Abstract: An article for assessing efficacy of a sterilization process is provided. The article includes a housing, a plurality of genetically-modified spore-forming test microorganisms disposed in the housing, a liquid medium disposed in an openable container that is disposed in or attached to the housing, and an enzyme substrate disposed in the housing or in the openable container. The genetically-modified test microorganism comprises a functional fusion gene that encodes a non-naturally occurring chimeric protein, the chimeric protein comprising a first segment and a second segment that is contiguous with the first segment. The first segment comprises at least a portion of a first polypeptide that is normally found in spores and the second segment comprises a second polypeptide having a detectable enzymatic activity. The enzyme substrate is capable of reacting with the detectable enzyme activity to form a detectable product. A method of using the test microorganisms is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to sterilization monitoring devices, as well as and methods and kits for evaluating sterilization processes using sterilization monitoring devices.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes providing an article, the article including a nonwoven substrate having a copolymer grafted thereto, the copolymer including interpolymerized monomer units of a quaternary ammonium-containing ligand monomers; an amide monomer; an oxy monomer; and a coating on the nonwoven substrate, the coating including a plurality of test microorganisms, an enzyme or a second substrate; and contacting the article with a detection medium for a period of time.

Abstract: A sterilization test pack may include a shell defining an indicator compartment having a volume; a channel extending between a compartment opening and an exterior opening, the channel being in fluid communication with the indicator compartment through the compartment opening and surrounding atmosphere being in fluid communication with the channel through the exterior opening such that the indicator compartment is in fluid communication with the surrounding atmosphere through the channel, the channel having a length measured between the compartment opening and the exterior opening and a hydraulic radius along the length; and an indicator disposed in the indicator compartment, where a ratio of the compartment volume to the channel hydraulic radius may range from 1000 cm2 to 8000 cm2.

Abstract: Dehydrated biofilm assemblies and methods for manufacturing dehydrated biofilm assemblies are disclosed. An example dehydrated biofilm assembly may include a dehydrated biofilm assembly for use in antimicrobial testing. The dehydrated biofilm assembly may include a substrate and a dehydrated biofilm secured to the substrate. The dehydrated biofilm may include a viable population of micro-organisms. The dehydrated biofilm may be configured to retain securement to the substrate and exhibit a biofilm phenotype upon hydration.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes providing an article, the article including a nonwoven substrate having a copolymer grafted thereto, the copolymer including interpolymerized monomer units of a quaternary ammonium-containing ligand monomers; an amide monomer; an oxy monomer; and a coating on the nonwoven substrate, the coating including a plurality of test microorganisms, an enzyme or a second substrate; and contacting the article with a detection medium for a period of time.

Abstract: A composition, including: amine-modified silica nanoparticles, an indicator compound, and a liquid medium comprising water and no greater than 30 wt-% organic solvent, if present, based on the total weight of liquid medium. A method, including: providing the composition of current application; and contacting a plurality of cells or enzymes with the composition.

Abstract: A system and methods for sterilizing and drying contaminated articles, particularly medical articles, and more particularly the hollow internal areas of medical instruments or lumens of medical endoscopes. The system includes a plasma generator having an electrode, a shield, and a dielectric gap between the electrode and the shield. A source of electrical power connected to the plasma generator applies an electrode energy density between the electrode and the shield. A source of a sterilizing gas precursor provides a flow of the sterilizing gas precursor through the plasma generator to generate a plasma, thereby forming a sterilizing gas including acidic and/or oxidizing species. The contaminated article is exposed to the sterilizing gas for a time sufficient to achieve a desired degree of sterilization. A turbulent flow of a drying gas is used to dry the contaminated article alternately with the exposure of the contaminated article to the sterilizing gas.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a fusion polypeptide that includes an anchor domain and a binding domain that specifically binds to a target biofilm. The anchor domain generally includes at least a portion of a cell membrane polypeptide. The binding domain includes a sufficient portion of a polypeptide that specifically binds to a component of a target biofilm to specifically bind to the target biofilm. This disclosure also describes cells that include the fusion polypeptide and methods involving the use of such cells.

Abstract: Embodiments include a biological growth device, and related methods for growing biofilms using embodiments of such biological growth device. The device includes a channel configured to convey a fluid medium. A first coupon well is disposed along the channel and defines an entry point for at least a portion of the fluid medium. A first coupon is configured to interface with the entry point defined by the first coupon well so as to receive the fluid medium. A second coupon well is disposed downstream along the channel from the first coupon well and defines an entry point for the fluid medium. A second coupon is configured to interface with the entry point defined by the second coupon well so as to receive the fluid medium subsequent to the first coupon.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a fusion polypeptide that includes an anchor domain and a binding domain that specifically binds to a target biofilm. The anchor domain generally includes at least a portion of a cell membrane polypeptide. The binding domain includes a sufficient portion of a polypeptide that specifically binds to a component of a target biofilm to specifically bind to the target biofilm. This disclosure also describes cells that include the fusion polypeptide and methods involving the use of such cells.