What is claimed is:
1. A method of determining the probability of success of implantation following an assisted reproductive technology or naturally achieved conception, the method comprising:
determining the level of an L-selectin ligand produced by a uterine epithelial cell in a biological sample;
comparing the level to a standard; and
determining the probability of success of implantation following an assisted reproductive technology or naturally achieved conception based on the level of L-selectin ligand produced by the uterine epithelial cell.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the biological sample is selected from the group consisting of a uterine biopsy sample, a uterine fluid sample, a vaginal fluid sample, saliva, and maternal blood.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the assisted reproductive technology is selected from the group consisting of in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, gamete intrafallopian transfer, tubal embryo transfer, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and intrauterine insemination.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the L-selectin ligand is detected with an immunological assay using an antibody specific for the L-selectin ligand.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the antibody is MECA-79.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the antibody is detectably labeled.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the L-selectin ligand is detected with an L-selectin.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the L-selectin is detectably labeled.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the L-selectin ligand is detected with a fusion protein comprising an L-selectin.
10. A method of inhibiting binding between an L-selectin ligand on a uterine epithelial cell and an L-selectin on a trophoblast, the method comprising:
contacting said trophoblast and said uterine epithelial cell with an agent that inhibits binding of the L-selectin to the L-selectin ligand.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the agent is an antibody specific for the L-selectin.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the agent is an antibody specific for the L-selectin ligand.
13. A method of inhibiting binding between an L-selectin ligand on a uterine epithelial cell and an L-selectin on a trophoblast, the method comprising:
contacting said uterine epithelial cell with an agent that inhibits a sulfotransferase that sulfates the selectin ligand.
14. A method of inhibiting pregnancy in a female mammal, the method comprising administering to the mammal an agent that inhibits binding between an L-selectin ligand on a uterine epithelial cell and an L-selectin on a trophoblast.
15. A method of assessing the likelihood that an in vitro embryo will implant into the uterine wall when transferred into the uterus of a female mammal, the method comprising:
determining the level of L-selectin produced by a trophoblast of the embryo.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the L-selectin is detected using an L-selectin ligand.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the L-selectin is detected using an antibody specific for L-selectin.
18. A method of determining the probability of success of implantation of an in vitro embryo following an assisted reproductive technology, the method comprising:
determining the amount of L-selectin produced by a trophoblast of the in vitro embryo before implantation;
comparing the level to a normal level; and
determining the probability of success of implantation following an assisted reproductive technology based on the level of L-selectin produced by a trophoblast of the embryo.
19. A method of determining the probability of continued success of a pregnancy during the first 16 weeks following conception, the method comprising:
determining the level of L-selectin in a biological sample from the pregnant female during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy;
comparing the level to a normal level; and
determining the probability of continued success of the pregnancy based on the level of L-selectin produced by a trophoblast of the embryo.
20. A kit for detecting a level of L-selectin ligand in a biological sample, the kit comprising a detectably labeled binding agent that binds specifically to an L-selectin ligand.
21. The kit according to claim 20, wherein the kit further comprises an unlabeled binding agent that binds specifically to an L-selectin ligand, wherein the unlabeled binding agent is bound to an insoluble support.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
What is claimed is:
1. A toilet paper holder comprising:
a holder for holding a rolled paper;
a paper holding shelf monolithically formed at a bottom portion of said holder for holding the downwardly drawn folded rolled paper as being wound; and
a cutter for cutting the downwardly drawn paper arranged between said holder and said paper holding shelf, wherein:
the downwardly drawn folded paper on said paper holding shelf is cut by pulling the folded paper forwardly.
2. The toilet paper holder according to claim 1, wherein:
said toilet paper holder is constituted so as to perform a series of procedures comprising a procedure for drawing the rolled paper, a procedure for folding the drawn paper and a procedure for cutting the folded paper, by one hand.