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Frequency of satellite association of human chromosomes is correlated with amount of Ag-staining of the nucleolus organizer region.

Methaphase chromosomes from karyotypically normal adult humans (three males, six females) and one male with a 13p - chromosome were stained by quinacrine and then by the Ag-AS silver staining method to reveal nucleolus organizer regions (NORs). Each person had a characteristic number of Ag-stained chromosomes per cell, always fewer than 10. Determination of the mean Ag-size of each chromosome showed that each of the 10 individuals had a unique distribution of Ag-stain. Within each individual, there was some variation from cell to cell in the number of acrocentric chromosomes that were Ag-stained; this was not random, and the same chromosomes (those that had at most a small amount of Ag-stain) tended to be unstained in every cell. Satellite associations were scored on the same cells. Chromosomes that had no Ag-stain were involved in satellite association less than 20% as often as those that had some Ag-stain. Chromosomes that had a small amount of Ag-stain were involved in association about 50% as often as those that had a large amount of stain. Regression analysis of the 50 (of a total of 100) acrocentric chromosomes which could be individually identified by quinacrine markers showed that the frequency with which a chromosome was involved in satellite association was strongly correlated with the amount of Ag-stained material in the NOR.

Cell Nucleolus↗

[Quadri-chromic staining in routine cutaneous histopathology (hematoxylin, eosin, saffron and astra blue)].

INTRODUCTION: The routine histologic stains used in dermatopathology are usually hematoxylin-eosin-safran. In order to stain the mucins, specific dyes are necessary. The purpose of this study was to perform a routine quadrichromic stain which included Astra blue as specific dye of mucins. The applications of this hematoxylin-eosin-safran-Astra blue stain were evaluated after 5 years of systematic use. METHODS: The quadrichromic stain was realized by Varistain (Shandon). The time of coloration was 15 minutes for Astra blue pH 2.5, 10 minutes for hematoxylin, 45 seconds for eosin and 4 minutes for safran. A total of 56,000 samples were analyzed using the quadrichromic stain. RESULTS: When mucin was present, it was colored in blue and the contrast with the other dyes was enhanced. Astra blue stained specifically the mucin deposits and it did not modify the other colours. The mucin deposits present in primary and secondary cutaneous mucinoses were most often visible after quadrichromic stain. Because of the variability of the mucin composition, the Astra blue did not react with all mucins. This stain was particularly useful in extramammary Paget's disease and in atrophic malignant papulosis. CONCLUSION: This new stain was easy to perform and allowed a specific coloration of mucin deposits in many cases. The use of four colours therefore improves the results of a routine stain, with a high quality of coloration.

Coloring Agents↗

Immunohistochemical study of desmosomes in oral squamous cell carcinoma: correlation with cytokeratin and E-cadherin staining, and with tumour behaviour.

Reduction or loss of the intercellular junctions known as desmosomes may contribute to the invasive and metastatic behaviour of various carcinomas. Previous studies have shown that metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck correlates with a reduction in immunohistochemical staining for desmoplakin and desmoglein at the invasion front. The primary aim of the present study was to extend these observations to include a third component of desmosomes, the glycoprotein desmocollin. An additional aim was to determine whether the differentiation status of tumours is reflected in their staining for cytokeratins 1, 13, and 19, and, if so, whether these parameters correlate with desmosomal staining and/or metastasis. The study included 54 primary tumours of which 28 showed lymph node metastases. The results of this investigation show that tumours can be divided into three groups according to whether they have lost staining for no, one or more than one desmosomal component. A statistically significant correlation was found between the number of desmosomal components lost and metastasis. Tumours could also be divided into five groups according to their staining for different combinations of cytokeratins. Furthermore, differentiation status as indicated both histologically and by cytokeratin staining correlated with reduced desmosomal staining and metastasis. Tumours were also examined for intensity of staining for the adhesion molecule E-cadherin. Reduction in E-cadherin staining was correlated with mode of invasion and with reduction in desmosomal staining, but not with poor differentiation as indicated by cytokeratin staining. The results of this extensive study reinforce the view that adhesive junctions and adhesion molecules contribute to the suppression of tumour invasion and metastasis.

Adult↗

Immunoperoxidase stains of ganglion cells and abnormal mucosal nerve proliferations in Hirschsprung's disease.

