Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for the detection and/or quantification of a microbial contaminant, for example, a bacterial endotoxin or a glucan, in a sample. In particular, the invention provides a test cartridge useful in the practice of hemocyte lysate-based assays for the detection and/or quantification of a microbial contaminant in a sample. In addition, the invention provides methods of making and using such cartridges. In addition, the invention provides a rapid, sensitive, multi-step kinetic hemocyte lysate-based assay for the detection and/or quantification of a microbial contaminant in a sample. In addition, the invention provides a glucan-specific lysate that can be used in a variety of assay formats, including, for example, a test cartridge, optionally configured to perform a kinetic assay.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-addictive composition for the treatment of sleep disorders and problems including melatonin, valerian root extract, an antioxidant component, and a vitamin complex component. The present invention further provides a non-addictive composition for the treatment of sleep disorders and problems including melatonin, valerian Root Extract, proanthocyanidin, vitamin E, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, L-theanine, and magnesium. The present invention also provides a method for treating sleep disorders or problems of a human including administering a non-addictive composition for the treatment of sleep disorders or problems comprising a melatonin, valerian root extract, an antioxidant component, and a vitamin complex component; and causing the circadian rhythm of the human to be normalized and regulated, causing the sleep patterns of the human to be healthy and normal, and causing reduction of stress and anxiety in the human.

Abstract: The invention provides a method using a hemocyte preparation, for example, Limulus amebocyte lysate, for detecting in a single assay the presence of at least one of a Gram negative bacterium, a Gram positive bacterium, and a fungus in a sample of interest. The method exploits the differential reactivity of Gram negative bacteria, Gram positive bacteria, and fungi with the hemocyte preparation to produce measurable changes in a property, for example, an optical property, of the mixture. Because the Gram negative bacteria, Gram positive bacteria and fungi each produce different changes in a given property, for example, an optical property, it is possible to classify the type of microorganism present in the sample of interest.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for the detection and/or quantification of a Gram positive bacterial contaminant in a sample. In particular, the invention provides hemocyte-based preparations, methods of making such hemocyte-based preparations, and methods of using such hemocyte-based preparations for the detection and/or quantification of the Gram positive bacterial contaminant.

Abstract: A preactivated chromatography tip having covalent coupling functionality within a hydrodynamically designed micropipette tip assembly. The preactivated micro-channeled element provides high fluid directionality and throughput with minimum backpressure. A fibrous capture element is designed to optimize surface area to volume ratio, chemical resistance, a specific directional flow pattern, low non-specific binding of ligands, small sample volume, speed and low background.