Colonoscopic surveillance after curative resection for colorectal cancer.

Colonoscopic surveillance after resection for colorectal cancer has been advocated to improve detection of anastomotic recurrence, and of synchronous and metachronous tumours. The benefit provided by colonoscopy remains unproven, and the best timing of examination is unclear. To determine the value of colonoscopy after curative resection for large bowel cancer, the efficacy of an endoscopic surveillance programme in the early detection of intraluminal bowel recurrence in a series of patients admitted with colorectal cancer was examined.

Intestinal bile acid malabsorption in cystic fibrosis.

This study aimed at examining the mechanisms participating in excessive faecal bile acid loss in cystic fibrosis. The study was designed to define the relation between faecal fat and faecal bile acid loss in patients with and without cystic fibrosis related liver disease; to assess terminal ileal bile acid absorption by a seven day whole body retention of selenium labelled homotaurocholic acid (SeHCAT); and to determine if small intestinal bacterial overgrowth contributes to faecal bile acid loss. The study population comprised 40 patients (27 men; median age 18 years) with cystic fibrosis (n = 8) and without (n = 32) liver disease and eight control subjects.

Parathyroid crisis and acute viral hepatitis B infection.

The simultaneous development of acute hyperparathyroidism and viral hepatitis B infection in a 72 year old male is described. Resolution of the hepatitis was accompanied by improvement in the parathyroid hormone mediated hypercalcaemia. It is postulated that antibodies to the hepatitis B virus may have altered the calcium 'set point' allowing uncontrolled synthesis and release of parathyroid hormone during the acute illness.

The conversion of an enhancing factor to a suppressor factor by the formation of an aggregate molecule.

A non-specific suppressor factor, owl monkey suppressor factor, OMSF, from leukaemic owl monkey peripheral T lymphocytes has been isolated and characterized. OMSF is a glycoprotein of a molecular weight of 66,000 which can be produced from purified owl monkey enhancing factor, OMEF, by both Tris buffer dialysis and by repeated freezing and thawing. SDS gel electrophoresis demonstrates that OMSF is composed of 39,000 mol.

Purification and properties of a factor from leukaemic T cells which non-specifically enhances the antibody response.

A non-specific immunoenhancing factor from leukemia owl monkey peripheral T lymphocytes has been purified and partially characterized. Owl monkey enhancing factor, OMEF, is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 39,000 and an isoelectric point of pH 6.5.