title: A fractal analysis of the spatial distribution of tumoral mast cells in lymph nodes and bone marrow.
abstract: The spatial distribution of mast cells inside the tumor stroma has been little investigated. In this study, we have evaluated tumor mast cells distribution through the analysis of the morphological features of the spatial patterns generated by these cells, including size, shape, and architecture of the cell pattern. We have compared diffuse large B cells lymphoma (DLBCL) and systemic mastocytosis in two different anatomical localizations (lymph nodes for DLBCL and, respectively, bone marrow for mastocytosis). Results have indicated that, despite the high difference in size exhibited by the mast cells patterns in the two conditions, the spatial relationship between the mast cells forming the aggregates resulted similar, characterized by a significant tendency of the mast cells to self-organize in clusters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova Medical School, University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guidolin
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11, 70124 Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marinaccio
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova Medical School, University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tortorella
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11, 70124 Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ruggieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11, 70124 Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rizzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency and Transplantation, Pathology Section, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maiorano
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency and Transplantation, Hematology Section, University of Bari Medical School, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Specchia
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; National Cancer Institute "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy. Electronic address: domenico.ribatti@uniba.it.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ribatti
mesh_terms: D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D017709:Fractals; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D034721:Mastocytosis, Systemic / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
keywords: Fractals; Lymph nodes; Lymphoma; Mast cells; Mastocytosis