An audit of clinically relevant abnormal laboratory parameters investigating athletes with persistent symptoms of fatigue

The aim of this audit was to assess the yield of a selection of laboratory tests as part of the clinical assessment of the fatigued athlete. Clinical charts and blood test results of fifty consecutive athletes who presented with the primary complaint of fatigue were retrospectively reviewed. Blood tests results reviewed were: haematology (haemoglobin, red cell count, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin content, platelets, white cell count, differential white cell count); erythrocyte sedimentation rate; serum biochemistry (urea, creatinine, electrolytes, urate, glucose, liver function tests, albumin, globulin); blood iron status (serum iron, total iron binding capacity, percent transferring saturation, and ferritin concentration); thyroid stimulating hormone; and immune measures (Epstein–Barr virus serology, cytomegalovirus serology). We identified only 3 abnormal results that contributed to the diagnosis of medical disease as a cause for fatigue. Laboratory testing identified 2 fatigued female athletes with serum ferritin concentration between 15 μg L⁻¹ and 20 μg L⁻¹ plus two of the other criteria of iron concentration (serum iron <10 μmol L⁻¹, iron binding capacity >68 μmol L⁻¹, or transferrin saturation <15%). We concluded that the yield from a selection of blood tests investigating fatigued athletes was low. Future study is needed to further define the role of laboratory testing and to study whether low iron stores in the absence of anaemia is related to symptoms in fatigued athletes.     

A liquid-scintillation-based primary standardization of Pb

A new radioactivity solution standard of ²¹⁰Pb has been developed and will be disseminated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as standard reference material (SRM) 4337. This new ²¹⁰Pb solution standard is contained in a 5 mL flame-sealed borosilicate glass ampoule, consists of (5.133±0.002) g of a nominal 1 mol L⁻¹ nitric acid solution, has a density of (1.028±0.002) g mL⁻¹ at 20 °C, has carrier ion concentrations of about 11 μg Pb²⁺ and 21 μg Bi³⁺ per gram of solution, and is certified to contain a massic activity (9.037±0.22) kBq g⁻¹ as of the reference time 1200 EST, 15 June 2006. All of the uncertainties cited above correspond to standard uncertainties multiplied by a coverage factor k=2. The standardization for the ²¹⁰Pb content of the solution was based on 4πβ liquid scintillation (LS) measurements using CIEMAT/NIST ³H-standard efficiency tracing (CNET). Confirmatory determinations were also performed by high-resolution HPGe γ-ray spectrometry, by 2π spectrometry with a Si surface barrier detector of separated ²¹⁰Po, and by 4πβ(LS)–γ(NaI) anticoincidence counting.     

The effect of contrast temperature water therapy on repeated sprint performance

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two recovery techniques on blood lactate and repeated sprint performance. In a randomised cross-over design 20 junior representative rugby players (aged 19 ± 1 years) were given either contrast temperature water therapy or active recovery after performing a repeated sprint test. The test was then repeated 1 h later to gauge the effects of the two recovery methods on subsequent repetitive sprinting performance. One week later, the two groups were reversed and the testing repeated. The test consisted of ten 40-m sprints with a 30-s turn-around between sprints. Recovery consisted of 6 min slow jogging (6.8 km h⁻¹) for the active recovery group or 6 min of contrast temperature water therapy consisting of three 1-min hip-height immersions in cold water (8–10 °C) alternated with three 1-min hot water (38 °C) showers. Blood lactate concentration and heart rates were measured throughout the testing. Relative to the active recovery group the contrast temperature water therapy group showed a substantial decrease in blood lactate concentration 3 min after the procedure (−2.1 mmol L⁻¹, 95% confidence limits, ±1.8 mmol L⁻¹), and substantially lower heart rates both during the procedure (−9.1 ± 8.7 min⁻¹) as well as 1 h later during the second set of sprints (−11.7 ± 8.6 min⁻¹). Effects of recovery group on repeated sprint performance were small to trivial and unclear. Compared to active recovery, contrast temperature water therapy decreases blood lactate concentration and heart rate but has little effect on subsequent repetitive sprinting performance.     

