Cytological Aspects Research Articles

Structure and metamorphic remodeling of the larval nervous system and musculature of Phoronis pallida (Phoronida).

The structure of the larval nervous system and the musculature of Phoronis pallida were studied, as well as the remodeling of these systems at metamorphosis. The serotonergic portion of the apical ganglion is a U-shaped field of cell bodies that send projections into a central neuropil. The majority of the serotonergic cells are (at least) bipolar sensory cells, and a few are nonsensory cells. Catecholaminergic cell bodies border the apical ganglion. The second (hood) sense organ develops at competence and is composed of bipolar sensory cells that send projections into a secondary neuropil. Musculature of the competent larva includes circular and longitudinal muscle fibers of the body wall, as well as elevators and depressors of the tentacles and hood. The juvenile nervous system and musculature are developed prior to metamorphosis and are integrated with those of the larva. Components of the juvenile nervous system include a diffuse neural net of serotonergic cell bodies and fibers and longitudinal catecholaminergic fibers. The juvenile body wall musculature consists of longitudinal fibers that overlie circular muscle fibers, except in the cincture regions, where this pattern is reversed. Metamorphosis is initiated by the larval neuromuscular system but is completed by the juvenile neuromuscular system. During metamorphosis, the larval nervous system and the musculature undergo cell death, and the larval tentacles and gut are remodeled into the juvenile arrangement. Although the phoronid nervous system has often been described as deuterostome-like, these data show that several cytological aspects of the larval and juvenile neuromuscular systems also have protostome (lophotrochozoan) characteristics.

Ultrastructural and histochemical study on the interrenal cells of the male stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus, Teleostea), in relation to the reproductive annual cycle.

The steroidogenic interrenal cells in the adrenal homologue of the male stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) were studied in relation to the reproductive cycle by means of histological and ultrastructural observations, and using histochemical methods for the localisation of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3betaHSD) and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17betaHSD). To determine the various stages of the reproductive cycle, the testes were also examined by histological and histochemical methods (3betaHSD). The results indicate that in this teleost the interrenal cells can undergo a cycle in which phases characterised by different cytological aspects are observed. During this cycle there is a renewal of organelles, in particular mitochondria and SER. Periodic degenerative processes are also found. Organelle cytology showed that the cell cycle has at least 3 different aspects during the year. An analogy with some cytological aspects of the adrenal zonation in mammals is possible. It is postulated that the interrenal gland activity could substitute or supplement androgen production by the testes.

Estudo comparativo entre citopatologia e histopatologia no diagnóstico de neoplasias caninas

Foi realizado um estudo comparativo entre os diagnósticos citológico e histopatológico em diversas neoplasias de 150 cães, pelas colorações de Wright, May-Grünwald-Giemsa, Novo Azul de Metileno e Papanicolau. Colorações histológicas como Hematoxilina-Eosina, van Gieson, Sudan, Azul de Toluidina e Ácido Periódico de Schiff também foram empregadas. Os dados revelaram uma eficácia de ordem de 85,3% no diagnóstico citopatológico, considerando-se os resultados histopatológicos como corretos. Em 4,0% dos casos somente a origem embrionária das neoplasias foi estabelecida. Em 1,3% das neoplasias apenas o prognóstico foi determinado; o diagnóstico citológico diferiu da histopatologia em 8,1% dos casos. Em dois casos (1,3%) o diagnóstico citológico diferiu do histológico, mas um reexame determinou que o primeiro estava correto, o que elevou a sua eficácia para 86,6%. Entre as técnicas utilizadas, a punção aspirativa por agulha fina foi o melhor método para obter amostras. A citologia não foi adequada para o diagnóstico de neoplasias mamárias, dadas às variações morfológicas em diferentes áreas. A impressão em lâmina não é recomendada para análise de tumores mesenquimais e deve ser substituída pela citologia esfoliativa. O Wright revelou-se o método de coloração mais eficiente. As colorações adaptadas da histopatologia, van Gieson em leiomiomas e leiomiossarcomas, Sudan em lipomas e lipossarcomas, e Ácido Periódico de Schiff e Azul de Toluidina em mastocitomas, foram empregadas com sucesso fornecendo assim maior clareza de detalhes para as diversas neoformações de origem epitelial e mesenquimal.

