Abstract: An automatic method for detection and quantification of localized sources of magnetic susceptibility in images using a computer with instructions for a parameter module; an image input and filtering module; a second image filtering module; and a pattern quantification module.

Abstract: A breathing gas delivery system and method provides a flow of breathing gas to a patient. The gas flow is purposely interrupted for the patient's exhale phase in order to minimize irritation and injury to nasal tissues due to constant, uninterrupted flows. Embodiments include an oscillating ball valve that interrupts oxygen supply during the patient's exhale phase, cannula tips that are shaped to minimize trauma, and a sleep apnea treatment system that interrupts breathing gas supply during the patient's exhale phase.

Abstract: It has been surprisingly discovered that administration of nitrite to subjects causes a reduction in blood pressure and an increase in blood flow to tissues. The effect is particularly beneficial, for example, to tissues in regions of low oxygen tension. This discovery provides useful treatments to regulate a subject's blood pressure and blood flow, for example, by the administration of nitrite salts. Provided herein are methods of administering a pharmaceutically-acceptable nitrite salt to a subject, for treating, preventing or ameliorating a condition selected from: (a) ischemia-reperfusion injury (e.g., hepatic or cardiac or brain ischemia-reperfusion injury); (b) pulmonary hypertension (e.g., neonatal pulmonary hypertension); or (c) cerebral artery vasospasm.

Abstract: A self-illuminating endogastric tube which simplifies the correct placement of the distal end of the endogastric tube within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. A self-illuminating stylet which simplifies the correct placement of the distal end of an endogastric tube within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. A method of placing the distal end of an endogastric tube within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient that does not expose the patient to radiation, or that limits the amount of radiation exposure to less than the amount associated with standard methods of placing the distal end of an endogastric tube within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. A method of confirming the correct placement of an endogastric tube that does not expose the patient to radiation, or that limits the amount of radiation exposure to less than the amount associated with standard methods of placing an endogastric tube.

Abstract: A substance that sets in a relatively short time for use in general dentistry and in endodontics to replace natural tooth material, the substance comprising untreated mineral trioxide aggregate and milled mineral trioxide aggregate, or comprising untreated mineral trioxide aggregate, milled mineral trioxide aggregate and water. A method of making a substance that sets in a relatively short time for use in general dentistry and in endodontics to replace natural tooth material, the method comprising milling by high shear and impact impingement of particles using high pressure homogenization. A method for use in general dentistry and in endodontics to replace natural tooth material.

Abstract: A needle access assembly and method for obtaining percutaneous needle access with little or no fluoroscopy. The method can include selecting a target for percutaneous access, directing a laser guide at a desired needle-insertion angle and in line with the selected target, aligning the needle access assembly with the laser, and inserting the needle into the target.

Abstract: Surgical tools for use during scarless or near scarless surgical procedures. At least some of the surgical tools can include a handle portion and a working end removably connected to the handle portion.

Abstract: A substance that sets in a relatively short time for use in general dentistry and in endodontics to replace natural tooth material, the substance comprising untreated mineral trioxide aggregate and milled mineral trioxide aggregate, or comprising untreated mineral trioxide aggregate, milled mineral trioxide aggregate and water. A method of making a substance that sets in a relatively short time for use in general dentistry and in endodontics to replace natural tooth material, the method comprising milling by high shear and impact impingement of particles using high pressure homogenization. A method for use in general dentistry and in endodontics to replace natural tooth material.

Abstract: A patient alignment system for a radiation therapy system. The alignment system includes multiple external measurement devices which obtain position measurements of components of the radiation therapy system which are movable and/or are subject to flex or other positional variations. The alignment system employs the external measurements to provide corrective positioning feedback to more precisely register the patient and align them with a radiation beam. The alignment system can be provided as an integral part of a radiation therapy system or can be added as an upgrade to existing radiation therapy systems.

