Abstract: Presented herein are altered polymerase enzymes for improved incorporation of nucleotides and nucleotide analogues, in particular altered polymerases that maintain low error rate, low phasing rate, or increased incorporation rate for a second generation ffN under reduced incorporation times, as well as methods and kits using the same.

Abstract: A medical port assembly having a body assembly with a top wall, a bottom wall, first and second walls, and an interior wall. The body assembly further has an exterior wall and an interior adhesive wall. The interior adhesive wall has adhesive means. A permeable wall comprises a slit protected by an overlapping flap. The interior wall and the permeable wall define a cavity. A protective cover covers the interior adhesive wall and/or the cavity. The protective cover adheres to the adhesive. A feeding tube is positioned through the slit. The feeding tube has a distal end, an external retention ring, and at least one port defined as a feeding port, a medication port, or a fluid port. When not utilized, the feeding tube is stored within the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus to protect a body and facial piercing and its affected area during a healing period, has a body assembly. The body assembly has top and bottom faces, an exterior wall, and an interior wall. The body assembly further defines a cavity that extends inwardly from the interior wall. A permeable cover covers the top face and the cavity to allow ambient-air to enter and circulate therethrough. This allows healing of a body or facial piercing, and specifically the opening created by the piercing, and the surrounding area around the piercing. A removable cover covers the bottom face and the cavity. The bottom face has an adhesive, and the removable cover is removably attached to the bottom face.