Primary "brown pigment" bile duct stones.

Bile duct stones from 42 patients were morphologically and chemically analysed. The calculi from 27 patients had important primary bile duct stone (PBDS) features, consisting of a general ovoid shape and fragile structure, with alternating light and dark brown pigmented layers on cross-section. Chemically these stones contained low levels of cholesterol, with high levels of bilirubin and calcium.

Inappropriate mucin production in endodermal carcinoma--one point of view.

The mucosal lining cells in the gastrointestinal tract respond to a threatening situation by secreting mucins manufactured during foetal life and this secretion is considered to be an early manifestation of cytogenetic instability and which may be the first step in the process of malignant transformation. Using immunohistological techniques and specific antisera against SIMA (small intestinal mucin antigen), LIMA (large intestinal mucin antigen) and CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) the presence of these mucin antigens was studied in resected specimens from colonic, gastric and gall bladder carcinomas as well as in mucinous tumours of the ovary. Inappropriate or oncofoetal mucins were present in the majority of endodermal carcinomas, in associated metaplastic epithelium and premalignant lesions such as polyps.

Intestinal mucinous substances in gastric intestinal metaplasia and carcinoma studied by immunofluorescence.

Immunofluorescent studies using specific antisera against intestinal mucins revealed small intestinal mucin antigen (SIMA) and large intestinal mucin antigen (LIMA) in areas of intestinal metaplasia of the stomach. In 25 gastric carcinomas studied, both these antigens were detected in seven carcinomas, SIMA only was present in four and LIMA in only four cases; the antigens could not be detected in ten of the carcinomas. In 21 of the 25 gastric operation specimens, including the 15 carcinomas positive for intestinal mucin antigens, there was evidence of chronic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia.

The presence of oncofoetal antigens in large bowel carcinoma.

This paper is an immunohistological study of the occurrence of the oncofoetal antigens, (carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), small intestine mucin antigen (SIMA), and normal large bowel mucin antigen (LIMA) in 60 surgically resected colons: 10 non-malignant specimens and 50 colorectal carcinomas. SIMA is a new oncofoetal antigen found in mucinous carcinoma of the large bowel. In the adult it is normally present only in the duodenum and jejunum.

Intestine-associated antigens in ovarian tumours: an immunohistological study.

The presence of 3 intestine-associated antigens, small intestine mucin antigen (SIMA), large intestine mucin antigen (LIMA) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was studied in the female genital tract and ovarian tumours by immunofluorescence. These antigens could not be detected in normal ovary, benign cysts of ovary, fallopian tube or endometrium, but both LIMA and CEA were present in endocervical glandular tissue. The antigenic cross-reactivity of endocervical and large bowel mucin may indicate a close embryological relationship between these organs during the cloacogenic stage.