Abstract: A protective catheter tip has a generally tubular body portion defining an interior cavity. The proximal end of a urinary catheter is at least partially received within the protective tip, with the protective tip being retained on the urinary catheter without the need for a sleeve connecting the protective tip and the catheter. The protective tip may include a projection received within a draining hole or eye at the proximal end of the catheter to retain the protective tip on the catheter. The protective tip may instead include one or more projections that apply a frictional force to an outer surface of the catheter to retain the protective tip on the catheter. The protective tip may instead be retained on the catheter by a tether extending between the protective tip and a distal end of the catheter. The protective tip may also be provided in two pieces.

Abstract: A package for a hydrophilic coated catheter includes a sleeve with liquid water impermeable and water vapor impermeable walls. A liquid flow interfering element, such as a liquid water impermeable, vapor permeable membrane is provided within the sleeve. The sleeve may include a wicking element that is isolated from the catheter. Liquid water is provided on one side of the liquid flow interfering element. As the liquid water changes phase to a vapor, the vapor permeates through the liquid flow interfering element and activates the hydrophilic coating. The sleeve is collapsible during manipulation of the catheter through the wall of the sleeve so as to advance the catheter through an insertion tip to facilitate urethral insertion, with the exterior of the sleeve walls remaining dry to the touch. A funnel end of the catheter may remain in communication with the sleeve, such that the sleeve may be used to direct the flow of urine.

Abstract: A urinary catheter has a body and an outer layer surrounding at least a portion of the body. The structure of the body is varied and non-uniform so as to impart a varying flexibility along the length of the catheter. The frame may be injection molded, while the outer layer may be extruded. The frame may also, or alternatively, have selected regions or portions that include planar or spiral cuts or a coiled filament or corrugations or a multifilament braid or weave or mesh to impart a desired flexibility profile. The flexibility profile of a male urinary catheter may include alternating rigid and flexible regions, with proximal and distal rigid regions being configured to be positioned within the bladder and penis, with two flexible regions separated by a rigid region positioned between the penis and bladder when the catheter is deployed within a male urethra.

Abstract: An intermittent urinary catheter assembly (20) comprises a catheter tube (22) having a proximal insertion end (24) and a distal end (26) remote from the proximal insertion end and a lumen (28) which extends from at or near the proximal insertion end to the distal end for draining urine from a human bladder. The intermittent urinary catheter assembly includes a urine discharge sleeve (34) associated with the discharge opening (30) of the catheter tube, and the urine discharge sleeve has a compact stowed configuration and is extendable into a deployed configuration for directing urine flow. Alternatively, an adapter assembly (50?) comprises a fitting or nipple (52?) having a urine passageway for insertion into a funnel (40?) associated with a urine discharge end of an intermittent urinary catheter, and a discharge funnel (42?) associated with the fitting or nipple, and an extendable urine discharge sleeve (34?) within the discharge funnel.

Abstract: An intermittent catheter assembly is disclosed which comprises an intermittent catheter (22) having a proximal insertion end (22a), a distal end (22b) remote from the proximal insertion end, and an insertable portion (22c). The insertable portion of the intermittent catheter extends from the proximal insertion end thereof to a point approaching the distal end thereof. The intermittent catheter is disposed in a cavity (25) and a drawstring (26) secured to the intermittent catheter extends through the cavity and generally along the insertable portion of the intermittent catheter. The drawstring has a first end (26a) secured to the intermittent catheter between the insertable portion and the distal end and a second end (26b) outside the cavity for withdrawing the intermittent catheter therefrom.

Abstract: The urine collection assembly and method includes a catheter having a proximal insertion end and a distal end. The distal end of the catheter has only a cylindrical barrel portion of a tapered funnel integral therewith. The urine collection assembly further includes a urine collection bag which includes a cylindrical attachment port. The cylindrical barrel portion is sealed in the cylindrical attachment port and permits urine to pass into the urine collection bag.

Abstract: A method for producing a transgenic plant includes providing a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least two regions of nucleic acid sequence that lack sequence homology with genomic DNA of the plant cell, and at least two zinc finger nuclease recognition sites, wherein the at least two regions of nucleic acid sequence that lack sequence homology with genomic DNA of the plant cell flank the at least two zinc finger nuclease recognition sites. A plant cell or tissue having the nucleic acid molecule stably integrated into the genome of the plant cell is transformed. A plant is regenerated from the plant cell. Transgenic plants are produced by the method. Seeds are produced by the transgenic plants.

Abstract: A method for producing a transgenic plant includes providing a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least two regions of nucleic acid sequence that lack sequence homology with genomic DNA of the plant cell, and at least two zinc finger nuclease recognition sites, wherein the at least two regions of nucleic acid sequence that lack sequence homology with genomic DNA of the plant cell flank the at least two zinc finger nuclease recognition sites. A plant cell or tissue having the nucleic acid molecule stably integrated into the genome of the plant cell is transformed. A plant is regenerated from the plant cell. Transgenic plants are produced by the method. Seeds are produced by the transgenic plants.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for targeted integration and/or targeted excision of one or more sequences into a cell, for example, for expression of one or more polypeptides of interest.

Abstract: A method for producing a transgenic plant includes providing a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least two regions of nucleic acid sequence that lack sequence homology with genomic DNA of the plant cell, and at least two zinc finger nuclease recognition sites, wherein the at least two regions of nucleic acid sequence that lack sequence homology with genomic DNA of the plant cell flank the at least two zinc finger nuclease recognition sites. A plant cell or tissue having the nucleic acid molecule stably integrated into the genome of the plant cell is transformed. A plant is regenerated from the plant cell. Transgenic plants are produced by the method. Seeds are produced by the transgenic plants.

Abstract: Soluble HCV nonstructural substrates of the HCV polyprotein.

Abstract: A tailgate track mat for preventing sand, dirt, gravel and other granular material from accumulating in the gap or track between the end of a truck bed and its tailgate, wherein the mat includes a resilient flexible strip of material extending over the track and transversely of the truck bed and tailgate, and having one edge fastened to the tailgate and the opposite edge engaging the bed of the truck.

Abstract: A set of nucleic acid probes useful for tracking Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus Resistance (MDMV), a polygenic trait, is provided. Chromosome segments are identified enabling isolation of the genes governing this trait.A general method for identifying probes useful for tracking and introgressing polygenic traits into elite genomes and identifying chromosome segments governing the traits is also provided. This method involves the analysis of RFLP polymorphisms between parent donor and recipient genotypes and observed phenotypic data using multiple regression by leaps and bounds ("leaps"), followed by standard multiple regression applied to the "leaps" data. The "leaps" data may be used to identify flanking markers, and epistasis may be determined by analysis of the multiple regression data.Kits comprising a subset of the most useful probes (those most closely linked to the trait of interest) are provided. The kits may also comprise flanking probes.