Abstract: The invention describes peptide, and proteins and fusion proteins comprising the peptides, that are capable of increasing the proliferation of cells, especially epithelial cells in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. The peptides comprise the hydrophilic domain of the TadE subunit of the Tad pilus of Bifidobacterium, especially the pilus encoded by the Tad2003 gene cluster identified in Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003, and functional fragments of the hydrophilic domain. The invention informs new treatments for diseases and conditions that involve attenuated epithelial cell proliferation and growth, such as inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract and trauma of the skin including burns and other wounds. The invention also informs treatments of newborn babies to promote proliferation and growth of gut epithelial tissue by administration of agents comprising the peptide of the invention in the form of infant formula.

Abstract: A rewards management system is configured to facilitate the redemption of loyalty benefits at a financial institution and apply credits, payments, debits, and/or the like associated with the loyalty benefit to transactions that are characterized by a set of predetermined rules (e.g. an item purchased during a particular transaction, the merchant from whom the transaction originated, the vendor who manufactured the item). The system provides real-time management of the loyalty account so that the loyalty benefit can be used to offset the liability associated with a particular eligible transaction. The system may also be configured to allow a user to satisfy various obligations to the financial institution (e.g. a minimum payment associated with a statement from a transactions account). As such, the system allows the loyalty account provider or the financial institution to provide a customizable rewards program that allows loyalty benefits to be used for any type of transaction.

Abstract: Implant apparatus and methods are directed toward treating conditions involving the knee joint, and the patella specifically, maintain alignment or address misalignment of a patella through a full range of motion of the knee joint Exemplary devices include an elastomeric, Y-shaped device which is secured to the femur and patella on opposite ends thereof by bone anchors. The elastomeric device can be either rotatably or non-rotatably connected to the bone anchors.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing and absorbing energy between body parts. In one aspect, the method involves identifying link pivot locations, fixing base components and minimally invasive insertion techniques. In one particular aspect, the system facilitates absorbing energy between members forming a joint such as between articulating bones.

Abstract: A rewards management system is configured to facilitate the redemption of loyalty benefits at a financial institution and apply credits, payments, debits, and/or the like associated with the loyalty benefit to transactions that are characterized by a set of predetermined rules (e.g. an item purchased during a particular transaction, the merchant from whom the transaction originated, the vendor who manufactured the item). The system provides real-time management of the loyalty account so that the loyalty benefit can be used to offset the liability associated with a particular eligible transaction. The system may also be configured to allow a user to satisfy various obligations to the financial institution (e.g. a minimum payment associated with a statement from a transactions account). As such, the system allows the loyalty account provider or the financial institution to provide a customizable rewards program that allows loyalty benefits to be used for any type of transaction.

Abstract: A rewards management system is configured to facilitate the redemption of loyalty benefits at a financial institution and apply credits, payments, debits, and/or the like associated with the loyalty benefit to transactions that are characterized by a set of predetermined rules (e.g. an item purchased during a particular transaction, the merchant from whom the transaction originated, the vendor who manufactured the item). The system provides real-time management of the loyalty account so that the loyalty benefit can be used to offset the liability associated with a particular eligible transaction. The system may also be configured to allow a user to satisfy various obligations to the financial institution (e.g. a minimum payment associated with a statement from a transactions account). As such, the system allows the loyalty account provider or the financial institution to provide a customizable rewards program that allows loyalty benefits to be used for any type of transaction.

