Large-scale production of lutetium-177m for the Lu/Lu radionuclide generator.

In this work, Lu has been produced by irradiation of natural LuO targets at the BR2 reactor (Mol, Belgium) and the obtained data together with literature values have been used to theoretically investigate the production of Lu at different neutron fluxes, irradiation times and enrichment of Lu. The irradiation time (t) needed to reach the maximum Lu production has been found to change from 42, 12, 4 days with the increase in the thermal neutron flux from 2*10, 8*10, 2.5*10 n cm s, respectively while keeping the maximum Lu activity unaffected.

Measurement of the enriched stable isotope Fe in iron related disorders- comparison of INAA and MC-ICP-MS.

As a safer alternative for the use of radioactive tracers, the enriched stable Fe isotope has been introduced in studies of iron metabolism. In this study this isotope is measured with instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) in blood samples of patients with iron related disorders and controls after oral ingestion of a Fe containing pharmaceutical. Results were compared with those derived from MC-ICP-MS, applied on the same samples, and analytical and practical aspects of the two techniques were compared.

Reversed phase free ion selective radiotracer extraction (RP-FISRE): a new tool to assess the dynamic stabilities of metal (-organic) complexes, for complex half-lives spanning six orders of magnitude.

This paper introduces reversed phase free ion selective radiotracer extraction (RP-FISRE) as a new tool to assess the stability of metal complexes, as illustrated by the assessment of the stability of [(177)Lu]Lu-DOTA-octreotate. To this end, the TUDelft-developed FISRE, where the released metal is column-retained and the complex eluted, was changed into RP-FISRE, where the complex is column-retained and the released metal is eluted. This change in the approach allows for studies to be performed with high stability complexes.

Is there a future for biomonitoring of elemental air pollution? A review focused on a larger-scaled health-related (epidemiological) context.

The present paper focuses on biomonitoring of elemental atmospheric pollution, which is reviewed in terms of larger-scaled biomonitoring surveys in an epidemiological context. Based on the literature information, today's availability of solar-powered small air filter samplers and fibrous ion exchange materials is regarded as adequate or an even better alternative for biomonitor transplant materials used in small-scaled set-ups, but biomonitors remain valuable in larger-scaled set-ups and in unforeseen releases and accidental situations. In the latter case, in-situ biomonitoring is seen as the only option for a retrospective study: biomoniors are there before one even knows that they are needed.

Biomonitoring of trace element air pollution: principles, possibilities and perspectives.

This paper discusses the biomonitoring of trace element air pollution. Much attention is given to both lichens and mosses as the dominant plant species used in biomonitoring surveys. Biomonitoring is regarded as a means to assess trace element concentrations in aerosols and deposition.