AgNOR Counts Research Articles

Evaluation of AgNOR Counts in Different Types of Canine Mammary Tumors

Evaluation of AgNOR Counts in Different Types of Canine Mammary Tumors

Modulatory Effects of Vitamin C on Enrofloxacin Induced Chromosome Damage and AgNOR Counts in Chick Bone Marrow Nuclei

Quinolones are broad spectrum antibiotics and are widely used in veterinary practice. But because of continuous improvement in their bactericidal and metabolic properties, it resulted in an increased amount of genotoxicity among animals. Vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant and a free radical scavenger and protects the cell from endogenous oxidative DNA damage. The aim of the study was to find the modulatory effect of Vitamin C against the enrofloxacin induced chromosomal aberrations and nuclear damage. The toxicity includes a significant decrease in mitotic index and increases in the number of chromosomal aberrations like break, deletion, centromeric attenuation, centric fusion and AgNOR counts in chicken bone marrow nuclei. The combined administration of enrofloxacin and Vitamin C resulted has markedly increased the mitotic index and reduced the chromosomal aberrations and AgNOR counts in the bone marrow cells.

A clinicopathological study and evaluation of significance of argyrophilic staining of nucleolar organizer regions in kidney tumours

A variety of benign and malignant neoplasms arise in the kidneys of adults and children. With the advancement in the recognition of newer variants and wide spectrum of appearances of these tumours especially of nephroblastoma and renal cell carcinoma, the diagnostic accuracy and assessment of critical prognostic indicators for these tumours pose challenges to the surgical pathologists. The present spurt of interest in grading the tumours on morphological and histological criteria and correlating them with AGNOR counts and to the clinical outcome in terms of survival rates is mainly attributable to the recent innovations in surgical and medical oncology. In the present study each of the renal tumour samples were subjected to an argyrophilic staining for the nucleolar organizer region according to the modified colloidal silver technique. In Grade I, II & III renal carcinoma cases the AgNOR index was 0.875, 1.301, and 1.710 respectively. It has been observed that mean AgNOR indices are directly proportional to grading. i.e., with increased grades the mean AgNOR count also increased and can be used for assessing the clinical outcome and prognosis of the cases. The mean AgNOR scores in epithelial, mesenchymal, blastemal areas for all cases of Wilms’ tumour were 4.46, 4.82, and 5.76 respectively. Based on the mean AgNOR score it has been found that blastemal areas have higher score than mesenchymal and epithelial areas. The increased score in blastemal areas can be attributed to increased proliferative activity of the tumour. Prognostication is the most important contribution of the medical scientist to the suffering patient. The AgNOR scoring as a prognostic index helps the clinician in this.

Drought leads to reproductive quiescence in smooth‐billed anis: Phenotypic evidence for opportunistic breeding and reproductive readiness

Previous studies have suggested that the smooth-billed ani (Crotophaga ani, Linnaeus, 1758) breeds opportunistically following unpredictable rainfall in drought areas. To obtain proof of this phenomenon, the present study described and compared reproductive morphology and cell proliferation in the gonads of free-living smooth-billed anis during a wet season (April to June 2012) and the following dry season (July to September 2012) in a semiarid area using light and electron microscopy (transmission and scanning) and the AgNOR method. The morphological findings indicated distinct levels of reproductive activity related to seasonal changes. Morphological and morphometric analyses of the gonads confirmed intense gametogenic activity during the wet season, whereas gonadal involution occurred after rainfall ceased. The sizes of the testes and ovaries were significantly reduced compared to those in the wet season. The volumetric fraction of the seminiferous tubules in the testis decreased considerably, and no preovulatory follicles were detected in the ovary in the dry season. Moreover, the AgNOR count in the gonads revealed a significant decline in cell recruitment for gametogenesis after rainfall ceased. The histological findings indicated partial gonadal activation throughout the dry season. The analysis of the seminiferous epithelium confirmed the early testicular recrudescence phase, and sporadic postovulatory follicles indicated random ovulation during this time. The excurrent ducts and the oviduct also underwent remarkable involution in the dry season. Taken together, these findings confirm opportunistic breeding by smooth-billed anis in a semiarid habitat and suggest that gonadal recrudescence has been established as a reproductive strategy to cope with unexpected precipitation events.

