Abstract: The present invention relates in part to a composition comprising a compound of Formula I or Formula II and at least one other antimicrobial agent. The invention also relates in part to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the composition of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. The invention further relates in part to a method of treating a subject with a microbial illness comprising administering to a subject in need thereof the aforementioned pharmaceutical composition. The invention further relates in part to a method of disinfecting a surface comprising administering to the surface the aforementioned a composition. The invention also relates in part to a coating comprising the aforementioned composition.

Abstract: Real time biofilm monitoring systems are provided. Said systems comprise single or multiple fiber-optic probes detecting wavelength-specific fluorescence from biomarkers of fouling organisms; a compact optoelectronic interface and data acquisition system interfaced with said probes, wherein said probe or probes are bifurcated and contain at least one excitation and at least one emission filter permitting the simultaneous resolution of multiple biomarkers.

Abstract: This invention relates to pharmacologically-active polymeric compounds; to substrates, such as implantable medical devices formed thereof or coated therewith; and to methods of using said compounds or said substrates for providing pharmacological agents released in response to in vivo activation at a desired location in a mammal. The polymeric material has a backbone comprising a pharmacologically-active fragment covalently linked through at least two functional groups within the backbone, wherein the backbone comprises, preferably, polyamide, polyurethane and/or polyurea linkages with, optionally, polyester, polycarbonate, polyether and/or polyvinyl linkages. The preferred pharmacological compounds are fluoroquinolines, particularly, ciprofloxacin. The pharmacologically-active compounds provide in vivo enhanced long term anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and/or anti-fungal activity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inferring and quantifying the presence and identifying endotoxins of Gram-negative bacteria in a bacteria-containing sample comprising obtaining a sample, extracting any lipids from the sample using supercritical CO.sub.2, hydrolyzing the lipid insoluble residue with a mild acid catalyst, derivatizing the hydroxy fatty acids, and analyzing the sample using a gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer. The results of the gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer analysis allow detection of as few as 10 bacteria or parts of bacteria in a 100 ml sample and specification of the type of Gram-negative bacterial group.