Abstract: A rewards management system is configured to facilitate the redemption of loyalty benefits at a financial institution and apply credits, payments, debits, and/or the like associated with the loyalty benefit to transactions that are characterized by a set of predetermined rules (e.g. an item purchased during a particular transaction, the merchant from whom the transaction originated, the vendor who manufactured the item). The system provides real-time management of the loyalty account so that the loyalty benefit can be used to offset the liability associated with a particular eligible transaction. The system may also be configured to allow a user to satisfy various obligations to the financial institution (e.g. a minimum payment associated with a statement from a transactions account). As such, the system allows the loyalty account provider or the financial institution to provide a customizable rewards program that allows loyalty benefits to be used for any type of transaction.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for genetically transforming a Bifidobacterium strain comprising a step of methylation of a shuttle vector in an E. coli or a Gram-positive bacterium strain by two type II DNA methyltransferases from a Bifidobacterium: a methyltransferase enzyme that methylates the adenine base at position 4 of the nucleotide sequence RTCAGG and a methyltransferase enzyme that methylates the cytosine base at position 4 of the nucleotide sequence GGWCC. The present invention also concerns genetic tools and culture media useful for carrying out said method.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing and absorbing energy between body parts. In one aspect, the method involves identifying link pivot locations, fixing base components and minimally invasive insertion techniques. In one particular aspect, the system facilitates absorbing energy between members forming a joint such as between articulating bones.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing and absorbing energy between body parts. In one aspect, the method involves identifying link pivot locations, fixing base components and minimally invasive insertion techniques. In one particular aspect, the system facilitates absorbing energy between members forming a joint such as between articulating bones.

Abstract: A system for manipulating energy transferred by members defining a joint and a method of implantation includes a first attachment structure configured to be attached to a first member of the joint and a second attachment structure configured to be attached to a second member of the joint.

Abstract: Positioning instruments and related methods are described for implanting an energy absorbing system for treating joints. The positioning instruments and methods allow the energy absorbing system to be positioned at a joint such that the desired motion will occur for the particular design of a particular energy absorbing system which is to be implanted. The positioning instruments include a locating instrument for locating an anatomical feature and a target location for implantation of the energy absorbing system, a verification instrument for verification of the target location, a placement guide for guiding placement of a part of the energy absorbing system, and positioning device for aligning portions of the energy absorbing system.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for genetically transforming a Bifidobacterium strain comprising a step of methylation of a shuttle vector in an E. coli or a Gram-positive bacterium strain by two type II DNA methyltransferases from a Bifidobacterium: a methyltransferase enzyme that methylates the adenine base at position 4 of the nucleotide sequence RTCAGG and a methyltransferase enzyme that methylates the cytosine base at position 4 of the nucleotide sequence GGWCC. The present invention also concerns genetic tools and culture media useful for carrying out said method.

Abstract: Positioning instruments and related methods are described for implanting an joint unloading system for treating joints. The positioning instruments and methods allow the joint unloading system to be positioned at a joint such that the desired motion will occur for the particular design of a particular joint unloading system which is to be implanted. The positioning instruments include a locating instrument for locating an anatomical feature and a target location for implantation of the joint unloading system, a verification instrument for verification of the target location, an alignment guide, a placement guide for guiding placement of a part of the joint unloading system, and positioning device for aligning portions of the joint unloading system.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing and absorbing energy between body parts. In one aspect, the method involves identifying link pivot locations, fixing base components and minimally invasive insertion techniques. In one particular aspect, the system facilitates absorbing energy between members forming a joint such as between articulating bones.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for controlling a load on a human hip joint during normal gait while preserving motion. The approach is intended to treat osteoarthritis of the hip without substantially resisting an angular displacement associated with full mobility of the pelvis and femur bones.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for dynamic program integration is described. The method may comprise allowing, with at least one of a client electronic device and a server computer, selection of content in an original program. The method may further comprise applying a command sequence to the content. The method may also comprise copying the content on to a clipboard. Moreover, the method may activate a new program configured to handle the content. Additionally, the method may transfer the content from the clipboard to the new program and receive the content in the new program.

Abstract: Implant apparatus and methods directed toward treating conditions involving the knee joint and the patella specifically are disclosed. Implants that maintain alignment or address misalignment of a patella through a full range of motion of the knee joint are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for manipulating energy transferred by members defining a joint and a method of implantation includes a first attachment structure configured to be attached to a first member of the joint and a second attachment structure configured to be attached to a second member of the joint.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system, useful for attachment across a patient's joint, includes portions which are formed entirely or in part of a non-metallic material, e.g., PAEK, and thus reduces the possibility of the formation of metal debris in vivo. The system can include a flexibility-enhanced piston, retained within a spring, which reduces the possibility of tissue impingement with the system.