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Introduction. Gaucher cells (GCs), the lipid-laden storage macrophages, are the pathologic hallmark of Gaucher disease (GD). They are typically 20–100 μm in diameter with eccentrically placed nuclei and cytoplasm with characteristic crinkles and striations. A few previous observations have indicated that sometimes GD patients may display morphology of GCs which is different from this classical description. The aim of our study was to explore the morphological polymorphism of GCs in patients with untreated GD type 1 (GD1). Material and methods. May-Grunwald Giemsa stained bone marrow smears (BM-S) from 6 patients with sporadic GD1 were analysed; each patient sample consisted of two slides where all GCs and non-Gaucher cell macrophages were counted. We have defined for the study purposes and examined the following features of GCs which were considered as atypical: (1) foamy cytoplasm, (2) centrally placed nucleus, (3) cell diameter > 100 μm, (4) multinuclearity, (5) syncytial morphology, (6) unusually large cytoplasmic projections, and (7) apparent haemophagocytosis. Results. All analysed patients showed 22–40% GCs with atypical cytomorphology (median 29%). The median number of atypical features of GCs was 10 per patient (range 6–13). Multinuclearity was the most common atypical feature of GCs, followed by erythrophagocytosis and foamy cytoplasm. There was a strong positive correlation between erythrophagocytosis and foamy cytoplasm in GCs (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient: 0.9). Although majority of atypical GCs had one atypical feature, there was a considerable amount of GCs presenting ≥ 2 atypical features. Conclusions. Untreated patients with GD1 often show a considerable proportion of GCs with atypical cytomorphology. The knowledge of possible atypical variant forms of GCs can contribute to a quicker and accurate diagnosis of GD, and minimize the risk for misdiagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first published report on atypical cytomorphology of GCs in untreated patients with GD1.

An easy-to-fabricate, low-cost, sidewall TiN/HfO 2 /Ti vertical resistive RAM (VRRAM) device is proposed. Devices with bottom electrode thickness down to 10nm were fabricated and characterized. Forming, SET and RESET voltages of respectively 2V, 0.5V and −0.5V were measured. A stable memory window of one decade was maintained after 105s at 200°C. The impact of scaling on the operating voltages and memory resistance levels was evaluated, showing a SET and RESET voltage reduction as the cell diameter is reduced. Finally the cycle-to-cycle resistance variability was addressed.

We analyze the rheology of dilute red blood cell suspensions in pressure driven flows at low Reynolds number, in terms of the morphologies and elasticity of the cells. We focus on narrow channels of width similar to the cell diameter, when the interactions with the walls dominate the cell dynamics. The suspension presents a shear-thinning behaviour, with a Newtonian-behaviour at low shear rates, an intermediate region of strong decay of the suspension viscosity, and an asymptotic regime at high shear rates in which the effective viscosity converges to that of the solvent. We identify the relevant aspects of cell elasticity that contribute to the rheological response of blood at high confinement. In a second paper, we will explore the focusing of red blood cells while flowing at high shear rates and how this effect is controlled by the geometry of the channel.

AIMS We aimed to review the technical characteristics of DES platforms which have been documented to influence bifurcation stenting procedures conducted according to the provisional approach. METHODS AND RESULTS DES platforms have remarkable technical differences (side cell diameter, shape, deformability, etc.). We reviewed the literature data and performed original virtual bench tests to highlight the characteristics of DES platforms which influence the following phases of bifurcation stenting conducted according to the provisional approach: stent implantation in the main vessel across side-branch take-off ("crossover" stenting), proximal optimisation technique, rewiring and kissing balloon inflation. Available data show that the response of different DES platforms to the various procedural steps of provisional stenting is different. CONCLUSIONS When treating bifurcated lesions according to the provisional stenting approach, the search for an ideal matching between individual bifurcated anatomy and DES selection should take into account an articulated series of technical parameters.

International audience; Confined migration plays a fundamental role during several biological phenomena such as embryogenesis, immunity and tumorogenesis. Here, we propose a two-dimensional mechanical model to simulate the migration of a HeLa cell through a micro-channel. As in our previous works, the cell is modelled as a continuum and a standard Maxwell model is used to describe the mechanical behaviour of both the cytoplasm (including active strains) and the nucleus. The cell cyclically protrudes and contracts and develops viscous forces to adhere to the substrate. The micro-channel is represented by two rigid walls, and it exerts an additional viscous force on the cell boundaries. We test four channels whose dimensions in terms of width are i) larger than the cell diameter, ii) sub-cellular, ii) sub-nuclear and iv) much smaller than the nucleus diameter. The main objective of the work is to assess the necessary conditions for the cell to enter into the channel and migrate through it. Therefore, we evaluate both the evolution of the cell morphology and the cell-channel and cell-substrate surface forces, and we show that there exists a link between the two, which is the essential parameter determining whether the cell is permeative, invasive or penetrating.

The life history of clone populations of M. aeruginosa may contribute to the identification of the species. One population presented morphological variations of the developmental stages. It was observed that the populations varied with regard to the form of the colony in their juvenile and mature stages and also with regard to cell diameter. To study the life history of M. aeruginosa populations, under cultivation, enables a better distinction of morphotypes in relation to their developmental stages.

Microalgal photosynthesis can be predicted using empirical allometric or mechanistic bio-optic models. These two descriptions are usually considered independently. We compare the size scaling of photosynthesis predicted by these two models. Size scaling exponents for phytoplankton often deviate from the allometric 3/4 rule. This may be because the allometric model does not account for the size dependence of light absorption and its effect on the size scaling of photosynthesis. In contrast to the allometric model and experimental data, the bio-optic model predicts photosynthesis should be independent of cell size when intracellular pigment concentrations are low or inversely related to cell diameter. A composite of the allometric and bio-optic models is described and compared to laboratory data of light-limited nutrient-saturated diatom photosynthesis. The allo-bio-optic model provides a mechanistic explanation for the anomalous size scaling found in laboratory and field studies of microalgal photosynthesis and growth.

