PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Elements, Radioactive”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 631 records · Page 35Linked to original sources

Elements of a portable radiation detector calibration program.

The Department of Environmental Health & Safety at San Diego State University (SDSU) calibrates portable radiation detectors as a service to the university's research community. SDSU's calibration program was developed and implemented based on selected recommendations provided by the American National Standards Institute and the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements. This paper outlines the elements of the calibration program including, technical references and the rationale for program development. Covered under the provisions of this paper include those instruments used to evaluate the dose rates from radioactive materials and those instruments used to determine radioactive contamination or uptake. Those detectors specifically not addressed are liquid scintillation counters, semi-conductors, neutron dose rate instruments, and instruments intended for quantifying dose rates due to beta emission.

Calibration↗

Value of surface counting in predicting response to splenectomy in haemolytic anaemia.

The value of surface counting with (51)Cr-labelled red cells in predicting response to splenectomy in haemolytic anaemia has been analysed in 18 cases. The cases included six patients with congenital haemolytic anaemias, four with primary autoimmune haemolytic anaemias, and eight patients with secondary haemolytic anaemias (four with a positive antiglobulin test). All patients showed evidence of splenic accumulation of labelled cells and in 16 of the cases this was confined to the spleen. Improvement followed splenectomy in 17 of the cases although there was no close correlation between the magnitude of accumulation of radioactivity as measured by excess counts and the degree of response. The reasons for these discrepancies are discussed, The only patient who completely failed to respond to splenectomy had a sideroblastic element to the anaemia. It has been concluded that surface counting is of value in selecting patients for splenectomy but should not be depended upon without reference to other clinical and haematological factors, which are likely to influence the prognosis.

Adolescent↗

Occupancy principle for radioactive tracers in steady-state biological systems.

Bergner's theoretical analysis of tracer dynamics has important ap plications in biology, not only for the measurement of exchangeable mass (as he demonstrated) but also for elicitation of otherwise inaccessible information on total masses of particular elements in body organs or systems-as well as in Chemical engineering and geophysics.

Biological Transport↗

Assessment of the effect of Maytenus ilicifolia (espinheira santa) extract on the labeling of red blood cells and plasma proteins with technetium-99m.

We are trying to develop a model to assess properties of products utilized in popular medicine. Maytenus ilicifolia is used in herbal medicine. Red blood cells (RBC) labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc) are employed in nuclear medicine. This labeling procedure depends on a reducing agent and stannous chloride is used. There is evidence that this labeling may be altered by drugs. We have investigated the possibility of M. ilicifolia extract being capable to alter the labeling of blood elements with 99mTc. Blood was incubated with M. ilicifolia extract. Stannous chloride solution and Tc-99m were added. Blood was centrifuged and plasma (P) and blood cells (C) were isolated. Samples of P or C were also precipitated, centrifuged and insoluble (IF) and soluble (SF) were separated. The percentages of radioactivity (%ATI) in C, IF-P and IF-C was calculated. The %ATI decreased on C from 93.6+/-2.3 to 29.0+/-2.7, on IF-P from 77.6+/-1.2 to 7.5+/-1.0 and on IF-C from 80.0+/-3.4 to 12.6+/-4.8. Once in RBC labeling procedure with 99mTc depends on the presence of stannous (+2) ions, the substances of the M. ilicifolia extract could increase the valence these ions to stannic (+4). This fact would decrease the %ATI on blood elements and indicate the presence of oxidant agents in the M. ilicifolia extract.

Blood Proteins↗

A radioiodine speciation, deposition, and dispersion model with uncertainty propagation for the Oak Ridge dose reconstruction.

