Argyrophilic Nucleolar Organizer Regions Count Research Articles

Evaluation of the Cytological Changes of the Oral Mucosa Among Smokers in Al Madinah Al Munawara Using Argyrophilic Nucleolar Organizer Region (AgNOR) Counts and Papanicolaus Stain.

Objective To evaluate the cytological changes of the oral mucosa among smokers using Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) counts and Papanicolaou (Pap) staining. Methodology The oral mucosal exfoliate smears of 500 individuals (200 nonsmokers and 300 smokers) aged between 18 and 80 years were prepared in Al Madinah. TheAgNOR count and Pap stain were used to generate a cytogenic smear to assess the presence of cytological changes suggestive of atypia, inflammation, dysplasia, keratinization, and proliferative activity of epithelial cells. Results Smokers have a considerably higher number of AgNORs per nucleus than nonsmokers (1.99 3.53 vs. 0.42 1.22). There were inflammatory changes in 127 (42.3%) of the cases and 40 (20%) of the controls. Multinucleated cells and atypia were found in 33 (11%) and 14 (4.5%) of the casesbut not in the controls. The results indicate higher proliferative activity in smoking patients compared to nonsmoking patients, even in the absence of clinical lesions. Conclusion To detect the effects of smoking on the oral mucosa, Pap staining alone is insufficient. Combining Pap staining with the AgNOR technique produces the desired results.

A Comparison of Proliferative Capacity of Reticular and Erosive Variants of Oral Lichen Planus by Argyrophilic Nucleolar Organizer Regions Method.

Oral lichen planus (OLP), an immune mediated disorder, has been recognized since 1869 and is presented as any one of the six variants. Reticular and erosive are the most frequently encountered. Its proliferative capacity can give some information regarding its progression. We adopted the argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) method because of its simplicity to use and dependable results. We evaluated AgNORs in basal, suprabasal, and squamous cell layers. We also compared these three layers within two variants, reticular, and erosive. Thirty clinically diagnosed patients of OLP were included in the study. Reticular and erosive variants were included in our study. This was followed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and later by the AgNOR method. The mean number of AgNORs per nucleus was calculated. Thirteen males and 17 females were the gender distribution. Twenty-three (76.67%) had reticular pattern and seven (23.33%) had erosive pattern. The basal cell layer had the highest mean AgNOR compared to suprabasal and squamous layers. Even among, erosive and reticular variants, the former had higher mean AgNOR counts. Our results suggest that the inflammatory infiltrate close to the epithelial cells can alter the proliferation index for the pattern of protein synthesis of these cells. Moreover, the high proliferative index in OLP can be related to a specific immunologic response. We conclude that AgNOR can be used as a proliferative marker in earlier lesions to detect the severity.

A Study of AgNOR Scores on FNAC of Breast Lumps and Its Correlation with Histopathological Grading

Background: Breast cancer is one of the leading cancers in women both in developed and developing countries. Nucleolar Organizer Regions (NORs) are loops of DNA related to protein synthesis and ribosomal activity. Argyrophilic Nucleolar Organizer Region (AgNOR) counts act as a reliable cell proliferative marker as they aid in identifying cell proliferation activity and aggressiveness of a lesion, and thereby helps in differentiating benign and malignant breast lesions.
 Aim: To evaluate the role of AgNOR count in differentiating benign and malignant breast lumps.
 Methods: All breast lump specimens collected for Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) and histopathology, for a period of one year, were included in the study. A total of 69 specimens were included. All FNAC and histopathology slides were stained with AgNOR stain, and the score was recorded.
 Result: A total of 69 cases were studied, both non-neoplastic and neoplastic breast lesions. All FNAC cases correlated histologically. Out of the 69 cases, 38 were malignant. The mean AgNOR counts in non-neoplastic, benign and malignant breast lesions were found to be 2.19, 2.88 and 5.94 respectively (p<0.05). Other parameters such as proliferative AgNOR index, AgNOR size variation, AgNOR distribution within the nucleus and the Subjective AgNOR Pattern Assessment (SAPA) scores also showed statistically significant difference between benign and malignant lesions.
 Conclusion: AgNOR scores showed good correlation in differentiating benign and malignant breast lesions, they can be used as a reliable tool to aid in the diagnosis.

Could Argyrophilic Nucleolar Organizer Regions count mirror DNA Ploidy in Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors?