Hirschsprung's disease is congenital aganglionosis of the distal colon. The affected bowel shows an abnormal proliferation of mucosal nerve fibers by acetylcholinesterase stains. We retrospectively reviewed biopsy specimens from patients with suspected and proven Hirschsprung's disease, performed immunoperoxidase stains for S-100 protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and compared these results to routine histologic findings and acetylcholinesterase stains. Ganglion cells were demonstrated by immunoperoxidase in 63 of 69 specimens containing ganglion cells and in 1 specimen interpreted as aganglionic by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Increased numbers of nerve fibers in the muscularis mucosae and deep lamina propria by S-100 staining were detected in 8 of 8 specimens diagnostic for Hirschsprung's disease by hematoxylin-eosin and acetylcholinesterase stains and in 1 specimen diagnostic for colonic neuronal dysplasia (a disorder related to Hirschsprung's disease). Whereas 45 of 67 specimens from unaffected bowel showed a normal number and distribution of nerve fibers by S-100 staining, in 22 the pattern resembled that of Hirschsprung's disease. Specimens from affected colon also showed hypertrophied submucosal nerve trunks by S-100 stain (average nerve trunk thickness, 29.8 micron in affected bowel, 16.1 micron in unaffected segments--p less than 0.03). We conclude that NSE and S-100 stains are of value in demonstrating ganglion cells in suspected cases of Hirschsprung's disease and colonic neuronal dysplasia. The acetylcholinesterase stain is preferred over S-100 stain for detecting mucosal nerve proliferations in affected bowel. Submucosal nerve trunk thickness, although significantly different in affected and unaffected colon, is not of diagnostic value because of the wide variation in the measurements in the two groups.

Colon↗

Real-time monitoring of stain formation and removal on calcium hydroxyapatite surfaces using quartz crystal sensor technology.

Stain formation, stain inhibition and stain removal may be monitored in real-time using a novel method employing a quartz crystal resonance sensor (QCR), based upon quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technologies. Crystalline hydroxyapatite (HA) surfaces were prepared on phosphate-terminated, polymer-modified gold surfaces of quartz crystal transducers. The resulting sensors were placed in a specially constructed flow cell, and the interaction of adsorbates from the tea stain solution monitored as a function of time. The ability of sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) to remove extrinsic stain and also to inhibit its formation was examined. The adsorption of material from the staining solution passed over the sensor was clearly observable, and once bound, the crystal based real-time data suggest that tea adsorbates were not removed in the absence of an active under conditions of continuous flow. STP was shown to rapidly remove existing stain, and exhibited a clear inhibitory action on stain formation irrespective of whether the HA had been previously exposed to tea chromogens. The continuous data generated by the QCR technique were in good agreement with the results obtained using a discontinuous spectrophotometric method. The presently described quartz crystal model for extrinsic dental stain should provide a valuable tool to aid understanding of the interactions of staining agents with a crystalline HA surface as a model tooth surface, and to evaluate the efficacy and mode of action of STP and putative stain removal agents.

Coloring Agents↗

Decreased staining of heparan sulfate in non-lesional skin of a subgroup of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are components of the basement membrane of various tissues. They are composed of a core protein and of the negatively charged glycosaminoglycan side chain heparan sulfate, which is covalently bound to the core protein. We previously found that in both human and murine lupus nephritis, heparan sulfate staining in the basement membrane of the glomerulus is almost completely absent, and that there was an inverse correlation between heparan sulfate staining and glomerular immunoglobulin deposits. As immunoglobulin deposits are also present in the skin of systemic lupus erythematosus patients, we investigated the heparan sulfate staining pattern in the basement membrane of the dermal-epidermal junction. furthermore, we studied whether there was a correlation between heparan sulfate staining and deposition of immunoglobulin in the basement membrane of this junction, and between heparan sulfate staining and the presence of anti-DNA antibodies in the serum. Biopsies of non-lesional skin of 21 systemic lupus erythematosus patients (15 anti-DNA positive and 6 anti-DNA negative patients at the time of biopsy) were stained for the HSPG-core protein (mAb JM-72), highly sulfated stretches within heparan sulfate (JM-13), the low sulfated regions of heparan sulfate (mAb JM-403) and for immunoglobulin depositions. Abnormal and discontinuous staining of the low sulfated parts of heparan sulfate using mAb JM-403 in the basement membrane was found in skin biopsies of 4 out of 15 systemic lupus erythematosus patients with anti-DNA antibodies. In contrast, all specimens of anti-DNA negative patients showed normal continuous staining. Staining with JM-13 and JM-72 showed normal linear staining in both groups. The decreased heparan sulfate staining was correlated significantly with the presence of immunoglobulin deposits in the basement membrane. The subgroup could not be identified by its clinical picture. Our results suggest similar but not identical pathways in systemic lupus erythematosus nephritis and skin of systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Adolescent↗

Chromomycin A3-staining as an indicator of protamine deficiency and fertilization.

