Sex differences in the size of bile acid pools

In view of the excess prevalence of gallstones among women and the association of gallstones with diminished bile acid pool size, we measured bile acid pools in 27 male and 25 female healthy human volunteers. The average bile acid pool in the women was significantly smaller than in the men (2.25 +/- .12 g versus 2.88 +/- .16 g; p = 0.003). Chenodeoxycholic acid pool size, computed from bile acid composition data available in 43 of these subjects, was also smaller in women than men (0.94 +/- 0.06 versus 1.22 +/- 0.07 g; p = 0.004). Age, race, and body size bore no statistically significant relationship to bile acid pool size. Biliary cholesterol saturation was positively correlated with weight and obesity and showed a significant inverse correlation with chenodeoxycholic acid pool size, but not with total bile acid pool size. These findings suggest a possible mechanism for the higher prevalence of gallstones among women.     

Cell-mediated immunity to neural antigens in idiopathic polyneuritis and myeloradiculitis. Clinical-immunologic classification of several autoimmune demyelinating disorders.

Patients with peripheral nervous system disorders were tested for the presence of cellular hypersensitivity to peripheral and central nervous system antigens by means of the in vitro lymphocyte transformation technique. Lymphocytes sensitized to the neuritogenic peripheral nervous system P1L basic protein were found in pure polyradiculitis of the Guillain-Barré syndrome type. Lymphocytes from patients with myeloradiculitis underwent transformation by peripheral P2 basic protein and by central nervous system basic encephalitogenic protein. In cases of chronic relapsing polyneuropathy response was shown to the central nervous system basic encephalitogen and to both of the peripheral nerve basic proteins. Lymphocytes from patients with other neurologic conditions showed no response to any oth these antigens. These findings suggest that cell mediated immunity to specific basic proteins of the myelin plays a rolw in the pathogenesis of the above-mentioned demyelinating disorders and may lead to a new approach in their classification and diagnosis.     

The specific cytotoxic effects of daunomycin conjugated to antitumor antibodies.

Daunomycin was covalently bound to immunoglobulins by periodate oxidation as described in the preceding paper. Conjugates were prepared with immunoglobulins directed against either of two mouse lymphoid tumors or with nonspecific immunoglobulins. These conjugates were tested for their toxic effects on various tumor target cells as measured either by their inhibition of RNA synthesis or by their reduction of the growth of the tumor cells after transplantation. We found that the drug preferentially affected the target cells that the antibody to which it was attached could recognize. These daunomycin-antibody conjugates are therefore sufficiently toxic and selective in their effects to be potentially useful in in vivo therapeutic studies.     

The effect of Cop 1, a synthetic polypeptide, on chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in guinea pigs.

Cop 1, a synthetic polypeptide, was evaluated for its effect on a chronic relapsing form of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Pretreatment of juvenile Strain 13 guinea pigs with Cop 1 in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) which were subsequently challenged with guinea pig spinal cord in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) had a marked effect in delaying or preventing the appearance of clinical signs of EAE. Administration of Cop 1 on appearance of clinical signs of EAE prevented progression of the first episode of the disease. Although relapses were not always prevented, they were modified on their duration and intensity both clinically and histologically.     

Enchondroma - radiology and pathology (author's transl)

Analysis of 374 cases of enchondroma, 42% of which were localized in the short bones of the hand. The findings in radiology and pathology are presented and discussed, with special attention to the difficulty of classifying these tumors histologically and distinguishing them from chondrosarcoma. The recurrence rate in the short bones of the hand was 9%, and 19% in the long tubular bones. It was especially high after mere currettage of the tumor.