Abstract: A method for correcting quantitative DNA measurements in a tissue section in which an operator measures, using an image analysis apparatus, the DNA content, profile area, and profile perimeter data for a plurality of nuclei and truncated nuclei in a Feulgen-stained histologic tissue section. The operator then operates a computer program embodying a method of analyzing ploidy measurements in a tissue section. The program includes a routine for obtaining an eccentricity index, which reflects the shape of each of the profiles of the nuclei and truncated nuclei in the tissue section. The program uses the eccentricity index of each nucleus and truncated nucleus to improve the accuracy of the calculation of the DNA content of the whole nuclei that existed in the tissue prior to making the tissue section, and to improve the discrimination of subpopulations of nuclei of different DNA content.

Abstract: The operator downloads, from a data file into the random access memory of a personal computer, integrated optical density and profile area data for a plurality of nuclei and partial nuclei in a Feulgen-stained histologic tissue section; the thickness of the section; and the integrated optical density of an intact diploid nucleus. The operator then operates a computer program which plots the data curve together with a reference line and a reference curve. The data curve is scaled and the reference curve is recalculated and redrawn through a number of iterations until the operator is satisfied that the scaled data curve terminates on the reference line, and the scaled data curve is as nearly congruent as possible with the latest reference curve. The program calculates and displays the corrected DNA index on a video screen, the contents of which the operator may print on a printer.

Abstract: A method for obtaining the profile area and volume of any specified section of any specified corpuscle is disclosed. The operator operates a personal computer running a program which includes a general representation of the corpuscle to be sectioned. The operator specifies two coordinate rotation angles and two section positions, as well as additional attributes of the corpuscle representation, in response to prompts on a video screen, using a keyboard. The program superimposes a unit cubic lattice on the corpuscle representation. Two coordinate rotations are performed defining a new X'-Y' plane, and two sectioning planes are drawn parallel to a new X'-Y' plane. The new X'-Y' plane is subdivided into unit squares. The program then examines each lattice point in turn.