Ovarian carcinoma and serous effusions. Changing views regarding tumor progression and review of current literature.

Carcinoma of the ovary is the leading cause of death from gynecological cancer in western countries. Ovarian carcinoma is commonly associated with the accumulation of fluid containing malignant cells in the peritoneal, and not infrequently in the pleural cavity. The differentiation of these cells from reactive mesothelial cells is at times difficult. In addition, tumor progression in ovarian carcinoma and the biological characteristics of carcinoma cells in effusions compared to their counterparts in solid tumors are poorly understood. This review details the current knowledge regarding diagnostic and biologic aspects of effusion cytology, with emphasis on ovarian carcinoma. Results from our first studies of effusions are subsequently presented. These attempt to address several issues. First, to improve the diagnostic ability to detect cancer cells in effusions using antibodies designed for the differentiation of epithelial cells from mesothelial cells. Secondly, to study genotypic and phenotypic differences between ovarian carcinoma cells in effusions, solid primary tumors and metastatic lesions, as well as to compare malignant cells in peritoneal and pleural effusions. These studies of carbohydrate antigens, E‐cadherin complex and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) attempted to evaluate whether ovarian carcinoma cells in effusions possess true metastatic properties, or are similar to the cells in primary tumors, thereby merely representing the result of a shedding process. Finally, the prognostic role of these molecules was studied in solid tumors from a patient cohort consisting of long‐ and short‐term survivors, followed for up to 20 years. Figure 1 on http://www.esacp.org/acp/2001/23‐3,4/davidson.htm.

Lésions précancéreuses du col utérin chez la femme camerounaise. Aspects cytologiques et épidémiologiques de 946 cas

Objective – The aim of this study was to present the cytological and epidemiological aspects of precancerous lesions of the uterine cervix of women living in the two first cameroonian cities (Yaounde and Doubla). Material and methods – The material was made of pap smears registars of the Yaounde Central Hospital pathological laboratory and the reports of cervical cancer screening from Douala and Yaounde within a period of five years (1st January 1994 to 31st December 1998). We recruited all cases showing a precancerous lesion of the uterine cervix. For each case, we noted : the type of lesion, the age of the patient, the age at the first sexual intercourse, the age at the first delivery, the number of pregnancies, the parity, the marital status, the socioeconomical class. Results – From a total of 13524 pap smears done, 946 (7 %) have shown precancerous lesions. 70 % of these were high grade while 30 % were low grade. These lesions were observed at all age from the range of 11 to 15 years. All women showing these lesions had had sexual intercourse. 30 % of these lesions were noted among women who have had their first sexual intercourses between 10 and 15 years. 40 % were observed among women who have had their first sexual intercourses between 16 and 18 years. 66 % among women who have had their first delivery between 13 and 21 years. 92 % are observed among women who have had more than five pregnancies, more than five parities ; 54 % among women who are married and 76 % among bachelors and widows ; 64 % among women with low socioeconomical status ; 9 % among women with high socioeconomical status. Conclusion – Many cameroonian women are prone to cervical cancer.

Laryngeal cytological aspects in women with surgically induced menopause who were treated with transdermal estrogen replacement therapy

Objective: To investigate the effects of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) on laryngeal cytology in postmenopausal women. Design: Prospective open clinical trial. Setting: Outpatient menopausal clinic in the Department of Gynecology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy. Patient(s): Eighty-four healthy, surgically postmenopausal women, of whom 48 were treated with ERT and 36 were considered as a control group. Intervention(s): Transdermal E 2 treatment by patches or gel, evaluation of laryngeal cytology with cytobrush by indirect laryngoscopy, and questionnaire for the voice history. Main Outcome Measure(s): Changes in cytologic aspects of laryngeal cells with respect to vaginal cytology by hematoxylin and eosin staining; subjective voice changes. Result(s): Sixty-seven women completed the study. Ten women from the ERT group and five from the control group dropped out because of the invasive laryngoscope method; two subjects in the control group were excluded because of pathologies of the vocal cord. Hematoxylin and eosin staining confirmed similar superficial-intermediate aspects of the cells between the laryngeal and the vaginal smears in ERT-treated women. In the control group, both smears showed aspects of atrophy-dystrophy. The ERT group had a subjectively better quality of voice than the control group. Conclusion(s): Our study confirms that the larynx is an estrogen target, as are vaginal cells. ERT may provide prevention and treatment of dystrophic pathologies of the vocal cords in postmenopausal women.

