Reinforcing effects of cigarette advertising on under-age smoking

Interviews were conducted with 848 Glasgow children aged between 11 and 14 years. There were consistent differences between smokers and non-smokers. Smokers tended to be more adept at recalling, recognizing and identifying cigarette advertisements. This suggests they tend to pay more attention to cigarette advertising. Smokers also tended to be generally more appreciative of cigarette advertising. Moreover, this greater awareness and appreciation of cigarette advertising was independent of other important predictors of under-age smoking, such as smoking by peers, siblings and parents. These findings, taken in conjunction with previous research, indicate that cigarette advertising is reinforcing under-age smoking. The smokers showed an enhanced or heightened preference for Kensitas Club, the brand favoured by adults. This is consistent with previous research indicating that promotional devices which help determine and reinforce adult cigarette brand preferences have an even greater effect on under-age smokers.     

Benign dermal Schwannoma with glandular elements—true heterology or a local ‘organizer’ effect?

A unique case of intradermal Schwannoma containing five morphologically distinct types of gland, which had arisen in the forearm of a 16-year-ald girl, is presented. The glandular elements have been investigated both histochemically and immunohistochemically. While some of these structures probably represent entrapped dermal appendages, it is argued that this tumour shows true heterologous glandular differentiation and, as such, is the second convincing reported example of benign glandular Schwannoma which has been reported. The literature with regard to glandular Schwarmomas is also reviewed.     

Epithelial markers in thyroid carcinoma: an immunoperoxidase study

Ten cases each of papillary, follicular, anaplastic and medullary carcinoma of the thyroid were stained for thyroglobulin, calcitonin, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytokeratin (CAM 5.2). Monoclonal or affinity purified polyclonal antibodies, and an indirect immunoperoxidase technique were used. All the papillary and follicular tumours, 5/10 anaplastic and 3/10 medullary carcinomas contained thyroglobulin. Only the 10 medullary carcinomas stained positively for calcitonin. Three out of 10 papillary, 1/10 follicular, 0/10 anaplastic and 10/10 medullary carcinomas were positive for CEA. Nine out of ten papillary, 7/10 follicular, 2/10 anaplastic and 3/10 medullary carcinomas were positive for EMA. Ten out of 10 papillary, 10/10 follicular, 5/10 anaplastic and 10/10 medullary carcinomas were positive for cytokeratin. The presence of calcitonin and CEA is of value in the diagnosis of medullary carcinoma, and enable its distinction from anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Thyroglobulin is a useful marker in thyroid carcinomas.     

Multiple Tissue Markers in Human Malignant Testicular Tumours

Using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique, the localization of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), human placental lactogen (HPL), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and alphafoetoprotein (AFP) has been achieved in paraffin embedded sections of human malignant testicular tumours. HCG was localized in the syncytiotrophoblast of trophoblastic teratomas, in morphologically distinctive cells of many teratomas classified as 'non-trophoblastic' and in some seminomas. The presence of such cells showed good correlation with the development of elevated serum/urine HCG levels on or before overt tumour recurrence. HPL had a similar but more restricted distribution. CEA was demonstrated in areas showing intestinal-like differentiation. AFP could be readily demonstrated in tumours with yolk sac differentiation, although widespread diffusion made accurate localization difficult.
The routine localization of these tumour products may be of potential value in improving the diagnosis and classification of malignant testicular disease. Preliminary results also indicate that such an approach may have a role in predicting suitable serum markers with which to monitor disease activity and in providing further prognostic criteria.