Intestinal absorption of calcium from foodstuffs as compared to a pharmaceutical preparation

Only few data are available on intestinal calcium absorption from foodstuffs and composite meals in humans. The aim of the study was to compare intraindividually the calcium absorption from milk and from a breakfast with that from a pharmaceutical calcium preparation of equal calcium content. In 8 healthy volunteers between 44 and 58 years of age, the intestinal calcium absorption was measured in randomized order applying the double isotope technique from: (1) 500ml of fresh milk (equivalent to 620mg Ca), (2) a test meal composed of 250 g curd, 150g yoghurt, 3 slices pineapple, 2 breakfast rolls, 2 cups of coffee, 10g of coffee cream, 20g butter, 50g jam and 20g honey (equivalent to 580mg Ca), and (3) a lactogluconate effervescent tablet (equivalent to 500mgCa). All test doses were given on an empty stomach and labelled with 20mg 44Ca. Simultaneously, 5mg 42Ca in a sterile isotonic solution were injected intravenously. The mean values of the absorbed fractions are 24.0% +/- 5.4% (mean +/-SD), 17.9% +/- 7.1%, and 28.7% +/- 9.1% for the milk, for the meal and for the tablet respectively. The data show that less calcium is absorbed from foodstuffs as compared to a preparation of optimal bioavailability. But in this study only the difference between absorption from the milk and from the meal was statistically significant. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a sufficient calcium supply of the human body also by properly selected foodstuffs.     

Eta and omega meson production in medium energy π+-p and K−p interactions

The production of η(550) and ω(780) mesons is studied in π^±p interactions at 16 GeV/c and K^?p interactions at 10 and 16 GeV/c. Cross sections for exclusive channels are presented, and for the π⁺p data differential cross sections are given for quasi-inclusive production where the η or ω is required to be accompanied by charged particles only. Close similarities are observed between η, ω and also ?⁰(770) production in terms of longitudinal and transverse variables. By a rough estimate, the η, ω and ?⁰ inclusive yields are found to be in the ratio 0.32 : 0.85 : 1, respectively, for 16 GeV/cπ⁺p collisions. For non-peripheral production we estimate this same ratio to be 0.34 : 0.9 : 1.     

Identifying systemically important financial institutions: a network approach

Computational Management Science - The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has proposed a methodology to identify Systemically Important Financial Institutions based on a series of indicators...     

Angular correlations in proton-proton collisions producing a high transverse momentum π0

In an experiment at the CERN ISR, a streamer chamber detector surrounding one of the intersection regions was triggered on large transverse momentum π⁰'s by means of an array of lead-glass counters. The directions of charged particles and γ rays converted in lead-oxide plates inside the streamer chamber were measured. Data were taken at c.m. energy of √s = 53 GeV at two production angles of the high p_Tπ⁰ (90° and 53°). They indicate an enhancement of particles mostly in the hemisphere opposite to the π⁰. In the 53° data, a shift of this enhancement towards rapidities opposite to the rapidity of the π⁰ and confined to a ±30° azimuthal region around the collision plane is observed. In addition, a short-range angular correlation is evidenced between the high p_Tπ⁰ and the other collisions products (photons or charged particles). Two-particle correlations between charged particles produced in association with the high p_Tπ⁰ are found similar to those     

Comparative Investigations on Intestinal Calcium Absorption from Two Therapeutic Preparations in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

Intestinal calcium absorption from two different therapeutic preparations was compared intraindividually in 12 postmenopausal women. An amount of 800 mg of calcium as lactogluconate/carbonate or citrate was given in random order respectively. Each test dose was labelled with stable ⁴⁴Ca. At the same time a tracer dose of ⁴²Ca was injected intravenously. The amount of calcium absorbed was derived from the ratio of the stable tracers in blood serum and urine 24 hours after administration. Mean bioavailability of the calcium citrate preparation was higher (30%) than from the calcium lactogluconate/carbonate preparation (25%).     

Live-Cell Localization Microscopy with a Fluorogenic and Self-Blinking Tetrazine Probe

Recent developments in fluorescence microscopy call for novel small-molecule-based labels with multiple functionalities to satisfy different experimental requirements. A current limitation in the advancement of live-cell single-molecule localization microscopy is the high excitation power required to induce blinking. This is in marked contrast to the minimal phototoxicity required in live-cell experiments. At the same time, quality of super-resolution imaging depends on high label specificity, making removal of excess dye essential. Approaching both hurdles, we present the design and synthesis of a small-molecule label comprising both fluorogenic and self-blinking features. Bioorthogonal click chemistry ensures fast and highly selective attachment onto a variety of biomolecular targets. Along with spectroscopic characterization, we demonstrate that the probe improves quality and conditions for regular and single-molecule localization microscopy on live-cell samples.