The potential of biobanked liquid based cytology samples for cervical cancer screening using Raman spectroscopy

Patient samples are unique and often irreplaceable. This allows biobanks to be a valuable source of material. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of Raman spectroscopy to screen for histologically confirmed cases of Cervical Intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) using biobanked liquid based cytology (LBC) samples. Two temperatures for long term storage were assessed; 80°C and ?25°C. The utility of Raman spectroscopy for the detection of CIN was compared for fresh LBC samples and biobanked LBC samples. Two groups of samples were used for the study with one group associated with disease (CIN 3) and the other associated with no disease (cytology negative). The data indicates that samples stored at ?80°C are not suitable for assessment by Raman spectroscopy due to a lack of cellular material and the presence of cellular debris. However, the technology can be applied to fresh LBC samples and those stored at ?25°C and is, moreover, effective in the discrimination of negative samples from those where CIN 3 has been confirmed. Pooled fresh and biobanked samples are also amenable to the technology and achieve a similar sensitivity and specificity for CIN 3. This study demonstrates that cervical cytology samples stored within biobanks at temperatures that preclude cell lysis can act as a useful resource for Raman spectroscopy and will facilitate research and translational studies in this area.      

秦岭百合科部分类群的细胞学研究

对分布于秦岭地区的4属5种百合科植物进行了细胞学研究。结果表明,这5种百合科植物均为二倍体,其核型公式分别为：大花韭(Allium macranthum),2n=14=8m 2sm 4st,“2B”核型;多叶韭(A．plurifoliatum),2n=16=14m 2sm,“2A”核型;山竹花(Disporum cantoniense),2n=16=8sm 8st(2SAT),“3B”核型;假百合(Notholirion bulbuliferum),2n=24=2m 2sm 20t(4SAT),“3B”核型;黄花油点草(Tricyrtis maculata),2n=26=8m 12sm 4st 2t,“3B”核型。除多叶韭和假百合外,其余各种的染色体数目和核型均为秦岭地区的首次报道。     

A case of acute gastric mucosal lesions associated with Helicobacter heilmannii infection

A 69-year-old-woman presented with acute epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting and heartburn. Endoscopy disclosed acute gastric mucosal lesions including mucosal edema, erosions, and ulcers with blood crusts in the antrum. Touch cytology and histological assessment obtained from the affected mucosa revealed acute neutrophilic gastritis and single longer and more coiled organisms than Helicobacter pylori, suggesting Helicobacter heilmannii. Electron micropragh confirmed the characteristic morphology. Despite a positive rapid urease test, H. pylori was not isolated by culture or detected by histology and Gram smears. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of acute gastric mucosal lesions associated with H. heilmannii infection was established. This was successfully treated with a 2-week triple therapy consisting of lansoprazole, clarithromycin and metronidazole with persistent endoscopic and histological remission. This is a rare case of H. heilmannii-associated acute gastric mucosal lesions, diagnosed by morphology using touch cytology and histology. The patient might benefit from antimicrobial treatment employing the regimen effective for H. pylori.