Abstract: A lid for a candle is provided. The lid comprises an inner housing which includes an inner housing aperture, as well as an iris including an iris guide section and at least two blades. The iris guide section has a respective blade guide slot for each of the at least two blades. Each of the at least two blades has opposing ends, and at least one bolt aperture at each of the opposing ends. A respective bolt extends through each at least one blade guide slot and each bolt aperture thereby engaging the at least two blades with the iris guide section. The iris has an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the inner housing aperture of the lid is open, and in the closed position, the blades of the iris extend over the inner housing aperture, thereby closing the inner housing aperture.

Abstract: A majority of neuroendocrine (NE) cancers overexpress somatostatin receptors (SSTRs). Disclosed herein are anti-SSTR2 monoclonal antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for use as NE cancer targeting therapeutics. Also disclosed is an isolated nucleic acid encoding the disclosed antibodies, as well as nucleic acid vectors containing this isolated nucleic acid operably linked to an expression control sequence. Also disclosed are cells transfected with these vectors and the use of these cells to produce the disclosed recombinant antibodies. Also disclosed is a method of treating a neuroendocrine (NE) cancer in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the disclosed antibody conjugated to an anti-cancer agent.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating or suppressing symptoms of neuroendocrine (NE) tumors comprising increasing the levels or activities of Notch1 protein or other components of the Notch1 signaling pathway of the cancer cells. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions for the methods.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating or suppressing symptoms of neuroendocrine (NE) tumors comprising increasing the levels or activities of Notch1 protein or other components of the Notch1 signaling pathway of the cancer cells. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions for the methods.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compostions for treating or suppressing symptoms of neuroendocrine (NE) tumors comprising inhibiting the activities of GSK-3? of the cancer cells. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions for the methods. Preferably, the pharmaceutical composition comprises Li+, SB216763, SB415286, indirubins, Paullones, Hymenialdisine, Azakenpaullone, Thienyl and phenyl ?-halomethyl ketones, CHR 99021, AR-A014418, Bis-7-azaindolylmaleimides, CHR 98023, CHR-98014, and ZM336372, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the treatment of cancers, particularly neuroendocrine cancers, using the Raf-1 inducer ZM336372, or analogs thereof.

Abstract: A ventricular assist device includes a pair of valved conduits and a pumping portion connected by these conduits into the circulatory system of a host patient. The pumping portion and valved conduits are constructed and configured to minimize the number of material-surface transitions which blood must cross in flowing through the device. Also, the valved conduits include porcine xenograft valves, which are externally supported by stenting structure located outside of the blood-contacting flow path of the device. A flexible shape-retaining inner wall member of the valved conduits is impervious to blood, but defines a porous inner surface on which a stable biological interface may form. Also, this inner wall member is shaped with sinuses which do not replicate either the porcine sinuses from which the xenograft valves were taken, or human aortic sinuses.

Abstract: A ventricular assist device includes a pair of valved conduits and a pumping portion connected by these conduits into the circulatory system of a host patient. The pumping portion and valved conduits are constructed and configured to minimize the number of material-surface transitions which blood must cross in flowing through the device. Also, the valved conduits include porcine xenograft valves, which are externally supported by stenting structure located outside of the blood-contacting flow path of the device. A flexible shape-retaining inner wall member of the valved conduits is impervious to blood, but defines a porous inner surface on which a stable biological interface may form. Also, this inner wall member is shaped with sinuses which do not replicate either the porcine sinuses from which the xenograft valves were taken, or human aortic sinuses.

Abstract: A smooth-walled non-crimped inflow conduit for an implantable ventricular assist system. The conduit has an internally smooth lumen surface for enhanced washing of the conduit under irregular blood flow conditions. The conduit includes a tubular graft body that may be formed of a knitted fabric sealed with bovine collagen or gelatin, or formed of closed structured PTFE. The conduit may include external ribbing or support to prevent inward collapse under negative pressure conditions and also protect against damage from inadvertent physical contact in the operating room. The external support may be bonded to the exterior or formed integrally with the tubular graft body. An outer reinforcement cage may be provided to help prevent gross distortion or damage to the tubular graft body. The ends of the tubular graft body are left unsupported and wrapped around opposed lips of conduit coupling structure to minimize blood contacting surfaces at junctions with other conduits or with the heart.

