The systematic appraisal of cellular injury.

From a study of the ultrastructural effects of numerous injuries agents on cultured kidney and liver cells, a check-list has been drawn up which summarizes all of the changes observed in subcellular components. The checklist resembles a multiple-choice test. Its use would permit greater standardization among workers reporting ultrastructural alterations observed in injured cells. It would also increase the objectivity with which cell injury can be assessed by electron microscopy. The checklist is suitable for use in computer-based programs designed to characterize types of cellular injury and for seeking correlations in ultrastructural changes arising from different forms of treatment.