An investigation was made of the effects of tracheid dimensions on variations in the maximum density of Picea glehnii Mast., which were associated with climatic changes. Radial cell diameter and the thickness of the tangential cell walls of the last-formed cells in 90 annual rings of nine trees with different annual ring widths were analyzed by image analysis. Correlations between maximum density and tracheid dimensions indicated that changes in maximum density were due mainly to changes in cell wall thickness of the last-formed cells in annual rings and were not due to changes in radial cell diameter. The effects of climatic factors on tracheid dimensions were examined by application of dendroclimatological techniques. A chronology of cell wall thickness that represented common signals among trees was established. Simple correlation and response function analyses of the chronology revealed that cell wall thickness was influenced positively by summer temperature and negatively by precipitation in August, and these responses were similar to those of maximum density. The study demonstrated that variations in maximum density were due to variations in the cell wall thickness of the last-formed cells, which varied depending on the weather in summer.

The gel fraction (%) for poly(butylene succinate) (Bionolle) blended with blowing agents was found to be higher than the pure Bionolle due to the presence of other component that also underwent crosslinking. It was also found that the cell diameter of the Bionolle foam produced from irradiated Bionolle blend decreases as the gel fraction increases, because the crosslink density increases and thus it retards the bubble growth. Lower gel fraction, less than 5% was effective enough to give sufficient melt strength for production of foams. It was found that the biodegradability of Bionolle foam in the enzymatic degradation test and soil burial test was higher than that of crosslinked Bionolle (before foaming) because it contained many bubbles.

The effects of methionine on fragmentation and vacuolation in Acremonium chrysogenum was examined during growth on different carbon sources. Cells exhibited a filamentous form during exponential growth phase, which was followed by a yeast-like morphology in the stationary stage. Cultures also underwent a vacuolation process, monitored by the average cell diameter. The first phenomenon was correlated with growth, the latter seemed to be related to the sugar consumption rate. Methionine addition increased growth rate by accelerating sugar consumption, enhanced the vacuolation process, and increased the specific cephalosporin-C production rate.

The average diameter of the cortical cells of 'Fuji' apple did not significantly differ for fruits ranging in weight from 172 to 390 g. This indicates that the fruit size of this cultivar is mainly determined by the number of cells per fruit. But the average cell diameter fluctuated from season to season indicating that the difference in fruit size depends on cell size and cell population. For 'American Summer Pearmain', 'Tsugaru' and 'Senshu' which mature early, the larger fruit tended to have larger cell diameters. In 'Jonagold', which matures in late October, the cell diameter remained nearly constant in fruits weighing between 215 and 387 g. Thus, the difference in the sizes of 'Jonagold' fruit is a function of cell number rather than cell diameter, similar to that of 'Fuji'.

The fatty acid composition and the diameter of subcutaneous adipocytes from 13 Holstein steers at different fattening stages were investigated. The mean diameter of adipocytes from individual steers was positively (P

Our study was done to assess the cytological changes due to oncotherapy in breast carcinoma especially on morphometry and proliferative activity. Cytological aspirates were collected from a total of 32 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma both before and after oncotherapy. Morphometry was done on the stained cytological smears to assess the different morphological parameters of cell dimension by using the ocular morphometer and the software AutoCAD 2007. Staining was done with Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) as proliferative markers. Different morphological parameters were compared before and after oncotherapy by unpaired Student’s t test. Statistically significant differences were found in morphometric parameters, e.g., mean nuclear diameter, mean nuclear area, mean cell diameter, and mean cell area, and in the expression of proliferative markers (Ki-67 and PCNA). Statistical analysis was done by obtaining p values. There are statistically significant differences between morphological parameter of breast carcinoma cells before and after oncotherapy.

International audience; The paper presents the interest of on-line permittivity monitoring to estimate the density of Vero cells growing on microcarriers (MCs), even when high cell densities were reached in perfusion bioreactors (4.5 x 10(6) cells ml(-1)). Cultures were performed with various MCs concentrations in a reactor equipped with a settling tube. A linear correlation between on-line permittivity and off-line volumetric cell concentration was observed provided that MCs are not fully covered by cells. High permittivities such as 250 pF cm(-1) could be measured without signal saturation of the Fogale Biomass system (R). The correlation was no longer linear when cell density per carrier exceeded 100% cell confluency corresponding to 150 cells MC-1 (0.15 x 10(6) cells cm(-2)). This behaviour was attributed to the decrease of cell volume when cells saturated MCs surface. It mainly happened when low MCs concentration and continuous medium renewing were used. Therefore, permittivity sensor can be considered as a reliable tool to monitor on-line adherent cell densities not exceeding total cell confluency. Moreover, it could be useful to detect when cell confluency occurs.

Microcellular plastics are a unique cellular material in which voids, smaller than the natural flaw size pre-existing in polymers, are nucleated: this process results in material costs savings without significant reductions and sometimes improvements in mechanical properties. They are characterized by average cell diameter sizes on the order of 0. 1 to 10 μm, cell densities on the order of 109 to 1015 cells/cm3, and specific density reductions (relative to the unfoamed plastic) from 5 to 95 percent. In this paper, the basic concept of foaming for microcellular plastics is described and the process technology of microcellular plastics based on that concept is introduced. The effect of pressure in processing of microcelullar plastics is discussed.

