Quantitative classification of breast fine needle aspirates using the AxioHOME system

Fine needle aspiration cytology is useful in the pre-operative assessment of patients with breast lumps. Lesions are reported as benign, suspicious or malignant. The number of suspicious categories is high in inexperienced hands thus limiting this useful diagnostic tool. The aim was to evaluate quantitative methods of classifying breast fine needle aspirates using the Highly Optimized Microscope Environment system. May- Grumwald Giemsa-stained archived slides were retrieved and smear quality assessed. Fifty epithelial cells corresponding to the cytological grading on each slide were measured using the system\'s general morphometry program. Generated data was exported to Microsoft Excel for analysis. A significant difference in the mean nuclear area, mean nuclear perimeter, mean largest nuclear diameter was found between the slides graded as benign, suspicious malignant and malignant. C2 & C4, D 1, P < 0.004. C4 & C5, Area P < 0.001. The means of the number count of nucleoli was able to distinguish between FNAC Benign and Malignant category C2/C5, P = 00440 and suspicious benign and malignant C3/C5 P = 0.00486. Morphometry could be useful in situations where experienced cytopathologists are unavailable especially when this program can also measure the degree of dispersion between cells Keywords: Morphometric image analysis, aspiration cytology, breast. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences Vol. 2 (2) 2008: pp. 139-14

Determination Of The Significance Level Of Environmental And Economic Effects Of The Road Failure Of Onitsha-Enugu Expressway Southeastern Nigeria On The Road Users.

Considering the implications of the problem of road failure to man and the failure of Onitsha-Enugu Expressway which has been lingering for many years now, this work was borne with the aim of evaluating the stand of the road users on the Economic, Health and Environmental effects of the road failure of Onitsha-Enugu Expressway on them. To this effect, population of the road users was determined by volumetric analysis and their opinions were harnessed using questionnaire survey method. The data obtained was analyzed using Student-T test in which the available options were grouped into 2, namely agree and disagree. The test was done separately for economic, health and environmental effects respectively. It was found that there exist differences in the percentage of agreement and disagreement for each effect with the percentage of respondents in agreement being greater in all. The statistical analysis confirmed that there is significant difference. The work therefore concluded that the failure of Onitsha-Enugu Expressway has significantly negative economic, health and environmental effects on the road users.  The work thus recommended an immediate intervention of the government to hasten the contractors and all concerned to repair this failed road in order to minimize these negative effects

Sickle Cell Disease: New Opportunities and Challenges in Africa.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common genetic causes of illness and death in the world. This is a review of SCD in Africa, which bears the highest burden of disease. The first section provides an introduction to the molecular basis of SCD and the pathophysiological mechanism of selected clinical events. The second section discusses the epidemiology of the disease (prevalence, morbidity, and mortality), at global level and within Africa. The third section discusses the laboratory diagnosis and management of SCD, emphasizing strategies that been have proven to be effective in areas with limited resources. Throughout the review, specific activities that require evidence to guide healthcare in Africa, as well as strategic areas for further research, will be highlighted

Imprint cytology of osteosarcoma of the jaw: a case report

Introduction. Osteosarcomas are highly malignant bone-forming neoplasms that account for about 20% of all sarcomas. In light of their aggressive behavior, early diagnosis is crucial for determining adequate treatment. Dental professionals may be the first to detect jaw osteosarcomas in their initial stages. The aim of this case report is to draw attention to the possibility of diagnosing this tumor based on clinical, radiographical and cytological characteristics before confirmation by histology. Case presentation. A 24-year-old Afro-Brazilian man presented with swelling and pain on the left side of the mandible in the region of the third molar (tooth 38). Radiography showed a poorly delimited intraosseous lesion with radiolucent and radiopaque areas. The cytological aspects were consistent with the diagnosis of osteosarcoma, which was confirmed by biopsy. Conclusion. Imprint cytology was found to be a reliable, rapid and easy complementary examination. An early diagnosis of osteosarcoma of the jaw is fundamental to the early determination of an adequate treatment. © 2009 Cabral et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Tissue Harvester with Functional Valve (THFV): Shidham's device for reproducibly higher specimen yield by fine needle aspiration biopsy with easy to perform steps

BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) cytology has been a highly effective methodology for tissue diagnosis and for various ancillary studies including molecular tests. In addition to other benefits, FNAB predominantly retrieves the diagnostic loosely cohesive cells in the lesion as compared to the adjacent supporting stroma with relatively higher cohesiveness. However, FNAB procedure performed with currently available resources is highly skill dependent with inter-performer variability, which compromises its full potential as a diagnostic tool. In this study we report a device overcoming these limitations. METHODS: 'Tissue Harvester with Functional Valve' (THFV) was evaluated as part of a phase 1 National Institute of Health (NIH) research grant under Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program. Working prototypes of the device were prepared. Each of the four cytopathologists with previous cytopathology fellowship training and experience in performing FNAB evaluated 5 THFV and 5 hypodermic needles resulting in 40 specimens (20 with THFV, 20 with hypodermic needles). A piece of fresh cattle liver stuffed in latex glove was used as the specimen. Based on these results a finished design was finalized. RESULTS: The smears and cell blocks prepared from the specimens obtained by THFV were superior in terms of cellularity to specimens obtained with hypodermic needles. The tissuecrit of specimens obtained with THFV ranged from 70 to 100 μl (mean 87, SD 10), compared to 17 to 30 μl (mean 24, SD 4) with conventional hypodermic needles (p < .0001, Student t-test). The technical ease [on a scale of 1 (easy) to 5 (difficult)] with THFV ranged from 1 to 2 as compared to 2 to 3 with hypodermic needles. CONCLUSION: The specimen yield with the new THFV was significantly higher when compared to hypodermic needles. Also, the FNAB procedure with THFV was relatively easier in comparison with hypodermic needles. The final version of Shidham's THFV device would improve the FNAB specimen yield by eliminating the skill factor. The increased specimen yield by this device would also facilitate wider application of FNAB specimens for various ancillary tests, including molecular tests

Proceedings of a Sickle Cell Disease Ontology workshop - Towards the first comprehensive ontology for Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a debilitating single gene disorder caused by a single point mutation that results in physical deformation (i.e. sickling) of erythrocytes at reduced oxygen tensions. Up to 75% of SCD in newborns world-wide occurs in sub-Saharan Africa, where neonatal and childhood mortality from sickle cell related complications is high. While SCD research across the globe is tackling the disease on multiple fronts, advances have yet to significantly impact on the health and quality of life of SCD patients, due to lack of coordination of these disparate efforts. Ensuring data across studies is directly comparable through standardization is a necessary step towards realizing this goal. Such a standardization requires the development and implementation of a disease-specific ontology for SCD that is applicable globally. Ontology development is best achieved by bringing together experts in the domain to contribute their knowledge. The SCD community and H3ABioNet members joined forces at a recent SCD Ontology workshop to develop an ontology covering aspects of SCD under the classes: phenotype, diagnostics, therapeutics, quality of life, disease modifiers and disease stage. The aim of the workshop was for participants to contribute their expertise to development of the structure and contents of the SCD ontology. Here we describe the proceedings of the Sickle Cell Disease Ontology Workshop held in Cape Town South Africa in February 2016 and its outcomes. The objective of the workshop was to bring together experts in SCD from around the world to contribute their expertise to the development of various aspects of the SCD ontology

Bone tumour diagnosis in resource poor settings: the role of fine needle aspiration cytology

Background: Bone tumours are rare with limited diagnostic options in resource- poor settings. Open biopsies have several complications hence the need for an alternative, cheaper, effective diagnostic method. Aim: To compare fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of bone tumours with histology of open surgical biopsy and to ascertain whether FNAC can be substituted for open surgical biopsy. Methodology: This prospective study was carried out at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos between August 2005 and July 2006. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of bone tumour specimens obtained by FNAC with the follow -up open surgical biopsy. We determined whether FNAC could be used to delineate bone tumours into benign, malignant,or metastatic tumours. Results: 22 patients were studied, age range 11-57 years. FNAC had sensitivity of 100%, false positive of 16.7%(1), and overall diagnostic accuracy of 95.2% which was higher for conclusive smears. FNAC was non- diagnostic in one case but diagnostic accuracy for giant cell tumours and osteosarcomas was 100%.  The average time interval for FNAC result was 5.1 days + SD 2 days (1-9 days) compared  to 25.4 + 20.5 SD (9-91 days) for the histology surgical biopsy (P. value 0.001). No significant complications were noted with FNAC. Conclusion:  Where clinicoradiological evaluations have provided a focused differential, FNAC can confidently be used in the diagnosis of bone tumours and is a cheaper and quicker alternative to open surgical biopsy with little or no significant complication in resource poor settings. Keywords: Fine needle aspiration cytology, open biopsy, histopatholog