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Biomedical subjects

W Jacob

Publications and source records attributed to W Jacob.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Dehiscence of the facial canal: developmental aspects.

In a series of human fetuses, the course of the facial canal in the temporal bone was investigated by the use of light and scanning electron microscopy. The normal development of the facial canal was correlated to clinical aspects of facial nerve dehiscences. Our observations demonstrate a more complex way of facial canal development not limited to the 'simple' ossification of the otic capsule. Endochondral ossification of the otic capsule does not virtually change the shape of the primitive facial sulcus. The fibrous layers surrounding the facial nerve seem to be responsible for the final architecture of the facial canal and not the otic capsule ossification by itself. The time sequence of their histological development is equally important and permitted us to distinguish three phases in facial canal development. The role of disturbances in epigenetic control for the initiation of dehiscences is discussed.

Cartilage↗
PubMed1990

Contact site between inner and outer mitochondrial membrane: a dynamic microcompartment for creatine kinase activity.

Creatine kinase is involved in the integration of high-energy metabolism in various tissues. In this study the tissue-specific distribution of the mitochondrial isoform was investigated, both by electrophoresis of rat tissue extracts, and by ultrastructural localisation of creatine kinase activity. Furthermore, the influence of uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation on mitochondrial creatine kinase activity associated with intermembrane contacts was investigated by enzyme cytochemistry and morphometric analysis. The results of the cytochemical survey indicate that contact sites are a prerequisite for creatine kinase to demonstrate enzymatic activity. Moreover, the extent of creatine kinase active membrane contacts depends on the metabolic state of the mitochondrion, as shown for heart mitochondria in vivo and in vitro, before and after treatment with dinitrophenol.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Early bone formation in the human fetal otic capsule. A methodological approach.

The present study was concentrated on the use of energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and backscattered electron imaging as practical tools for advanced autopsy of human fetuses when diagnostic evaluation of ear pathology is required. These methods were used to revisit the primary calcification front of the fetal otic capsule between 18 and 36 weeks' gestational age. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis indicates an equal Ca/P ratio in all the three layers of the otic capsule. These results are discussed in view of calcium homeostasis and inner ear function.

Calcification, Physiologic↗
PubMed1989

Ultrastructural localisation of creatine kinase activity in the contact sites between inner and outer mitochondrial membranes of rat myocardium.

The mitochondrial isoenzyme of creatine kinase, together with the ADP/ATP translocase, most probably belongs to a functional multi-enzyme complex located on the inner mitochondrial membrane. The outer membrane is a necessary constituent of this microcompartment. On the other hand, electron microscopic visualisation demonstrated the formation of contact sites between inner and outer mitochondrial membranes as a reaction to variations of the energy metabolism. In search for a possible correlation between these biochemical and morphological phenomena, rat myocardia were brought into the required energy state by stimulation through catecholaminergic mechanisms or adjusted perfusion with amytal. Subsequently, creatine kinase was cytochemically localised. Creatine kinase activity is demonstrated in membrane contacts between inner and outer mitochondrial membranes. The extent of contact sites and creatine kinase activity depends on the metabolic state as shown by morphometric analysis of the surface density of cytochemical reaction product. This surface density diminishes drastically after inhibiting the metabolic activity with amytal. It is concluded that these contact sites are dynamic micro-environments in which the active site of creatine kinase, oxidative phosphorylation and ADP/ATP transport interact during basal and stimulated metabolism.

Amobarbital↗
PubMed1989

Early ossification within the human fetal otic capsule: morphological and microanalytical findings.

Besides the use of conventional techniques such as light and polarization microscopy, the present paper proposes the combined use of transmission electron microscopy, secondary and backscattered electron imaging, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and computed tomography for the diagnostic evaluation of ear pathology in the human fetus. These methods were used to revisit the primary calcification front of the fetal otic capsule between 16 and 23 weeks gestational age. Ultramicroscopic evaluation demonstrates similar fetal bone formation to that found in other bones of the human fetus. The formation of the endosteal and periosteal layers is a typical example of early intra-membranous ossification. The enchondral layer is made up of fibrillar bone, laid down around the calcified cartilage remnants. Microchemical analysis indicates a significantly higher Ca/P ratio in the endochondral layer with respect to the endosteum and periosteum. The consequences of a lower Ca/P ratio in the endosteal layer are discussed in view of calcium homeostasis and inner ear function.