Between 1944 and 1956, radioactive 131I was released into the atmosphere from operations at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN. The releases occurred from stacks and from building vents and openings in three different chemical forms: elemental, organic, and particulate. During their transport in the atmosphere, different forms of iodine react differently with other atmospheric chemicals and moisture, and are removed from the plume at different rates by the processes of dry and wet deposition. A modified Gaussian plume model was developed to address the processes of radioiodine speciation, deposition, depletion, and dispersion in the atmosphere, and to propagate uncertainties in input parameter values through to the ground-level concentrations of 131I in air. A unique approach was used to develop an implicitly correlated set of hourly meteorological parameters for any day of a month for each month of the year from ten years of available data between 1987 and 1996. The model was validated for both annual average and short-term releases. For the annual average releases, the predictions of ground-level concentrations of 131I from the model were within a factor of 2 of measured field data. For two of the three sets of available weekly data, the measurements fell within the 95% subjective confidence interval of model predictions. Predictions of ground-level air concentrations were made on an annual average basis for the entire period of release and on a short-term, episodic basis for a 1954 accident.

Atmosphere↗

A microtiter well assay for quantitative measurement of estrogen receptor binding to estrogen-responsive elements.

Reproducible, rapid measurement of estrogen receptor (ER) binding to DNA was accomplished in microtiter wells treated so that ER-DNA complexes or DNA bound in preference to free ER. Mixtures of 35S-labeled DNA and [3H]estrogen-charged ER ([3H]ER), incubated to equilibrium in microfuge tubes, were transferred to microtiter wells previously treated with histone followed by gelatin. After binding of the DNA or ER-DNA complex to the treated wells, free ER was removed by washing. Radioactivity retained in each well was measured by placing individual wells from snap-apart microtiter plates directly in scintillation fluid. Binding of DNA was saturable, and ER-DNA complex binding was complete within 2 h at 4 C. The use of 35S-labeled DNA and [3H]ER allowed stoichiometric determination of ER bound to DNA. The amount of ER specifically bound to a consensus estrogen-responsive element (ERE) containing the inverted repeat GGTCAgagTGACC was determined by comparing ER bound to plasmid containing or lacking the ERE. At saturating concentrations of ER, plasmids bearing one, two, and four EREs in tandem bound approximately one, two, and four dimeric ER molecules, respectively. Scatchard analysis of saturation binding data revealed a Kd of 0.15 nM for specific ER binding to a single ERE site. Thus, the assay detects ER retaining both DNA-binding and estrogen-binding functions. ER complexed with DNA in the well was also detected using a monoclonal antibody specific for the receptor. Simple modifications of this method would allow study of other DNA-protein interactions.

Animals↗

Radioactivity in trinitite six decades later.

The first nuclear explosion test, named the Trinity test, was conducted on July 16, 1945 near Alamogordo, New Mexico. In the tremendous heat of the explosion, the radioactive debris fused with the local soil into a glassy material named Trinitite. Selected Trinitite samples from ground zero (GZ) of the test site were investigated in detail for radioactivity. The techniques used included alpha spectrometry, high-efficiency gamma-ray spectrometry, and low-background beta counting, following the radiochemistry for selected radionuclides. Specific activities were determined for fission products (90Sr, 137Cs), activation products (60Co, 133Ba, 152Eu, 154Eu, 238Pu, 241Pu), and the remnants of the nuclear fuel (239Pu, 240Pu). Additionally, specific activities of three natural radionuclides (40K, 232Th, 238U) and their progeny were measured. The determined specific activities of radionuclides and their relationships are interpreted in the context of the fission process, chemical behavior of the elements, as well as the nuclear explosion phenomenology.

New Mexico↗

Similar poly(C)-sensitive RNA-binding complexes regulate the stability of the heavy and light neurofilament mRNAs.

