Abstract: Apelin receptor modulators can improve physical performance, slow progression of age-related frailty, and can reduce age-related muscle weakness in human patients. This disclosure provides methods for treating muscle conditions using a particular class of apelin receptor modulators (e.g., agonists). The muscle condition can be an age-related muscle condition. Also provided is a method for maintaining and/or increasing muscle mass, muscle function, and/or muscle strength in an elderly subject by administration of the apelin receptor modulator. In some embodiments, the apelin receptor modulator (e.g., agonist) is BGE-105, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A trusted third-party authentication protocol that facilitates secure commercial transactions over computer networks between a merchant and a user. The method and system of the present invention generally involves three entities: 1) a guarantor, which acts as a trusted arbitrator, 2) a merchant, and 3) a consumer or user. In one embodiment, the guarantor authenticates users and provides authentication documents back to the user for use in transactions with merchants. The authentication document generated by the guarantor can be used as a means to validate a user's identity and/or to provide authorization/validation of a specific transaction.