Mature mammalian spermatozoa have a compact and stable nuclear structure conferred by protamines instead of histones, which are present in all other cellular types. Chromomycin A3 (CMA3) is a useful tool for the detection of protamine deficiency in sperm chromatin. The purpose of this study was to correlate the percentage of spermatozoa staining positively for CMA3 with sperm parameters and in-vitro fertilization of human oocytes. Spermatozoa were collected from 56 fertile and 18 infertile men, and washed twice in PBS, fixed in two changes of methanol : acetic acid (3 : 1 v : v) spread on rinsed slides treated with APES and dried. Twenty-four of the semen samples were subjected to both Percoll and swim-up, and were stained subsequently with CMA3. CMA3-stained spermatozoa were expressed as a percentage in a count of 200 spermatozoa. A substantial variation in the percentage of CMA3-stained cells was observed in ejaculated human spermatozoa, varying between 8% and 77%. A strong negative correlation (r = -0.64, p < 0.001) was found between sperm count and the percentage of CMA3-stained spermatozoa. No correlation was found between CMA3-stained spermatozoa and their motility, while excessive sperm morphological abnormalities were related positively to CMA3-staining. Spermatozoa in samples exhibiting low (8-62%) CMA3-staining had significantly higher fertilizing rates in vitro than did samples exhibiting high (49-77%) CMA3-staining. The mean percentage of CMA3-stained spermatozoa after swim-up or Percoll preparation (26% vs 31%) did not differ significantly. These results demonstrate a close relationship between CMA3-staining, fertilization and sperm count, and suggest potential application of this marker for the prediction of sperm quality and fertilizing capacity.

Chromomycin A3↗

Effect of bleaching and repolishing procedures on coffee and tea stain removal from three anterior composite veneering materials.

UNLABELLED: Discolored teeth can be treated with resin veneers, but their color changes when confronted with staining solutions. Polishing procedures can provide a remedy for highly stained composites, but they tend to remove some materials as well. However, bleaching procedures are an effective, nondestructive method for solving the problem. The aim of this study was to compare the color change of three veneer composites exposed to staining solutions and to evaluate the effectiveness of a 15% hydrogen peroxide bleaching agent and three polishing systems to remove the stain. Forty-five disks (12 x 2 mm) each of Clearfil ST (Kuraray Co. Ltd., Osaka, Japan), Esthet-X (Dentsply/Caulk, Milford DE, USA), and Filtek A110 (3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA) were prepared. The specimens were polished with Sof-Lex (3M ESPE), Enhance (Dentsply/Caulk), or PoGo (Dentsply/Caulk). Five specimens for each material-polishing system combination were immersed in coffee (Nescafe Classic, Nestle SA, Vevey, Switzerland) or tea (Earl Grey, Lipton, Blackfriars-London, England) for 7 days. The remaining disks were stored in water. Color measurements were made with a spectrophotometer (X-Rite Seroice SP78, Loaner, Köln, Germany) at baseline; after 1, 3, 5, and 7 days; and after bleaching and repolishing. After 1 week, one side of the specimens was bleached with Illuminé-office (Dentsply De Trey GmbH, Konstanz, Germany) for 1 hour, and the other side was repolished for 30 seconds. All comparisons of color change for the polishing systems, times, and staining solutions were subjected to repeated measurements of analysis of variance. Paired t-test was used to examine whether significant color differences (deltaE*) occurred during immersion at the specified time intervals (p < or = .05). Filtek A110 was the least stained resin composite. Its color remained under a deltaE* value of 2 during the study. Clearfil ST exhibited the most color change after 1 week. All specimens polished with Enhance showed less staining, whereas those polished with the Sof-Lex system demonstrated the most color change. Water did not cause a variance in the deltaE*. There was no difference in the staining potential of coffee and tea. Bleaching and repolishing were effective in removing the stains. The resin composites tested reversed nearly to baseline color with the bleaching and to less than values at 1 day of staining with repolishing. The coffee and tea brands tested stained the composites used in this study equally. In-office bleaching was found to be more effective than repolishing in the restitution of the color. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The results of this study suggest that the discoloration of resin veneers can be partially removed by in-office bleaching and repolishing procedures.

