Abstract: An apparatus and associated methods of use for a controlled combination of reagents is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vessel 400, a vessel insert 220, and a cap element 200. The vessel 400 has a body portion 410 for receiving a biological sample. The vessel insert 220 receives at least one reagent therein. Preferably, the vessel insert 220 is received in a portion 420 of the vessel 400. The cap element 200 is attached to the vessel 400 to secure the vessel insert 220 in the vessel 400. During use, the vessel insert 220 is adapted to release its contents when the biological sample is introduced into the body portion 410 of the vessel 400 upon application of an intermixing force to the vessel insert 220. A variety of intermixing forces may be applied, depending upon the embodiment of the present invention and its associated methods of use.

Abstract: Rapid methods that identify sepsis-causing bacteria or yeast aid the physician in critical therapeutic decision-making, thus decreasing patient mortality rates. The methods described herein employ plating microorganisms directly on to a MALDI-MS plate, adding concentrated formic acid, and identifying the microorganism by mass spectrometry. Optionally, an organic solvent may be combined with the formic acid, or added to the sample before or after the concentrated formic acid is added thereto. The methods enable direct extraction of proteins from microorganisms without the need for liquid protein extraction methods and yields positive identification results for gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria and yeast in minutes.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for reagents and methods for rapidly isolating viable microbial cells, including S. pneumoniae, from positive blood culture samples. The resulting microbial pellet can be used for both identification and growth-based methods such as antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The buffers described herein may contain a base solution, non-ionic detergents, thiols, and optionally, ammonium chloride. The disclosed methods provide a process for rapidly isolating and concentrating viable microorganism(s) from PBC samples using only one sample preparation tube and centrifugation while removing cellular debris from the mammalian blood cells that may interfere with identification methods.

Abstract: Rapid methods that identify sepsis-causing bacteria or yeast aid the physician in critical therapeutic decision-making, thus decreasing patient mortality rates. The methods described herein employ plating microorganisms directly on to a MALDI-MS plate, adding concentrated formic acid, and identifying the microorganism by mass spectrometry. Optionally, an organic solvent may be combined with the formic acid, or added to the sample before or after the concentrated formic acid is added thereto. The methods enable direct extraction of proteins from microorganisms without the need for liquid protein extraction methods and yields positive identification results for gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria and yeast in minutes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fermentation process for improving the production level of a recombinant human collagen. The process comprises inoculating a sterilized fermentation medium with a Pichia yeast solution, then performing fermentation culturing for 14-18 hrs, adding methanol to induce the expression, upon which sodium pyruvate is added to the fermentation medium, wherein the amount of the sodium pyruvate added is 0.01-10 g/L. In the fermentation process of the present invention, the sodium pyruvate is added in the methanol-induced expression stage, so that the biosynthesis rate of the recombinant human collagen is improved; and a continuous feed-batch mode is adopted, so that the biosynthesis rate of the recombinant human collagen is further improved, and the fermentation time is shortened. Meanwhile, the expression level of the recombinant human collagen is increased, the fermentation level is increased by more than 20%, and the production cost is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a fermentation process with a Pichia yeast expressing a recombinant protein, in which Pichia pastoris is used as a fungal strain. The process comprises performing primary seed culturing to reach a fungal concentration of 20±2 g/L; then performing secondary seed culturing to reach a fungal concentration of 120±10 g/L; next proceeding to a glycerol culturing stage, wherein the amount of glycerol added in the glycerol culturing stage is 60-70 g/L; and then proceeding to a methanol-induced stage for 120±8 h after the dissolved oxygen quickly reaches a relatively stable state, to complete the fermentation process. In the present invention, a glycerol fed-batch addition stage in existing processes is omitted, and the process proceeds to a next stage as soon as glycerol is completely consumed, with no need to prepare sterilized glycerol for fluidic addition. As such, the glycerin sterilizer is omitted, the consumption of energy and resource and the waste of glycerin are reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methods of use for a controlled combination of reagents is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vessel 400, a vessel insert 220, and a cap element 200. The vessel 400 has a body portion 410 for receiving a biological sample. The vessel insert 220 receives at least one reagent therein. Preferably, the vessel insert 220 is received in a portion 420 of the vessel 400. The cap element 200 is attached to the vessel 400 to secure the vessel insert 220 in the vessel 400. During use, the vessel insert 220 is adapted to release its contents when the biological sample is introduced into the body portion 410 of the vessel 400 upon application of an intermixing force to the vessel insert 220. A variety of intermixing forces may be applied, depending upon the embodiment of the present invention and its associated methods of use.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methods of use for a controlled combination of reagents is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vessel 400, a vessel insert 220, and a cap element 200. The vessel 400 has a body portion 410 for receiving a biological sample. The vessel insert 220 receives at least one reagent therein. Preferably, the vessel insert 220 is received in a portion 420 of the vessel 400. The cap element 200 is attached to the vessel 400 to secure the vessel insert 220 in the vessel 400. During use, the vessel insert 220 is adapted to release its contents when the biological sample is introduced into the body portion 410 of the vessel 400 upon application of an intermixing force to the vessel insert 220. A variety of intermixing forces may be applied, depending upon the embodiment of the present invention and its associated methods of use.

