Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a device for storing first and second ingredient materials, mixing the ingredient materials to form an adhesive material and dispensing the adhesive material. Various embodiments are also described herein for a method of making the device and a method of using the device.

Abstract: Various embodiments of tantalum- and/or niobium-containing glasses and cements as well as uses thereof are described herein. For example, in an embodiment, the glasses comprise a transition metal pentoxide such as tantalum pentoxide and/or niobium pentoxide present in the glass in an amount of less than 2.0 mol %, based on the total composition of the glass, glass polyalkenoate cements prepared from such glasses and uses of such cements, for example, for sternal closure or fixation, stabilization and/or repair of a fracture in a bone in the wrist, elbow, knee, shoulder, spine and/or hip.

Abstract: A device for storing first and second ingredient materials, mixing the ingredient materials to form an adhesive material and dispensing the adhesive material. The device comprises: a nozzle for dispensing the third material; a first container adapted to store a first ingredient material and mix the first ingredient material with a second ingredient material; a second container disposed within the first container, and moveable between a storage position in which a second ingredient material is stored in the second container and a mixing position in which the second ingredient material is moved to the first container; a mixer that longitudinally extends into the first and second containers; a handle alternatively coupled to the mixer to mix the first and second ingredient materials or to the second container to move the second container to a dispensing position to dispense the third material.

Abstract: Various embodiments of tantalum- and/or niobium-containing glasses and cements as well as uses thereof are described herein. For example, in an embodiment, the glasses comprise a transition metal pentoxide such as tantalum pentoxide and/or niobium pentoxide present in the glass in an amount of less than 2.0 mol %, based on the total composition of the glass, glass polyalkenoate cements prepared from such glasses and uses of such cements, for example, for sternal closure or fixation, stabilization and/or repair of a fracture in a bone in the wrist, elbow, knee, shoulder, spine and/or hip.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a method and a use of a device for detecting gout. The method can include irradiating a portion of the anatomical region through a skin surface using a light source and receiving scattered light from the portion of the anatomical region. The portion of the anatomical region may be subcutaneous. The method further includes determining Raman spectral data from the received scattered light and identifying a plurality of peaks associated with monosodium urate in the Raman spectral data. The method further comprises determining that a monosodium urate deposition is present in the anatomical region when the number of identified peaks associated with monosodium urate is greater than a detection threshold. The method may be performed using a device that includes a light source, an optical detection component and a spectral selection component.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing bone disease such as osteoporosis are provided. The methods comprise detecting changes in the physical or chemical structure of a keratinized tissue as correlates of disease. The methods include detecting changes in the hardness, modulus, or level of sulfur bonding, particularly the level of disulfide bonding, in a keratinized tissue sample such as nail, hair, or skin. Changes in these variables serve as diagnostic markers of bone diseases that are associated with changes in bone elasticity and bone density.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for assessing risk of bone fracture. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve a) conducting an assay to determine a characteristic of keratinized tissue obtained from a mammal, b) analyzing at least one bone-fracture risk factor associated with the mammal, and c) correlating results from steps (a) and (b), thereby assessing the risk of bone fracture of a bone of the mammal.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for assessing risk of bone fracture. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve a) conducting an assay to determine a characteristic of keratinized tissue obtained from a mammal, b) analyzing at least one bone-fracture risk factor associated with the mammal, and c) correlating results from steps (a) and (b), thereby assessing the risk of bone fracture of a bone of the mammal.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing bone disease such as osteoporosis are provided. The methods comprise detecting changes in the physical or chemical structure of a keratinized tissue as correlates of disease. The methods include detecting changes in the hardness, modulus, or level of sulfur bonding, particularly the level of disulfide bonding, in a keratinized tissue sample such as nail, hair, or skin. Changes in these variables serve as diagnostic markers of bone diseases that are associated with changes in bone elasticity and bone density.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing bone disease such as osteoporosis are provided. The methods comprise detecting changes in the physical or chemical structure of a keratinized tissue as correlates of disease. The methods include detecting changes in the hardness, modulus, or level of sulfur bonding, particularly the level of disulfide bonding, in a keratinized tissue sample such as nail, hair, or skin. Changes in these variables serve as diagnostic markers of bone diseases that are associated with changes in bone elasticity and bone density.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for assessing risk of bone fracture. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve a) conducting an assay to determine a characteristic of keratinized tissue obtained from a mammal, b) analyzing at least one bone-fracture risk factor associated with the mammal, and c) correlating results from steps (a) and (b), thereby assessing the risk of bone fracture of a bone of the mammal.

Abstract: A synthetic graft has a glass composition comprises silicon as a network former and Sr as a stable isotope acting as a network modifier. The composition contains calcium as a network modifier and Zn acting as a as either a network modifier or as a network former. The glass composition may be mixed with a solution of polyalkenoic acid to provide advantageous glass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs). These cements are particularly effective for use as bone cements and fillers in the human skeleton as they set at room temperature, have similar strengths to bone, chemically bond to both bone and surgical metal, and release therapeutic ions, which can assist in wound healing and bone re-growth.

Abstract: A synthetic graft has a glass composition comprises silicon as a network former and Sr as a stable isotope acting as a network modifier. The composition contains calcium as a network modifier and Zn acting as a as either a network modifier or as a network former. The glass composition may be mixed with a solution of polyalkenoic acid to provide advantageous glass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs). These cements are particularly effective for use as bone cements and fillers in the human skeleton as they set at room temperature, have similar strengths to bone, chemically bond to both bone and surgical metal, and release therapeutic ions, which can assist in wound healing and bone re-growth.

Abstract: A particulate glass for a synthetic bone (including dental) graft includes ZnO, SrO, and may include NaO. The glass promotes cellular metabolism, and upon implantation in living bone tissue induces bone growth at their surface. The ZnO and SrO respectively degrade to provide Zn2+ and Sr2+ ions respectively. The ions released by the glass provide anti-bacterial effects; improved bone formation in place of diseased tissue; inhibition of bone resorption; and radiopacity. There is excellent synergy between the SrO, ZnO, and NaO. The Sr2+ ions have better bone formation effects than the Zn2+ ions, but an anti-bacterial effect which is not as good. Choice of relative proportions of ZnO and SrO combined with the choice of NaO concentration to set the resorption rate allow optimisation. NaO there is control of the degradation rate of the graft; a feature which is advantageous in tailoring the grafts to specific patients and applications.

Abstract: A bone cement comprises a zinc-based glass and polyalkenoate acid. In addition, the cement comprises a controlled amount of tri-sodium citrate (Na3C6H5O7) (“TSC”). The cement has enhanced rheology without negatively impacting on the mechanical properties. Controlled addition of TSC significantly improves the rheology of the bone cements, increasing working and setting times (illustrated in FIG. 1). For three formulations of the working time can be adjusted from less than 50 seconds to almost 120 seconds; concomitantly working times improve from 58 seconds to duration in excess of 300 s.