Coffee↗

Comparison of Various Staining Procedures in the Identification of Hepatozoon canis Gamonts.

The staining characteristics of gamonts of Hepatozoon canis in peripheral blood smears were evaluated. Three stains, Diff-Quik stain, Giemsa stain and a modification of the naphthol-ASD-chloroacetate esterase stain, were compared. The staining characteristics of the infected cell and the parasite were different in each stain used. The modified naphthol-ASD-chloroacetate esterase stain showed the most difference between the infected and noninfected cells, as well as a difference in staining characteristics of the parasite nucleus from those of the host nucleus. Although the parasite was identified with all stains, a definitive diagnosis was more easily obtained with the naphthol-ASD-chloroacetate esterase stain.

Journal Article↗

X-34, a fluorescent derivative of Congo red: a novel histochemical stain for Alzheimer's disease pathology.

X-34, a lipophilic, highly fluorescent derivative of Congo red, was examined as a histochemical stain for pathological changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD). X-34 intensely stained neuritic and diffuse plaques, neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), neuropil threads, and cerebrovascular amyloid. Comparison to standard methods of demonstrating AD pathology showed that X-34 correlated well with Bielschowsky and thioflavin-S staining. X-34 staining of NFTs correlated closely with anti-TAU antibody staining. A 1:1 correspondence of X-34 and anti-A beta antibody staining of plaques and cerebrovascular amyloid was observed. Both X-34 and thioflavin-S staining were eliminated by formic acid pretreatment, suggesting that beta-sheet secondary protein structure is a necessary determinant of staining. X-34 may be a general amyloid stain, like Congo red, because it also stains systemic amyloid deposits due to lambda-light chain monoclonal gammopathy. In conclusion, X-34 is a highly fluorescent marker for beta-sheet structures and intensely labels amyloid plaques, NFTs, neuropil threads, and vascular amyloid in AD brains. It can be used with both paraffin-embedded and frozen tissues as well as in combination with immunohistochemistry for double labeling. The intensity of staining and the simplicity and reproducibility of the technique suggest that it may be a useful addition to the standard techniques for evaluation of AD neuropathology. (J Histochem Cytochem 48:1223-1232, 2000)

Aged↗

Mucin stain on frozen sections: a rapid 3-minute method.

CONTEXT: The importance of frozen-section diagnoses in the practice of pathology cannot be overemphasized. In some cases, the use of a mucin stain can greatly aid in the diagnosis. Since few methods for mucin staining have been described that can be used in the frozen-section setting, we developed one such staining procedure for mucin. OBJECTIVE: To develop a rapid mucicarmine staining technique to be used on frozen sections that does not significantly delay overall turnaround time. DESIGN: A standard mucicarmine staining technique was modified by using a concentrated mucicarmine stain and a microwave oven, to reduce the total staining time to 3 minutes or less. Frozen tissue from normal colonic mucosa was used as a control, and skin from extramammary Paget disease for evaluation of margins was used as a case. RESULTS: The rapid mucicarmine stain successfully demonstrated the presence of mucin on frozen-tissue sections. Mucin stained deep rose, and the connective tissue stained green. CONCLUSION: This rapid and simple mucin staining technique can be used on frozen sections with no significant effect on the overall turnaround time, thereby aiding rapid diagnosis on frozen sections.

Coloring Agents↗

Removal of extrinsic stain using a tartar control whitening dentifrice: a randomized clinical trial.

A nine-week, double blind clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel tartar control whitening dentifrice with a silica-based abrasive system on induced dental stain. The study model involved three weeks of stain induction followed by six weeks of unsupervised brushing to assess efficacy. To induce stain, 222 healthy adult volunteers received a dental prophylaxis, and then began a limited brushing regimen supplemented by three-times daily rinsing with tea and once daily rinsing with 15 ml of 0.12% chlorhexidine. This regimen was suspended, and 187 subjects with tooth stain were entered into a six-week clinical trial where they were randomized to either a silica-based tartar control whitening dentifrice or a marketed regular dentifrice control, balancing for stain levels and smoking status. At baseline, three and six weeks, stain area and stain intensity were measured on the 8 anterior teeth using the Lobene Index. After six weeks' use, composite Lobene means were 35% lower for the whitening dentifrice compared to the regular control. In addition to the overall reductions, there were statistically significant reductions in stain area (p < 0.015) and stain intensity (p < 0.01) at both three and six weeks. The tartar control whitening dentifrice was effective in removing stain on the gingival margins and elsewhere on the body of the tooth. Safety profiles for the two test dentifrices were generally similar. After three and six weeks' use, the tartar control whitening dentifrice reduced chlorhexidine and tea stain compared to the marketed control.

