Human tumor cells, modified by a novel pressure/crosslinking methodology, promote autologous lymphocyte proliferation and modulate cytokine secretion.

Hydrostatic pressure (P) combined with membrane protein crosslinking (CL) by adenosine dialdehyde (AdA) can render tumor cells immunogenic. We have recently shown that PCL treatment of murine tumor cells augmented the presentation of MHC-restricted tumor-associated antigens and enhanced cell-mediated immunity. In cancer patients inoculated with autologous PCL-modified tumor cells, a significant delayed-type hypersensitivity response was elicited.

Low energy narrow band non-coherent infrared illumination of human semen and isolated sperm.

Sixty-two samples of human normal and abnormal semen and 23 samples of washed sperm were illuminated for 4 minutes with a narrow band non-coherent infrared device (BioBeam). Immediately after illumination the following parameters were examined in comparison with appropriate controls: motility, viability and morphology, fructose content of semen, acrosome reaction of sperm, viscosity of seminal plasma and analysis of the protein pattern. The mean value of motility grade calculated for the total number of 62 semen samples was 2.

Activity of porphobilinogen deaminase in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with metastatic cancer.

Porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD), one of the enzymes in the pathway of heme synthesis, was found to be elevated in peripheral mononuclear cells of 60% of patients with epithelial tumors and metastatic spread, but only in 14% of patients with tumor and no evidence of metastases. The combination of both high lactic dehydrogenase and high PBGD afforded a sensitivity of 40%, but a specificity of 96% in diagnosing metastatic spread.

Autoimmune antibodies in intrinsic (non-atopic) asthma.

Tests for autoimmune antibodies (AA) were carried out in 70 patients suffering from chronic obstructive disease of the airways and in 18 healthy subjects, who served as a control group. AA were found in 55% of the patients with intrinsic asthma as compared to 21% of those with extrinsic asthma, 25% of the patients with bronchitis and 16% of the healthy controls. The difference between the intrinsic and the other groups was found to be statistically significant (p less than 0.