Abstract: A secure, reliable telehealth delivery platform that also provides flexibility and scalability. The platform includes a plurality of geographically dispersed communication servers that facilitate communication sessions between remotely located patients and healthcare providers over a public communications network. The platform includes a connectivity server that manages access among users and locations. The platform also includes a monitoring server that monitors the health and usage of devices coupled to the network and proactively identifies issues requiring intervention before service interruptions occur.

Abstract: Disclosed herein in are methods and systems for determining genetic variants (e.g., copy number variation) in a polynucleotide sample. A method for determining copy number variations includes tagging double-stranded polynucleotides with duplex tags, sequencing polynucleotides from the sample and estimating total number of polynucleotides mapping to selected genetic loci. The estimate of total number of polynucleotides can involve estimating the number of double-stranded polynucleotides in the original sample for which no sequence reads are generated. This number can be generated using the number of polynucleotides for which reads for both complementary strands are detected and reads for which only one of the two complementary strands is detected.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip comprises: a first unit which has a channel for a cell sample to pass through and is configured to separate circulating tumor cells in the cell sample; a second unit, a front end of which communicates with a tail end of the first unit, and the second unit is configured to capture single cells from the separated circulating tumor cells and subject the captured single cells to closed lysis; and a gel layer which is provided at the second unit. The microfluidic chip is configured to implement the binding of a protein molecule of the single cell with an antibody in the gel layer after the single cell is lysed. A cell separation and western blotting method using the microfluidic chip comprises: lysing circulating tumor cells, capturing, and implementing the binding of a lysate with an antibody.

Abstract: A formulation for oral administration comprises an expectorant, an analgesic, and at least one additional active ingredient having a modified release providing a therapeutic effect for each of the active ingredients for up to 12 hours.

Abstract: Differential expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) are used to monitor diseases and determine therapeutic efficacy in, for example, neurological diseases, inflammatory diseases, rheumatic diseases, and autoimmune diseases. Machine learning systems are used to identify lncRNAs or eRNAs having differential expression correlated with responsiveness to various therapies.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a mobile negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device comprising a negative pressure pump, where the NPWT device is adapted to ensure that an operation of the negative pressure pump is terminated if the NPWT device is operating outside of a predefined operational range. The present disclosure also relates to a corresponding method for operating such an NPWT device and a thereto related computer program product.

Abstract: A method for reducing the likelihood of developing depression in an individual involves providing in the gut of an individual a population of beneficial bacteria selected from the group consisting of bacterial species able to make small chain fatty acids, and preferably butyrate, and administering fiber to the individual to maintain a therapeutically effective amount of the beneficial bacteria in the gut of the individual. The individual's gut microbiome is modified to reduce the number of undesired bacteria and to increase the number of beneficial bacteria. Bacteria are preferably modified to remove one or more virulence facts or alternatively to produce increased amounts of SCFA's, such as butyrate. Beneficial bacteria may be encapsulated in a frangible enclosure to ensure they arrive in an individual's body while still viable, e.g. such as being first released in the lower gut rather than being exposed to the harsh conditions of an individual's stomach.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for treating hot flushes in a subject. In one embodiment, treating hot flushes includes administering to a subject in need of such treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of a transient receptor potential channel (TRP channel) blocker or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Also disclosed herein are methods for amelioration, alleviation, or prevention of the thermal discomfort in hot flushes, comprising: selecting a subject in need of treatment for hot flushes, administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a TRP channel blocker, such as a TRPV1 blocker, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electromagnetic (EM) distortion detection and compensation are disclosed. In one aspect, the system includes an instrument, the system configured to: determine a reference position of the distal end of the instrument at a first time based on EM location data, determine that the distal end of the instrument at a second time is static, and determine that the EM location data at the second time is indicative of a position of the distal end of the instrument having changed from the reference position by greater than a threshold distance. The system is further configured to: determine a current offset based on the distance between the position at the second time and the reference position at the first time, and determine a compensated position of the distal end of the instrument based on the EM location data and the current offset.

