Pr(HBNMeBH) and Pr(thd) as Volatile Carriers for Actinium-225. Deposition of Actinium-Doped Praseodymium Boride Thin Films for Potential Use in Brachytherapy.

Here we show that the praseodymium ,-dimethylaminodiboranate complex Pr(HBNMeBH) and the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylheptane-3,5-dionate complex Pr(thd) can serve as volatile carriers for Ac. The actinium coordination complexes Ac(HBNMeBH) and Ac(thd) are the likely species subliming with the carrier material. A sample of Ac-doped Pr(HBNMeBH) was used to deposit amorphous Ac-doped praseodymium boride films on glass and Si(100) at 300 °C.

Pb Theranostic Radiopharmaceuticals for Image-guided Radionuclide Therapy for Cancer.

Receptor-targeted image-guided Radionuclide Therapy (TRT) is increasingly recognized as a promising approach to cancer treatment. In particular, the potential for clinical translation of receptor-targeted alpha-particle therapy is receiving considerable attention as an approach that can improve outcomes for cancer patients. Higher Linear-energy Transfer (LET) of alpha-particles (compared to beta particles) for this purpose results in an increased incidence of double-strand DNA breaks and improved-localized cancer-cell damage.

Novel rapid oxidizing fusion method to determine Polonium-210 in air filters.

A rapid method for the determination of polonium-210 in air filters has been developed for use following a radiological event and for routine environmental monitoring. Air filter samples, including cellulose and glass fiber, are fused with a sodium or potassium nitrate/sodium hydroxide flux material. The alkaline matrix minimizes polonium volatility during sample digestion steps, while efficiently dissolving the air filter and inorganic matter implanted on the filter.

Rapid method to determine Polonium-210 in urban matrices.

A rapid method for the determination of polonium-210 in urban matrices has been developed that can be used following a radiological event. Samples such as concrete, soil and granite are fused with sodium hydroxide to minimize polonium volatility during sample digestion and to achieve complete sample dissolution. Complete dissolution of samples is important to ensure method ruggedness.

Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Where Is the L-Track?

Modifications of the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) curricula to include a laboratory track (L-Track), to become Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP), began in 2004 in Kenya. The L-Track offered candidates training on laboratory competencies in management, policy, quality systems, and diagnostic methods as well as epidemiology, disease surveillance and outbreak response. Since then several FELTPs have discontinued the L-Track and instead offer all candidates, epidemiologists and laboratorians, a single FETP curriculum.

Rapid method to determine plutonium, neptunium, americium and curium in granite samples.

A fast method for determination of plutonium, neptunium, americium and curium isotopes in granite has been developed for use following a radiological event. Granite samples are fused with sodium hydroxide to achieve complete dissolution, critical if refractory particles are present. Rapid precipitation steps are utilized to preconcentrate the actinide isotopes and remove sample matrix interferences.

Selective separation of radium and actinium from bulk thorium target material on strong acid cation exchange resin from sulfate media.

This work presents a complete scheme for the selective separation of actinium and radium isotopes from bulk Th target material, in a process that may be applied in a separation scheme for the production of Ac by proton spallation on thorium. Thorium metal is dissolved in sulfuric acid with small amounts of HF. Actinium and radium are retained on cation exchange resin from the sulfate medium, while neutral and anionic thorium sulfate complexes are rejected.

Automated cassette-based production of high specific activity [Pb]peptide-based theranostic radiopharmaceuticals for image-guided radionuclide therapy for cancer.

A method for preparation of Pb-212 and Pb-203 labeled chelator-modified peptide-based radiopharmaceuticals for cancer imaging and radionuclide therapy has been developed and adapted for automated clinical production. Pre-concentration and isolation of radioactive Pb2+ from interfering metals in dilute hydrochloric acid was optimized using a commercially-available Pb-specific chromatography resin packed in disposable plastic columns. The pre-concentrated radioactive Pb2+ is eluted in NaOAc buffer directly to the reaction vessel containing chelator-modified peptides.