The fatigue of cellular materials is analyzed using dimensional arguments. When the first unbroken cell wall ahead of the macrocrack tip fails after some cycles of loading, the macrocrack advances one cell diameter, giving the macrocrack growth rate of cellular materials. Paris law for microcrack propagation, Basquin law for high cycle fatigue and Coffin-Manson law for low cycle fatigue are employed in calculating the number of cycles to failure of the first unbroken cell wall ahead of the macrocrack tip. It is found that fatigue of cellular materials depends on cyclic stress intensity range, cell size, relative density and the fatigue parameters of the solid from which they are made. Theoretical modelling of fatigue of foams is compared to data in polymer foams; agreement is good.

Summary A quantitative method of staging reproductive development based on the use of cell measurements and computerized image analysis of histological sections is described. The method has been applied to samples of eastern king prawn, Penaeus plebejus, collected in Queensland, Australia. Luminance measurements of selected tissue structures within the ovary were used to determine three luminance ranges which characterized ovarian development in histological sections. Cell diameter, average luminance and percent area of an ovary section within a luminance range of 200–245 were the most useful variables to discriminate between the different ovarian developmental stages. Discriminant analysis successfully separated maturing, mature and resorbing groups in 94% of the samples, but discrimination of stages within the above groups was as low as 30%. The estimated discriminant functions suggest there is a continuum of development which can be characterized by a combination of measurements obtained from histologi...

Red Blood Cell (RBC) geometry forms unique distinguished shape. This shape is thought to have a major influence on both the function and the dynamics of the moving erythrocyte. The shape of the RBC is hypothesised to cause platelet scattering and diffusion towards vessel wall. The current study is built to provide a detailed review of the previous theories that discuss the influence of RBC shape on its functionality and dynamics, a detailed focus on the influence of RBC dynamics on platelet migration towards the vessel wall is presented. Afterwards, computational results representing the influence of RBC shape on platelet migration to the vessel wall are listed. The results involve comparison between circular and elliptical RBCs using low Reynolds number channel flow regime. It is shown that this migration process is primarily affected by the diameter of the RBC and not by its shape.

We present measurements on both energy loss and pinning for a vortex terminating on the curved surface of a cylindrical container. We vary surface roughness, cell diameter, fluid velocity, and temperature. Although energy loss and pinning both arise from interactions between the vortex and the surface, their dependences on the experimental parameters differ, suggesting that different mechanisms govern the two effects. We propose that the energy loss stems from reconnections with a mesh of microscopic vortices that covers the cell wall, while pinning is dominated by other influences such as the local fluid velocity., 8 pages, 6 figures

Rapidly sorting and separating cells are critical for detecting diseases such as cancers and infections and can enable a great number of applications in bio-related science and technology. While a variety of techniques demonstrate separation by physical parameters such as size[1] and mass[2], inexpensive and easy to use methods are needed to separate cells by mechanical compliance. A number of pathophysiological states of individual cells result in drastic changes in stiffness in comparison with healthy counterparts. Mechanical stiffness has been utilized to identify abnormal cell populations in detecting cancer[3–5] and identifying infectious disease[4, 6]. Recently, microfluidic methods were developed to classify and enrich cell populations utilizing mechanical stiffness[7–9]. We demonstrate a new strategy to continuously and non-destructively separate cells into subpopulations of soft and stiff cells. In our microfluidic separation method, we employ a microchannel with the top wall decorated by a periodic array of rigid diagonal ridges (Fig. 1). The gap between the ridges and the bottom channel wall is smaller than the cell diameter, thus the cells are periodically compressed by the ridges. The difference in mechanical resistance to compression of cells gives rise to a stiffness-dependent force associated with cell passage through narrow constrictions formed by the consecutive channel ridges. This elastic force is directed normal to the compressive diagonal ridges and, therefore, deflects cells propelled by the flow in the lateral direction with a rate proportional to their compliance. In this paper, we employ this principle to separate modified lymphoblastic cells with dissimilar mechanical stiffness in high-throughput.Copyright © 2012 by ASME

A 10-wk trial was conducted with 60 barrows and 60 gilts (initial weight = 47 kg) to investigate the effect of pST treatment (3 mg/d) for wk 0 to 5, 5 to 10, or 0 to 10 on performance, carcass traits, and adipose tissue cellularity of finishing hogs. The primary objective of the study was to determine the effect of 5 wk of pST treatment followed by 5 wk of withdrawal on performance and carcass traits relative to a control or to pigs treated for the entire period. After 5 wk, pST-treated pigs exhibited improved (P < .OOl) gain (11%) and efficiency (22%) and decreased (P < .001) feed intake (-22%) and 10th rib backfat accretion ( -93%, P < .001). There was an increase in adipose cell number/gram of tissue (control, 2.57 vs pST, 3.36 x 106/g; P < .005) and a decrease in cell diameter (control, 72.4 vs pST, 67.2 pm; P < .005). Backfat thickness and cell diameter increased in control pigs from wk 5 to 10. During the last 5-wk period, pST-treated animals continued to exhibit improved performance and maintained adipose cell size distribution and number similar to the pST- treated pigs at wk 5. Pigs treated for the first 5 wk and withdrawn from treatment for the second 5 wk had decreased efficiency ( -12%, P < .05) and a twofold increase in backfat accretion (P < .001) relative to control. The increase in backfat thickness was accom- panied by an increase in adipocyte diameter, indica- tive of lipid filling. Most of the benefits of pST observed during the first 5 wk were lost during the withdrawal period. Reductions in carcass fat in response to pST treatment are at least partially accounted for by inhibition of lipid filling in adipose tissue, an effect that is reversed upon cessation of treatment.