The potential role of RNA processing in regulating neurofilament (NF) subunit expression and in mediating the neuropathic effects of NF transgenes was explored by determining whether similar regulatory elements and cognate binding factors are present in NF mRNAs. Gel-shift studies were used to compare RNA-binding complexes that assemble on the 3'UTR of the heavy (NF-H), mid-sized (NF-M) and light (NF-L) NF mRNAs when radioactive RNA probes are incubated with high-speed supernatants (S100) of rat brain homogenates. RNA-binding complexes were characterized by their rate of migration in non-denaturing gels and by their ability to be competed with specific homoribopolymers. Similar RNA-binding complexes formed on probes to the 3'UTRs of NF-L and NF-H mRNAs. The complexes were competed with poly(C) and are referred to as poly(C)-sensitive complexes. Their binding sites were localized to a 36 nt sequence in the mid-distal region of the NF-H 3'UTR and to a 45 nt sequence at the proximal edge of the 3'UTR of the NF-L transcript. Although the binding sites showed limited sequence homology, the complexes were cross-competed with unlabeled probes and radioactivity in either probe was cross-linked to a 43 kDa protein. The 43 kDa protein also bound directly to NF-L and NF-H probes in Northwestern blots. Functional studies showed that deletion of the binding sites markedly increased expression of a luciferase reporter gene containing the 3'UTR of NF-L or NF-H by stabilizing the fusion transcripts. Point mutations in the NF-H binding site which prevented formation of the poly(C)-sensitive complex also stabilized the fusion mRNA. The findings reveal a common destabilizing element in the 3'UTR of NF-L and NF-H mRNAs that may be important in coordinating NF subunit expression and in mediating the neuropathic effects of the NF-L and NF-H transgenes in transgenic mice.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

A critical review of measures to reduce radioactive doses from drinking water and consumption of freshwater foodstuffs.

Following a radioactive fallout event, there are a number of possible intervention measures to reduce radioactive doses to the public via the surface water pathway. We have critically reviewed the options available to decision-makers in the event of radioactive contamination of surface waters. We believe that the most effective and viable measures to reduce radioactivity in drinking water are those which operate at the water treatment and distribution stage. Intervention measures to reduce concentrations of radioactivity in rivers and reservoirs are expected to be much less viable and efficient at reducing doses via the drinking water pathway. Bans on consumption of freshwater fish can be effective, but there are few viable measures to reduce radioactivity in fish prior to the preparation stage. Lake liming and biomanipulation have been found to be ineffective for radiocaesium, although the addition of potassium to lakewaters appears promising in some situations. Lake liming may be effective in reducing radiostrontium in fish, though this has not, to our knowledge, been tested. De-boning fish contaminated by strontium is probably the most effective food preparation measure, but salting and freezing can also reduce radiocaesium concentrations in fish. The provision of accurate information to the public is highlighted as a key element of countermeasure implementation.

Animals↗

Aspects of sample preparation for the determination of actinoids in soil.

In the frame of the re-certification measurements of the IAEA-375 soil reference material the activity concentration of four actinoids (U, Th, Pu and Am) was determined. The method is based on microwave digestion or aqua regia leaching, separation by extraction chromatography and alpha-particle counting source preparation by co-precipitation or electro-deposition. This article describes some of the problems encountered during the validation of the sample preparation method and their solutions.

Actinoid Series Elements↗

Biosynthetic origin of syringomycin and syringopeptin 22, toxic secondary metabolites of the phytopathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae.

The biosynthesis of syringomycin (SR) and syringopeptin 22 (SP22), bioactive lipodepsipeptides of the phytopathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, was studied by feeding (14)C-labeled precursors to chloramphenicol-containing bacterial suspensions. The preferential sites of incorporation were determined by comparing the specific activities of the intact radiolabeled metabolites and their single structural elements, obtained by hydrolytic degradation followed by derivatization and isolation by high performance liquid chromatography. The results show that, upon feeding L-[(14)C(U)]-Thr, 35.0 and 31.0% of the SR radioactivity is retained in 2,3-dehydro-2-aminobutyric acid (Dhb) and 4-chlorothreonine (Thr(4-Cl)), respectively. L-[(14)C(U)]-Asp labels the same sites, though less efficiently, and is also incorporated in 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (Dab) and 3-hydroxyaspartic acid (Asp(3-OH)). Dhb is also labeled by Thr and Asp in SP22. These are the first data on the biosynthetic origin of the modified residues in P. syringae lipopeptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Organic nature of colloidal actinides transported in surface water environments.

