Study of osmium and ruthenium distillation with radioactive tracers

The distillation characteristics of osmium and ruthenium, which have been studied by using both radioactive tracers and inactive compounds, are reported. The tracer solutions were prepared from hexachloro and hexabromo compounds and from the purified sponges of both metals. A quantitative separation of osmium from ruthenium can be made by distillation from peroxide-sulphuric acid solution at 110 degrees for about 40 min. Slow and incomplete distillations are observed when osmium is present as either the chloro or bromo complex. Optimum conditions for the dissolution of acid-insoluble materials containing osmium and ruthenium are discussed.     

Stable and radioactive tracers in Ru biokinetic studies

The feasibility of ruthenium metabolism studies by stable tracer administration, with a methodology based on proton nuclear activation, is presented. In order to test that the amount of stable tracer administered does not perturb significantly the mechanism investigated, a series of comparative experiments with administration of both radioactive and stable tracers has been performed on animals. As the most critical pathway seems to be the intravenous injection, four male rabbits were given an intravenous injection of radioactive¹⁰⁶Ru. Successively, the rabbits were given either a further injection of radioactive¹⁰⁶Ru or injection of different quantities of natural Ru. The activity of¹⁰⁶Ru and the concentration of natural Ru were measured in plasma samples withdrawn at different time intervals from the injections and the results were compared. Some biokinetic parameters and tissue distribution of Ru in rabbits were determined.Died on February 21, 1993.     

The use of stable and radioactive sterol tracers as a tool to investigate cholesterol degradation to bile acids in humans in vivo

Alterations of cholesterol homeostasis represent important risk factors for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Different clinical-experimental approaches have been devised to study the metabolism of cholesterol and particularly the synthesis of bile acids, its main catabolic products. Most evidence in humans has derived from studies utilizing the administration of labeled sterols; these have several advantages over in vitro assay of enzyme activity and expression, requiring an invasive procedure such as a liver biopsy, or the determination of fecal sterols, which is cumbersome and not commonly available. Pioneering evidence with administration of radioactive sterol derivatives has allowed to characterize the alterations of cholesterol metabolism and degradation in different situations, including spontaneous disease conditions, aging, and drug treatment. Along with the classical isotope dilution methodology, other approaches were proposed, among which isotope release following radioactive substrate administration. More recently, stable isotope studies have allowed to overcome radioactivity exposure. Isotope enrichment studies during tracer infusion has allowed to characterize changes in the degradation of cholesterol via the "classical" and the "alternative" pathways of bile acid synthesis. Evidence brought by tracer studies in vivo, summarized here, provides an exceptional tool for the investigation of sterol metabolism, and integrate the studies in vitro on human tissue.     

Diffusion studies in non-oxide ceramics: analytical aspects of the use of ion implanted stable tracers and SIMS

The physical and chemical properties of complex non-oxide ceramic materials require advanced methods of diffusivity determination. In this study, we present a method based on the high-dose ion implantation of stable tracers in combination with secondary ion mass spectroscopy for depth profiling. The analytical basics, advantages and problems of the method are discussed for two examples of complex materials, the Si-B-C-N precursor ceramics and the Ti-based transition metal diborides. We demonstrate that is possible to measure the temperature dependence of diffusivities, especially for ceramic systems with low diffusivities, for systems that contain elements for which no suitable radioactive tracers exist for extended measurements.     

The study of the existence of unknown and unstable compounds through mixed crystal formation using radioactive tracers

A heterogeneous distribution study with internally formed lead chromate as host and¹¹⁰Ag as guest indicates the existence of a new variety of lead chromate, which forms mixed crystals with silver chromate, and differs in morphology from the aged variety. It is inferred that the formation of mixed crystals is probably due to breeding of a morphologically analogous and unstable species by the guest component. By means of study of the homogeneous distribution coefficient, D, of the system consisting of KFe(SO₄)₂·12H₂O as host and¹¹⁰Ag as guest, the existence of an unknown alum, AgFe(SO₄)₂·12H₂O, in trace amounts has been demonstrated. A distribution study of the system shows that KFe(SO₄)₂·12H₂O forms mixed crystals with¹¹⁰Ag up to 10°C, after which the uptake follows an adsorption pattern. The transition temperature of the guest alum, indicated by a sharp change in the D values, is found to be 10°C. Application of radioactive tracers in the study of new and unstable compounds have been stressed.     

