scholarly journals Enhancing Cell Block Quality- A Comparative Study Of Formalin And Agar-Based Methods

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. A258-261
Author(s):  
Shruti Mishra ◽  
Kishore Kumar S. ◽  
Dipanwita Nag
Keyword(s):  
Lymph Node ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Scoring System ◽  
Cell Loss ◽  
Cell Block ◽  
Preparation Methods ◽  
Low Resource Settings ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
Agar Method ◽  
User Friendly

Background: There are not many studies conducted in India to compare cell block preparation methods with reagents and materials that are readily available in all laboratories. This study aimed to standardize and compare two simple cell block techniques, which can be done in low resource settings too. In the study, 35 cases of thyroid, lymph node, and breast were collected for both FNA and cell block preparation for six months. Materials and Methods: There were separate passes given for both methods. A total of seventy cell blocks made using formalin and agar methods of preparation. Results: We compared both the methods on technical and morphological levels. The formalin method was overall easy to perform and was yielding good morphological results in 98% cases, the only drawback being cell loss during handling and processing. While in the agar method, there was almost no cell loss, but it was more technically difficult and yielded poorer morphological results. A scoring system was made for cellularity: no cells = 0, hypo-cellular = 1+, hypo-cellular with tissue fragments = 2+, cellular = 3+.18 A score of 2+ and 3+ was scored by 31/35 formalin blocks and 28/35 agar blocks. Conclusions: The sensitivity of both formalin and agar methods are almost comparable. However, the procedure of the formalin method is far more straightforward and user friendly. Moreover, it also provides a better architectural picture than the agar method.

Cell Block Optimization: A Comparative Study of Quality Variables in 4 Different Cell Block Methods

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Marsali Newman ◽  
Matthew Walsh ◽  
Rosemary Jeffrey ◽  
Richard Hiscock
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Processing Time ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
Cell Block ◽  
Total Processing Time ◽  
Block Methods ◽  
Molecular Studies ◽  
Agar Method ◽  
Md Anderson ◽  
Ancillary Studies

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> The cell block (CB) is an important adjunct to cytological preparations in diagnostic cytopathology. Optimizing cellular material in the CB is essential to the success of ancillary studies such as immunohistochemistry (IHC) and molecular studies (MS). Our aim was to identify which CB method was most suitable in a variety of specimen types and levels of cellularity. <b><i>Study Design:</i></b> We assessed 4 different CB methods, thrombin clot method (TCM), MD Anderson method (MDAM), gelatin foam method (GFM), and agar method (AM), with descriptive observations and ranking of the methods based on quantity of cells and morphological features. <b><i>Results:</i></b> TCM performed best in ranking for both quantity of cells and morphological features, followed by MDAM, GFM, and AM. Lack of adjuvant in the MDAM resulted in some unique morphological advantages which, however, also resulted in inconsistent performance. In low cellularity cases insufficient cells were frequently identified on slides from MDAM and AM CBs. Technique touch time was similar for all methods, with total processing time being shortest for TCM followed by MDAM, GFM, and AM. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> TCM was the most robust CB technique, retaining high scores for ranking of quantity and morphology in a variety of specimen cellularities and specimen types.

scholarly journals Maplaria: a user friendly web-application for spatio-temporal malaria prevalence mapping

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuele Giorgi ◽  
Peter M. Macharia ◽  
Jack Woodmansey ◽  
Robert W. Snow ◽  
Barry Rowlingson
Keyword(s):  
Survey Data ◽  
Web Application ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Malaria Prevalence ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Low Resource Settings ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
Geostatistical Methods ◽  
Geostatistical Prediction ◽  
User Friendly

Abstract Background Model-based geostatistical (MBG) methods have been extensively used to map malaria risk using community survey data in low-resource settings where disease registries are incomplete or non-existent. However, the wider adoption of MBG methods by national control programmes to inform health policy decisions is hindered by the lack of advanced statistical expertise and suitable computational equipment. Here, Maplaria, an interactive, user-friendly web-application that allows users to upload their own malaria prevalence data and carry out geostatistical prediction of annual malaria prevalence at any desired spatial scale, is introduced. Methods In the design of the Maplaria web application, two main criteria were considered: the application should be able to classify subnational divisions into the most likely endemicity levels; the web application should allow only minimal input from the user in the set-up of the geostatistical inference process. To achieve this, the process of fitting and validating the geostatistical models is carried out by statistical experts using publicly available malaria survey data from the Harvard database. The stage of geostatistical prediction is entirely user-driven and allows the user to upload malaria data, as well as vector data that define the administrative boundaries for the generation of spatially aggregated inferences. Results The process of data uploading and processing is split into a series of steps spread across screens through the progressive disclosure technique that prevents the user being immediately overwhelmed by the length of the form. Each of these is illustrated using a data set from the Malaria Indicator carried out in Tanzania in 2017 as an example. Conclusions Maplaria application provides a user-friendly solution to the problem making geostatistical methods more accessible to users that have not undertaken formal training in statistics. The application is a useful tool that can be used to foster ownership, among policy makers, of disease risk maps and promote better use of data for decision-making in low resource settings.

Pragmatic Scoring System for Pharyngitis in Low-Resource Settings

PEDIATRICS ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 126 (3) ◽  
pp. e608-e614 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Joachim ◽  
D. Campos ◽  
P. R. Smeesters
Keyword(s):  
Scoring System ◽  
Low Resource Settings ◽  
Low Resource

Diagnosis of neonatal sepsis in low resource settings: C-reactive protein or procalcitonin?

2016 ◽  
Vol 03 (02) ◽  
pp. 079-083
Author(s):  
Lawrence Mbuagbaw ◽  
Francisca Monebenimp ◽  
Bolaji Obadeyi ◽  
Grace Bissohong ◽  
Marie-Thérèse Obama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neonatal Sepsis ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Low Resource Settings ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
Reactive Protein
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