Comparative Analysis of Modified Liquid-Based Cytology and CytoRich Red Preparation in Assessment of Serous Effusion for Cancer Diagnosis

Clone Selection Artificial Intelligence Algorithm-Based Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Image Information Data Analysis for the Qualitative Diagnosis of Serous Cavity Effusion in Patients with Malignant Tumors

This study aimed to investigate the application of positron emission tomography- (PET-) computed tomography (CT) image information data combined with serous cavity effusion based on clone selection artificial intelligence algorithm in the diagnosis of patients with malignant tumors. A total of 97 patients with PET-CT scanning and empirically confirmed as serous cavity effusion were retrospectively analyzed in this study. The clone selection artificial intelligence algorithm was applied to register the PET-CT images, and the patients were rolled into a benign effusion group and a malignant effusion group according to the benign and malignant conditions of the serous cavity effusion. Besides, the causes of patients from the two groups were analyzed, and there was a comparison of their physiological conditions. Subsequently, CT values of different KeV, lipid/water, water/iodine, and water/calcium concentrations were measured, and the differences of the above quantitative parameters between benign and malignant serous cavity effusion were compared, as well as the registration results of the clone algorithm. The results showed that the registration time and misalignment times of clonal selection algorithm (13.88, 0) were lower than those of genetic algorithm (18.72, 8). There were marked differences in CT values of 40-60 keV and 130-140 keV between the two groups. The concentrations of lipid/water, water/iodine, and water/calcium in basal substances of the malignant effusion group were obviously higher than the concentrations of the benign effusion group (P < 0.05). Benign and malignant effusions presented different manifestations in PET-CT, which was conducive to the further diagnosis of malignant tumors. Based on clone selection artificial intelligence algorithm, PET-CT could provide a new multiparameter method for the identification of benign and malignant serous cavity effusions and benign and malignant tumors.

Measurement and visualization of cell membrane surface charge in fixed cultured cells related with cell morphology

The diagnosis of patients with malignancies relies on the results of a clinical cytological examination. To enhance the diagnostic qualities of cytological examinations, it is important to have a detailed analysis of the cell’s characteristics. There is, therefore, a need for developing a new auxiliary method for cytological diagnosis. In this study, we focused on studying the charge of the cell membrane surface of fixed cells, which is one of important cell’s characteristics. Although fixed cells lose membrane potential which is observed in living cells owing to ion dynamics, we hypothesized that fixed cells still have a cell membrane surface charge due to cell membrane components and structure. We used 5 cell lines in this study (ARO, C32TG, RT4, TK, UM-UC-14). After fixation with CytoRich Red, we measured the cell membrane surface charge of fixed cells in solution using zeta potential measurements and fixed cells on glass slides, visualizing it using antibody-labeled beads and positively-charged beads. Furthermore, we measured the cell membrane surface charge of fixed cells under different conditions, such as different solution of fixative, ion concentration, pH, and pepsin treatments. The zeta potential measurements and visualization using the beads indicated that the cell membrane surface of fixed cells was negatively charged, and also that the charge varied among fixed cells. The charge state was affected by the different treatments. Moreover, the number of cell-bound beads was small in interphase, anaphase, and apoptotic cells. We concluded that the negative cell membrane surface charge was influenced by the three-dimensional structure of proteins as well as the different types of amino acids and lipids on the cell membrane. Thus, cell surface charge visualization can be applied as a new auxiliary method for clinical cytological diagnosis. This is the first systematic report of the cell membrane surface charge of fixed cells.

Modified Liquid-Based Cytology Technique for Immunocytochemistry in Effusion Specimen

Objective:

Immunocytochemistry (ICC) of serous effusion is an important tool for the diagnosis of benign and malignant cells. Our aim was to develop a modified liquid-based cytological technique for ICC (i.e., a modified LBC).

Methods:

Serous effusions of 110 cases were collected for cytological examination: 50 were negative for malignancy albeit benign mesothelium was found, and 60 were confirmed metastatic adenocarcinoma according to the modified LBC preparation. The latter were stained for EMA, Ber-EP4, Calretinin, and p63 then interpreted by both a cytotechnologist and a pathologist. A comparative analysis of the diagnostic results was conducted.

Results:

The results of the metastatic adenocarcinoma were 100% (60/60) positive for EMA and 91.7% (55/60) positive for Ber-Ep4 but negative for calretinin and p63. Cases negative for malignancy were 100% (50/50) positive for calretinin but negative for carcinoma markers. The difference between ‘positive for metastatic adenocarcinoma’ and ‘negative for malignancy’ in ICC was statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

The current study demonstrated that a panel marker, comprising EMA, Ber-EP4, and calretinin can be used for differentiating between cases of metastatic adenocarcinoma and benign mesothelium. The serous effusion specimen collected by the modified LBC technique is an effective preparation method for ICC.