Abstract: The present invention is a process and the product produced by that process for solid, particulate animal feed premixes, characterized by having a certain particle size range, physical stability, hardness range, and rapid dissolution, wherein the premixes contain various drugs and other, pharmaceutically and nutritionally acceptable diluents, binders and formulation aids as needed, or desired.

Abstract: The invention generally provides implants comprising polymers and contrast agents for marking and monitoring medical conditions.

Abstract: A surgical closure device (100) includes (a) a continuous loop (110), which defines an opening (112) therethrough, and which is configured to assume at least an open shape and a closed shape, and (b) four or more tissue anchors (130), coupled to the loop (110). An area of the opening (112) when the loop (110) assumes the closed shape is less than 80% of the area of the opening (112) when the loop (110) assumes the open shape. The loop (110) is configured such that, as the loop (110) transitions from the open shape to the closed shape, all of the anchors (130) move in generally radial directions, and do not move in generally circumferential directions; and a first set of two or more of the anchors (130A) move on average a first distance, and a second set of two or more of the anchors (130B) move on average a second distance that is between 40% and 80% of the first distance.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns embodiments of a combination and/or composition comprising bacillus, and yucca, quillaja or both. Embodiments of methods of making and using the combination and/or composition also are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the combination and/or composition may be used to improve feed conversion rates in animals. In some embodiments the animals are avians; in other embodiments, the animals are non-avians. Embodiments of the disclosed combination can comprise a first composition comprising Quillaja saponaria, Yucca schidigera, or both, and Bacillus coagulans. Embodiments of the disclosed composition can comprise Quillaja saponaria, Yucca schidigera, or both, and Bacillus coagulans.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid collection device that comprises a housing having a normally obverse fluid receiving side and an opposing side. The fluid receiving side has an aperture for receiving a fluid and permitting deposition of the fluid into a fluid collector. The fluid collector is normally inclined to permit inclined fluid flow away from the aperture. Also disclosed is a kit that includes the fluid collection device, and various methods for use of the fluid collection device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for healthcare services having a behavior-based financing framework. The system includes a computer for creating an incentive budget. The system also includes means for acquiring and understanding an individual's health status and an individualized health management map focusing on the individual's modifiable health conditions and lifestyle behaviors determined from the acquired health status and providing means for tracking the individual's progress toward improved health. An incentive program is provided that conforms to the incentive budget and provides incentives for the individual to engage in their health and well-being.

Abstract: Separating storage of personal from non-personal health information. At a server device, receiving and responding to requests from an application that involve access to both personal and non-personal health information. Parsing those requests into first portions which do not involve access to personal health information, and second portions which do. Referring those portions which involve access to personal health information to an information agent, which uses configuration information to determine how to access that personal health information. Separately accessing the personal health information using a secure key and referring an answer to those portions which involve access to both personal health information to the server device. At the server device, composing a response to requests from the application, including responses to both those first portions and those second portions.

Abstract: An interactive health assessment system and method is disclosed. A computer implemented system displays a plurality of health assessment questions to a user; receives an answer from the user for each respective question of the plurality of health assessment questions asked; generates a health score based on the answers received from the user; and provides the user with feedback information regarding the health score.

Abstract: A system and method to issue a text alert message in response to a website deflection. DNS inquires for a website resource may be deflected to a new IP address for a website prior to or after the occurrence of a natural disaster, emergency event, attack, or other event that damages the computer infrastructure of an organization or causes interruption in website administration, thereby interrupting the organization's ability to continue to offer or update its website information. Alternatively, the system can be used to issue marketing alerts in response to a website deflection. The text alert may be issued responsive to deflection or responsive to an automated process that alters a zone file on a controlling DNS server.

