• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• 제56권3호
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• pp.382-393
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• 2023

Cell clusters are a histological hallmark feature of intervertebral disc degeneration. Clusters arise from cell proliferation, are associated with replicative senescence, and remain metabolically, but their precise role in various stages of disc degeneration remain obscure. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate small, medium, and large size cell-clusters. For this purpose, human disc samples were collected from 55 subjects, aged 37-72 years, 21 patients had disc herniation, 10 had degenerated non-herniated discs, and 9 had degenerative scoliosis with spinal curvature <45°. 15 non-degenerated control discs were from cadavers. Clusters and matrix changes were investigated with histology, immunohistochemistry, and Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Data obtained were analyzed with spearman rank correlation and ANOVA. Results revealed, small and medium-sized clusters were positive for cell proliferation markers Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in control and slightly degenerated human discs, while large cell clusters were typically more abundant in severely degenerated and herniated discs. Large clusters associated with matrix fissures, proteoglycan loss, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), and Caspase-3. Spatial association findings were reconfirmed with SDS-PAGE that showed presence to these target markers based on its molecular weight. Controls, slightly degenerated discs showed smaller clusters, less proteoglycan loss, MMP-1, and Caspase-3. In conclusion, cell clusters in the early stages of degeneration could be indicative of repair, however sustained loading increases large cell clusters especially around microscopic fissures that accelerates inflammatory catabolism and alters cellular metabolism, thus attempted repair process initiated by cell clusters fails and is aborted at least in part via apoptosis.

• 대한세포병리학회지
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.36-42
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• 1990

The fluoroscopy-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy has been gaining widespread acceptance as a rapid and effective method to make a pre-operative diagnosis of mediastinal tumors including thymoma, malignant lymphoma, and metastatic carcinoma. Although thymoma is a most common tumor of the superior mediastinum, most cytopathologists are not experted in cytologic diagnosis of this tumor because of limited experience. In order to define the diagnostic cytologic features of thymoma, we have retrospectively reviewed imprinting smears and corresponding tissue sections from four cases of this tumor. All cases revealed an apparent biphasic pattern of epithelial cell clusters and lymphocytes with occasional branching capillary fronds extending from three dimensional epithelial cell clusters. Epithelial cell clusters predominated in one case and lymphocytes in two cases. Mixed epithelial cell and lymphocyte type represented in one of four cases. In the lymphocyte predominant type, the presence of epithelial cell clusters and small mature lymphocytes are helpful features to differentiate from a malignant lymphoma.

• 대한기계학회논문집B
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.259-266
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• 2013

광학 현미경을 통해 일정한 시간 간격으로 얻은 세포 이미지로부터 세포 변화를 자동적으로 추적 및 분석하는 것이 세포 트래킹이라고 한다. 세포 변화 과정에서 이웃에 있는 세포들이 겹쳐져 있는 상태를 클러스터라고 하며 세포트래킹에서 클러스터를 다시 세포로 분리하는 작업은 매우 중요하다. 본 논문에서는 타원 근사법을 기반으로 클러스터를 분리하기 위한 알고리즘을 제안한다. 클러스터의 외곽선을 추출한 후 외곽선의 오목정점을 이용하여 클러스터를 라인 세그먼트들로 분리한 다음 휴리스틱을 이용하여 라인 세그먼트들을 결합해 가며 근사 타원을 생성한다. 실험 결과 두 개의 세포가 겹쳐진 클러스터의 경우 평균적으로 91%, 세 개의 세포가 겹쳐진 경우 평균적으로 84% 그리고 겹쳐진 세포의 개수가 네 개 이상인 경우 약 73%의 정확도로 클러스터를 분리해 주었다.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한불임학회 2006년도 The 5th Biannual Meeting of Pacific Rim Society for Fertility and Sterility
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• pp.50-52
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• 2006

• BMB Reports
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• 제57권5호
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• pp.232-237
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• 2024

This study investigated how adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs) respond to chondrogenic induction using droplet-based single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). We analyzed 37,219 high-quality transcripts from control cells and cells induced for 1 week (1W) and 2 weeks (2W). Four distinct cell clusters (0-3), undetectable by bulk analysis, exhibited varying proportions. Cluster 1 dominated in control and 1W cells, whereas clusters (3, 2, and 0) exclusively dominated in control, 1W, and 2W cells, respectively. Furthermore, heterogeneous chondrogenic markers expression within clusters emerged. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes unveiled cluster-specific variations in key biological processes (BP): (1) Cluster 1 exhibited up-regulation of GO-BP terms related to ribosome biogenesis and translational control, crucial for maintaining stem cell properties and homeostasis; (2) Additionally, cluster 1 showed up-regulation of GO-BP terms associated with mitochondrial oxidative metabolism; (3) Cluster 3 displayed up-regulation of GO-BP terms related to cell proliferation; (4) Clusters 0 and 2 demonstrated similar up-regulation of GO-BP terms linked to collagen fibril organization and supramolecular fiber organization. However, only cluster 0 showed a significant decrease in GO-BP terms related to ribosome production, implying a potential correlation between ribosome regulation and the differentiation stages of AT-MSCs. Overall, our findings highlight heterogeneous cell clusters with varying balances between proliferation and differentiation before, and after, chondrogenic stimulation. This provides enhanced insights into the single-cell dynamics of AT-MSCs during chondrogenic differentiation.