By considering a simplified version of the soft and hard region theory applied for power-law-creep at steady state, an expression is obtained which relates cell or subgrain diameter D with the applied stress σ, D = Kμb/σ where K is a function of material parameters, and μ and b have their usual meaning.

UNLABELLED Drying is known to affect various quality attributes of a food product, especially its physical properties. However, changes of physical properties or characteristics are generally due to changes of the product microstructure. Nevertheless, not much quantitative information, as opposed to abundant qualitative information, is available to describe in detail relationships between microstructural and physical changes of food undergoing drying. The present study, thus, aimed at studying quantitative relationships between microstructural and selected physical changes of a test material, that is, carrot, undergoing hot air drying at 60 and 80 °C. The microstructural changes were represented quantitatively in terms of the normalized changes of the fractal dimension (ΔFD/FD(0)) of microstructural images of the samples as well as the normalized changes of the sample average cell diameter (ΔD/D(0)), while the physical changes of interest were shrinkage and hardness. The results showed that during an earlier period of drying ΔFD/FD(0) as well as ΔD/D(0) tended to increase with decreasing moisture content; deformation of the microstructures (represented either in terms of ΔFD/FD(0) or ΔD/D(0)) led to increased shrinkage and hardness. On the other hand, deformation of the microstructures existed, while the moisture content did not change much during the final stage of drying. The relationships between ΔFD/FD(0) and both physical changes were quite well established; ΔD/D(0)were also found to correlate well with the physical changes. Either ΔFD/FD(0) or ΔD/D(0)could thus be used as a tool to monitor the apparent physical changes (shrinkage and hardness) of a sample during drying. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Either the normalized changes of the fractal dimension of microstructural images of a sample or the normalized changes of the sample average cell diameter can be a useful tool in monitoring the drying process by 1st assessing the product volumetric shrinkage, which can be assessed easily on-line and on a real-time basis by such techniques as image analysis, and then relating the obtained results through microstructural changes to other apparent physical changes, including the product texture.

Growth and spirolide production of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium ostenfeldii (Danish strain CCMP1773) were studied in batch culture and a photobioreactor (continuous cultures). First, batch cultures were grown in 450 mL flasks without aeration and under varying conditions of temperature (16 and 22 degrees C) and culture medium (L1, f/2 and L1 with addition of soil extract). Second, cultures were grown at 16 degrees C in 8 L aerated flat-bottomed vessels using L1 with soil extract as culture medium. Finally, continuous cultures in a photobioreactor were conducted at 18 degrees C in L1 with soil extract; pH was maintained at 8.5 and continuous stirring was applied. This study showed that A. ostenfeldii growth was significantly affected by temperature. At the end of the exponential phase, maximum cell concentration and cell diameter were significantly higher at 16 degrees C than at 22 C. In batch culture, maximum spirolide quota per cell (approx. 5 pg SPX 13-desMeC eq cell(-1)) was detected during lag phase for all conditions used. Spirolide quota per cell was negatively and significantly correlated to cell concentration according to the following equation: y = 4013.9x(-0.858). Temperature and culture medium affected the spirolide profile which was characterized by the dominance of 13,19-didesMeC (29-46%), followed by SPX-D (21-28%), 13-desMeC (21-23%), and 13-desMeD (17-21%). Stable growth of A. ostenfeldii was maintained in a photobioreactor over two months, with maximum cell concentration of 7 x 10(4) cells mL(-1). As in batch culture, maximum spirolide cell quota was found in lag phase and then decreased significantly throughout the exponential phase. Spirolide cell quota was negatively and significantly correlated to cell concentration according to the equation: y = 12,858x(-0.8986). In photobioreactor, spirolide profile was characterized by higher proportion of 13,19-didesMeC (60-87%) and lower proportions of SPX-D (3-12%) and 13-desMeD (1.6-10%) as compared to batch culture. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The mean bursting membrane tension, elastic area compressibility modulus, and cell diameter of PQX1/2 murine hybridomas, NS1 myelomas and SF9 insect cells were measured during batch cultures. The fragilities of the cells were characterised by these mechanical properties. In general, the bursting membrane tension and elastic area compressibility modulus rose during rapid growth phase and fell during the death phase. Among the three cell lines, NS1 myelomas seemed to be weakest, but all were weaker than TB/C3 murine hybridomas studied previously.

To determine morphologic features of melanophages under in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and to highlight morphologic features that are important in distinguishing melanophages from melanocytes.Consecutive retrospective study.Referral center for pigmented lesions.The study group retrospectively constituted 20 consecutive patients having biopsy-proven lichen planus-like keratoses that dermoscopically and histopathologically showed many melanophages and that had been imaged under RCM before biopsy.The RCM characteristics of isolated dermal bright cells were scored blinded to dermoscopic features and histopathologic diagnosis.Under RCM, melanophages were significantly smaller than melanocytes (mean [SD] cell diameter, 13.6 [1.6] vs 18.2 [2.9] microm, P = .006). Nuclei (intracellular low-reflectance round-oval structures) were visible in only 16% (29 of 184) of the cells in melanophages vs 57% (28 of 49) of the cells in melanocytes (P.001). When identified, nuclei were smaller in melanophages than in melanocytes (mean [SD] diameter, 3.2 [1.2] vs 6.4 [0.7] microm, P.001). Compared with melanocytes, melanophages were significantly more ill defined (76% [140 of 184] vs 18% [9 of 49], P.001), less round (23% [42 of 184] vs 69% [34 of 49], P.001), and less dendritic (1% [2 of 184] vs 12% [6 of 49]) (P = .001).Observed differences in morphologic features should enable distinction between melanophages and melanocytes under RCM, thereby improving the accuracy of skin lesion diagnosis using this technique.

