Abstract: Methods for improving the visual processing of a healthy infant by administering a composition comprising RRR-alpha-tocopherol and a carotenoid to the infant are disclosed. Methods for improving the visual acuity of a healthy infant by administering a composition comprising RRR-alpha-tocopherol and a carotenoid to the infant are also disclosed. Methods for improving the visual processing of a healthy infant by administering a composition comprising RRR-alpha-tocopherol to the infant are disclosed. Methods for improving the visual acuity of a healthy infant by administering a composition comprising RRR-alpha-tocopherol to the infant are also disclosed. Methods for improving the development of the visual processing, visual acuity, or both, of an infant by administering a composition comprising RRR-alpha-tocopherol to the infant are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are nutritional compositions generally, and infant formulas specifically, that include a combination of RRR-alpha tocopherol, fat, and protein. The amount of non-RRR alpha tocopherol stereoisomers in the nutritional compositions is limited. Also disclosed are methods of using the compositions to improve cognitive, brain and/or central nervous system development in an individual.

Abstract: Disclosed are concentrated liquid human milk fortifiers including extensively hydrolyzed casein and a stabilizer system. The stabilizer system includes an OSA-modified corn starch in combination with a low acyl gellan gum. In one embodiment, the concentrated liquid human milk fortifier is hypoallergenic and includes extensively hydrolyzed casein as the sole protein source in combination with the OSA-modified corn starch and low acyl gellan gum.

Abstract: Disclosed are nutritional compositions including human milk oligosaccharides in combination with long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and/or carotenoids that can be administered to preterm infants, term infants, toddlers, and children for reducing inflammation and the incidence of inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: A method for counting blood cells in a sample of whole blood. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a sample of whole blood; (b) depositing the sample of whole blood onto a slide, e.g., a microscope slide; (c) employing a spreader to create a blood smear; (d) allowing the blood smear to dry on the slide; (e) measuring absorption or reflectance of light attributable to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells in the blood smear on the slide; (f) recording a magnified two-dimensional digital image of the area of analysis identified by the measurement in step (e) as being of suitable thickness for analysis; and (g) collecting, analyzing, and storing data from the magnified two-dimensional digital image. Optionally, steps of fixing and staining of blood cells on the slide can be employed in the method.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to reduce biological carryover using induction heating are disclosed herein. An example method includes washing an aspiration and dispense device. The example method includes generating an alternating electromagnetic field and introducing the aspiration and dispense device into the alternating electromagnetic field. In the example method, the washing is to occur prior to introducing the aspiration and dispense device into the alternating electromagnetic field. The example method includes inductively heating the aspiration and dispense device with the alternating electromagnetic field.

Abstract: Disclosed are nutritional compositions including human milk oligosaccharides in combination with long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and/or carotenoids that can be administered to preterm infants, term infants, toddlers, and children for reducing inflammation and the incidence of inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed are nutritional compositions including human milk oligosaccharides in combination with long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and/or carotenoids that can be administered to preterm infants, term infants, toddlers, and children for reducing inflammation and the incidence of inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Herein is provided a simple, reliable and accurate method for cellular analysis on hematology analyzers. In various aspects, the methods provide separation and/or differentiation between red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs) by utilizing a fluorescent dye to selectively stain WBCs such that they emit stronger fluorescence signals. The method provides optimal detection limits on WBCs and RBCs, thereby allowing analysis of samples with sparse cellular concentrations. As few as one reagent may be used to prepare a single dilution for body fluid analysis, in order to simplify the body fluid analysis. Minimal damage to WBCs is attained using the lysis-free approach described in aspects of the disclosure.

Abstract: A nutritional supplement powder and method of supplementing the nutritional value of a food or beverage is provided. The nutritional supplement powder includes a protein system, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The protein system has a water solubility of at least about 70% at room temperature. The nutritional supplement powder is essentially free of divalent ions of copper, iron, and zinc, and is also essentially free of vitamin C. When added to a food or beverage, the nutritional supplement powder does not substantially change the organoleptic properties of the food or beverage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to closing an opening within a subcutaneous bodily vessel by using a spiral closure device to engage tissue around the opening. The spiral closure device is adapted to be threaded into the vessel wall surrounding the opening in the bodily vessel. A deployment mechanism may be used to rotate the spiral closure device. As the deployment mechanism is rotated the spiral closure device is rotated such that a tip of the spiral closure device engages the vessel wall around the opening in the bodily vessel. Continued rotation of the spiral closure device threads the closure device through the tissue around the opening. The closure device may have a tapered configuration in which the distal end is larger than the proximal end. As the distal end is threaded through the vessel wall, the narrowing closure device pulls the vessel wall tissue together, thereby effectively closing the opening.

Abstract: Integrated devices that include a sample preparation component integrated with a detection component are disclosed. The sample preparation component may be a digital microfluidics module or a surface acoustic wave module which modules are used for combing a sample droplet with a reagent droplet and for performing additional sample preparation step leading to a droplet that contains beads/particles/labels that indicate presence or absence of an analyte of interest in the sample. The beads/particles/labels may be detected by moving the droplet to the detection component of the device, which detection component includes an array of wells.

Abstract: Disclosed are nutritional compositions including human milk oligosaccharides in combination with long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and/or carotenoids that can be administered to preterm infants, term infants, toddlers, and children for reducing inflammation and the incidence of inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, methods, and kits for detecting human Pegivirus 2 (HPgV-2). In certain embodiments, provided herein are HPgV-2 specific nucleic acid probes and primers, and methods for detecting HPgV-2 nucleic acid. In other embodiments, provided herein are HPgV-2 immunogenic composition compositions, methods of treating a subject with immunogenic HPgV-2 peptides, and methods of detecting HPgV-2 subject antibodies in a sample.

Abstract: Integrated microfluidic and analyte detection devices are disclosed, along with methods of detecting target analytes. Digital microfluidic and analyte detection devices include a first substrate and a second substrate aligned generally parallel to each other to define a gap therebetween, the first substrate including a plurality of electrodes to generate electrical actuation forces on a liquid droplet disposed in the gap; at least one reagent disposed on at least one of the first substrate or the second substrate and configured to be carried by the liquid droplet; and an analyte detection device in fluid communication with the gap, wherein the plurality of electrodes are configured to move the liquid droplet towards the analyte detection device.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for determining the volume or hemoglobin content of an individual red blood cell in a sample containing a population of red blood cells. The method may be performed on a hematology analyzer. Also provided are a hematology analyzer for performing the method and a computer-readable medium containing programming for performing the method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of improving CNS maturation in an infant by administering a mixture of natural tocopherols, wherein the composition contains an optimum tocopherol profile similar to that found in human breast milk, and can encompass a tocopherol profile from early stage to transitional to mature human breast milk. For ease of administration and maximized efficacy, the optimized mixture of natural tocopherols are typically delivered in an oral dosage form with a limited level of non-RRR alpha-tocopherols to maximize efficacy of the RRR alpha-tocopherol on stimulating post-natal CNS development.