Analytical Cellular Pathology - Volume 35, issue 3

Authors: Jung, Woonggyu | Boppart, Stephen A.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: In pathology, histological examination of the “gold standard” to diagnose various diseases. It has contributed significantly toward identifying the abnormalities in tissues and cells, but has inherent drawbacks when used for fast and accurate diagnosis. These limitations include the lack of in vivo observation in real time and sampling errors due to limited number and area coverage of tissue sections. Its diagnostic yield also varies depending on the ability of the physician and the effectiveness of any image guidance technique that may be used for tissue screening during excisional biopsy. In order to overcome these current limitations of histology-based diagnostics, …there are significant needs for either complementary or alternative imaging techniques which perform non-destructive, high resolution, and rapid tissue screening. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an emerging imaging modality which allows real-time cross-sectional imaging with high resolutions that approach those of histology. OCT could be a very promising technique which has the potential to be used as an adjunct to histological tissue observation when it is not practical to take specimens for histological processing, when large areas of tissue need investigating, or when rapid microscopic imaging is needed. This review will describe the use of OCT as an image guidance tool for fast tissue screening and directed histological tissue sectioning in pathology. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/ACP-2011-0047

Citation: Analytical Cellular Pathology, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 129-143, 2012

Authors: Smith, Zachary J. | Huser, Thomas R. | Wachsmann-Hogiu, Sebastian

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: Raman scattering is the inelastic scattering of light by chemical bonds, and can therefore show molecular specificity. It can be used both in pure spectroscopy mode, and in imaging mode. While many applications of Raman spectroscopy and imaging in the biomedical field have been so far demonstrated, the use of this technology for pathology applications is still in early stages. In this paper we review some of the most important recent developments in this field, including a description of relevant technologies, applications to molecular sensing, characterization of cells and tissues of interest, and disease detection via Raman scattering.

Keywords: Raman scattering, imaging, molecular sensing, diagnosis

DOI: 10.3233/ACP-2011-0048

Citation: Analytical Cellular Pathology, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 145-163, 2012

Authors: Zhou, You-xin | Chen, San-song | Wu, Ting-feng | Ding, Da-dong | Chen, Xiong-hui | Chen, Jin-ming | Su, Zuo-peng | Li, Bin | Chen, Gui-lin | Xie, Xue-shun | Dai, Yan-fang | Wei, Yong-xin | Du, Zi-wei

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: The gliomas represent the most common primary malignant brain tumors; however, little is known about the molecular pathogenesis of these tumors. Recent research reveals that the oncogenesis and development of gliomas have a close relation to the overexpression of several oncogenes and the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Whether the RING finger protein, RNF138, a newly discovered protein, plays a role in glioma oncogenesis is unknown. The present study investigates the expression levels of RNF138 mRNA in glioma samples and noncancerous brain samples and its function in the human glioma cell line U251. Methods: RT-PCR was used to ascertain …the expression of RNF138 mRNA in the glioma cell lines U251, SHG44, U87, A172, and U373. The RNF138 mRNA expression levels of 35 pathological confirmed glioma samples (Grade I – 4 cases, Grade II – 13 cases, Grade III – 11 cases, and Grade IV – 7 cases) and five noncancerous brain tissue samples were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR. By RNA interference (RNAi) with the lentivirus vector system, the expression of RNF138 was inhibited in the human astrocytomas-glioblastoma multiforme cell line U251. The effects of RNF138-knockdown on cell proliferation were assessed by Cellomics, and cell cycle and cell apoptosis were assessed by FACS. Results: The RNF138 mRNA is expressed in the five glioma cell lines, and its expression level is significantly higher in glioma tissue than in noncancerous brain tissue. By down-regulation of RNF138 expression, U251 cell proliferation was inhibited and cell apoptosis increased. At the same time, S stage cells lessened and G2 stage cells increased. Conclusion: The RNF138 gene is highly expressed in glioma tissue and glioma cell lines. It plays an important role in glioma cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle. Show more

Keywords: RNF138, U251, RNA interference, proliferation, apoptosis

DOI: 10.3233/ACP-2011-0051

Citation: Analytical Cellular Pathology, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 167-178, 2012

Authors: Rinaldi, Carmela | Malara, Natalia Maria | D'Angelo, Rosalia | Sidoti, Antonina | Leotta, Attilio | Lio, Santo | Caparello, Basilio | Ruggeri, Alessia | Mollace, Vincenzo | Amato, Aldo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Cyclin D1 gene (CCND1) plays pivotal roles in the development of several human cancers, including breast cancer, functioning as an oncogene. The aim of this study was to better understand the molecular dynamics of ductal carcinomas with regard to proliferation and the ageing process. Methods: 130 cases of ductal breast cancer in postmenopausal women, aged 52–96 in 3 age classes were selected. Tumoral tissues preserved in formaldehyde solution and subsequently embedded in paraffin were subjected to analysis Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH), Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT- PCR) and immuno-histochemical tests. The molecular variables studied were estimated in relation …to the patients' age. Results: The results obtained suggest that the increment of the levels of cyclin D1 in intra-ductal breast tumors in older woman that we have examined is significantly associated with a lower proliferation rate. Conclusion: Cyclin D1, which characterizes tumor in young women as molecular director involved in strengthening tumoral proliferation mechanisms, may be seen as a potential blocking molecular switch in corresponding tumours in old women. Show more

Keywords: CCND1, cyclin D1, breast intra-ductal tumors, cell cycle, older women

DOI: 10.3233/ACP-2011-0052

Citation: Analytical Cellular Pathology, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 179-185, 2012

Authors: Li, Gerald | Guillaud, Martial | leRiche, Jean | McWilliams, Annette | Gazdar, Adi | Lam, Stephen | MacAulay, Calum

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Despite the benefits of early lung cancer detection, no effective strategy for early screening and treatment exists, partly due to a lack of effective surrogate biomarkers. Our novel sputum biomarker, the Combined Score (CS), uses automated image cytometric analysis of ploidy and nuclear morphology to detect subtle intraepithelial changes that often precede lung tumours. Methods: 2249 sputum samples from 1795 high-risk patients enrolled in ongoing chemoprevention trials were subjected to automated quantitative image cytometry after Feulgen-thionin staining. Samples from normal histopathology patients were compared against samples from carcinoma in situ (CIS) and cancer patients to train the CS. Results: …CS correlates with several lung cancer risk factors, including histopathological grade, age, smoking status, and p53 and Ki67 immunostaining. At 50% specificity, CS detected 78% of all highest-risk subjects—those with CIS or worse plus those with moderate or severe dysplasia and abnormal nuclear morphology. Conclusion: CS is a powerful yet minimally invasive tool for rapid and inexpensive risk assessment for the presence of precancerous lung lesions, enabling enrichment of chemoprevention trials with highest-risk dysplasias. CS correlates with other biomarkers, so CS may find use as a surrogate biomarker for patient assessment and as an endpoint in chemoprevention clinical trials. Show more

Keywords: Intraepithelial neoplasia (IEN), lung cancer, risk assessment, intermediate or pre-neoplastic markers and risk factors, biomarkers and intervention studies, chemoprevention, biomarkers and intervention, cancer surveillance and screening, chemoprevention clinical trials, quantitative image cytometry, ploidy analysis, malignancy associated changes

DOI: 10.3233/ACP-2012-0053

Citation: Analytical Cellular Pathology, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 187-201, 2012