A Limulus amoebocyte lysate gel-clotting method for the determination of endotoxin in a small-volume parenteral product has been described. Sample dilution with 0.1 M potassium phosphate monobasic buffer (pH 8.0) effectively eliminated assay interference, whereas dilution with water did not. The threshold pyrogenic dose for Escherichia coli EC-2 and O127:B8 endotoxins was determined to be 1.0 n...

Limulus polyphemus, an archetypal chelicerate taxon, has interested both biological and paleontological researchers due to its unique suite of anatomical features and as a useful modern analogue for fossil arthropod groups. To assist the study and documentation of this iconic taxon, we present a 3D atlas on the appendage musculature, with specific focus on the muscles of the cephalothoracic app...

limulus amebocyte lysate test in the detection of infections. Of particular note is the comprehensive review of the subject by Erlin and Hosseini. I found the discussion of this paper by Levin and ten Cate particularly enlightening, as it addresses the old problem of the "gold standard" in the diagnosis of infections. The final chapter examines the epidemiological and statistical issues concern...

Nature abounds in producing a variety of molecules. This is good thing, however, endotoxin detection requirement for an analytical assay “specificity”. Unfortunately, LAL has been found to be increasingly non-specific since the inception its use lieu rabbit pyrogen test. Fortunately, there are viable workarounds terms using Limulus-based testing where non-endotoxin reactive substance false-reac...

The bacterial endotoxin test, which uses amebocyte lysate reagents of horseshoe crab origin, is a sensitive, reproducible and simple assay to measure endotoxin concentration. To develop sustainable raw materials for lysate reagents that do not require horseshoe crabs, three recombinant protease zymogens (factor C, derived from mammalian cells; factor B; and the proclotting enzyme derived from i...

Defensins are a family of secreted antimicrobial peptides proposed to directly interfere with bacterial membranes. Here we show a functional analysis of the novel -defensin DEFB123. A peptide comprising the -defensin core region was synthesized and used for our analysis. Like other -defensins, DEFB123 exerted antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bac...