AgNOR Pleomorphic Count as a Tumor Marker in Cervical Carcinogenesis and Feasibility of Its Introduction in Cervical Cancer Screening Programs to Discriminate High-Risk Cases of Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions of the Cervix

Background: AgNOR pleomorphism has been widely used for its diagnostic importance in differentiating premalignant and malignant lesions of different human neoplasms. However, an evaluation of its potential for discriminating cases of high-risk squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix (SIL) has been rarely attempted. Aim: The tumor marker potential of AgNOR pleomorphism counts was assessed by correlating high and low mean counts in low-grade SIL (LSIL) cases with persistence or regression of the lesion and HPV positivity. Materials and Methods: The 115 LSIL cases selected for the study were registered from the ongoing cervical cancer screening of the rural population of Lucknow West. Silver nitrate staining for AgNOR counts and HPV DNA testing were done in all 115 cases. Results: The AgNOR counts in the 115 LSIL cases revealed low counts in 92 and high counts in 23 cases. Follow-up, available in 107 cases, revealed persistence of the lesion in 21 of the 23 cases with high counts and in 4 of the 84 cases with low counts. HPV positivity showed a strong correlation with high counts. Persistence of LSIL was also more frequent with high AgNOR counts and in HPV-positive cases. Conclusions: The study showed a correlation of high mean AgNOR counts with HPV positivity and persistence of LSIL.

Multistep carcinogenesis of 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin tumours in rats: An immunohistochemical study

The present study was aimed to induce skin tumours in rats by chemical carcinogen 7,12-dimethybenz(a)anthracene (DMBA), to ascertain the different stages of tumorigenesis with molecular markers and application of these markers in diagnosis of neoplasms. DMBA solution (5 pmol in 0.25 ml acetone per dose) was applied fortnightly on the skin of 35 rats in one group (Group A) for a maximum of 20 doses. In another group of 35 rats (Group B), DMBA was applied initially for three consecutive weeks as initiator followed by weekly croton oil (1% w/v in acetone) applications as promoter for 60 weeks. Control groups (10 rats each) were also taken for both the treatment groups. Skin tumours were induced in only DMBA treated rats after latent period of 22 weeks, comprising of papillomas (47%), squamous cell carcinomas (43%) and fibrosarcomas (13%). Adnexal tumours consisted only two cases, one each of sebaceous basal cell carcinoma and sweat gland adenocarcinoma. Tumours arose as soft sessile/pedunculated, multicentric growths which became large cauliflower like and multiple confluencing lesions to become bigger masses. Histopatho- logically, sequential alterations seen were epidermal hyperplasia, severe epidermal hyperplasia, papilloma, papillary carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and its metastasis in lungs. The indices for proliferation markers (mitoses, AgNORs and PCNA) were significantly higher for squamous cell carcinoma (9.14, 15.44 and 181.63) and papillary carcinoma (3.09, 6.40 and 79.13) compared to mild epidermal hyperplasia (1.03, 4.17 and 0.53). Immunohistochemically, epidermal cells revealed p53, c-Myc and PCNA positive nuclear labelling for initiation and proliferation; strongly positive labelling for pre-malignant lesions, and strong p53, c-Myc, PCNA and hTERT labelling for malignant transformation, and additional abnormal cadherin and fibronectin for invasion and metastasis. c-Myc oncoprotein was demonstrated in nucleus and cytoplasm of cancer cells by immuno-electron microscopy. In conclusion, different stages of tumour development and progression was ascertained by using molecular markers: early detection of p53 and c-Myc for cell initiation and transformation; PCNA for cell proliferative activity; p53, c-Myc and PCNA overexpression in many cells for pre-malignant lesions; excessively increased p53, c-Myc and PCNA with additional expression of hTERT and abnormal cadherin and fibronectin for invasiveness, and additional loss of cadherin and fibronectin for metastasis. Mitotic index, AgNOR counts and PCNA index were independent cell proliferation markers, each being equally capable of ranking neoplastic lesions as benign and/or malignant tumours. Overall, PCNA index had high sensitivity and reliability for differentiating borderline tumours (papillary carcinomas) from benign (papilloma). Further studies are needed to elucidate the functional differences of excessively expressed, stabilized normal p53 protein and/or mutant p53 protein vis-a-vis their ultimate impact in the oncogenesis. Role of cytoplasmic accumulation of c-Myc in malignant tumours, particularly in malignant differentiated cells with the possibility of exploitation of this property of c-Myc oncoprotein for diagnosis of cancers needs further investigation.