Objective:Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) are DNA coils that transcribe to ribosomal RNA. The NOR-associated protein, termed argyrophilic NOR (AgNOR), was visible within the nucleus by staining with silver nitrate examination via the light microscope. AgNOR counting is a proliferation marker and may help in the diagnosis and prognosis of various neoplastic lesions. Aneuploidy (abnormal DNA content) can predict the progression, survival and prognosis of the tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of AgNORs, DNA ploidy status, and total S-phase fraction (TSPF) as prognostic parameters in malignant salivary gland tumors (MSGTs). Methods:The current study is a retrospective study on a cohort of MSGTs (N=47), to assess AgNORs using Silver Nitrate stain, DNA index (DI), and TSPF using flow cytometry (FCM). Data including tumor size and site, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), lymph node metastasis (LNM) were collected. Results:The AgNORs count was statistically significant with MSGT type. DI was found to have a significant association with tumor site, tumor size and MSGT type. In addition, TSPF was found to be significantly associated with LVI. A moderate positive correlation was noted between AgNORs count and TSPF. LNM, tumor site, high AgNORs and low DI were all associated with short disease-free survival (DFS) and poor overall survival (OS). Conclusion:The present study revealed that high AgNORs count, DNA aneuploidy and TSPF had a poor influence on MSGTs prognosis.

Adapted technique for demonstrating argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions in the cytologic samples of canine mast cell tumors.

Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) are nonhistone argyrophilic nucleolar proteins associated with ribosomal genes found in the nucleolar organizer region that reflect cell proliferation and have an affinity for silver. AgNOR staining may be useful to evaluate prognosis in several neoplasms because higher AgNOR counts are related to higher grade tumors, metastases, and shorter survival times. We aimed to report on a quick and practical technique to identify AgNORs adapted for use in routine cytology. The cytopathologic diagnosis of mast cell tumor (MCT) in samples collected by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was determined. Next, slides were impregnated with a solution containing silver nitrate; the main modification of our technique included incubation of these slides at a controlled temperature of 25 °C. Some slides were previously stained with Diff-Quik and others were only fixed with methanol. The slides were analyzed under a microscope, and the number of blackened intranuclear points (AgNORs) was counted. Slides prestained with Diff-Quik were easily counted compared with slides only fixed in methanol. Technical issues encountered with the methanol-fixed slides included insufficient cellularity, background precipitation, and an absence of silver impregnation. The technique reported in this study showed satisfactory results for AgNOR counting in cytologic smears from MCT, such as good impregnation and the elimination of background interferents. Further evaluation of this method comparing AgNOR counts with histologic examinations, tumor grades, other prognostic markers, and survival times are needed to fully evaluate the benefit of this technique.

“STUDY OF PROLIFERATIVE INDICES USING MITOTIC INDEX AND AGNOR AND THEIR CORRELATION WITH VARIOUS GRADES OF BREAST CARCINOMA”

Background: Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women. The objectives of this study were to compare the argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) count and mitotic index with various histological grades of infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast. Aim: To study the relationship of the proliferative indices and various grades of breast carcinoma. Objective: "Study of proliferative indices using mitotic index and Agnor and their correlation with various grades of breast carcinoma" Material and Method: In this prospective study all specimens of infiltrating ductal carcinoma of female breast belonging to all age groups received in the department of histopathology of Gajra Raja Medical College,Gwalior during the period of three years were graded using Bloom and Richardson score and correlated with proliferative indices mitotic index and AgNOR counts. Result: The mean Age (Years) was 46.16 ± 8.68.The mean B&R Score was 6.52 ± 1.20.The mean Mitotic Index was 8.51 ± 2.61.The mean AgNOR Count was 4.24 ± 2.34.There was significant correlation between AgNOR count,mitotic index and histological grades. Conclusion: AgNOR count and mitotic index can be used as reliable proliferative indices which correlate well with the histological grades and are cost effective too.

Analysis of Argyrophilic Nucleolar Organizer Regions (AgNORs) in Acute Leukemia in Adults.

