Abstract: Water-based formulations comprising an indicating composition dispersed in water are described. The water-based indicating compositions include an organic Bi(III) compound, a sulfur source, a carbonate salt, and strontium hydroxide. Formulations further including a resin and/or an acidic additive are also described.

Abstract: A method of disinfecting a medical device comprises three steps. First, a disinfectant is contacted with a process indicator and the medical device. The disinfectant comprises at least one aldehyde. The process indicator contains a synthetic amine-containing compound disposed on a substrate. The synthetic amine-containing compound comprises at least one of primary amino groups or secondary amino groups, and is reactive with the disinfectant to form at least one adduct. The synthetic amine-containing compound and the medical device are in fluid communication through the disinfectant. A predetermined disinfectant exposure criterion exists for contacting the disinfectant with the medical device. Second, the process indicator is spectrally observed and at least one parameter is obtained therefrom that is predictive of the predetermined disinfectant exposure criterion. The third step is determining that the predetermined disinfectant exposure criterion has been achieved.

Abstract: Water-based formulations comprising an indicating composition dispersed in water are described. The water-based indicating compositions include an organic Bi(III) compound, a sulfur source, a carbonate salt, and strontium hydroxide. Formulations further including a resin and/or an acidic additive are also described.

Abstract: A composition for reducing the inhibitory effects of contaminants on nucleic acid amplification is provided. The composition includes a plurality of zirconium oxide particles, a non-ionic surfactant, and an organic iron-chelating reagent. The organic iron-chelating reagent has a first affinity constant greater than or equal to 104.2 with respect to ferric iron and a second affinity constant less than 103.8 with respect to magnesium, wherein the first affinity constant and the second affinity constant are determined in deionized water at pH 8.45 and 20° C. Optionally, the composition includes polyvinylpyrrolidone. Optionally, the composition comprises water. The composition has a pH of about 8.45 to 8.85. Methods of using the composition to prepare a sample for nucleic acid amplification are also provided.

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 peracetic acid decontamination chemical indicator including a substrate and an indicator composition disposed thereon, where the indicator composition comprises a colorant that changes color when exposed to a peracetic acid solution but does not change color when exposed to a hydrogen peroxide solution, an acidified hydrogen peroxide solution, or an acetic acid solution, and where the indicator composition does not include a transition metal salt or a halogen source, and methods of using the chemical indicator.

Abstract: Compositions include a compound preparable by reaction of components comprising an optionally crosslinked polyethylenimine and at least one an amine-reactive hydrolyzable organosilane represented by the formula R—Z—SiY3. R represents an amine-reactive group containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms; Z represents a divalent organic group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and each Y independently represents a hydrolyzable group. Methods of using the compositions to make articles, and articles produces thereby are also disclosed. A composition comprising an intimate mixture of a crosslinked polyethylenimine and a polymeric binder material, and a method of making it is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of disinfecting a medical device comprises three steps. First, a disinfectant is contacted with a process indicator and the medical device. The disinfectant comprises at least one aldehyde. The process indicator contains a synthetic amine-containing compound disposed on a substrate. The synthetic amine-containing compound comprises at least one of primary amino groups or secondary amino groups, and is reactive with the disinfectant to form at least one adduct. The synthetic amine-containing compound and the medical device are in fluid communication through the disinfectant. A predetermined disinfectant exposure criterion exists for contacting the disinfectant with the medical device. Second, the process indicator is spectrally observed and at least one parameter is obtained therefrom that is predictive of the predetermined disinfectant exposure criterion. The third step is determining that the predetermined disinfectant exposure criterion has been achieved.

Abstract: Water-based formulations comprising an indicating composition dispersed in water are described. The water-based indicating compositions include an organic Bi(III) compound, a sulfur source, a carbonate salt, and strontium hydroxide. Formulations further including a resin and/or an acidic additive are also described.

Abstract: A method of filtering a liquid sample that includes passing a sample comprising at least one biological organism through a filter membrane at a passive water volume flux of at least 10 L/m2·h·psi, wherein the filter membrane comprises a Bubble Point pore size of no more than 1.0 ?m, thereby retaining at least one biological organism on the surface of the membrane; and detecting the at least one biological organism retained on the surface of the filter membrane.