A Correlation between Histochemical Patterns of Connective Tissue Fibers and AgNORs in Breast Lesions

Background: The precise histopathologic diagnosis of a breast lesion is the first step towards the most appropriate inclusive patient’s management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between histochemical patterns of connective tissue fibers and NORs in breast lesions. Methodology: Patients with breast cancer (n = 25) were ascertained as the case group, and those with benign breast lesions were ascertained as a control group (n = 25). Histochemical evaluations of elastic fibers, reticular fibers and mean AgNORs count were performed for all study subjects. Results: Elastic fibers intensity was brought into being lessening in benign lesions and upturns in the direction of malignant lesions. The intensity of elastic fibers was found to intensify with rises of neoplastic changes in breast cancer and this was found to be statistically significant P < 0.001. Mean AgNORs counts displayed increased clusters among malignant cases equated to benign ones. Mean AgNORs count significantly increased with neoplastic proliferation P < 0.005. Conclusion: Demonstration of connective tissue fibers (particularly elastic fibers) can strength the diagnostic evidence for conventional histopathology diagnosis. Mean AgNORs count can merge as an important quantitative marker in breast cancer diagnosis.

Evaluation of cell proliferation in cystic lesions associated with impacted third molars.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the metabolism and epithelial cell proliferation of odontogenic keratocyst (OKC), dentigerous cyst (DC), and unicystic ameloblastoma (UA) by quantifying the nucleolar organizing regions (AgNORs) and Ki-67 protein immunoexpression. Forty-eight cases (16 OKC, 16 DC, and 16 UA) were evaluated retrospectively. The metabolism and epithelial cell proliferation was measured by the Ki-67 positive cell percentage index and by the mean AgNOR count in each group. The Ki-67 and AgNOR counts were significantly higher in OKC comparing to the DC and UA (p < .001). Ki-67 positive cells were observed higher in suprabasal cell layers of OKC with uniform distribution, a few of them were predominantly observed in basal cell layer in DC and UA. The AgNOR count was significantly higher in the OKC basal cell layers and observed throughout the lining epithelium of DC and UA. Ki-67 and AgNOR reinforced the aggressive character of OKC, presenting high metabolism and cellular proliferation compared to DC and UA, possibly due to its more aggressive clinical behavior and high recurrence rate. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: We evidence higher metabolism and epithelial cell proliferation in OKC when compared to UA and DC, supporting its aggressive aspect and its high rate of recurrence. OKC had intense and predominant labeling of Ki-67 on the suprabasal layer unlike UA and DC.

Relationship between Canine Lymphocyte AgNOR Counts and Haematological Indices of Health

Abstract A modified agyrophil technique was applied to peripheral blood smears to determine the mean AgNOR counts (MAC) of lymphocytes and ultimately assess the state of the lymphoid system in various clinical conditions of dogs. Fifty dogs, from clinically normal to pets with leukaemia, presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, were recruited. Blood smears from each dog were stained with routine Romanowsky and modified agyrophil stains. Signalment, clinical diagnoses and hematologic parameters of the dogs were related to the MAC. An AgNOR proliferative index (AgPI) — percentage of lymphocytes with 3 or more AgNORs, was determined, and correlated with MAC. The statistical significance was determined at P &lt; 0.05. MAC ranged from 1.17 in clinically healthy patients to 6.00 in leukaemic patients. The MAC was 2.00 in patients (n = 26) with lymphocyte counts within reference intervals (900—2400 per microliter); 2.23 in patients (n = 4) with lymphopenia; 2.18 in patients with lymphocytosis (n = 18) and 4.73 in patients (n = 4) with lymphocytic leukemia. Also, the MAC was 2.00 in non-anemic dogs while it was 2.47, 2.49 and 3.06 in patients with mild, moderate and severe anaemia, respectively. The MAC correlated strongly with AgPI (r = 0.91). The ancillary AgNOR technique provides a cheaper, more rapid and sensitive tool than routine lymphocyte counts in assessing the state of lymphoid proliferation in a variety of conditions in the dog.

