Approach for numerically describing and classifying benthic animals’ polymorphic cells morphology

Describing cell morphology is a tricky task, prone to misinterpretation due to subjective nature of the human observer and his vocabulary limitations. Consequently, these limitations actuate prevalence of non-formalized, statistically unverifiable language use. This determines the reason for overlooking cell shape as a viable parameter for describing cell's functional state intricacies. In this study we demonstrate the use of mathematical parameters set for describing two-dimensional fractals, such as: convex hull, density, roundness and asymmetry, for comparative in vitro morphological analysis of sprawled starfishes' Aphelasterias japonica and Patiria pectinifera (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) coelomocytes, and bivalve's Callista brevisiphonata (Mollusca: Bivalvia) hemocytes. We found that these parameters allow us to describe visually distinguishable but verbally indescribable "chaotic" sprawled cell shapes. Furthermore, resulting numerical cell descriptions differs significantly, enabling for their species-specific grouping and classification. We argue that presented morphometric methodology can be used for describing and classifying cells of any arbitrary morphology, as well as compiling "cell shape - cell functional state" match library for later use in in vitro analysis, potentially for cells of any animal.

Approach for numerically describing and classifying benthic animals’ polymorphic cells morphology

Describing cell morphology is a tricky task, prone to misinterpretation due to subjective nature of the human observer and his vocabulary limitations. Consequently, these limitations actuate prevalence of non-formalized, statistically unverifiable language use. This determines the reason for overlooking cell shape as a viable parameter for describing cell's functional state intricacies. In this study we demonstrate the use of mathematical parameters set for describing two-dimensional fractals, such as: convex hull, density, roundness and asymmetry, for comparative in vitro morphological analysis of sprawled starfishes' Aphelasterias japonica and Patiria pectinifera (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) coelomocytes, and bivalve's Callista brevisiphonata (Mollusca: Bivalvia) hemocytes. We found that these parameters allow us to describe visually distinguishable but verbally indescribable "chaotic" sprawled cell shapes. Furthermore, resulting numerical cell descriptions differs significantly, enabling for their species-specific grouping and classification. We argue that presented morphometric methodology can be used for describing and classifying cells of any arbitrary morphology, as well as compiling "cell shape - cell functional state" match library for later use in in vitro analysis, potentially for cells of any animal.

Approach for numerically describing and classifying benthic animals’ polymorphic cells morphology

Describing cell morphology is a tricky task, prone to misinterpretation due to subjective nature of the human observer and his vocabulary limitations. Consequently, these limitations actuate prevalence of non-formalized, statistically unverifiable language use. This determines the reason for overlooking cell shape as a viable parameter for describing cell's functional state intricacies. In this study we demonstrate the use of mathematical parameters set for describing two-dimensional fractals, such as: convex hull, density, roundness and asymmetry, for comparative in vitro morphological analysis of sprawled starfishes' Aphelasterias japonica and Patiria pectinifera (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) coelomocytes, and bivalve's Callista brevisiphonata (Mollusca: Bivalvia) hemocytes. We found that these parameters allow us to describe visually distinguishable but verbally indescribable "chaotic" sprawled cell shapes. Furthermore, resulting numerical cell descriptions differs significantly, enabling for their species-specific grouping and classification. We argue that presented morphometric methodology can be used for describing and classifying cells of any arbitrary morphology, as well as compiling "cell shape - cell functional state" match library for later use in in vitro analysis, potentially for cells of any animal.

Aphelasteroside F, a new Asterosaponin from the Far Eastern Starfish Aphelasterias japonica

A new asterosaponin aphelasteroside F (1) was isolated from the ethanolic extract of the Far Eastern starfish Aphelasterias japonica along with the previously known ophidianoside F (2). The structure of 1 was elucidated by extensive use of NMR and ESI-MS techniques, and chemical transformations. Compound 1 contains a new type of asterosaponin carbohydrate chain linked to C-6 of the steroid aglycone aphelaketotriol. Compounds 1 and 2 at non-toxic concentrations slightly inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation of the cancer melanoma cell lines SK-Mel-28, SK-Mel-5, and RPMI-7951.