Standardization of the Feulgen-Schiff technique. Staining characteristics of pure fuchsin dyes; a cytophotometric investigation

Prevention of melamine-induced hepatorenal impairment by an ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera: Changes in KIM-1, TIMP-1, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation-related genes

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Melamine (ML) is a common food adulterant and contaminant. Moringa oleifera is a well-known medicinal plant with many beneficial biological properties. This study investigated the possible prophylactic and therapeutic activity of an ethanolic extract of M. oleifera (MEE) against ML-induced hepatorenal damage.

METHOD

Fifty male Sprague Dawley rats were orally administered distilled water, MEE (800 mg/kg bw), ML (700 mg/kg bw), MEE/ML (prophylactically) or MEE+ML (therapeutically). Hepatic aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphate (ALP) in serum were measured. Serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, protein, albumin, and globulin contents were also assayed, and urea and creatinine levels were determined. Moreover, antioxidant enzyme activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) in serum levels were quantified. Complementary histological and histochemical evaluation of renal and hepatic tissues was conducted, and expression of oxidative stress (GPx and CAT) and apoptosis-related genes, p53 and Bcl-2, in hepatic tissue were assessed. In parallel, transcriptional expression of inflammation and renal injury-related genes, including kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP1), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the kidney tissue were determined.

RESULTS

ML caused significant increases in serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, urea, and creatinine. Further, ML treated rats showed significant reductions in serum levels of protein, albumin, globulin, GPx, and CAT. Distinct histopathological damage and disturbances in glycogen and DNA content in hepatic and renal tissues of ML treated rats were observed. KIM-1, TIMP-1, and TNF-α gene expression was significantly upregulated in kidney tissue. Also, GPx, CAT, and Bcl-2 genes were significantly downregulated, and p53 was significantly upregulated in liver tissue after ML treatment. MEE significantly counteracted the ML-induced hepatorenal damage primarily for co-exposed rats.

CONCLUSION

MEE could be an effective therapeutic supplement for treatment of ML-induced hepato-renal damage, probably via modulating oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation.

Single or combined protective and therapeutic impact of taurine and hesperidin on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatic injury in rat

Currently, hepatic injury due to environmental pollutants extremely threatens human health and elicits great concern. Hence, there is a high global interest to find natural novel formulation products with potent hepatoprotective activity to combat liver disease. Hence, we evaluated the protective or therapeutic effect of hesperidin (HSP) and taurine (TAU), individually and in combination, on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced acute hepatic injury in rats. The pre- or posttreatment by HSP and/or TAU significantly depressed CCl₄-induced elevation of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, malondialdehyde, globulins (α1, α2, β, and γ), albumin/globulin ratio, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, nitric oxide, and myeloperoxidase levels. Also, the pre- or posttreatment by HSP and/or TAU significantly minimized CCl₄-induced reduction of superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione, and albumin concentrations. Furthermore, the protective or therapeutic administration of HSP and/or TAU markedly restored the CCl₄-induced altered hepatic architecture, depleted glycogen, and DNA contents. Notably, alleviating CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity was more prominent in the protective groups than the therapeutic groups. More importantly, most of biochemical and histopathological parameters of HSP+TAU did not significantly differ from those of separate TAU or HSP neither before nor after CCl₄ exposure. Conclusively, HSP or TAU could be candidate protective agents against CCl₄ hepatotoxic impacts but the combination of both bioactive offers only a limited synergistic effect. Graphical abstract.

Effect of thyroxin on cell morphology and hormone secretion of pituitary grafts in rats

INTRODUCTION

Growth hormone and prolactin secretion is affected by thyroid hormones. To see if this influence is subsidiary to the hyptothalamus, we investigated the effects of thyroxin (T4) on hormone secretion and histology of sellar pituitaries and pituitary grafts detached from the hypothalamus (autografted or allografted under the kidney capsule).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups: control, thyroidectomised, pituitary autografted, pituitary allografted, and four additional groups that were injected with T4 for two weeks, starting four weeks after surgery. At sacrifice, adenohypophysial hormone blood levels were assessed, and tissue from sellar and grafted pituitaries were investigated by histology and electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Growth hormone and prolactin blood levels, as well as the number of growth hormone immunopositive cells increased in T4-treated groups. Both pituitary auto- and allo-grafts showed lactotroph hyperplasia and displayed spongiform areas containing cells with vesicles in their cytoplasm resembling thyroidectomy cells. This phenomenon was minimized in their respective T4-treated group. Thyroidectomy cells were identified in pituitary grafts, indicating that hypothalamic control was not essential to induce them.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

It is intriguing that the pituitary allografted group, even maintaining normal T4 blood levels, developed thyroidectomy cells in their grafts, suggesting that a long- term deficit of vascularization (>4 weeks) prevented T4 from reaching the graft. After 6 weeks, post T4 treatment of two weeks seemed to be the determining factor to minimize thyroidectomy cells in both pituitary autografted + T4 and pituitary allografted + T4 grafts compared to the untreated groups, although more time and/or higher T4 doses may be required to fully restore the euthyroid morphology.