Abstract: The present invention is a process and the product produced by that process for solid, particulate animal feed premixes, characterized by having a certain particle size range, physical stability, hardness range, and rapid dissolution, wherein the premixes contain various drugs and other, pharmaceutically and nutritionally acceptable diluents, binders and formulation aids as needed, or desired.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods to encourage health care consumers to engage in healthy lifestyle choices, thereby improving their overall health condition. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to using social media, via a social engagement engine, to encourage health care consumers to participate in health-improving activities and to engage in health-conscious behaviors. Specifically, disclosed is a computer-implemented system for operating a health program, which includes: a team formation module configured to receive data representing the formation of a plurality of teams; a challenge module configured to receive data representing the formation of one or more challenges; a data tracking module configured to receive, over an electronic network, data representing a tracked health condition of a user; and a scoring module configured to apply an algorithm to the health condition data to convert it into a numerical score.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for testing a modified specimen such as a dried blood spot, plasma or serum specimen, for an analyte of interest, such as cholesterol. In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, the level of the analyte of interest in the medium from which the modified specimen was obtained (e.g., from a patient's blood) is determined based on the level of an analyte in a solution formed from the modified specimen and on the level of at least one normalizing analyte. The analyte and normalizing analyte each may be an ion, compound, biochemical entity, or property of the specimen. Also disclosed are a fluid collector and a fluid collection device.

Abstract: Provided is a device comprising at least two layers, said at least two layers being at least partially overlapping (e.g., superposed) and contacting one another, wherein a first layer of said at least two layers comprises a non-biodegradable mesh, and wherein a second layer of the at least two layers comprises an electrospun element, and wherein the device is devoid of an extracellular matrix generated by mesenchymal progenitor cells, which are characterized by a reduced differentiation potential into an adipogenic lineage by at least about 50% as compared to differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells from an adult adipose source under identical assay conditions, and by an increased osteogenic differentiation potential by at least about 20% as compared to the osteogenic differentiation potential of adipose-derived MSCs under identical assays conditions.

Abstract: A muco-adhesive patch for delivery of drugs into mucous membranes. On the muco-contact side, a water impermeable layer covers the center of the patch and less than half of the muco-contact side of the patch. Drugs may be added by mixing the drug with an adhesive material and placing a spot of the drug plus adhesive onto the exposed side of the water impermeable layer. A lenticular medical patch with a thin, tapered edge can be made with multiple layers by passing a single sheet such as a sheet of plastic through a production line in which each layer is applied in turn maintaining registration by reference to edges of the sheet or to marks on the sheet.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a measurement of the extent of telangectasia in an area of skin is disclosed. Initially (S3-1) an image of an area of skin (2) to be analyzed is obtained. The obtained image is then processed (S3-2-S3-3) to determine blood distribution data indicative of the distribution of blood in an imaged area of skin. This blood distribution data is then converted (S3-5) using a Discrete Fourier Transform and the converted blood distribution data is then processed to obtain a measurement of the extent features in a determined distribution of blood correspond to structures of a predetermined size. The obtained measurement of the extent of telangectasia can then be combined (s3-6) with other measurements of the effects of photo-damage such as measurements of melanin disorder and collagen degradation to obtain a measurement of the extent of photo-damage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for testing a modified specimen such as a dried blood spot, plasma or serum specimen, for an analyte of interest, such as cholesterol. In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, the level of the analyte of interest in the medium from which the modified specimen was obtained (e.g., from a patient's blood) is determined based on the level of an analyte in a solution formed from the modified specimen and on the level of at least one normalizing analyte. The analyte and normalizing analyte each may be an ion, compound, biochemical entity, or property of the specimen. Also disclosed are a fluid collector and a fluid collection device.

Abstract: Method of analysing at least one parameter of a body component is provided. The method includes illuminating the component or body with light of at least a first and second waveband, receiving light of at least said first and second wavebands remitted by the component at a photoreceptor or photoreceptors, and analysing the light received at the photoreceptor(s) to provide a ratio between the amount of light remitted of the first waveband and the amount of light remitted of the second waveband, and from this calculating the component parameter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for testing a modified specimen such as a dried blood spot, plasma or serum specimen, for an analyte of interest, such as cholesterol. In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, the level of the analyte of interest in the medium from which the modified specimen was obtained (e.g., from a patient's blood) is determined based on the level of an analyte in a solution formed from the modified specimen and on the level of at least one normalizing analyte. The analyte and normalizing analyte each may be an ion, compound, biochemical entity, or property of the specimen. Also disclosed are a fluid collector and a fluid collection device.

Abstract: Novel fenicol compounds having useful properties as antibiotic prodrugs, are provided, together with methods of making and using these new compounds.

Abstract: A system and method of administering photon therapy to a treatment site of a patient are described. The system includes a plurality of treatment modules, each treatment module including a photon emitter, and a case for housing the photon emitter. The case includes linkers for linking each of the treatment modules to form an arbitrary modular pattern to cover the treatment site.