Abstract: A substance that sets in a relatively short time for use in general dentistry and in endodontics to replace natural tooth material, the substance comprising untreated mineral trioxide aggregate and milled mineral trioxide aggregate, or comprising untreated mineral trioxide aggregate, milled mineral trioxide aggregate and water. A method of making a substance that sets in a relatively short time for use in general dentistry and in endodontics to replace natural tooth material, the method comprising milling by high shear and impact impingement of particles using high pressure homogenization. A method for use in general dentistry and in endodontics to replace natural tooth material.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a medical image, where the medical image comprises one or more than one region of interest, and where the method comprises a) providing the medical image comprising a set of actual image values; b) rescaling the actual image values to produce corresponding rescaled image values and to produce a rescaled image from the rescaled image values; c) deriving a histogram of the rescaled image values; d) using the histogram to derive an adaptive segmentation threshold; e) using the adaptive segmentation threshold to recursively split the rescaled image; f) terminating the recursive splitting of the sub(sub) images using one or more than one predetermined criteria; and g) identifying one sub(sub) image in the terminated Hierarchical Region Splitting Tree which comprises the region of interest.

Abstract: A microfibrillar high molecular weight chitosan-based textile can be used as a hemostat. The chitosan has been treated in a nitrogen field by applying energy to ionize nitrogen in and around the chitosan textile. A single or multiple such treatments may be employed. For example, the chitosan textile may be irradiated under nitrogen using ?-irradiation, treated under a nitrogen plasma, or both.

Abstract: A composition for reducing bacterial biofilm formation after endodontic therapy comprising water, ethanol, benzalkonium chloride, citric acid, and Triton X-100. A method of making a composition for reducing bacterial biofilm A method for reducing bacterial biofilm formation after a dental procedure.

Abstract: A needle access assembly and method for obtaining percutaneous needle access with little or no fluoroscopy. The method can include selecting a target for percutaneous access, directing a laser guide at a desired needle-insertion angle and in line with the selected target, aligning the needle access assembly with the laser, and inserting the needle into the target.

Abstract: A needle access assembly and method for obtaining percutaneous needle access with little or no fluoroscopy. The method can include selecting a target for percutaneous access, directing a laser guide at a desired needle-insertion angle and in line with the selected target, aligning the needle access assembly with the laser, and inserting the needle into the target.

Abstract: A method for producing triblock copolymer-coated metallic nanoparticle seeds which increases the size and shape homogeneity of the triblock copolymer-coated metallic nanoparticle seeds. A quantity of triblock copolymer-coated metallic nanoparticle seeds. A method for producing triblock copolymer-coated metallic nanoparticles which increases the size and shape homo-geneity of the triblock copolymer-coated metallic nanoparticles. A quantity of triblock copolymer-coated metallic nanoparticles. A method for producing modified metallic nanoparticles which increases the size and shape homogeneity of the modified metallic nanoparticles. A quantity of modified metallic nanoparticles.

Abstract: Surgical tools for use during scarless or near scarless surgical procedures. At least some of the surgical tools can include a handle portion and a working end removably connected to the handle portion.

Abstract: Compositions can be used to stimulate growth of a hair shaft from a hair follicle. These compositions can include methylated polynucleotides useful in treatment of autoimmune diseases or conditions, including those, such as alopecia areata, that result in hair loss.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices and methodologies related to calibration of an ion based imaging apparatus such as a proton computed tomography scanner. In some implementations, energy degrader plates having known water-equivalent thickness (WET) values can be introduced to an ion beam to introduce different energy degradation settings. Energy detector responses to individual ions subject to such energy degradation settings can be obtained. Such responses can be normalized and correlated to water-equivalent path lengths (WEPL) of the ions based on the known WET values. Such calibration utilizing degrader plates can be performed relatively quickly and can yield accurate WEPL values that facilitate estimation of, for example, a CT image based on relative stopping power of an object.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for increasing bone growth and/or enhancing wound healing, for example, fracture repair. The disclosure provides recombinant nucleic acids useful for promoting bone growth. For example, the disclosure provides recombinant nucleic acids that encode a fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) analog. The disclosure also provides vectors and cells incorporating these nucleic acids, as well as FGF-2 analogs encode by them. The disclosure also provides a mouse system of bone marrow transplantation and methods for producing as well as methods for using the system. Methods for inducing division and/or inducing differentiation of a hematopoietic stem cell are also provided, as are methods for enhancing bone growth and/or wound repair (for example, fracture repair).