A solid-phase assay for the detection of anti-sperm antibodies.

Problem: ELISA is an ideal assay method for a large-scale screening of anti-sperm antibodies among a large number of infertile males. However, conventional ELISA with whole spermatozoa needs time-consuming steps of centrifugation.

Method: A solid-phase assay used for detecting anti-sperm antibodies was established.

New Cavitron system (CUSA/CEM): its application for kidney surgery.

A new Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator system (CUSA/CEM), which contains electrocautery function at the hand piece, was used for partial nephrectomies in dogs without clamping the renal artery. The advantages of this new device (CUSA/CEM) over the original CUSA are: (1) it enabled more precise resection of the tissue in a dry field, (2) shorter operating time, and eventually (3) helpful for reduction of blood loss. The microscopic examination of the resected kidney revealed minimal reaction and damage to the adjacent kidney tissue as compared with the effect by electrocautery or microwave tissue coagulator.

Human prostatic cancer cell derived growth factor stimulating fibroblasts and its mechanisms.

A human prostatic cell line JCA-1 has been shown to release into culture medium an activity that promotes the proliferation of murine fibroblast 3T3 cells. The presence of additional serum-free conditioned culture supernatant from JCA-1 cells accelerates the 3T3 growth rate as determined by cell counts, [3H]thymidine uptake into DNA and colony formation in soft agar gel. The growth activity was determined not to derive from culture medium components.

Application of microwave tissue coagulation in partial nephrectomy.

Microwave tissue coagulation was used during partial nephrectomy in 10 mongrel dogs, without clamping the renal artery. There were no major complications, such as retroperitoneal hematoma, abscess formation, or macroscopic infarction of the kidney tissue related to this new procedure. The advantages of microwave coagulation are reduced blood loss, shorter operative time, and minimal risk of vascular injury.