Ear Cartilage↗
PubMed1988

In-depth limitation of the Lamma 500 for the in situ localization of organic compounds in biological embedded tissue samples.

The objective of this study was exploration of the potential, offered by the laser microprobe mass spectrometer (LAMMA), for the in situ localization of organic targets in embedded tissues by means of structurally relevant ions. A series of model systems was designed to evaluate stepwise the analytical problems involved. A preliminary screening pointed to the position of the target in comparison to the actual sample surface as a determining parameter. Refined simulations were carried out with sandwich samples, consisting of an epon carrier (thickness 1 micron), coated with microcrystalline targets and covered with a layer between 5 and 50 nm of different materials (epon, carbon, formvar). In addition to the stimulated conversion of molecular into fragment ions, the presence of a barrier leads to a drastic loss of sensitivity (20-50 x) and unacceptable degradation of the mass spectrometric quality (resolution, calibration).

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗
PubMed1985

The prevention of Ca2+ overload in vascular smooth muscle by flunarizine as detected by Laser Microprobe Mass Analysis (LAMMA).

In vitro exposure of depolarized caudal artery preparations of the rat to a high calcium concentration resulted in a strong contraction of the smooth muscle cells. This muscle contraction was suppressed by flunarizine. It was shown cytochemically, using the combined oxalate-pyroantimonate method for the localization of calcium, that a considerable amount of electron-dense precipitate was seen over the depolarized muscle cells after incubation in a calcium containing medium. On the other hand this precipitate was not present on the smooth muscle cells when flunarizine was added to this incubation medium. The reaction product was only present in the extracellular space. These results were controlled by Laser Microprobe Mass Analysis. By evaporating and ionizing small parts of the smooth muscle cells (+/- 1 micron), it was confirmed that the cytochemical method indeed demonstrated calcium, with negligible interference of other cations.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

A new image analysis method for the quantification of neovascularization.

In a foregoing paper, an attempt has been described to quantify the neovascularization in the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) by using the method of automatic image analysis. In this case 5 to 10 min were necessary to measure the neovascular response of one CAM preparation (i.e. to obtain a value for the degree of angiogenesis). The accuracy of reproducibility of the measurements was about +/- 20%. In this paper, we describe a new method which only requires about 55 seconds for the measurement of one specimen with an accuracy of about +/- 12%.

Allantois↗
PubMed1979

Regular, rodlike, macromolecular structures in Artemia salina.

Artemia salina of different origins and in different developmental stages contains regular, rodlike, macromolecular structures. The particles were visualized by electron microscopy after negative staining. They can be purified from the postmitochondrial supernatant by sucrose gradient centrifugation in the presence of EDTA. Their size distribution has been measured from electron micrographs. The particles are probably nucleoprotein complexes.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

The regional registry of gastro-intestinal cancer North Baden (2.2 million inhabitants).

The advantages of a population-based registry are discussed. It is shown that a registry for gastro-intestinal cancer in a district with expert medical care based upon histo-pathological diagnosis, has the principal advantage that it limits the sites of material collection to a few effective contributors, thus providing highly accurate data. The disadvantage of collecting data by two separate steps should be tolerated. The geographic situation and the organization of the regional registry for gastro-intestinal cancer in North Baden are described and the incidences for these cancers for the years 1971-1975 are given for the population of 2.2 million.

Gastrointestinal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1978

[The patho-anatomical Regional Cancer Registry of North Baden].

Since the middle of 1976, after approximately one year of preparation, the regional cancer registry of gastrointestinal tumors in the district of North Baden has been fully in operation. Meanwhile approximately 15,000 cases of cancer have been registered retrospective including 1971. Reasons for the maximum size of a population-based registry and the method of efficiently procuring the necessary data are shown.

Female↗