Diagnosis of B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas with Small-/Intermediate-Sized Cells in Cytopathology

Fine needle sampling is a fast, safe, and potentially cost-effective method of obtaining tissue for cytomorphologic assessment aimed at both initial triage and, in some cases, complete diagnosis of patients that present clinically with lymphadenopathy. The cytologic diagnosis of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas composed of small-/intermediate-sized cells, however, has been seen as an area of great difficulty even for experienced observers due to the morphologic overlap between lymphoma and reactive lymphadenopathies as well as between the lymphoma entities themselves. Although ancillary testing has improved diagnostic accuracy, the results from these tests must be interpreted within the morphological and clinical context to avoid misinterpretation. Importantly, the recognition of specific cytologic features is crucial in guiding the appropriate selection of ancillary tests which will either confirm or refute a tentative diagnosis. For these reasons, we here review the cytologic characteristics particular to five common B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas which typically cause the most diagnostic confusion based on cytological assessment alone: marginal zone lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. We summarize the most pertinent cytomorphologic features for each entity as well as for reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, contrast them with each other to facilitate their recognition, and highlight common diagnostic pitfalls

Vakuumgreifer : Flexibilitätssteigerung durch Anpassung an das Teilespektrum

Die Montage stellt nach wie vor einen Kernbereich zukünftiger Rationalisierungsmaßnahmen innerhalb der Produktion dar. Dabei kommen robotergeführten Greifern und Montagewerkzeugen eine große Bedeutung zu. Durch den Trend zur Typen- und Variantenvielfalt bei gleichzeitiger Abnahme der Losgröße und die daraus resultierende Zunahme unterschiedlicher Baugrößen der Elemente und Bauteile steigen auch die Anforderungen an die Flexibilität des Greifers. Nicht ein Greifer für ein Bauteil sondern ein flexibler Greifer für verschiedene Bauteilgrößen ist das Ziel der Greiferentwicklung und -auslegung. Im folgenden wird ein flexibler Greifer zur Montage von Paßscheiben vorgestellt

PTK2 (PTK2 protein tyrosine kinase 2)

Review on PTK2 (PTK2 protein tyrosine kinase 2), with data on DNA, on the protein encoded, and where the gene is implicated

SNAI1 (snail homolog 1 (Drosophila))

Review on SNAI1 (snail homolog 1 (Drosophila)), with data on DNA, on the protein encoded, and where the gene is implicated

A systematic approach to automated gear assembly

Automated assembly of gear wheels requires exact orientation of the tooth profiles in order to avoid collision and damage during the joining process. Various tactile and contactless methods can be applied for the orientation of gear wheels. A systematic overview of these methods is compiled in the presented paper. As a conclusion of research carried out at the Institute for Machine Tools, setups for contactless orientation detection using inexpensive senor devices show significant advantages. Application of these methods and sensor concepts contributes to the realization of economical operation of automated assembly systems

Montagezelle zur Getriebemontage

Am Institut für Werkzeugmaschinen (IfW) der Universität Stuttgart wird im Rahmen des von der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft getragenen Sonderforschungsbereichs 158 "Die Montage im flexiblen Produktionsbetrieb" eine flexible, automatisierte Montagezelle zur Getriebemontage aufgebaut. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird Aufbau und Betrieb der Montagezelle beschrieben

Biosensorisches On-Line-Monitoring der Qualität von Zuckerrübenrohsaft

Zuckerrüben, die im Herbst gerodet wurden, werden bis zu ihrer Verarbeitung, die sich bis zum Ende eines Jahres erstrecken kann, unter Freiluftbedingungen gelagert. Während der Lagerungsperiode kommt es zu einem anaeroben Abbau von Saccharose in der Zuckerrübe zu Glucose und Fructose, wodurch die Ausbeute an Weißzucker sinkt. Zur Optimierung des Rodungs- und Lagerungszeitregimes sind die Zuckerproduzenten an einer kontinuierlichen Bestimmung von Glucose im Rohsaft interessiert. Darüberhinaus ermöglicht die kontinuierliche Erfassung der Lactatkonzentration im Rohsaft, die Aufschluß über den mikrobiellen Zustand der verarbeiteten Rüben gibt, den Zuckerproduzenten ein rechtzeitiges Eingreifen in den Produktionsprozeß im Sinne einer Desinfektion. Mit Hilfe enzymatisch-amperometrischer Biosensoren kann man sowohl Glucose als auch Lactat im Zuckerrübenrohsaft on line bestimmen, wenn die Sensorpräparation an die besonderen Bedingungen dieses Mediums angepaßt wird. Die Ergebnisse belegen die grundsätzliche Eignung von Biosensoren für die Bestimmung von Glucose im strömenden Zuckerrübenrohsaft zur Prozeß- und Qualitätskontrolle. Voraussetzungen für den Einsatz sind jedoch eine Anpassung der Sensorpräparation an die besonderen Bedingungen im Rohsaft und die strömungstechnische Optimierung der Meßanordnung in der Produktionsanlage. Während für die Enzymimmobilisierung bekannte Lösungen als geeignete Verfahren übernommen und weiterentwickelt wurden, sind die Fixierung des Mediators und die Gestaltung der diffusionslimitierenden Membran weiter anwendungsspezifisch zu optimieren. Analoge Schwerpunkte bestehen bei der Entwicklung von Lactatsensoren für diesen Anwendungsfall