Abstract: A ventricular assist device includes a pair of valved conduits and a pumping portion connected by these conduits into the circulatory system of a host patient. The pumping portion and valved conduits are constructed and configured to minimize the number of material-surface transitions which blood must cross in flowing through the device. Also, the valved conduits include porcine xenograft valves, which are externally supported by stenting structure located outside of the blood-contacting flow path of the device. A flexible shape-retaining inner wall member of the valved conduits is impervious to blood, but defines a porous inner surface on which a stable biological interface may form. Also, this inner wall member is shaped with sinuses which do not replicate either the porcine sinuses from which the xenograft valves were taken, or human aortic sinuses.

Abstract: A pump system is described which is particularly suited for use as a left ventricular assist device for internal use in humans. The pump system generally includes a pump having a deformable sac formed in a seamless piece of flexible resilient material having (i) a pair of opposite substantially planar walls and of substantially circular shape joined by an annular wall of substantially semicircular cross-section and (ii) inlet and outlet means. The inlet means have an asymmetric tapered section positioned to direct the inlet flow toward the annular wall of the sac to produce a smooth circular flow within the sac and minimize thrombus formation. A pair of pusher plates are disposed on opposite sides of the sac. Each of the pusher plates are engageable with a respective one of the planar walls of the sac for displacing at least one of the planar walls toward the other to deform the sac. The pump system also includes removable inlet and outlet conduit means with valve means for controlling inlet and outlet flow.

Abstract: A pump system is described which is particularly suited for use as a left ventricular assist device for internal use in humans. The pump system generally includes a pump having a deformable sac formed in a seamless piece of flexible resilient material having (i) a pair of opposite substantially planar walls and of substantially circular shape joined by an annular wall of substantially semicircular cross-section and (ii) inlet and outlet means. The inlet means have an asymmetric tapered section positioned to direct the inlet flow toward the annular wall of the sac to produce a smooth circular flow within the sac and minimize thrombus formation. A pair of pusher plates are disposed on opposite sides of the sac. Each of the pusher plates are engageable with a respective one of the planar walls of the sac for displacing at least one of the planar walls toward the other to deform the sac. The pump system also includes removable inlet and outlet conduit means with valve means for controlling inlet and outlet flow.

Abstract: A single integrated circuit forms a hands-free telephone unit for use in a digital telephone network and in association with an external keypad, an external microprocessor, an external microphone, and an external speaker. The integrated circuit includes a keypad monitor arranged to provide digital key code signals, an audio processor for supporting hands-free operation, and a digital interface to provide a digital interface between the integrated circuit and the digital network and the external microprocessor.

Abstract: An improved implantable infusion device for delivering precisely regulated doses of fluid into the body of a patient is disclosed. The device utilizes a resilient non-compliant pump bellows that is directly coupled by a gear train to a motor. The bellows is biased toward the expanded position and this factor, combined with the mechanical inertia of the gear train, substantially eliminates the danger of an overdose of infusate being released into the patient.

Abstract: A chamber structure in a blood pump or the like is described. The structure includes a deformable sac having an annular side wall which is held in a rigid condition, and a pair of opposed circular walls, each joined to the annular side wall through a flexible annular wall portion. A circular pusher plate acting against each circular wall has an initial deflection position at which the associated flexible wall portion in the sac takes the form of a circumferentially uniform roll having an outwardly convex, bulged cross sectional curvature. The rolls in the sac maintain their circumferentially uniform, bulge-like character as the pusher plates are moved toward inwardly moved positions.

Abstract: A cassette is described for use in an intravenous delivery system having a pump. The volume of a main chamber defined by the cassette body is varied by a membrane in a wall thereof while unidirectional inlet and outlet valves maintain the direction of fluid flow into and out of the main chamber. A prechamber is positioned above the inlet port in order to accumulate air from the upstream portion of the intravenous delivery system in which the cassette is used.