Comparative analysis of three human adipocyte size measurement methods and their relevance for cardiometabolic risk

OBJECTIVE:To determine whether adipocyte diameters from three measurement methods are similarly associated with adiposity measurements and cardiometabolic variables.METHODS:Surgical samples of omental and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue were obtained in a sample of 60 women (age 35-59 years; body mass index 20.3-41.1 kg/m2 ). Median adipocyte diameter of the main cell population was determined by collagenase digestion, osmium tetroxide fixation, and histological analysis. Adiposity and cardiometabolic risk factors were assessed.RESULTS:Adipocyte diameter was consistently smaller with formalin fixation than with collagenase digestion, whereas osmium-fixed cells were larger (P < 0.0001, for all). Median adipocyte diameters derived from all methods were intercorrelated (r = 0.46-0.83, P < 0.001 for all). Positive associations were found between adipocyte diameters from all techniques and regional or total adiposity measurements (P < 0.01 for all). Omental adipocyte diameter was positively associated with fasting glucose, insulin, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (r = 0.30-0.52, P < 0.05 for all), with osmium-fixed cell size as a stronger correlate. Osmium-fixed cell diameter was also a better correlate of plasma adiponectin and leptin.CONCLUSIONS:Although measurement techniques generated systematic differences in adipocyte size, associations with adiposity were only slightly affected by the technique. Osmium fixation generated stronger associations with cardiometabolic risk factors than collagenase digestion and histological analysis

COCHORTI -Les cochenilles sur les plantes ornementales et leurs parasitoïdes

An inventory of scale insects and their related parasitoids has been carried out on ornamental plants. Anetwork of collectors has been set up in several French countries with a particular focus in ProvenceAlpes-Côte-D’Azur. 57 species of scale insects and more than 40 hymenopterous parasitoids have beendetermined, several of them being identified for the first time in France.Un inventaire des cochenilles et de leurs parasitoïdes a été entrepris sur plantes ornementales. Un réseau de collecteurs a été mis en place dans plusieurs régions françaises, notamment, en Provence-Alpes-Côte-D'azur. 57 espèces de cochenilles et plus de 40 espèces d'hyménoptères parasitoïdes ont été déterminées, parmi lesquelles plusieurs ont été identifiées pour la première fois en France