Disclosed herein are methods for quantifying total endotoxin load in a biofilm sample. Also provided are methods for identifying a gram-negative biofilm derived bacterial infection. The disclosed methods more accurately define actual total endotoxin levels and can detect the presence of endotoxin in a given biofilm volume at a higher resolution than current extraction techniques.

Methods for identifying a composition that neutralizes toxicity of a lipopolysaccharide are disclosed. The methods comprise comparing the amount of cytokine and/or prostaglandin E2 secreted by cells that have Toll-like receptors activated by a lipopolysaccharide in the presence or absence of a test composition. Methods of neutralizing toxicity of a lipopolysaccharide in an individual's oral cavity using compositions identified neutralizing toxicity of a lipopolysaccharide are also disclosed. Method of neutralizing toxicity of a lipopolysaccharide in an individual's oral cavity using oral care compositions that comprise combinations of zinc oxide and zinc citrate are also disclosed.

A method for preparing a nanohybrid used for ratiometric fluorescence and ratiometric electrochemical sensing simultaneously is provided. Surface-aminated (—NH.sub.2) SiO.sub.2 nanospheres encapsulating an electroactive material A or B are prepared and conjugated with surface-carboxylated (—COOH) carbon dots (CDs) or gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) to prepare a conjugate, and the conjugate is conjugated with a DNA aptamer terminated with —NH.sub.2. Ions or biomolecules are added to two types of DNA-conjugate dispersions, and ratiometric florescence sensing is realized by fitting the linear relationship between ratiometric fluorescent peak intensity IcDs/IAuNcs and a specific ion concentration or a specific biomolecule concentration. A-SiO.sub.2@CDs-DNA is attached to the surface of a gold electrode based on a DNA terminal —SH and Au-S bonding; B-SiP.sub.2@AuNCs-DNA and ions or biomolecules are added, and ratiometric electrochemical sensing is realized by fitting the linear relationship between the specific ion concentration or the specific biomolecule concentration and the ratiometric current peak intensity IB/IA

A method for preparing a nanohybrid used for ratiometric fluorescence and ratiometric electrochemical sensing simultaneously is provided. Surface-aminated (—NH.sub.2) SiO.sub.2 nanospheres encapsulating an electroactive material A or B are prepared and conjugated with surface-carboxylated (—COOH) carbon dots (CDs) or gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) to prepare a conjugate, and the conjugate is conjugated with a DNA aptamer terminated with —NH.sub.2. Ions or biomolecules are added to two types of DNA-conjugate dispersions, and ratiometric florescence sensing is realized by fitting the linear relationship between ratiometric fluorescent peak intensity I.sub.CDs/I.sub.AuNCs and a specific ion concentration or a specific biomolecule concentration. A-SiO.sub.2@CDs-DNA is attached to the surface of a gold electrode based on a DNA terminal —SH and Au—S bonding; B—SiO.sub.2@AuNCs-DNA and ions or biomolecules are added, and ratiometric electrochemical sensing is realized by fitting the linear relationship between the specific ion concentration or the specific biomolecule concentration and the ratiometric current peak intensity I.sub.B/I.sub.A.

A pyrogenicity test assay and method of pyrogen testing that allows for rapid and ultrahigh sensitivity testing of parenteral pharmaceuticals or medical devices that contact blood or cerebrospinal fluid by employing a Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay utilizing a photonic-crystal biosensor. The photonic-crystal biosensor is capable of determining the presence of endotoxins in a test sample by monitoring shifts in the resonant wavelength of an open microcavity affected by the changes in the refractive index of the analyte solutions used.

A pyrogenicity test method and assay of endotoxins allows for rapid and ultrahigh sensitivity testing of parenteral pharmaceuticals or medical devices that contact blood or cerebrospinal fluid by employing a Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay monitored with a photonic-crystal biosensor. The photonic-crystal biosensor is capable of determining the presence of endotoxins in a test sample by detecting shifts in the resonant condition of an open microcavity affected by the changes in the refractive index of the analyte solutions used.

The present invention relates to a membrane based assay method, device and kit for rapid detection and/or quantification of endotoxins in aqueous solutions and test samples. The kit as per the present invention comprises lipopolysaccharide (LPS) affinity ligand conjugated with gold nanoparticles (GNPs); a membrane device comprising an endotoxin affinity membrane positioned parallelly to one or more layer(s) of a hydrophilic material, which are optionally secured in an enclosure; and optionally comprising an indicator chart for quantification of endotoxins in the sample. The method comprises placing the sample suspected of endotoxin contamination on a surface of a membrane comprised in a membrane device; placing once or more a suspension of LPS-affinity ligand conjugated with GNPs over the same area as the sample placed and detecting the presence of endotoxin if the colour signal appears and based on its intensity quantifying the endotoxin levels.

The present disclosure provides a micro-organismal product and a method for treating a patient with sickle cell disease. In one aspect, the method comprises determining a concentration of one or more biological markers in serum of the patient indicative of breach of an intestinal barrier in sickle cell disease; and administering a micro-organismal product to the patient that restores intestinal permeability of the patient by, for example, upregulating tight-junctions of the patient's intestine.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for enhancing a sensitivity of a current endotoxin measuring reagent employing a recombinant protein to the endotoxin of Helicobacter pylori. The present invention provides a method for enhancing the sensitivity of an endotoxin measuring reagent to the endotoxin of Helicobacter pylori, the endotoxin measuring reagent containing a recombinant protein of horseshoe crab factor C, the method including increasing a content of the recombinant protein of factor C at the time of endotoxin measurement to an amount that is sufficient for enhancing the sensitivity.

The invention relates to unmasking endotoxins in compositions so that previously present, but undetectable endotoxins are rendered detectable.