History of cytology

Cytology is a modern pathology discipline of the 20th and 21st century but it has roots going back to more than 300 years ago. Cytology is a multidisciplinary, diagnostic and an excellent science for research. Viewing historical landmarks in cytology as any field is that of tracing an idea or observation to its earliest promptness. Then specification of investigations orderly and continuously follows thinking line. Ideas of creation Cytology are multicentric in origin which branched to its distant boundaries to that related or unrelated fields (G. N Papanicolaou, 1956 [Conference article]). Throughout the history of Pathology from the 17th century to date, many developments being made by pioneers led to the birth of elegant science said to be practiced by super specialists using the microscope with experienced eyes, now routinely, cytology is practiced by physicians, biomedical scientists and promoted by an International Academy and more than 90 society affiliated to the IAC in the global village. By using a crude microscope of his own invention, the English scientist Robert Hooke examined piece of cork in which he noted what he called raw of cells in 1665. Antoni van Leeuwenhoek built a double-eye piece microscope and gave accurate description of red blood corpuscles in 1674. Muller the founder of clinical cytology as we know it to day in 1838 and was the head of microscopists, he published an excellent monographs in structural characteristics of cancer and those morbid growths that may be confused with it. The first one who mentioned that Cytology is a diagnostic technique was Dr. Walshe an Englishman with his observations of cancer cells in sputa samples from lung cancer in 1851. Later in 1854 Lionel Beatle who was professor of Physiology and General and Morbid Anatomy at Kings College London U.K, included a drawing of unstained cancer cells in his book The Microscope and its applications to clinical medicine. In England in 1861, a drawing was published of cancer cell exfoliated from a patient who had died of cancer of the pharynx. Also in 1861, Lebert, of Switzerland, published an atlas that included an illustration of cells exfoliated from cancer of the cervix. In 1896 Bhrenberg, of Ohio introduced the technique of stained cellblocks from effusions.

G. N Papanicolaou, MD PhD 1883 - 1982 Before year 1941 only a few publications concerning cytology; a series of papers on respiratory Cytopathology, published by Dudgeon, Bamforth, and Wrigley, all of England. Although the fascinating era of Cytopathology saw the light in 1941 by the

publications of Drs. George Nicolas Papanicolaou and Herbert F. Traut in cervical cancer, many distinguished contributors like Auer A Babes published an excellent cytology articles in cervical cancer, others including Papanicolaou him self. These publications had turned on the journey of modern Cytopathology in the years 1927 and 1928 by Aur A Babes and G. N Papanicolaou in 1928. The back bone of Cytology revolution is the beauty of illustrated features through collection of the alcohol colors captured by G. N Papanicolaou, the magic Pap stain as we know it to day. True identification of cancer cells was succinctly and accurately described by G. N Papanicolaou which has added a new era for Cytopathology (G. N Papanicolaou and Traut H.F 1941 & 1943 [Monograph Book]). Papanicolaou is and remain the reason for the existence of cytology as diagnostic science and the best pathology discipline for patient's care and cancer prevention. Therefore cytologists remain excellent artists, scientists and supportive people, with top priority to patient care, this not surprising, Papanicolaou legacy is running in their soul with absolute commitment to cytology and its developments and challenges. Dr. Papanicolaou was a good man, with excellent personality, brilliant soul, artistic style, man of science (Naylor B, 2006 [Personal communication]). Dr. Koprowaska I, who was working with Dr. Papanicolaou, wrote 'Dr. Pap's smile and cordial way of performing his duties, of receiving guests, of screening slides, of making diagnoses, of inviting assistants-like my self to spend a day in Douglaston home to complete this or that paper, was exceptional (Koprowaska I, 1977 [Acta cytologica]). Dr. Papanicolaou left the world smiling for an elegant mature science, with books, papers and stuff of manual drawings and colors to be treasured by generations in cytology forever.