A foldable isothermal amplification microdevice for fuchsin-based colorimetric detection of multiple foodborne pathogens

In this study, we have developed a foldable microdevice fully integrating DNA purification, amplification, and detection processes for detecting multiple foodborne pathogens. Specifically, the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique was combined with a fuchsin-based direct DNA colorimetric detection method. The microdevice was composed of three parts: a sample zone, reaction zone, and detection zone. A sealing film attached to the sample, reaction, and detection zones served as a bottom layer to make the microdevice foldable. The detection zone was made up of paper strips attached to the sticky side of the sealing film, and fuchsin-stained lines were drawn on the paper strips. The microdevice can be folded to directly transfer the DNA template solution from the sample chambers to the reaction chambers. In this manner, fluid manipulation was readily realized and the use of a bulky instrument such as a pump or rotator was completely dispensed with. After the LAMP reaction, the detection zone was folded so that the fuchsin-stained lines were completely soaked into the reaction chambers. Genomic DNAs of Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli O157:H7 were first successfully purified from thermally-lysed milk using polydopamine-coated paper, amplified by LAMP, and directly identified by the naked eye using fuchsin within 65 min. Using this microdevice, approximately 102 CFU per mL of Salmonella spp. was detected. These results indicate the significant potential of this microdevice for the sample-in-answer-out genetic analysis of multiple foodborne pathogens in resource-limited environments.

The impact of occupational exposure to traffic-related air pollution among professional motorcyclists from Porto Alegre, Brazil, and its association with genetic and oxidative damage

Vehicles play an important role in modern life; however, they also generate hazards. Occupational exposed subjects are in long-term contact with harmful products, which sets these professionals in a susceptible group to air pollutant damage. The aims of this study were to quantify individual exposure to pollutant gases and chemical elements and to evaluate oxidative and genetic damage in professional motorcyclists and office workers. We recruited professional motorcyclists and office workers from Porto Alegre, Brazil, between January and December 2016. Individual exposure to air pollutants was assessed by passive monitoring. Fingernail trace elements were determined by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Oxidative stress biomarkers were quantified spectrophotometrically, and genotoxicity was evaluated by micronuclei assay. Individual exposure to NO₂ and O₃, trace element content (Sb, Pt, As, Cd, V, Mn, and Co), oxidative stress factors, and genetic damage were statistically higher in professional motorcyclists (p < 0.05). Moreover, NO₂ and O₃ levels showed very strong positive correlation with plasmatic lipid peroxidation (p < 0.001 and r = 0.8849 and 0.8995) and strong positive correlation with micronuclei frequency (p < 0.001 and r = 0.7683 and 0.7280). Results suggest that professional motorcyclists are at high risk due to long-term air pollution exposure, which implies in the onset of several harmful effects and worsening of pre-existent diseases.

Possible carcinogenic potential of dimethyl dimethoxy biphenyl dicarboxylate in experimental animals

Dimethyl dimethoxy biphenyl dicarboxylate (DDB) has been extensively used in the treatment of liver diseases accounting for 1–6% of the global disease burden. Cell replication, DNA synthesis, and proliferation, providing significant information about behavior of cells were examined in mice exposed to subchronic administration with DDB. Conventional liver functions specifically gamma-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT), a marker expressing liver canceration was also investigated. Normal mice were allocated into two groups each of 10 mice. The 1^st and 2^nd groups were treated with DDB in a dose of 50 mg/kg/day, 5 days/week for 1 month and 3 months, respectively. Comparable groups of normal mice were left without treatment as controls. Compared to normal control group, animals receiving DDB for 3 months showed marked elevations of both alanine aminotransferase and γ-GT, significant inhibition in cytochrome P450, a significant increase in the mean ploidy and 4C with moderate to marked increase in S-phase populations and the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells. In conclusion, this is the first report on the potential relationship between the subchronic administration of DDB and the increase in the hepatocyte proliferation, cell replication and DNA synthesis that may raise an alarm regarding possible DDB insult on the biological behavior of cells.

Three-dimensional DNA image cytometry by optical projection tomographic microscopy for early cancer diagnosis

Aneuploidy is typically assessed by flow cytometry (FCM) and image cytometry (ICM). We used optical projection tomographic microscopy (OPTM) for assessing cellular DNA content using absorption and fluorescence stains. OPTM combines some of the attributes of both FCM and ICM and generates isometric high-resolution three-dimensional (3-D) images of single cells. Although the depth of field of the microscope objective was in the submicron range, it was extended by scanning the objective's focal plane. The extended depth of field image is similar to a projection in a conventional x-ray computed tomography. These projections were later reconstructed using computed tomography methods to form a 3-D image. We also present an automated method for 3-D nuclear segmentation. Nuclei of chicken, trout, and triploid trout erythrocyte were used to calibrate OPTM. Ratios of integrated optical densities extracted from 50 images of each standard were compared to ratios of DNA indices from FCM. A comparison of mean square errors with thionin, hematoxylin, Feulgen, and SYTOX green was done. Feulgen technique was preferred as it showed highest stoichiometry, least variance, and preserved nuclear morphology in 3-D. The addition of this quantitative biomarker could further strengthen existing classifiers and improve early diagnosis of cancer using 3-D microscopy.

