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Biomedical subjects

J Metz

Publications and source records attributed to J Metz.

349 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

Significance of tests of iron nutrition in pregnancy.

Tests of iron and folate nutrition have been carried out in early pregnancy and at delivery in 63 Bantu females. Accepted normal values for serum iron, and percentage saturation of transferrin, but not for unsaturated iron-binding capacity, for non-pregnant subjects were found to apply equally well in pregnancy. Concomitant folate deficiency in early pregnancy did not render tests of iron deficiency less valid. The unsaturated iron-binding capacity, percentage saturation, and marrow iron stores in early pregnancy all showed a significant correlation with the haemoglobin value at term. Patients with normal marrow iron stores and a percentage saturation of transferrin of 20 or more at or before the 24th week are unlikely to become anaemic from iron deficiency during pregnancy.

Adult↗

Significance of cardiac innervation on spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias elicited by left stellate ganglion stimulation in dogs 4 days after myocardial infarction: comparison of two experimental models.

The effects of cardiac sympathetic overactivity on spontaneous arrhythmias and transmural left ventricular effective refractory period (LVERP) were assessed by left stellate stimulation (LSS) in 16 anesthetized dogs. The experiments were performed 4 days after proximal occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery produced by either ligation (9 dogs) or embolization with histoacryl (7 dogs). The innervation of left ventricular myocardium was studied by light and electron microscopies. Synaptophysin (SYN)- and neuropeptide Y (NPY)-immunoreactive nerve fibers and terminals were thereby detected. In dogs subjected to ligation, LSS elicited negligible arrhythmias in spite of a decrease in LVERP by 6.9 +/- 2.2% (mean +/- SD, p < 0.001). However, dogs with intravascular occlusion were more susceptible to LSS, as indicated by development of sustained ventricular rhythms. In these animals, the LVERP decreased with LSS by 14.6 +/- 3.4% (p < 0.001). The innervation of the anterior left ventricular wall distal to the place of occlusion revealed a higher reduction of SYN- and NPY-immunoreactive nerves in infarcted myocardium and a more heterogeneous distribution of nerves in undamaged regions after ligation, compared to intravascular occlusion. Ultrastructurally, nerve terminals containing small agranular and large dense-core vesicles were found innervating ischemically damaged myocardiocytes. Our findings indicate a higher preservation of nerves in infarcted and noninfarcted myocardium of animals subjected to embolic occlusion of the LAD. Because LSS apparently elicited more arrhythmias in these animals, we suggested a proarrhythmic effect of intact myocardial innervation after infarction.

Animals↗

Algorithms for network analysis in systems-ADME/Tox using the MetaCore and MetaDrug platforms.

The authors have previously applied two integrated platforms, MetaCore and MetaDrug, for the assembly and analysis of human biological networks as a useful method for the integration and functional interpretation of high-throughput experimental data. The present study demonstrates in detail the specific algorithms that are used in both software platforms. Using a standard set of genes as input, namely CYP3A4 (an enzyme), PXR (a nuclear hormone receptor), MDR1 (a transporter) and hERG (an ion channel) related to the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADME/Tox) of xenobiotics, we have now generated networks with each algorithm. The relative advantages and disadvantages of these algorithms are explained using these examples as well as appropriate instances of utility to illustrate further the particular circumstances for their use. In addition, the benefits of the different network algorithms are identified when compared with algorithms available in other products, where this information is available.

Algorithms↗

[Morphologic studies for quantifying arteriosclerosis].

After application of a semisynthetic diet enriched with 0.5% cholesterol, hypercholesterolemia was produced in nine New Zealand rabbits. After 92 days the aortas were divided into 10 segments and analyzed using morphological methods. We used a computer-assisted morphometric method that was developed for measuring arteriosclerotic lesions of the vessel wall (length and area of plaques) within single aortic segments. We observed a proximo-distal segmental pattern of arteriosclerotic lesions of the aortic wall. The highest extent of atherosclerosis was found in the aortic arch, decreasing in extent in thoracal and abdominal regions. Our results show that segmental measurements of the aorta are necessary to analyze the extent of atherosclerosis reproducibly.

Age Factors↗