Applications of stable,nonradioactive isotope tracers in in vivo human metabolic research

The human body is in a constant state of turnover, that is, being synthesized, broken down and/or converted to different compounds. The dynamic nature of in vivo kinetics of human metabolism at rest and in stressed conditions such as exercise and pathophysiological conditions such as diabetes and cancer can be quantitatively assessed with stable, nonradioactive isotope tracers in conjunction with gas or liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and modeling. Although measurements of metabolite concentrations have been useful as general indicators of one''s health status, critical information on in vivo kinetics of metabolites such as rates of production, appearance or disappearance of metabolites are not provided. Over the past decades, stable, nonradioactive isotope tracers have been used to provide information on dynamics of specific metabolites. Stable isotope tracers can be used in conjunction with molecular and cellular biology tools, thereby providing an in-depth dynamic assessment of metabolic changes, as well as simultaneous investigation of the molecular basis for the observed kinetic responses. In this review, we will introduce basic principles of stable isotope methodology for tracing in vivo kinetics of human or animal metabolism with examples of quantifying certain aspects of in vivo kinetics of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism.     

高效液相色谱分析七种氟苯甲酸示踪剂

建立了高效液相色谱法测定7种新型水文示踪剂氟苯甲酸的分析方法。使用C18(150 mm,4.6 mmi.d,5μm)色谱柱、乙腈∶水(磷酸盐)=20∶80(2.56 mmol/L)为流动相、紫外检测器,检测波长223 nm。考察了pH、缓冲溶液浓度、有机相浓度等对保留时间的影响。相对标准偏差1.2%~4.2%,线性范围0.05~5.6μg/L。方法的检出限为0.03~0.07μg/L。平均回收率93.3%~106.6%之间。     

Study of thermal recrystallisation in Si implanted by 0.4-MeV heavy ions

A Si crystal layer on SiO₂/Si was implanted using 0.4-MeV Kr⁺, Ag⁺, and Au⁺ at ion fluences of 0.5 × 10¹⁵ to 5.0 × 10¹⁵ cm⁻². Subsequent annealing was performed at temperatures of 450° and 800° for 1 hour. The structural modification in a Si crystal influences ion beam channelling phenomena; therefore, implanted and annealed samples were investigated by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry under channelling (RBS-C) conditions using an incident beam of 2-MeV He⁺ from a 3-MV Tandetron in random or in aligned directions. The depth profiles of the implanted atoms and the dislocated Si atom depth profiles in the Si layer were extracted directly from the RBS measurement. The damage accumulation and changes in the crystallographic structure before and after annealing were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Lattice parameters in modified silicon layers determined by XRD were discussed in connection to RBS-C findings showing the crystalline structure modification depending on ion implantation and annealing parameters.     

Concentration of radioactive components in liquid low-level radioactive waste by membrane distillation

The paper addresses some aspects of liquid low-level radioactive waste (LLLW) purification. Since the volume of liquid low-level wastes is usually large and the activity is rather low, the radioactive substances separated from the non-active portion have to be concentrated into the small volume for subsequent conditioning and disposal. The need for the improvement of decontamination and minimisation of the costs have led to new specific methods being under examination and development. The method proposed in the paper is membrane distillation. The experimental work described below supports the statement that membrane distillation can be an attractive alternative for liquid radioactive waste treatment. The advantages of membrane distillation over the other processes commonly used for the processing of LLLW are discussed in the paper.     

Preparation of radioactive chloramine-B by isotopic exchange with radioactive chlorine

The exchange between chloramine-B and radioactive chlorine has been carried out in various media. The exchange is slow in strong acid and very weak acid media. Its maximum is at pH 3.3. There is no exchange in alkaline media. Optimum conditions for the preparation of radiochloramine-B with high specific activity are reported.     