Acute myeloid leukemia with hypergranular cytoplasm: a differential diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia

We report here the case of a woman with acute myeloid leukemia with some blast cells exhibiting acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)-like hypergranular cytoplasm. The cytologic and cytochemical aspects as well as the mature myeloid phenotype and hemostasis disorders were consistent with the diagnosis of APL. However, no t(15;17), or RARα gene, MLL gene or PML gene rearrangement was observed, or any other cytogenetic clonal abnormality. Coexpression on blast cells of CD33 and CD56 without CD34, CD16 or HLA-DR, suggested a myeloid/natural killer cell acute leukemia.

Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer

This volume reviews the evidence for a casual link between sexually transmitted infection by human papillomavirus (HPV) and the occurrence of cervical cancer from a variety of different angles. Epidemiological studies are surveyed and clinical, pathological and cytological aspects of HPV infection are reviewed. Modern methods for analyzing for HPV-DNA types by molecular biological techniques are described and the statistical problems to be overcome in epidemiologic work are explained. The chapters have been prepared by a team of international specialists who met in Copenhagen in March 1988 in order to reach a consensus on the present state of research in this field and to establish directions for future work.

Apical Growth in Algae

Cytological and physiological aspects of apical growth in algae are reviewed. Data on morphology and ultrastructural organization of siphonous thalli are presented. Special attention is paid to the organization of microtubules and microfilaments and the role of the cytoskeleton in morphogenesis. A comparative study of apical growth in algae, fungi, and higher plants is presented.

Ultrastructural aspects of the sporogony of Aggregata octopiana (Apicomplexa, Aggregatidae), a coccidian parasite of Octopus vulgaris (Mollusca, Cephalopoda) from NE Atlantic Coast

Summary Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy, and Atomic Force Microscopy techniques were used to study different topographic and cytological aspects of the architecture of the sporogonial stages of the eimeriorin coccidian Aggregata octopiana. Ultrastructural studies concerning the formation of sporoblast, sporocysts and number of sporozoites were presented for the first time for this coccidian species. Sporocysts are 11 to 15 μm in diameter, the wall is 0.25–0.35 μm thickness in tangential section. The sporocyst wall surfaces present projections or spiny which are 0.32 μm long. Each sporocyst contains probably 8 sporozoites. The microscopic analysis of the spiny sporocyst cover in A. octopiana, a very important diagnostic character for the taxon, makes it possible to clear up the diagnoses of the species, allowing the taxonomic reappraisal of A. spinosa Moroff, 1908 as a synonymy of A octopiana Schneider, 1875.

Cytologic aspect of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma in fine‐needle aspirates

Cytologic aspect of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma in fine‐needle aspirates

Cytologic aspect of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma in fine-needle aspirates.

This is a review of the cytologic and clinicopathological findings seen in a series of six fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinomas (FL-HCC) studied by means of fine-needle aspiration (FNA). A comparison of several cellular measurements (cell, nuclear and nucleolar sizes, and N/C ratios) of FL-HCC, ordinary hepatocellular carcinoma (O-HCC), and normal hepatocytes was also carried out in order to find out if these figures could be of help in the cytologic diagnosis. Aspirates were made up of a rather monotonous population of large discohesive cells resembling the morphology of the oncocytes seen in thyroid aspirates; trabecular arrangement of tumor cells was not observed. Cytoplasmic pale bodies and hyaline cytoplasmic bodies were seen in variable quantities. Microbiopsies displaying the fibrolamellar pattern were observed in four cases. FL-HCC individual tumor cells were larger than individual O-HCC tumor cells (P < 0.001), as were nuclear (P < 0.007) and nucleolar sizes (P < 0.001), but N/C ratio of O-HCC was higher than the N/C ratio of FL-HCC (P < 0.005). Based on the findings, a single cell aspirated from an FL-HCC is three times the size of a normal hepatocyte and 1.60 times the size of a single cell aspirated from a well-differentiated O-HCC. The cytologic findings of FL-HCC are very characteristic and permit a correct diagnosis of this liver malignancy, provided the cytopathologist is aware of the clinical, demographic, CT-image, biochemical, and pathological features of this neoplasm. Diagn. Cytopathol. 21:180-187, 1999.

