[Mortality study of cancer among Anshan iron and steel workers]

Cancer mortality in the period between 1971 and 1988 was surveyed among 71,803 male workers at thirty two major plants in Anshan Iron and Steel Corporation. A total of 5,896 deaths was registered. Cancer deaths occurred in 1,830, accounting for 31.04% of all deaths. The five leading cancers were that of lung, liver, stomach, esophagus and intestine. Cancer death rate increased with age and with calender year. The SMR for all cancers and for the cancer of lung, stomach and esophagus indicated significant excess (P < 0.01). 77.49% of all cancer deaths, and 82.82% of deaths with lung cancer occurred in smokers. The findings show that the mortality of cancer amongiron and steel workers in Anshan was the leading cause of death, and the death rate was higher than that of local and large city population such as in Beijing, Shanghai, etc. The excess cancer rate, especially that of lung cancer, may be related to carcinogenic agents in the working environment and smoking habit.

Influence of soil-extractable aluminium and pH on the uptake of aluminium from soil into the soybean plant (Glycine max)

The effects of soil pH and other soil properties on the uptake of AI by soybean plants have been investigated in a greenhouse experiment. Six soils were compared that were developed over six contrasting bedrock types ranging widely in their AI content and other chemical and physical characteristics, namely Oxford Clay, Chalk, Lower Lias Clay, Devonian Shale, Granite and Lower Greensand. Soil pH varied naturally between soil types and each soil was also amended to give two other pH levels using elemental sulphur and/or calcium carbonate. AI concentrations in various parts of the soybean plants were determined by ICP-AES after acid digestion. The AI solubility in the soils and hence its availability to the plants was estimated using a number of different reagents designed to extract different forms of AI.The AI concentration measured in the soybean leaves was found to be predicted most accurately by the 'available' AI extracted from soils by 0.02 M CaCl2. The relationship appears to the linear, with a correlation coefficient of 0.97 (p <0.01). The AI content of the leaves increases with decreasing soil pH. The relationship is non-linear with a marked increase in leaf AI for soils with pH <4.4. The amounts of 'plant-available' AI in the soils extracted with 0.02 M CaCl2 was much less than that extracted with 0.05 M EDTA, although both increased markedly with decreasing soil pH. The amount of AI measured in the soybean plants was directly related to both the 'available' forms of AI in the soils, and also to the pH of the soils. Soil pH was identified as a major factor that controls the uptake of Al from soil into the soybean plant.

Antigenic analysis of coxsackievirus B3 with monoclonal antibodies

All the 16 mouse monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) raised against Nancy strain of coxsackievirus B3, CoxB3(N), were type 3-specific. The reactivity of CoxB3(N) to this McAb panel during the serial passages showed a variation. Three field isolates of CoxB3, all neutralizable with the reference Anti-CoxB3 hyperimmune serum, were checked for the reactivities with the McAb panel. The isolates from the patients in Fujiang reacted with 12 McAbs and variably with the remaining four McAbs. On the basis of the reactivities with different virus strains, the McAbs were found to fall into four groups possibly corresponding to at least four epitopes. A considerable antigenic variation of CoxB3 was thus suggested.

Discrimination between aluminium held within vegetation and that contributed by soil contamination using a combination of Electron Probe Micro Analysis (EPMA) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES)

Aluminium concentrations in NIST (formally NBS) Standard Reference Material Tomato Leaves and Citrus Leaves were determined by ICP-AES after acid digestion. The normal 'total' acid attack (nitric and perchloric acids) gave very low recovery (40%) of Al in NIST tomato leaves, but not for citrus leaves. The contribution of Al from Al-rich 'soil' particles in both tomato leaves and citrus leaves was estimated semi-quantitatively by computer-controlled EPMA. The Al held in these particles corresponded in approximate concentration to the shortfall between the acid soluble component determined in this study and the certified value. Analysis by EPMA can provide, therefore, a method of estimating Al contributed by soil contamination to plant materials. The limitations of the NIST tomato and citrus leaf reference material for the validation of methods for the determination of Al in vegetation are demonstrated.

[Radiotherapy of extra-medullary plasma cell tumor--report of 13 patients]

13 patients with extra-medullary plasma cell tumor treated by radiotherapy in a Cancer Hospital from March 1958 to December 1983 are reported. The tumor occurred more frequently in the head and neck, particularly in the upper respiratory tract and oral cavity. Grossly, the majority of the tumor showed dark reddish polypoid masses with the surface bled easily. A misdiagnosis of polyp or hemangioma was usually made. The tumor is sensitive to radiotherapy. In the patients with recurrence or metastasis, retreatment is still effective, at least, palliative. The 5 year survival rate was 70%. A dose of 4,000-6,000 rad in 4-6 weeks is advised for the primary tumor.