Abstract: Stent assemblies and related methods for creating an anastomosis employ a bioresorbable stent. A stent assembly includes a bioresorbable stent and one or more bioresorbable retention devices. The stent is configured for retaining a first section of a tubular organ in contact with a second section of the tubular organ to accommodate wound healing for connecting of the first and second sections of the tubular organ. A first end portion of the stent is configured to accommodate insertion into the first section of the tubular organ and inhibit removal from the first section of the tubular organ. A second end portion of the stent is configured to accommodate insertion into the second section of the tubular organ and inhibit removal from the second section of the tubular organ. The one or more retention devices are configurable to secure the first and second sections of the tubular organ to the stent.

Abstract: Method for labeling and detecting liver cancer cells using an anti-glycipan-3 antibody as a targeting agent and a magnetic nanoparticle as an imaging agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of inducing expression of a polynucleotide encoding a therapeutic polypeptide, e.g., TNF-?, in a cell comprising contacting the cell with a construct comprising an Egr-1 promoter operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide, and at least one chemotherapeutic agent, wherein the chemotherapeutic agent induces expression of the polypeptide. The invention also relates to methods of inhibiting a neoplastic cell, comprising contacting the cell with a construct comprising an Egr-1 promoter operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding TNF-? and a chemotherapeutic agent. The present invention further relates to methods of inhibiting or reducing the growth of a tumor in a subject, comprising co-administering to the subject a construct comprising an Egr-1 promoter operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding TNF-? and a chemotherapeutic agent, wherein the co-administration inhibits or reduces the ability of the tumor to grow.

Abstract: The present invention provides for improved therapeutic regimens for treating benign hyperproliferative diseases and cancers. The Egr-1 promoter, long known to be radiation-responsive, has now been shown to be inducible for DNA damaging chemical agents, many of which themselves are used in therapies. Thus, the present invention provides for the advantageous combination of a DNA damaging chemical and an expression vector containing a therapeutic gene driven by the Egr-1 promoter.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a three phase voltage sensor senses the presence of all three phases of the voltage to be applied to a three phase inductance. If all three phases are present, a gate member such as a triac or quadrac remains in the closed positon permitting the voltage to be applied to the three phase inductance. If all three phases are not present, the gate member moves to the open circuit position preventing application of the voltage to the three phase inductance until all phases are supplying voltage. The preferred three phase voltage sensor is at least one optical isolator which senses the presence of all phases in the power supply. Preferably a pair of optical isolators are used in parallel with the voltage across any two of the phases being applied to one of the optical isolators. Preferably the optical isolator contains a photo-resistive material which has low resistance in the presence of light, and a lamp.