Adult↗

Clinical and computer-assisted evaluations of the stain removal ability of the Sonicare electronic toothbrush.

Two single-blind clinical studies investigated the stain removal properties of Sonicare, a new electronic toothbrush that combines sonic vibrations and dynamic fluid activity with mechanical scrubbing to clean tooth surfaces. In one study, 30 subjects used a 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthrinse (Peridex) for two weeks to accumulate stain, and then were assigned to either Sonicare or a manual toothbrush (Oral-B P-35). The subjects brushed with their assigned device for 2 minutes twice a day. In a second study, 19 subjects with extrinsic stain due to coffee, tea, or tobacco (CTT) causes were randomly assigned to either Sonicare or a manual toothbrush (Crest Complete). These subjects also brushed for 2 minutes twice a day, with additional brushing on the stained areas. Stain on the labial surfaces of the subjects' anterior teeth was evaluated with the Lobene index at the pretrial, 2-week, and 4-week periods. Clinical analysis indicated that use of Sonicare resulted in Peridex stain reductions of 54% and 50% after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively, and reductions in CTT stain of 39% and 82% at similar time points. The manual toothbrush resulted in stain increases of 4% and 24% in the Peridex study and CTT stain decreases of 41% and 39% after 2- and 4-week brushing periods. Computer image analysis was performed on photographic records from the CTT stain study and showed a high correlation with the Lobene index (r = 0.82). The results of these two independent studies indicate that Sonicare is superior to the manual toothbrushes studied in removing both Peridex and CTT stains.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Immunohistochemical staining for markers of future neoplastic progression in the larynx.

We performed a retrospective, longitudinal study to determine whether abnormalities in immunohistochemical staining for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), p53, or cyclin D1 occur before the development of laryngeal carcinoma. Staining was performed on 63 paraffin-embedded biopsies from 18 patients who subsequently developed carcinoma in situ (CIS) or invasive carcinoma of the larynx. These were compared to 71 biopsies from 20 patients who did not develop CIS/cancer (minimum follow-up period, 4 years). Also studied were the 34 biopsies containing CIS and/or carcinoma from those patients who progressed and 22 biopsies obtained concurrently. The two patient groups did not differ significantly in terms of tobacco and alcohol use. Distinct patterns of staining correlated with malignant progression. These included EGFR staining of two thirds or more of the epithelium thickness, a linear basal p53 staining pattern, and strong (3+) staining for cyclin D1 (P < 0.01 for each). These staining patterns also correlated with increasing atypia. In our study population, linear basal staining for p53 and strong staining for cyclin D1 had higher specificity for progression than did EGFR overexpression, which was also seen in association with inflammation and chronic irritation. Marked site-to-site variation was seen in the immunohistochemical staining and in the degree of atypia, suggesting that multiple biopsies are necessary to properly assess risk. These immunohistochemical staining patterns may be clinically useful to predict patients at risk for neoplastic progression.

Adult↗

A comparative clinical study of extrinsic tooth stain removal with two electric toothbrushes [Braun D7 and D9] and a manual brush.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of two oscillating/rotating toothbrushes, (Braun Oral-B Plaque Remover-D7 and Braun Oral-B Ultra Plaque Remover-D9) and a manual toothbrush with respect to removing extrinsic dental stain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized, three-way cross-over study investigated 24 subjects entering the trial, which was divided into three, 5-day periods. Over the first 4 days of the study, an intense chlorhexidine/tea rinsing regimen was employed to induce extrinsic tooth staining. On day 5, each subject was assessed for tooth stain; they then brushed for a total of 2 minutes with one of the three randomly allocated toothbrushes. Stain evaluations were repeated after 30 seconds, 1 and 2 minutes brushing, with the intensity of stain, area of stain and number of sites with < 10% stained tooth area, being recorded at each assessment. RESULTS: Analysis of the results showed that the two electric toothbrushes were significantly better at removing stain than the manual toothbrush. In addition, the D9 was consistently more effective than the D7, with the difference with respect to stain area achieving statistical significance (P < 0.05) after 2 minute's brushing. All three brushes were found to be safe, and there was no evidence of any soft or hard tissue abrasion. It was concluded that the oscillating/rotating electric toothbrushes were more effective in removing extrinsic dental stain than a manual brush, and that compared with the D7, the newly designed Braun Oral-B Ultra Plaque Remover has an increased potential for stain removal.

