Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) are loops of DNA which occur in the nucleoli of cells and which possess ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The numbers and/or configurations of NORs have been thought to be related to cellular activities. To assess the applicability of NORs associated protein (Ag-NORs) in the field of diagnostic histopathology, a silver staining was done in paraffin sections of malignant lymphomas, tonsils and reactive lymph nodes and the numbers of Ag-NORs in the nuclei of low-grade and those of high-grade lymphomas were compared. A significant difference was found between the numbers of Ag-NORs in the nuclei of low-grade lymphoma (a mean of 1.3 per nucleus) and those of high-grade lymphomas (a mean of 4.2 to 8.3 per nucleus). The Ag-NORs were often observed in nuclei in areas where nucleoli themselves were not visible in H and E stain. It is suggested that this method would be of great value in the field of tumor histopathology.
Histological Techniques ; Humans ; Korea ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/ethnology/*pathology ; Nucleolus Organizer Region/*pathology ; *Silver ; *Staining and Labeling

Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) are loops of DNA which occur in the nucleoli of cells and which possess ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The numbers and/or configurations of NORs have been thought to be related to cellular activities. To assess the applicability of NORs associated protein (Ag-NORs) in the field of diagnostic histopathology, a silver staining was done in paraffin sections of malignant lymphomas, tonsils and reactive lymph nodes and the numbers of Ag-NORs in the nuclei of low-grade and those of high-grade lymphomas were compared. A significant difference was found between the numbers of Ag-NORs in the nuclei of low-grade lymphoma (a mean of 1.3 per nucleus) and those of high-grade lymphomas (a mean of 4.2 to 8.3 per nucleus). The Ag-NORs were often observed in nuclei in areas where nucleoli themselves were not visible in H and E stain. It is suggested that this method would be of great value in the field of tumor histopathology.
Histological Techniques ; Humans ; Korea ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/ethnology/*pathology ; Nucleolus Organizer Region/*pathology ; *Silver ; *Staining and Labeling

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to investigate the role of nuclear morphometric parameters, DNA content and Ag-NOR count in the differentiating malignant and benign ameloblastomas.

METHODSTotally 17 cases of malignant ameloblastomas were examined by using HE, AgNOR and DNA stain methods. Morphometric parameters of cell nuclei, DNA content and AgNOR count were quantitatively studied by using an image analysis system.

RESULTSSeven parameters (area, perimeter, equal diameter, minor diameter, mean diameter, round index, axis ratio) out of ten shape factors were significantly different between malignant and benign ameloblastoma (P < 0.01). AgNOR count and DNA index in malignant ameloblastoma were significantly higher than those in benign ameloblastoma (P < 0.01). Logistic regression equation was established, according to nuclear morphormetric parameters and DNA index.

CONCLUSIONQuantitative analysis of DAN content, nuclear morphmetric parameters and AgNOR count may be helpful in differentiating malignant and benign ameloblastomas.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Ameloblastoma ; pathology ; Child ; DNA, Neoplasm ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nucleolus Organizer Region ; ultrastructure ; Odontogenic Tumors ; pathology ; Silver Staining

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of Ag-NORs of T lymphocytes and hemorheological indexes in old patients with blood stasis (BS) syndrome.

METHODSAg-NORs of T lymphocytes and hemorheological indexes in 54 old patients with blood stasis syndrome in the BS group were determined and compared with those in the control group consisted of 36 healthy persons.

RESULTSContents of Ag-NORs of T lymphocytes in the BS group and the control group were 5.857 +/- 0.396 and 6.111 +/- 0.541, respectively, showing significant difference (P < 0.05). Some abnormal hemorheological indexes were seen in the BS group, which were significant different to those in the control group (P < 0.05 ). Correlation analysis showed that RVP, ESR, K1 and K2 were negatively correlated with Ag-NORs of T lymphocytes (r = -0.273, -0.335, -0.301, -0.276 respectively; P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), while aggregation index was positively correlated with Ag-NORs of T lymphocytes (r = 0.389, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe lowered Ag-NORs of T lymphocytes and abnormal hemorrheological changes might be one of the important reasons for the lowered immunity of aged patients with BS syndrome.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Hemorheology ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Nucleolus Organizer Region ; pathology ; Silver Staining ; Syndrome ; T-Lymphocytes ; pathology