• 종양간호연구
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.77-85
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify symptom cluster experienced by patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) on gefitinib treatment. In addition, this study assessed the patterns in severity of the symptom cluster and differences in quality of life (QOL) and function among subgroups by the severity of symptom cluster. Methods: This study was conducted as a secondary analysis of symptoms of 72 patients from a mother study. Factor analysis was used to identify symptom clusters measured with EORTC QLQ-C30 and LC13 symptom related items. Results: Three symptom clusters were identified: cluster 1 was comprised of fatigue, anorexia and dysphagia; cluster 2 of dyspnea, cough and insomnia; and cluster 3 of pain, constipation and nausea/vomiting. These three symptom clusters were improved one week after gefitinib administration. The group with more severe symptom clusters showed significantly lower QOL and function than the group with less severe symptom clusters. Conclusion: Since symptom clusters experienced by the patients with advanced NSCLC influenced on the QOL and function, it is important for nurses to understand and observe their symptom clusters. In addition, there is an necessity to develop nursing interventions to effectively care patients with the symptom clusters.

• 대한세포병리학회지
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.88-92
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• 2002

Scattered single cells or variable sized clusters of signet ring cells in the aspirated smears of breast lesions are almost exclusively associated with carcinoma. The signet ring cells are defined as those containing a prominent intracytoplasmic vacuole or amorphous cytoplasm diffusely dispersed with mucin. The primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the breast behaves more aggressively than carcinoma without signet ring cells. Therefore, it is very important to make a correct diagnosis of signet ring cell carcinoma. Fine needle aspiration cytology is useful for diagnosis of breast lesions Including signet ring cell carcinoma. We report two cases, which showed mostly signet ring cells in the aspirated smears of the breast. One case consisted of numerous individual signet ring cells and variable sized cell clusters in rather mucoid background. The tumor cells had abundant amorphous cytoplasm filled with dispersed mucin or occasionally mucin vacuoles(PAS +) and eccentric nuclei. The resected mass revealed mucinous carcinoma. The other showed the cytologic findings of low cellularity, and small loosely cohesive signet ring cell clusters with mild nuclear pleomorphism. It was confirmed as lobular signet ring cell carcinoma in the resected tumor.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.349-367
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• 1996

The development of small granule-containing cell in the superior cervical ganglion was studied by electron microscopic method in human fetuses ranging from 40 mm to 260 mm crown rump length (10 to 30 weeks of gestational age). At 40 mm fetus, the superior cervical ganglion was composed of clusters of undifferentiated cells, primitive neuroblasts, and unmyelinated nerve fibers together with blood vessels. At 90 mm fetus, the superior cervical ganglion consisted of neuroblasts, satellite cell, small granule-containing cells, and unmyelinated nerve fibers. Two morphological types of the small granule-containing cells in the superior cervical ganglion were first indentified at 90 mm fetus, but were rare. Type I granule-containing cell occurred in solitary and had long processes, whereas type II cells tend to appeared in clusters near the blood capillaries. The granule-containing cells were characterized by the presence of dense-cored vesicles ranging from $150{\sim}300nm$ in diameter in both the cell bodies and processes. Other organelles included abundant mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, neurotubules, and widely distributed ribosomes. The granule-containing cells had long processes similar to those found in principal ganglionic cells. They could be identified by their content in dense-cored vesicles. The small granule-containing cells increased somewhat in size and number with increase of fetal age. Synaptic contacts were first found on the solitary granule-containing cell at 150 mm fetus. Synaptic contacts between the soma and processes of type I granule-containing cells and preganglionic axon terminals were observed. In addition, synaptic junctions between the processes of granule-containing cells and presumed dendrite of postganglionic neuron were also observed from 150 mm onward. On the basis of these features type I granule-containing cells could be considered as interneurons. The clusters of type II granule-containing cells were located in the interstitial or subcapsular portions of the ganglion, and had short processes which ended in close relation to fenestrated capillaries. Therefore it may be infer that clusters of type II granule-containing cells have an endocrine function.

• 대한세포병리학회지
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.62-66
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• 1991

Glassy cell carcinoma is an unusual neoplasm of the uterine cervix with highly aggressive clinical behavior. On cervico-vaginal smear examination, the tumor has well confused of atypical repair ceil of the endocervix. Recently, we have experienced two cases of glassy cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix, diagnosed on cervico-vaginal smears and confirmed on fellowing histologic sections. The cervico-vaginal smears revealed abundant clusters with well defined boarders. The cell clusters were composed of large tumor cells. The tumor cells had distinct granular cytoplasm and eosinophilic macronucleoli, Characteristic cytologic features of this tumor were discussed in view of differential diagnosis.

• 한국정보통신학회논문지
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• 제15권11호
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• pp.2493-2499
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• 2011

나노 바이오산업의 발전과 더불어 세포 성장 과정에서 발견되는 세포의 이동, 분열, 통합, 아포토시스(apoptosis), 모양 변형, 세포들 간의 상호 작용 등을 포함하는 세포의 행동을 분석하기 위한 자동화된 시스템의 개발은 매우 중요하다. 본 연구에서는 세포 배양 과정에서 광학현미경을 통해 얻은 세포의 실시간 이미지들의 변화/변형 과정을 2D 또는 3D 분석 하기위한 전처리 방법과 세포와 클러스터(둘 이상의 세포의 결합)를 자동 식별하기 위한 방법, 시간의 흐름에 따라 변화되는 세포와 클러스터의 개수를 계수하기 위한 방법을 제시한다. 제안된 방법들은 30분 간격으로 촬영한 3T3 세포 배양 이미지들을 이용하여 실험하였으며 세포 및 클러스터를 분류하고 각각의 개수를 자동계수한 결과 평균 99.8%의 정확도를 보여 주었다.