Metabolic flux analysis definition

Mathematical optimization deals with determining values for a set of unknown variables x, X2, , x , which best satisfy (optimize) some mathematical objective quantified by a scalar function of the unknown variables, F(xi, X2, , xn). The function F is termed the objective function bounds on the variables, along with mathematical dependencies between them, are termed constraints. Constraint-based analysis of metabolic systems requires definition of the constraints acting on biochemical variables (fluxes, concentrations, enzyme activities) and determining appropriate objective functions useful in determining the behavior of metabolic systems. 

Kurata H, Zhao Q, Okuda R, Shimizu K (2007) Integration of enzyme activities into metabolic flux distributions by elementary mode analysis. BMC Syst Biol 1 31 Larhlimi A, Bockmayr A (2009) A New constraint-based description of the steady-state flux cone of metabolic networks. Discret Appl Math 157 2257-2266 Larhlimi A, Blachon S, Selbig J, Nikoloski Z (2011) Robustness of metabolic networks a review of existing definitions. Biosystems 106 1-8... 

In vitro testing is helpful in making definitive or differential diagnoses when the results of acylcarnitine analysis are ambiguous. Such tests can include specific enzyme analysis, flux studies and metabolic substrates used in association with acylcarnitine analysis. These tests can also generally be applied to prenatal specimens, and are of course accessible to laboratories that are equipped with tandem mass spectrometers. 

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