Radiochemical purification of no-carrier-added scandium-47 for radioimmunotherapy

A procedure, adaptable to large-scale remote operation, was developed to purify no-carrier-added (NCA) ⁴⁷Sc from irradiated Ti targets. Methods based on extraction chromatography and cation-exchange chromatography were compared. Results of this comparison led to the development of an optimized procedure based on cation-exchange with Dowex AG 50W-X4 and ⁴⁷Sc elution with HCl/HF. This method gave 90–97% overall ⁴⁷Sc recovery, with a Ti separation factor greater than 2.4×10⁻⁵, and specific activities ≥0.9 GBq μg⁻¹. Use of the ⁴⁷Sc product, for labeling monoclonal antibodies, resulted in consistent labeling yields of ≥90%.     

Contrast water immersion hastens plasma lactate decrease after intense anaerobic exercise

The benefits of rapid recovery after intense exercise are widely recognised, and lactate elimination is one indicator of recovery rate. This study examined the effect of contrast (alternating hot and cold) water immersion (CWI) on the rate of plasma lactate decrease during recovery after intense anaerobic exercise. Eleven subjects on each of two occasions undertook four successive 30-s Wingate tests separated by 30-s rest periods. On each occasion, plasma lactate concentration during recovery was measured 5 min post-exercise and thereafter at 5 min intervals for 30 min. On one occasion (determined randomly), the subjects recovered passively (PR) on a recovery bed and, on the other, they alternated partial body immersion in hot (36 °C) and cold (12 °C) water baths. Plasma lactate concentrations were analysed by repeated measures analysis of variance and by fitting a linear regression model, allowing for both gender and recovery mode differences. The rate of decrease in plasma lactate concentration over the 30-min recovery period was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in CWI; 0.28(±0.02) mmol L⁻¹ min⁻¹ (CWI) compared to 0.22(±0.02) mmol L⁻¹ min⁻¹ (PR). These values do not differ significantly between males and females. Contrast water immersion is a valid method of hastening plasma lactate decrease during recovery after intense anaerobic exercise for both males and females. An approximately 1.8 mmol L⁻¹ difference between the two conditions may be expected after 30 min. With differences among elite competitors as little as 1–2%, this reduction may be of practical significance.     

Indoor gamma dose measurements in Gudalore (India) using TLD

Indoor gamma radiation dose rates were measured inside residential buildings in Gudalore using a CaSO₄ : Dy thermoluminescent dosimeter for 1 year . Significant seasonal variations are observed. The highest dose rate is observed during summer and the lowest in winter. The dose rates observed are between 77.9 and 229.3 nGy h⁻¹ and may be attributed to the type of building materials used in the dwellings monitored. The calculated mean annual effective dose equivalent rates range between 477.6 μSv y⁻¹, for the inhabitants of mud houses to 1406.3 μSv y⁻¹, for those living in terrace houses made of cement and brick.     

Development of a simple neutron irradiation facility utilizing the stray neutron field of a medical cyclotron

During the routine isotope production schedule at the Australian National Medical Cyclotron thick copper plates, electroplated with enriched target materials, are bombarded with 30 MeV protons with an average beam current of 200 μA. As a result an intense high-energy, prompt neutron flux of the order of 1.72 × 10¹³ neutrons·cm⁻²·2⁻¹ is generated in the immediate vicinity of the target. The stray fast neutrons were moderated using a water-filled PVC bucket placed on the target station. A maximum thermal neutron flux of 3.88 × 10⁹ neutrons·cm⁻²·s⁻¹ was measured in the bucket using cobalt activation discs. The thermal neutrons from this irradiation facility has been used for the neutron activation analysis of trace elements in archaeological artefacts. It has also been planned to utilize the fast neutron flux by varying the geometry of the water moderator in order to estimate oxygen concentration in high-temperature superconductors and aluminium and silicon in ceramics.     

