Correlation between cancers of the uterine cervix and penis in China

A national survey of cancer mortality in the People's Republic of China during 1973--75 revealed concurrent geographic variation for cancers of the uterine cervix and penis, including clustering of both tumors in central parts of the country. The findings are consistent with recent reports from other countries that the cancers tend to aggregate in spouses and with the hypothesis of an etiologic factor in common.

Atlas of cancer mortality in the People's Republic of China. An aid for cancer control and research

A set of maps which display the patterns of cancer mortality in China has been prepared and published by the China Map Press. The 200 page atlas was edited by the National Cancer Control Office of the Ministry of Health and the Nanjing Institute of Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on the basis of a nation-wide cancer mortality survey. The Cancer Institute of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences with related Colleges, Universities and Institutes provided the data and took part in the preparation of the atlas, which is published both in Chinese and English. 58 maps and several dozen charts depict, in seven colours, the mortality distribution in this 2392 countries and county-level administrative units of 9 types of cancer common in China--stomach, oesophagus, liver, cervix, lung, colon and rectum, breast, nasopharynx, and leukaemia as well as 5 less common cancers--brain tumours, malignant lymphoma, cancer of the bladder, of the penis, and choriocarcinoma. The Atlas of Cancer Mortality will be an important new aid for cancer control and research in the People's Republic of China.

Ultrastructural localization of immunoreactive corticotropin, beta-lipotropin, alpha- and beta-endorphin in cells of the human fetal anterior pituitary

Cells immunoreactive with anti-alpha-(17-39) ACTH, beta-(1-24) corticotropin, beta-LPH, alpha- and beta-EP were identified in the human fetal anterior pituitary at the ultrastructural level using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex method on ultrathin sections. Only one definite cell type was revealed by all these antisera. All granules of each individual immunostained cell reacted regardless of the antiserum used. The immunostained cells occurred in groups and were sometimes located in the wall of the follicle-like structures commonly observed in the fetal anterior pituitary. The cells revealed two main aspects: 1) The largest elements were rich in organelles, and their numerous secretory granules showed significantly variations in size (250-500 nm in diameter), electron density of their content and stain-deposit intensity. The ergastoplasm, consisting of irregular tubules, was poorly developed. In the vicinity of the conspicuous Golgi apparatus, organelles related to the GERL complex were commonly observed. Multivesicular bodies were frequent. Some of these cells showed bundles of microfilaments (60 nm in thickness). 2) The smaller cells had an electron-lucent hyaloplasm with sparse organelles; they contained fewer granules and never showed microfilaments. The immunocytological results are consistent with the synthesis of a molecule similar to pro-opiocortin by this type of endocrine cell in human fetuses. Morphological evidence for the maturation process of this precursor and for the secretory activity of these cells and its possible regulation is presented and discussed.

EBV specific secretory IgA in saliva of NPC patients. Presence of secretory piece in epithelial malignant cells

Saliva samples from 59 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and from 20 normal individuals were studied to determine the nature and origin of the EBV-specific IgA in NPC saliva. About 50% of NPC saliva samples contained secretory IgA specific for EBV. The corresponding tumor IgA(alpha) was found in plasma cells surrounding the epithelial tumor cells and the secretory piece at the surface of epithelial cells. A slightly higher proportion of NPC saliva samples containing IgA was found in patients from Tunis than in samples from Hong Kong. Attention is drawn to the clinical value of the salivary IgA in diagnosis and monitoring of treatment of NPC.

Somatotrophs in the human fetal anterior pituitary. An electron microscopic-immunocytochemical study

An immunocytochemical staining of ultrathin sections using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex was employed to localize the somatotrophs in the anterior pituitary of the human fetus. This technique allowed a specific identification of the somatotrophs and a detailed description of their ultrastructure which was well preserved by the fixation employed. They appeared as cells with a dense cytoplasmic matrix, lamellar rough endoplasmic reticulum, and prominent Golgi apparatus. Their secretory granules had a mean diameter of 300 nm.