sample, a culture medium, and the latent effervescent body. The method further comprises contacting the sample, the culture medium, and the latent effervescent body under conditions to facilitate growth of the target microorganism. The method further comprises releasing the selective agent from the latent effervescent body. Optionally, the method includes detecting a microorganism.