Elevated levels of (239,240)Pu and 241Am have been present in surficial soils of the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site (RFETS), CO, since the 1960s, when soils were locally contaminated in the 1960s by leaking drums stored on the 903 Pad. Further dispersion of contaminated soil particles was by wind and water. From 1998 until 2001, we examined actinide ((239,240)Pu and 241Am) concentrations and phase speciation in the surface environment at RFETS through field studies and laboratory experiments. Measurements of total (239,240)Pu and 241Am concentrations in storm runoff and pond discharge samples, collected during spring and summer times in 1998-2000, demonstrate that most of the (239,240)Pu and 241Am transported from contaminated soils to streams occurred in the particulate (> or = 0.45 microm; 40-90%) and colloidal (approximately 2 nm or 3 kDa to 0.45 microm; 10-60%) phases. Controlled laboratory investigations of soil resuspension, which simulated storm and erosion events, confirmed that most of the Pu in the 0.45 microm filter-passing phase was in the colloidal phase (> or = 80%) and that remobilization of colloid-bound Pu during soil erosion events can be greatly enhanced by humic and fulvic acids present in these soils. Most importantly, isoelectric focusing experiments of radiolabeled colloidal matter extracted from RFETS soils revealed that colloidal Pu is in the four-valent state and is mostly associated with a negatively charged organic macromolecule with a pH(IEP) of 3.1 and a molecular weight of 10-15 kDa, rather than with the more abundant inorganic (iron oxide and clay) colloids. This finding has important ramifications for possible remediation, erosion controls, and land-management strategies.

Actinoid Series Elements↗

Long Distance Transport in Macrocystis integrifolia: III. MOVEMENT OF THO.

Movement of THO and tritium-labeled photoassimilate was studied in intact fronds and frond cuttings of Macrocystis integrifolia following labeling of a mature blade by tritiated water. Both THO and tritium-labeled assimilate moved from the source blade to sink areas at velocities comparable to those recorded earlier for (14)C- and (32)P-labeled compounds. In intact fronds and frond cuttings, THO and tritium-labeled assimilate showed a declining gradient with increasing distance from the source. In the exudate collected from the basal cut end of the frond, there was a marked increase in radioactivity with time in the photoassimilate, but no such gradient was evident for THO. These results support the idea that, although both tritium-labeled assimilate and THO move in the sieve elements, THO is rapidly exchanged with water in the tissues surrounding the sieve elements. Finally, it is shown that THO is transported to the sink and there "unloaded"; indeed, it can move out of the plant itself. The data on velocity and directionality of transport as well as unloading of THO at the sink are discussed, along with computations on specific mass transfer, and favor the idea that Münch's pressure-flow hypothesis is applicable in Macrocystis for long distance translocation of photoassimilates.

Journal Article↗

[Distribution of the adrenoblocking drug pyrroxan in the bodies of white rats].

The distribution of adrenoblocking drug pyrroxan in the blood plasma and different organs of albino rats had been studied. A rapid appearance of pyrroxan in the brain liver, kidneys, and other organs was shown; its selective accumulation in the hypothalamus was found. As revealed spectrofluorimetrically unchanged pyrroxan molecules disappeared from the plasma and the organs within 2 hours. When pyrroxan-14C was used the radioactivity in the organs was demonstrated for 24 hours, and in the plasma for several days; this indicated the formation of pyrroxan metabolites or its complexes with the plasma proteins and structural elements of the organs. The selective accumulation of pyrroxan in the hypothalamus can account for the high efficacy of this drug in different hypothalamic disorders coursing with the overexcitation of the sympathetic nervous system.

Animals↗