Abstract: A method of treating or maintaining an apparatus is achieved by subjecting at least one treated component of an apparatus to cathodic protection. The treated component is that having surfaces treated with a coating of a treatment composition of a colloidal particle dispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with an average particle size from 500 nm or less that exhibit properties of Brownian motion. At least some of the inorganic nanoparticles are positively charged nanoparticles, and wherein at least some of the positively charged nanoparticles reside on the surfaces when the at least one treated component of an apparatus is subjected to cathodic protection.

Abstract: A method of operating a pipeline or apparatus is carried out by subjecting a pretreated component of a pipeline or apparatus to cathodic protection. The pretreated component is that having surfaces previously treated with a coating of a treatment composition of a colloidal particle dispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with an average particle size from 500 nm or less that exhibit properties of Brownian motion. At least some of the inorganic nanoparticles of the treatment composition are positively charged nanoparticles. The surfaces of the pretreated component are fresh surfaces or surfaces where any residues or deposits that have been previously formed on the surfaces from prior material contact have been removed prior to being treated.

Abstract: A method of treating an apparatus to remove surface deposits therefrom is performed by selecting a colloidal particle dispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with an average particle size of from 500 nm or less that exhibit properties of Brownian motion that facilitate penetration of solid deposits on surfaces of an apparatus that is subject to surface deposits from contact with fluids. The surfaces of the apparatus are contacted with a treatment composition comprising the colloidal particle dispersion. The composition is allowed to act upon the materials adhering to the surfaces of the apparatus to loosen and breakup the materials adhering to the surfaces of the apparatus. The loosened and broken materials are removed from the surfaces of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of pretreating a pipeline or apparatus is carried out by selecting a colloidal particle dispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with an average particle size of from 500 nm or less that exhibit properties of Brownian motion. Surfaces of a pipeline or apparatus are contacted with a treatment composition comprising the colloidal particle dispersion. The colloidal particles of the treatment composition are allowed to adhere the surfaces of the pipeline or apparatus to facilitate a reduction in friction of the surfaces of the pipeline or apparatus and/or lower the pressure drop of fluid flowing over the surfaces of the pipeline or apparatus and/or to reduce the formation of surface deposits on the surfaces of the pipeline or apparatus.

Abstract: A method of treating a pipeline is performed by selecting a colloidal particle dispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with an average particle size of from 500 nm or less that exhibit properties of Brownian motion that facilitate penetration of solid deposits on interior surfaces of a pipeline. A treatment composition comprising the colloidal particle dispersion is introduced into an interior of a pipeline by at least one of (A) introducing a batch amount of the treatment composition in a selected volume into the interior of the pipeline, and (B) continuously introducing the treatment composition at a selected rate into the interior of the interior of the pipeline. The composition is allowed to act upon the surfaces and materials adhering to the surfaces of the interior of the pipeline.

Abstract: A method of treating an apparatus to remove surface deposits therefrom is performed by selecting a colloidal particle dispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with an average particle size of from 500 nm or less that exhibit properties of Brownian motion that facilitate penetration of solid deposits on surfaces of an apparatus that is subject to surface deposits from contact with fluids. The surfaces of the apparatus are contacted with a treatment composition comprising the colloidal particle dispersion. The composition is allowed to act upon the materials adhering to the surfaces of the apparatus to loosen and breakup the materials adhering to the surfaces of the apparatus. The loosened and broken materials are removed from the surfaces of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of treating a pipeline is performed by selecting a colloidal particle dispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with an average particle size of from 500 nm or less that exhibit properties of Brownian motion that facilitate penetration of solid deposits on interior surfaces of a pipeline. A treatment composition comprising the colloidal particle dispersion is introduced into an interior of a pipeline by at least one of (A) introducing a batch amount of the treatment composition in a selected volume into the interior of the pipeline, and (B) continuously introducing the treatment composition at a selected rate into the interior of the interior of the pipeline. The composition is allowed to act upon the surfaces and materials adhering to the surfaces of the interior of the pipeline.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a pipeline is performed by introducing a treatment composition comprising a colloidal particle dispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with an average particle size of from 500 nm or less into an interior of a pipeline to be cleaned. A pig or body is passed through the pipeline to spread the composition upon surfaces of the interior of the pipeline. The composition and materials adhering to the surfaces of the interior of the pipeline are removed to facilitate cleaning of the pipeline.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a pipeline is performed by introducing a treatment composition comprising a colloidal particle dispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with an average particle size of from 500 nm or less into an interior of a pipeline to be cleaned. A pig or body is passed through the pipeline to spread the composition upon surfaces of the interior of the pipeline.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a pipeline is performed by introducing a treatment composition comprising a colloidal particle dispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with an average particle size of from 500 nm or less into an interior of a pipeline to be cleaned. A pig or body is passed through the pipeline to spread the composition upon surfaces of the interior of the pipeline.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a pipeline is performed by introducing a treatment composition comprising a colloidal particle dispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with an average particle size of from 500 nm or less into an interior of a pipeline to be cleaned. A pig or body is passed through the pipeline to spread the composition upon surfaces of the interior of the pipeline. The composition and materials adhering to the surfaces of the interior of the pipeline are removed to facilitate cleaning of the pipeline.