A fast and convenient method for baculovirus quantification in microplate format has been developed. The cell diameter was chosen as the measuring parameter, since insect cells are enlarged upon infection, and swelling is proportional to the amount of virus particles in the solution (Liu, 2004). Insect cells were seeded into a 96-well microplate, infected with serial dilutions of baculoviruses, and incubated at 27°C. After 24 h, the cell diameter average in each well was determined in an automated image-based screening system. Dose response curves resulting from infections of viruses with known and unknown titres, respectively, were compared, and the titres of the unknown viruses calculated from the midpoint shift. This approach enabled simultaneous quantification of five viruses in one 96-well plate and could be carried out in the presence of cell growth media.

As estruturas envolvidas na produção de látex na seringueira são os laticíferos articulados. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever aspectos anatômicos da casca em seringueiras não enxertadas com quatro, seis e oito anos, visando à seleção de materiais promissores. O material analisado foi obtido através do corte da casca à altura aproximada de 1,50 m do solo, chegando até o xilema da planta. Os cortes transversais foram preparados de acordo com as técnicas usuais de microtécnica vegetal. Os resultados permitem concluir, que a utilização de caracteres anatômicos (diâmetro das células), da espessura da casca e do diâmetro do caule, visando à seleção dos materiais de pés-francos com idades diferentes, apresentaram uma correlação significativa com a produção de látex. The structures involved in latex production in rubber trees are articulated laticifers. The objective of this study was to describe anatomical aspects of the bark in four, six and eight year old non-grafted rubber plants, with the view of selecting materials of high yield potential. The analyzed material was obtained from bark cut around 1.50 m from the soil up to the xylem of the plant. The transversal cuts were prepared according to standard plant microtechniques. Based on the results, we can conclude that the use of anatomical characteristics (cell diameter), bark thickness and shoot diameter for selecting material from rootstocks plus non-grafted plants of different ages, showed a significant correlation with latex production.

The effects of drawing speed, cell size and grain size on the yield strength of nickel 200 wires drawn at room temperature up to a true strain of 2.09 have been investigated. The wire drawing speeds in the range from 17 to 140 mm s−1 do not show any effect on the yield strength, cell size and grain size of drawn wires. However, the cell sizes as well as grain sizes decrease with increase in true wire drawing strain when their values are averaged over all the wire drawing speeds at a given strain. Even though the Hall-Petch equation is valid for all the grain diameters observed in this study, the graph suggests that two distinct linear regimes may be more appropriate to properly describe the strengthening mechanisms during wire drawing. The cell diameter has been correlated with the yield strengths of drawn wires by an inverse relationship.

Summary Individual electrofusion of a pair of sunflower protoplasts with a given cell diameter can be performed by different combinations of physical parameters (pulse duration and field strength). The determination of ethane was used to indicate the extent of membrane lipid degradation as a result of different fusion parameters. The degree of membraneous damage measured by lipid peroxidation is negatively correlated with the regeneration ability of protoplasts, which was demonstrated by determining the protoplast division rate after electrofusion. Thus, it was possible to develop a tool for monitoring the protoplast regeneration potential at an early stage.

Summary Background Cellulite is a physiological condition that presents etiologic plurality. Caffeine and its derivatives are used in anticellulite cosmetics due to their lipolytic activity on fatty cells. Siloxanetriol alginate caffeine (SAC) is a silanol derived from organic silicon. Radicals primarily from SAC are caffeine and the mannuronic acid. Aims This study aims to analyze the effects of caffeine and siloxanetriol alginate caffeine on fatty tissue by histological evaluation. Methods Formulations were developed with caffeine, caffeine + sodium benzoate or SAC and were applied topically for 21 days on Wistar female mice. The study regarded the histological aspects by determination of diameter and number of fatty cells with a light microscope. Results Emulsion with caffeine caused a reduction of 17% on the diameter of the fatty cells compared with the control. The emulsion with caffeine + sodium benzoate did not cause alterations on cell diameter. Emulsion with SAC provoked reduction on fatty cell diameters of 16%. No significant alterations were observed on the diameter of the fatty cells treated with gels, although it was noticed that gel with SAC promoted a reduction of 26% on the number of fatty cells. Conclusions Emulsion with SAC was considered more indicated to promote the lipolytic action on fatty tissue, acting as a complement to treat cellulite. When sodium benzoate was added to the preparations, it inhibited the caffeine efficiency. Gel was not an adequate vehicle to be incorporated with caffeine and SAC.

Thirteen wood parameters were predicted using near infrared (NIR) spectra in the range 780-2380 nm modelled by biorthogonal partial least squares regression. The analysis of parameters and NIR measurements was done on clear- wood samples from the base and midstem of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) from trees at two sites. Calibrations based on the measured parameters at seven growth rings (cambial age ranging between 6 and 42 years) could be divided into three groups: (i) the best accuracy was found for longitudinal modulus of elasticity (r > 0.9) followed by bending, compression, and cell length (0.8 < r < 0.9); (ii) microfibril angle, longitudinal hardness, proportion of latewood, and creep with correla- tions in the range of 0.7-0.8; and (iii) tangential hardness, cell diameter, and cell wall thickness with 0.4 < r < 0.7. It was also shown that juvenile (cambial age £20 years) and mature wood can be classified using NIR techniques. Resume´ : La regression bi-orthogonale partielle par les moindres carresaeteutilisee pour modeliser 13 parametres du