The evaluation of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) uses a simple method used in research into neoplasm. Bone marrow aspirates from 70 patients with acute leukemia underwent morphological, immunophenotypic, and genetic assessment and were stained with silver nitrate. In leukemic cells, the mean AgNORs number, mean AgNORs area, and mean AgNOR-area-to-nucleus-area ratio were calculated in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and selected risk groups. A higher value of all measured AgNOR parameters was observed in patients with AML compared to the ALL group. In AML patients, a higher mean AgNOR area was found in the ELN3 cytogenetic group compared to the ELN2 cytogenetic group. A higher value of the mean AgNOR count was observed in patients with white blood cells (WBCs) > 12 × 109/L than in the group with WBCs ≤ 12 × 109/L, as well as in patients with >20% blasts in peripheral blood (PB) than in patients with ≤20% blasts in PB. In the ALL group, a higher mean AgNOR-area-to-nucleus-area ratio was found in group with the presence of Philadelphia chromosome Ph(+) than without the Philadelphia chromosome Ph(−). AgNOR parameter analysis is a valuable method for differentiation of AML and ALL in adults.

Argyrophilic Nucleolar Organizer Regions in Premalignant and Malignant Oral Lesion: A Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment

Background: Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) has been considered to be useful indiagnostic pathology, mainly to distinguish benign lesions from their malignant counterparts.Aim: This study was done to evaluate the significance of various AgNOR parameters in differentiatingpremalignant and malignant oral lesions.Materials and Methods: The study was performed on thirty five archival tissues consisting of samplecomprised of five normal mucosa, fifteen premalignant lesions and fifteen malignant oral lesions. AgNORswere assessed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Chi squaretest.Results: Quantitatively and qualitatively significant difference was noticed. Quantitatively significantdifference in the mean value of AgNORs noticed between the premalignant and malignant lesions. In termsof qualitatively, the premalignant and malignant oral lesions differed significantly from normal mucosa.Conclusion: To conclude, the AgNOR count is the most appropriate marker to differentiate betweenpremalignant and malignant oral lesions.

Application of histochemistry AgNORs in diagnosing benign lesion, premalignant and malignant prostate tissue

Objective: Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) count has been suggested as an objective method in differentiating of various non neoplastic lesions of the prostate. Material and Methods: This study was done on archival paraffin block consisting of 6 cases of each, benign, premalignant, and malignant lesions of the prostate. All specimens were studied and evaluated with Haematoxylyn and Eosin followed by AgNORs histochemistry staining and its expression was determined by counting AgNORs dot per nuclei in 100 nuclei using a 100x oil immersion lens. Results: The results showed a linear increasing trend of mean mAgNOR count according to prostatic lesion (benign to malignant). However, this is not statistically significance as the p-value > 0,05 (p- value=0,516). Conclusion: Based on this study, AgNOR cannot be use to determine prostatic lesion behavior. Futher study with larger samples should be done to get significant result.

Quantitative assessment of tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia and nuclear organizing region activity to validate the significance of the pattern of invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective study.

Introduction:Pattern of invasion (POI) in scoring system of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) can predict local recurrence and overall survival rate. Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AGNOR) counts are considered to reflect the biosynthetic and nucleolar activity of a cell and thus serve as an indicator of the rapidity of the cell cycle thereby indicating the proliferative index of the tumor. It is implied that higher tumor associated tissue eosinophilia (TATE) showed lesser venous invasion, lymph node metastasis and clinical recurrence. The aim of the study was to assess and evaluate the following criteria's: POI-1 to POI-4 as defined by Bryne et al. in OSCC, proliferative index by AgNOR stain and TATE with carbol chromotrope stain in OSCC, validity of POI by correlating the AgNOR proliferative index and TATE.Materials and Methods:Forty samples of formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks diagnosed of OSCC were taken for the study. Three sections were taken from a single block and then the tissues were stained differently with H & E Stain, AgNOR stain and Carbol chromotrope stain. First section stained with H & E was observed for POI and grading was done according to Bryne's criteria. The second and third sections were stained with AgNOR stain and Carbol chromotrope stain for proliferative index and TATE. One way analysis of variance was used to test the significance.Results:Mean AgNORs count increases gradually from type 1 to type 4, depicting the increase in the nucleolar proliferative index of the cells and was statistically significant. In the case of the mean eosinophilic count, type 1 shows the highest mean eosinophilic count and the count shows drastic decrease till type 3 and from type 3 to type 4 the decrease is more gradual and was statistically significant.Conclusion:The study validated that POI is a good predictor for prognosis and also can be included in grading OSCC along with routine histopathological criteria.

