Abstract: A slush beverage formulation and method for preparing same that, once reaching a steady-state temperature in a freezer, results in a pourable slush. The pourable slush is obtained by formulating to a specific range of ingredient content, dependent on the alcohol content of the end product. In a preferred form, an ice-nucleating agent and/or an ice-particle-shape-controlling ingredient are added.

Abstract: A magnetic strap includes a base, a first connecting end extending from the base and a second connecting end extending from an opposing side of the base. A first magnetic material is coupled to the first connecting end. A second magnetic material is coupled to the second connecting end. The base folds upon itself such that the first magnetic material is attracted to and releasably retains to the second magnetic material.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for identifying and characterizing agents that alter the volume of a cell. Methods are provided for rapid screening and identification of an agent that alters the capability of a small, neutrally charged solute transporter to transport the solute across a cell membrane. The methods described herein may be used to identify and characterize inhibitors of urea transporters, to identify and characterize inhibitors of aquaporins, and to identify and characterize inhibitors of other small, neutrally charged solutes such as glucose.

Abstract: A stigmasterol-rich phytosterol composition is prepared wherein the composition comprises at least 50% stigmasterol, based on the total weight of phytosterols, no more than 1000 ppm water, no more than 50 ppm ethanol, and wherein stigmasterol is at least 98% in the anhydrous form. A ready-to-freeze beverage is provided comprising the stigmasterol-rich composition and water, with optional additives. A frozen beverage is prepared from the ready-to-freeze beverage as a pourable slush. There are further provided processes to prepare the ready-to-freeze beverage and the frozen slush beverage.

Abstract: A flexible, strip-shaped food product is made by comminuting substantially frozen meat, such as chicken, and heating the comminuted meat to at least partially denature the meat proteins and cooling the cooked meat. About 4% by weight to about 45% by weight of wheat flour is admixed with the cooked meat, with other ingredients, such as an alginate gum, to form a dough. The wheat flour unexpectedly increases tensile strength of the dough and products baked from the dough, and maintains flexibility of the strip-shaped food products over an extended period of time. Cooking of the meat in the presence of salt unexpectedly increases water activity of the pieces, resulting in a product that has a skin and moist middle, while maintaining tensile strength. The dough is rotary-molded into strip-shaped pieces. The rotary mold may have angled die cups. The strip-shaped dough pieces are then baked and dried.

Abstract: Extruded, directly expanded, high fiber reduced calorie food products, such as a ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal or sweet or savory snack, are produced at high production rates without substantial loss of extrusion functionality and extrudability by replacing a substantial portion of at least one flour with a gelatinized, enzyme-resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent as a reduced-calorie, high fiber flour replacer. The resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent contains an enzyme-resistant starch type III having a melting point with an endothermic peak temperature of at least about 140° C., and may have a water-holding capacity of less than 3 grams water per gram of the starch-based bulking agent. The total dietary fiber retention of the gelatinized, starch-based bulking agent may be at least about 90% by weight after extrusion using a die temperature of least about 100° C., and a die pressure of at least about 150 psig.

Abstract: A slush beverage formulation and method for preparing same that, once reaching a steady-state temperature in a freezer, results in a pourable slush. The pourable slush is obtained by formulating to a specific range of ingredient content, dependent on the alcohol content of the end product. In a preferred form, an ice-nucleating agent and/or an ice-particle-shape-controlling ingredient are added.

Abstract: A stigmasterol-rich phytosterol composition is prepared wherein the composition comprises at least 50% stigmasterol, based on the total weight of phytosterols, no more than 1000 ppm water, no more than 50 ppm ethanol, and wherein stigmasterol is at least 98% in the anhydrous form. A ready-to-freeze beverage is provided comprising the stigmasterol-rich composition and water, with optional additives. A frozen beverage is prepared from the ready-to-freeze beverage as a pourable slush. There are further provided processes to prepare the ready-to-freeze beverage and the frozen slush beverage.

Abstract: Provided herein are small molecule compounds that alter the transport activity of solute transporters, particularly urea transporters. The compounds described herein belong to the phenylsulfoxyoxazole, phenylsulfoxyimidazole, phenylsulfoxythiazole class of compounds. The compounds described herein are useful for increasing solute clearance in states of fluid overload and for treating cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases, disorders, and conditions. Methods for identifying and using these agents that inhibit urea transporters are described herein.

Abstract: An enzyme resistant starch type III having a melting point or endothermic peak of at least about 140° C. as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is produced in yields of at least about 25% by weight, based upon the weight of the original starch ingredient. A gelatinization stage, nucleation/propagation stage, and preferably a heat-treatment stage are used to produce reduced calorie starch-based compositions which contain the enzyme resistant starch type III. The high melting point of the enzyme resistant starch permits its use in baked good formulations without substantial loss of enzyme resistance upon baking. A gelatinized, starch-based bulking agent having at least 30% by weight of the enzyme-resistant starch may be used in bar-type, extruded, sheeted, or rotary molded food products. The melting enthalpy of the bulking agent may be from about 0.5 to about 4 Joules/g and its water-holding capacity may be less than 3 grams.