Investigating the background of a 1-cm quartz gas proportional counter

The background count rate of a 1-cm³ quartz gas proportional counter (GPC) was investigated for measuring natural radioactivity levels of small samples. Using a new multiparameter digital counting system, spurious or afterpulses that contribute to background were identified by their pulse waveform and by a special event indicator defined by the time (<2000 μs) between two successive pulses. With the GPC in coincidence with a low-background NaI(Tl) scintillation guard detector, the weighted mean and standard uncertainty anticoincidence counts per day (d⁻¹) was 6.2±0.4 d⁻¹.     

[I]-TYR3-octreotide: clinical dosimetry and use for internal radiotherapy of metastatic paraganglioma and carcinoid tumors

Dosimetry and therapeutic application of [¹³¹I]-Tyr3-octreotide were evaluated in three patients with metastatic paraganglioma and carcinoid tumor. The in vitro stability of [¹³¹I]-Tyr3-octreotide was verified. Tumor uptake and residence time were between 0.02 and 0.1% and 0.5 to 9.8 h, respectively. The calculated tumor radiation doses were between 0.105 and 0.696 mGy·MBq⁻¹. No intolerance or adverse effects were observed after the therapeutic doses (3.3–6.6 GBq). A partial tumor response was obtained in one patient and no response occurred in two patients.     

Characterization of trace elements in Casearia medicinal plant by neutron activation analysis.

Leaves of Casearia sylvestris, Casearia decandra and Casearia obliqua plant species, collected at the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, were analyzed by using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Short and long irradiations using thermal neutron flux of the IEA-R1 nuclear reactor were carried out for these analyses. Concentrations of Ca, K and Mg were found in these samples at the percentage levels, Br, Cl, Fe, Mn, Na, Rb and Zn at the μg g⁻¹ levels and Co, Cr, Cs, La, and Sc at the μg kg⁻¹ levels. Comparisons were made among the element concentrations obtained in these three Casearia species and significant differences were found for the elements Cl, Co, Cs, Cr, La, Mn, Na and Sc. The precision and the accuracy of the results were evaluated by analyzing the certified reference materials NIST-1515 Apple Leaves and NIST-1573a Tomato Leaves.     

Dependency of the [18F]fluoromisonidazole uptake on oxygen delivery and tissue oxygenation in the porcine liver

We have previously shown that the accumulation of fluorine-18-labeled fluoromisonidazole ([¹⁸F]FMISO) is inversely correlated to tissue oxygenation, allowing the quantification of porcine liver tissue hypoxia in vivo. We determined the activity from administered [¹⁸F]FMISO in relation to the hepatic oxygen availability and the partial pressure of oxygen in tissue (tPO₂) to define a critical oxygen delivery on a regional basis. [¹⁸F]FMISO was injected 2 h after onset of regional liver hypoxia due to arterial occlusion of branches of the hepatic artery in 10 domestic pigs. During the experimental procedure the fractional concentration of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) was set to 0.67 in group A ( N=5) and to 0.21 in group B ( N=5) animals. Immediately before sacrifice, the tPO₂ was determined in normal flow and flow-impaired liver segments. The standardized uptake values (SUV) for [¹⁸F]FMISO was calculated from 659 single tissue samples obtained 3 h after injection of approximately 10 MBq/kg body weight [¹⁸F]FMISO and was compared with the regional total hepatic oxygen delivery (DO₂) calculated from the regional arterial and portal venous flow (based on ¹⁴¹Ce- and ^99mTc-microspheres measurements) and the oxygen content of the arterial and portal venous blood. In 121 tPO₂-measured liver tissue samples, the mean DO₂ was significantly decreased in occluded liver tissue samples [group A: 0.063 (0.044–0.089); group B: 0.046 (0.032–0.066)] compared to normal flow segments [group A: 0.177 (0.124–0.252); group B: 0.179 (0.128–0.25) mL·min⁻¹·g⁻¹; geometric mean (95% confidence limits); p < 0.01 in group A and p < 0.001 in group B]. The tPO₂ of occluded segments [group A: 5.1 (3.2–8.1); group B: 3.9 (2.4–6.2) mm Hg] was significantly decreased compared to normal flow segments [group A: 20.2 (12.6–32.5); group B: 22.4 (14.3–35.2) mm Hg; p < 0.01 in group A and p < 0.001 in group B]. Three hours after [¹⁸F]FMISO administration, the mean [¹⁸F]FMISO SUV determined in tPO₂-measured occluded segments was significantly higher [group A: 4.08 (3.12–5.34), group B: 5.43 (4.14–7.13)] compared to normal liver tissue [group A: 1.57 (1.2–2.06), group B: 1.5 (1.16–1.93); p < 0.001 for both groups]. The [¹⁸F]FMISO SUV allowed prediction of the tPO₂ with satisfying accuracy in hypoxic regions using the exponential regression curve { [¹⁸F]FMISO=1.05+6.7^{(−0.117 tPO₂}); r²=0.75;p < 0.001}. In addition, regardless of ventilation conditions, a significant exponential relationship between the DO₂ and the [¹⁸F]FMISO SUV was found ( r²=0.39,p < 0.001). Our results suggest that the reduction of the oxygen delivery below the critical range of 0.1–0.11 mL·min⁻¹·g⁻¹ regularly causes liver tissue hypoxia. The severity of hypoxia is reflected by the [¹⁸F]FMISO accumulation and allows the in vivo estimation of the tPO₂ in hypoxic regions.     