Training in cervical cytology, past, present and future.

In recent years every aspect of the practice of cytology has come under close scrutiny. It is perhaps surprising therefore that very little has been published on the subject of training in cytology. Whilst training is an issue in all aspects of diagnostic cytology, this review will concentrate on cervical cytology.

Cytological and functional aspects of telomere maintenance.

The fact that eukaryotic chromosomes are linear poses a special problem for their maintenance: the natural ends of chromosomes must be distinguished from ends generated by chromosomal breakage and somehow, the chromosome ends must also be fully replicated to maintain their integrity. Telomeres, the complex structures at the ends of chromosomes are thought to be instrumental for both of these functions. However, recent insights in telomere biology suggest that these terminal structures do much more than just fulfill these two basic functions. Cytological data demonstrate that telomeres may play leading roles in chromatin organization and nuclear architecture during mitosis and meiosis. Moreover, non-functional telomeres may lead to genetic instability, a common prelude to cancer. Here, we review the basic functions of telomeres during chromosome replication and discuss the cytological aspects of telomere function during mitosis and meiosis.

Recent Advances in Arthropod Endocrinology

Part I. Moulting, Metamorphosis and Reproduction: 1. Structures, functions and occurence of insect allatostatic peptides R. J. Weaver, J. P. Edwards, W. G. Bendena, and S. S. Tobe 2. Neuropeptides inhibiting growth and reproduction of crustaceans S. G. Webster 3. Molecular, cytological and physiological aspects of the crustacean hyperglycemic hormone family F. Van Herp 4. Endocrine effectors in insect vitellogenesis X. Belles 5. Endocrine regulation of development and reproduction in Acarines L. O. Lomas, and H. H. Rees 6. Ecdysteroid synthesis in the crustacean Y-organ: role of cyclic nucleotides and Ca 2+ D. Sedlmeier, and A. Seinsche 7. Regulation of steroidogenesis: role of transaldolase in crab moulting glands F. Lachaise, and G. Somme Part II. Control of Intermediary Metabolism, Ion and Water Balance: 8. New perspectives on the structures, assays and actions of locust adipokinetic hormones M. J. Lee, and G. J. Goldsworthy 9. Signal transduction of adipokinetic hormone W. J. A. Van Marrewijk, and D. J. Van der Horst 10. The regulation of primary urine production in insects G. M. Coast 11. Locust ion transport peptide (ITP): function, structure, DNA and expression J. E. Phillips, J. Meredith, N. Audsley, M. Ring, A. Macins, H. Brock, D. Theilmann, and D. Littleford Part III. Myotropic and Myoininhibitory Arthropod Neuropeptides: Structures and Functions?: 12. The dipteran Leu-callatostatins: structural and functional diversity in an insect neuroendocrine peptide family H. Duve, A. Thorpe, A. H. Johnsen, J-L. Maestro, A. G. Scott, and P. D. East 13. An insect peptide family in search of functions the tachykinin-related peptides D. R. Nassel, C. T. Lundquist, J. E. Muren, and A. S. A. Winther 14. The distribution, biological activity, and pharmacology of SchistoFLRFamide and related peptides in insects I. Orchard, and A. B. Lange 15. Ontogenetic, phylogenetic and physiological aspects of the conserved crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP) neural networks in arthropods H. Dirksen 16. Control of the insect oviduct: the role of the neuropeptide CCAP in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta A. K. Marshall, and S. E. Reynolds Part IV. Peptidases, Peptide and Pseudopeptide Mimetics: Toward New Strategies of Insect Pest Control?: 17. Insect angiotensim-converting enzyme: comparative biochemistry and evolution R. E. Isaaac, D. Coates, T. A. Williams, and L. Schoofs 18. Mimetic analogues of the myotropic diuretic insect kinin neuropeptide family R. J. Nachman, G. M. Holman, and G. M. Coast.