Nuclear morphometry, epigenetic changes, and clinical relevance in prostate cancer

Nuclear structure alterations in cancer involve global genetic (mutations, amplifications, copy number variations, translocations, etc.) and epigenetic (DNA methylation and histone modifications) events that dramatically and dynamically spatially change chromatin, nuclear body, and chromosome organization. In prostate cancer (CaP) there appears to be early (<50 years) versus late (>60 years) onset clinically significant cancers, and we have yet to clearly understand the hereditary and somatic-based molecular pathways involved. We do know that once cancer is initiated, dedifferentiation of the prostate gland occurs with significant changes in nuclear structure driven by numerous genetic and epigenetic processes. This review focuses upon the nuclear architecture and epigenetic dynamics with potential translational clinically relevant applications to CaP. Further, the review correlates changes in the cancer-driven epigenetic process at the molecular level and correlates these alterations to nuclear morphological quantitative measurements. Finally, we address how we can best utilize this knowledge to improve the efficacy of personalized treatment of cancer.

EGFR-mediated Beclin 1 phosphorylation in autophagy suppression, tumor progression, and tumor chemoresistance

Cell surface growth factor receptors couple environmental cues to the regulation of cytoplasmic homeostatic processes, including autophagy, and aberrant activation of such receptors is a common feature of human malignancies. Here, we defined the molecular basis by which the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase regulates autophagy. Active EGFR binds the autophagy protein Beclin 1, leading to its multisite tyrosine phosphorylation, enhanced binding to inhibitors, and decreased Beclin 1-associated VPS34 kinase activity. EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy disrupts Beclin 1 tyrosine phosphorylation and binding to its inhibitors and restores autophagy in non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells with a TKI-sensitive EGFR mutation. In NSCLC tumor xenografts, the expression of a tyrosine phosphomimetic Beclin 1 mutant leads to reduced autophagy, enhanced tumor growth, tumor dedifferentiation, and resistance to TKI therapy. Thus, oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases directly regulate the core autophagy machinery, which may contribute to tumor progression and chemoresistance.

Molecular mapping of Yr53, a new gene for stripe rust resistance in durum wheat accession PI 480148 and its transfer to common wheat

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is one of the most damaging diseases of wheat worldwide. It is essential to identify new genes for effective resistance against the disease. Durum wheat PI 480148, originally from Ethiopia, was resistant in all seedling tests with several predominant Pst races in the US under controlled greenhouse conditions and at multiple locations subject to natural infection for several years. To map the resistance gene(s) and to transfer it to common wheat, a cross was made between PI 480148 and susceptible common wheat genotype Avocet S (AvS). Resistant F(3) plants with 42 chromosomes were selected cytologically and by testing with Pst race PST-100. A total of 157 F(4) plants from a single F(3) plant with 2n = 42 tested with PST-100 segregated in a 3 resistant: 1 susceptible ratio, indicating that a single dominant gene from PI 480148 conferred resistance. Using the F(3:4) population and the resistance gene-analog polymorphism (RGAP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, the gene was mapped to the long arm of chromosome 2B. SSR marker Xwmc441 and RGAP marker XLRRrev/NLRRrev ( 350 ) flanked the resistance gene by 5.6 and 2.7 cM, respectively. The effective resistance of the gene to an Australian Pst isolate virulent to Yr5, which is also located on 2BL and confers resistance to all US Pst races, together with an allelism test of the two genes, indicated that the gene from PI 480148 is different from Yr5 and should be a new and useful gene for resistance to stripe rust. Resistant common wheat lines with plant types similar to AvS were selected for use in breeding programs.

A robust procedure for distinctively visualizing zebrafish retinal cell nuclei under bright field light microscopy

To simultaneously visualize individual cell nuclei and tissue morphologies of the zebrafish retina under bright field light microscopy, it is necessary to establish a procedure that specifically and sensitively stains the cell nuclei in thin tissue sections. This necessity arises from the high nuclear density of the retina and the highly decondensed chromatin of the cone photoreceptors, which significantly reduces their nuclear signals and makes nuclei difficult to distinguish from possible high cytoplasmic background staining. Here we optimized a procedure that integrates JB4 plastic embedding and Feulgen reaction for visualizing zebrafish retinal cell nuclei under bright field light microscopy. This method produced highly specific nuclear staining with minimal cytoplasmic background, allowing us to distinguish individual retinal nuclei despite their tight packaging. The nuclear staining is also sensitive enough to distinguish the euchromatin from heterochromatin in the zebrafish cone nuclei. In addition, this method could be combined with in situ hybridization to simultaneously visualize the cell nuclei and mRNA expression patterns. With its superb specificity and sensitivity, this method may be extended to quantify cell density and analyze global chromatin organization throughout the retina or other tissues.

