Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the liver--a case report with immunocytochemical observations.

A case of a primary sarcomatous tumour in the liver of an elderly female is reported. The tumour consisted of bundles of spindle cells focally in a storiform pattern, intermingled with bizarre giant cells. Immunocytochemically, carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha-fetoprotein, keratin, desmin and type IV collagen could not be demonstrated. Most tumour cells, however, expressed vimentin, whereas a granular cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for alpha-1-antitrypsin and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin was shown in the giant cells. Ultrastructurally the tumour cells did not show any characteristics of epithelial derivation. The morphological and immunocytochemical data justify the conclusion that the tumour should be classified as a malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

Polarographic determination of malononitrile.

A procedure is proposed for the determination of malononitrile by differential pulse polarography in methanolic 0.1M tetraethylammonium iodide/0.001M tetramethylammonium hydroxide as the supporting electrolyte. In this medium malononitrile is chemically converted into an electroactive species. With close control of timing of the steps in the procedure the error of the method is +/-1.5% in the concentration range 0.0001-0.001M. Acrylonitrile, benzonitrile and succinic acid dinitrile do not interfere.

Jejunal bile salts and microflora in patients with partial gastrectomy.

Bile acids and microflora were studied in the proximal jejunum in 31 patients with Billroth I or II gastrectomy. At least 10(5) bacteria/ml., most frequently aerobic or facultative aerobic organisms, were isolated in 25 patients. Deconjugation diminished considerably in only three of seven patients with bile salt deconjugation treated with clindamycin. The relationship between bacterial overgrowth, deconjugation, steatorrhea, cholesterolemia and the relationship between bile salt concentration after testmeal and steatorrhea, are discussed. Bacterial overgrowth and bile salt deconjugation are only minor causes of steatorrhea in this series.