Abstract: An assembly for processing a sample is provided. The assembly comprises a first body having a plurality of spaced-apart conduits and a second body having a plurality of chambers wherein each conduit is fluidically connected to a separate chamber. The assembly forms a plurality of liquid flow paths, each flow path comprising a conduit and a chamber. An analyte capture element is detachably attached to a conduit and is in fluidic communication with the liquid flow path of the conduit. Optionally, the assembly further may comprise a third body comprising a plurality of reservoirs. The assembly can be used to process a liquid sample for detecting an analyte.

Abstract: A method of making a flowable, dried agglomerated nutrient medium is provided. The method comprises introducing a nutrient component comprising a powdered nutrient, and an agglomeration liquid, into an agglomerator comprising a flow-through-type agglomeration chamber, wet-massing the nutrient component with the agglomeration liquid in the agglomeration chamber for a predetermined period of time to form agglomerated nutrient medium particles, and exposing the agglomerated nutrient medium particles to drying conditions for a period of time to form the dried, agglomerated nutrient medium. The nutrient component facilitates the growth of a microorganism. Compositions, articles, and kits comprising the flowable, dried agglomerated nutrient medium are also provided.

Abstract: A first apparatus for processing a liquid sample is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sample-receiving, a filtrate-receiving component, and an analyte-capture element. The apparatus forms a liquid flow path through which the sample passes, thereby causing the analyte-capture element to capture an analyte, if present. A method is disclosed whereby a liquid sample is passed through the first apparatus and the analyte-capture element is easily separated from the apparatus for further processing and detection of the analyte. A structurally-related second apparatus for processing a plurality of liquid samples, and a corresponding method of use, also is disclosed.

Abstract: An assembly for processing a sample is provided. The assembly comprises a first body having a plurality of spaced-apart conduits and a second body having a plurality of chambers wherein each conduit is fluidically connected to a separate chamber. The assembly forms a plurality of liquid flow paths, each flow path comprising a conduit and a chamber. An analyte capture element is detachably attached to a conduit and is in fluidic communication with the liquid flow path of the conduit. Optionally, the assembly further may comprise a third body comprising a plurality of reservoirs. The assembly can be used to process a liquid sample for detecting an analyte.

Abstract: A method of making a flowable, dried agglomerated nutrient medium is provided. The method comprises introducing a nutrient component comprising a powdered nutrient, and an agglomeration liquid, into an agglomerator comprising a flow-through-type agglomeration chamber, wet-massing the nutrient component with the agglomeration liquid in the agglomeration chamber for a predetermined period of time to form agglomerated nutrient medium particles, and exposing the agglomerated nutrient medium particles to drying conditions for a period of time to form the dried, agglomerated nutrient medium. The nutrient component facilitates the growth of a microorganism. Compositions, articles, and kits comprising the flowable, dried agglomerated nutrient medium are also provided.

Abstract: An assembly for processing a sample is provided. The assembly comprises a first body having a plurality of spaced-apart conduits and a second body having a plurality of chambers wherein each conduit is fluidically connected to a separate chamber. The assembly forms a plurality of liquid flow paths, each flow path comprising a conduit and a chamber. An analyte capture element is detachably attached to a conduit and is in fluidic communication with the liquid flow path of the conduit. Optionally, the assembly further may comprise a third body comprising a plurality of reservoirs. The assembly can be used to process a liquid sample for detecting an analyte.

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: The present disclosure provides an assembly for preparing a sample for analysis. The assembly comprises a hollow body comprising first opening, an outlet with a second opening, and a fluid pathway extending therebetween; a filter element operatively interposed in the fluid pathway; and a closure comprising a third opening and a chamber, the closure being slideably engaged with the outlet. The chamber and the outlet are dimensioned so that the outlet is sealingly engaged with the chamber. A method of using the assembly to detect a microorganism is also provided.

Abstract: A method of filtering a liquid sample that includes passing a sample comprising at least one biological organism through a filter membrane at a passive water volume flux of at least 10 L/m2·h·psi, wherein the filter membrane comprises a Bubble Point pore size of no more than 1.0 ?m, thereby retaining at least one biological organism on the surface of the membrane; and detecting the at least one biological organism retained on the surface of the filter membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus and an assembly for processing a sample are provided. The apparatus comprises a plurality of spaced-apart reservoirs, a plurality of channels, and a plurality of outlets, each outlet comprising an effluent discharge opening. The apparatus forms a plurality of flow paths, each flow path comprising a reservoir, a channel, and an outlet. An analyte capture element can be slideably engaged in a channel in a position where it is in fluid communication with the flow path. The apparatus with the analyte capture element disposed in the flow path can be used to process a liquid sample. A method of detecting an analyte in the liquid sample is also provided.