Canine Parvovirus ns1 gene and Chicken Anemia vp3 gene induce partial oncolysis of Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor

The oncolytic effect of Canine Parvovirus ns1 gene and Chicken Anemia vp3 gene in naturally occurring cases of Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor (CTVT) is being reported. Dogs suffering from CTVT (N = 18) were systematically randomized into three groups viz. A, B, and C (n = 6). Animals of the groups A, B, and C received 100 µg of the ns1 gene, vp3 gene, and ns1 + vp3 gene combination, respectively, for three weeks intratumorally at weekly intervals; results were normalized against base values before commencement of therapy and after complete remission that were taken as negative and positive controls, respectively. Initiation of oncolytic gene therapy arrested the further progression of the tumor but most of the animals in the study underwent incomplete remission, indicating incomplete activity of ns1 and vp3 genes. The oncolytic effect of the treatments was in the order ns1 > vp3 > ns1 + vp3. Oncolysis was accompanied by decreased mitotic index and AgNOR count, and increased TUNEL positive cells and CD4+ lymphocyte counts. Our findings show that Canine Parvovirus ns1 may eventually find an important role as an oncolytic agent.

Significance of Silver Stained Nucleolar Organiser Region (AgNOR) in Fine Needle Aspiration Smears of Breast Lesions

Background: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer - related deaths in Asia. The number of intra-nuclear silver stained structures, termed AgNORs, is significantly higher in malignant cells than in normal, reactive or benign cells. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the AgNOR scores in FNA smears of breast lesions and their correlation with histopathology. Aims & Objective: To establish AgNOR staining as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in management of various breast lesions. Methods: This was a prospective study conducted over a period of 18 months may 2015 to November 2016. A total of 100 cases were included in the study. AgNOR stain was done in both cytology and scoring was done and analysed. Results: In FNAC aspirates, Mean AgNOR count ranged from 5 to 9.9 per high power field with a mean value of 2.888±2.553. The AgNOR dots morphology was homogenous, symmetric with regular contours in FNAC slides of benign breast lesion. In malignant breast lesions, the dots were asymmetric with irregular contours and were aggregated, smaller and more scattered. Conclusions: The present study showed that fine needle aspiration cytology is a useful modality for diagnosis of breast lesions. It has a high concordance with the histopathology . AgNOR count assessment provides a useful objective measure for segregation of different grades of tumor with 100% accuracy for detection of higher grade of lesions, as observed in present study. For differentiation of benign from malignant lesions too it has a high sensitivity as well as specificity. The usefulness of FNAC to evaluate nodal involvement also showed a 90% sensitivity and 95.6% specificity. On the basis of present study, it could be concluded that AgNOR count estimation using fine needle aspiration is a useful method to differentiate and diagnose breast lesions.

Correlation between ploidy status using flow cytometry and nucleolar organizer regions in benign and malignant epithelial odontogenic tumors

ObjectiveDifferentiation between the aggressive benign odontogenic tumors and their malignant counterparts is controversial and difficult. While flow cytometry (FCM) allowed DNA analysis in neoplasia, argyrophilic organizer regions (AgNORs) number and/or size in a nucleus are correlated with the ribosomal gene activity and therefore with cellular proliferation. The aim of this research was to study the diagnostic accuracy of FCM and AgNORs staining in differentiating between benign and malignant epithelial odontogenic tumors and to correlate between these two interventions. DesignSixteen benign cases [8 cases of ameloblastoma (AB) and 8 cases of keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT)] and 13 malignant epithelial odontogenic tumors [8 cases of ameloblastic carcinoma (ABC) and 5 cases of clear cell odontogenic carcinoma(CCOC)] were included in the current study. For FCM analysis, a single cell suspension from Formalin fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumors was prepared according to a modified method described by Hedley (1989) and AgNORs staining were performed in accordance to the Ploton protocol (1986). Analysis of AgNORs was performed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. ResultsThe work revealed that all the examined tumors were diploid, except for 40% of CCOC cases. The S-phase fraction (SPF) value, AgNORs count and AgNORs area/cell showed statistically significant difference on comparing benign and malignant groups. A weak positive correlation was observed between SPF and AgNORs count. ConclusionThe SPF value was considered to be more sensitive and specific in differentiation between aggressive benign and malignant epithelial odontogenic tumors in comparison to AgNORs counting.

Estimation of silver nucleolar organizer regions in oral lichen planus, oral lichenoid reactions and oral lichenoid dysplasia.

