The identification of microcalcifications in breast biopsy specimens is a common and important task for the surgical pathologist that may sometimes be problematic. Although visualized by preoperative ...mammographic and operative specimen radiography, some cases may fail to reveal calcifications by histopathologic examination or occasion laborious and time-consuming study to confirm sparse calcifications. The present study demonstrates how conventional bright-field and polariscopic light microscopy did require considerable effort to confirm rare calcification. On the other hand, scanning electron microscopy was employed directly on a routine slide and provided definitive visual and physical proof, e.g., by means of energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis of a rare calcification on a slide previously judged to be negative for calcium and in a short period of time. Recent instrument advances in high voltage beam stabilization and in the ability to vary the pressure of the scanning electron microscope in the vicinity of the specimen now allow complete insertion of a diagnostic glass slide with only trivial preparation. The report, although brief, raises important questions regarding the extent and prevalence of breast calcifications.
To determine whether the measured sizes of erythrocytes in both paraffin-embedded sections and air-dried blood smears differ from values published in standard texts.
Routinely prepared surgical ...pathology slides as well as an air-dried blood smear were viewed with a scanning electron microscope. Erythrocytes were measured using the instrument software.
Erythrocyte size in the peripheral blood smear correlated well with textbook values, 7.2-7.9 microns. However, red blood cells within sectioned material from several laboratories showed a prominent decrease, ranging from 25% to 35%, as compared to textbook values, about 7 microns.
Since cytologists and surgical pathologists often use the erythrocyte as a convenient marker on diagnostic slides, attention should be given to these observations in making sizing judgments.
miRNAs have an important role as their deregulation is linked to endometrial cancer.
: A custom miScript® miRNA PCR Array was used to investigate for the first time the expression of eight miRNAs in ...forty-nine histologically confirmed Liquid Based cytology endometrial samples. The expression profile of the same miRNAs was also examined in sixty formalin-fixed tissue samples.
Expression of seven miRNAs was significantly higher in malignant samples with three of them (mir-182, mir-141 and mir-205) performing optimally.
These results suggest the potential use of this non-invasive method of sampling for miRNA expression studies. Furthermore miRNA overexpression could serve as an ancillary or reflex test for optimal identification of malignant samples especially in morphologically inadequate samples.
Peripheral blood smears prepared routinely from nonneoplastic and leukemia cases were studied using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The peripheral blood glass slide is examined directly in ...the SEM following application of a thin carbon coat. The morphology of the nonneoplastic and neoplastic smears is described in detail utilizing the SEM secondary electron detector and backscattered electron detectors. Certain cell features are measured as well with the use of the measuring software resident in the SEM. The appearance of the SEM images of peripheral smear slides is compared to that of slides from fixed, processed, and sectioned bone marrow cases previously reported. The problem of cell constituent loss and overall shrinkage in the routinely processed and sectioned material is noted. The lack of these problems in the peripheral blood smear slides and their better appearance is emphasized. The resemblance of neoplastic cells to their normal counterparts is discussed. The monoblast resembles the normal monocyte but both cell size and nuclear size are greater; the moderately reticulated nuclear chromatin distinguishes the monoblast. Neoplastic lymphoid cells maintain the wispy extensions of the cytoplasm perimeter resembling microvilli and thereby differ from myeloid and monocytic cells. The neoplastic lymphoid cell shows coarse clumping of nuclear chromatin and in some instances coarse chromatin anastomoses to distinguish it from the normal lymphocyte. Lymphoid cells of acute lymphoblastic leukemia are 33% larger than those of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and normal lymphocytes. The neoplastic myeloblast has a finely granular nuclear chromatin, maintains a smooth cytoplasmic perimeter, and may show cytoplasmic reticulations. The myeloblast differs from the lymphoblast in that the former has a smooth cytoplasm perimeter. Further, myeloblasts show nuclear lobulations more frequently than lymphoblasts. Comparison of SEM findings with the three case studies by flow cytometry indicates satisfactory correlation. In case 15, flow cytometry indicated a monocyte subset positive for CD14 and CD64 among the neoplastic myeloid forms. A candidate for such a cell is recognized morphologically as well. The availability for SEM ultrastructural study of all the cells, both neoplastic and nonneoplastic, on a routine diagnostic smear slide is emphasized.