Abstract: A system for processing medical prescriptions is disclosed. The system comprises computer hardware in communication with a customer, a prescriber, and a plurality of pharmacies. The computer hardware includes a processor and a storage medium including instructions for execution by the processor to receive insurance information from the customer and receive a medical prescription and prescription-related rules from the prescriber. The processors obtain a customer cost associated with fulfilling the medical prescription at each pharmacy based on the insurance information and communicate the customer costs to the customer. The customer provides pharmacy selection input (e.g., one or more preferred pharmacies) and the processors transmit the medical prescription to a selected pharmacy for fulfillment based on the prescription-related rules (e.g., a list of approved pharmacies).

Abstract: This disclosure includes apparatuses for minimizing scar spread and reducing risk of wound dehiscence and related methods. Some of the apparatuses include a flexible first strip and a flexible second strip, the first and second strips configured to be coupled to a patient's back on opposing sides of a wound and a substantially inelastic and flexible layer of material configured to be directly coupled to the first and second strips with the layer in tension to resist separation of the first and second strips, where the layer is configured to be removably coupled to at least one of the first and second strips. In some of the apparatuses, the layer is configured to be removably coupled to each of the first and second strips. In some of the apparatuses, the layer is non-removably coupled to and/or is unitary with at least one of the first and second strips.

Abstract: Apparatuses for minimizing scar spread and reducing risk of wound dehiscence and related methods. Some of the apparatuses include a flexible first strip and a flexible second strip, the first and second strips configured to be coupled to a patient's back on opposing sides of a wound and a substantially inelastic and flexible layer of material configured to be directly coupled to the first and second strips with the layer in tension to resist separation of the first and second strips, where the layer is configured to be removably coupled to at least one of the first and second strips. In some of the apparatuses, the layer is configured to be removably coupled to each of the first and second strips. In some of the apparatuses, the layer is non-removably coupled to and/or is unitary with at least one of the first and second strips.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions of an anti-neoplastic agent and methods of use. In some embodiments, the biodegradable sustained release compositions comprise an effective amount of the anti-neoplastic agent. Also disclosed herein are methods to treat a neoplasia in a subject by biodegradable sustained release compositions of the anti-neoplastic agent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are sustained release compositions of anti-inflammatory agents and methods of use. In some embodiments, the biodegradable sustained release compositions comprise an effective amount of an anti-inflammatory agent selected from a steroid, ta calcineurin inhibitor, a PDE4 inhibitor, an antibiotic, and combinations thereof. Also disclosed herein are methods to treat an inflammatory condition in a subject by administering a biodegradable sustained release compositions of the anti-inflammatory agent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions of cidofovir and methods of use. In some embodiments, the biodegradable sustained release compositions comprise an effective amount of cidofovir. Also disclosed herein are methods to treat a human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated disease in a subject by biodegradable sustained release compositions of cidofovir.

Abstract: Topical compositions comprising sunflower oil, coconut oil, shea butter, grapeseed oil, squalene, and a tocopherol are disclosed. Topical compositions comprising sunflower oil, coconut oil, shea butter, camellia oil, squalane, and a tocopherol are further disclosed. Topical compositions comprising sunflower oil, coconut oil, shea butter, camellia oil, squalane, menthol and a tocopherol are disclosed. Topical compositions comprising sunflower oil, coconut oil, shea butter, camellia oil, squalane, hemp oil and a tocopherol are also disclosed. Topical compositions comprising sunflower oil, coconut oil, shea butter, camellia oil, squalane, menthol, hemp oil and a tocopherol are also disclosed. The compositions disclosed herein can be used for improving various skin conditions, such as eczema, erythema, irritation, pruritus, drying, drying of the skin, cracking of the skin, wrinkles, rosacea, contact dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis.

Abstract: This disclosure includes needle holders and related methods. Some holders use or include an elongated handle having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a first jaw member coupled to the distal portion of the handle, a second jaw member pivotally coupled to the first jaw member, and a lever pivotally coupled to the handle and coupled to the second jaw member such that the lever can be actuated by a user's thumb to selectively open and close the jaw members. In some holders, the handle extends proximally beyond the lever such that the lever can be actuated by the user's thumb to selectively open and close the jaw members while the handle is grasped within the user's hand. In some holders, the handle is defined by an elongated housing defining an interior volume configured to receive at least a portion of the lever when the jaw members are closed.

Abstract: This disclosure includes shave biopsy devices having an elongated body with a proximal surface extending between first and second ends that are configured to be grasped by a user's fingers and a blade coupled to the body, where the body is configured to be curved such that the proximal surface is concave. In some devices, at least a portion of the body has a substantially fixed curvature. Some devices include a depth gauge disposed on at least one of the blade and proximal surface of the body, the depth gauge configured to indicate slicing depth of the blade when the body is curved to at least one predetermined curvature.