Nuclear morphometry, nucleomics and prostate cancer progression

Prostate cancer (PCa) results from a multistep process. This process includes initiation, which occurs through various aging events and multiple insults (such as chronic infection, inflammation and genetic instability through reactive oxygen species causing DNA double-strand breaks), followed by a multistep process of progression. These steps include several genetic and epigenetic alterations, as well as alterations to the chromatin structure, which occur in response to the carcinogenic stress-related events that sustain proliferative signaling. Events such as evading growth suppressors, resisting cell death, enabling replicative immortality, inducing angiogenesis, and activating invasion and metastasis are readily observed. In addition, in conjunction with these critical drivers of carcinogenesis, other factors related to the etiopathogenesis of PCa, involving energy metabolism and evasion of the immune surveillance system, appear to be involved. In addition, when cancer spread and metastasis occur, the 'tumor microenvironment' in the bone of PCa patients may provide a way to sustain dormancy or senescence and eventually establish a 'seed and soil' site where PCa proliferation and growth may occur over time. When PCa is initiated and progression ensues, significant alterations in nuclear size, shape and heterochromatin (DNA transcription) organization are found, and key nuclear transcriptional and structural proteins, as well as multiple nuclear bodies can lead to precancerous and malignant changes. These series of cellular and tissue-related malignancy-associated events can be quantified to assess disease progression and management.

Valproic acid causes dose- and time-dependent changes in nuclear structure in prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

Histone deacetylase inhibitors such as valproic acid (VPA) are promising anticancer agents that change the acetylation status of histones and loosen the chromatin structure. We assessed nuclear structure changes induced by VPA in prostate cancer LNCaP, CWR22R, DU145, and PC3 cell lines and xenografts and their potential use as a biomarker of treatment. In vitro tissue microarrays consisted of prostate cancer cell lines treated for 3, 7, or 14 days with 0, 0.6, or 1.2 mmol/L VPA. In vivo tissue microarrays consisted of cores from prostate cancer xenografts from nude mice treated for 30 days with 0.2% or 0.4% VPA in drinking water. Digital images of at least 200 Feulgen DNA-stained nuclei were captured using the Nikon CoolScope and nuclear alterations were measured. With a set of seven most frequently significant nuclear alterations (determined by univariate logistic regression analysis), control and VPA treatment nuclei were compared in vitro and in vivo. Depending on the cell line, area under the curve-receiver operating characteristics ranged between 0.6 and 0.9 and were dose- and time-dependent both in vitro and in vivo. Also, VPA treatment caused significant nuclear alterations in normal drug-filtering organs (liver and kidney tissue). In vitro and in vivo VPA treatment of prostate cancer cell lines results in significant dose- and time-dependent changes in nuclear structure. Further, VPA induces nuclear structural changes in normal liver and kidney tissue, which likely reflects a natural physiologic response. Therefore, nuclear structural alterations may serve as a biomarker for histone deacetylase inhibitor treatment.

Using nuclear morphometry to predict the need for treatment among men with low grade, low stage prostate cancer enrolled in a program of expectant management with curative intent

PURPOSE

We assessed the use of quantitative clinical and pathologic information to predict which patients would eventually require treatment for prostate cancer (CaP) in an expectant management (EM) cohort.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

We identified 75 men having prostate cancer with favorable initial biopsy characteristics; 30 developed an unfavorable biopsy (Gleason grade >6, >2 cores with cancer, >50% of a core with cancer, or a palpable nodule) requiring treatment and 45 maintained favorable biopsies throughout a median follow-up of 2.7 years. Demographic, clinical data and quantitative tissue histomorphometry determined by digital image analysis were analyzed.

RESULTS

Logistic regression (LR) modeling generated a quantitative nuclear grade (QNG) signature based on the enrollment biopsy for differentiation of Favorable and Unfavorable groups using a variable LR selection criteria of P(z)<0.05. The QNG signature utilized 12 nuclear morphometric descriptors (NMDs) and had an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) of 87% with a sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 70% and accuracy of 75%. A multivariable LR model combining QNG signature with clinical and pathological variables yielded an AUC-ROC of 88% and a sensitivity of 81%, specificity of 78% and accuracy of 79%. A LR model using prostate volume, PSA density, and number of pre-diagnosis biopsies resulted in an AUC-ROC of 68% and a sensitivity of 85%, specificity of 37% and accuracy of 56%.

CONCLUSIONS

QNG using EM prostate biopsies improves the predictive accuracy of LR models based on traditional clinicopathologic variables in determining which patients will ultimately develop an unfavorable biopsy. Our QNG-based model must be rigorously, prospectively validated prior to use in the clinical arena.

