Abstract: A foam-air mattress includes a mattress housing including a top layer and a bottom layer; a plurality of pocket walls, disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer, air bladder inserts that can be inserted into the plurality of pocket walls, wherein the air bladder inserts are configured to be connected to a pumping system via a tubing assembly; and a plurality of foam compartments formed by the mattress housing and the plurality of pocket walls, configured to accept foam inserts. The air bladder inserts when inserted into the plurality of pocket walls and inflated by the pumping system, configure the plurality of pocket walls to expand and compress foam inserts disposed within the plurality of foam compartments so as to increase the density of the foam inserts. This arrangement has applications in both the consumer and medical airbed contexts, as well as in other support system contexts, such as seat cushions for chairs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing user activity data associated with a master user account over a period of time are disclosed. The method may include: receiving user activity data associated with a master user account, the user activity data collected at a user device over a time period; receiving user biometric data associated with the master user account, the user biometric data generated based on physical interactions of a user with the user device over the time period; identifying a matching sub-user account corresponding to the user within the master user account based on a comparison between the user biometric data and one or more stored action metrics associated with the master user account; and storing the user activity data in association with the sub-user account within the master user account.

Abstract: A foam-air mattress includes a mattress housing including a top layer and a bottom layer; a plurality of pocket walls, disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer, air bladder inserts that can be inserted into the plurality of pocket walls, wherein the air bladder inserts are configured to be connected to a pumping system via a tubing assembly; and a plurality of foam compartments formed by the mattress housing and the plurality of pocket walls, configured to accept foam inserts. The air bladder inserts when inserted into the plurality of pocket walls and inflated by the pumping system, configure the plurality of pocket walls to expand and compress foam inserts disposed within the plurality of foam compartments so as to increase the density of the foam inserts. This arrangement has applications in both the consumer and medical airbed contexts, as well as in other support system contexts, such as seat cushions for chairs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention utilizes advanced detection methodologies, such as the lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technology, as a cost-effective, efficient, ultra-sensitive rapid method for diagnosing Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) in human subjects. In certain aspects, multiple biomarkers of AMI are concurrently detected and measured in serum and saliva to provide a more efficient, sensitive and accurate diagnosis of AMI.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods by which cardiac biomarkers are assigned an index (cardiovascular biomarker index-cardiobioindex, CBI) as a means to describe the utility of each biomarker, or combination of biomarkers for risk evaluation, diagnosis or prognosis of cardiovascular disease status.

Abstract: We previously described a novel in vitro model of a non-productive herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection in neurally-differentiated (ND)-PC12 cells that allows for inducible virus replication upon forskolin and heat stress (HS) treatment. In this research, we further characterized the model with respect to HSV-2 strain 333. We found that: (i) ND-PC12 cells are non-permissive to HSV-2 replication; (ii) HSV-2 can establish a quiescent infection, like HSV-1, in ND-PC12 cells with the transient use of acycloguanosine (ACV); however unlike HSV-1, anti-viral conditions are not obligatory to establish and maintain a quiescent state; (iii) the quiescent state is maintained in the presence of Vero cell cocultivation indicating that such cultures are free of infectious virus; and (iv) a high percentage of quiescently infected (QIF)-PC 12 cell cultures (80-100%) produce HSV-2 in response to forskolin and HS (43° C., 3 h) treatment for as long as 4 weeks post infection.

Abstract: We previously described a novel in vitro model of a non-productive herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection in neurally-differentiated (ND)-PC12 cells that allows for inducible virus replication upon forskolin and heat stress (HS) treatment. In this research, we further characterized the model with respect to HSV-2 strain 333. We found that: (i) ND-PC12 cells are non-permissive to HSV-2 replication; (ii) HSV-2 can establish a quiescent infection, like HSV-1, in ND-PC 12 cells with the transient use of acycloguanosine (ACV); however unlike HSV-1, anti-viral conditions are not obligatory to establish and maintain a quiescent state; (iii) the quiescent state is maintained in the presence of Vero cell cocultivation indicating that such cultures are free of infectious virus; and (iv) a high percentage of quiescently infected (QIF)-PC 12 cell cultures (80-100%) produce HSV-2 in response to forskolin and HS (43° C., 3 h) treatment for as long as 4 weeks post infection.

Abstract: A one piece air mattress suitable for use in health care settings to aid in prevention of bed sores has air cells permanently attached to a common base sheet along a base perimeter of each cell. The air cells and base sheet are of flexible radio frequency weldable plastic material, and all the air cells can be simultaneously welded to the base sheet in a single welding step using a special welding jig. Air supply conduits are defined by strips bonded to the base sheet in overlying relationship to orifices opening the supply conduits to the air cells, thereby eliminating the need for external air hoses and connections. An alternating pressure air mattress can be made by opening different air supply conduits to alternating sets of the air cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, a PC12 cell quiescently infected with a neurotropic virus. Preferred quiescently-infected neural cells are those wherein the neurotropic virus is a neurotropic herpes virus. Methods related to these and other materials are also provided.