Adipose tissue cellularity and metabolism are traditionally expressed in terms of mean cell size and number. The need for a simple method allowing rapid determination of cell size and number of freshly isolated, unfixed adipocyte preparations led us to compare estimates of cell size determined by the established method of optical sizing to a proposed method of electronic cell sizing and counting. In collagenase-isolated, unfixed adipocytes whose mean diameters ranged from approximately 40 to 65 microns (obtained from healthy rats weighing 100-360 g) the electronic method provided estimates of the mean cell diameter and size distribution that did not differ from the optical sizing technique. Estimates of mean cell diameter and cell number by the electronic method were rapid and reproducible (coefficients of variation 0.5 and 3.8%, respectively) and a less than 20 sec delay until sample analysis, after mixing of the adipocyte suspension, did not alter these estimates. Electronic determination of cell size and number, using freshly isolated, unfixed rat adipocyte populations (mean cell diameter less than or equal to 60 microns), is rapid and reliable. It will be particularly useful for studies of hormone binding and transport processes where it may be necessary to tightly control cell density.

Variations of tracheid cross section dimensions of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) were studied in trees from three districts in Japan(Kochi, Tokushima and Ehime Pref.).

According to the morphologic character of cells, a simple way based on the circular aperture diffraction is put forward in the paper. Cells in different states, such as normal living cells, apoptosis cells, necrosis cells, can be differentiated easily and the quantities and the quantities ratio of cells in different states can be got in this way. The diameter of sample cell can be measured accurately by the circular aperture diffraction combined with CCD. The frame diagram of measuring the size of cells based on the circular diffraction and CCD is presented, as well as the Principle of method in the paper. Using the method presented in the paper, the apoptosis and necrosis situations of leukaemia tumour cell HL60 were measured. The experiment results showed that the results of quantities and the quantities ratios of HL60 cells in different states such as apoptosis and necrosis measured by the method presented in the paper were consistent with the results measured by the other accepted method.

This survey deals with the fundamental morphological parameters of foamed polymers including size, shape and number of cells, closeness of cells, cellular structure anisotropy, cell size distribution, surface area etc. The methods of measurement and calculation of these parameters are discussed. Attempts are made to evaluate the effect and the contribution of each of these parameters to the main physical properties of foamed polymers namely apparent density, strength and thermoconductivity. The cellular structure of foamed polymers is considered as a particular case of porous statistical systems. Future trends and tasks in the study of the morphology and cellular structure-properties relations are discussed.

International audience; The aim of the work was to study the relationship between subcutaneous adipose tissue development and the fat firmness score attained in the carcass. For this purpose, 48 Lacaune male lambs were fed a concentrate from 23.5 +/- 0.2 to 41.4 +/- 0.2 kg live weight (63 +/- 0.7 to 122 +/- 3.2 days of age, respectively). After slaughter, the lamb carcasses were classified according to fat firmness (1: very firm to 5: very soft/oily). Subcutaneous adipose cell was measured and their overall distribution determined. Results showed that the adipose cells of the studied lambs exhibited a bimodal distribution, suggesting that a fast postnatal hyperplasic or cell proliferation process had been initiated in the subcutaneous adipocytes. In addition, the size of the small adipocyte peak was inversely correlated with the firmness of the fat (40.5, 37.7 and 30.9% of total adipocytes for groups of lambs with a firmness score of 4-5, 3 and 1-2, respectively). In this way, the average adipocyte cell diameter of the lambs with firmness scores of 4-5 (71.8 +/- 0.55 mum) was less than that for the lambs with scores of 3 (73.9 +/- 0.46 mum), and in turn, the diameter of this latter group was smaller than that of lambs with scores of 1-2 (77.6 +/- 0.59 mum). This work indicates the existence of a relationship between the intensity of the hyperplastic process undergone in the lamb subcutaneous adipose tissue and its fat firmness.

Two Norway spruce nutrient trials were used to evaluate the effects of fertilization and irrigation on transverse tracheid dimensions. Three different treatments and a control (C) were used; daily irrigation (I), daily liquid fertilization (IL) and an annual solid fertilization (F). The nutrient optimisation was based on foliage analysis and both liquid and solid fertilization essentially comprised the same amount of nutrients but the latter was applied annually in solid form. The cell measurements; cell wall thickness, radial and tangential cell widths, were obtained using image analysis (SilviScan at CSIRO, Melbourne, Australia). Mean annual cell wall thickness was decreased by fertilization (F and IL) on both sites whereas no effect of the irrigation on wall thickness could be detected. Radial cell width was increased by treatment at Flakaliden but at Asa the effect of irrigation and fertilization was reversed when the data structure i.e. development from pith and out and annual ring width was taken into account. Tangential cell width was not significantly affected by treatment at Flakaliden. At Asa fertilization caused a small increase on tangential cell width. Ring width was positively affected by treatment and is an important factor explaining the effects on primarily cell wall thickness and radial cell width.

Leukocytes roll and arrest on the vascular endothelium in both normal and pathological immune responses, but the particulate, non-Newtonian nature of blood renders traditional mathematical models of these processes intractable. Here we present a Lattice-Boltzmann approach to quantify the fluid dynamics and forces involved as white blood cells interact with red blood cells in "virtual" blood vessels of various geometries. We report that the normal force imparted by erythrocytes is sufficient to increase leukocyte binding, and that increases in tangential force and torque can promote rolling of previously adherent leukocytes. The ratio of cell diameter to vessel diameter is an important determinant of the form of the interaction. This novel approach can be applied to a large number of biological and industrial problems involving the complex flow of particulate suspensions.

