title: Stochastic aspects of leukocyte transit in hamster cheek pouch arterioles.
abstract: To clarify the dynamics of leukocyte delivery to the capillary network we measured leukocyte velocity (Vwbc), leukocyte flux and the intra-arrival times between successive leukocytes in terminal arterioles of the cheekpouch of eight hamsters. The sequences, generated electronically when fluorescent leukocytes passed a fixed point in the arteriole, were analyzed as stochastic point processes. Results showed that six sequences were stationary, and two with a linear trend in Vwbc, were not. Tests performed on the stationary sequences indicated conformity to a renewal process in all cases. Analysis of the distributional and sequential properties of the sequences indicated a good fit to a Poisson process. Overall these results show that leukocyte delivery to the capillary network can be characterized as a Poisson process if Vwbc remains relatively constant, if not, a non-homogeneous Poisson process is a more suitable model, with Vwbc being the explanatory variable. The demonstration of the applicability of these models may lead to a more complete understanding of both the physiological and patho-physiological dynamics of leukocytes within the microvasculature.
authors.affiliation: Microvascular Studies Unit, Miami Heart Institute, FL 33140.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mayrovitz
authors.forename: H N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Mayrovitz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001160:Arterioles / Q000502:physiology*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D002610:Cheek / Q000098:blood supply; D006224:Cricetinae; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D008647:Mesocricetus; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D013269:Stochastic Processes