Aims and Objective:(1) To study the clinical and histological features of oral lichen planus, oral lichenoid reaction (OLR) and oral lichenoid dysplasia (OLD). (2) To estimate and compare the silver nucleolar organizer regions in OLR and OLD.Materials and Methods:A total of 40 biopsies were studied; sections were divided as study group, which consists of OLP, OLR and OLD each of 10 cases and 10 biopsies of normal oral mucosa as control group. Sections were stained by silver staining technique and total number of silver stained nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) were counted in nucleoli of 100 cells in each section under x100 objective (oil immersion).Results:Our study revealed that the difference between the (AgNOR) count of OLP (2.272 ± 0.09) and OLR (2.27 ± 0.073) is not statistically significant (P = 0.81). The mean AgNOR count of OLD (2.388 ± 0.043) compared to that of OLP (2.272 ± 0.09) and OLR (2.27 ± 0.073) showed an increase and it is statistically highly significant (P = 0.002 and P = 0.003, respectively).Conclusion:AgNOR count is an objective test, which has stronger biological basis for diagnosing epithelial dysplasia. It is easy to perform, inexpensive and is performed on biopsied specimen. However, this technique cannot differentiate OLP and OLR, as there is no much difference in the proliferative activity of cells in these two lesions. It is reasonable to suggest that all biopsy tissues from lichenoid lesions where dysplastic features are observed in routine histopathological sections should be additionally stained by silver technique to ascertain dysplastic status of the lesion.Clinical Significance:This is an improved diagnostic parameter, which will help pathologists to formulate more definitive final histopathological diagnosis and will in turn facilitate the formulation of patient treatment and follow-up care by clinicians.

Effect of eriodictyol on preneoplastic lesions, oxidative stress and bacterial enzymes in 1,2-dimethyl hydrazine-induced colon carcinogenesis.

Eriodictyol, one of the strong flavonoids extracted from Eriodictyon californicum, is known for its antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. We estimated the chemopreventive effect of eriodictyol on 1,2 dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced experimental colon carcinogenesis in male albino Wistar rats. The rats were randomized into six groups. Our results evaluated the effect of eriodictyol supplementation (200 μg per kg b.w.) on DMH (20 mg per kg b.w)-induced rats (Groups 4-6). The incidence of polyps, aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and the lipid peroxidation levels were significantly decreased as compared to those in the DMH-alone treated rats (Group 2). In eriodictyol-supplemented DMH-treated rats, we observed increased activity of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in the circulatory system, liver, and colon. The bacterial enzymes activities of mucosa and faecal were significantly decreased in the group with treatment of eriodictyol on DMH-induced rats. Moreover, in the eriodictyol-supplemented DMH-exposed rats, we observed reduced malignant glands of a histopathological appearance in both liver and colon tissue. Furthermore, we also observed reduced AgNORs counts of eriodictyol supplemented to the DMH-exposed rats. Therefore, we can conclude that eriodictyol can be used as an effective chemopreventive agent against DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis in experimental animal models.

Quantitative assessment of silver-stained nucleolar organizer region in odontogenic cysts to correlate the growth and malignant potentiality.

Context:The most common and important odontogenic cyst involving jaws is the odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) or primordial cyst, the dentigerous cyst and the radicular cyst. These cysts all though do not show similar behavior, they all have the potentiality to recur. Silver nitrate staining of the nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) of the benign and malignant lesions is becoming very useful as a diagnostic indicator. Thus, the aim of this study is to assess the diagnostic potential of AgNORs in the cystic epithelium of common odontogenic cysts.Materials and Methods:Archived specimens of odontogenic cysts were stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain and AgNOR stain.Results:The comparative evaluation of the AgNOR counts was done among the three varieties of odontogenic cysts, i.e., radicular cysts, dentigerous cysts and OKC and were observed that the mean for OKC was significantly higher than that of radicular cyst.Conclusion:Therefore, AgNor could be used as an efficient tool for comparative evaluation of microscopic features such as epithelial thickness, surface keratinization and mural proliferation in dentigerous cyst to that of the AgNOR count.

Silver Stained Nucleolar Organising Region (AgNOR) Count and its Correlation with Colposcopy in Suspicious Cervical Pathology

Introduction: Colposcopy is considered a sensitive tool for screening of cervical malignancy. Colposcopy directed biopsy helps in confirming diagnosis. Silver stained nucleolar organising region (AgNOR count) of dysplastic cells further enhances the diagnosis. Aim: To study the correlation of AgNOR count and colposcopy in suspicious cervical lesions. Materials and methods: 200 women of reproductive age group were screened for cervical cancer and colposcopy directed biopsy taken. AgNOR count studied and correlated with HPE and Modified Reid’scolposcopic index. Results: There was a good correlation between AgNOR count and the degree of dysplasia. Also there was a good correlation of AgNOR count and Modified Reid’scolposcopic index. Conclusions: AgNOR count is simple, effective method and it adds strength to histopathology and colposcopy

