Provided are fish tank effluent sampling systems, e.g., for use in recirculating aquaponics systems, methods of using same for sampling effluent, and kits for assembling such an effluent sampling system.

An apparatus for testing a fluid sample including a sample receiving member having an opening for receiving a fluid sample, wherein the sample receiving member comprises a sample collection chamber; a sample retention member, in fluid communication with the sample collection chamber, to retain a portion of the fluid sample; and at least one test strip, in fluid communication with the sample collection chamber, to indicate the presence or absence of at least one analyte in the fluid sample.

A health monitoring toilet system collects urine in a toilet system which may resemble a traditional water toilet. The toilet system may include a urine capture basin for collecting urine as a user urinates as with a traditional toilet. The urine capture basin may include a urine entry aperture which is an orifice leading into a urine sample cell. A fiber optic spectrometer may analyze the urine in the urine sample cell to collect relevant health data. The system may include a controller which may store and analyze spectral data and compile longitudinal data over time. The system may be in connection with other such systems to compare the analysis of a user's urine with those of other users stored in other such health monitoring toilet systems.

The invention relates to a biological sampling and storage container comprising a top cover and a bottom cover adapted to fit onto each other; and a sampling element having a proximal end onto which the top cover fits and a distal end onto which the bottom cover fits, said sampling element further comprising a sampling container comprising a sampling chamber for accepting the biological sample; an aliquoting element removably mounted on and in said sampling container, said aliquoting element comprising a structural element onto which one or more aliquoting chambers are positioned; and optionally, an ejector removably mounted onto said aliquoting element, wherein the ejector comprises an ejector wand fitting into the aliquoting chambers.

Embodiments provide methods and compositions related to detecting neoplasia in ulcerative colitis patients by detection and analysis of the methylation state of miR-1, -9, -124, miR-137 and/or miR-34b/c in samples from UC patients.

An embodiment of the claimed invention is directed to a method that greatly streamlines and reduces costs for tissue preparation, preservation, long-term storage and sample retrieval for molecular analysis using a method based on dried blood spot (DBS) technology. In this method, a small needle punch sample of freshly excised tissue will be homogenized in stabilizing reagent and inserted into a device containing absorbent material and drying agent. This device is suitable for long-term sample storage at ambient temperature and allows for easy removal of sections for biomarker analysis.

The invention relates to a flexible specimen collection container for use with a toilet frame comprising: a sealable opening for receiving stool directly from a donor; a first compartment for receiving and holding stool, said first compartment coupled to said opening; a second compartment for collecting and holding fluid received from the donor through the sealable opening, the second compartment being in fluid communication with said first compartment and configured to substantially separate the fluid from the stool. At least one port may be connected to said first compartment and being configured to pass at least a portion of the stool.

Provided is excretion detection system (50) including: toilet seat (10) that is openable; imaging unit (2) with which toilet seat (10) is provided; and information processor (15) that estimates at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) presence or absence of urine or feces, and (ii) a property of the urine or feces, by using imaging data of imaging unit (2), excretion detection system (50) being configured not to capture an image using imaging unit (2) when toilet seat (10) opens.

In alternative embodiments, the invention provides compositions, e.g., formulations, used for gastric, gastrointestinal and/or colonic treatments or lavage, e.g., orthostatic lavage, e.g., for inducing the purgation (e.g., cleansing) of a gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including a colon; and methods for making and using them. In alternative embodiments, compositions and methods of the invention are used for the stabilization, amelioration, treatment and/or prevention of constipation, for the treatment of abdominal pain, particularly non-specific abdominal pain, and diarrhea, including diarrhea caused by a drug side effect, a psychological condition, a disease or a condition such as Crohn's Disease, a poison, a toxin or an infection, e.g., a toxin-mediated traveler's diarrhea, or C. difficile or the pseudo-membranous colitis associated with this infection. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides pharmaceuticals and products (articles) of manufacture for delivering these compositions and formulations to an individual, e.g., a human or an animal. The invention also provides devices for delivering a fecal material to a patient.

Apparatus and methods are described for use with a bodily emission of a subject that is disposed within a toilet bowl. While the bodily emission is disposed within the toilet bowl, light is received from the toilet bowl using one or more light sensors. Using a computer processor, intensities of at least two spectral bands that are within a range of 530 nm to 785 nm are determined, by analyzing the received light, and a ratio of the intensities of the two spectral bands is determined. In response thereto, the computer processor determines that there is a presence of blood within the bodily emission. The computer processor generates an output on an output device, at least partially in response thereto. Other applications are also described.