The noncontact autofocus specular microscope with incorporated semiautomated image analyzing program provide a rapid morphometric endothelial analysis. We evaluated the reproducibility of endothelial cell analysis with Konan noncon Robo-ca sp 8000 noncontact specular microscope. Specular microscopic examinations were performed three times each in twenty eyes by two examinations were performed three times one examiner. The difference of mean coefficient of variation of cell density evaluated by two examiners were not statistically significant(4.83% and 3.81, p=0.16). But, mean coefficient of variation of CV(coefficient variation of cell size, poluyimegathim) and hexagonality(pleomorphism) were statistically significantly different between two examiners(12.46%, 17.90%, p=0.04 and 12.30%, 8.40%, p=0.01, respectively). Repeatability evaluated by one examiner in two eyes showed small coefficient of variation of cell density(3.67% & 3.69%) and large coefficient of variation of CV(11.41% & 15.00%) and hexagonality(7.79% & 10.24%). In conclusion, our study has shown that Konan noncon Robo-ca sp 8000 noncontact specular microscope allows accurate estimation of endothelial cell density, But reproducibility of coefficient of variation of cell size and hexagonality analysis were lower than that of cell density analysis.
Cell Count ; Cell Size ; Endothelial Cells*

The AutoPap 300 QC System is an automated device for the analysis and classification of conventional cervical cytology slides for quality control purpose. These studies evaluated the sensitivity of the AutoPap 300 QC System, and estimated morphologic features other than epithelial abnormality to identify a high quality control(QC) score with the AutoPap 300 QC System. The sensitivity of the AutoPap 300 QC System at 10% review rate for 210 cases of cervicovaginal cytology with low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion(LSIL) and higher grade lesion was assessed, and compared with a 10% random rescreening. The morphologic features, such as presence of endocervical component, dirty background, atrophy, abnormal cell size, and cellularity of single atypical cells were estimated in 45 cases of no review and 30 cases of QC review cases. The AutoPap 300 QC System identified 119(56.7%) out of 210 cases with LSIL and higher grade lesion at 10% review rate. It was more sensitive to squamous cell lesions(50-62%) than to glandular lesions(10%). The dirty background and the scanty cellularity of single atypical cells were significantly related to low QC score. Conclusively, AutoPap 300 QC System is superior to human random rescreen for the identification of false negative smears. The upgrading of this device is required to enhance the detection of glandular lesion and certain inadequate conditions of the slides.
Atrophy ; Cell Size ; Classification ; Humans ; Quality Control

BACKGROUND: Malignant lymphomas are classified on the basis of morphology, immunohistochemistry, and genetic and molecular biological features. Morphology is considered the most important and basic feature. Lymphomas can be classified as small, medium, or large depending on the cell size, but this criterion tends to be rather subjective. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of an objective approach based on quantitative measurements. METHODS: Twenty specimens of mantle cell lymphoma and 2 specimens of the tonsil were examined. The nuclear area of 6,401 tumor cells of mantle cell lymphoma and 743 normal mantle cells of reactive tonsils were measured by 3 authors by using a user-controlled image-analyzer. The images of the nuclei were outlined using the spline method and the i-solution software, and the data were assessed using ANOVA and Student's t-test. RESULTS: The mean nuclear areas of mantle cell lymphoma cells measured by the 3 authors were 37.9 [7.9] microm2, 37.9 [7.2] microm2, and 38.2 [7.7] microm2 and those of normal mantle cells in reactive tonsil were 28.6 [2.3] microm2, 28.8 [2.0] microm2, and 27.0 [3.0] microm2. There was no statistical difference between the 3 observations of mantle cell lymphoma (P=0.580) and normal tonsils. CONCLUSION: For morphology, nuclear area is considered an important feature in the classification schemes of lymphoma. We showed that nuclear area measurement by using image analyzer can be used as an objective quantitative method. We think that nuclear morphometry may play a significant role in the diagnosis of lymphoma.
Cell Size ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell ; Palatine Tonsil

It was the purpose of this study to investigate the regeneration of the corneal endothelium after its destruction by freezing. Transcorneal freezing by liquid nitrogen was used to destroy the central part of the rabbit's corneal endothelium with the Cryo-probes of 5mm in diameter. The variation of cell size during regeneration of the corneal endothelium after freezing was studied in rabbits by Pachometry and Light microscopy.
Cell Size ; Endothelium, Corneal ; Freezing ; Microscopy ; Nitrogen ; Rabbits* ; Regeneration*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the change of corneal endothelial cell morphology after phacoemulsification according to the degree of the severity of diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: Preoperative and postoperative 6 months after phacoemulsification, the specular microscopy was performed on all the subjects. The patients were divided into three groups: Group I (n=30 eyes), non diabetic, Group II (n=30 eyes), diabetes with non proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), and Group III (n=30 eyes), diabetes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). RESULTS: Postoperative corneal endothelial cell density and hexagonality significantly decreased, and cell size variation coefficient increased in all groups compared to preoperative stage (P<0.001). At the postoperative 6 months, corneal endothelial cell density was significantly decreased in all groups (P<0.001). Cell size variations were significantly increased in Group III compared to Group I and Group II (P<0.05), but the percentage of hexagonal cell was not significantly decreased in all groups (P=0.082). CONCLUSIONS: Corneal endothelial cell density significantly decreased and cell size variation coefficient significantly increased in diabetic retinopathy patients undergoing phacoemulsification compared to normal. Therefore, it may be necessary to observe for the postoperative corneal complications in the proliferative diabetic retinopathy after phacoemulsification.
Cell Size ; Diabetic Retinopathy* ; Endothelial Cells* ; Humans ; Microscopy ; Phacoemulsification*

