| Immunohistochemistry | ||||||||||||
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Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization significantly increase the innate power of pathology. Markers present in the tissues may be revealed by immunohistochemical staining. Such staining assists the pathologist in the diagnosis and interpretation of findings. Furthermore, with the added advantage of computer-based image analysis, the sensitivity of pathology is increased manyfold. An antineoplastic agent may act by increasing the rate of programmed cell death. Immunohistochemistry may detect cells in the process of apoptosis, enabling the pathologist to visualize and quantify cells in this process. |
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| A. Routine staining. Apoptotic cells can be detected by an experiencedpathologist. | B. Immunohistochemical detection of apoptotic cells in a similar tissue section. This staining allows the identification by untrained observers. | |||||||||||
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| C. Computer-based image analysis permits cell identification and counting | ||||||||||||
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B. Capture of the image via the red video channel dims the staining cells and allows the quantitation of the entire hepatic cell population. C. Capture of the image via the blue video channel, dims the blue background staining and emphasize the red-staining nuclei. This permits that quantitation of the proliferating cells. D. The precise determination of nuclear size and shape allows the classification of cell types in the sample. The precise mathematical calculations allow an accurate estimate of the rate of cell turnover as a result of a treatment or condition. |
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