Abstract:
The present invention is directed at a composition comprising a live swine flu virus having an infectious component and a plurality of surface antigens in contact with a formaldehyde donor agent having a molecular weight that is less than about 400 g/mol. Preferably, the formaldehyde donor agent is selected from a non-crosslinking chemical fixative that contains urea.
Abstract:
A method for preserving and processing cell-free nucleic acids located within a blood sample is disclosed, wherein a blood sample containing cell-free nucleic acids is treated to reduce both blood cell lysis and nuclease activity within the blood sample. The treatment of the sample aids in increasing the amount of cell-free nucleic acids that can be identified and tested while maintaining the structure and integrity of the nucleic acids.
Abstract:
Devices including a composition for preserving and processing cell-free nucleic acids located within a blood sample and methods of using the same are disclosed, wherein a blood sample containing cell-free nucleic acids is treated to reduce both blood cell lysis and nuclease activity within the blood sample. The device may include a direct blood draw tube comprising a composition formulated for stabilizing cell-free nucleic acids within a blood sample including one or more formaldehyde releaser preservative agents, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), one or more solvents, and formaldehyde. The composition is free of separately added formaldehyde but contains the formaldehyde as a result of the one or more formaldehyde releaser preservative agents. The treatment of the sample aids in increasing the amount of cell-free nucleic acids that can be identified and tested while maintaining the structure and integrity of the nucleic acids.
Abstract:
A method relating to preparation of a biological sample for analysis by flow cytometry including contacting a drawn blood sample with a protective agent that is substantially free of formaldehyde and analyzing the white blood cells of the contacted sample for protein epitopes after at least about twenty-four hours after contacting.
Abstract:
An improved device and system for facilitating polymerase chain reaction including a light source, detector, waveguide, and filters that occupy minimal space and facilitate detection of stationary samples, reduced sample read time, and simultaneous reading of multiple light wavelengths.
Abstract:
Provided herein are methods of preparing a protein sample for proteomic analysis. In exemplary embodiments, the method comprises (a) contacting a blood sample comprising proteins with a protective agent comprising an anticoagulant (AC) and an aldehyde releaser (AR), to obtain a mixture, optionally, wherein the blood sample is added to a blood collection tube (BCT) comprising the protective agent, and (b) isolating a fraction comprising proteins or a source of proteins from the mixture to yield a protein sample or a source of a protein sample, wherein steps of the method are carried out in the absence of exogenous proteolytic enzyme inhibitors, wherein the protein sample is suitable for proteomic and peptidomedic analysis.
Abstract:
Assays and methods for detecting resistance to beta- lactam antibiotics including detection of multiple β-lactamase family specific gene targets by polymerase chain reaction or microarray. One or more kits including primers and/or probes for identification of β-lactamase genes selected from the group consisting of one or more of the following: MOX-like, FOX-like, ACC-like, ACT/MIR-like, CMY-2-like, DHA-like, CTX-M-14-like, CTX-M-15-like, VIM-like, NDM-like, IMP-like, KPC-like, and OXA-48-like, OXA-51-like, OXA-143-like, OXA-58-like, OXA-23- like, OXA-24/40-like, TEM-like, SHV-like, and GES-like. A kit may also include one or more primers and/or probes for the identification a non-beta lactamase gene family which confers antibiotic resistance, such as the MCR-1 gene.
Abstract:
Methods and devices for stabilizing and preserving circulating cell- free plasma DNA for analysis are disclosed. The methods and devices use diazolidinyl urea or imidazolidinyl urea as a preservative, EDTA as an anticoagulant and glycine as a quenching agent to quench any free formaldehyde from the protective composition.
Abstract:
A composition (and associated methods) including a plurality of treated red blood cells for simulating reticulocytes, and particularly an immature reticulocyte fraction, of whole blood when processed as a sample in an automated analyzer capable of detecting reticulocytes. A method for making the composition or other simulated reticuolcyte may include steps of contacting a suspension of a plurality of red blood cells each having a membrane in an initial state that surrounds an interior volume of a cell with an effective amount of a hypertonic permeabilizing solution including dimethyl sulfoxide and a hypotonic loading agent delivery solution including a loading agent, for a sufficient time to form a plurality of pores in the membrane, for permitting the loading agent to enter into the interior volume of the cells, and, after entry of a desired amount of the loading agent into the interior volume of the cell, for sealing the pores for substantially restoring the membrane to the initial state while substantially encapsulating the loading agent within the resulting cell, and preferably also retaining within the resulting cell a substantial amount of hemoglobin from the original starting red blood cell.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed at a composition comprising a live swine flu virus having an infectious component and a plurality of surface antigens in contact with a formaldehyde donor agent having a molecular weight that is less than about 400 g/mol. Preferably, the formaldehyde donor agent is selected from a non-crosslinking chemical fixative that contains urea.