Urine specimens from 60 consecutive patients with hematuria were examined with an autoanalyzer (Coulter counter model S-PLUS JR) to obtain the urinary red cell size distribution curve an mean cellular volume (MCV). Glomerular and nonglomerular red blood cells showed large differences with respect to size distribution, with the peak for glomerular cells at a smaller volume (MCV value 68.40+/-4.32fl) in comparison with the normal size distribution of nonglomerular cells (MCV value 96.78+/-5.76fl). A definite diagnosis was made which correlated with urinary red cell mean cellular volume in of 39 patients (94%) with nonglomerular hematuria and in 20 of 21 patients (95%) with glomerular hematuria. Identification of glomerular (MCV values below 80 fl) and nonglomerular hematuria (MCV values above 80 fl) can be of practical use in the clinical managements of patients. We think that this simple diagnostic work up should be adopted in the routine screening test for patient with hematuria.
Cell Size ; Diagnosis ; Erythrocytes* ; Hematuria* ; Humans ; Mass Screening

Varieties of telepathology system had been developed and in use, but their functional capability and diagnostic accuracy are considered to be inferior to those of conventional optical microscope. This study is intended to find out: 1) the diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility rate according to the input devices and the video signals; 2) any potential technical problems of the telepathology system; 3) any possible physical and psychological impacts. We devised a virtual telepathology system using our existing microscope equipped with CCD camera unit that has no restriction of network speed. Total fifty-five surgical pathology cases from 11 different organs were selected. Three pathologists were involved in making diagnoses. The resulting diagnostic accuracies were: 1 CCD camera with composite video signal was 86.2%; 3 CCD camera with composite video signal was 93.1%; 3 CCD camera with component video signal was 95.0%. The 3 CCD camera with component video signal resulted in 95.0% diagnostic accuracy and was superior to 1 CCD camera with composite video signal. Some technical problems noted during this study were: the visual field of the virtual telepathology system was smaller by 43% than that of microscope; the difference of cell sizes between microscope and monitor; low resolution of image. Some physical and psychological symptoms were noted.
Cell Size ; Diagnosis ; Pathology, Surgical ; Telepathology* ; Visual Fields

Pigmented spindle cell nevus (PSCN) was first described by Reed et al. in 1975 as a distinctive form of nevocellular nevus. Although some authors consider PSCN to be a pigmented variant of Spitz nevus, most classify it as a separate disease. We encountered a two year old boy with deeply pigmented macule on the left foot dorsum. It's histologic features were sharply demarcated lateral margin, confinement above reticular dermis and entirely composed of heavily pigmented spindle cells. There were no atypical mitotic fugures or nuclear pleomorphism, and cell size was uniform. The pathologic features were consistent with PSCN.
Cell Size ; Dermis ; Foot ; Humans ; Infant* ; Male ; Nevus ; Nevus, Epithelioid and Spindle Cell ; Nevus, Spindle Cell*

BACKGROUND: Regulation of cell volume is one of the major physiologic functions in living cells. Intracellular calcium ion and cytoskeletal component of cell membrane play pivotal roles in cell volume regulation. The significance of astroglial cell swelling is in its relation to delayed and permanent neuronal death. The aim of the current study is therefore to elucidate the effect of propofol on the cell volume, [Ca2+]i and actin filaments in astroglial cells. METHODS: Astroglial cell line U1242MG astrocytoma cells were used in vitro. To investigate the alterations of cell volume and [Ca2+]i by propofol, flow cytometry system was used. Actin filaments were determined by tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITC)-phalloidin staining. RESULTS: Treatment with propofol 10 microgram/ml for 15 min or 2 h perfusion reduced significantly both cell volume and [Ca2+]i. Cell volume was reduced 3-4% in either duration of perfusion with propofol. Decreases in [Ca2+]i level in the presence of propofol was duration-dependent. Fifteen min perfusion with propofol caused 5% decrease in [Ca2+]i, but 2 h perfusion decreased [Ca2+]i further to 10%. The changes of actin filaments after propofol treatment for 30 min were apparently observed under fluorescent microscope. CONCLUSIONS: Changes of cell volume, [Ca2+]i and actin filaments are occurred by propofol in astroglial cells. Rearrangement of actin filaments may be associated with volume changes by propofol in astroglial cells.
Actin Cytoskeleton* ; Actins* ; Astrocytoma ; Calcium* ; Cell Line ; Cell Membrane ; Cell Size* ; Flow Cytometry ; Neurons ; Perfusion ; Propofol*

BACKGROUND: Distinguishing small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the lung is difficult with little information about interobserver variability. METHODS: One hundred twenty-nine cases of resected SCLC and LCNEC were independently evaluated by four pathologists and classified according to the 2004 World Health Organization criteria. Agreement was regarded as "unanimous" if all four pathologists agreed on the classification. The kappa statistic was calculated to measure the degree of agreement between pathologists. We also measured cell size using image analysis, and receiver-operating-characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate cell size in predicting the diagnosis of high-grade neuroendocrine (NE) carcinomas in 66 cases. RESULTS: Unanimous agreement was achieved in 55.0% of 129 cases. The kappa values ranged from 0.35 to 0.81. Morphometric analysis reaffirmed that there was a continuous spectrum of cell size from SCLC to LCNEC and showed that tumors with cells falling in the middle size range were difficult to categorize and lacked unanimous agreement. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide an objective explanation for considerable interobserver variability in the diagnosis of high-grade pulmonary NE carcinomas. Further studies would need to define more stringent and objective definitions of cytologic and architectural characteristics to reliably distinguish between SCLC and LCNEC.
Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Cell Size ; Lung ; Observer Variation ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; World Health Organization