Abstract: A long-term implantable arterio-venous shunt device or creation of a fistula is provided that can be used as a therapeutic method for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The shunt device is implanted between an artery and a vein, preferably between a peripheral artery and the inferior vena cava. The shunt device and method of creating a fistula increases cardiac output and decreases the systemic vascular resistance and allows a blood flow rate through the shunt device of at least 5 ml/min after the implantation. Based on the effects of the method and device to the respiratory, cardiac and circulatory system, the method and device are beneficial as a therapy to patients with problems or conditions related to these systems.

Abstract: An intelligent endpoint can provide an automated, centralized boot management for multiple, interconnected computer systems. The intelligent endpoint can be notified of a boot event for one of the computer systems. This notification can occur over a system bus or via a system fabric. The intelligent endpoint can then decide on an appropriate action for the boot event. Notably, the action may affect or depend on a boot of another computer system. The intelligent endpoint can advantageously resolve arbitration issues in a cost- and size-efficient manner. Moreover, the intelligent endpoint can provide significant flexibility during booting.

Abstract: Methods of treating lung proliferative vascular disorders by administering an antiproliferative agent are provided. A preferred antiproliferative agent is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, preferably simvastatin. Vascular occlusion in the pulmonary arteries of the patient is reduced as a result of the treatment through a reduction in neointimal hyperplasia and medial hypertrophy, and the restoration of normal endothelial cell function. The treatment also results in a reversal of right side cardiac hypertrophy. Lung proliferative vascular disorders that can be treated include primary pulmonary hypertension, secondary pulmonary hypertension, Eisenmenger's syndrome, chronic thromboembolic disease, pulmonary fibrosis, obliterative bronchiolitis, or lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Dosages and pharmaceutical formulations are provided.

Abstract: A long-term implantable arterio-venous shunt device is provided that can be used as a therapeutic method. The shunt device is implanted between an artery and a vein, preferably between the aorta and the inferior vena cava. The shunt device decreases the systemic vascular resistance and allows a blood flow rate through the shunt device of at least 5 ml/min after the implantation. The blood flow rate could be controlled either via an open loop or a closed loop control means. The shunt device could also be a self-adjustable shunt device to self-adjust its structure to control the blood flow rate through its lumen. Based on the effects of the shunt device to the respiratory, cardiac and circulatory system, the implantable shunt device could be beneficial as a therapy to patients with problems or conditions related to these systems.

Abstract: A synergistic combination of ligands that interact with death domain receptors, and diterpenoid triepoxides is used to increase tumor cell killing by induction of apoptosis. Ligands useful in the invention include TRAIL, TNF-&agr;, analogs thereof, stabilized multimers thereof, mimetics, etc. Of particular interest are combined therapy with the diterpenoid triepoxides triptolide and derivatives and analogs thereof.