Quantitative image analysis of immunohistochemical stains using a CMYK color model

BACKGROUND: Computer image analysis techniques have decreased effects of observer biases, and increased the sensitivity and the throughput of immunohistochemistry (IHC) as a tissue-based procedure for the evaluation of diseases. METHODS: We adapted a Cyan/Magenta/Yellow/Key (CMYK) model for automated computer image analysis to quantify IHC stains in hematoxylin counterstained histological sections. RESULTS: The spectral characteristics of the chromogens AEC, DAB and NovaRed as well as the counterstain hematoxylin were first determined using CMYK, Red/Green/Blue (RGB), normalized RGB and Hue/Saturation/Lightness (HSL) color models. The contrast of chromogen intensities on a 0–255 scale (24-bit image file) as well as compared to the hematoxylin counterstain was greatest using the Yellow channel of a CMYK color model, suggesting an improved sensitivity for IHC evaluation compared to other color models. An increase in activated STAT3 levels due to growth factor stimulation, quantified using the Yellow channel image analysis was associated with an increase detected by Western blotting. Two clinical image data sets were used to compare the Yellow channel automated method with observer-dependent methods. First, a quantification of DAB-labeled carbonic anhydrase IX hypoxia marker in 414 sections obtained from 138 biopsies of cervical carcinoma showed strong association between Yellow channel and positive color selection results. Second, a linear relationship was also demonstrated between Yellow intensity and visual scoring for NovaRed-labeled epidermal growth factor receptor in 256 non-small cell lung cancer biopsies. CONCLUSION: The Yellow channel image analysis method based on a CMYK color model is independent of observer biases for threshold and positive color selection, applicable to different chromogens, tolerant of hematoxylin, sensitive to small changes in IHC intensity and is applicable to simple automation procedures. These characteristics are advantageous for both basic as well as clinical research in an unbiased, reproducible and high throughput evaluation of IHC intensity

SNAI1 expression and the mesenchymal phenotype: an immunohistochemical study performed on 46 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Background SNAI1 can initiate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), leading to loss of epithelial characteristics and, in cancer, to invasion and metastasis. We hypothesized that SNAI1 reactivation occurs in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) where it might also be associated with focal adhesion kinase (FAK) expression and p63 loss. Methods Immunohistochemistry was performed on 46 tumors and 26 corresponding lymph node metastases. Full tissue sections were examined to account for rare and focal expression. Clinical outcome data were collected and analyzed. Results SNAI1-positivity (nuclear, ≥ 5% tumor cells) was observed in 10 tumors and 5 metastases (n = 12 patients). Individual SNAI1(+) tumor cells were seen in primary tumors of 30 patients. High level SNAI1 expression (>10% tumor cells) was rare, but significantly associated with poor outcome. Two cases displayed a sarcomatoid component as part of the primary tumor with SNAI1(+)/FAK(+)/E-cadherin(-)/p63(-) phenotype, but disparate phenotypes in corresponding metastases. All cases had variable SNAI1(+) stroma. A mesenchymal-like immunoprofile in primary tumors characterized by E-cadherin loss (n = 29, 63%) or high cytoplasmic FAK expression (n = 10, 22%) was associated with N(+) status and tumor recurrence/new primary, respectively. Conclusions SNAI1 is expressed, although at low levels, in a substantial proportion of OSCC. High levels of SNAI1 may herald a poor prognosis and circumscribed SNAI1 expression can indicate the presence of a sarcomatoid component. Absence of p63 in this context does not exclude squamous tumor origin. Additional EMT inducers may contribute to a mesenchymal-like phenotype and OSCC progression