Aneuploidy ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; DNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Nucleolus Organizer Region ; metabolism ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; S Phase

To investigate the histopathological characteristics of inverted papillomas of the urinary bladder, including the possibility of malignant transformation, we studied the indicators of cellular proliferation activity in 7 inverted papillomas of the bladder including two cases of malignant inverted papilloma of the bladder. PCNA expression rates in two cases of malignant inverted papilloma were higher than in benign inverted papillomas. Mean numbers of AgNORs per nucleus in malignant inverted papillomas were much more than in benign inverted papillomas. The c-erbB-2 oncoprotein was expressed only in malignant inverted papillomas. These results suggest that PCNA expression rate, mean number of AgNORs per nucleus and c-erB-2 oncoprotein expression may be merited as good indicators to detect the inverted papilloma with more proliferative and aggressive lesions, and with the potential of malignant transformation.
Adult ; Bladder Diseases/pathology ; Bladder Neoplasms/chemistry/*pathology ; Cell Division/physiology ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology ; Female ; Human ; Male ; Middle Age ; Nitrosourea Compounds/analysis ; Nucleolus Organizer Region/chemistry ; Papilloma, Inverted/chemistry/*pathology ; Receptor, erbB-2/analysis ; Silver Staining

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of the invasive front grading (IFG), the proliferative activity of cells at the invasive tumor front (ITF) of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of tongue.

METHODSAll the tumors were graded using IFG grading. The expression of PCNA, Ki67 and staining and measurement of AgNOR number were evaluated at the ITF and the other parts of the same tumor.

RESULTSThe expression of PCNA (P < 0.001), Ki67 (P < 0.001), AgNOR number (P < 0.001) at the ITF were higher than those of other parts. The IFG score was significantly correlated with the expression of PCNA (P < 0.05), AgNOR number (P < 0.01) at the ITF. The complete IFG score (P < 0.01) was significant in both univariate and multivariate cox analysis; the AgNOR number at the ITF (P < 0.05) was only significant in univariate analysis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe ITF of SCCs of tongue differentiate poorer than the other parts and is active in proliferation. The complete IFG score and the AgNOR number at the ITF could be a valuable indication to predict the prognosis of SCCs of tongue.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Cell Division ; Female ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; analysis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Nucleolus Organizer Region ; pathology ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; analysis ; Tongue Neoplasms ; pathology

Fifteen cases of papillary cystic tumor of the pancreas (PCTP) were studied (14 female patients, one male patient; mean age: 23.5 years). Most tumors developed in the head of the pancreas as a well circumscribed large mass. The tumor had a mean diameter of 6.7 cm(range; 2 to 15 cm). Histopathologically abundant delicate papillary fragments, monomorphic tumor cells and degenerative changes of the solid area of the tumor were characteristic. All but two cases had completely circumscribed capsules. Two cases had duodenal invasion; one of all cases had cul de sac metastasis. Compared with 12 non-aggressive tumors, the aggressive cases had larger tumor size (more than 9 cm) with a thicker capsule (more than 2 mm). In studies to investigate the prognostic index using nucleolar organizing region (NOR), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and flow cytometry as well as nuclear grade and mitotic index, we could not find the useful parameter to detect the malignant potential of PCTP. In the flow cytometric analysis of cellular DNA contents, two invasive cases and the only one case of the male patient among the non-aggressive group were aneuploid. In conclusion, although it is hard to predict the prognosis by microscopic findings only, those with a thick capsule and aneuploidy tend to be related to malignant potential.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Cell Division/physiology ; Cystadenoma, Papillary/*chemistry/*pathology ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Human ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Nucleolus Organizer Region/chemistry ; Pancreatic Cyst/*chemistry/*pathology ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/*chemistry/*pathology ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prognosis ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen/analysis ; Silver Staining ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't