Adolescent↗

Characterization of the selective staining of DNA on gels using two fluorochromes.

Ethidium bromide (EB) and 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) are both well-known fluorochromes for detecting DNA fragments. EB binds to DNA by intercalation and DAPI binds in the DNA minor groove. We previously developed a staining method using both EB and DAPI that is selective for AT-rich DNA fragments. Using this double-staining method, AT-rich DNA fragments are visualized as bluish-white fluorescent bands. To further characterize this method, a series of synthetic DNA fragments were designed with systematic variations in the length, AT content, and DNA sequence pattern. The staining properties of these fragments were determined in the presence of DAPI and EB, and the following results were obtained. (i) In a series of fragments with three AT base pairs followed by one GC base pair, the stained DNA fragments exhibited different fluorescent colors and varied from bluish (more DAPI staining) to pinkish (less DAPI staining) in the order 5'-AAA-3', 5'-AAT-3', 5'-ATA-3', 5'-TTA-3'. (ii) In fragments with constant AT content, the blue fluorescent color increased with increasing number of A (or T) nucleotides, due to increased DAPI binding. The blue color was saturated when the number of A (or T) nucleotides was 12 or greater. (iii) The fluorescent color of the stained DNA fragments changed in the order of red-orange, pink, pinkish-white, white, bluish-white, blue as the AT content increased from 0 to 100%. Thus, the fluorescent color of DNA fragments stained with DAPI and EB depends on base composition and nucleotide sequence, suggesting that individual stained DNA fragments may have characteristic and specific fluorescent colors. The fluorescent color emitted by specific stained DNA fragments in the presence of EB and DAPI can be analyzed with a high degree of sensitivity and resolution using the XYZ colorimetric system.

Base Pairing↗

Quick aspiration cytology for thyroid nodules by modified Ultrafast Papanicolaou staining.

Quick cytologic diagnosis by Ultrafast Papanicolaou stain (Ultrafast stain) is useful in various neoplastic diseases; however, it has a significant drawback in that the ground-glass appearance of nuclei is a preparation artifact in some specimens from thyroid aspirations. To eliminate this artifact, the nucleus was stained with Gill-5 Hematoxylin (modified Ultrafast stain) rather than with Richard-Allan Hematoxylin 2 in Ultrafast stain. The applicability of this modified Ultrafast stain for quick diagnosis of thyroid diseases was investigated. Two specimens from each of 251 thyroid aspirations (122 malignant and 131 benign) were prepared using the modified Ultrafast stain and the standard Papanicolaou stain. The sensitivities of cytologic diagnosis in specimens stained by the standard Papanicolaou method and the modified Ultrafast method were 95.0% and 93.3%, respectively, and the specificities were 99.2% and 97.7%, respectively. The modified Ultrafast stain is a reliable procedure for quick diagnosis in thyroid aspiration cytology.

Artifacts↗

Alternative methods for fixing and staining gliadins in polyacrylamide gels.

Staining efficiencies of Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 (CBB G-250) and Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250 (CBB R-250) in various media were studied in efforts to reduce or eliminate requirements for trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Stained gels were compared with gels stained with CBB R-250 in 12% TCA and evaluated for overall stain and background. Because of qualitative effects, stain intensities of low- and high-mobility gliadins were also evaluated. Results indicated gliadins are fixed under a wide range of conditions, permitting adjustment of conditions to provide optimum staining. CBB G-250 and R-250 in tap water fixed and stained most gliadins. Best results were obtained with CBB G-250 in 2% TCA, in 2% TCA containing 5% sodium sulfate, and in 2% and 5% phosphoric acid containing 5% sodium chloride or 5% sodium sulfate. Gels stained in these media were more easily observed during staining and more easily destained than gels stained in CBB R-250 in 12% TCA.

Electrolytes↗