Abstract: A flexible, strip-shaped food product is made by comminuting substantially frozen meat and heating the comminuted meat to at least partially denature the meat proteins and cooling the cooked meat. About 4% by weight to about 45% by weight of wheat flour is admixed with the cooked meat, along with other ingredients, to form a dough. Use of the wheat flour unexpectedly increases tensile strength of the dough and products baked from the dough, and maintains flexibility of the strip-shaped food products over an extended period of time. Cooking of the meat in the presence of salt unexpectedly increases water activity of the pieces, resulting in a product that has a skin and a moist middle, while maintaining tensile strength. The dough is rotary-molded into strip-shaped pieces. The rotary mold may have angled die cups. The strip-shaped dough pieces are then baked and dried.

Abstract: An extruded, directly expanded, high fiber reduced calorie food product, such as a ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal or sweet or savory snack, is produced at high production rates without substantial loss of extrusion functionality and extrudability by replacing a substantial portion of at least one flour with a gelatinized, enzyme-resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent as a reduced-calorie, high fiber flour replacer. The resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent contains an enzyme-resistant starch type III having a melting point with an endothermic peak temperature of at least about 140° C., and may have a water-holding capacity of less than 3 grams water per gram of the starch-based bulking agent. The total dietary fiber retention of the gelatinized, starch-based bulking agent may be at least about 90% by weight after the extrusion using a die temperature of least about 100° C., and a die pressure of at least about 150 psig.

Abstract: An enzyme resistant starch type III having a melting point or endothermic peak of at least about 140° C. as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is produced in yields of at least about 25% by weight, based upon the weight of the original starch ingredient. A gelatinization stage, nucleation/propagation stage, and preferably a heat-treatment stage are used to produce reduced calorie starch-based compositions which contain the enzyme resistant starch type III. The high melting point of the enzyme resistant starch permits its use in baked good formulations without substantial loss of enzyme resistance upon baking. A gelatinized, starch-based bulking agent having at least 30% by weight of the enzyme-resistant starch may be used in bar-type, extruded, sheeted, or rotary molded food products. The melting enthalpy of the bulking agent may be from about 0.5 to about 4 Joules/g and its water-holding capacity may be less than 3 grams.

Abstract: Provided herein are small molecule compounds that alter the transport activity of solute transporters, particularly urea transporters. The compounds described herein belong to the benzenesulfonanilide class of compounds. The compounds described herein are useful for increasing solute clearance in states of fluid overload and for treating cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases, disorders, and conditions. Methods for identifying and using these agents that inhibit urea transporters are described herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are small molecule compounds that alter the transport activity of solute transporters, particularly urea transporters. The compounds described herein belong to the phenylsulfoxyoxazole, phenylsulfoxyimidazole, phenylsulfoxythiazole class of compounds. The compounds described herein are useful for increasing solute clearance in states of fluid overload and for treating cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases, disorders, and conditions. Methods for identifying and using these agents that inhibit urea transporters are described herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for identifying and characterizing agents that alter the volume of a cell. Methods are provided for rapid screening and identification of an agent that alters the capability of a small, neutrally charged solute transporter to transport the solute across a cell membrane. The methods described herein may be used to identify and characterize inhibitors of urea transporters, to identify and characterize inhibitors of aquaporins, and to identify and characterize inhibitors of other small, neutrally charged solutes such as glucose.

Abstract: An extruded, directly expanded, high fiber reduced calorie food product, such as a ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal or sweet or savory snack, is produced at high production rates without substantial loss of extrusion functionality and extrudability by replacing a substantial portion of at least one flour with a gelatinized, enzyme-resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent as a reduced-calorie, high fiber flour replacer. The resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent contains an enzyme-resistant starch type III having a melting point with an endothermic peak temperature of at least about 140° C., and may have a water-holding capacity of less than 3 grams water per gram of the starch-based bulking agent. The total dietary fiber retention of the gelatinized, starch-based bulking agent may be at least about 90% by weight after the extrusion using a die temperature of least about 100° C., and a die pressure of at least about 150 psig.

Abstract: An extruded, directly expanded, high fiber reduced calorie food product, such as a ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal or sweet or savory snack, is produced at high production rates without substantial loss of extrusion functionality and extrudability by replacing a substantial portion of at least one flour with a gelatinized, enzyme-resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent as a reduced-calorie, high fiber flour replacer. The resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent contains an enzyme-resistant starch type III having a melting point with an endothermic peak temperature of at least about 140° C., and may have a water-holding capacity of less than 3 grams water per gram of the starch-based bulking agent. The total dietary fiber retention of the gelatinized, starch-based bulking agent may be at least about 90% by weight after the extrusion using a die temperature of least about 100° C., and a die pressure of at least about 150 psig.