Significant variations in nuclear structure occur between and within Gleason grading patterns 3, 4, and 5 determined by digital image analysis

BACKGROUND

Alterations in nuclei structure and DNA content captured from Gleason grading patterns 3, 4 and 5 of radical prostatectomy (RP) cases were determined by a computer-assisted microscope. Quantitative Nuclear Morphometry (QNM) profiles were created to evaluate variability in nuclear structure within each of these grades.

METHODS

A tissue microarray (TMA) was constructed using RP cases and the prostate cancer (PCa) TMA cores prepared from 20 GG-3, 9 GG-4, 10 GG-5 patterns, and 20 benign cancer-adjacent cases from RP archival paraffin blocks. Feulgen-stained nuclei were captured from 0.6 mm spots using the AutoCyte system. Pools of 1100 nuclei captured from each test group were used to calculate Multivariate Logistic Regression (MLR) models that generated predictive indices and predictive probabilities (PP) to make comparisons between and within each set of pooled nuclei.

RESULTS

A single QNM profiles yielded areas of receiver operator characteristic curves (ROC) that distinguished differences among benign cancer-adjacent nuclei and GG-3 (ROC-AUC = 0.78); GG-4 (ROC-AUC = 0.86) and GG-5 (ROC-AUC = 0.88) with accuracies of 73%, 78% and 80% respectively. Applying PP plots generated from MLR models of GG 3, 4, and 5 nuclei clearly demonstrated marked heterogeneity within each of these three GG patterns.

CONCLUSIONS

QNM signatures illustrate alterations in nuclei structure, based upon nuclear morphometry within each of these three GG patterns, and might signify potential variations in PCa disease risk of progression outcomes. In the future a modified system of Gleason grading that considers not only glandular architecture but also quantitative nuclear grade may ensure accuracy in prognosis.

Alterations in nuclear structure and expression of proPSA predict differences between native Japanese and Japanese-American prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES

To differentiate the benign and/or malignant epithelial cells in prostate cancer (PCa) glands of native Japanese (NJ) and Japanese-American (JA) men using biomarkers.

METHODS

Tissue microarrays from radical prostatectomy specimens of cancerous and adjacent benign areas from 25 NJ and 25 JA prostate glands were studied. Image analysis was used to quantify total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and proPSA immunohistochemical staining, as well as the variance of several morphometric features from Feulgen-stained epithelial cell nuclei. Logistic regression analysis was applied to determine whether quantitative nuclear grade (QNG) calculations and PSA immunohistochemical staining could differentiate the two test groups.

RESULTS

The QNG model differentiated changes in the benign epithelium of the two Japanese groups with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 84% and accuracy of 82% (P = 0.0001). A second QNG model differentiated changes in the malignant epithelium of the two groups with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 84% and accuracy of 76% (P = 0.0023). Logistic regression models combining proPSA immunohistochemical data and QNG from either benign or malignant tissue components yielded areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 96% and 91% (P <0.0001) for differentiation of the JA and NJ groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Unique nuclear morphometric alterations demonstrated by QNG combined with proPSA immunohistologic localization independently predicted for significant differences between NJ and JA men with PCa. These preliminary observations indicate a basis for biologic and molecular alterations in the benign adjacent and malignant epithelium between these two groups.

Quantitative alterations in nuclear structure predict prostate carcinoma distant metastasis and death in men with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy

BACKGROUND

Microscopic histologic grade has been the best predictor of prostate carcinoma (PCa) progression in men after surgical therapy. The ability to predict accurately, at the time of surgery, which patients are likely to develop metastatic PCa would enable optimization of disease management with adjuvant therapy. The authors assessed the ability of pathologic, nuclear morphometric, and chromatin parameters to predict metastatic PCa progression and/or death in 227 men with biochemical recurrence and long-term follow-up after undergoing radical prostatectomy.

METHODS

Multivariate logistic regression (LR) was used to calculate quantitative nuclear grade (QNG) solutions using the variances of 60 nuclear morphometric descriptors (NMDs) of nuclear size, shape, DNA content, and chromatin organization that predicted distant metastasis and/or PCa-specific death. An LR model also was generated to predict this outcome using a combination of pathologic variables and the best QNG solution. Cox proportional hazards models were generated, and Kaplan-Meier plots were used to display three risk groups based on pathology, QNG, and a combination of these variables.