Flow cytometric method to isolate round spermatids from mouse testis.

The purpose of this study was to isolate pure populations of round spermatids from mouse testis by flow cytometry followed by cell sorting. Cell suspensions from mouse testis were enriched in germ cells by centrifugation on a discontinuous Percoll gradient, then analysed using a FACScalibur flow cytometer measuring the cell size and density. A large and well-delimited population of cells (R1) expected to contain round spermatids was observed on the dot plot diagram. Sorted R1 cells were very homogeneous in size (approximately 11 microns) and displayed the characteristic cytological aspect of round spermatids. Spermatid-specific gene expression was confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of R1 cells using primers for protamine 2 gene (PRM2) and SP-10. A positive signal for SP-10 was obtained with a single cell using nested primers. The 5.5 kb transcript of c-kit, which is not expressed in spermatids, was not detected by nested RT-PCR, excluding a contamination with spermatogonia. Our results clearly established that flow cytometry followed by cell sorting allows the isolation of a highly homogeneous population of round spermatids from the testis.

Ripe pollen structure and histochemistry of some gymnosperms

Some aspects of pollen cytology at dispersal were studied in 12 species of gymnosperms. The pollen grains differed in: 1. volume and cell number; 2. polarization of external structure and internal cell components; 3. wall thickness, especially of the intine, and the resulting percentage of cell volume with respect to total pollen grain volume; 4. stratification and chemical nature of the various intine layers; 5. nature and location of polysaccharide reserves; 6. morphological differences between the dry and hydrated states and phenomena related to hydration; 7. presence and site of orbicles. The various characters are compared and discussed in relation to the length of the reproductive cycle and the relations between the male gametophyte and its female counterpart.

Chromatin texture from hematoxylin stained thyroid lesions.

Quantitative aspects of cytology and histology should be considered in diagnostic standardisation processes. The present paper summarises the cytological differences detected in 75 thyroid lesions using a computerized textural analysis. Cells stained with progressive hematoxylin and taken from paraffin blocks were overlaid with the extracted texture. This technique was based on the lineal detection of a grey level gradient of the common logarithm of the integrated optical density (IOD) of each nucleus.Diffuse and nodular goiters (36 cases) were demonstrated to be composed of small cells containing high density texture that, on microscopical visual inspection, gave a “salt and pepper” appearance. The adenomatous goiters (2 cases) and adenomas (26 cases) were composed of low texture cells with a visual “blurry or smudgy” chromatin, while the atypical adenomas with capsular invasion (4 cases) were characterised by a “woodworm” nuclear appearance that produced the highest texture of the series. Finally, encapsulated folliculo-papillary carcinomas (3 cases) were composed of large clear nuclei with high IOD, low texture, and scattered lines that resulted in an “empty grape skin” aspect.Our findings seam to confirm the suitability of computerized textural techniques that aid in recognizing cell microscopic features objectively. The one used in the present work, based on a mathematical function of the DNA content of each individual nucleus (IOD), fulfills all microscopy detection criteria.

B-cell lymphoma of MALT type: a review with special emphasis on diagnostic and management problems of low-grade gastric tumours.

B-cell lymphoma of MALT type: a review with special emphasis on diagnostic and management problems of low-grade gastric tumours.

Involvement of the hyperglycemic neurohormone family in the control of reproduction in decapod crustaceans

Summary In the last few years, (bio)chemical and molecular biological studies have shown that several members of the hyperglycemic hormone family are present in different molecular forms. In vivo and in vitro bioassays revealed that some of these isoforms also play a role in the control of reproduction in decapod crustaceans. This communication gives a review of the cytological aspects of the eyestalk X-organ sinus gland complex, responsible for the synthesis, storage and release of these neuropeptides, and the molecular and functional aspects of those members involved in the control of reproduction. Finally, the role of the hyperglycemic hormone family in the regulation of reproduction in the female lobster is described as an example of the (possible) interactions of the members of the hyperglycemic hormone family with other (neuro)endocrine factors in the reproductive process of crustaceans.