Liquid-based Cytology (LBC) consists of immediate wet cell fixation with automated slide preparation. We applied LBC, cell block (CB) and immunocytochemistry to diagnose canine lymphoma and compare results with conventional cytology. Samples from enlarged lymph nodes of 18 dogs were collected and fixed in preservative solution for automated slide preparation (LBC), CB inclusion and immunophenotyping. Two CB techniques were tested: fixed sediment method (FSM) and agar method (AM). Anti-CD79a, anti-Pax5, anti-CD3 and anti-Ki67 were used in immunocytochemistry. LBC smears showed better nuclear and nucleolar definition, without cell superposition, but presented smaller cell size and worse cytoplasmic definition. FSM showed consistent cellular groups and were employed for immunocytochemistry, while AM CBs presented sparse groups of lymphocytes, with compromised analysis. Anti-Pax-5 allowed B-cell identification, both in reactive and neoplastic lymph nodes. Our preliminary report suggests that LBC and FSM together may be promising tools to improve lymphoma diagnosis through fine-needle aspiration.

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It is unclear whether single and combined pharmacologic inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system have similar effects on endothelial function and blood pressure (BP (J Clin Hypertens. 2006;8:803-809) ©

Nicotine replacement therapy appears to be safe when used by healthy patients to aid in smoking cessation; however, the immediate acute effects of nicotine replacement therapy on the circadian rhythm of blood pressure (BP) and endothelial function in heavy smokers are not well understood. Twenty-six heavy smokers were requested to stop smoking for 48 hours. BP and heart rate were recorded over 48 hours by ambulatory BP monitoring, with beat-to-beat changes being monitored for the first 10 hours by a noninvasive finger device. The reactivity of the brachial artery was evaluated using flow-mediated dilation immediately after smoking cessation, before the application of a 21-mg nicotine patch or placebo patch, and 24 hours after patch placement. Transdermal nicotine caused a mild but significant elevation in BP in the early morning in 21 of 26 volunteers. The decrease in nocturnal BP was attenuated in patients with the nicotine patch compared with the placebo patch; this was associated with impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation.