Comparison of ThinPrep and TriPath PREP liquid-based preparations in nongynecologic specimens: A pilot study

ThinPrep (TP) and TriPath PREP (TriP) are two liquid-based cytologic preparations that produce a thin layer of cells. This study compares the diagnostic accuracy and different cytomorphologic alterations produced by these preparations in nongynecologic specimens. Samples from 10 urines (3 urothelial carcinomas and 7 negative), 4 positive serous fluids, and 7 fine-needle aspirates (FNAs) were prepared by both techniques. FNAs represented one each of: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), hyperplastic colloid nodule (HCN), Hodgkin's lymphoma, liposarcoma, chondrosarcoma, squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) metastatic to the lymph node, and carcinoid tumor. All 5 participants, none of whom had prior knowledge of the clinical history or histologic diagnosis, reviewed and interpreted the slides. Both techniques produced a clean background and were equally accurate in urines, serous fluids, and three FNAs. TriP was slightly more accurate in four FNAs: HCN and HT where colloid and lymphocytes were better represented, SCC where keratin and malignant cells were more readily identified among lymphocytes, and carcinoid which was easier to evaluate on TriP due to less cellular shrinkage and more dispersion of cells between aggregates. TP preparations had more cell shrinkage, and the chromatin was harder to evaluate. Both techniques produced artificial aggregations of lymphocytes, but TriP had a more evenly dispersed single-cell population between aggregates, rendering them easier to evaluate for atypia. TP produced fragmentation of large sheets that were flattened, while TriP contained larger branching sheets in a three-dimensional (3-D) configuration. TP produced a true monolayer of cells that were all spread at the same plane, while in TriP the cells were spread at slightly different planes, requiring frequent focusing of the viewed plane. While both techniques are acceptable for diagnostic purposes, they both introduce new cytomorphologic alterations that pathologists need to recognize. TriP seems superior to TP in FNAs specimens where preservation of architecture and cellular integrity are important considerations. Diagn. Cytopathol. 25:177–184, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/35308/1/2033_ftp.pd

Gross genomic damage measured by DNA image cytometry independently predicts gastric cancer patient survival

BACKGROUND: DNA aneuploidy reflects gross genomic changes. It can be measured by flow cytometry (FCM-DNA) or image cytometry (ICM-DNA). In gastric cancer, the prevalence of DNA aneuploidy has been reported to range from 27 to 100%, with conflicting associations with clinicopathological variables. The aim of our study was to compare the DNA ploidy status measured using FCM-DNA and ICM-DNA in gastric cancer and to evaluate its association with clinicopathological variables. METHODS: Cell nuclei were isolated from 221 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded gastric cancer samples. DNA ploidy was assessed using FCM-DNA and ICM-DNA. RESULTS: A total of 178 (80.5%) gastric cancer samples were classified as DNA aneuploid using FCM-DNA, compared with 172 (77.8%) gastric cancer samples when using ICM-DNA. Results obtained from both methods were concordant in 183 (82.8%) cases (kappa = 0.48). Patients with ICM-DNA diploid gastric cancer survived significantly longer than those with ICM-DNA aneuploid gastric cancer (log rank 10.1, P = 0.001). For FCM-DNA data, this difference did not reach statistical significance. The multivariate Cox model showed that ICM-DNA ploidy status predicted patient survival independently of tumour-node-metastasis status. CONCLUSION: ICM-DNA ploidy status is an independent predictor of survival in gastric cancer patients and may therefore be a more clinically relevant read out of gross genomic damage than FCM-DNA. British Journal of Cancer (2009) 101, 1011-1018. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6605266 www.bjcancer.com (C) 2009 Cancer Research U

A New Medical Dictionary; Or, General Repository Of Physic : Containing An Explanation Of The Terms, And A Discription Of The Various Particulars Relating To Anatomy, Physiology, Physic, Surgery, Materia Medica, Chemistry, &c. &c. &c. Each Article, according to its Importance, being considered in every Relation to which its Usefulness extends in the Healing Art

By G. Motherby, M.D. C.M.S.Paginierungsfehler: Auf Seite 388 folgt Seite 393ESTC T6135

Diversity and change: the changing roles and education of learning disability nurses

This report examines the current roles of learning disability (LD) nurses within multi-professional and multi-agency teams in a range of care settings. It also studies the effectiveness of current educational provision for LD nursing and the contribution of users and carers. Chapter 1 describes the following research methods: questionnaires; case studies; nurse diaries; and focus groups. Chapter 2 traces development of services for people with LDs and the associated development of LD nursing. Chapter 3 examines the current roles of LD nurses and finds that the role of junior nurses is as provider of direct user care, with more experienced nurses moved into more specialist or managerial roles. Chapter 4 explores relationships between user and LD nurses and finds that the role of the LD nurse is as a source of expertise and support. Chapter 5 looks at ways educational institutions approach nursing education and reports they aim to produce flexible nurses who have the ability to adjust to changing situations through lifelong learning. Perceptions of the learning process, especially the development of appropriate skills and findings nurses believe nurses' knowledge has improved, their skills are reduced, and they are not as well-prepared for practice are examined in chapter 6. Chapter 7 is a summary and highlights items that need to be addressed in the nursing curriculum