An ion-pairing, reversed-phase liquid chromatography method to assess the cross-contamination of cancer chemotherapy infusions prepared in a dual-operator aseptic isolator.

UNLABELLED: Cytotoxics are usually prepared in a centralized pharmacy unit in a controlled hospital environment. Despite the rigorous operating procedures used for such preparations, contamination is theoretically possible - for example due to vial switches. Therefore products ought to be checked in order to determine whether quality control measures are adequate. Numerous strategies have been applied locally to ensure the safety of both patients and operators but the efficacy of these methodologies has not previously been examined. The aim of this study was to develop an analytical method sensitive enough to detect traces of anti-cancer drugs, in order to evaluate cross-contamination between infusions prepared in a dual-operator isolator in the dedicated pharmacy unit. We developed a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with ultraviolet (UV) detection to identify and quantify the following seven drugs: 5-Fluorouracil, Cytarabine, Gemcitabine, Irinotecan, Doxorubicin, Epirubicin, and Daunorubicin. We assessed the levels of cross-contamination in 20 random preparations. We achieved separation of the seven drugs in less than 28 min, with a lower limit of quantification capable of detecting cross-contamination. An assessment of 20 preparations revealed no cross-contamination. We developed a reproducible and sensitive HPLC method which could be a potentially useful tool for use in practice. We checked the level of cross-contamination in anti-cancer drug infusions and confirmed that the process in current use was safe. This study is the first to assess cross-contamination in anti-cancer preparations. This work is the first step in an extensive programme of quality control, whose aim is to ensure the safety of both patients and operators. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. KEY FINDINGS: Development of a reproducible and sensitive HPLC method capable of detecting seven anticancer drugs. This method could be used alongside MS detection, to check for biological contamination of nursing and pharmacy staff with anticancer drugs. No cross-contamination was detected in cancer chemotherapy infusions prepared in a dual-operator aseptic isolator.

Automated radioxenon monitoring for the comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty in two distinctive locations: Ottawa and Tahiti.

In preparation for verification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban-Treaty, automated radioxenon monitoring is performed in two distinctive environments: Ottawa and Tahiti. These sites are monitored with SPALAX (Systeme de Prelevement d'air Automatique en Ligne avec l'Analyse des radioXenons) technology, which automatically extracts radioxenon from the atmosphere and measures the activity concentrations of (131m,133m,133,135)Xe. The resulting isotopic concentrations can be useful to discern nuclear explosions from nuclear industry xenon emissions. Ambient radon background, which may adversely impact analyser sensitivity, is discussed. Upper concentration limits are reported for the apparently radioxenon free Tahiti environment. Ottawa has a complex radioxenon background due to proximity to nuclear reactors and medical isotope facilities. Meteorological models suggest that, depending on the wind direction, the radioxenon detected in Ottawa can be characteristic of the normal radioxenon background in the Eastern United States, Europe, and Japan or distinctive due to medical isotope production.

Intercomparison experiments of systems for the measurement of xenon radionuclides in the atmosphere.

Radioactive xenon monitoring is one of the main technologies used for the detection of underground nuclear explosions. Precise and reliable measurements of (131m)Xe, (133g)Xe, (133m)Xe, and (135g)Xe are required as part of the International Monitoring System for compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). For the first time, simultaneous testing of four highly sensitive and automated fieldable radioxenon measurement systems has been performed and compared to established laboratory techniques. In addition to an intercomparison of radioxenon monitoring equipment of different design, this paper also presents a set of more than 2000 measurements of activity concentrations of radioactive xenon made in the city of Freiburg, Germany in 2000. The intercomparison experiment showed, that the results from the newly developed systems agree with each other and the equipment fulfills the fundamental requirements for their use in the verification regime of the CTBT. For 24-h measurements, concentrations as low as 0.1 mBqm(-3) were measured for atmospheric samples ranging in size from 10 to 80 m(3). The (133)Xe activity concentrations detected in the ambient air ranged from below 1 mBqm(-3) to above 100 mBqm(-3).

[Anthropometric study of the face in childhood from birth to 11 years (author's transl)]. / Etude anthropométrique du visage chez l'enfant de la naissance à ans.

The normal values of some facial characteristics have been established in 1,130 French children from birth to 11 years in the Lille area. Included in the study were: distances between the internal and external angles of the eye, interpupillary distance, length of the palpebral fissures, height, width and depth of the nose, width and height of the lips and of the external ear. No significant difference could be found in boys and girls.