Nature of micellar calcium phosphate in cows' milk as studied by high-resolution electron microscopy

The nature of the inorganic calcium phosphate in the casein micelle of cows' milk has been studied by high-resolution electron microscopy. No periodic lattice spacings could be imaged, and diffraction patterns were of the diffuse amorphous type. Short-range order of less than 15 Å may be present, but the results indicate that there is no long-range order in micellar calcium phosphate.     

Digital biology: an emerging and promising discipline

This article examines the role of computation and quantitative methods in modern biomedical research to identify emerging scientific, technical, policy and organizational trends. It identifies common concerns and practices in the emerging community of computationally-oriented bio-scientists by reviewing a national symposium, Digital Biology: the Emerging Paradigm, held at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, November 6th and 7th 2003. This meeting showed how biomedical computing promises scientific breakthroughs that will yield significant health benefits. Three key areas that define the emerging discipline of digital biology are: scientific data integration, multi-scale modeling and networked science. Each area faces unique technical challenges and information policy issues that must be addressed as the field matures. Here we summarize the emergent challenges and offer suggestions to academia, industry and government on how best to expand the role of computation in their scientific activities.     

Nature of micellar calcium phosphate in cows' milk as studied by high-resolution electron microscopy

The nature of the inorganic calcium phosphate in the casein micelle of cows' milk has been studied by high-resolution electron microscopy. No periodic lattice spacings could be imaged, and diffraction patterns were of the diffuse amorphous type. Short-range order of less than 15 A may be present, but the results indicate that there is no long-range order in micellar calcium phosphate.     

Kinetic analysis and comparison of uptake, distribution, and excretion of 48V-labeled compounds in rats

Setyawati, I. A., K. H. Thompson, V. G. Yuen, Y. Sun, M. Battell, D. M. Lyster, C. Vo, T. J. Ruth, S. Zeisler, J. H. McNeill, and C. Orvig. Kinetic analysis and comparison of uptake,distribution, and excretion of⁴⁸V-labeled compounds in rats.J. Appl. Physiol. 84(2): 569-575, 1998.Vanadium has been found to be orally active in lowering plasmaglucose levels; thus it provides a potential treatment for diabetesmellitus. Bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) (BMOV) is a well-characterizedorganovanadium compound that has been shown in preliminarystudies to have a potentially useful absorption profile. Tissuedistributions of BMOV compared with those of vanadyl sulfate (VS) werestudied in Wistar rats by using⁴⁸V as a tracer. In this study,the compounds were administered in carrier-added forms by either oralgavage or intraperitoneal injection. Data analyzed by a compartmentalmodel, by using simulation, analysis, and modeling (i.e., SAAM II)software, showed a pattern of increased tissue uptake with use of⁴⁸V-BMOV compared with⁴⁸VS. The highest⁴⁸V concentrations at 24 h aftergavage were in bone, followed by kidney and liver. Most ingested⁴⁸V was eliminated unabsorbed byfecal excretion. On average, ⁴⁸Vconcentrations in bone, kidney, and liver 24 h after oraladministration of ⁴⁸V-BMOV weretwo to three times higher than those of⁴⁸VS, which is consistent with theincreased glucose-lowering potency of BMOV in acute glucose loweringcompared with VS.