This work considers the primary diagnosis of bone marrow leukemias and lymphoproliferative disorders by using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). A total of 14 cases are studied, including 2 ...demonstrating bone marrow hyperplasia only. The utility of employing the ordinary pathology glass microslide with routine stain is emphasized, as well as certain capabilities of the SEM, including backscattered electron image, secondary electron image, and measurement program. Bone marrow hyperplasias, myeloid leukemias, and lymphoproliferative disorders are analyzed by comparing specific ultrastructural features, such as cell sizes, nuclear chromatin configuration and composition, nucleoli, nuclear contour, and cytoplasmic constituents, including granule population with sizes of such granules. These features set apart the common bone marrow neoplasms and can be a determinant in case diagnosis.
A total of 15 cases of peripherally located lung carcinomas associated with scar (scar carcinoma) were studied by light microscopy and electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis ...(XMA). Results were compared to those of three autopsy lungs without significant pulmonary findings that served as controls. Fibrosis with scar formation characterized the 15 tumor cases. Particulate depositions including doubly refractile particles were also increased in the tumor group. XMA identified 25 elements with great complexity of particulate composition. Silicon was the most prominent element and was found in 16 of 18 cases studied. Kaolinite, feldspar, talc, muscovite, and silica were recognized. The fibrogenic properties of silicate compounds were emphasized, including their prominence in the lung tumor group. While the important concept of tumor desmoplasia was recognized, the study showed significant fibrosis in relation to fibrogenic materials, which undoubtedly preceded the appearance of the tumors. Also noted were the carcinogens uranium, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and arsenic, some of which were previously described as minor constituents of naturally occurring minerals.
Focal crypt epithelial cell degeneration (apoptosis) of the rectum is a characteristic pathologic feature in AIDS. The presence of apoptosis usually implies cell-mediated cytolysis, which would be an ...unexpected finding in this disease. We investigated the ultrastructural features of apoptosis in rectal biopsies from five AIDS patients (three homosexual males and two females with i.v. drug abuse), three heterosexual controls, and two homosexual male controls. Apoptosis was found in all AIDS patients and, to a lesser extent, in one heterosexual control. Ultrastructurally, vacuolization of several adjacent cells, leading to extrusion of cellular debris through the basal lamina and phagocytosis by macrophages, was seen. No intracellular or extracellular viral particles were detected in the regions containing apoptotic bodies, in epithelial cells near the crypt bases, in intraepithelial lymphocytes, or in macrophages. In summary, apoptosis in the rectal crypts of patients with AIDS has the same ultrastructural features as in other conditions, which suggests that its pathogenesis is related to immune rather than infectious factors. If this process occurs on a chronic basis in multiple cell types, it would promote general tissue depletion, which has been demonstrated to occur in AIDS. The presence of apoptosis in AIDS is not explained by current concepts of disease pathogenesis.
A pulmonary neoplasm, evident initially as a metastatic nonpruritic skin rash in a 51-year-old man, progressed during a period of four months, leading to the patient's death. Histologic and ...histochemical studies of the skin metastasis, which were confirmed by transbronchial biopsy, demonstrated an adenocarcinoid tumor. Further ultrastructural studies of the skin metastasis showed that many tumor cells contained neurosecretory granules, although histochemical analyses had revealed the presence of only a few such tumor cells. Furthermore, in some cells both mucin and neurosecretory granules were present in the cytoplasm, confirming a previous observation in normal human segmental bronchi. These findings support the endodermal origin of such neoplasms.
Human endometrium taken during the early to mid-secretory portion of the menstrual cycle is studied with the electron microscope. A description of the nucleolus is given. In addition, an unusual ...structure within the endometrial cell nucleolus is described, consisting of amorphous matrix, 150-A dense granules, and a series of tubular channels. This structure is named the nucleolar channel system. A description is given of the geometric variability of the nucleolar channel system, its contents, and its relationship to the cytoplasm. The morphologic basis for a nucleolar-cytoplasmic interrelationship via the nucleolar channel system is described. Some of the implications of this relationship are discussed. The work of previous investigators on the nucleolar channel system is discussed.
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