AgNOR Count in Cervical Swab Under Cytological Normal and Other Pathologic Conditions: A Tumour Prolifirative Marker

To study the argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) as a cell proliferative marker in cervical smears and to assess its counts with the severity of the lesions on Papanicolaou (PAP)-stained cervical smears. The present study was a prospective experimental study which was carried out in 50 samples of women attending at Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre, a span of 1 year. The Student’s unpaired ‘t’ test was used to analyse the data. There was a progressive rise in the AgNOR counts with the severity of the lesions [normal cytology < inflammatory < low squamous intraepithelial lesion < high squamous intraepithelial lesion < malignant of cervix, i.e. 1.68 < 2.50 < 4.09 < 5.94 < 8.60, respectively]. Each lesion had a significant AgNOR value which helped in differentiating it from its precursor lesion. The AgNOR counts have been immensely helpful as they behave as a cell proliferative marker, aiding the diagnosis which is made through the cervical PAP-stained smears and letting the cytopathologist understand the exact stage of the cervical lesion.

The Correlate between Argyrophilic Nucleolar Organizer Region Stain and Ki-67 Immnochistochemistry in Diagnostic Breast Cancer

Introduction: This experimental study gauged the value of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) staining as a possible technique for the estimation of cell kinetics in conventional histology sections, in benign and malignant breast lesions. Methods: With a silver staining technique and immunohistochemistry, we associated the numbers of AgNORs and Ki67 scores in 30 breast carcinomas and 10 benign breast lesions. Results: The mean values of Ag NORs silver stain dots count for normal, benign, grade II and III were 1.28±0.17, 2.83±0.68, 5.23±0.87 and 7.32±0.92, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference (p≤0.001) was noticed between the all individual groups, among the normal and breast lesion as well as among the GII and GIII. Immunohistochemical Results of Ki-67 protein exhibited homogenous golden-brown color in control case and a positive brown granules or diffuse dark brown color in the nuclei of both benign and malignant cases under the 400X magnify examined under the light microscope. Discussion: AgNOR counts performed on routine formalin-fixed paraffin sections could provide substantial kinetic evidence. Additionally, the difference in AgNOR counts between benign and malignant tumors is such that they may be of diagnostic worth.

EXPRESSION OF ARGYROPHILIC NUCLEOLAR ORGANIZING REGION COUNTS AND PROLIFERATING CELL NUCLEAR ANTIGEN IN EPITHELIAL ODONTOGENIC TUMORS

INTRODUCTION: Odontogenic tumors are diverse groups of lesions derived from odontogenic tissues. Clinical behavior of these lesions varies widely, ranging from benign to malignant with differences in recurrence rate and growth pattern. A better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms will help to predict the course of odontogenic tumors and lead to the development of new therapeutic applications. Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) are loops of DNA that codify the ribosomal RNA and are considered important for protein synthesis. The NORs stained histochemicaly by silver are named argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR). Quantification of AgNOR represents a valuable parameter of cell kinetics and therefore cell proliferation. The number of AgNOR sites in malignant cells is significantly greater than those in their normal or benign counterparts. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is a useful marker of cellular proliferation and DNA replication. Malignant tissue is characterized by an uncoordinated proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cell proliferation rate using the expression of Argyrophilic Organizing Region counts and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen in epithelial odontogenic tumors and to assess the usefulness of AgNOR and PCNA as markers in malignant potential of epithelial odontogenic tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was done on 45 surgical specimens of epithelial odontogenic tumors and one control specimen from normal tooth germ.The tissue biopsies were processed and paraffin sections were prepared. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections were examined for diagnosis. Other sections were subjected to AgNORhistochemical technique and immunohistochemical staining for PCNA. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using a Labeled Strept-Avidin Biotin complex method (LSAB). RESULTS: The mean AgNOR count of tooth germ was 1.21 and the benign odontogenic tumors was 1.862.The highest AgNOR count was recorded in Ameloblastic carcinoma and lowest was seen in adenomatoid odontogenic tumor. Statistically significant difference in AgNOR counts of ameloblastoma and adenomatoid odontogenic tumor, ameloblastoma and calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor, benign odontogenic tumors and ameloblastic carcinoma were seen. AgNORs in ameloblastic carcinoma were more in number and more widely distributed.The highest mean value of PCNA-positive cell percentage was demonstrated in ameloblastic carcinoma followed by ameloblastoma. A significant difference was noted when the PCNA value of ameloblastoma was compared with that of ameloblastic carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: AgNOR technique may be considered a good indicator of cell proliferation in epithelial odontogenic tumors.The PCNA expression, along with the clinical features, can predict the aggressiveness, chances of recurrence and malignant potential of these tumors.

