Abstract: A live virtual online reverse auction system, hereafter referred to as auction, and method that conducts live, virtual reverse auctions between property owners and contractors and/or service professionals, hereafter defined as service professionals, is disclosed herein. The reverse auction system will allow property owners to create service opportunities for the properties they own via uploading images and/or video and details of the service opportunity into the auction engine. The auction engine will request additional information from the property owner to determine the optimal auction settings. Service professionals will enroll in the auction system and provide the auction system with information needed to verify the service professional's status and eligibility to participate in the virtual auction. A notice of the opportunity will be transmitted to the service professionals identified in the system as being eligible for the described service opportunity and the auction will begin.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome comprising administering to a patient in need thereof, an inhibitor of chloride-ion transport in an amount sufficient to treat diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (d-IBS). Treatment of d-IBS includes the treatment of the diarrhea component of d-IBS as well as the pain, abdominal discomfort and other symptoms associated with d-IBS. In one embodiment, the inhibitor of chloride-ion transport is crofelemer.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome comprising administering to a patient in need thereof, an inhibitor of chloride-ion transport in an amount sufficient to treat diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (d-IBS). Treatment of d-IBS includes the treatment of the diarrhea component of d-IBS as well as the pain, abdominal discomfort and other symptoms associated with d-IBS. In one embodiment, the inhibitor of chloride-ion transport is crofelemer.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome comprising administering to a patient in need thereof, an inhibitor of chloride-ion transport in an amount sufficient to treat diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (d-IBS). Treatment of d-IBS includes the treatment of the diarrhea component of d-IBS as well as the pain, abdominal discomfort and other symptoms associated with d-IBS. In one embodiment, the inhibitor of chloride-ion transport is crofelemer.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome comprising administering to a patient in need thereof, a polymeric proanthocyanidin composition from a Croton species or Calophyllum species in an amount sufficient to treat constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (c-IBS). Treatment of c-IBS includes the treatment of the constipation component of c-IBS as well as the pain and abdominal discomfort associated with c-IBS. In one embodiment, the polymeric proanthocyanidin compound is crofelemer. The present invention in an alternative embodiment also provides methods for treating alternating constipation-predominant/diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

Abstract: An endoluminal stent composed of a plurality of circumferential expansion elements arrayed to form the circumference of the stent and extending along the longitudinal axis of the stent, and a plurality of interconnecting members that interconnect adjacent pairs of circumferential expansion elements, the interconnecting members joining struts of adjacent pairs of interconnecting members at approximate mid-points of the struts.

Abstract: A method of depositing shape memory or superelastic thin films by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and medical devices made thereby, including stents, grafts, stent-grafts, stent covers, occlusive and filter membranes and drug-delivery devices. The method entails a thin film is deposited on a substrate surface using a CVD reaction in the production of a film of nickel-titanium shape memory or superelastic alloy. Such nickel-titanium-based shape memory or superelastic alloys may be binary nickel-titanium alloys or may include additional compounds to form ternary, quaternary, or higher level alloys.

Abstract: A game board includes a field defining an m by n array of playing spaces arranged in rows and columns on the field and a plurality of edge regions, wherein each edge region is disposed between a corresponding pair of adjacent playing spaces and wherein visually distinguishable first and second home positions are defined by two of the playing spaces. The game board further includes first and second visually distinguishable playing pieces and first and second sets of fence pieces. The fence pieces of the first set are visually distinguishable from fence pieces of the second set. The fences are stored in a bag from which they are randomly withdrawn during the game.