Evaluation of AgNORs on FNA smears and tissue sections in benign and malignant breast diseases

Background and Objectives: AgNOR scoring on breast tissue has shown a significantly higher count in malignant breast lesions in comparison to benign lesions and AgNOR staining on breast aspiration smears has been found superior to staining of histological sections. The present study aims at a comparative evaluation of mean AgNOR (mAgNOR) counts on the cytologic smears and the corresponding histologic sections in the various benign and malignant lesions of the breast. Methods: A one step silver colloidal staining procedure was employed for demonstration of AgNORs on aspiration smears and the corresponding histologic sections in fifty patients with breast lumps, 38 of these had a benign breast disease while 12 harboured a malignant lesion. AgNOR counts were expressed as mean AgNORs per nucleus (mAgNOR score). Results: The AgNORs in benign lesions were fewer, small, uniform, and mostly centrally placed where as those in malignant lesions were irregular, generally large and scattered. The mean mAgNOR count in benign breast lesions was 3.3; S.D 1.49 on FNA smears and 2.3; S.D 1.22 on histologic sections (p0.1). The mAgNOR scores for the malignant breast lesions were significantly higher than those for benign lesions on both cytologic smears and histologic sections (p

Nucleolar Organizer Region Count, PCNA and Ki-67 Indices are Diagnostic Markers of Malignancy and Cell Proliferation Rate in Bovine Lymphosarcoma

Lymphoid tumors comprise one of the most common groups of tumors in domestic animals. Lymphosarcoma is expressed as a specific multicentric form in calvesupto six months of age (sporadic) and in adult cattle (enzootic); and as thymic form in young cattle. Eight calves of both sexes aged below six months were necropsied in the department of veterinary Pathology, college of Veterinary Science, Tirupati. During necropsy impression smears, represented tissue samples were collected for Cytopathology, histopathology, AgNOR count and immunohistochemical studies. Cytological smears revealed lymphocytes, prolymphocytes and lymphoblasts with anaplastic changes. Histopathologically, partial to complete obliteration of architecture due to the replacement of normal tissue by lymphoblastic cells in lymphnodes and other visceral organs. The mean AgNOR count of the lymphosarcoma was 4.25 and it appear as a round to irregular, dark brown to black dots of varying sizes in the nuclei. Positive expression of PCNA and Ki67 was noticed in lymphnode, liver, kidney and lung was observed. The labeling index of PCNA and Ki-67 expression and distribution of immunopositive cells may be helpful in the early diagnosis and prognosis of malignant tumors. Hence, AgNOR, PCNA and Ki-67 indices can be used as reliable markers of cell proliferation and malignancy.

Role of Argyrophilic nucleolar organiser regions [AgNOR's] in preneoplastic lesions of prostate

Aims and objectives: 1. To demonstrate the patterns in different premalignant lesions of prostate. 2. Correlating AgNOR counts with various grades of PIN. Materials and methods: This study was conducted in 83 cases of different prostatic biopsy specimens from 2013 -2015. All biopsy samples were routinely processed and stained with both haematoxylin and eosin and with AgNOR stain. Results: The mean AgNOR count and score of high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia was significantly high when compared to low grade intraepithelial lesion. High grade prostatic intraepithelial lesions associated with nodular hyperplasia or with carcinoma was the same. Conclusion: AgNOR is a simple, cost effective and easy stain to evaluate the proliferative activity of the cell. It can be used as an additional test which will be of immense value regarding the progression of preneoplastic lesions in prostate. Keywords: AgNOR, low grade PIN, high grade PIN.

Quantitative analysis of agnor counts of buccal mucosal cells of chewers and non chewers of gutkha: A comparative cytologic study.

The present study was taken up to evaluate the AgNOR counts in the buccal mucosa cells of gutkha chewers and compare that with the sex-matched controls. In all, 100 gutkha chewers and 50 sex-matched non-chewers (controls) were chosen. None of the patients in both groups had any clinical oral lesions or systemic diseases. After rinsing with 0.9% sodium chloride, cytologic smears were prepared and stained using the AgNOR method and observed in immersion oil at 1000 × magnification. Finally, 50 cells were selected at random; AgNOR dots were counted and their mean was recorded. The student t-test was used for analysis of data. Comparison between mean AgNOR counts of gutkha chewers (2.68 ± 0.23) and non-chewers (2.01 ± 0.14) was found to be statistically significant. Cytology associated with AgNOR staining can effectively detect the early molecular changes within buccal mucosa cells of oral mucosa.