A Monte Carlo brachytherapy study for dose distribution prediction in an inhomogeneous medium

The purpose of this study was to present a theoretical analysis of how the presence of bone in interstitial brachytherapy affects dose rate distributions. This study was carried out using a Monte Carlo simulation of the dose distribution in homogeneous medium for 3 commonly used brachytherapy seeds. The 3 seeds investigated in this study are iridium-192 (¹⁹²Ir) iodine-125 (¹²⁵I), and palladium-103 (¹⁰³Pd). The computer code was validated by comparing the specific dose rate (Λ), the radial dose function g(r), and anisotropy function F(r,θ) for all 3 seeds with the AAPM TG-43 dosimetry formalism and current literature. The ¹⁹²Ir seed resulted in a dose rate of 1.115 ± 0.001 cGy-hr⁻¹-U⁻¹, the ¹²⁵I seed resulted in a dose rate of 0.965 ± 0.006 cGy/h⁻¹/U⁻¹, and the ¹⁰³Pd seed resulted in a dose rate of 0.671 ± 0.002 cGy/h⁻¹/U⁻¹. The results for all 3 seeds are in good agreement with the AAPM TG-43 and current literature. The validated computer code was then applied to a simple inhomogeneous model to determine the effect bone has on dose distribution from an interstitial implant. The inhomogeneous model showed a decrease in dose rate of 2% for the ¹⁹²Ir, an increase in dose rate of 84% for ¹²⁵I, and an increase in dose rate of 83% for the ¹⁰³Pd at the surface of the bone nearest to the source.     

Retention level of Cs-137 and K-40 in some users of an Egyptian nuclear research center

Body burden activities of Cs-137 and K-40 of about 120 humans, of composite sex, were measured using Inshas whole body counter facilities. The contained body burden activity in such distribution is found to be 3.5–10 Bq l⁻¹ for Cs-137 and 3.39×10⁻³ kg l⁻¹ as well as 3.69×10⁻³ kg l⁻¹ for K-40 respectively for females and males. It was found, that the amount of Cs kg l⁻¹ K increases significantly with increase of either the body volumes and/or the total body potassium. It seemed reasonably to conjecture that, from the results of this study, the retention time of Cs-137 in body is closely connected to the amount of K-40. The discrimination factor related to the body burden content of Cs-137 to K-40 is also experimentally predicted. Moreover, the burden activities of Cs-137 and K-40 over a period of two years are scanned monthly. The results show a slight continuous increase in body burden activity of both elements. The net daily intakes of Cs-137 and K-40 are calculated using a formula developed from ICRP. The calculated results for K-40 show a variation ranging from 30 to 40 Bq per day for females and from 45 to 55 B per day for males. While for Cs-137 show a slight variation ranged from 5.2 to 6.8 Bq per day for a composite sex. The authors emphasise the importance of the periodic measurement of human population since both the consumed food chain and the environmental enclosure contained both radio elements. Accumulation of the daily ingested activity of Cs-137 and K-40, and of food eaten, showed that the predicted body burden retained activity is relatively higher by a range of 5–25% for Cs-137 and 3–15% for K-40 when compared with that detected by the whole body counter over the 24-month scanning course.     