Timeline of cytology
1600s- With our current knowledge, it seems impossible that anyone would form such a theory, but scientists in the pre-1600s observed maggots appear from rotting meat, mold growing on food, and mushrooms sprouting from dead trees. The observational evidence for life spontaneously occurring existed. The invention of the microscope signaled the beginning of the end for spontaneous generation. However, observations from the microscope were first interpreted to support the theory. When scientists found bacteria on the carcasses of dead animals they concluded that it was just more evidence of life occurring without antecedent. 1653- When Hooke viewed a thin cutting of cork he discovered empty spaces contained by walls, and termed them pores, or cells. The term cells stuck and Hooke gained credit for discovering the building blocks of all life. Hooke calculated the number of cells in a cubic inch to be 1,259,712,0002, and while he couldn't grasp the full effect of his discovery, he did at least appreciate the sheer number of these cells. Hooke recorded all his drawings and observations into Micrographia: or Some Physiological Descriptions of Miniature Bodies Made by Magnifying Glasses. After acknowledging the King and the Royal Society, the book covered a wide range of topics from the construction of microscopes themselves, to the spectrum of color, the molecular causes of fire, the crystal structure of objects, and the anatomy of insects. Published in 1665, the book became an instant best seller. Hooke had ignited the spark of cell theory and set a trend of scientists making discoveries by looking through microscopes on government payroll. 1682- By looking through his powerful microscopes, Leeuwenhoek sought the composition of cells, going beyond Hooke's proposition that they were empty. Leeuwenhoek's report of globules in the cell was probably one of the first sightings of cell nuclei. Hooke, however, failed to nurture good lines of communication, and Leeuwenhoek was left isolated without the education, language, and culture to draw proper conclusions in the role of the nucleus in cell theory. It would take 150 years of waiting before an English botanist, by the name of Robert Brown, could place them in their proper light.

1831-Brown focused much of his energy on the process of fertilization in plants, and chose the cells of Asclepiads and orchids to further his study. In them Brown noticed pollen traveling in and out of ovals in their cells. He termed this oval the "the nucleus".1 Brown first expressed his observations in an 1831 speech, and published them in a paper two years later. His statements suggested the nucleus played a key role in fertilization and development of the embryo in plants. Thus, Brown not only named the nucleus, but created the possibility that it was at the center of cellular creation.

1839-In the mid 1800s the question of how cells formed existed in controversy. Schwann wrote that cells formed by crystallization of inanimate material inside the cell. The idea hearkened to The Theory of Spontaneous Generation and it is doubtful whether Schwann himself believed it. Matthias Schleiden a colleague in Mller's lab, and a contributor to the book, should instead take the blame.2 The correct notion that cells originated from pre-existing cells had already been posed, but Schleiden opposed this organic view believing instead in a physio-chemical explanation.3 The idea both suited religious doctrine of the time, and answered the question of how the first cell formed, a mystery which persists to this day. Schleiden was not alone in his belief, and the inclusion of the physio-chemical explanation, while flawed, helped the book gain wide spread acceptance among scientists. Thus, Schwann managed to establish the unity of life (all living things are made of cells), add foundation to the field of biology, and set cells at the center of scientific research for years to come. 1855-Remak experimented with many chemicals before finding that a mixture of copper sulfate, vinegar, and alcohol worked to solidify the cell membrane.1,2 As a result, Remak substantiated the existence of the cell membrane, while proving that at least some cells originated via division from prior cells. Remak, felt that all cells originated by division, and theorized cell division caused the spread of pathological tissue (like tumors).1,2He writes: These findings are as relevant to pathology as they are to physiology...I make bold to 3 assert that pathological tissues are not, any -Remak's view of cell division. more than normal tissues, formed in an extracellular cytoblastem(spontaneously), but are the progeny or products of normal tissues in the organism. 1858-In 1858 Virchow championed the work of Robert Remak, who had found convincing evidence that cells form by division. At that time Schwann's and Schleiden's physio-chemical explanation dominated the theory on the origin of cells, and Virchow would have to draw upon his subtle political and literary skills to popularize Remak's ideas.

Virchow did this by first publishing an editorial instead of a scientific journal, knowing that editorials were more widely read by medical professionals. Virchow also independently coined the phrase "Omnis cellula e cellula"(Cells originate from cells).2 A sound bite which caught on and rallied support for Remak's ideas. Virchow expanded Remak's ideas into a series of lectures and published them in Cellular Pathology as Based Upon Physiological and Pathological Histology. The book contained the updated view of cell creation, covered cells in blood, lymph, nutrition, the nervous system, fat degeneration, inflammation, and the growth of pathological tissue, including cancer.3Clear and comprehensive, the book garnered immense popularity that surpassed Schwann's and cast Virchow as the Father of Pathology.

From Cellular Pathology: Development of cancer from connective tissue in the carcinoma of the breast. a. Connective-tissue corpuscles, b, division of the nuclei, c, division of the cells, d, accumulation of the cells in rows, e, enlargement of the young cells and formation of the groups of cells which fill the alveoli of cancer, f, further enlargement of the cells and the groups. g. The same developmental process seen in transverse section. 300 diameters.