Abstract: A sleep testing method, a sleep testing apparatus, a sleep-aiding device, and a sleep-aiding method are described. The sleep testing method comprises: acquiring an electroencephalogram signal of a user; processing the electroencephalogram signal to obtain energy values of the electroencephalogram signal in a plurality of set frequency bands; calculating a relative energy value of the electroencephalogram signal in the plurality of set frequency bands; and determining a sleep state, mental stress and the degree of fatigue according to the relative energy value. According to the sleep testing method, the sleep state, the mental stress, and the degree of fatigue of a user can be simultaneously determined just according to an electroencephalogram signal, and a plurality of pieces of testing data related to sleep can be obtained in a single instance of testing.

Abstract: The incontinence pad comprises a fluid permeable topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core being located between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent core comprises a first core layer and a fluid control layer. The first core layer comprises 100 gsm superabsorbent material or more. The absorbent core has a varying thickness profile as seen in the longitudinal direction (L), with a first thickness (T1) in the intermediate portion and a second thickness (T2) in the rear portion. The first thickness (T1) in the intermediate portion is from 9 mm or more and the second thickness (T2) is 4 mm or less, as measured under a load of load of 0.5 kPa. The region which has the second thickness (T2) extends 30 mm or more in the longitudinal direction (L) from the core rear edge and toward the core front edge.

Abstract: A catheter organizer for organizing one or more catheters during a surgical procedure includes a drape and a plurality of clips tethered to the drape in an arrayed pattern. The clips are arranged to receive the one or more catheters such that the catheters move longitudinally and rotate within said each clip. Each clips has movable members for reversibly changing the clip from an open configuration to a closed configuration by manipulation of the movable members.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for providing personalized oral irrigation. One variation of a system for personalized oral irrigation comprises a fluid reservoir and a customized oral insert in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. The oral insert comprises an arrangement of fluid openings positioned based on the individual oral or dental structures of a user's teeth to provide a customized fluid flow over the user's teeth. Also described herein are methods for generating an arrangement of fluid openings in a customized oral insert.

Abstract: A breathing system includes a breathing mask including a coupler and a module coupled to the coupler of the breathing mask and configured to provide heated gas to the breathing mask. The module includes: a housing including an outer surface with at least one intake slot formed therein and an output port that is coupled to the coupler of the breathing mask, the housing defining an enclosed space therein and the output port defining a port cross-section; a fan disposed in the enclosed space and configured to blow gas towards the output port; and a heater disposed in the enclosed space between the fan and the inner housing, the heater including at least one heating element configured to heat blown gas from the fan towards the output port. The at least one intake slot, fan, and heater all overlap with the port cross-section.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjuvant comprising Pattern Recognition Receptor (PRR) agonist molecules linked to polymer chains that are capable of undergoing particle formation in aqueous conditions, or in aqueous conditions in response to external stimuli; and methods of treatment or prevention of disease using such an adjuvant.

Abstract: A system for treating a patient comprises an elongate shaft, an expandable reservoir and a fluid delivery assembly. The elongate shaft comprises a distal portion and is constructed and arranged to be introduced into a gastrointestinal lumen. The expandable reservoir is positioned on the elongate shaft distal portion and is constructed and arranged to receive a first fixed amount of ablative fluid and to deliver a first thermal dose of energy to a first portion of target tissue. The fluid delivery assembly is in fluid communication with the expandable reservoir and is constructed and arranged to deliver the first fixed amount of ablative fluid to the expandable reservoir. Devices and methods for treating tissue of a patient are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for non-invasively predicting characteristics of one or more cells and cell derivatives. The method includes training a machine learning model using at least one of a plurality of training cell images representing a plurality of cells and data identifying characteristics for the plurality of cells. The method further includes receiving at least one test cell image representing at least one test cell being evaluated, the at least one test cell image being acquired noninvasively and based on absorbance as an absolute measure of light, and providing the at least one test cell image to the trained machine learning model. Using machine learning based on the trained machine learning model, characteristics of the at least one test cell are predicted. The method further includes generating, by the trained machine learning model, release criteria for clinical preparations of cells based on the predicted characteristics of the at least one test cell.