Preparation of radioactive bromamine-T by isotope exchange with radioactive bromine

In hearts of mice the accumulation of 15-/para-¹²³I-phenyl/-pentadecanoic acid /IPPA/ was determined 3 min after injection under different conditions. Using propionate as an agent competing with the albumin binding sites for fatty acids, the concentration of free fatty acids was increased in the circulating blood and the myocardial uptake of IPPA rose from 38.8±3.7% inj. dose/g under normal conditions to 46.2±5.1% inj. dose/g. On the other hand, the addition of 2-Br-palmitic acid reduced the myocardial uptake to a value of 31.0±2.5 inj. dose/g due to the known effect of blocking the transport of fatty acids into the cells. The results suggest the existence of a carrier-mediated transport process of fatty acids into the myocardial tissue.     

An in vivo study of the host response to starch-based polymers and composites subcutaneously implanted in rats

Implant failure is one of the major concerns in the biomaterials field. Several factors have been related to the fail but in general these biomaterials do not exhibit comparable physical, chemical or biological properties to natural tissues and ultimately, these devices can lead to chronic inflammation and foreign-body reactions. Starch-based biodegradable materials and composites have shown promising properties for a wide range of biomedical applications as well as a reduced capacity to elicit a strong reaction from immune system cells in vitro. In this work, blends of corn starch with ethylene vinyl alcohol (SEVA-C), cellulose acetate (SCA) and polycaprolactone (SPCL), as well as hydroxyapatite (HA) reinforced starch-based composites, were investigated in vivo. The aim of the work was to assess the host response evoked for starch-based biomaterials, identifying the presence of key cell types. The tissues surrounding the implant were harvested together with the material and processed histologically for evaluation using immunohistochemistry. At implant retrieval there was no cellular exudate around the implants and no macroscopic signs of an inflammatory reaction in any of the animals. The histological analysis of the sectioned interface tissue after immunohistochemical staining using ED1, ED2, CD54, MHC class II and alpha/beta antibodies showed positively stained cells for all antibodies, except for alpha/beta for all the implantation periods, where it was different for the various polymers and for the period of implantation. SPCL and SCA composites were the materials that stimulated the greatest cellular tissue responses, but generally biodegradable starch-based materials did not induce a severe reaction for the studied implantation times, which contrasts with other types of degradable polymeric biomaterials.     

Study of the interferences in the determination of Pu, Am and Cm in radioactive waste by extraction chromatography

This paper describes the experimental studies carried out to determine (238)Pu, (239/40)Pu, (241)Pu, (241)Am, (242)Cm and (244)Cm in samples from nuclear power plants (mainly spent ion exchange resins and evaporator concentrates) using an organophosphorus compound immobilized on an inert support. These materials are commercially available under the name TRU Resin (for Transuranium Specific) from Eichrom Industries, Darien, IL. An attempt is made to develop a rapid, accurate method of analysis, with minimum waste generation. Standard solutions of Pu and Am and one sample of spent ion exchange resin that contains fission, activation products, Pu, Am and Cm were analyzed to study the separation factors and interferences in the measurement of Pu, Am and Cm isotopes.     

The instrumental analysis of inactive tracers by photon activation

Because of incresing problems due to the general non-acceptance of the application of open radioactivity in modern industrial research an investigation was made concerning the possibility of replacing radiotracers by inactive substances activated by photons after sampling. As an example, investigations in the glass-processing industry was selected. The results were confirmed by the radiotracer experiment performed in parallel. The data obtained were in good agreement.     

Measurement of the abrasion of radioactive teeth by dentifrices

The purpose of this study is to assess the dentifrice abrasivity of both commercially available products and test products. The assessment of abrasivity was carried out by the measurement of 32P released from tooth by using radioactive dentifrice abrasion (RDA) method. In dentine, RDA values, which show the polishing ability for dentine, were 65-100 with dentifrices with normal cleaning power and 106-182 with those with high cleaning power, respectively. On the other hand, REA values which show the polishing ability for enamel were 12-405 with both market products and test products. The difference of the REA values according to the dentifrices appears to be largely influenced by the difference of polishing agents of each dentifrice. It is concluded that RDA method is usefull for assessing of dentifrice abrasivity. However, particular attention should be given to the abrasion of dentine.