Emergency Radiobioassay Method for Determination of ⁹⁰Sr and ²²⁶Ra in a Spot Urine Sample.

A new radiobioassay method has been developed for simultaneous determination of (90)Sr and (226)Ra in a spot urine sample. The method is based on a matrix removal procedure to purify the target radionuclides from a urine sample followed by an automated high performance ion chromatographic (HPIC) separation of (90)Sr and (226)Ra and offline radiometric detection by liquid scintillation counting (LSC). A Sr-resin extraction chromatographic cartridge was used for matrix removal and purification of (90)Sr and (226)Ra from a urine sample prior to its introduction to the HPIC system.

An europium(III) diglycolamide complex: insights into the coordination chemistry of lanthanides in solvent extraction.

The synthesis, stoichiometry, and structural characterization of a homoleptic, cationic europium(III) complex with three neutral tetraalkyldiglycolamide ligands are reported. The tri(bismuth tetrachloride)tris(N,N,N',N'-tetra-n-octyldiglycolamide)Eu salt, [Eu(TODGA)3][(BiCl4)3] obtained from methanol was examined by Eu L3-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to reveal an inner-sphere coordination of Eu(3+) that arises from 9 O atoms and two next-nearest coordination spheres that arise from 6 carbon atoms each. A structural model is proposed in which each TODGA ligand with its O=Ca-Cb-O-Cb-Ca=O backbone acts as a tridentate O donor, where the two carbonyl O atoms and the one ether O atom bond to Eu(3+).

Influenza sentinel surveillance in Rwanda, 2008-2010.

Background: In 2008, Rwanda established an influenza sentinel surveillance (ISS) system to describe the epidemiology of influenza and monitor for the emergence of novel influenza A viruses. We report surveillance results from August 2008 to July 2010.

Methods: We conducted ISS by monitoring patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) at 6 hospitals.

Rapid methods for the isolation of actinides Sr, Tc and Po from raw urine.

Rapid methods for the isolation and analysis of individual actinides (Th, U, Pu, Am/Cm) and Sr, Tc and Po from small volumes of raw urine have been developed. The methods involve acidification of the sample and the addition of aluminum nitrate or aluminum chloride salting-out agent prior to isolation of the desired analyte using a tandem combination of prefilter material and extraction chromatographic resin. The method has been applied to the separation of individual analytes from spiked urine samples.

The effect of obesity on sperm disorders and male infertility.

The results of several studies point to an increased likelihood of abnormal semen parameters among overweight men, and an elevated risk for subfertility among couples in which the male partner is obese. Obesity is, therefore, associated with a higher incidence of male factor infertility. Several mechanisms might account for the effect of obesity on male infertility, both directly and indirectly, by inducing sleep apnea, alterations in hormonal profiles (reduced inhibin B and androgen levels accompanied by elevated estrogen levels) and increased scrotal temperatures, ultimately manifesting as impaired semen parameters (decreased total sperm count, concentration and motility; increased DNA fragmentation index).

Influence of the solvent quality on the AhR mediated Procept assay measurement of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds.

Polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, polychorodibenzofurans and "dioxin-like" polychlorinated biphenyls are widespread persistent organic pollutants sharing a similar toxicological pathway mediated by the aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Since the confirmatory method for their measurement at trace levels in complex matrices (using isotopic dilution and gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry) remains time and cost-consuming, growing efforts of the scientific community have been focused on the development of screening approaches, including AhR mediated assays. Unfortunately, AhR ligands are highly diverse and agonistic/antagonistic effects can be observed on procedural blanks and/or sample extracts.

Automated two column generator systems for medical radionuclides.

This work describes automated chromatographic methods for the separation of medically useful radionuclides from source material containing their parent radionuclides. The separation techniques employ two chromatographic columns to ensure high chemical and radiochemical purity of the product radionuclide. The separations were performed using an automated system, the automated radionuclide separator (ARS2), consisting of syringe pumps and multiport valves controlled through a computer interface.

