The effect of carrier technetium in the preparation of 99mTc-human serum albumin.

Accumulation of daughter 99Tc in 99Mo-99mTc generator systems may adversely affect the preparation of certain 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals. In a study of the effect of "carrier" technetium on the radiochemical purity of 99mTc-human serum albumin, varying amounts of 99Tc were added to a commercially available electrolytic kit. The maximum amount of 99Tc that could be added to such a kit and still maintain radiochemical purity above 90% was about 3 X 10(15) atoms. When kits containing 10(16) 99Tc atoms were electrolyzed for the conventional 42 sec, the radiochemical purity was only 50.8%. However, when the electrolysis time was varied, it was found that electrolysis for 80 sec yielded a product with greater than 90% radiochemical purity. Four solutions to the problem created by the 99Tc carrier effect are described.

Acid-citrate-dextrose compared with heparin in the preparation of in vivo/in vitro technetium-99m red blood cells.

Red blood cells labeled in vivo/in vitro with Tc-99m (Tc-99m RBC) were prepared in a series of 21 patients and two normal volunteers. In each subject both heparin and acid-citrate-dextrose (ACD) solutions were used to label tandem blood samples. The immediate preinjection binding efficiency (BE) was then determined. In each of the 23 studies, the ACD preparation yielded superior BE. The average BE was 93.47% (+/- 3.78) with ACD and 87.23% (+/- 4.29) with heparin. With the ACD method the effect of carrier Tc-99 may be as great as a 24% reduction in BE observed when initial eluates from long-ingrowth-time generators were used. Improved image quality with minimal renal and urinary-bladder activity results with ACD labeling. It is concluded that the use of ACD results in superior RBC labeling with less nontarget activity relative to heparin and is preferred over heparin for preparing in vivo/in vitro Tc-99m RBC.

Pharmacotherapy specialty certification examination. IV. 1992 results and process modifications, including recertification. The 1992 Specialty Council on Pharmacotherapy, Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties.

Certification of pharmacotherapy specialists is proceeding smoothly. Modifications to the examination process, which include reapportioning domains, offering the examination at several sites, and establishing the recertification process, have occurred. The guidelines for petitioners and structure of specialization continue to receive the attention and interest of prospective candidates, pharmacy organizations, and the BPS. To date, 674 specialists have been certified in the approved specialties: 175 nuclear pharmacists, 236 nutrition pharmacists, and 263 pharmacotherapy specialists.

Topical vital staining of human squamous cell carcinoma xenografts in nude mice.

We propose a method for visually enhancing residual cutaneous carcinoma in excision sites using topical stains. Utilizing nude mice, topical stains were applied to fresh wound beds containing partially resected human squamous cell carcinoma xenografts. Fifteen of 18 tumors were visually enhanced using topical 1% acridine orange and ultraviolet light, while none of the seven tumors stained with 0.25% dihematoporphyrin ether and ultraviolet light were enhanced. Of the stains tested, only acridine orange proved to visually enhance tumor tissue in a fresh wound bed. This study establishes the concept of direct wound staining as an aid in the excision of cutaneous cancers.

Establishment of a nuclear pharmacy.

The University of Michigan Regional Nuclear Pharmacy is described. The scope of operation of the nuclear pharmacy includes radiopharmaceutical formulation and dispensing, quality control, inventory control, research and development of new radiopharmaceuticals, and consultation. Also discussed are program objectives, pharmacy location, organizational structure, budget and staff, economic considerations, facilities and equipment, and legal considerations.

Vial retention of technetium-99m sulfur colloid in commercial kits.

Vial retention of technetium-99m sulfur colloid in five commercial kits used for the preparation of this radiopharmaceutical was studied. Radiochromatography and microscopic particle sizing were performed on all products; the biologic distribution in rats of two products was tested. Loss of activity attributable to vial retention was evident with only two products. The resulting loss of specific concentration did not affect biologic distribution. The cause of the "plating-out" of the radiopharmaceutical on the interior reaction vial surface was not determined, although the gelatin component of the product was suspected to be a factor.