Everting balloon systems and methods for using the same are disclosed herein. The systems can be configured to access and dilate body lumen and cavities. For example, the systems can be used to dilate the cervix and access the uterine cavity. The systems can also be used to occlude the cervix. The systems can also be used to occlude the urethra.

The invention encompasses improved catheters comprised of multiple tubular bodies and methods of using them in artificial insemination.

The invention relates generally to compositions and methods for the detection of zinc. In particular, compositions and methods are provided to detect changes in cellular zinc concentration and to correlate them to cellular phenomena.

The invention relates generally to compositions and methods for the detection of zinc. In particular, compositions and methods are provided to detect changes in cellular zinc concentration and to correlate them to cellular phenomena.

Methods according to aspects of the present invention relate to the determination of whether a female ruminant ungulate is open or not open using flow cytometry to detect an expression level of an interferon-stimulated gene in leukocytes of a biological sample from the female ruminant ungulate.

Reserves of immortalized genetic material are stored in a bank for providing a resource (e.g., artificial gametes) for couples (e.g., same sex couples) to produce biologically-related children. The reserves provide the ability to derive sperm from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) of one partner and/or eggs from iPSCs of the other partner. For example, a biological sample is stored as iPSCs that can be used to generate an unlimited supply of genetic material (e.g., artificial gametes for conception) when needed by a user (e.g., a year or more after the sample is provided, e.g., 5 years or more after the sample is provided). Such a bank is helpful for an individual in a same sex (or infertile) couple who desires to have biological children at some point during his/her lifetime, but does not plan to have children in the immediate timeframe, for example.

Reserves of immortalized genetic material are stored in a bank for providing a resource (e.g., artificial gametes) for couples (e.g., same sex couples) to produce biologically-related children. The reserves provide the ability to derive sperm from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) of one partner and/or eggs from iPSCs of the other partner. For example, a biological sample is stored as iPSCs that can be used to generate an unlimited supply of genetic material (e.g., artificial gametes for conception) when needed by a user (e.g., a year or more after the sample is provided, e.g., 5 years or more after the sample is provided). Such a bank is helpful for an individual in a same sex (or infertile) couple who desires to have biological children at some point during his/her lifetime, but does not plan to have children in the immediate timeframe, for example.

The present invention provides novel methods of cell staining, such as bovine sperm, using electroporation or osmolality treatments at viability-enhancing temperatures. Furthermore, methods of highly efficient cell sorting that are especially suitable in sorting bovine sperm using novel cell staining procedures are also provided.

The present invention provides novel methods of cell staining, such as bovine sperm, using electroporation or osmolality treatments at viability-enhancing temperatures. Furthermore, methods of highly efficient cell sorting that are especially suitable in sorting bovine sperm using novel cell staining procedures are also provided.

Provided is a method for preparing a PD-1 gene-modified humanized animal model. The method utilizes the CRIPSR/Cas9 technique to replace partial fragments of a mouse PD-1 gene with fragments of a human PD-1 gene using homologous recombination by constructing a targeting vector, thereby preparing a gene-modified humanized mouse. This mouse can normally express a PD-1 protein containing the functional domain of the human PD-1 protein, and can be used as an animal model for mechanism research regarding PD-1, PD-L1 and other signals, for screening regulators, and for toxicological research. The method has an important and high application value in studies on functions of the PD-1 gene and in the development of new drugs.