Comparison of cell surface area measuring devices

Lee, Seung Hun

Abstract

BACKGROUND: During the past half century we have learned much about the functions of the stratum corneum but very little has been proven. Stratum corneum daes not represent the anatomy of this layer in the usual formalira fixed histological preparation. Several techniques have been developed over, the past decades to study the desquamating portion of the humain stratum corneum. There are several methods to measure the serface area of keratinocyte such as a plar,imeter, a graphic tablet and an automatic cytographic counter.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to find out the accuracy of different measuring devices. METHOD: Standard figures such as a pentagon, a hexagon and a circle, simulating the figure of keratinocyte are used toneasure srea. Repeated measurements of the areas by planimeter, graphic tablet and automatic cytographic counter were analysed by statiatic. RESULT: The planimeter had the advantage of measuring the entire visible area by microscope and a low mean absolute percent error (MAPE) (0.3%), but it needed skill to reduce error and more MAPE (0.5%). Graphic tablet was less time consuming, but had similar advantages of the plarimeter, and needed also skill. On the other hand, the automatic cytographic counter(YK-1) had a very short measuring time and needed less skill, but required good contrast stairing of in order to measure area.
CONCLUSION
Comparing the accurracy of three measuring devices of area, the MAPE of the planimeter was 0.3%, the MAPE of YK-1 was 0.5% and the MAPE of graphic tablet was 0.5%.