Thermoluminescence and electron spin resonance properties of some travertines from Turkey

For the sake of dating certain calcite geological samples, the TL and ESR properties of travertines from Denizli (in the southwestern part of Turkey) were studied and the effects of pre-heating temperature and pre-heating time on the sensitivity of the samples to radiation evaluated. Heat treatment above 350°C increases the sensitivity of all radiation-induced TL peaks except the 330°C glow peak. Results of gamma-ray dose calibration in travertine (CaCO₃ crystal of trigonal symmetry) indicate that the 180 and 280°C TL peak amplitudes increase exponentially with dose. We show that second-order kinetics characterizes the 180 and 280°C glow peaks reasonably well. The Mn²⁺ lines of the ESR spectra are used to investigate the thermal decomposition processes of travertine samples, showing very good agreement with those of thermogravimetry. Glow mechanisms of TL in travertine have also been studied using ESR analysis. The pre-heating and subsequent laboratory irradiation procedure is found to enhance the TL and ESR signals of CO₃³⁻ and CO₂⁻ centres. An isochronal thermal anneal sequence experiment showed that 180 and 280°C peaks in travertines are correlated with CO₃³⁻ and CO₂⁻ centres in the same way that the peak at 330°C is correlated with SO₂⁻ centres. A model for the recombination mechanism is suggested on the basis of the TL and ESR measurements.     

Averaged EMG profiles in jogging and running at different speeds

EMGs were collected from 14 muscles with surface electrodes in 10 subjects walking 1.25–2.25 m s⁻¹ and running 1.25–4.5 m s⁻¹. The EMGs were rectified, interpolated in 100% of the stride, and averaged over all subjects to give an average profile. In running, these profiles could be decomposed into 10 basic patterns, 8 of which represented only a single burst. Muscles could be divided into a quadriceps, hamstrings, calf and gluteal group, the profiles of which were composed of the same basic patterns. The amplitude of some bursts was constant, but other ones varied with running speed. This speed dependency was generally different between muscles of the same group.

Many muscles show a similar profile in running as in walking. The most notable exception is the calf group, which shows activation in early stance (86–125%), together with quadriceps, instead of in late stance (26–55%) as in walking. This is also visible in low-speed running, ‘jogging’, where stance extends to 46% or 57%, instead of 30–37% as in normal running. Jogging shows some additional differences with normal running, related to this prolonged stance phase.     

Measurement of Pu γ-ray intensities between 148 and 161 keV

Utilizing Pu isotopic standards characterized by the Institute for Nuclear Materials and Measurement (IRMM), New Brunswick Laboratory (NBL) measured the γ-ray branching ratios of the 148.567-keV ²⁴¹Pu, the 152.72-keV ²³⁸Pu, the 159.995-keV ²⁴¹Pu and the 160.28-keV ²⁴⁰Pu γ-rays. The study reported here includes the measurement of four IRMM standards, utilizing three different detectors for a total of 16 spectra, finding branching ratios of (1.863 ± 0.008) × 10⁻⁶, (9.230 ± 0.068) × 10⁻⁶, (6.321 ± 0.040) × 10⁻⁸ and (4.065 ± 0.017) × 10⁻⁶, γ/disintegration, respectively.     

Efficient synthesis of 2-bromo-1-[F]fluoroethane and its application in the automated preparation of F-fluoroethylated compounds

An efficient synthesis of 2-bromo-1-[¹⁸F]fluoroethane from commercially available 1,2-dibromoethane and its integration into an automated preparation device was developed for the routine synthesis of ¹⁸F-fluoroethylated compounds. The 1,2-dibromoethane was reacted with the [¹⁸F]fluoride/Kryptofix^®2.2.2./carbonate complex in acetonitrile at 70°C for 3 min resulting in 60–70% radiochemical yields. The crude reaction mixture was diluted with water, loaded on a LiChrolute^®EN-cartridge, eluted with acetonitrile and passed through an AluminaB^®-cartridge. This method provides 2-bromo-1-[¹⁸F]fluoroethane with 98% radiochemical purity and <0.1 μmol of 1,2-dibromoethane within 10 min, thus avoiding a purifying distillation step. This method was easily integrated into an automated system for the routine synthesis of ¹⁸F-fluoroethylated compounds.     