In their letter, King and Hammer present results from their previously published article on hydrodynamic recruitment (King and Hammer, 2001xMultiparticle adhesive dynamics: hydrodynamic recruitment of rolling leukocytes. King, M.R. and Hammer, D.A. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 2001; 98: 14919–14924Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (119)See all ReferencesKing and Hammer, 2001), and comment on its relationship with our recently published manuscript (Zhang and Neelamegham, 2002xEstimating the efficiency of cell capture and arrest in flow chambers: study of neutrophil binding via E-selectin and ICAM-1. Zhang, Y. and Neelamegham, S. Biophys. J. 2002; 83: 1934–1952Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | Scopus (42)See all ReferencesZhang and Neelamegham, 2002). The objective of our response is to clarify the findings of our work in the context of this letter. Two specific points are addressed; the first pertains to our calculations of flow disturbance due to an adherent cell, and the second to our experimental data presented in Supplemental Data (http://www.eng.buffalo.edu/(neel/pplate.html).With regard to the first point, we agree that “hydrodynamic recruitment” (as defined in King and Hammer, 2001xMultiparticle adhesive dynamics: hydrodynamic recruitment of rolling leukocytes. King, M.R. and Hammer, D.A. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 2001; 98: 14919–14924Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (119)See all ReferencesKing and Hammer, 2001) of rolling leukocytes cannot be accounted for by purely considering changes in the local shear rate due to a bound cell. As seen in Appendix 1 of our article (Zhang and Neelamegham, 2002xEstimating the efficiency of cell capture and arrest in flow chambers: study of neutrophil binding via E-selectin and ICAM-1. Zhang, Y. and Neelamegham, S. Biophys. J. 2002; 83: 1934–1952Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | Scopus (42)See all ReferencesZhang and Neelamegham, 2002; corrections to appendix derivation are posted with supplemental material at the author's website), our calculations describe the disturbance to the local flow due to a bound cell, while neglecting the second cell in its vicinity. This derivation also clearly states that we have neglected hydrodynamic wall effects, and that accounting for this feature would further reduce the disturbance caused by the bound cell. We chose to neglect this feature since we were interested in presenting a simple, albeit approximate, analytical solution of flow that is convenient for an average experimenter to use. Further, we state in the article that ∼2.5 cell diameter represents the outer bounds of the region where the local shear is altered by at least 5%. The letter from King and Hammer suggests that our calculations are approximate, without acknowledging that our model assumptions are clearly stated in the original manuscript. Taking the conclusions of our work on flow disturbance with the work of King and Hammer (King and Hammer, 2001xMultiparticle adhesive dynamics: hydrodynamic recruitment of rolling leukocytes. King, M.R. and Hammer, D.A. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 2001; 98: 14919–14924Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (119)See all ReferencesKing and Hammer, 2001), we may conclude that hydrodynamic recruitment as defined by these authors cannot be accounted for based on flow-disturbance calculations alone.With regard to the second point, we do not believe that the results presented in Supplemental Data directly support, or weaken, the proposition that hydrodynamic recruitment is a significant phenomenon. As King and Hammer point out, and we agree, our experiments in Supplemental Data do not probe hydrodynamic recruitment. This was not our intention when we performed the experiments, nor do we make any such statement in our article. In our opinion, probing “hydrodynamic recruitment” is a difficult task in cellular assays. This would require the development of new statistical tests to distinguish 1) between the roles of hydrodynamic recruitment and L-selectin bond formation on leukocyte secondary capture, and 2) between hydrodynamic recruitment and primary cell capture. Experiments would have to be performed where L-selectin (and perhaps even the β2-integrins at low shear) is blocked, with Fab fragments of blocking antibodies or other inhibition strategies, to distinguish between the rates of pure hydrodynamic recruitment and primary capture. Additional runs in the absence of the above blocking strategies would be required to establish the degree to which hydrodynamic recruitment acts in synergy with L-selectin bond formation to mediate secondary capture. Interpretation of such experiments may be complicated since specific strategies to block hydrodynamic recruitment without affecting adhesion molecule function are not currently established to the best of our knowledge.Since we do not implement the above strategies in Supplemental Data, we respectfully disagree with the proposition of King and Hammer that “the Supplemental Data of Zhang and Neelamegham do contain an observation that reveals that hydrodynamic recruitment is indeed an important mechanism in in vitro flow assays.” Our approach of examining secondary capture involves estimation of a parameter called cell-cell capture probability (θcc) from experimental data, which we define as the fraction of collisions between cells in the free-stream and previously adherent cells that result in capture. This is a lumped parameter that incorporates all the features contributing to secondary capture, including receptor-mediated leukocyte-leukocyte tethering and the effects of fluid flow.We thank King and Hammer for their comments and for this stimulating discussion.

To reduce cellular damage by pronuclear microinjection and nuclear transfer, we have recently developed a vibratory microinjection method. A micropipette was fixed to a piezoelectric ceramic with a resonance frequency of 70 kHz. When this micropipette was vibrated, it easily entered a mouse-fertilized egg without any sharp depression of the cell body, whereas a sharp, deep depression at the insertion site was observed when the micropipette was not vibrated. A depression rate defined as a rate of a depth of depression over an original cell diameter was utilized as an index of cellular deformation. The depression rates with and without vibration were 11.1 ± 5.2% (N = 24) and 40.4 ± 8.8% (N = 16), respectively (P < 0.0001, Student's t-test). In conclusion, the vibratory microinjection method is a new, useful option for gene transfer because it resulted in much less cellular deformation, therefore implicating less cellular damage.

