“
“Image cytometry has emerged as a valuable in vitro screening tool and advances in automated microscopy have made it possible to readily analyze large cellular populations GSK-872 of image data. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the viability of using cell shape to test equality of cell populations based on image data. Shape space theory is reviewed, from which differences between shapes can be quantified

in terms of geodesic distance. Several multivariate nonparametric statistical hypothesis tests are adapted to test equality of cell populations. It is illustrated that geodesic distance can be a better feature than cell spread area and roundness in distinguishing between cell populations. Tests based on geodesic distance are able to detect natural perturbations of cells, whereas Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests based on area and roundness are not.”
“BACKGROUND: Low substrate (11612) availability restricts microbial sulfate reduction when H(2) is used as an electron donor. In order

to enhance hydrogenotrophic sulfate conversion, Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough (DvH) cells permeabilized with ethanol were used as whole-cell biocatalysts.

RESULTS: Cell growth was retarded after permeabilization. The maximum ethanol percentage for the recovery of cell proliferation was 15% (v/v) when permeabilization process duration was 30 min at 4 degrees C. Cells treated with 10% ethanol SBC-115076 inhibitor achieved 1.7-fold measurable hydrogenase activity compared with the control, while hydrogenase activity decreased remarkably with further increase in ethanol percentage. The 10%

ethanol-treated cells were also shown to have the highest metabolic activity, 2.31-fold higher than the control. The accelerated metabolic activity was resulted from the enhancement of accessibility to substrate and product efflux due to increased permeability of the cell envelope when 10-15% ethanol was used High ethanol percentages caused cytoplasm leakage and interruption RG-7112 in vitro of the electron transfer chain and consequently loss of metabolic activity.

CONCLUSION: The utilization of DvH cells permeabilized by 10-15% ethanol solutions with both cell viability and ability to reproduce being maintained promoted hydrogenotrophic sulfate reduction. These preliminary data may contribute to an enhancement of the bioprocess in sulfidogenic reactors. (C) 2009 Society of Chemical Industry”
“Several issues that are inherent in the surgical techniques of surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) need specialized devices or techniques to overcome them, which may not always result in optimal outcomes. We used a non-invasive novel in silico modelling technique to study left ventricular (LV) morphology and function before and after SVR. The cardiac magnetic resonance imaging derived actual pre- and postoperative endocardial morphology and function was compared with the in silico analysis of the same.