Abstract: A one piece air mattress suitable for use in health care settings to aid in prevention of bed sores has air cells permanently attached to a common base sheet along a base perimeter of each cell. The air cells and base sheet are of flexible radio frequency weldable plastic material, and all the air cells can be simultaneously welded to the base sheet in a single welding step using a special welding jig. Air supply conduits are defined by strips bonded to the base sheet in overlying relationship to orifices opening the supply conduits to the air cells, thereby eliminating the need for external air hoses and connections. An alternating pressure air mattress can be made by opening different air supply conduits to alternating sets of the air cells.

Abstract: An inflatable mattress for clinical bed use has a base pad including two sheets joined to define one or more narrow air conduits extending along the pad. A body supporting surface is provided by individually detachable inflatable elements covering the base pad. Each inflatable element is secured across the pad transversely to and communicates with at least one air conduit through apertured fasteners. Air permeable foam in the air conduits holds the conduits open in a gatched condition of the pad. Cushioning material contained between the sheets exteriorly to the air conduits provides body support in the event of deflation of the mattress. Constant pressure and alternating pressure modes of operation are supported with appropriate air supply systems.

Abstract: An inflatable overlay for a bed mattress has a base sheet with a top and sides sized to retentively fit over the mattress, and inflatable elements secured to the sheet defining a body support surface. Impermeable sheet material is layered on the base sheet to form air conduits connected for supplying the inflatable elements. The overlay is pliable and can be folded or rolled for transport and storage.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention is directed to a cellular air loss mattress system comprising an air mattress and an air supply means. Cells of the mattress system are welded onto a unitary top piece and a unitary bottom piece. Means for supplying air, preferably an air blower, is connected to the center cell (also referred to as the pelvic cell) via a supply hose. The air exiting the air blower travels through the supply hose and fills the center cell. The air is allowed to directly travel into adjacent cells via internal air connectors. The inner diameter of each air connector is adjusted to create different pressure zones within the air mattress to support the different pressure requirements of a patient's body. The highest pressure zone is the center cell that initially receives air from the air supply means. The pressure decreases as air moves from the center cell to adjacent cells.

Abstract: An air support unit for use in a modular air support bed has a common base pad of pliable material and inflatable elements releaseably fastened to one side of the base pad to define a body support surface. The air support unit constitutes a lightweight, foldable module easily and quickly interchangeable in a given bed with other modules having different patient support characteristics. The air support unit may be contained in a coverlet having a detachable top for easy access to the air support unit. An interior frame of resilient foam may be provided around the air support unit inside the coverlet for enhanced edge support.

Abstract: A watermattress having a first sheet and a second sheet forming a container for receiving water includes a third sheet for dividing the container into a bladder for receiving water and a cavity. A sheet of foam including portions which define a plurality of holes is disposed in the cavity where means is provided for joining the second sheet and the third sheet through the holes in the foam sheet for maintaining the foam sheet in its generally planar configuration within the container.

Abstract: A watermattress includes a outer bladder for retaining water and an inner chamber assembly for inhibiting wave motion within the bladder. The chamber assembly includes a first chamber disposed generally vertically with respect to a second chamber. The walls of the respective chambers form a passage which permits a flow of water from the first chamber to the second chamber thereby providing the chambers with different collapsed characteristics. The top chamber may have relatively fast collapse characteristic providing a soft sitting surface while the second chamber can have relatively slow collapse characteristics to more significantly retard the downward movement of a person sitting on the mattress.

Abstract: A mattress includes a flexible tube having a pair of major surfaces alternating with a pair of side surfaces with marginal portions of the major surfaces extending beyond the side surfaces at each end of the tube. The marginal portions are bent toward each other and lap sealed along seams extending substantially between the side surfaces to form the end surfaces of the mattress. At each corner an insert is disposed along a line where the end surface approaches the side surface and is attached thereto by a continuous lap seam having substantially parallel sides extending substantially between the major surfaces. An associated method includes the provision of a special mandril for heat sealing the insert.

Abstract: A cap adapted for use with an elongated rail having a pair of opposed lateral surfaces includes a support member having laterally opposed walls which extend along the lateral surface of the rail. A resiliently compressible material is disposed over the support member and held in place by a cover. Opposed marginal portions of the cover are bent around respective troughs formed by the walls of the support member, and each marginal portion is retained within the associated trough by a spline. The walls of the support member bias the cover into frictional engagement with the lateral surfaces of the rail to retain the cap on the rail.