Abstract: Rapid methods that identify sepsis-causing bacteria or yeast aid the physician in critical therapeutic decision-making, thus decreasing patient mortality rates. The methods described herein employ plating microorganisms directly on to a MALDI-MS plate, adding concentrated formic acid, and identifying the microorganism by mass spectrometry. Optionally, an organic solvent may be combined with the formic acid, or added to the sample before or after the concentrated formic acid is added thereto. The methods enable direct extraction of proteins from microorganisms without the need for liquid protein extraction methods and yields positive identification results for gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria and yeast in minutes.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for reagents and methods for rapidly isolating viable microbial cells, including S. pneumoniae, from positive blood culture samples. The resulting microbial pellet can be used for both identification and growth-based methods such as antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The buffers described herein may contain a base solution, non-ionic detergents, thiols, and optionally, ammonium chloride. The disclosed methods provide a process for rapidly isolating and concentrating viable microorganism(s) from PBC samples using only one sample preparation tube and centrifugation while removing cellular debris from the mammalian blood cells that may interfere with identification methods.

Abstract: Rapid methods that identify sepsis-causing bacteria or yeast aid the physician in critical therapeutic decision-making, thus decreasing patient mortality rates. The methods described herein employ plating microorganisms directly on to a MALDI-MS plate, adding concentrated formic acid, and identifying the microorganism by mass spectrometry. Optionally, an organic solvent may be combined with the formic acid, or added to the sample before or after the concentrated formic acid is added thereto. The methods enable direct extraction of proteins from microorganisms without the need for liquid protein extraction methods and yields positive identification results for gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria and yeast in minutes.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for reagents and methods for rapidly isolating viable microbial cells, including S. pneumoniae, from positive blood culture samples. The resulting microbial pellet can be used for both identification and growth-based methods such as antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The buffers described herein may contain a base solution, non-ionic detergents, thiols, and optionally, ammonium chloride. The disclosed methods provide a process for rapidly isolating and concentrating viable microorganism (s) from PBC samples using only one sample preparation tube and centrifugation while removing cellular debris from the mammalian blood cells that may interfere with identification methods.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a fermentation process with a Pichia yeast expressing a recombinant protein, in which Pichia pastoris is used as a fungal strain. The process comprises performing primary seed culturing to reach a fungal concentration of 20±2 g/L; then performing secondary seed culturing to reach a fungal concentration of 120±10 g/L; next proceeding to a glycerol culturing stage, wherein the amount of glycerol added in the glycerol culturing stage is 60-70 g/L; and then proceeding to a methanol-induced stage for 120±8 h after the dissolved oxygen quickly reaches a relatively stable state, to complete the fermentation process. In the present invention, a glycerol fed-batch addition stage in existing processes is omitted, and the process proceeds to a next stage as soon as glycerol is completely consumed, with no need to prepare sterilized glycerol for fluidic addition. As such, the glycerin sterilizer is omitted, the consumption of energy and resource and the waste of glycerin are reduced.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for rapid isolation of microorganisms from positive culture sterile body fluids, including blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), pleural fluid, ascitic fluid, pericardial effusion, joint cavity fluid, vitreous fluid, and amniotic fluid for mass spectrometry identification. Whenever the subject of blood culture is discussed, the intended sample used is always related to blood sample. However, it is also necessary to be aware that other than the blood sample, sterile fluids can also be inoculated as samples for blood culture testing. Among the sterile fluids that are commonly known are CSF, pleural fluid, ascitic fluid, pericardial effusion, joint cavity fluid, vitreous fluid, amniotic fluid etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fermentation process for improving the production level of a recombinant human collagen. The process comprises inoculating a sterilized fermentation medium with a Pichia yeast solution, then performing fermentation culturing for 14-18 hrs, adding methanol to induce the expression, upon which sodium pyruvate is added to the fermentation medium, wherein the amount of the sodium pyruvate added is 0.01-10 g/L. In the fermentation process of the present invention, the sodium pyruvate is added in the methanol-induced expression stage, so that the biosynthesis rate of the recombinant human collagen is improved; and a continuous feed-batch mode is adopted, so that the biosynthesis rate of the recombinant human collagen is further improved, and the fermentation time is shortened. Meanwhile, the expression level of the recombinant human collagen is increased, the fermentation level is increased by more than 20%, and the production cost is reduced.

Abstract: Rapid methods that identify sepsis-causing bacteria or yeast aid the physician in critical therapeutic decision-making, thus decreasing patient mortality rates. The methods described herein employ plating microorganisms directly on to a MALDI-MS plate, adding concentrated formic acid, and identifying the microorganism by mass spectrometry. Optionally, an organic solvent may be combined with the formic acid, or added to the sample before or after the concentrated formic acid is added thereto. The methods enable direct extraction of proteins from microorganisms without the need for liquid protein extraction methods and yields positive identification results for gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria and yeast in minutes.

Abstract: Rapid methods that identify sepsis-causing bacteria or yeast aid the physician in critical therapeutic decision-making, thus decreasing patient mortality rates. The methods described herein employ plating microorganisms directly on to a MALDI-MS plate, adding concentrated formic acid, and identifying the microorganism by mass spectrometry. Optionally, an organic solvent may be combined with the formic acid, or added to the sample before or after the concentrated formic acid is added thereto. The methods enable direct extraction of proteins from microorganisms without the need for liquid protein extraction methods and yields positive identification results for gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria and yeast in minutes.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methods of use for a controlled combination of reagents is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vessel 400, a vessel insert 220, and a cap element 200. The vessel 400 has a body portion 410 for receiving a biological sample. The vessel insert 220 receives at least one reagent therein. Preferably, the vessel insert 220 is received in a portion 420 of the vessel 400. The cap element 200 is attached to the vessel 400 to secure the vessel insert 220 in the vessel 400. During use, the vessel insert 220 is adapted to release its contents when the biological sample is introduced into the body portion 410 of the vessel 400 upon application of an intermixing force to the vessel insert 220. A variety of intermixing forces may be applied, depending upon the embodiment of the present invention and its associated methods of use.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides biomarkers useful for determining the risk of, prognosis of, and/or diagnosis of conditions such as preterm birth in a subject.