Microtubules are nanometer-scale cytoskeletal polymers which play a role in cell division, cell structure, and intracellular transport. Each of these functions requires microtubules that are stiff and straight enough to span a significant fraction of the cell diameter. Moreover, microtubules come in a variety of structures characterized by different diameters, or equivalently, different numbers of protofilaments. Previous experiments to characterize the stiffness of microtubules have generally relied on heterogeneous ensembles of microtubules with different structures, complicating the interpretation and comparison of stiffness measurements. We report on a kinesin-driven microtubule gliding experiment that simultaneously determines the stiffness and protofilament number (diameter) of individual microtubules, allowing us to distinguish stiffness for microtubules of 12-14 protofilaments (including two different 14 protofilament lattice structures). The scaling of our stiffness measurements are consistent with previous theories connecting protofilament number to stiffness, but also suggest an alternate correlation between stiffness and protofilament super-helical pitch.

One of the benefits of the mechanical and biological waste treatment (MBT) is increased stiffness with respect to the fresh “raw” waste material. Commercially available oedometers typically have a cell diameter from 75 to 254 mm, which is not sufficient specimen size for testing the compressibility behavior of waste materials. Based on the above mentioned consideration, the manufacturing of large oedometer of 500 mm internal diameter started at the Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering, University of Zagreb, in September 2008. The quality, durability and performance evaluation of the large oedometer has been made by comparison of five stress-strain curves obtained experimentally with stress-strain curves published by other researchers. In addition, obtained results have been compared to the stress-strain curves related to the fresh and decomposed untreated waste material and to the so- called “bioreactor” waste material. Comparison of results confirmed a reliable behavior of designed oedometer as well as the fact that treatment of fresh “raw” waste material can lead to a stiffer “soil-like” material.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Current contact lenses (CLs) when worn on an extended wear basis cause corneal epithelial alterations. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in corneal epithelial cell morphology and physiology following short term (3 months) wear of highly oxygen permeable CLs and to compare this with disposable CLs. METHODS Subjects were wearers of highly oxygen permeable CLs (n=11, wearing CLs on a 30 night schedule), disposable CL users (n=6, wearing CLs on a 6 night schedule), and non-CL wearers (n=20). Mean CL wear experience was 3 months. Epithelial cells were harvested using corneal cytology and were stained using acridine orange and ethidium bromide. Epithelial cell size and viability were determined. RESULTS The majority of epithelial cells recovered were non-viable (71%), and the mean longest cell diameter was 38 (SD 8) μm. Disposable CLs caused an increase in cell size (42 (7) μm) compared with both non-wear (39 (7) μm, p=0.01) and wear of highly oxygen permeable CLs (37 (10) μm, p=0.0049). There was no difference in cell viability between groups. CONCLUSIONS Extended wear of disposable CLs caused an 8% increase in cell diameter in harvested corneal epithelial cells following 3 months of CL wear. Cells harvested following 3 months9 wear of highly oxygen permeable CLs were indistinguishable from those recovered from non-CL wearers.

One characteristic defining a bacterial species is its cell shape (van Leeuwenhoek, 1684). Our work deals with simple symmetrical shapes that can be defined by the ratio between two dimensions, length L and diameter 2R. There are two such possible forms, an approximation to a prolate (including a sphere, where L/ 2R =1) and a cylinder (the length of which equals L-2R > 0) with hemispherical polar caps. Cells of the latter (bacilli) are often transformed into spheroids (cocci), such as upon entrance to the stationary phase (in gram negative species) or sporulation (in gram positives). The most familiar rod-shaped bacterium, which can easily become sphere-like, is Escherichia coli. Being the species of preference in the investigations conducted during the last 3 decades in our respective laboratories, it is the focus of this Chapter. The general laws derived are valid for other bacterial species and seem universal, albeit with slight modifications. Related subjects that are not thoroughly discussed here have frequently been reviewed in the literature (e.g., Kornberg and Baker, 1992; Koch, 1995; Messer and Weigel, 1996; Holtje, 1998; Nanninga, 1998).

Hypothesis: Does long-term sound deprivation lead to degeneration of the cochlear nuclei in two Usher type I patients? Methods: The cochlear nuclei of these patients were morphometrically analyzed and compared with two age-matched controls. Routine autopsy of the brainstems was performed before the design of this study was known. During this procedure, the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) can easily be damaged. Five partially damaged VCN could nevertheless be analyzed for this study, including the right VCN of Usher patient I and both VCN of Usher patient 2. Using 15 μm thick serial paraffine sections of the cochlear nuclei, estimates of volume, neuronal densities, number of cells and mean cell diameter of the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) and VCN were obtained. Results: This study presents unique material of the cochlear nuclei in two patients with Usher syndrome type I. Data regarding volume and total cell number of the VCN are influenced by the absence of a part of the VCN. Results suggest a decrease in mean cell diameter of the VCN in Usher patients. Other parameters of the VCN and DCN, however, showed no major differences between Usher type I patients and controls. Conclusion: Only minor degenerative changes are apparent in the cochlear nuclei of two patients with Usher type I, who were deprived of acoustic stimuli since birth.

Seventy eight growing-finishing pigs (male castrates and females) of the cross-breed Pietrain x (Large White x German Landrace) were used to investigate the effects of pST treatment on the chemical composition of the body, the growth of adipocytes, and the fatty acid profile of the backfat. Intramuscular injections (1 or 3 mg pST) were administered daily from an average weight of 65 kg up to slaughter. After pST treatment significant changes in all studied characteristics were observed in barrows, whereas the females exhibited very small responses. The pST caused an increase of water and protein contents and a simultaneous decrease of lipid content especially in body parts rich in fat. Furthermore, the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids increased and the fat cell diameter decreased in the backfat.