Faculty Bibliography

Infrared absorption spectra of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human cervical tissue are reported for normal, dysplastic and neoplastic samples. The spectral differences found in this study between these states of the tissues are far less than those observed for single cells by us and others. Nevertheless, we find a direct correspondence between spectral data from tissue sections, obtained from biopsies, and individual exfoliated cells, typically obtained during a pap procedure. We also find that spectra due to dysplastic samples fall about halfway between the spectral features of normal and cancerous samples

Infrared spectral results for the different epithelial layers of human cervical squamous tissue are reported. The layers, representing different cellular maturation stages, exhibit quite different spectral patterns. Thus, infrared spectroscopy presents a powerful tool to monitor cell maturation and differentiation. Furthermore, a detailed understanding of the spectra of the individual layers of tissue permit a proper interpretation of the state of health of cells exfoliated from such tissue. Part II of this series describes the use of the spectral information presented here to interpret the infrared spectra of exfoliated cells

Allele and genotype frequencies were determined for the HLA-DQA1 and Amplitype Polymarker loci (low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), glycophorin A (GYPA), hemoglobin G gammaglobin (HBGG), D7S8, and group-specific component (Gc)) in Hasidic and non-Hasidic Ashkenazi New York City Jewish subpopulations. For all loci tested, except HBGG, the 2 subpopulations meet the assumption of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Comparison of various allele and genotype frequencies for the Hasidic and the non-Hasidic groups showed no significant differences. Comparison of the various allele frequencies in the two subpopulations to another Caucasian group revealed significant differences at the HLA-DQA1 and D7S8 loci in the Hasidic group. These frequency data can be used for comparison to other populations and for frequency estimates in DNA profiling.

Determination of donor identity and commonality of origin among paraffin embedded tissues and slides becomes important when criminal or civil action is taking place. Determining the identity of the specimens' donor can be facilitated by forensic DNA identity testing. Previous work has shown that PCR based identity testing is feasible on fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues and slides. The use of differential staining and other contrast enhancing procedures may alter the ability to recover template DNA for PCR based identity testing. Using sections on slides that had been treated with a variety of different stains/immuno-probes (Hematoxylin and Eosin, Gridely's Silver Method for Reticulum, Grocott's Methenamine Silver, immunofluorescent staining, IN-SITU hybridization, etc.) the ability to perform PCR based identity testing was evaluated. Samples were also subjected to a destaining procedure to remove stains that potentially could interfere with the DNA extraction or PCR process. Destaining was found to improve the ability to amplify some stained specimens. Samples were subjected to Chelex(R) extraction for template preparation. The process utilized and its advantages are discussed

Infrared spectra of cervical tissue, obtained by biopsy from the squamous-columnar junction, are reported. The spectral patterns observed for columnar tissue are quite different from those of squamous epithelium. Subsequently, the spectra observed for columnar cells in tissue samples were also detected in the spectra of exfoliated cells, indicating the presence of endocervical cells. The columnar or glandular cells exhibit spectral features similar to those observed for pure cervical mucus. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.