Barbara F. Atkinson

The relationship of angiogenesis to biological activity in human squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.

Tumor angiogenesis has recently been related to tumor growth and metastasis, which determine the clinical outcome of the patient. This study was designed to determine the relationship between angiogenesis in primary squamous cell carcinomas (SSC) of the head and neck and the development of recurrent or metastatic disease, or both. Different SCC of the head and neck were studied. Microvessels were selectively stained using a monoclonal antibody for factor VIII. Microvessel counts were performed in the tumor, in the tissues immediately adjacent, and in normal tissues of similar topographies. Microvessel counts were then correlated with clinical outcome (development of recurrent or metastatic disease, or both). Recurrent or metastatic disease, or both, developed in patients with high microvessel counts (mean, 121.25) in the tissues adjacent to the tumor 7 to 16 months after initial treatment. Those with low microvessel counts (mean, 33.75) were disease-free for 16 months to 6 years (p < 0.01). Microvessel counts inside the tumor were also higher in those in whom recurrences or metastasis, or both, developed, but were not statistically significant. In this study, angiogenesis was directly related to clinical outcome. Thus, angiogenesis may be an independent predictor of recurrent or metastatic disease, or both, which could help in the selection of patients with SCC of the head and neck for aggressive therapy.

Modulation of Cranial Bone Healing with a Heparin-like Dextran Derivative

Substituted dextran polymers have been shown to bind growth factors and protect them from enzymatic degradation. Using this information, other researchers have been able to use these substituted dextrans to enhance the healing of bone in an environment where bone would otherwise not regenerate. We used substituted dextran polymers to evaluate their ability to accelerate the healing of cranial bone in a rabbit model. We were able to document a more rapid rate of healing and demonstrate micrographic evidence to support that conclusion. Possible mechanisms are postulated.

Ovarian Carcinoma heterogeneity as demonstrated by DNA ploidy

Background. In ovarian carcinoma, DNA ploidy measured by flow cytometric (FCM) analysis is an independent prognostic factor. However, limited sampling may underestimate the extent of ploidy variation (i.e., heterogeneity). Uncovering these hidden populations may explain poor outcomes in patients with ostensibly favorable ploidy patterns. The authors examined ploidy in a mean of 6.4 tumor samples per patient to better assess the occurrence of heterogeneity.

Computer-assisted image analysis of tumor sections for a new thrombospondin receptor

BACKGROUNDnA cell surface receptor (50 kd) has been recently identified in malignant cells that recognizes the tumor cell adhesive domain (ie, cysteine-serine-valine-threonine-cysteine-glycine [CSVTCG]) of thrombospondin (TSP). This CSVTCG-specific TSP receptor can be considered as a new tumor marker, and its concentration on the cell surface may correlate directly with the capacity of tumor cells to invade and metastasize.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnSix patients with primary, stages III and IV squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck were studied. Tumor sections were specifically stained for this receptor with immunohistochemical techniques. The stained specimens were then subjected to computer-assisted image analysis. The area of positive staining and the heterogeneity of the pattern of staining were compared to peritumoral angiogenesis and clinical outcome of the patients.nnnRESULTSnThe results indicate that those patients with a high and homogenous positive stain score (mean +/- standard error [SE] 78 +/- 5%) for the CSVTCG-specific TSP receptor had high microvessel density and died from metastatic disease within 12 months of initial treatment (correlation coefficients = 0.95 and 1, respectively). Patients with a low and heterogenous positive stain score for receptor (mean +/- SE 8 +/- 2%; P < 0.001) had low microvessel counts and remained disease-free for at least 2 years. There was no relationship between receptor density and histologic classification of the primary tumors.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe CSVTCG-specific TSP receptor, quantified through image analysis of immunohistochemical stained tissue sections, is highly predictive of clinical outcome in patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.

Order of endocervical and ectocervical cytologic sampling and the quality of the papanicolaou smear

Objective To determine whether the order of cell collection, endocervical or ectocervical cells first, has an effect on the quality of the Papanicolaou smear. Methods One thousand smears were obtained using an Ayre spatula and an endocervical brush. In 500 cases the endocervical brush was used first, and in 500 cases the spatula was used first. All Papanicolaou smears were collected by resident physicians in our university hospital gynecologic clinics. A smear was considered limited for interpretation for the following reasons: 1) lack of endocervical component, 2) obscured by blood, 3) obscured by inflammation, 4) drying artifact, and 5) too thick. Results The brush-first group had 405 (81%) adequate smears compared with 410 (82%) adequate smears in the spatula-first group. More smears were obscured by blood when the brush was used first (22 or 4.4% compared with three or 0.6%, P <.001). No endocervical component (ie, metaplastic cells, endocervical cells, or mucus) was found in 29 (5.8%) smears from the brush-first group compared with 45 (9.0%) of the spatula-first group, an insignificant difference. More squamous intraepithelial lesions were found when the spatula was used first (55 or 11% compared with 35 or 7.0%, P <.05). Conclusion The quality of the Papanicolaou smear can be improved by using the Ayre spatula first followed by the endocervical brush. Fewer smears will be obscured by blood, which could result in more squamous intraepithelial lesions being detected.

Monoclonal antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity against human malignant gliomas.

Two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), IgG2a MAb ASHG4 and IgG2b MAb ASHE2, were produced in mice immunized with cultured human malignant glioma cells. Both MAbs bound strongly to the surfaces of long-term cultured glioma cells, and MAb ASHE2 also bound strongly to short-term cultured glioma cells. Sections of frozen glioma tissues bound both MAbs strongly, whereas normal brain tissues showed weaker reactivities, and tissues derived from carcinomas of various histological types were completely unreactive. Furthermore, the MAbs did not bind to peripheral blood cells or bone marrow cells. Although both MAbs bound to the same Mr 27,000-29,000 protein, they may detect different or overlapping epitopes on this antigen. Because MAbs ASHE2 and ASHG4 lysed cultured glioma cells with human peripheral blood lymphocytes as effector cells, they are promising reagents for approaches to immunotherapy of human malignant gliomas.

Atlas of difficult diagnoses in cytopathology

General Cytologic Pitfalls. Gynecologic Cytopathology. Respiratory Cytopathology. Mediastinal Fine Needle Aspiration. Effusion Cytopathology. Gastrointestinal Cytology. Urinary Cytopathology. Cytopathology of Cerebrospinal Fluid and Brain. Fine Needle Aspiration of the Breast. Fine Needle Aspiration of the Liver and Pancreas. Fine Needle Aspiration of the Kidney, Adrenal Gland, And Retroperitoneum. Fine Needle Aspiration of Female Genital Tract and Peritoneal Washings. Aspiration and Touch Preparation Cytopathology of Lymph Nodes. Thyroid Aspiration Cytopathology. Salivary Gland Aspiration Cytopathology. Fine Needle Aspiration of the Musculoskeletal System. Pediatric Aspiration and Touch Preparation Cytopathology. Cytologic Techniques, Artifacts, And Special Procedures.

First CytoJournal Peer-Reviewer's Retreat in 2006 – Open access, peer-review, and impact factor

CytoJournal organized its first Peer-Reviewers Retreat of 2006 during the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology Annual Meeting at Atlanta on Feb 12, 2006. The major topics discussed were open access, peer review, and impact factors. Representative participants volunteered to join the task force to prepare an instructional guide for peer-reviewing cytopathology manuscripts. Concern about the impact factor for CytoJournal was discussed. A feedback to its readers and authors was recommended. Impact factor calculation needs at least three years of journal statistics. It is only possible after two years from the time a journal is first accepted by Thomson-ISI for citation tracking. CytoJournal is still too new for an impact factor to be calculated. However, general progress of CytoJournal suggests an encouraging pattern for high impact factor.

CytoJournal joins 'open access' philosophy

Welcome to CytoJournal! We would like to introduce you to your journal, one that is run by and for the scientific cytopathology community with incontestable benefits of Open Access, and support from Cytopathology Foundation, Inc. CytoJournal is a peer-reviewed, PubMed indexed, online journal, publishing research in the field of cytopathology and related areas, with world wide free access. Authors submitting to CytoJournal retain the copyright to their hard earned work.

Cervical Cytologic Smear False Negative Fraction

OBJECTIVE To determine the false negative fraction (FNF) at a small community hospital and its relation to the discovery of a significant error. STUDY DESIGN All cervical cytologic smears (6,889) initially interpreted over a one-year period (1992) as normal or near normal were retrospectively rescreened and interpreted by outside institutions, without knowledge of the initial interpretation, to calculate yearly and quarterly FNFs. RESULTS The overall FNF for 1992 was 12.3% and was 19.1%, 22.2%, 3.8% and 6.1% per successive quarters in 1992. A significant error was discovered at the start of the third quarter that subsequently received both local and national media attention. CONCLUSION This study gives further proof that the FNF can be reduced to < 5% by motivated cytotechnologist/ pathologist teams, although it may not be possible to maintain this low an FNF.