CYP1A1 induction and CYP3A4 inhibition by the fungicide imazalil in the human intestinal Caco-2 cells-comparison with other conazole pesticides.

Imazalil (IMA) is a widely used imidazole-antifungal pesticide and, therefore, a food contaminant. This compound is also used as a drug (enilconazole). As intestine is the first site of exposure to ingested drugs and pollutants, we have investigated the effects of IMA, at realistic intestinal concentrations, on xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes and efflux pumps by using Caco-2 cells, as a validated in vitro model of the human intestinal absorptive epithelium.

A method for the separation of beryllium from spectral interfering elements in inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopic analysis.

A quick, simple and effective chromatographic method for the separation of beryllium from a wide range of elements is described. The elements selected comprise elements which can interfere with the determination of beryllium by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and elements which commonly occur in environmental and industrial sample matrices. Beryllium is separated from all possible ICP-AES spectral interfering elements using a single extraction chromatographic (EXC) cartridge containing an acidic chelating organophosphorus extractant, Dipex((R)), sorbed onto an inert polymeric substrate.

Highly crosslinked polyethylene is safe for use in total knee arthroplasty.

Unlabelled: Highly cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) has been used with good initial success in hip arthroplasty to reduce wear. However, the process of crosslinking reduces fracture toughness, raising concerns as to whether it can be safely used in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We therefore asked whether XLPE can be used safely in TKA.

Rapid aryl hydrocarbon receptor based polymerase chain reaction screening assay for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans in soil and sediment.

A method for the estimation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and furan (PCCD/F) toxicity equivalent quotient (TEQ) of soil and sediment matrices is described. The method includes extraction, isolation of the PCDD/Fs from interfering compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and measurement of PCDD/F using the PROCEPT aryl hydrocarbon (AhR) receptor based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The values obtained using the PROCEPT assay correlate well with reference TEQ values generated from gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS), with a linearity coefficient (R(2)) of 0.

Development and use of an attenuated total reflectance/fourier transform infrared (ATR/FT-IR) spectral database to identify foreign matter in cotton.

The presence of foreign matter in cotton seriously affects the cotton grade and thus the price per bale paid by the spinner to the grower, the efficiency of the spinning and ginning operations, and the quality of the final woven product. Rapid identification of the nature of the extraneous matter in cotton at each stage of cleaning and processing is necessary to permit actions to eliminate or reduce its presence and improve efficiency and quality. Although several instruments are being successfully employed for the measurement of contamination in cotton fibers based on particle size/weight, no commercial instrument is capable of accurate qualitative identification of contaminants.

Analysis of sticky cotton by near-infrared spectroscopy.

"Stickiness" in cotton is a major problem affecting throughput in cotton gins and spinning mills alike. Stickiness is thought to be caused by the deposition of sugars by insects, principally aphid and whitefly, on the open boll. Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy was used to develop models for sugar content from high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), thermodetector, and mini-card data.

Pubic symphyseal width in pediatric patients.

Traditionally, there has been no readily available and statistically sound method for evaluating the normal pubic symphyseal width in children. Normal values for the width of the pubic symphysis in the pediatric population are useful for determining pathologic widening, either congenital or posttraumatic. This investigation was directed at determining a reference range for the normal pubic symphyseal width according to age, age group, gender, and when combining these variables.

A process for the separation of 177Lu from neutron irradiated 176Yb targets.

A conceptual flowsheet has been developed for the separation of (177)Lu from a 300 mg neutron irradiated (176)Yb enriched target. The key component of the process is an extraction chromatographic (EXC) resin containing 2-ethylhexyl 2-ethylhexylphosphonic acid (HEH[EHP]) sorbed onto a 25-53 microm Amberchrom CG-71 substrate. The process is divided into three sections: (1) front-end target removal system, (2) primary separation system and (3) secondary separation system.