RESULTS

A multivariate LR model using pathology retained lymph node (LN) status, seminal vesicle status, and prostatectomy Gleason score, yielding an area under the curve-receiver operator characteristic (AUC-ROC) of 75% with an accuracy of 59% at 90% sensitivity. The best QNG solution used the variance of 25 NMDs, yielding an AUC-ROC of 84% and an accuracy of 70% at 90% sensitivity. The combined pathology-QNG model retained LN status, prostatectomy Gleason score, and QNG, yielding an AUC-ROC of 86% with an accuracy of 76% at 90% sensitivity. The Cox proportional hazards models produced the following significant univariate and multivariate hazard ratios: QNG, 3.5 and 2.9, respectively; LN, 2.7 and 1.8, respectively; and prostatectomy Gleason score, 2.8 and 2.1, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Alterations in the structure of tumor nuclei measured by computer-assisted image analysis were strong predictors of PCa progression and death in men with long-term follow-up who had biochemical recurrence after undergoing radical prostatectomy. QNG solutions can serve as a new supplemental biomarker for accurate prediction of PCa progression at the time of surgery.

Automated identification of diploid reference cells in cervical smears using image analysis

BACKGROUND

Acquisition of DNA ploidy histograms by image analysis may yield important information regarding the behavior of premalignant cervical lesions. Accurate selection of nuclei for DNA measurement is an important prerequisite for obtaining reliable data. Traditionally, manual selection of nuclei of diagnostic and reference cells is performed by an experienced cytotechnologist. In the present study, a method for the fully automated identification of nuclei of diploid epithelial reference cells in Feulgen- restained Papanicolaou (PAP) smears is described.

METHODS

The automated procedure consists of a decision tree implemented on the measurement device, containing nodes with feature threshold values and multivariate discriminant functions. Nodes were constructed to recognize debris and inflammatory cells, as well as diploid and nondiploid epithelial cells of the uterine cervix. Evaluation of the classifier was performed by comparing resulting diploid integrated optical densities with those from manually selected reference cells.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

On average, automatically acquired values deviated 2.4% from manually acquired values, indicating that the method described in this paper may be useful in cytometric practice.

Gross genomic aberrations in precancers: clinical implications of a long-term follow-up study in oral erythroplakias

PURPOSE

Gross genomic aberrations are increasingly seen as a cause rather than a consequence of carcinogenesis. Carcinomas may be prevented by systemically acting agents when used in high-risk individuals. If gross genomic aberrations could be shown to be predictive markers in precancers, they could serve as a tool for identifying high-risk individuals to be included in chemopreventive trials.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

To investigate the predictive power of gross genomic aberrations in several types of oral premalignancies, we analyzed 57 biopsies from oral erythroplakias of 37 patients, both histologically and for DNA content. DNA content was measured by high-resolution image cytometry, and distribution histograms of DNA content were generated and interpreted according to established protocols. The primary end point was cancer-free survival.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven dysplastic oral red lesions from 37 patients were investigated. Forty-one lesions from 25 patients were classified with aberrant DNA content (DNA aneuploidy), of which 23 patients (92%) later developed an oral carcinoma (after a median observation time of 53 months; range, 29 to 79 months). Of 12 patients having altogether 16 lesions with normal DNA content, none developed a carcinoma (median observation time, 98 months; range, 23 to 163 months; P <.001). In multivariate analysis, DNA content was a significant prognostic factor (P <.001), whereas histologic grade, sex, use of tobacco, size and location of lesions, and the presence multiple of lesions were not.

CONCLUSION

Gross genomic aberrations are highly predictive for the subsequent occurrence of carcinomas from a wide range of oral premalignancies.

The impact of ofloxacin on rat testicular DNA: application of image analysis

Ofloxacin induces its antibacterial action mainly by inhibition of DNA gyrase which is equivalent to topoisomerase II in mammalian cells. The present study was focused on the impact of ofloxacin on rat testicular DNA ploidy in a dose-response relationship using an image analysis technique on testicular sections following Fuelgen DNA staining. Sperm count and motility as well as sperm head abnormality tests were also investigated. Ofloxacin was given p.o. in doses of 36, 72 and 360 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 15 consecutive days. The animals were then left to live safely to day 60 from starting the experiment to give them a chance to complete the cycle of spermatogenesis. Results revealed that ofloxacin significantly decreased the percentage of haploid cells in a dose-dependent manner with concomitant increase in the percentage of diploid cells. Sperm count and motility was also markedly decreased in a dose-dependent fashion. Sperm head abnormality showed no marked change following ofloxacin treatment. In conclusion, ofloxacin induced a marked disturbance in rat testicular DNA ploidy, which may be explained on the basis of cross-reactivity to topoisomerase II.

AgarCyto: a novel cell-processing method for multiple molecular diagnostic analyses of the uterine cervix

In diagnostic cytology, it has been advocated that molecular techniques will improve cytopathological diagnosis and may predict clinical course. Ancillary molecular techniques, however, can be applied only if a sufficient number of preparations are made from a single cell sample. We have developed the AgarCyto cell block procedure for multiple molecular diagnostic analyses on a single scraping from the uterine cervix. The optimized protocol includes primary fixation and transport in ethanol/carbowax, secondary fixation in Unifix, and embedding in 2% agarose and then in paraffin according to a standard protocol for biopsies. More than 20 microscopic specimens were produced from a single AgarCyto cell block, and standard laboratory protocols have been successfully applied for H&E staining, immunohistochemistry for Ki-67 and p53, and in situ hybridization for the centromere of human chromosome 1 and human papilloma virus Type 16. In addition, single AgarCyto sections yielded sufficient input DNA for specific HPV detection and typing by LiPA-PCR, and the protocol includes an option for DNA image cytometry. The AgarCyto cell block protocol is an excellent tool for inventory studies of diagnostic and potentially prognostic molecular markers of cervical cancer.