Proliferative Activity of Mammary Carcinoma Cells by AgNOR Count in C3H mice Receiving Ethanol Extract of Sponge Haliclona sp

Quantification of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNORs) was considered as one of markers of proliferative activity of cancer cells. Sponge Haliclona sp extract contains anticancer bioactive compounds and our previous study showed that the extract was able to improve histological grade of induced mammary adenocarcinoma in mice. The following research was conducted to study the extract administration on the proliferative activity of the carcinoma cells represented by AgNOR count in mice. This experimental study applied post test only control group design. Twenty C3H mice were divided into four groups namely C (control), H1, H2 and H3. Each group was given 0, 0.15, 1.5, and 15 mg Haliclona sp extract respectively. After three weeks of extract administration, mice were inoculated with breast cancer cells from donor mice. The extract administration were continued for another three weeks. AgNOR count was performed on tumor sections and expressed as mean of AgNOR (mAgNOR) and percentage of AgNOR (pAgNOR). Means of mAgNOR in C, H1, H2 and H3 were 4.070, 3.195, 3.450, and 3.190 respectively. Means of pAgNOR in C, H1, H2 and H3 were 34,40, 25,40, 38,40 and 19,80 respectively. The lowest means of mAgNOR and pAgNOR which is an indication of lower proliferative activity of the cancer cells was found in H3. However no significant difference can be found among treatment groups (p>0.05). Using AgNOR count, the ethanol extract of Haliclona sp could not show significant reduction in proliferation of mammary carcinoma cells of C3H mice. This finding support the view that AgNOR alone could not be used to determine pathology of cancer cells.

Cervical cancer screening in rural India: Status & current concepts.

Cervical carcinoma is one of the most common and dreaded diseases of women, and in India, it accounts for 16 per cent of total cervical cancer cases occurring globally. The situation is more alarming in the rural areas where the majority of women are illiterate and ignorant about the hazards of cervical cancer. Different screening strategies such as rural cancer registries and camp approach for cancer detection have been found useful in minimizing the problem of cervical cancer in the villages. Various screening techniques such as visual inspection with acetic acid, visual inspection with Lugol's iodine, visual inspection with magnification devices-magnavisualizer, Pap smear and HPV-DNA testing have been suggested and tried under low-resource settings of our country, and cervical cytology screening has been found effective in reducing incidence of the disease. In the present review, feasibility of different screening methods has been assessed to find out the most suitable mode applicable at the rural level. Single lifetime screening particularly of high-risk women along with analysis of cost-effective tumour markers such as Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) counts to discriminate high-risk dysplasia cases appears to be an appropriate approach in fighting against cervical cancer.

Evaluation of proliferation activity of oral lichen planus and oral lichenoid reactions using quantitative and qualitative analysis of AgNORs (Argyrophilic Nucleolar Organizer Regions)

Oral lichenoid reactions (OLR) and oral lichen planus (OLP) are clinically and histopathologically similar but their therapeutic approach are different. Due to the presence of dysplasia in oral lichen planus which effects prognosis, the aim of study was the evaluation of proliferation activity of OLPs and OLRs and their subtypes. AgNOR technique that is inexpensive and easy to perform was used to differentiate OLPs and OLRs and their subtypes. Materials & Methods: in this cross sectional , retrospective study, samples consisted of 45 OLPs, 30 OLRs 15 normal oral mucosa (N) from healthy persons (as control group). The samples were stained by AgNOR technique. AgNOR dots were counted on 100 cells from basal and para basal layer . The mean AgNOR dost per nucleus were calculated. Proliferation index (number of cells with AgNOR dots≥ 5) was also determined. Variation in size of AgNOR dots was categorized into 2 groups. Result: There were significant differences between OLP(and its subtypes) and N and also between OLR(and erosive type) and N . Such a difference was also between reticular OLP and reticular OLR.with regard to AgNOR count. Conclusion: Since reticular OLP had significantly higher AgNOR count than reticular OLR in our study, we can suggest the use of AgNOR technique for differentiation of reticular type of OLP from OLR on challenging histopathologic cases

