Abstract: A method implemented on an electronic computing device for presenting invasive and/or operative procedure bundles includes: on the electronic computing device, displaying a map of a geographic area; identifying a plurality of markers on the map, each marker being associated with an invasive and/or operative procedure, and each marker being placed in the geographical location at which the invasive and/or operative procedure is to be performed; and showing a price associated with each.

Abstract: An example method for providing out-of-pocket cost for invasive and/or operative procedure bundles includes: receiving a query that identifies an insurance payor, a requested procedure, and an insured patient; defining one or more providers required by the requested procedure; translating the query into a corresponding electronic data interchange eligibility and benefits inquiry for each of the one or more providers; sending each electronic data interchange eligibility and benefits inquiry to a payor; receiving a corresponding electronic data interchange eligibility and benefits response from the payor; parsing and extracting necessary elements from the eligibility and benefits responses; mapping and sending the parsed and extracted necessary elements from the eligibility and benefits responses to a cost calculator; collecting, calculating, and/or estimating corresponding provider contracted rates; and sending the collected, calculated, and/or estimated corresponding provider contracted rates to a cost calcul

Abstract: An example method for presenting invasive and/or operative procedure bundles can include: receiving a request for an invasive and/or operative procedure bundle, the request identifying an end user and one or more services requested by the end user; determining which kind of participants are required; determining which specific participants will participate; converting requests for the specific participants into electronic data interchange (EDI) transactions; and communicating to the specific participants using the EDI transactions to define resource needs and deliver specifics.

Abstract: An example method for presenting invasive and/or operative procedure bundles can include: receiving a request for an invasive and/or operative procedure bundle, the request identifying an end user and one or more services requested by the end user; determining which kind of participants are required; determining which specific participants will participate; converting requests for the specific participants into electronic data interchange (EDI) transactions; and communicating to the specific participants using the EDI transactions to define resource needs and deliver specifics.

Abstract: An example method for visually depicting geographic distribution of facilities or participants in a market for invasive or operative procedures includes: displaying a map of a geographic area; defining a plurality of markers on the map, each marker being associated with an invasive or operative procedure, a facility, a patient, a healthcare provider, equipment, or other participant; displaying each marker associated with a bundled invasive or operative procedure at a geographical location of a facility at which the procedure is to be performed and displaying each marker associated with a patient, healthcare provider, equipment, or other participant at a geographical location at which the patient, healthcare provider, equipment or other participant originates; calculating one or more distances between the patient, healthcare provider, equipment, or other participant and the facility; determining an activity density of procedures performed; and presenting static or dynamic visual depictions on the map represent

Abstract: An example method for providing out-of-pocket cost for invasive and/or operative procedure bundles includes: receiving a query that identifies an insurance payor, a requested procedure, and an insured patient; defining one or more providers required by the requested procedure; translating the query into a corresponding electronic data interchange eligibility and benefits inquiry for each of the one or more providers; sending each electronic data interchange eligibility and benefits inquiry to a payor; receiving a corresponding electronic data interchange eligibility and benefits response from the payor; parsing and extracting necessary elements from the eligibility and benefits responses; mapping and sending the parsed and extracted necessary elements from the eligibility and benefits responses to a cost calculator; collecting, calculating, and/or estimating corresponding provider contracted rates; and sending the collected, calculated, and/or estimated corresponding provider contracted rates to a cost calcul

Abstract: A method includes: collecting and compiling historical data associated with a type of invasive and/or operative procedure; analyzing the historical data associated with the type of invasive and/or operative procedure to identify factors associated with likelihood of positive outcomes and/or risk of negative outcomes; calculating a provider specific quality score from the factors associated with likelihood of positive outcomes and/or risk of negative outcomes associated with the risk factors; and on the electronic computing device, displaying a bundled invasive and/or operative procedure and a provider specific quality score associated therewith.

Abstract: A method implemented on an electronic computing device for presenting invasive and/or operative procedure bundles includes: on the electronic computing device, displaying a map of a geographic area; identifying a plurality of markers on the map, each marker being associated with an invasive and/or operative procedure, and each marker being placed in the geographical location at which the invasive and/or operative procedure is to be performed; and showing a price associated with each.

Abstract: Activation of the c-fos promoter and the serum response element (SRE) in androgen independent cancer cells has been demonstrated. In androgen dependent cells, direct activation of protein kinase C (PKC) or serum response factor (SRF) activated the c-fos promoter or SRE and caused androgen independent expression of an androgen target promoter. The highly specific PKC inhibitor chelerythrine selectively killed androgen independent cells. Expression of mutant SRF cDNA's inhibited activation of the SRE in prostate cancer cells. These reagents demonstrate the feasibility of both chemotherapy and gene therapy in interfering with intracellular pathways on which androgen independent cells are dependent; i.e. a strategy is outlined for treating hormone independent cancer in which the PKC-SRE pathway is disrupted by either chemotherapy or gene therapy.

Abstract: A method of enhancing a magnetic resonance signal comprising the steps of administering a quantity of a selected magnetic isotope to a living biological tissue at a concentration greater than the naturally occurring concentration of such isotope and detecting magnetic resonance signal from the administered magnetic isotope in the living biological tissue.