Serum from patients with severe heart failure downregulates eNOS and is proapoptotic: role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha

BACKGROUND

Cytokine activation and endothelial dysfunction are typical phenomena of congestive heart failure (CHF). We tested the hypothesis that incubating human umbilical vein endothelial cells with serum from patients with CHF will downregulate endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and induce apoptosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We studied 21 patients with severe CHF. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and several neuroendocrine parameters were assessed. eNOS was measured by Western Blot analysis and apoptosis by optical microscopy and flow cytometry. We observed (1) eNOS downregulation (difference versus healthy subjects at 24 hours [P<0.05] and 48 hours [P<0.001]), (2) nuclear morphological changes typical of apoptosis; and (3) a high apoptotic rate with propidium iodide (increasing from 2.1+/-0.4% to 11.3+/-1.2% at 48 hours; P<0.001 versus healthy subjects) and annexin V. An anti-human TNF-alpha antibody did not completely counteract these effects. A strong correlation existed between eNOS downregulation and apoptosis (r = -0.89; P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum from patients with severe CHF downregulates eNOS expression and increases apoptosis. High levels of TNF-alpha likely play a role, but they cannot be the only factor responsible.

Colchicine therapy for hepatic murine schistosomal fibrosis: image analysis and serological study

Colchicine in a dose of 200 micrograms kg body weight/day (5 days/week) was administered to groups of Schistosoma mansoni infected mice 12 weeks post infection, either alone or following previous praziquantel therapy at the 8th week of infection. Certain groups received colchicine for 6 weeks and others received it for 10 weeks. Colchicine alone did not significantly change the light microscopic appearance of schistosomal liver fibrosis, or hepatic collagen content estimated histomorphometrically, and did not reduce the elevated IL-2 serum level. Colchicine induced hepatic injury consisted of intense inflammatory reaction in granuloma and portal tracts, hepatocytic degeneration, and elevation of serum AST and ALT levels. Colchicine seemed to postpone granulomatous reaction healing and collagen deposition rather than inhibiting collagen formation or degrading it. Colchicine inhibited proliferation of hepatocytes of infected mice by expanding G2-M phases of cell cycle, thus reduced Ag NOR count and raised cell ploidy and cyclic AMP serum level. Subsidence of schistosomal infection by praziquantel prior to colchicine therapy greatly reduced inflammatory cellular reaction, significantly diminished hepatic collagen deposition and serum IL-2 level, minimized the elevated nuclear ploidy and cyclic AMP serum level that followed colchicine therapy when administered alone.

Targeted expression of MDM2 uncouples S phase from mitosis and inhibits mammary gland development independent of p53

MDM2 is a cellular protein that binds to and inactivates the p53 tumor suppressor protein. Although mdm2 has been shown to function as an oncogene in vitro, all studies to date have assessed MDM2 activities in the presence of p53, implicating p53 inactivation in MDM2-directed transformation. To determine the role of MDM2 in the cell cycle and in tumorigenesis and whether or not this role is dependent on p53, an MDM2 minigene was expressed during gestation and lactation in the mammary gland of both wild-type p53 (p53+/+) and p53 knockout (p53-/-) mice using the bovine beta-lactoglobulin promoter. In six different transgenic mouse lines, deregulated expression of MDM2 inhibited normal development and morphogenesis of the mammary gland, and caused cellular hypertrophy and nuclear abnormalities. These abnormalities included both multinucleated cells and enlarged cells with giant nuclei. Although there were fewer epithelial cells present in the transgenic mammary gland, no apoptosis was observed. Instead, BrdU incorporation and PCNA staining showed that 12%-27% of the transgenic mammary epithelial cells were in S phase at a time when normal cells were terminally differentiated. Analysis of DNA content showed that 30%-45% of the cells were polyploid, with DNA contents up to 16N, indicating that overexpression of MDM2 caused mammary epithelial cells to undergo multiple rounds of S phase without cell division. This phenotype was similar in the p53+/+ and p53-/- background, demonstrating a role for MDM2 in the regulation of DNA synthesis that is independent of the ability of MDM2 to inhibit p53 activity. Additionally, multiple lines of BLGMDM2 transgenic mice developed mammary tumors, confirming that overproduction of MDM2 contributes to tumorigenesis in epithelial cells in vivo.