Brush Cytology and AgNOR in the Diagnosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the role of brush cytology in the screening of oral lesions with malignant suspicion and compare it with histopathology in north-eastern India. Study Design: Brush cytology samples taken from 48 patients were processed for conventional cytology (CC) and liquid-based cytology (LBC), and biopsy samples were also obtained. LBC samples were also stained to assess the argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR). The cytology was compared with histopathology, both individually and in combination with AgNOR. The smear quality was compared with histopathology for evaluating their diagnostic accuracy. Results: The sensitivity of diagnosing oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma by LBC and CC alone was 75 and 85%, respectively, which improved on combining with the AgNOR count, with a cutoff of 6.5. The presence of round cells on cytology was significantly associated with high-grade lesions. LBC provided clearer cytomorphology but compromised the background information in high-grade lesions. Conclusion: Brush cytology is a minimally invasive tool for screening oral lesions with malignant suspicion. LBC and CC are complementary techniques for cytological screening and combining them with AgNOR can increase the diagnostic yield. With objective criteria for assessment, cytology can be an indispensable tool for screening oral lesions in a resource-limited set-up, especially in high-incidence regions.

Prognostic potential of AgNORs in oral submucous fibrosis

Aim and Objective:The role of prognosis cannot be stressed enough, especially when it comes to potentially malignant lesions. The argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs), which is simple and cost-effective has been used in diagnostic and prognostic pathologies. This study seeks to identify the nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) in oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), to correlate the AgNOR count with the histologic grade of OSMF, and to evaluate the prognostic potential of AgNOR.Materials and Methods:The sample size consisted of archival paraffin blocks of 35 cases of varying grades of OSMF and 10 cases of squamous cell carcinoma. Normal mucosa samples served as controls for the study. AgNOR staining in accordance with the method of Smith and Crocker was performed and Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis.Results:The results showed an increase in AgNOR counts with corresponding grades of OSMF, the count being least in normal mucosa and also an increase in AgNOR count with corresponding decrease in differentiation of oral squamous cell carcinoma.Conclusion:AgNOR staining is a rapid and inexpensive procedure representing cellular proliferation that can be used to assess the nature of the lesion and therefore, the prognosis.

The role of vascular endothelial growth factor in proliferation of odontogenic cysts and tumors: An immunohistochemical study.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is capable of initiating angiogenesis in blood vessels and may act as mitogenic agent for epithelium of odontogenic cysts and tumors. This study was conducted to evaluate the role of epithelial VEGF expression in odontogenic cysts and ameloblastoma and its correlation with argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region counts to assess its role in their biological behavior. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 45 histologically confirmed cases, 15 cases of each of keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOTs), dentigerous cysts, and ameloblastomas were examined for immunohistochemical expression for epithelial VEGF, and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) (used as secondary marker in this study) staining was done for comparing the proliferative capacity with VEGF. KCOT shows mild expression within the basal layers and strong expression in the suprabasal layer whereas, in dentigerous cysts, a majority showed no VEGF expression whereas ameloblastomas showed strong expression in all cases by stellate reticulum-like cells at the center of the follicles and suprabasal layers of epithelium. The results of AgNOR counts were higher in KCOTs as compared to ameloblastoma and least in dentigerous cysts. VEGF expression by the epithelium of odontogenic cysts and tumors may play a role in epithelial proliferation via autocrine mechanism as reflected by increased AgNOR counts. The angiogenic activity via paracrine pathway may be responsible for the difference in growth rate and neoplastic behavior of the lesions.

A study of AgNOR count in FNAC lymphnode in case of lymphadenopathy

Background: To study Argyrophilic Nucleolar Organizer Regions (AgNOR) count in FNAC lymph node in case of lymphadenopathy & to differentiate between malignant &non-malignant lesions Aim: To prove the diagnostic & Prognostic role of AgNOR in tumour pathology & application of AgNOR techniques to non-neoplastic& neoplastic growth & evaluation of AgNOR in cytology of various lesions of lymph nodes. Materials and Methods: Lymph node FNAC specimens were taken from 150 patients attending pathology department of Shri M.P.Shah Govt. Medical College & GGG hospital, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India during the period of January 2004 to February 2006. FNA of enlarged lymphnode was taken & smears were prepared & fixed in cytofix (50% ethly alcohol) also all smears were stained by H & E(were confirmed) as well as silver nitrate stain. 100 nuclei were assessed for each smear by 100x oil immersion lenses. Result: In this study a total number of 150 cases were included (80 benign & 70 malignant) in various lesions of lymphnode. Conclusion: AgNOR count is directly proportional to the severity of neoplastic lesions which increases with ascending grades of malignancy. Also it is a good technique in cytology. Keywords: AgNOR count, Lymphnode, AgNOR stain, Malignant lesions, Non-malignant lesions