Automated synthesis and purification of [F]bromofluoromethane at high specific radioactivity

[¹⁸F]Bromofluoromethane was synthesised from dibromomethane by substitution of bromine with [¹⁸F]fluoride. The synthesis and separation of the [¹⁸F]bromofluoromethane were automated. [¹⁸F]Bromofluoromethane was used to convert a phenolic and a thiophenolic precursor into a labelled ether and thioether, respectively. The specific radioactivity of these labelled products was determined with both high-performance liquid chromatography (with UV-absorbance detection) and liquid chromatography (with mass spectrometric detection). The median for the specific radioactivity, corrected at the end of radionuclide production, was 934 GBq/μmol (range 40–9900 GBq/μmol; n=83).     

Cardioprotective effects of the MR contrast agent MnDPDP and its metabolite MnPLED upon reperfusion of the ischemic porcine myocardium

Purpose: To evaluate whether manganese dipyridoxyl diphosphate (MnDPDP) or its metabolite manganese dipyridoxyl ethyldiamine (MnPLED) reduces post-ischemic myocardial injury.Material and Methods: Left anterior descending artery (LAD) in anesthetized pigs was occluded (30 min) followed by reperfusion (120 min) during hemodynamic monitoring and infarct assessment. Three μmol/kg MnDPDP, 1 μmol/kg MnPLED (or a mixture of both) or saline was injected i.v. 10 min before reperfusion followed by infusion of either 3 μmol/kg/h MnDPDP, 1 μmol/kg/h MnPLED (or a mixture of both) or saline. The plasma concentrations of MnDPDP, MnPLED and other metabolites (e.g., ZnDPDP and ZnPLED) were analyzed.Results: Femoral blood flow was reduced by 60% during early reperfusion in controls, whereas only 23 and 31% reductions were seen in animals treated with MnDPDP and MnPLED. During that time, +LV/dP and -LV/dP (maximum rate of left ventricular isovolumic contraction and relaxation, respectively), systolic pressure and diastolic pressure fell significantly less in animals treated with MnDPDP or MnPLED. Three out of 5 control animals experienced ventricular fibrillation (VF) during reperfusion, whereas VF was not seen in any of the pigs treated with MnPLED or/and MnDPDP. The infarct sizes in saline- and MnPLED-treated animals were 39±6 and 16±5%, respectively, of the occluded areas. MnDPDP did not reduce the infarct size. A mixture of MnDPDP and MnPLED significantly reduced infarct size (10±4%). When reperfusion started and throughout reperfusion, almost all injected MnDPDP was present as Zn-metabolites.Conclusion: MnPLED seems to reduce reperfusion-induced cardiac dysfunction and infarct size in pigs. MnDPDP does not reduce infarct size in the pig, probably because of the rapid exchange of Mn²⁺ for Zn²⁺ taking place in the pig.     

One-step synthesis of F labeled [F]-N-succinimidyl 4-(fluoromethyl)benzoate for protein labeling

[¹⁸F]-N-succinimidyl 4-(fluoromethyl)benzoate (1) has been prepared from N-succinimidyl-4-[(4-nitrobenzensulfonyl)oxymethyl]benzoate (2) in one step using Kryptofix 2.2.2/[¹⁸F⁻]. The effect of solvents, potassium salts and temperatures were studied to determine optimum labeling condition. The best results were obtained using carbonate as the counter ion and acetone as the solvent at room temperature. Overall radiochemical yields of 18% (EOS) for the synthesis of 1 were obtained in 30–35 min, including HPLC purification. Proteins were labeled with 1 with labeling yields of 50–70% in 15 min.