A specific and rapid receptor assay for squamous-cell carcinoma of human esophagus.

A specific radioreceptor assay, for squamous-cell carcinoma of the human esophagus, using 2G3 monoclonal antibody, has been developed for the first time. In this assay a new mathematical parameter of the Scatchard plot has been introduced for the correct measure of binding capacity (BCcm = x cos alpha). This is the perpendicular distance from the origin to the Scatchard plot line. It is always a positive quantity and is directly proportional to both the x and y intercepts for expressing the binding capacity. The assay is highly sensitive and can be used to differentiate various types of esophageal tumors such as squamous-cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, ulcerative growth and also a benign growth. BCcm significantly varies in the case of squamous-cell carcinoma tumors compared to adenocarcinoma and other types of tumor of the human esophagus. The assay can be completed in about 4 h and it may be used as a clinical diagnostic test.

Characterization of a pan-lymphocyte monoclonal antibody useful in differentiating leukemic from normal myeloid progenitors and monocytes from macrophages.

A monoclonal antibody (McAb) designated 3A2 that recognizes a 51 kDa epitope having surface density of 37 x 10(8) per MOLT-4 cells is described. This epitope appears to be expressed on (i) lymphocytes at all stages of differentiation; (ii) leukemic myeloid progenitors; (iii) peripheral blood monocytes (MO). The epitope is specifically absent from normal myeloid progenitors and macrophages. The McAb may, therefore, be useful in studying myeloid lineage leukemias and, as a marker for monocyte to macrophage (MO + MAC) differentiation.

Can vasectomy reduce the incidence of prostatic tumor?

Results from our laboratory have revealed that seminal plasma concentration of acid phosphatase, maltase, prolactin, citric acid, zinc and magnesium which are the secretory products of the prostate gland, decreased significantly in vasectomized men compared to those in controls namely normal fertile men. Further, it was observed that the decrease in prostatic function was not related to the time since vasectomy. Considering these two facts together, we propose that vasectomy may lead to decrease in the incidence of prostatic tumors - a disease that claims nearly 22,000 lives each year in the United States alone.

Shift of glycolysis as a marker of sperm maturation.

The presence of glycogen-phosphorylase (A and B forms), glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1, 6-diphosphatase in bonnet monkey spermatozoa was determined. The process of glycolysis gradually decreased and the process of reversal of glycolysis steadily increased in monkey spermatozoa as they move from testis to caput to corpus to cauda to vas deferens and finally in ejaculate. Hence in bonnet monkeys, the functional maturity of spermatozoa and the shift in glycolysis are closely related.

Inhibin in the human prostate.

"Inhibin"-like protein, partially purified from the human prostate, was similar to that obtained from human seminal plasma under identical conditions. Concentration of inhibin in human prostate was tenfold higher as compared to human testis and was active biologically and immunologically. The presence of a high amount of inhibin in prostate seems to be unique in humans. Further inhibin concentration in benign prostatic hypertrophy tissue increased by tenfold in comparison to normal or cancerous tissue. Hence determination of serum level of inhibin may be used as a therapeutic tool to monitor prostate diseases.