Improving biological dyes and stains: quality testing versus standardization

This paper discusses the impact of both standardization and quality testing of dyes and stains in biology and medicine. After the brief review of why standardized dyes and strains are not presently available commercially, two types of testing and ways of improving dye quality are described. National or international organizations could be established to define standardization of dyes and stains. Standardization would be specifically defined as a list of physico-chemical parameters such as elaborated in this paper. Commercial batches of comparable quality may be labeled by the supplier as "standard dye," a procedure currently performed by the European Council for Clinical and Laboratory Standardization (ECCLS). Also recommended to improve dye quality is commercial dye testing by independent laboratories with subsequent certification for use. This sort of quality control is currently carried out in the United States by the Biological Stain Commission (BSC). The advantages and disadvantages of both techniques and the use of image analysis for the definition of standards are discussed. A combination of both the BSC testing protocols and the ECCLS standards should be established for extended quality control of biological dyes and stains.

Cytological detection of epithelial dysplasia in the oral mucosa using Feulgen-DNA-image cytometry

Cytological scrape material of the oral mucosa from 114 patients with epithelial dysplasia and with oral cancer was stained with the Feulgen-reaction and investigated with an image analyzer. The size and the integrated optical density of cell nuclei, and four chromatin texture features were measured. All tumor slides contained cell nuclei with DNA greater than 5c, 16% of the slides had cell nuclei with DNA greater than 8c. A total of 14.5% of the tumor patients showed significantly increased DNA values in nuclei distant from the tumor. Two smears with severe epithelial dysplasia showed nuclei with DNA greater than 5c both in the tumor material and far from the tumor. Texture analysis allowed discrimination between benign, dysplastic and malignant smears. No correlation was found between DNA content and tumor staging. Image cytometry was a reliable method for detecting tumor cells. Epithelial dysplasia in areas distant from the tumor is probably due to "field canceration" of the epithelium.

Gallocyanin chromalum as a nuclear stain in cytology. I. A cytophotometric comparison of the Husain-Watts Gallocyanin chromalum staining protocol with the Feulgen procedure

In the present study, the staining characteristics of the Gallocyanin chromalum technique devised by Husain and Watts are compared with the Feulgen reaction. Liver imprints, blood smears, and cervical smears were fixed in ethanol and stained with either the Husain and Watts Gallocyanin chromalum reagent or the Feulgen-Schiff reagent. The slides were then post-treated with 70% ethanol-HCl pH 1.0, or with phosphotungstic acid for 0.5-30 min. The integrated optical density of cell nuclei was measured with a VIDAS image analyzer. In the material stained with the Husain and Watts procedure, some Gallocyanin chromalum was removed from the nuclei in the early phase (5 min) of all the post-treatment steps, followed by a plateau phase where the integrated optical density remained constant for 30 min. In this phase, the nuclear absorbance was highly reproducible and of the same size regardless of the post-treatment. Both the Husain and Watts procedure and the Feulgen-reaction gave quantitative staining of DNA. The Gallocyanin chromalum stain after Husain and Watts is a quick staining procedure for quantitative evaluation of DNA in cytological material. Proper rinsing of the slides is necessary for a good reproducibility of results.

Standardization of biological dyes and stains: pitfalls and possibilities

The present paper gives a review of the actual state of standardization of biological dyes and stains. In a first part general information is given on practical problems encountered by the routine user of dyes with special emphasis on dye contamination. Some theoretical aspects of standardization are discussed. The second part of the paper gives more detailed information on commercial batches of hematoxylin-eosin-, Giemsa- and Papanicolaou-stains and on their standardization. Special problems arising with the application of image analysis techniques are briefly mentioned. User-oriented specifications for the standardization of dyes, stains and staining procedures are given. Fluorescent dyes and dyes used in chromogenic reagents such as the Feulgen-Schiff reaction are not included in this review.

Variations in Feulgen stainability of epithelial parenchymal cells extracted from paraffin-embedded salivary gland specimens

The variations of Feulgen stainability of cells extracted from paraffin-embedded archival specimens for DNA assessment by means of image cytometry (ICM) were investigated in normal salivary gland parenchyma. The Feulgen stainability of the deparaffinized, rehydrated, and disaggregated preparations was found to exhibit variations of up to 300%, expressed by the mean of integrated optical density (IOD), when a routine procedure was applied to a first series of Cytospin preparations of disaggregated specimens. When measured in nondisaggregated tissue sections, only negligible variations were observed. After minimization of the mechanical strains to the cellular material in the Cytospin preparations in a second series, the variations in Feulgen stainability were found to be considerably lower. The findings indicate that the main reason for variations in the Feulgen stainability of extracted cells is, most likely, the disaggregation procedure itself. Factors such as initial treatment of the specimens, duration and kind of formalin fixation, and length of storage time periods seem to be of minor importance. Retrospective studies on paraffin-embedded specimens require a carefully controlled tissue type-adapted disaggregation procedure. In addition, we concluded that the interpretation of histograms, obtained by means of ICM DNA assessments in Cytospin preparations of archival material, requires a well-defined internal specific standard.