Attitudes Toward and Knowledge of Brain Death and Deceased Organ Donation Among Anesthesiologists in the Northeastern Region of Poland.

Background: Because in Poland transplant of organs from deceased donors is the predominant form of transplant, anesthesiology and intensive care specialists play a key role in the process. Insight into the work organization in intensive care units, anesthesiologists' and intensivists' level of knowledge and expertise, as well as personal opinions regarding declaring brain death and critical care of potential donors may be helpful in increasing transplant rates.

Aim Of The Study: The objective of this survey was to identify factors and challenges influencing donation rates in intensive care units of hospitals of various reference levels in region.

Efficiency of I radioisotope production from natural and enriched tellurium dioxide using Te(p,xn)I reaction.

Background: I Iodine (T[Formula: see text] = 4.18 d) is the only long-life positron emitter radioisotope of iodine that may be used for both imaging and therapy as well as for I dosimetry. Its physical characteristics permits taking advantages of the higher Positron Emission Tomography (PET) image quality, whereas the availability of new molecules to be targeted with I makes it a novel innovative radiotracer probe for a specific molecular targeting.

Optimisation of [C]-choline synthesis.

The importance of [C]-choline as a PET/CT marker has been extensively described, although its production presents considerable technical difficulties. The main ones are short half-lives and the occurrence of dimethylformamide (DMF) as a residual solvent. While the losses resulting from the radionuclide decay can be minimised by shortening the duration of the process, the best solution for reducing the content of DMF is its elimination from the reaction environment.

Synthesis, isolation and purification of [(11)C]-choline.

[(11)C]-choline is an effective PET tracer used for imaging of neoplastic lesions and metastases of the prostate cancer. However, its production can be a challenge for manufacturers, as it has not yet been described in Polish or European pharmacopoeia. In this study the technical aspects of [(11)C]-choline production are described and detailed process parameters are provided.